[Adopted by the Township Council 5-23-2006 by Ord. No.
4009-06]
The purpose of this article is to provide for
the conservation and protection of water and water resources for the
use of the inhabitants of the Township whenever any conditions exist
which threaten, endanger, impede or reduce the supply of water in
the Township, thereby promoting the public health, comfort, safety
and welfare of the inhabitants of the Township.
If restricted under an emergency declaration issued pursuant to § 589-50 of this article, the use and withdrawal of water by any person for the following purposes may be prohibited and/or regulated:
A.
Watering yards: the sprinkling, watering or irrigation
of shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens,
vegetables, flowers or any vegetation.
B.
Washing mobile equipment: the washing of automobiles,
trucks, trailers, or any other type of mobile equipment.
C.
Cleaning outdoor surfaces: the washing of sidewalks,
walkways, driveways, porches and other outdoor surfaces.
D.
Cleaning buildings: the washing of the outside of
dwellings; the washing of the inside and outside of office buildings.
E.
Cleaning equipment and machinery: the washing and
cleaning of any business or industrial equipment and machinery.
F.
Ornamental fountains: the operation of any ornamental
fountain or other structure making a similar use of water.
G.
Swimming pools: the operation of any swimming and
wading pool, whether private or public.
A water emergency shall exist in any part of
the municipality when declared by resolution of the Council. The declaration
shall state the nature of the emergency, the restrictions imposed,
any authorized exceptions thereto and the estimated duration of the
emergency restrictions; provided, however, that the emergency restrictions
shall remain in effect until the adoption of a further resolution
of the Council, regardless of the estimated duration for the emergency
restrictions.
Reasonable attempts shall be made to notify
affected property owners of the existence of a water emergency, the
restrictions imposed and the penalties for violations.
Any police officer of the Township who shall observe any person using or withdrawing water in violation of this article shall issue a summons and complaint to the violator, returnable before the Township Municipal Court, which shall treat and dispose of such complaint in accordance with § 589-54 of this article. Any authorized employee of the Department of Public Works, Code Enforcement Officer, or any member of the Police Department who shall observe any person using or withdrawing water in violation of this article may sign a complaint against the violator, and, upon a complaint having been so signed, the Clerk of the Township Municipal Court or other person authorized by applicable law shall cause to be issued a summons against said violator, returnable before the Township Municipal Court, which shall treat and dispose of such complaint in accordance with § 589-54 of this article.
The provisions of this article shall apply to
residences served by public water utilities and privately owned wells
unless specifically stated in the emergency declaration.
Any person violating any provision of this article
shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine, the amount of which
shall be $100 for the first offense. Subsequent offenses shall be
punishable by a fine of $500 plus a term of community service not
to exceed 30 days.
All Township officers, employees and agents
are hereby authorized to take such steps and do and perform such other
acts and things as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to
carry to completion the purpose of this article.
