[R.O. 2001 § 705.230; Ord. No. 740, 8-4-1988]
This Article will become effective upon a finding by the Utility Superintendent that a probable water shortage problem exists. When it is anticipated that there is a distinct possibility of a water distribution shortfall, the following plan will be implemented until it can be determined that the emergency no longer exists. Depending on the expected severity of the problem, it is possible that Stages Two or Three might be implemented immediately. Requests for public cooperation would be made through the news media. This Article will affect only those citizens and commercial entities who receive water service from the Memphis Water Department.
[R.O. 2001 § 705.240; Ord. No. 740 § 1, 8-4-1988]
A. 
Stage One (Voluntary).
1. 
Request voluntary conservation effort and compliance with the following restrictions:
a. 
No washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas, no pumping of fountain recirculating water.
b. 
No refilling of swimming pools with water furnished by the City.
c. 
No washing of cars, other motor vehicles, trailers or boats.
d. 
No water to be used for dust control.
e. 
No flushing of mains by Water Department personnel except to alleviate specific customer complaints.
f. 
Commercial and industrial users will be requested to conserve water as much as possible.
2. 
If, after the initiation of Stage One, weather conditions, expected trends in demand or other factors indicate that the threat of a water shortage will continue, the additional provisions of Stage Two will be implemented.
B. 
Stage Two (Voluntary).
1. 
Stage One restrictions would remain in effect plus the following restrictions would also be requested:
a. 
No use of water from a fire hydrant except for fighting fires, human consumption, or use in connection with animals.
b. 
Watering of any lawn, garden, landscaped area, tree, shrub or other plant shall be prohibited, except from a hand-held hose or container or drip irrigation system. Such watering shall be permitted only at times designated by the Utility Superintendent.
c. 
Commercial and industrial users would be requested to reduce their water consumption by thirty percent (30%).
2. 
If, after the initiation of Stage Two, weather conditions, expected trends in demand or other factors indicate that the threat of a water shortage will continue or worsen, or if a serious problem or system emergency should develop, the mandatory measures of Stage Three would be implemented.
C. 
Stage Three (Mandatory).
1. 
No washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas, no pumping of fountain recirculating water.
2. 
No refilling of swimming pools with water furnished by the City.
3. 
No use of water for recreational uses such as water slides or yard play.
4. 
No washing of cars, other motor vehicles, trailers or boats except from a bucket.
5. 
No water to be used for dust control.
6. 
No flushing of mains by Water Department personnel except to alleviate specific customer complaints.
7. 
No use of water from a fire hydrant except for fighting fires, human consumption, or use in connection with animals.
8. 
Watering of any lawn, garden, landscaped area, tree, shrub or other plant shall be prohibited.
9. 
It would be necessary that all large commercial and industrial users follow a previously submitted conservation plan for their operation which has been approved by the Utility Superintendent. A customer that fails to submit a conservation plan would be subject to the penalties of Section 705.280 of this Article.
D. 
Depending upon the severity of the problem, the plan could revert back to Stage One or Two or be cancelled as conditions improve.
[R.O. 2001 § 705.250; Ord. No. 740 § II, 8-4-1988]
A. 
Commercial and industrial customers must submit to the City Water Department a water conservation plan for their operation within one hundred twenty (120) days of the passage of this Article.
B. 
The conservation plan shall describe how the user intends to reduce water consumption during Stage Three of the water conservation plan. The goal of the required plan should be to reduce the customers usage by fifty percent (50%). Specific measures should be listed and described, i.e., water recycling, delaying routine watering of lawns and shrubbery, delaying routine washing of equipment and facilities, changes to processes requiring less water.
[R.O. 2001 § 705.260; Ord. No. 740 § III, 8-4-1988]
A. 
With respect to the mandatory provisions of this plan, a customer shall be deemed to have been notified and directed to reduce the use of water as set forth in the plan when the General Manager of the City Water Department or his/her designated representative files such notice through the news media, except nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prohibit other means to notify persons of the need to reduce use of water in accordance with the plan.
B. 
Upon the Water Department taking steps to notify customers as set forth above, a customer shall be presumed to have notice and shall take steps to comply with the plan, except a customer may rebut such presumption by showing that the customer did not, in fact, have notice of the directions to comply with the provisions of this plan.
[R.O. 2001 § 705.270; Ord. No. 740 § IV, 8-4-1988]
A. 
All persons who receive City water service shall be entitled to receive such water service only upon strict compliance with provisions of the plan.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate the mandatory provisions of the plan when such person is directed to reduce or curtail his/her use of water as set forth in Stage Three of the plan. A direction to reduce or curtail use of water shall be presumed when notice is given as set forth in the plan.
[R.O. 2001 § 705.280; Ord. No. 740 § V, 8-4-1988]
A. 
Any person who shall violate any of the mandatory provisions of the plan pertaining to discontinuance, interruption, curtailment of water service, or any large commercial or industrial user who fails to submit a conservation plan acceptable to the Water Department within one hundred twenty (120) days of the passage of this Article shall be subject to the termination of water service without notice to the customer during Stage Three of the water conservation plan at the discretion of the management of the City Water Department.
B. 
Any new customer who shall be required to file such a plan shall have a grace period of one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of service hookup to comply.