[Ord. No. 14.513 §1, 9-16-1991]
It shall the policy of the City of California to encourage the prudent use of natural resources, including the water supply available to residents of the City. This policy shall be implemented through the various methods set forth in this Article.
[Ord. No. 14.513 §2, 9-16-1991]
A. 
Whenever the Mayor, or Superintendent of the Department of Utilities, of the City of California find that the water supply or the capacity of the waterworks system of the City to deliver water is approaching levels at which water rationing would be required to preserve the ability of the City to deliver a necessary amount of water to each water user, the City may request that residents, and all other water consumers, adopt a policy of voluntary water conservation.
B. 
In such event, the Superintendent of the Department of Utilities, the Mayor or some individual so designated by the Superintendent, the Mayor or the Board of Aldermen of the City will make public announcements in the news media that a policy of voluntary water conservation is, or will be, in effect. Persons will be urged to conserve water in every way possible in their homes and in the businesses.
C. 
People will be urged to avoid sprinkling their lawns and avoid watering gardens, shrubs or trees with a hose, unless the lawn, garden, shrubs or plants need the water to avoid damage, and at any rate not more often than every second (2nd) day for not more than four (4) hours a day.
[Ord. No. 14.513 §III, 9-16-1991]
A. 
When deemed necessary by the Superintendent of the Department of Utilities, and when those voluntary water conservation methods as set forth above are ineffective or insufficient to address the water supply shortage, the City may adopt a water rationing policy.
B. 
The City shall, following the same method as outlined above, make public announcements through the news media on a reoccurring basis, whenever water rationing is in effect. The announcements shall include a description of the restrictions applicable during the time said policy is in effect.
C. 
The City may adopt either a Stage 1, water rationing policy, or a Stage 2, water rationing policy, depending upon the severity of the situation.
D. 
Stage 1 Water Rationing Policy. During those times that the Stage 1, water rationing policy is in effect:
1. 
No person shall use water to sprinkle a lawn, or use water through a hose to water any garden, tree or shrub, except between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and Midnight or between the hours of 5:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. of any day on which sprinkling is permitted. Sprinkling shall be permitted on even-numbered calendar days at locations with even-numbered addresses and on odd-numbered calendar days at locations with odd-numbered addresses. These restrictions shall apply to all residences and to all businesses and institutions having lawns, gardens, trees or shrubs and shall be followed at all parks and public buildings owned by the City. These restrictions shall not apply to any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of growing or selling plants of any kind.
2. 
No water shall be used from a hose to wash automobiles, except at places of business where autos are washed on every business day either with attendants, with automatic equipment or by self-service. Any person may wash an automobile with water from a bucket.
3. 
No swimming pools shall be filled. Swimming pools that were filled before Stage 1 went into effect may have water added to make up losses through evaporation or splashing, but water lost through draining or through leaks in the pool may not be made up during Stage 1 water rationing.
E. 
Stage 2 Water Rationing Policy. Stage 2 water rationing will be in effect whenever the Superintendent deems necessary, or when the Stage 1 water rationing policy has not adequately addressed the need for water conservation and/or rationing. During Stage 2 water rationing:
1. 
No person shall use any water to sprinkle any lawn, or use water through a hose to water any garden, tree or shrub except between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and Midnight or between the hours of 5:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. of any day on which sprinkling is permitted. Sprinkling will be permitted on Mondays at all locations having even-numbered addresses and on Thursdays at all locations having odd-numbered addresses. These restrictions shall apply to all residences and to all businesses and institutions having lawns, gardens, tree or shrubs and shall be followed at all parks and public buildings owned by the City. These restrictions shall not apply to any person, firm or corporation in the business of growing or selling plants of any kind.
2. 
No water shall be used from a hose to wash automobiles, except at places of business where autos are washed on every business day either with attendants, with automatic equipment or by self-service. Any person may wash an automobile with water from a bucket.
3. 
No swimming pools will be filled and no water shall be added to any swimming pool.
[Ord. No. 14.513 §IV, 9-16-1991]
A. 
In the event of a severe water shortage emergency, as declared by the Superintendent of the Department of Utilities, the City of California may declare that a water rationing policy is in effect. In case a severe water rationing policy is necessary, water rationing shall be in effect whenever restrictions are necessary so that no water customer inside the City limits will be without water. The Superintendent of the Department of Utilities shall impose water rationing when in his/her opinion, such restrictions are required under the terms of this Section, provided that the Board of Aldermen will consider the action of the Superintendent at the next meeting at which the matter may be considered, and the Board of Aldermen may continue water rationing with changes. The following restrictions will be in effect:
1. 
The Superintendent will make public announcements that water rationing due to a severe water shortage is in effect. The public announcement will include a description of the provisions in effect pursuant to this Section.
2. 
No water will be used for lawn sprinklers, and no water will be used from a hose to water any garden, shrubs or trees. These restrictions shall not apply to any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of growing or selling plants of any kind. No water shall be used from a hose to wash automobiles, except at places of business where autos are washed on every business day either with attendants, with automatic equipment or by self-service. Any person may wash an automobile with water from a bucket. No swimming pools will be filled and no water shall be added to any swimming pool.
B. 
It shall be the policy of the City to keep the severe water rationing policy in effect for no longer than absolutely necessary. The Superintendent of the Department of Utilities and the Board of Aldermen of the City shall take such steps as are necessary to lift these restrictions as soon as lifting the same will not result in any water user inside the City limits being unable to get water.
[Ord. No. 14.513 §V, 9-16-1991]
A. 
No person shall be convicted of violating this Article unless such person in fact turned on water, directed the turning on of water or kept water turned on after learning it was turned on in violation of this Article, or failed to turn off automatic devices capable of turning on water in violation of this Article. It will not be necessary, however, to present a witness who saw the accused turning on the water, if the circumstances indicated the accused did turn on the water.
B. 
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this Article shall be fined not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.