The purpose of this article is to provide for the declaration of a water supply emergency and the implementation of voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures throughout the city in the event such an emergency is declared.

(Code 2000)

(a)   Leak Detection and Repair. The city will analyze water losses on a monthly basis utilizing meter readings and estimates of public water use to determine approximate water losses. If the loss is found to be excessive, a program of leak detection will be initiated.

(b)   Metering.

(1)   All water supply sources will be metered.

(2)   All water services will be metered.

(Ord. 100, Sec. 1)

(a)   Plumbing.

(1)   The city will encourage efficient use of water through public education. The city will encourage use of displacement banks in toilet tanks. The use of restricters in water faucets will be encouraged.

(2)   Restrictive flow shower head will be promoted to all users and encouraged on all new installations. Such shower heads will b19 available through the city.

(b)   Public Information.

(1)   The city will provide information to the public dealing with water conservation, no less than annually at which time such new and/or special information will be explained to the public.

(Ord. 100, Sec. 2)

(a)   Declaring an Emergency. Whenever the governing body of the city shall deem that a water supply emergency exists by reason of a shortage of water supply and that in order to properly protect and to fully utilize the supply of water for essential uses such as household consumption, maintenance of health and sanitation facilities, and the operation of essential business, the governing body shall have the power to declare an emergency. Such a declaration is intended to address short term water supply problems in the city. Such an emergency declaration may result at times of drought which cause extraordinary demands on the city’s water distribution system or for other possible interruptions in the city’s ability to deliver water, including limitations in” supply due to source contamination or production facility failures. The city will immediately implement supply management techniques for supply shortages exist. Demand management option or use reduction, will be most effective in producing high Percentage, short term reduction in the use of water.

(b)   Drought or Distribution Supply Shortage Phases. This drought and distribution supply shortage contingency plan is designed to manage demand and is based on several stages of a supply emergency. The governing body will, by resolution, implement the various stages of this plan, based upon their analysis of the water supply condition.

In the earliest phase of a supply problem, the least stringent steps are taken to reduce the impact. As the problem becomes more serious; the measures taken increase in proportion. The governing body recognizes that implementing conservation measures which are commensurate with the severity of the problem is important because public cooperation is essential for the success of any drought contingency plan. Users are generally unwilling to take drastic measures to restrict their water use when they do not perceive the supply problem to be serious.

The city will implement three states of conservation measures:

(1)   Voluntary reduction of non-essential uses;

(2)   Mandatory reduction of non-essential uses;

(3)   Mandatory reduction of essential uses.

(c)   Voluntary Reduction of Non-Essential Uses. The city shall make every effort to improve system efficiency when a water supply problem is recognized.

If the supply or distribution problem cannot be corrected by the city; then the city will provide appropriate information to alert the patrons of the problem. The city will be consistent in all public relation endeavors to all users in any affected area of the city to ensure public understanding and support for conservation measures established by the city.

Users will be asked to reduce both the frequency of outside watering and the hours or days during which they water. The city will also request that cars not be washed and that no water be allowed to run to waste. Users will be asked to restrict their time spent washing or showering. In general, the city’s public education program will be consistent with and will be specifically focused to the immediately problem.

During this initial conservation phase, the city may also consider the implementation of an emergency pricing program to further encourage water conservation and to help defray the additional costs which the water supply problem may cause.

(d)   Mandatory Reduction of Non-Essential Uses. If the supply emergency continues and water supply problems become more severe, the city may need to make many of its voluntary conservation measures mandatory. Restrictions on outside water use are especially important because this is where the greatest water use reductions can be expected. Some uses will be banned altogether or allowed by permit only.

The cooperation of users is essential during this conservation phase. The city will continue its public information program to publicize the need for adherence to all water constellation requests.

(e)   Mandatory Reduction of Essential Uses. If the water supply emergency persists, all water uses will be restricted, in addition to whatever bans are already in place. The city will accomplish this through rationing each patron to a specified amount of water during a given period. The rationing will be based on a percentage of a previous nonpeak season month’s usage. Penalties for violation of rating will be in the form of pricing measures such as an excess use surcharge, or through disconnection of service, as may be deemed appropriate.

The city will continue its information and education programs to keep public awareness high and to ensure cooperation.

The city may adopt additional rules as required to implement the measures prescribed by this plan.

(Ord. 100, Sec. 3)

The governing body will be charged with enforcement of any request or water conservation.

(Ord. 100, Sec. 5)

Penalties for violations of restrictions or bans may include suspension of service with extra reconnection fees. All penalties must be defined and strictly enforced. Restriction on commercial and/or institutional users must also be enforced.

(Ord. 100, Sec. 6)