[Ord. 99-8-17-2, 8/17/1999, Art. I]
This Part shall apply to all users of water in Plumstead Township
(the "Township") or outside the Township who rely upon a source of
water within the Township.
[Ord. 99-8-17-2, 8/17/1999, Art. II]
1. The Board of Supervisors may, upon the recommendation of the Township
Water Department or the Township water consultant, determine that
a drought emergency exists in the Township which warrants the imposition
of mandatory water use restrictions.
[Amended by A.O.]
2. Upon a determination of a drought emergency, the Township Board of
Supervisors shall, at its next publicly advertised meeting, declare
the emergency by resolution and place into effect the mandatory water
use restrictions of this Part.
3. Some or all of the mandatory restrictions may be removed or modified
by subsequent resolution once the Board of Supervisors determines
that the drought emergency has ended.
[Ord. 99-8-17-2, 8/17/1999, Art. III]
Upon the declaration of a drought emergency, the following nonessential
uses of water shall be banned in accordance with the following provisions:
A. Watering lawns, except:
(1)
Water may be applied to grass areas as part of a wastewater
or stormwater system utilizing spray irrigation.
(2)
Grass tennis courts and newly seeded or sodded grass areas may
be watered at the minimum rate by bucket, can or handheld hose equipped
with an automatic shutoff nozzle only between the hours of 5:00 p.m.
and 9:00 a.m. and only every other day. Premises with even-numbered
addresses may water on even-numbered dates, and premises with odd-numbered
addresses may water on odd-numbered dates (hereinafter "designated
days").
(3)
Greens and tees of golf courses may be watered, only on designated
days at the minimum rate recommended by a professional landscaper
between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
(4)
Sod or turf farms may irrigate at the minimum rate to avoid
loss of crop and in accordance with industry standard best conservation
management practices.
B. Use of water to irrigate and water outdoor gardens, landscaped areas,
trees, shrubs and other outdoor plants, except:
(1)
By bucket, can or handheld hose equipped with an automatic shutoff
nozzle between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. and only on designated
days.
(2)
Agricultural irrigation for the production of food and fiber,
the maintenance of livestock and poultry or the production of nursery
stock at a minimum amount required, where nonfresh water is not available.
(3)
For the preservation and maintenance of significant specimens
in arboretums and public gardens of regional significance.
(4)
At the minimum rate necessary to implement revegetation required
pursuant to an approved sedimentation and erosion control plan in
compliance with best conservation management practices of the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection or the Bucks County Conservation
District.
C. The use of any water for washing paved surfaces, except:
(1)
To prewash in preparation of asphalt street or driveway recoating
or sealing.
(2)
To maintain clay tennis courts at the minimum rate necessary.
(3)
For the sanitary maintenance of the premises of public eating
and drinking establishments.
D. The use of any water for ornamental purposes such as fountains, artificial
waterfalls and reflecting pools.
E. The use of any water for the cleaning or washing of mobile or stationary
equipment, vehicles, boats, trucks, trailers, except:
(1)
To preserve the safe operation and functioning of public, commercial
and government vehicles.
(2)
By commercial car washes equipped with facilities that recycle
water and restrict flow to three gallons per minute.
F. The serving of water in clubs and eating and drinking establishments,
unless specifically requested by the customer.
G. Exportation of fresh water from the Township in quantities in excess
of 1,000 gallons per day.
H. Filling and topping off swimming pools, except:
(1)
Swimming pools equipped with filtration equipment that allows
for continued use and recycling of water over the swimming season.
(2)
Swimming pools operated by health care facilities used in connection
with patient care and rehabilitation.
(3)
Qualifying swimming pools may be filled or topped off only on
designated days.
I. Exemption from the ban on nonessential uses may be granted as follows:
(1)
By the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council in accordance
with established procedures within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
J. In addition to these prohibitions, residents are encouraged to monitor
their consumption and conserve water at every reasonable opportunity.
[Ord. 99-8-17-2, 8/17/1999, Art. IV]
Upon the declaration of a drought emergency by the Township
Board of Supervisors, no burning permits shall be granted by the Township
Fire Marshal or other designated Township official.
[Ord. 99-8-17-2, 8/17/1999, Art. V]
1. Upon the declaration of a drought emergency, no builder or developer
in the Township may seed a new lawn for a recently constructed residence
or commercial building until such time as the drought emergency has
ended.
2. If a building permit has been issued by the Township, prior to the
declaration of a drought emergency, which authorizes the seeding of
a new lawn upon completion of construction, the provisions of the
building permit shall automatically be amended to prohibit seeding
until the drought restrictions have ended.
[Ord. 99-8-17-2, 8/17/1999, Art. VI; amended by A.O.]
A. Any person, corporation, business or other user of water in the Township
found to be in violation of any of the provisions of this Part shall,
upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial
District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of
not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment
thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation
continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate
offense, and each section of this Part that is violated shall also
constitute a separate offense.
B. In addition to the penalties set forth herein, customers of the Township's
publicly owned water system shall be subject to the following:
(1)
Consumption of water in excess of 50 gallons per person, per
household, per day shall be billed at the rate of $5.50 per 1,000
gallons.
(2)
Consumption of water in excess of 90 gallons per person, per
household, per day shall be billed at $11 per 1,000 gallons.
C. If a customer of the Township's publicly owned water system incurs
a fourth offense or refuses to pay a fine, the Township may discontinue
service to the customer's premises until such time as any outstanding
fines are satisfied and the customer allows the installation of a
flow restriction device at the water meter, which shall remain on
the water meter until such time as the drought emergency has ended.
D. If a customer of the Township's publicly owned water system reduces
water usage by 15% from the quarter prior to the declaration of a
drought emergency, that customer will receive a $10 credit on their
subsequent water bill in addition to the amount of water conserved
by the customer.