City of Pawtucket, RI Article I Water Emergencies

[Approved 10-17-1967 by Ch. No. 1135 as Secs. 30-5 through 30-10 of the 1966 Code]

§ 401-1 When emergency deemed to exist.

A water emergency shall be deemed to exist whenever it has been determined by calculation of the Director of Public Works or his or her agents that the amount of water in the storage reservoir of the municipal water supply of the city is below fifty percent (50%) of the total storage capacity of such reservoir. Such emergency is deemed to continue to exist until such reservoir retains a water level equivalent to sixty percent (60%) of capacity.

§ 401-2 Use of water prohibited for certain purposes.

Whenever a water emergency exists pursuant to § 401-1, the use of water from the municipal water supply system shall be prohibited for the following purposes:

A. The washing or flushing of sidewalks.

B. The watering of lawns, shrubs and other vegetation.

C. The washing of motor vehicles and railroad and transportation rolling stock.

D. The filling of private and public wading pools and swimming pools.

E. The operation of a car wash business.

F. The use of water fountains.

§ 401-3 Rules and regulations to reduce water consumption; allocation of water.

During the continuance of a water emergency, the Director of Public Works or his or her agents may prescribe and enforce rules and regulations designed to reduce consumption and to prevent waste in those areas of water use not prohibited under provisions of § 401-2. The Director may also prohibit the use of water from the municipal supply for any purpose not necessary to the health, safety and welfare of the public. In addition, the Director of Public Works, when necessitated by the continuing depletion of water resources, may allocate and prorate use of the available water supply so that those uses most closely related to the safety and health of the public may best be served.

§ 401-4 Publication of rules and regulations during emergency; notice of termination of emergency. [1]

Whenever a water emergency exists pursuant to § 401-1, all prohibitions upon water consumption pursuant to § 401-2 and all rules and regulations prescribed by the Director of Public Works pursuant to § 401-3 shall be advertised forthwith at least once in a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Pawtucket. At the termination of the water emergency, notice of such termination shall be advertised in the aforementioned newspaper in like manner.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.

§ 401-5 Enforcement officer; summons for violations. [1]

The Director of Public Works or his or her agent shall be the enforcement officer, who is hereby authorized to issue summons to be served upon any violator of the water restrictions established pursuant to §§ 401-2 and 401-3, which summons shall direct such person to appear before the Municipal Court.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.

§ 401-6 Violations and penalties.

Any person who is convicted of violating any of the prohibitions contained in this Article or who is convicted of violating any of the rules and regulations prescribed pursuant to § 401-3 shall be punished as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Each day that a car wash business is conducted in violation of § 401-2 shall constitute a separate and distinct offense, and each incident of violation as to all other prohibitions contained in § 401-2 and which may be prescribed in accordance with § 401-3 shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.