Whenever the township committee shall be satisfied and finds that a water emergency exists in the municipality, it may adopt a resolution declaring that a water emergency exists. Such resolution shall be adopted by the township committee at any regular, special adjourned or emergency public meeting of the township committee. Such resolution shall identify that portion of the municipality affected by the water emergency, which may include the entire municipality and shall specify which of the water use regulations contained in section 12-2 of this chapter is/are being imposed as well as any exemptions as may be authorized. Such resolution shall be effective immediately upon publication according to law and shall continue in effect for 90 days, unless extended or repealed as set forth in section 12-3 of this chapter. For the purpose of this section, a water emergency shall exist if, for any of the following reasons:
a.
Any public utility providing water service to all or a portion of
the municipality has adopted water use restrictions, has notified
the municipality, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as well as any other
state, county or local agency entitled to notice of such restrictions
and such restrictions are not overruled or declared invalid by any
state, county or local agency having the jurisdiction and power to
do so, or
b.
The township committee is otherwise satisfied that a water emergency
exists in the municipality.
Upon adoption by the township committee of a resolution declaring that a water emergency exists in the municipality in accordance with section 12-1 of this chapter, all residents and businesses shall be urged to observe voluntary indoor conservation measures and, any of the following water use restrictions shall be imposed and shall be applicable to all residents and businesses, except where a bona fide health emergency exists and to exempt businesses, as specified herein during the water emergency:
a.
The complete ban and prohibition of outside water usage, including
the watering of lawns and plants, the filling of pools and the washing
of cars; or
b.
Outside water usage on alternate days allowing outside water usage
by persons or businesses having even house or box numbers on even
days and those having odd house or box numbers on odd days with outside
water usage being completely banned and prohibited on the 31st day
of any month during the water emergency, or
c.
Any other water use restrictions specified by the township committee in the resolution required by section 12-1 of this chapter which is reasonable under the circumstances considering the nature and extent of the water emergency. Any water restriction imposed pursuant to this section shall be limited in application to that portion of the municipality, which may include the entire municipality, identified as being affected by the water emergency in the resolution of the township committee adopted in accordance with section 12-1 of this chapter.
The resolution of the township committee required by section 12-1 of this chapter shall, in addition to complying with section 12-1, provide a period of time during which the water use restrictions imposed shall be applicable and which shall be no longer than reasonably necessary to abate the water emergency under the circumstances considering the nature and extent of the water emergency. At the expiration of the time period specified in the resolution, the water use restriction shall lapse and be inapplicable and unenforceable. If the township committee shall be satisfied that the water emergency has been abated prior to the expiration of the time period specified in the resolution, it shall adopt a resolution declaring the water emergency ended and the water use restrictions inapplicable. If, at the expiration of the time period specified in the resolution, the township committee shall be satisfied that the water emergency continues to exist, it may adopt a resolution in accordance with the requirements of this chapter continuing the water use restrictions.
The water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be enforced during a water emergency by the Warren Township Police. Whenever a township police officer shall find a violation of the water use restrictions, such police officer shall give the violator a written warning and explain the penalties for a second and third offense as provided by section 12-5 of this chapter. The township police shall keep such records as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of determining the persons and businesses who have been warned upon a first offense. The township police are hereby empowered to write summonses for the violation of the water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this chapter.
After a first offense in accordance with section 12-4 of this chapter, any person or other entity which thereafter violates the water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined and/or imprisoned in accordance with the provisions of section 3-10 "Penalty" of Chapter 3 "General Police Regulations" of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Warren, adopted December 21, 1972, as heretofore supplemented and amended.
