Tehama Municipal Code Art. XI Water Conservation

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— At the instruction of the city, Ord. No. 187, §§ 3—10, adopted Mar. 24, 2015, amended Art. XI to read as herein set out. Former Art. XI, §§ 13.04.830—13.04.920, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 174, adopted Oct. 13, 2009.

This article establishes normal water operations and regulations to be implemented during times of declared water shortages, or declared water shortage emergencies. It establishes three levels of drought response actions to be implemented in times of shortage, with increasing restrictions on water use in response to worsening drought conditions and decreasing available supplies.

( Ord. No. 187, § 3, 3-24-15 )

The city administrator, with the concurrence of the mayor or vice-mayor, may declare a Level Two, Level Three or Level Four water system operation for water conservation and rationing for a period not to exceed ten calendar days. Any declared stage to be extended beyond ten days must be done by action of the city council. The plan includes voluntary and mandatory rationing, depending on the causes, severity, and anticipated duration of the water supply shortage. Unforeseeable circumstances may cause declaration of a higher action stage or postponement of an action stage. All restrictions under each applicable action stage will be implemented immediately upon declaration of such stage.

( Ord. No. 187, § 4, 3-24-15 )

This will be [the] normal operating stage for the water system.

a. Irrigate residential and commercial landscape before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.; water each area thirty (30) minutes or less. Newly planted areas may be watered as needed until established.

b. Stop water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation;

c. Refrain from hosing or washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, or other hard surfaced areas;

d. Refrain from washing cars, boats, trailers, or other vehicles except by hose with a shutoff nozzle and bucket; avoid washing during hot conditions when additional water is required due to evaporation.

e. Promptly repair all leaks in plumbing fixtures, water lines, and sprinkler systems within ten days of notification;

f. Equip ornamental fountains, [and] ponds with a water recycling systems;

g. Limit residential landscape irrigation to no more than two of the three assigned days per week on a schedule established by the city.

h. Irrigate gardens before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. Watering is permitted at any time with a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle, a bucket, or when drip/micro-irrigation system equipment is used.

( Ord. No. 187, § 5, 3-24-15 )

Customers will be notified by phone and other methods of this stage of water shortage and implementation of mandatory conservation measures. Customers shall comply with all provisions of Level I measures, plus the following:

a. Limit residential and commercial landscape irrigation to no more than two assigned days per week on a schedule established by the council and posted by the city. This section shall not apply to commercial growers or nurseries.

b. Limit lawn watering and landscape irrigation using sprinklers to no more than thirty (30) minutes per watering station per day.

c. Water landscaped areas, including trees and shrubs located on residential and commercial properties, and not irrigated by a landscape irrigation system on the same schedule set forth in subsection a. by using a bucket, hand-held hose with positive shut-off nozzle, or low-volume non-spray irrigation.

d. Repair all leaks within seventy-two (72) hours of notification by the city of Tehama unless other arrangements are made with the city administrator.

e. Refrain from filling or refilling swimming pools.

f. Use recycled or non-potable water for construction purposes when available.

g. Serve and refill water in restaurants and other food service establishments only on request.

h. Do not water within forty-eight (48) hours after rain.

( Ord. No. 187, § 6, 3-24-15 )

Customers will be notified by phone and other methods of this stage of water shortage emergency. All persons using city of Tehama water shall comply with Level 1 and Level 2 drought response conditions and shall also comply with the following additional mandatory conservation measures:

a. Limit residential and commercial landscape irrigation to no more than one assigned day per week on a schedule established by the city council and posted by the city of Tehama. This section shall not apply to commercial growers or nurseries on their own water systems.

b. Stop filling or refilling swimming pools.

c. Stop filling or re-filling ponds, except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life, provided that such animals are of significant value and have been actively managed within the water feature prior to declaration of a drought response level under this article.

d. Stop washing vehicles except at commercial carwashes that re-circulate water, or by high pressure/low volume wash systems.

e. Repair all leaks within forty-eight (48) hours of notification by the city of Tehama unless other arrangements are made with the city administrator.

f. Additionally, no new potable water service shall be provided, no new temporary meters or permanent meters shall be provided, and no statements of immediate ability to serve or provide potable water service shall be issued, except under the following circumstances:

i. A valid, unexpired building permit has been issued for the project; or

ii. The project is necessary to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare; or

iii. The applicant provides substantial evidence of an enforceable commitment that water demands for the project will be offset prior to the provision of a new water meter(s) to the satisfaction of the city council.

This provision shall not be construed to preclude the resetting or turn-on of meters to provide continuation of water service or to restore service that has been interrupted for a period of one year or less.

( Ord. No. 187, § 7, 3-24-15 )

Major catastrophe or contamination of the water supply. Priorities for all water use will be for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection. All persons using city of Tehama water shall comply with Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 drought response conditions and shall also comply with the following additional mandatory conservation measures:

a. The following water uses will be prohibited for all water users:

1. Landscape irrigation or watering of lawns or gardens;

2. Washing of cars, boats, trailers, or other vehicles;

3. Washing down of driveways, sidewalks, buildings, windows, or any outdoor surface.

4. Filling of swimming pools, ponds, spas, or hot tubs;

5. Filling of operating ornamental fountains, ponds, or lakes;

6. Flushing or use of hydrants for construction purposes.

b. Repair all leaks within twenty-four (24) hours.

( Ord. No. 187, § 8, 3-24-15 )

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To deter excessive use of water at all levels, the city is adding penalty charges to use of more than forty thousand (40,000) gallons of water.

Penalties Per Housing/Commercial/Public Unit

( Ord. No. 187, § 9, 3-24-15 )

A. Civil Penalties: In addition to all other remedies, the city may issue civil penalties for failure to comply with any provisions of this ordinance as follows:

a. First Violation: The city will issue a written warning and deliver a copy of the ordinance from which this section derived by mail.

b. Second Violation: The city will issue a second written warning.

c. Third Violation: A third violation within the preceding twelve (12) calendar months is subject to a fine of up to one hundred dollars ($100.00). This fine will be incorporated into the customer's water bill. Nonpayment will be subject to the same remedies as nonpayment of basic water rates.

d. Fourth Violation: A fourth violation within the preceding twelve (12) calendar months is subject to a fine of up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). This fine will be incorporated into the customer's water bill. Nonpayment will be subject to the same remedies as nonpayment of basic water rates.

e. Fifth and Subsequent Violations: A fifth and subsequent violation is subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00). This fine will be incorporated into the customer's water bill. Nonpayment will be subject to the same remedies as nonpayment of basic water rates.

B. Water Flow Restrictor: In addition to any fines, the city may install a water flow restrictor device of approximately one gallon per minute capacity for services up to one and one-half-inch size and comparatively sized restrictors for larger services after written notice of intent to install a flow restrictor for a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours. The cost of installing and removing the flow restrictor will be added to the customer's water bill. Nonpayment will be subject to the same remedies as nonpayment of basic water rates.

C. Termination of Service: In addition to any fines and/or the installation of a water flow restrictor, the city may disconnect and terminate a customer's water service.

D. Each day that a violation of this article occurs is a separate violation.

( Ord. No. 187, § 10, 3-24-15 )