Whenever, by reason of a prolonged drought,
a failure of equipment, or otherwise, the Director of Public Works
advises the Mayor that a shortage of water in the Town water system
is anticipated unless the use of water not essential to the public
health, safety and welfare is curtailed, the Mayor may declare a water
emergency and declare the date and time when the water emergency plan
shall become effective. Notice of the declaration shall be published
as soon as possible in a local newspaper and be given to local news
media.
After the effective date and time is established
for the emergency plan provided for by this chapter, the use and withdrawal
of water from the Town water system for the following purposes is
prohibited during the period of the emergency:
A. The sprinkling, watering or irrigation of shrubbery,
trees, grass, ground covers, plants, flowers or any other vegetation;
except that, on even-numbered days in any month, these uses may be
made upon properties bearing an even-numbered street designation,
and upon odd-numbered days of each month, these uses may be made upon
properties bearing odd-numbered street designation;
B. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, trailer
houses, railroad cars or any other type of mobile equipment; except
that, this provision shall not apply to a commercial establishment
of which the sole or chief business activity is the washing of automobiles;
C. The washing of sidewalks, driveways, filling station
aprons, porches and other outdoor surfaces;
D. The washing of the outside of dwellings or other buildings;
E. The operation of any ornamental fountain or other
structure making a similar use of water;
F. The filling of swimming and wading pools; except that,
this provision shall not apply to the maintenance of water level in
those pools employing a filter and recirculating system;
G. The escape of water through defective plumbing, which
means the knowing permission for defective plumbing to remain out
of repair.
If the Director of Public Works advises the
Mayor that a critical water shortage exists within the Town water
system, then the Mayor shall declare an extreme emergency in the same
manner as set forth in this chapter for other water emergencies, and
in addition, the following uses shall be prohibited:
A. The washing and cleaning of any business or industrial
equipment and machinery except as is absolutely necessary to maintain
the equipment from deterioration;
B. The washing of the inside of office buildings, or
other buildings used in business and industry, but excluding businesses
engaged in the manufacturing, process, selling or serving of food
products or products for human consumption;
C. All uses of a business or industrial nature, except
where reasonably necessary for the continuance of the business or
industry; and
D. The sprinkling, watering or irrigation of shrubbery,
trees, grass, ground covers, plants, flowers or any other vegetation
upon any property whatever.
Upon the advice of the Director of Public Works
that the critical water shortage, or the danger of a water shortage
as the case may be, in the Town water system no longer exists, the
Mayor shall declare the emergency plan terminated, declaring the date
and time of the termination, and shall cause public notice to be given
in the same manner as provided by this chapter for the declaration
of the emergency.
A person violating this chapter shall be warned
by a Town Official discovering or advised of the violation, upon the
first offense, that any subsequent violations may result in the imposition
of a municipal infraction. The Town shall maintain a record of all
warnings issued under the provisions of this section.