Upon a declaration by the city manager that an emergency condition exists, as provided above, the city manager shall declare the degree of emergency and identify the applicable stage. The director shall determine appropriate demand reduction target(s), in relation to the supply shortage experienced or expected. Such stages shall be:
(1) Stage 1. The following measures shall apply:
(a) The director shall provide a water shortage emergency public notification in the city's water service area. The notification requires city water system users utilizing city water for irrigation to conform to the following landscape watering schedule:
(i) Even-numbered addresses water on even-numbered days.
(ii) Odd-numbered addresses water on odd-numbered days.
(iii) Irrigation watering shall be allowed only between the hours of 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
(iv) Customers shall be requested to use the minimum quantity of water needed to maintain landscapes in a healthy, nondormant condition.
(v) Use of salvaged water shall conform to these restrictions.
(b) Restaurants are prohibited from serving water to customers except upon request.
(c) The director shall determine demand reduction targets and disseminate water conservation guidelines for both indoor and outdoor use to all customers within the city's water service area and request voluntary water use reduction suitable to meet the defined demand reduction target(s).
(d) The director shall activate a communication plan using appropriate resources such as the news media, the city's web site, social media, newsletters, and other methods to provide information to the public informing them of the emergency conditions, the reduction targets, and means of reducing water usage for different customer categories and end uses.
(e) The director shall make emergency water supply interties with adjacent water systems and suppliers ready to supplement the available water supply if necessary.
(f) No person shall waste water, as defined in Chapter
15.48 LMC.
(g) Notwithstanding the prohibited uses identified above, the following uses of water are permitted under Stage 1:
(i) New Plantings. Newly planted flowers, plants, shrubbery, groundcover, or trees may be hand watered any day of the week if the watering done is the minimum needed to sustain plant life.
(ii) Commercial Nurseries. Commercial nurseries may water bedding plants on any day of the week between 4:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.:
(A) If the plant is in a container pot of four inches or smaller; and
(B) If the temperature is 80 degrees or higher; and
(C) If the watering is done by hand; or if water waste by overspray and overflow is kept to a minimum; and
(D) If the watering done is the minimum needed to sustain plant life.
This exception is allowed as plants in small containers experience higher rates of evaporation and may be unable to sustain life during warmer weather.
(iii) Children. Water may be used on any day of the week, including but not limited to hoses and sprinklers:
(A) To cool off children if the temperature is 80 degrees or higher; and
(B) The children are actively involved in the water; and
(C) The water activity is supervised; and
(D) Water waste by overspray and overflow is kept to a minimum; and
(E) The water use occurs no more than one hour per day.
This exception is allowed as day care providers may be prohibited by the State Department of Health from using wading pools.
(2) Stage 2. All restrictions identified in Stage 1 shall apply during Stage 2, except as further restricted under Stage 2. In addition, the following restrictions and measures shall apply:
(a) The director shall review water use data for the 25 largest water-using customers and communicate directly with such customers with a request to achieve voluntary water use reductions to meet the defined demand reduction target(s).
(b) Adding water into an ornamental fountain is prohibited.
(c) Washing of streets, sidewalks, driveways, or decks is prohibited, except as necessary for public health and safety.
(d) Washing of buildings, fences and windows is prohibited. However, such washing is permitted if:
(i) It was contracted prior to declaration of the Stage 2 emergency; or
(ii) It is required to prevent an imminent damage to property; or
(iii) To allow for painting or other maintenance that cannot be deferred; or
(iv) For window washing, if washing is performed using a bucket and hand tools rather than spray equipment.
(e) Filling of privately owned swimming pools, spas, ponds, and artificial lakes is prohibited, except as needed to prevent physical damage to these facilities or associated equipment, and fish and wildlife.
(f) Washing of any vehicles or boats is prohibited, unless at a vehicle washing facility equipped with water recycling equipment.
(g) The director shall provide information to restaurants, hotels and motels informing them of means of reducing indoor water uses and assisting them to inform customers of the need for demand reductions.
(h) Exceptions to prohibited uses identified under Stage 1 are rescinded under Stage 2. However, notwithstanding the prohibited uses identified above, the following uses of water are permitted under Stage 2:
(i) Commercial Nurseries. Commercial nurseries may water bedding plants on any day of the week between 4:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.:
(A) If the plant is in a container pot of four inches or smaller; and
(B) If the temperature is 80 degrees or higher; and
(C) If the watering is done by hand; or if water waste by overspray and overflow is kept to a minimum; and
(D) If the watering done is the minimum needed to sustain plant life.
This exception is allowed as plants in small containers experience higher rates of evaporation and may be unable to sustain life during warmer weather.
(ii) Children. Water may be used on any day of the week, including but not limited to hoses and sprinklers:
(A) To cool off children if the temperature is 80 degrees or higher; and
(B) The children are actively involved in the water; and
(C) The water activity is supervised; water waste by overspray and overflow is kept to a minimum; and
(D) The water use occurs no more than one hour per day.
This exception is allowed as day care providers may be prohibited by the State Department of Health from using wading pools.
