Healdsburg Municipal Code Ch. 13.12 Water System

The definitions in this section shall be used in the interpretation of this chapter unless another meaning for the word is apparent from the context.

"Apartment house"

means a single building under one roof containing three or more dwelling units complete with kitchen facilities.

"Boardinghouse"

means a dwelling other than a hotel where lodging or lodging and meals for three or more persons is provided for compensation.

"Business occupancy"

means any building or portion thereof or a room or rooms used or occupied by a person to carry on a business, profession, trade or occupation for gain or profit.

"Charge" or "rate"

means the amount of money to be paid by consumers to the City for water services or materials; "minimum charge" shall mean the charge to be paid by a consumer for each and every connection to the City water system irrespective of whether or not water is delivered through such connection to a consumer during the period for which such charge is made.

"City"

means the City of Healdsburg acting by and through the City of Healdsburg public works department as operator of the City of Healdsburg water system.

"City engineer"

is the City employee qualified through experience and professional licensure assigned the title of City engineer or a designee of the incumbent City engineer.

"City Manager" or "Manager"

is the City Manager of the City of Healdsburg or a designee of the incumbent City Manager.

"Cross-connection"

means any physical connection between the piping system from the City water service and that of any other water supply that is not, or cannot be, approved as safe and potable for human consumption, whereby water from the unapproved source may be forced or drawn into the City distribution mains.

"Customer"

means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, organization, or governmental entity, whether within or without the geographic boundaries of the City of Healdsburg, who uses water supplied by the City.

"Duplex"

means a single building under one roof containing only two dwelling units complete with kitchen facilities.

"Dwelling group"

means a group of two or more detached or semidetached dwelling units occupying a parcel of land in one ownership and having any yard or court in common but not including motels or auto courts.

"Dwelling unit"

means one or more rooms under one roof used for living purposes by one family and containing one kitchen.

"Fluoridation"

means the process and result of adding fluoride or similar ingredients or compounds to water for the prevention or reduction of tooth decay.

"Fluoride"

means a chemical compound (sodium fluoride or sodium silicofluoride) commonly approved and added to water in such amounts as will produce benefits in reducing dental decay.

"GPD"

means gallons per day.

"Guest house"

means detached living quarters of a permanent type of construction and without kitchen or cooking facilities and not to be leased or rented separately from the main dwelling.

"Hotel"

means any building or portion thereof containing six or more guest rooms used or intended to be used, let or hired out, whether the compensation for hire be paid directly or indirectly.

"Mobile home"

means a portable structure having no foundation other than wheels, jacks or skirtings and so designed or constructed as to permit occupancy as a dwelling.

"Mobile home park"

means a site or portion of a site, which is used or intended to be used by persons living in mobile homes.

"Motel"

means a group of two or more detached or semidetached buildings each containing a guest room with automobile storage space provided in connection therewith, which group is used primarily for the accommodation of transient automobile travelers and in which there are no kitchen facilities.

"Outside rates," "outside users," "outside consumers" and "surplus water"

as used herein relate to City water delivered or distributed outside the corporate limits of the City.

"Recycled water"

shall have the same definition as provided by the State Water Code, Section 13050, as amended.

"Service" or "water service"

means one or more connections through which water is supplied or is available to a consumer from and out of the water system owned and operated by the City.

"Travel trailer park"

means a site or portion of a site which is used or intended to be used by persons with travel trailers or vans on a transient basis.

"Water"

means potable water supplied by the City water department.

"Water department"

means the City Council, performing functions related to the City water services, together with City staff or other duly authorized representatives.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

Each dwelling unit and each unit of a duplex, whether inside or outside of the City, shall be separately metered. Where business premises are in separate buildings on the same lot or parcel, each such separate premises shall be separately metered. No consumer of a City utility service shall convey any part of such service from his property to a separate lot or parcel of property, whether or not the other lot or parcel of property is owned by the same consumer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a multi-unit condominium or planned development project may be served by a single meter where service is applied and paid for by a homeowner or condominium association organized and operating as approved in the final subdivision public report issued for the project by the State Department of Real Estate.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

