[Adopted 10-1-1990 by Ord. No. 90-10]
For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply:
ESSENTIAL WATER USE
Water conservation measures and will prohibit any person from utilizing the public water supply system for any type of outdoor use other than responding to fire emergency.
WATER USE REDUCTION
Whenever the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) determines the water usage from water distribution system has such volume that unless restricted the public's health, safety and general welfare is likely to be endangered.
Every person, firm or corporation whose premises is supplied with water by the City of Royal Oak shall be subject to the provisions of this article and to all rules and regulations of the City Manager pertaining to use of City water.
It shall be lawful for the City Manager, or his representative, to enter upon the premises of any person using the City water to install meters for measuring water used and to inspect the meters and other fixtures and appurtenances pertaining to the waterworks system.
Officers of the Police Department are hereby authorized to issue ordinance violation notices to any person violating any provision of this article or any rule or regulation duly adopted in pursuance of this article.
A. 
Conditions warranting initiation of water use reduction.
(1) 
A prolonged drought or other system-wide heavy demand periods that result in supply facilities including system pump stations and reservoirs being operated at their optimum capacity with no apparent means immediately available to adequately maintain flows and residual pressures throughout the system.
(2) 
Any emergency condition that may arise which will negatively affect operating flows and residual pressures in any substantial portion of the system for any appreciable length of time.
B. 
The above conditions may warrant only area-specific reduction measures. A determination as to whether the above conditions exist will be the responsibility of the SOCWA.
C. 
Upon declaration of such water use reduction emergency, the SOCWA will announce such declaration by use of public radio or television and newspapers with normal operating range covering the said community. The City Manager or his designee will implement whatever reductions are necessary to meet the water reduction requirements.
A. 
The prohibition shall remain in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week until the SOCWA has declared an end to the water use reduction emergency or the SOCWA determines that a limited prohibition will be sufficient to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the community.
B. 
The City Manager or designee may provide exception to § 745-81A(1) where necessary to prevent imminent financial loss to a water user.
Any person who shall willfully violate any of the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 and the cost of prosecution or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or engagement in community service, or any combination of such fine, imprisonment and community service, plus any cost involved in shutting off the water.