(iii) Fire, Health, and Sanitation. Where there is a demonstrable need to meet public health or safety requirements, such as to alleviate immediate fire, health, or sanitation hazards or any other mandates of the Washington State Department of Health or Ecology.
(iv) Dust Control. For dust control to meet air quality requirements under local, state, or federal law or associated regulations.
(v) Window washing with a bucket and sponge.
(vi) Building Repair/Painting. Power washing of buildings, roofs, and homes, prior to painting, repairing, remodeling or reconstruction, and not solely for aesthetic purposes.
(vii) Washing of Vehicles. Where the health, safety, and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleaning, such as to clean garbage trucks, and vehicles that transport food and other perishables or vehicles transporting sick or injured persons, such as ambulances, or otherwise required by law.
(3) Stage 3. All restrictions identified in Stages 1 and 2 shall apply during Stage 3, except as further restricted under Stage 3. In addition, the following restrictions and measures shall apply:
(a) All persons are prohibited from using water from the city of Longview water system for irrigation, except for minimum quantities needed to preserve landscape and turf plant life in a dormant condition.
(b) The director shall set a mandatory nonirrigation water use reduction level of up to 20 percent for all customers, as compared to each customer's average water use during the nonirrigation months of November through March in the most recent previous period without water shortage restrictions. Based on quantity of water use, certain commercial, industrial, and other significant water users may be required to reduce their water use by an amount greater than that required of other customers.
(c) All swimming pools, wading pools, splash facilities, and similar recreational facilities shall be closed and not filled, or their water levels maintained.
(d) All activities receiving water from a city hydrant are prohibited from using water for any purpose other than those required for firefighting or by regulatory agencies for health and sanitation reasons. The director shall temporarily suspend all other permits for use of hydrants and shall not issue any new permits.
(e) Exceptions to prohibited uses identified under Stage 2 are rescinded under Stage 3. However, notwithstanding the prohibited uses identified above, the following uses of water are permitted under Stage 3. However, the director may modify the exceptions as needed to achieve the goals of this chapter.
(i) Household Food Production. Domestic or community food gardens may be watered according to the schedule and time restrictions described under Stage 1, at minimum quantities needed to ensure food production for human use.
(ii) Fire, Health, and Sanitation. Where there is a demonstrable need to meet public health or safety requirements, such as to alleviate immediate fire, health, or sanitation hazards.
(iii) Minimum Residential Use. Single-family and multifamily residential customers using less than 400 cubic feet of water per month, per customer or per housing unit shall be exempt from the requirement to reduce nonirrigation use.
(4) Stage 4. All restrictions identified in Stages 1 through 3 shall apply during Stage 4, except as further restricted under Stage 4. In addition, the following restrictions and measures shall apply:
(a) All irrigation and outdoor use of water from the city water system is prohibited.
(b) The director shall set a mandatory nonirrigation water use reduction level of 20 percent or greater for all customers, as compared to each customer's average water use during the nonirrigation months of November through March in the most recent previous period without water shortage restrictions. Based on the quantity of water use, certain commercial, industrial, and other significant water users may be required to reduce their indoor water use by an amount greater than required of other customers.
(c) All commercial, industrial, and institutional customers shall eliminate water usage, except for health and sanitation and fire protection. However, the director may make exceptions, if appropriate, given the severity of the supply shortage experienced or expected. The director shall communicate directly with the city's largest water-using customers, review their water use, and verify compliance with the mandatory water use reductions.
(d) Exceptions to prohibited uses identified under Stage 3 are rescinded under Stage 4. However, notwithstanding the prohibited uses identified above, the following uses of water are permitted under Stage 4. The director may modify the exceptions as needed to achieve the goals of this chapter.
(i) Fire, Health, and Sanitation. Where there is a demonstrable need to meet public health or safety requirements, such as to alleviate immediate fire, health, or sanitation hazards.
(ii) Minimum Residential Use. Single-family and multifamily residential customers using less than 400 cubic feet of water per month, per customer or per housing unit shall be exempt from the requirement to reduce nonirrigation use.
(5) Should the above measures fall short of maintaining enough water supply for the basic functions of health, sanitation and fire protection, the director is authorized to implement further mandatory water use reductions as necessary.
(6) Notice shall be given advising water customers that the potable water curtailment and rationing program is to be implemented.
(a) For Stage 1 conditions, at a minimum, such notice shall be published at least two days in the official newspaper of the city as defined in LMC §
1.20.010, and shall contain a description of the programs, the effective date and time of implementation, and penalty for violation.
(b) For Stage 2 conditions, such notice shall be published for at least one day.
(c) For Stages 3 and 4 conditions, notification shall be by the most expedient means possible with a follow up published if the Stages 3 or 4 conditions are expected to last more than three consecutive days.
Assistance of other local media will be sought throughout the duration of the water shortage to advise water customers further. Additional media assistance shall not be deemed necessary to start the program on the date and time specified.
(7) Notice of cessation of the water shortage shall be given by a one-time publication in the official newspaper of the city as defined in LMC §
1.20.010.
(Ord. 3533 § 1, 2024)