Separate meters are not required for guesthouses, dwelling groups, boardinghouses, apartment houses, hotels, motels, auto courts, trailer courts or multiple business occupancies in a single commercial building.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

All water services outside the City shall be metered.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

All water meters shall be installed in the sidewalk area or at a point on the premises nearest the road or street on which the property faces. Charges for a single lateral and meter service shall be as set forth in HMC § 13.12.180. Additional meters manifolded from a single lateral shall be installed by the owner at no expense to the City and such installation shall be inspected and approved by the City engineer.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

All water service pipes and connections to water mains within the City shall be installed and maintained by the City to a point inside the curb line or sidewalk where an approved shutoff valve shall be installed as near the water meter location as possible. Existing galvanized service connections shall, if damaged or leaking, be replaced by the City upon application and payment by the owner or consumer for a new service. Any service pipe, fittings, or water meter damaged because of negligence, malicious acts or intent shall be repaired by the City and the actual cost of the repair shall be charged to the owner or consumer.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

The City may furnish and provide surplus water to persons outside the corporate limits of the City upon application to the City on forms so provided. Meters shall be of a type approved by the City engineer. The meters shall be installed at the expense of the owner or consumer at a point on the premises nearest the road or street on which the property faces, the location and installation to be approved by the City engineer.

Any water pipe or main to be used to carry water to a consumer outside the City shall be of a type and quality approved by the City engineer and a map showing its location shall be furnished to the City upon completion of installation of the pipe. The City shall not be liable for any expense incurred in the installation or maintenance of water pipes, mains, or services outside the corporate limits of the City and the time and material cost of the connection made by the City to the City water main shall be charged to the applicant.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

No person shall draw or consume water from any standpipe or fire hydrant for the purpose of filling a tank truck or for any other purpose without first making an application for such service with the City. The rate for water consumed under this section shall be set by a resolution of the City Council.

No person shall draw or consume water from any standpipe or fire hydrant for purposes set forth in this section without first presenting a copy of his application to the City engineer. Upon consideration of the time, in days or weeks, in which withdrawals will be made, the City engineer shall designate the standpipe or hydrant to be used and connect a water-metering device to the hydrant. The City engineer shall also provide the applicant with a hydrant wrench, such wrench to be returned to the City before settlement of all charges. The applicant shall be charged full replacement cost for loss of, damage to or failure to return hydrant wrench to the City engineer.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

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As to motor vehicle and traffic generally, see HMC Title 10.

The mayor and City Council shall purchase appropriate apparatus including machinery, appliances, equipment, fluoride, ingredients, compounds, and materials required for the maintenance of fluoride in the City water supply.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

The City Council shall fix the rates to be charged for water service by the City, by resolution, and in so doing shall distinguish the different classes of service made available and fix rates appropriate to each class of service. Rates shall be fixed and revised from time to time with the objective that the City water distribution system shall be operated on a sound economic basis as a revenue-producing enterprise.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)

A. Purpose. This section is intended to identify wasteful water activities that shall be avoided at all times, in order to meet State regulations and avoid water waste.

B. Required Activities. All water customers are required to:

1. Correct and repair breaks or leaks over 100 gallons per hour within the customer's plumbing or private distribution system within 72 hours after the customer discovers such break or leak or receives notice from the City of such break or leak.

2. Correct and repair irrigation systems causing more than incidental water runoff such that water flows down the driveway, sidewalk, street, or other public right-of-way.

C. Prohibited Activities.

1. The use of potable water for the irrigation of nonfunctional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, other than a cemetery, and on properties of homeowners' associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities is prohibited according to the provisions set forth in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of Section 10608.14 of the California Water Code, as amended.

a. For the purposes of this prohibition, all terms shall be assigned the meaning set forth in Section 10608.12 of the California Water Code, as amended.

b. For the purposes of this prohibition, "Turf" or "Turfgrass" is additionally defined as "a living ground cover surface of mowed grass."

c. Property owners subject to compliance certification requirements under Section 10608.14(e) of the California Water Code shall be responsible for submitting required certifications to the State Water Resources Control Board.

D. Exceptions.

1. Any customer may make written application to the City Engineer for an exception to the requirements and prohibitions described in this section. The application shall describe in detail why the applicant believes an exception is justified.

