Chapter 15.07 — WASTEFUL WATER USE RESTRICTIONS

The permanent water use restrictions in this chapter are designed to preserve water as an essential resource in keeping with the Governor of California's Executive Order B-40-17, which directed that water conservation become a "California Way of Life." (Ord. 1994 § 6, (2021))

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meaning given in this chapter:

"Customer" means any person using water supplied by the city of Burlingame.

"Director" means the director of public works of the city.

"Potable water" means water sold by the city of Burlingame intended for human consumption.

"Recirculated water" means water that is circulated in a system that recirculates water through an internal circulation device.

"Recycled water," "reclaimed water," or "treated sewage effluent water" means treated or recycled wastewater of a quality suitable for non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation and not intended for human consumption.

"Runoff'" means water that is not absorbed by the surface to which it is applied and flows from the area.

"Special water feature" means objects that are artificially supplied with water, such as ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and fountains. Special water features do not include recreational water features, such as swimming pools and spas.

"Water shortage contingency plan" or "WSCP" means a contingency plan including voluntary and mandatory actions adopted by the city that incorporates the provisions detailed in the California Water Code Section 10632. (Ord. 1994 § 6, (2021))

The following uses of potable water are prohibited:

(a) Use of a hose for any purpose without a positive shut-off nozzle.

(b) Use of potable water for cleaning, filling, or operating water features, such as decorative fountains, except where the water is part of a recirculating system.

(c) The application of potable water to irrigate outdoor plants, lawn, grass, landscaping, or turf areas during and within 24 hours after measurable rainfall.

(d) The application of potable water to street medians containing ornamental turf.

(e) Use through broken or defective plumbing, sprinkler, watering, or irrigation systems.

(f) Use in new, added, or altered car wash equipment unless a recirculating water system is incorporated.

(g) The prohibition enumerated in subsection (d) of this section does not apply to any water treatment features, such as landscaping and green roofs, to meet the requirements of the municipal regional stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

(h) To promote conservation, hotels and motels shall provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily and display notice of this option in guestrooms.

(i) No water shall be taken or used from any fire hydrant or any unmetered city water system outlet/fitting/fixture unless specifically authorized by permit from the director, except by legally constituted fire protection agencies for fire suppression purposes. (Ord. 1994 § 6, (2021))

(a) It is unlawful for any person or entity to violate or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter or this code, each such person or entity is guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter is continued or permitted to be continued and shall be punished as herein provided.

(b) The penalties for violations of any provisions of this chapter are subject to the fines and penalties set forth in Title 1 of this code. (Ord. 1994 § 6, (2021))

Notwithstanding the foregoing relating to conservation of water supplies, in times of a declared water shortage emergency pursuant to Section 350 et seq., of the California Water Code, certain additional mandatory water conservation practices will be necessary. The water shortage contingency plan shall provide the basis for such additional practices.