The purpose of this chapter is to
promote the efficient use of potable and recycled water by prohibiting
water uses which constitute water waste. The sections of this chapter
encourage reasonable use of the potable and recycled water supply
by eliminating all intentional or unintentional water waste when a
reasonable solution is available and discouraging use of equipment
which is wasteful.
(Ord. 3426 §
2, 1999; Ord. 3845 § 7, 2007)
Water waste means:
(A)
Potable or recycled water use in
outdoor areas resulting in runoff; or
(B)
The escape of water through breaks
or leaks or due to an equipment malfunction within a customer’s
plumbing or private distribution system for any substantial period
of time within which such break, leak, or equipment malfunction should
have been discovered and corrected.
(Ord. 3426 §
2, 1999; Ord. 3845 § 7, 2007; Ord. 2023-014, 11/14/2023)
A customer shall not allow potable
or recycled water waste.
(Ord. 3426 §
2, 1999; Ord. 3845 § 7, 2007)
New potable or recycled water services
shall be equipped with recycling or reuse systems for the following
equipment: evaporative cooling systems, decorative water fountains,
conveyor car washes and industrial clothes washers."
(Ord. 3426 §
2, 1999; Ord. 3845 § 7, 2007; Ord. 2023-014, 11/14/2023)
(A)
Administrative Fines. Notwithstanding any other provisions contained within the Santa Rosa City Code, the Director of Santa Rosa Water, or the Director's designee, may impose the following administrative fines for violations of Section
14-21.030. Any violation of Section
14-21.030 that continues for longer than 72 hours shall constitute a separate violation.
(1)
First violation during a 12-month
period: A written warning describing the violation and the penalties
for subsequent violations shall be issued to the customer.
(2)
Second violation during a 12-month
period: If seven calendar days have elapsed from the date the written
warning was issued under subsection (A)(1) of this section, a written
notice of violation describing the violation and the penalty shall
be issued to the customer. A penalty of 100 dollars shall be imposed,
but this penalty may be removed from the water service bill if, within
72 hours after the date of the penalty notice, the customer begins
actively working towards finding and fixing the leak and has provided
evidence to staff of this progress.
(3)
Third violation during a 12-month
period: A written notice of violation describing the violation and
the penalty shall be issued to the customer. A penalty of 200 dollars
shall be imposed.
(4)
Fourth violation and any successive
violations during any 12-month: A written notice of violation describing
the violation and the penalty shall be issued to the customer. A penalty
of 500 dollars shall be imposed.
(B)
Disconnection.
(1)
For violations of Section
14-21.030, depending on the nature and extent of the water waste, Santa Rosa Water may also disconnect water service pursuant to Section
14-04.210(B).
(2)
For violations of Section
14-21.040, Santa Rosa Water may disconnect water service pursuant to Section
14-04.210(B)."
(Ord. 2023-014, 11/14/2023)
(A)
Any customer may, in advance of receiving a notice of violation under Section
14-21.030, make written application for an exception to the water waste regulations contained within this chapter, which application shall describe in detail why applicant believes an exception is justified.
(B)
The Director of Santa Rosa Water,
or the Director's designee, may grant exceptions for use of water
otherwise prohibited by this chapter if an exception is necessary
to avoid an adverse impact on health, sanitation, or safety of the
applicant or the public, or to avoid undue hardship for the applicant
or the public. Any exception granted shall not be broader than necessary
or of duration longer than necessary to avoid the adverse effect on
health, sanitation, fire protection, or safety or to avoid the undue
hardship.
(C)
The decision of the Director of Santa
Rosa Water, or the Director's designee, may be appealed to the Board
of Public Utilities (BPU) by submitting a written appeal to the Recording
Secretary for the BPU within 15 calendar days of the date of the Director's
decision. Upon granting any appeal, the BPU may impose any conditions
it determines to be just and proper. Exceptions granted by the BPU
shall be in writing, and the BPU may require the exception be recorded
at applicant's expense.
(Ord. 2023-014, 11/14/2023)
Any customer may appeal the final
decision of Santa Rosa Water staff regarding violations of this chapter
to the Director of Santa Rosa Water, or a final decision of the Director
of Santa Rosa Water to the Board of Public Utilities, by submitting
a notice of appeal within 15 calendar days of the date of the final
decision.
(Ord. 2023-014, 11/14/2023)