2. For the required activities and prohibitions that are not related to the nonfunctional turf prohibition, the City Engineer will only grant exceptions upon finding and determining that failure to do so would cause an emergency condition affecting the health, sanitation, fire protection or safety of the applicant or public; or cause an unnecessary and undue hardship on the applicant or the public, including but not limited to adverse economic impacts, such as loss of production or jobs.

3. The City Engineer will only grant exceptions to the nonfunctional turf prohibition to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial nonturf plantings or to the extent necessary to address an immediate health and safety need.

a. If the City Engineer grants an exception for existing tree and other perennial nonturf plantings health, the City Engineer may apply requirements or conditions to ensure irrigation systems only irrigate the feeder root zone/root zone area of existing trees and other perennial nonturf plantings.

4. The City Engineer cannot grant requests for postponement of a nonfunctional turf compliance deadline. Customers must submit any requests for postponement directly to the State Water Resources Control Board. If a Customer has not met the nonfunctional turf prohibition by their deadline and has not notified the City Engineer of an approved postponement request, then the Customer will be out of compliance with this prohibition.

E. Violation/Enforcement. Violations and enforcement will be implemented according to HMC § 13.12.220.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020; Ord. 1257, 6/15/2026)

A. Title. This section shall be known as the "water shortage contingency plan" of the City of Healdsburg and may be so cited.

B. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this water shortage contingency plan (plan) is to establish different levels of water conservation during a water shortage resulting from a reduced supply of water such as may result from drought, water supply shortages, failures of City infrastructure, or limitations of water delivery conditions.

Nothing in this section will preclude the City Council from passing an emergency resolution for the immediate curtailment of water use by its customers due to water supply shortages and delivery limitations caused by catastrophic events and conditions, either natural or unnatural.

C. Authorization. The City Manager or his or her designee is authorized and directed to implement the applicable provisions of this section upon adoption of a City Council resolution determining that such implementation is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

D. Application. The provisions of this plan shall apply to all customers and property served by the City's potable water and recycled water systems.

E. Water Conservation Stages. No customer shall make, cause, use, or permit the use of water for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, governmental, or any other purpose in a manner contrary to any provision of this plan, or in an amount in excess of that use permitted by conservation Stages 1 through 6 when in effect as declared by resolution of the City Council. While in effect, the requirements of Stages 1 through 6 will supersede any conflicting sections of the Healdsburg Municipal Code.

Enactment of the restrictions and limitations required by each stage described herein shall be by City Council resolution. The City Council may, by resolution, modify the following conservation measures, require additional conservation measures, or prohibit other activities and water uses upon the recommendation of the City Manager or City Engineer that such additional measures are necessary to achieve the desired overall system-wide reduction in water usage:

1. Stage 0. Stage 0 will be in effect at all times, unless a higher stage is declared based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City Engineer. Stage 0 is intended to avoid water waste and mitigate the need for declaring higher stages, as well as meet State requirements. Stage 0 water conservation activities include:

a. Permanent water waste required activities and prohibitions are in place according to HMC § 13.12.210.

b. Building codes and water-efficient landscaping requirements are in place according to HMC Title 15 and Title 20.

c. Customers of the City are strongly encouraged to:

i. Utilize City and other sources of information regarding water efficiency, reading water meters, repairing ordinary leaks, and water efficient landscape.

ii. Utilize conservation incentives, as available and applicable, to replace inefficient plumbing fixtures and appliances with water efficient models and to replace turf with drought-tolerant landscaping.

2. Stage 1. The City Council may by resolution declare conservation Stage 1 based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City Engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 10% is necessary. To achieve an overall system-wide reduction goal of 10%, the following restrictions shall be implemented:

a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stage 0 shall be prohibited.

b. Limit irrigation and outdoor watering using potable water to the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. to reduce evaporation losses.

c. Routinely inspect, and repair as required, all irrigation systems for leaks, and adjust spray heads to prevent overspray and runoff.

d. Irrigating outdoor landscapes with potable water during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall of at least 0.25 inches is prohibited.

