Due to prolonged drought and the possibility of a shortage of
water which could create an emergency as to the use of Village water
not essential to public well-being, it may be necessary on occasion
to prohibit and/or restrict the use of Village water. This article
is adopted so that when such emergency occurs, the Mayor of the Village
of Wappingers Falls may immediately impose restrictions and/or prohibitions
as to the use of water not essential to the health, welfare, and safety
of the residents of the Village.
For the purpose of this article, the following phrases, words
and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein:
DROUGHT EMERGENCY
That time, juncture or occurrence when the level of the water
supply of the Village is at a dangerously low level. Such emergency
shall be deemed to continue until it is declared to be ended by the
Mayor.
VILLAGE
The Incorporated Village of Wappingers Falls.
WATER
Water from the Village water supply system.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all persons using
water drawn from the Village water supply system.
The Mayor of the Village of Wappingers Falls, on being advised
by the Board of Water Commissioners that a water emergency exists,
is authorized to limit, restrict, and otherwise control the use of
Village water upon the terms and conditions as he, in his sole discretion,
shall deem best for the general welfare and may immediately impose
prohibitions and/or restrictions as to the use and withdrawal of Village
water by any person for any or all of the following purposes:
A. Watering yards. The sprinkling, watering or irrigation of shrubbery,
trees, lawns, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables,
flowers, or any other vegetation.
B. Washing mobile equipment. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers,
or any other type of mobile equipment.
C. Automatic car washes and laundries. May limit the number of hours
and extent of the operation of automatic car washes, laundries and
other such facilities, unless provided with a recirculatory system.
D. Cleaning outdoor surfaces. The washing of sidewalks, driveways, filling
stations, aprons, porches or other outdoor surfaces.
E. Cleaning buildings. The washing of the outside of dwellings.
F. Cleaning equipment and machinery. The washing and cleaning of any
business or industrial equipment and machinery.
G. Ornamental fountains. The operations of any ornamental fountain or
other structure making a similar use of water.
H. Swimming pools. The operation of swimming and wading pools not employing
a filter and recirculatory system.
I. Escape through defective plumbing. The escape of water through defective
plumbing which shall mean the knowing permission for defective plumbing
to remain out of repair.
J. Air-conditioning machines and refrigeration equipment:
(1) The operation of all air-conditioning machines or refrigeration equipment
of a two-ton or more capacity, unless provided with automatic water-saving
devices to limit makeup water to no more than 5% of the consumption
that would normally be used without such device; or
(2) The operation of all air-conditioning machines or refrigeration equipment
of two tons or less capacity, unless provided with an automatic water
supply regulating device.
(3) Notwithstanding subject to Subsection
J(1) and
(2) hereof, the Mayor shall have the authority to prohibit and/or restrict the use of all air-conditioning machines and refrigeration equipment to any further degrees he shall deem necessary.
The Mayor shall have the authority to permit a reasonable use
of water in any case necessary to maintain health and sanitation standards.
Any person, firm, or entity found guilty of violating any provision
of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a violation punishable by
a fine, imprisonment not to exceed 15 days and/or discontinuance of
water service. Each day such violation is committed or permitted to
continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable
as such hereunder.