Sanger Municipal Code § 82-78 Waste of water prohibited

The purpose of this article is to minimize outdoor water use and reduce unnecessary consumption of the potable water supplies of the city.

(Ord. No. 869, § 1(A), 10-1-92)

Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this division shall be guilty of an infraction punishable in accordance with section 1-7. For violations of this division by persons using city water outside the limits of the city, city water service shall be disconnected. Prior to disconnection of such service, the city shall give notice and an opportunity for a hearing before the city council.

(Ord. No. 869, § 1(C), 10-1-92)

The following uses of water are defined as a waste of water and are prohibited, except as expressly provided:

(1) Runoff.

a. The use of water which allows substantial amounts of city-supplied water to run onto a street, gutter, ditch or drain. Every water user is deemed to have his water distribution lines and facilities under his control at all times and to know the manner and extent of his water use and excess runoff.

b. The director of public works and the chief of the fire department may authorize the use of city water which runs onto a street, gutter or ditch in special circumstances where the runoff of such water is necessary to further an important public interest, such as the cleaning, testing, replacing, installing or repairing of water lines and facilities, including fire hydrants; and fire-fighting and emergency response activities, including training.

(2) The excessive use, loss or escape of water through breaks, leaks or malfunctions in the water user's plumbing or distribution facilities for any period of time after such escape of water should reasonably have been discovered and corrected. It shall be presumed that a period of 48 hours after discovery is a reasonable time within which to correct such a leak or break.

(3) The washing of vehicles, building exteriors, sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas without the use of a positive shut-off nozzle on the hose, which results in excessive runoff, except where necessary to dispose of liquids or substances that could endanger the public's health or safety. Washing must be done using a bucket, with the hose to be used only for rinsing. The washing of vehicles on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or motor vehicle dealership, and the washing of garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables are exempt from this restriction.

(4) Car washes.

a. No person shall conduct more than ten car wash events in the city during a calendar year; and not more than ten car wash events shall be conducted at any premises in the city during any calendar year. A "car wash event" for purposes of this section means the washing of cars or other vehicles which is open to the public and is for compensation, other than as part of the normal operations of a duly licensed commercial car wash.

b. Car wash events shall not be conducted except upon issuance of a permit by the director of administrative services, upon payment of a fee to be set by resolution of the city council.

c. Car wash events shall be conducted only on Saturdays or Sundays.

(5) Outdoor irrigation of yards for even numbered addresses is permitted only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Outdoor irrigation of yards for odd numbered addresses is permitted only on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. There shall be no outdoor irrigation of yards on Mondays. The director of public works may grant a 30-day exemption for new lawns and/or plantings not yet established.

(6) Outdoor irrigation of yards between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

(7) The filling of swimming pools between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

(8) All new construction shall utilize faucets and shower heads with low flow devices and toilets with ultra-low flow units. All new evaporative coolers shall have recirculating pumps.

(Ord. No. 869, § 1(B), 10-1-92)