Mendota Municipal Code Ch. 13.32 Water Conservation

Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions shall be used in the interpretation and construction of this chapter.

"Manager" means the city manager of the city.

"Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation or political entity.

"Water" means any water obtained from the water department of the city.

(Amended during 1995 codification; Ord. 94-08 § 1 (part), 1994: prior code § 15.08.001)

In the use of water supplied by the city, the following requirements shall apply at all times:

A. No person shall keep, maintain, operate or use any water connection, hose, faucet, hydrant, pipe, outlet or plumbing fixture which is not tight and free of leakage, dripping or waste of water.

B. No person shall allow excessive water to run or waste from his/her property onto streets or highways.

C. No person shall willfully or negligently waste water in any manner.

D. Outdoor watering shall be prohibited during and for forty-eight (48) hours after measurable rainfall. Outdoor watering for those residences with even-numbered addresses is permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while odd-numbered addresses may water on Thursdays and Sundays. Monday, Tuesday and Friday are days on which no outdoor watering is allowed.

E. No outdoor watering will occur between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

F. The city manager may grant a thirty (30) day exception for new lawns not yet established.

G. Prohibition of draining of swimming pools with a capacity in excess of five thousand (5,000) gallons more than once every two years, except for structural repairs or to comply with public health standards determined by the county health officer. Residents with private swimming pools shall file a written application for a permit prior to draining their pools with the city manager. The application shall include information as to reason for draining pool and in case of repairs, the nature and duration of repairs to be made and the date on which the pool will be drained.

H. Prohibition of the filling, refilling or adding of water to swimming pools, wading pools or spas during peak hours of 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

I. Washing of exterior asphalt or concrete areas is prohibited except for those businesses that are governed by the food and drug administration or state or county health department requirements that require these areas to be washed for health purposes. Documentation indicating such regulations must be provided to the city manager.

J. The use of water for washing cars, boats or other vehicles is prohibited without the use of a quick acting positive shut-off nozzle on the hose, the use of buckets for washing, and water from hose used for light rinsing. These regulations apply to both residential customers and fundraising events. The business owner at which a fundraising car wash is held is responsible for both the enforcement of these regulations and any citations which may result due to abuse of these regulations.

K. All new construction and remodeling or additions to habitable areas with a valuation in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) will be required to install or replace existing faucets and shower heads with low flow devices and toilets with ultra-low flow units.

(Amended during 1995 codification; Ord. 94-08 § 1 (part), 1994: prior code § 15.08.002)

(Ord. No. 16-04, § 1, 4-26-2016)

No one within the city shall knowingly make, cause, use or permit the use of water for residential, commercial, industrial, governmental or any other purpose in a manner contrary to any provision of this chapter or in an amount in excess of that use permitted by the conservation stage in effect pursuant to action taken by the city manager, or his designee, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The director of the public works department shall promulgate guidelines which shall set forth the criteria for determining when a particular conservation stage is to be implemented and terminated. Such guidelines shall be updated when, in the opinion of the director, the conditions of the utility system have changed so as to necessitate such update. Said guidelines shall be available for inspection at the city clerk's office at City Hall during normal business hours.

(Amended during 1995 codification; Ord. 94-08 § 1 (part), 1994: prior code § 15.08.004)

Voluntary Conservation. Water users in the city are requested to voluntarily limit the amount of water used at all times to that amount absolutely necessary for health, business and irrigation. Stage one water conservation shall be in force annually from May first to September thirtieth.

(Ord. 94-08 § 1 (part), 1994: prior code § 15.08.005)

Mandatory Compliance—Water Emergency. Upon implementation by the city manager and publication of notice, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons; all elements of stage one shall remain in effect in stage two except that:

A. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment is permitted only on designated irrigation days between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle for quick rinses.

Exception: Washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the health, safety or welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleaning, such as garbage trucks and vehicles to transport food and perishables.

B. The operation of any ornamental fountain or other structure making similar use of water is prohibited unless the fountain uses a recycling system, such as an electric pump.

C. All restaurants are requested to serve water to customers only when specifically requested by the customers.

D. Hotels must offer all customers the option of not having their linens and towels washed daily.

(Amended during 1995 codification; Ord. 94-08 § 1 (part), 1994: prior code § 15.08.006)

(Ord. No. 16-04, § 2, 4-26-2016)

Mandatory Compliance—Water Emergency. Upon implementation by the city manager and publication of notice, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons; all elements of stage two shall remain in effect in stage three except that:

A. All outdoor irrigation of vegetation shall be allowed only between the hours of eight p.m. and twelve midnight on designated days.

B. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment not occurring upon the immediate premises of commercial car washes and commercial service stations and not in the immediate interest of the public health, safety and welfare shall be prohibited.

C. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment upon the immediate premises of commercial car washes and commercial service stations, not in the immediate interest of the public health, safety and welfare shall occur only between the hours of twelve noon and six p.m.

D. Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to firefighting and/or other activities immediately necessary to maintaining the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city.

E. Commercial nurseries, commercial sod farmers and similar establishments shall water only on designated days between the hours of ten a.m. and six p.m. and shall use only hand-held hoses, drip irrigation systems or hand-held buckets.

F. The filling, refilling or adding water to swimming pools, wading pools and/or spas is prohibited.

G. The operation of any ornamental fountain or similar structure is prohibited.

(Amended during 1995 codification; Ord. 94-08 § 1 (part), 1994: prior code § 15.08.007)

In addition to the restrictions stated in Sections 13.32.020, 13.32.030, 13.32.040, and 13.32.050 of the Mendota Municipal Code, the city council may by resolution adopt temporary restrictions or other conservation measures to further promote water conservation within the city.

(Ord. No. 16-04, § 3, 4-26-2016)

A. The violation of any provision of this chapter shall result in the following actions by the city:

1. First Violation. A written notice of such violation shall be issued by the public works department personnel.

2. Second Violation. A written notice of such violation shall be given and a charge of fifteen dollars ($15.00) shall be added to the water bill of such person as a one-time penalty.

3. Third Violation. A written notice of such violation shall be given and a charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be added to the water bill of such person as a one-time penalty.

4. Fourth Violation. A written notice of such violation shall be given and a charge of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be added to the water bill of such person as a one-time penalty.

5. Fifth and Subsequent Violations. A written notice shall be given of the fifth and each subsequent violation, and a charge of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be added to the water bill of such person as a one-time penalty, and that person shall have a flow restrictor placed in their service until such time that they can assure that no more waste will occur. All costs, including overhead, for this installation shall be billed to the customer.

B. To determine whether a violation is other than a first offense, only notices issued within one year after the date of the first notice shall be considered.

(Ord. 94-08 § 1 (part), 1994: prior code § 15.08.008)