Following the recommendation of the Office of Emergency Management Coordinator, the Township Committee may find that a water emergency exists in the Township, and may adopt a resolution declaring that a water emergency exists in the Township. 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 the part of the Township affected by the water emergency, which may include the entire Township, and shall specify which of the water use regulations contained in §
486-2 is being imposed as well as exemptions as may be authorized. Such resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption and shall continue in effect for 90 days, unless extended or repealed as set forth in §
486-3. For the purpose of this section, a water emergency shall exist if, for any of the following reasons:
A.
The public utility providing water service to all or any portion
of the Township has adopted water use restrictions, has notified the
Township, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection, as well as any state, county
or local agency entitled to notice of such restrictions; provided
that 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 Township.
Upon adoption by the Township Committee of a resolution declaring that a water emergency exists in the Township adopted in accordance with §
486-1, all citizens 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 tenants, 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;
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 restriction specified by the Township Committee in the resolution required by §
486-1 which is reasonable under the circumstances considering the nature and extent of the water emergency. Any water restriction imposed pursuant to this subsection shall be limited in application to that portion of the Township, which may include the entire Township, identified as being affected by the water emergency in the resolution of the Township Committee adopted in accordance with §
486-1.
The restrictions implemented pursuant to §
486-1 shall continue in effect for 90 days unless a specific period of time is set forth in the resolution imposing the restrictions. Such time period shall be no longer than reasonably necessary to abate the water emergency, considering the nature and extent of the emergency. If the Township Committee shall be satisfied before the expiration of the specified restriction period, or 90 days, if no such period is provided in the resolution establishing the restrictions, the Township Committee shall adopt a resolution terminating the water emergency and the related restrictions. Should the Township Committee be advised that the water emergency continues to exist, it may adopt a resolution in accordance with the requirements of this chapter extending the restrictions.
The water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this chapter
shall be enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer, the Township Police
Department or other such official so authorized by the Township Administrator.
A party found to be violating the restrictions for the first time
shall be given a written warning of the alleged violation for this
first offense. Such notice shall also explain the penalties for the
second and third offenses as provided herein. The Township shall maintain
records for the purpose of determining the parties that have received
a written warning.
Any person or business violating the water use restrictions
established under this chapter for a second time shall be subject
to a fine of $500 or imprisonment of up to 10 days or both. For each
subsequent offense, the fine imposed shall be $1,000 or imprisonment
up to 30 days or both.