Protracted periods of high temperatures and limited rainfall
have in the past and may in the future result in an excessive demand
being placed upon the underground aquifers which provide the source
of domestic potable water for the citizens of Vernon Township and
have in the past and may in the future lead to a lowering of the water
tables of said aquifers so as to jeopardize well supplies and threaten
the shortage and nonavailability of water to residents within the
Township. During such conditions it is in the interest of the health,
safety and welfare of the Township's inhabitants to take all
reasonable precautions and measures to conserve water for sanitary,
domestic and fire-fighting purposes and restrict nonessential uses
of water.
In case of emergent conditions which threaten the availability and supply of water, the Mayor and Township Council may, by resolution, declare the existence of a water emergency. The resolution adopted by the Mayor and Township Council shall state that an emergency exists requiring the implementation of measures for the conservation of water for domestic and sanitary purposes and fire protection in accordance with §
566-3 below.
[Amended 4-27-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-08]
A. Upon the declaration of emergency, the Mayor shall devise and prescribe
regulations requiring the full or partial curtailment of nonessential
water usage and consumption. Such regulations may include an absolute
prohibition of the use and withdrawal of water, or limitations upon
the ability to withdraw and use water, for one or more of the following
purposes:
(1) Sprinkling or watering of lawns, vegetation, shrubbery and plantings.
(2) Washing of automobiles, trucks, or any other type of mobile equipment.
(3) Washing of sidewalks, walkways, driveways, porches or other outdoor
surfaces.
(4) The filling of swimming and wading pools.
(5) The washing of the outside of dwellings and the outside of office
buildings.
(6) The washing and cleaning of any business or industrial equipment
and machinery, unless such washing and cleaning are needed to satisfy
health and sanitary codes and regulations.
(7) Any other use of water for any purpose not necessary to health and
safety of the public.
B. Commercial farming and agricultural operations shall be exempt from
the regulations.
[Amended 4-27-15 by Ord. No. 2015-08]
Upon the declaration of emergency pursuant to this chapter,
the Mayor shall be empowered to devise and prescribe regulations prohibiting
one or more of the following:
B. Burning of trash or other materials in open trash barrels.
C. The burning of grass and leaves.
D. The burning of charcoal other than in an Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) approved barbecue grill or device.
The proclamation of an emergency shall be conclusive as to the fact of the existence of an emergency and shall be binding upon all persons upon its filing in the office of the Township Clerk and publication in accordance with §
566-6 of this chapter. Any regulations included in the proclamation and any regulations subsequently promulgated shall have the same force as specifically set forth in this chapter. Every owner, tenant, occupant and resident within the Township shall, upon a proclamation of regulations, become bound by them and shall conform to them in the use of water and restrictions on burning.
Immediately following the passage of any emergency declaration,
a copy of the declaration shall be published in all newspapers having
a daily Monday through Friday or Sunday circulation within the Township
and such other publications as may be determined by the Mayor and
Township Council. Said declaration shall also be posted in the Township
Municipal Building. Regulations promulgated to implement the emergency
declaration shall be published and posted in the same manner.
The declaration of emergency shall continue in full force and
effect, except as amended, until terminated by resolution of termination
adopted by the Mayor and Township Council.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to use
water at any time during the water emergency in a manner prohibited
by the declaration of emergency, and the regulations promulgated pursuant
thereto, issued in accordance with this chapter. Any police office,
together with the Health Officer, Zoning Official, Construction Official
and Fire Inspectors of the Township of Vernon, shall, in connection
with all duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions
of this chapter.