[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.