For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALLOTMENT. The maximum quantity of water allowed for each customer over any applicable period as established in the water rationing provisions of this chapter.
ANY WATER. Any type of water, including fresh water, wastewater, or reclaimed water.
CUSTOMER. Any person using water for any purpose from the county regional water distribution system and for which either a regular charge is made or, in this case of bulk sales, a cash charge is made at the site of delivery.
EMERGENCY. When water supplies are below the level necessary to meet normal needs and that serious shortages exist in the area.
EXCESS USE. The usage of water by a water customer in excess of the water allotment provided under the water rationing provisions of this chapter for that customer over an applicable period.
FRESH WATER. Water withdrawn from surface or ground water that has not been previously used.
MANDATORY CONSERVATION. When raw water supplies (i.e., stream flows, reservoir levels, or ground water levels) are consistently below seasonal averages, and if they continue to decline, may not be adequate to meet normal needs.
NONRESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER. Includes commercial, industrial, institutional, public, and all other such users, with the exception of hospitals and health care facilities.
RATIONING. Procedures established to provide for the equitable distribution of critically-limited water supplies, in order to balance demand and limited available supplies, and to assure that sufficient water is available to preserve public health and safety.
RECLAIMED WATER. Wastewater that has been treated to allow reuse.
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER. Any customers who receive water service for a single or multi- family dwelling unit. The term RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER does not include educational or other institutions, hotel, motel, or similar commercial establishments.
SERVICE INTERRUPTION. The temporary suspension of water supply, or reduction of pressure below that required for adequate supply, to any customer, portion of a water supply, or entire system.
VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION. When conditions exist which indicate the potential for serious water supply shortages.
WASTE OF WATER. Includes, but is not limited to, permitting water to escape down a gutter, ditch, or other surface drain, or failure to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing.
WASTEWATER. Water which has been previously used for industrial, municipal, domestic, or other purpose, and has not been returned to the surface or ground water source.
WATER. Water available to the county by virtue of its water rights or contract, or any treated water introduced by the county into its water distribution system, including water offered for sale.
WATER USE CLASSES. Are established as follows.
(1) Class 1: Essential water uses.
(a) Domestic use. Water necessary to sustain human life and the lives of domestic pets, and to maintain minimum standards of hygiene and sanitation.
(b) Health care facilities. Patient care and rehabilitation, including swimming pools used for patient care and rehabilitation.
(c) Public use.
1. Fire hydrants.
a. Firefighting; and
b. Certain testing and drills by the Fire Department if performed in the interest of public safety and if approved by the county’s Public Utilities Department.
2. Flushing of sewers and hydrants. As needed to ensure public health and safety.
(2) Class 2: Socially or economically important uses of water.
(a) All domestic uses other than those included in Classes 1 and 3.
1. Home water use including kitchen, bathroom, and laundry use;
2. Minimal watering of vegetable gardens; and
3. Watering of trees where necessary to preserve them.
(b) Commercial, agricultural, industrial, and institutional uses.
1. Outdoor commercial watering, public or private, using conservation measures and to the extent that sources of water other than fresh water are not available to use;
2. Irrigation for commercial vegetable gardens and fruit orchards or the maintenance of livestock;
3. Watering by commercial nurseries at a minimum level necessary to maintain stock;
4. Water use by arboretums and public gardens or national, state, or regional significance where necessary to preserve specimens;
5. Use of fresh water at a minimum rate necessary to implement vegetation following earth moving, where such vegetation is required by law or regulation;
6. Watering of golf course greens;
7. Filling and operation of swimming pools:
a. Residential pools which serve more than 25 dwelling units;
b. Pools used by health care facilities for patient care and rehabilitation; and
c. Municipal pools.
8. Commercial car and truck washes;
9. Commercial laundromats;
10. Restaurants, clubs, and eating places;
11. Air conditioning:
a. Refilling for start up at the beginning of the cooling season;
b. Make-up of water during the cooling season; and
c. Refilling specifically approved by health officials and the municipal governing body, where the system has been drained for health protection or repair purposes.
12. Schools, churches, motels/hotels, and similar commercial establishments.
(3) Class 3: Non-essential uses of water.
(a) Ornamental purposes. Fountains, reflecting pools, and artificial waterfalls.
(b) Outdoor non-commercial watering (public or private).
1. Gardens, lawns, parks, golf courses (except greens), playing fields and other recreational areas;
2. Filling and operation of recreational swimming pools which serve fewer than 25 dwellings;
3. Non-commercial washing motor vehicles;
4. Serving water in restaurants, clubs, or eating places except by specific request; and
5. Air conditioning, including refilling cooling towers after draining except as specified in Class 1.
(c) Public use.
1. Fire hydrant use for any purpose, including use of sprinkler caps and testing fire apparatus and for Fire Department drills, except as listed Class 1; and
2. Flushing of sewers and hydrants except as listed in Class 1.
(Ord. passed - -2007)