e. Using potable water to wash sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, walls, fences, and other hard-surfaced areas is prohibited, except as may be necessary to prevent or eliminate materials that present a danger to public health and safety. If recycled water is used instead, it must be diverted to landscaping or similar permeable surfaces, and may not enter the storm drains. Contact the Water Department regarding an exemption request for a one-time maintenance activity.

f. Use of potable water for dust control, compaction, and other construction purposes is prohibited. Only recycled water may be used for such purposes, as allowed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board or other governing bodies.

g. Washing privately-owned motor vehicles, trailers, or boats is prohibited, except when utilizing a bucket and hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

h. Correct and repair breaks or leaks over 50 gallons per hour or that are easily accessible within the customer's plumbing or private distribution system within 72 hours after the customer discovers such break or leak or receives notice from the City of such break or leak.

3. Stage 2. The City Council may by resolution declare a conservation Stage 2 based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City Engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 20% is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 2 status, and to achieve an overall system-wide reduction of 20%, the following restrictions shall be implemented:

a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 0 and 1 shall be prohibited.

b. Nonessential uses of water, including the following, are prohibited:

i. The City will not accept or approve building permits for new swimming pools or spas/hot tubs unless the owner agrees to obtain pool water from a source other than the City's potable water system.

ii. Refilling of a swimming pool except when topping off to prevent damage to pump, filter equipment, or liner is prohibited. Owners of pools and spas must use a cover to minimize evaporation.

iii. Any other use determined by the City Manager or City engineer to be a nonessential use and inconsistent with the system-wide reduction of 20% is prohibited.

c. Commercial car washes must reduce water usage by 20% of the water used by the facility during the corresponding billing period in the 3 prior years, unless such washing facility treats and recycles wash water, in which case this provision shall not apply.

d. Irrigation and automated sprinklers and drip irrigation systems using potable water shall be limited to no more than three days per week citywide for all customers. Allowed irrigation days shall be Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

e. All nonresidential customers must reduce water usage by 20% of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the 3 prior years.

f. Hotel and lodging businesses must post appropriate signage in facilities stating that washing of linens is available only upon request and reduce excessive water use.

g. Drinking water at food establishments and restaurants shall be provided only upon a customer's request.

h. Correct and repair all breaks or leaks within the customer's plumbing or private distribution system within 72 hours after the customer discovers such break or leak or receives notice from the City of such break or leak.

i. Water shortage surcharges consistent with the adopted water rates in effect shall be implemented.

4. Stage 3. The City Council may, by resolution, declare a conservation Stage 3, based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 30% is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 3 status, and to achieve an overall system-wide reduction of 30%, the following restrictions shall be implemented:

a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 0 through 2 shall be prohibited.

b. Irrigation and automated sprinklers using potable water shall be limited to no more than two days per week citywide for all customers. Allowed irrigation days will be Tuesday and Friday.

c. Planting any new landscaping, except for designated drought-resistant landscaping prescribed by the City Engineer or designated representative, shall be prohibited.

d. Installation of new annual plants, flowers, or vines shall be prohibited citywide, including in new developments. Plantings that will be watered with only recycled water are permitted. Plantings necessary to improve or maintain water quality requirements, such as low-impact development (LID) requirements, rain gardens, creek restoration, or similar, may be approved by the City Engineer.

e. Nonresidential customers must reduce water use by 30% of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the three prior years.

f. Residential customers may not use in excess of 400 cubic feet (HCF) per person per month or 99 gallons of water per person per day.

5. Stage 4. The City Council may, by resolution, declare a conservation Stage 4, based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City Engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 40% is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 4 status, and to achieve an overall system-wide reduction of 40%, the following restrictions shall be implemented:

a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 0 through 3 shall be prohibited.

b. Filling and operation of decorative water features and ornamental fountains using potable water shall be prohibited.

c. Nonresidential customers must reduce water use by 40% of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the three prior years.

d. Residential customers may not use in excess of 300 cubic feet (HCF) per person per month or 74 gallons of water per person per day.

e. All day and nighttime irrigation by use of overhead or spray sprinkling is prohibited, unless the water used is recycled water. This prohibition shall not apply to drip irrigation systems using manual or automatic time-controlled water application or to hand watering with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

f. Irrigation of any non-functional turf (residential, commercial, or industrial) with potable water, at any time of day or night, shall be prohibited.

g. Installation of new vegetable gardens shall be prohibited citywide, including in new developments. Plantings that will be watered with only recycled water are permitted.

