[Adopted 10-1-1996 by L.L. No. 20-1996]
The intent of this article is to promote water
conservation and to reduce the wasteful, inefficient and nonessential
use of water during periods of water emergency, to establish penalties
for violations and to provide for enforcement of water conservation
measures in the Town of Yorktown for the protection of the health,
safety and welfare of the people of the Town.
Upon receipt of a report or recommendation from
the Water Superintendent based upon factors, including, but not limited
to, the levels of the Town's water supply sources, precipitation levels
in the county and its watershed area and the time of year, the Town
Supervisor may declare the existence of a water emergency in the Town
of Yorktown at a level, as specified below, which, in the Supervisor's
opinion, is necessary or advisable to safeguard available water supplies.
Upon providing notice thereof by publication in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Town, the following restrictions on water consumption
shall apply 24 hours thereafter and until further notice:
A.
Level one.
(1)
The use of fire hydrants for any purpose other than
fire protection is prohibited.
(2)
The serving of water to patrons in restaurants, clubs
or eating places, unless specifically requested by the customer, is
prohibited.
(3)
The operation of car washes, unless recirculating
equipment is used, is prohibited.
(4)
Ornamental or display use of water, whether or not
such water is recycled water, including fountains, artificial waterfalls,
reflecting pools, lakes and ponds, is prohibited.
(5)
The use of hoses for street, driveway, sidewalk and automobile washing is prohibited, except as stated in Subsection A(6) below. Automobile washing with a bucket is permitted.
(6)
Watering of lawns and plants is prohibited, except
that water may be used, without restriction on maximum hours of use
per day and at any time, to irrigate, from a hand-held container or
from a hand-held hose with a spring-operated shutoff valve, vegetables
and fruits grown for human consumption. Plant nurseries and other
commercial users engaged in the business of growing, distribution
or selling plants may, nevertheless, use per day and at any time,
use such water on their business premises for watering shrubs, plants
and trees.
(7)
Watering of golf course fairways is prohibited.
(8)
The use of water in the cleaning of exterior buildings
is prohibited, except by permit issued by the Water Superintendent.
(9)
Leaks in consumer water connections shall be repaired
within 48 hours.
(10)
Water meters shall be installed on all air-conditioning
cooling towers within 30 days. Air-conditioning units over two tons
are required to have recirculating equipment.
(11)
Swimming pools shall not be filled, except by
permit issued by the Water Superintendent.
If, at any time during the existence of a water emergency condition set forth in § 280-33 of this article, the Supervisor, on the basis of a report or recommendation from the Water Superintendent, determines that the restrictions imposed have resulted in a sufficient level of conservation in light of existing water supply conditions, the Supervisor may reduce or terminate the restrictions then in effect, by declaration, upon providing notice thereof by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town.
The restrictions imposed under § 280-33 of this article shall not apply to the use of water imported into the Town of Yorktown and derived from a source outside of the Town of Yorktown, and shall not apply to private wells or to precipitation collected by the user.
Any violation of the restrictions set forth in § 280-33 of this article shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $100 for the first offense, not to exceed $250 for the second offense and not to exceed $500 for the third and every subsequent offense in a five-year period.
A.
This article may be enforced by any police officer,
the Building Inspector, the Water Superintendent or their respective
officers, employees or agents, Environmental Code Inspector and Environmental
Code Enforcer.
B.
All penalties collected by reason of enforcement of
this article shall be paid to the General Fund of the Town of Yorktown.
