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) 
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)