6. Stage 5. The City Council may, by resolution, declare a conservation Stage 5, based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City Engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 50% is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 5 status, and to achieve an overall system-wide reduction of 50%, the following restrictions shall be implemented:

a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 0 through 4 shall be prohibited.

b. Irrigation and automated sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, and hand watering using potable water shall be prohibited citywide for all customers.

c. Nonresidential customers must reduce water usage by 50% of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the three prior years.

d. Residential customers may not use in excess of 200 cubic feet (HCF) of water per person per month or 50 gallons per person per day.

e. New construction must offset new demand by a ratio of one to one prior to receiving a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy. Connection of affordable housing is exempt from this requirement.

7. Stage 6. The City Council may, by resolution, declare a conservation Stage 6, based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of greater than 50% is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 6 status, the following restrictions shall be implemented:

a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 0 through 5 shall be prohibited.

b. Nonresidential customers must reduce water usage by at least 60% of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the three prior years.

c. Residential customers shall not use in excess of 150 cubic feet (HCF) of water per person per month or 40 gallons per person per day.

d. New construction must offset new demand by a ratio of two to one prior to receiving a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy. Connection of affordable housing is exempt from this requirement.

F. Exceptions and Application Procedures for Exceptions. Any customer may make written application to the City Engineer for an exception to the regulations and prohibitions described in this section. The application shall describe in detail why the applicant believes an exception is justified.

1. The City Engineer may grant exceptions to the provisions of this section upon finding and determining that failure to do so would cause an emergency condition affecting the health, sanitation, fire protection or safety of the applicant or public; or cause an unnecessary and undue hardship on the applicant or the public, including but not limited to adverse economic impacts, such as loss of production or jobs.

2. Decisions of the City Engineer may be appealed to the City Manager or his or her designee by submission of a written appeal to the City Clerk within seven calendar days of the date of the decision by the City Engineer. The City Manager or his or her designee shall issue a determination in writing. The City Manager may grant or deny the appeal in full or may impose any conditions the City Manager determines to be just and proper. The City Manager's decision shall be final.

G. Violation/Enforcement.

1. Any violation of any provision of this plan is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1.12 HMC, including without limitation the imposition of administrative penalties, notice and hearing requirements and appeals procedures.

2. Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction.

3. In addition to the enforcement remedies provided in Chapter 1.12 HMC, upon a violation of any provision of this section, the City Engineer may authorize the installation of a flow-restricting device on the services line to the property(ies) in violation, and the cost of installation of such a device shall be charged to the person(s) or entity(ies) responsible for payment of water service charges or a lien against the affected property(ies).

4. In addition to the enforcement remedies provided in Chapter 1.12 HMC, upon a continued violation of any provision of this section, the City Engineer may authorize the termination of water service to the property(ies) in violation. The cost of terminating and restoring service shall be charged to the person(s) or entity(ies) responsible for payment of water service charges or a lien against the affected property(ies).

H. Additional Enforcement Remedy. Before either installing a water restrictor or terminating water service, the City shall give written notice to the person responsible for the service connection to be either restricted or terminated of its intention to do so. The person or persons to whom notice is given shall have five business days from the date of service of the notice to request a hearing before the City Manager or his or her designee in order to present any and all evidence they may have as to why a restrictor should not be installed or service terminated.

If a hearing is requested, the City Manager, or his or her designee, shall schedule a date and time for said hearing as soon as possible after the request is filed, but not later than five business days after the filing of such request for hearing. At the hearing, the person whose service connections are to be restricted or terminated and the utilities personnel may offer evidence. The City Manager, or his or her designee, shall make a final determination as to whether service should be restricted or terminated and under what conditions.

(Ord. 1213 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 1257, 6/15/2026)

Each charge or rental levied pursuant to this chapter on property within the City shall be a lien upon the corresponding lot, land or premises served by a connection to the City water system.

(Ord. 1205 § 4, 2020)