(a) When, for any reason, the supply of water from the city water system is inadequate to meet the demand or projected demand for water, including the maintenance of necessary water reserves and projected reserves necessary for fire suppression activities, as determined by the Fire Chief, the City Manager shall declare that the use of water by all users of city water, for purposes not essential to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city, is prohibited or restricted during specified hours and/or days, or for a specified time period, or for a continuing time period until notice is given that such uses are no longer prohibited and/or restricted. Water uses not essential to the health, safety and welfare include, but are not limited to, lawns and gardens, vehicle washing, manufacturing facilities, cooling facilities, commercial laundries and commercial vehicle washing facilities. Restrictions shall be placed on any or all of the nonessential water uses consistent with the severity of the situation, as determined by the City Manager.
(b) Publication, one time, of such a declaration of prohibitions and/or restrictions in a newspaper of general circulation within the city shall constitute official notice to all users of city water. The city shall also provide declarations to appropriate television and radio stations and may provide mailings to water users for information purposes. The prohibitions and/or restrictions of water usage shall remain in full force to all users of city water until the prohibitions and/or restrictions are removed by the City Manager by having a notice to that effect published one time in the same newspaper of general circulation within the city. The city shall also publicize the removal of restrictions and/or prohibitions with appropriate television and radio stations.
(c) No person, business, industry or other user of city water shall use water from the city water system when the City Manager has prohibited or restricted such use. If notification has been given, the Division of Water and Wastewater may terminate water service to any person using water in violation of prohibitions or restrictions. Such termination may continue until the use is no longer prohibited and/or restricted. The city, including its agents and employees, shall not be liable or responsible for any damage resulting from the termination of water service, nor for any damage due to prohibitions or restrictions placed on water usage by the City Manager.
(Ord. 88-81, passed 8-11-1988)