The purpose of this article is to provide for
the declaration of a water supply watch, warning or emergency and
the implementation of voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures
throughout the City in the event that such a watch, warning or emergency
is declared.
Whenever the governing body of the City finds
that conditions indicate that the probability of a drought or some
other condition causing a major water supply shortage is rising, it
shall be empowered to declare, by resolution, that a water watch exists
and that it shall take steps to inform the public and ask for voluntary
reductions in water use. Such a watch shall be deemed to continue
until it is declared by resolution of the governing body to have ended.
The resolutions declaring the existence and end of a water watch shall
be effective upon their publication in the official City newspaper.
Whenever the governing body of the City finds
that drought conditions or some other condition causing a major water
supply shortage are present and supplies are starting to decline,
it shall be empowered to declare by resolution that a water warning
exists and that it will recommend restrictions on nonessential uses
during the period of the warning. Such a warning shall be deemed to
continue until it is declared by resolution of the governing body
to have ended. The resolutions declaring the beginning and ending
of the water warning shall be effective upon their publication in
the official City newspaper.
Whenever the governing body of the City finds
that an emergency exists by reason of a shortage of water supply needed
for essential uses, it shall be empowered to declare by resolution
that a water supply emergency exists and that it will impose mandatory
restrictions on water use during the period of the emergency. Such
an emergency shall be deemed to continue until it is declared by resolution
of the governing body to have ended. The resolutions declaring the
existence and end of a water supply emergency shall be effective upon
their publication in the official City newspaper.
Upon the declaration of a water watch or water warning as provided in §§
580-48 and 480-49, the Mayor (or the City Manager) is authorized to call on all water consumers to employ voluntary water conservation measures to limit or eliminate nonessential water uses, including but not limited to limitations on the following uses:
A. Sprinkling of water on lawns, shrubs or trees (including
golf courses).
C. Use of water in swimming pools, fountains and evaporative
air-conditioning systems.
Upon the declaration of a water supply emergency
as provided in § 480-50, the Mayor (or the City Manager)
is also authorized to implement certain mandatory water conservation
measures, including but not limited to the following:
A. Suspension of new connections to the City's water
distribution system, except connections of fire hydrants and those
made pursuant to agreements entered into by the City prior to the
effective date of the declaration of the emergency;
B. Restrictions on the uses of water in one or more classes
of water use, wholly or in part;
C. Restrictions on the sales of water at coin-operated
facilities or sites;
D. The imposition of water rationing based on any reasonable
formula, including but not limited to the percentage of normal use
and per capita or per consumer restrictions;
E. Complete or partial bans on the waste of water; and
F. Any combination of the foregoing measures.
Upon the declaration of a water supply emergency as provided in §
580-50, the governing body of the City shall have the power to adopt emergency water rates by ordinance designed to conserve water supplies. Such emergency rates may provide for, but are not be limited to, higher charges for increasing usage per unit of use (increasing block rates); uniform charges for water usage per unit of use (uniform unit rate); or extra charges in excess of a specified level of water use (excess demand surcharge).
During the effective period of any water supply emergency as provided for in §
580-50, the Mayor (or City Manager or Director of Utilities) is empowered to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article, any water supply emergency resolution, or emergency water rate ordinance. Such regulations shall be subject to the approval of the governing body at its next regular or special meeting.
Nothing in this article shall limit the ability
of any properly authorized City official to terminate the supply of
water to any or all customers upon the determination of such City
official that emergency termination of water service is required to
protect the health and safety of the public.