[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of Warren County as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Adopted 9-16-2008]
The purpose of this article is to provide for
the voluntary and mandatory restriction on the nonessential use of
groundwater during declared water shortages or water emergencies.
This article shall apply to all Warren County
residents and businesses located outside the limits of the Town of
Front Royal which are served by well water. This article shall not
apply to those residents and businesses which are supplied by a public
water supply system by the Town of Front Royal.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) shall adopt
by resolution a Drought Response Plan.
[Amended 10-18-2011]
The indicators used to indicate drought severity
shall be precipitation, streamflow, spring discharges and groundwater
levels. When at least two indicators exceed the threshold for drought
stage determination, as set forth in the Drought Response Contingency
Section in the Northern Shenandoah Regional Water Supply Plan, the
Board may declare a specific drought stage.
The drought stages shall be "Drought Watch,"
"Drought Warning," and "Drought Emergency," as determined by the Board
pursuant to the Drought Response Plan.
Upon the Board finding that a drought stage
exists, the Board may issue a declaration of a drought stage. The
County Administrator, upon the declaration of a drought stage by the
Commonwealth of Virginia, may issue a declaration of a drought stage
to be in effect until the next regular Board meeting.
Upon declaration by the Board or the County
Administrator of a drought watch or drought warning, voluntary conservation
measures will be requested of residents and businesses as set forth
in the Drought Response Plan. Upon declaration of a drought emergency,
mandatory restrictions shall apply as set forth in the Drought Response
Plan.
Upon prior written request by an individual,
business, or other water user, the Board of Supervisors, or its designee,
may permit less than full compliance with any drought restrictions
if good cause can be shown, including evidence that the applicant
is affected in a substantial manner not common to other businesses
or persons generally. No waiver shall be granted by the Board or its
designee unless the Board or its designee determines that the public
health, safety, and welfare will not be adversely affected by the
waiver. All waivers granted by the Board or its designee shall be
reported at the Board's next regular or special meeting.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions
of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less
than $100, nor more than $500. Each act or each day's continuation
of the violation shall be considered a separate offense.
