Wheatland Municipal Code Ch. 13.54 Water Conservation Program

This chapter is enacted to establish the city plan and program to respond to drought conditions. It establishes normal water use condition restrictions and a four-stage plan to be implemented during times of a declared drought to accomplish water conservation. The plan establishes four levels of drought response restrictions and actions to be implemented in times of shortage, with increasing restrictions on water use in response to worsening drought conditions and decreasing available supplies. Stage 1, water watch, is intended to achieve a ten percent reduction in normal water consumption. Stage 2, water alert, is intended to achieve a twenty percent reduction. Stage 3, water emergency, is intended to achieve a thirty percent reduction. Stage 4, water crisis, is intended to achieve a forty percent reduction. The chapter applies to any person using the city water supply, who will be referred to as a water consumer.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015)

A. The city council may, by resolution and after a noticed public hearing, declare that drought conditions exist within the city. Notice of the public hearing shall be given by posting in three public places in the city at least seven days prior to the date of the public hearing. Based on the seriousness of the drought conditions, the city council also will determine whether the Stage 1, 2, 3 or 4 regulations included in this chapter shall become operative and shall remain in full force and effect until the council, by resolution, determines that a different stage is appropriate or that the drought conditions have ceased.

B. A Stage 1 drought condition may be declared in a single-year drought or when there are minimal water supply impairments. A Stage 2 drought condition may be declared when there is a notable water supply reduction, a multi-year drought, or a water shortage condition declared by the city engineer. A Stage 3 drought condition may be declared when there are substantial water supply reductions or water system impairment, a multi-year drought, or a water shortage or drought emergency declared by the federal or state government. A Stage 4 drought condition may be declared when there are catastrophic water supply reductions or water system impairment or a multi-year drought.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015)

This section applies when the city council has not adopted a resolution under Section 13.54.020 declaring that drought conditions exist. All water consumers are encouraged to be aware of water consumption and use water wisely. Water consumers must comply with the following restrictions:

A. Water shall not be wasted. Wasting water includes the watering of landscapes in a manner or to an extent that allows substantial amounts of water to run off the area being watered.

B. When washing down or spraying paved surfaces (including sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and patios), buildings, structures, vehicles, boats or equipment with a hose, the hose must be equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle.

C. Repair all water leaks within the water consumer's water and irrigation system within a reasonable period of time after the leak has been detected.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015)

The section applies when the city council has adopted a resolution under Section 13.54.020 declaring a Stage 1 drought condition. All water consumers shall comply with the following mandatory water conservation measures and restrictions:

A. When washing down or spraying paved surfaces (including sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and patios), buildings, structures, vehicles, boats or equipment with a hose, the hose must be equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle.

B. When irrigating with a sprinkler system, do not allow water to run off the property into the street or sidewalk or onto adjacent property and do not overspray onto non-targeted areas such as adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, hardscapes, streets, sidewalks or structures.

C. Landscape irrigation and watering is permitted only between seven p.m. and ten a.m.

D. Repair all water leaks within the water consumer's water and irrigation system within five days after written notification by the city unless other arrangements are made with the city manager.

As an additional voluntary measure, restaurants and other food service establishments should consider serving and refilling water only upon request.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015)

The section applies when the city council has adopted a resolution under Section 13.54.020 declaring a Stage 2 drought condition. All water consumers shall comply with the mandatory water conservation measures and restrictions in this section. The Stage 1 drought response water conservation measures and restrictions also apply, except as modified by this section.

A. Landscape irrigation and watering is permitted only from twelve midnight to ten a.m. and from seven p.m. to twelve midnight and no more frequently than two days per week. The city manager is authorized and directed to establish a landscape irrigation schedule for different areas throughout the city and to notify residents about their water and no-water days.

B. Irrigate no longer than thirty minutes per watering zone or station per water-day.

C. Landscape irrigation and watering is prohibited during and within forty-eight hours after measurable rainfall.

D. Repair all water leaks within the water consumer's water and irrigation system within seventytwo hours after written notification by the city unless other arrangements are made with the city manager.

E. When using water for construction-related purposes, use recycled or non-potable water when available.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015)

The section applies when the city council has adopted a resolution under Section 13.54.020 declaring a Stage 3 drought condition. All water consumers shall comply with the mandatory water conservation measures and restrictions in this section. The Stage 1 and 2 drought response water conservation measures and restrictions also apply, except as modified by this section.

A. The use of running water from a hose, pipe, or faucet for the purpose of cleaning or washing down paved surfaces (including sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and patios), buildings, structures, vehicles, boats or equipment is prohibited. Vehicles, boats and equipment may be washed only if using a bucket and hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle.

B. Landscape irrigation and watering is permitted only from twelve midnight to ten a.m. and from seven p.m. to twelve midnight and no more frequently than two days per week from June through October and one day per week November through May. The city manager is authorized and directed to establish a landscape irrigation schedule of the days per week for the different seasons and for different areas throughout the city and to notify residents about their water and no-water days.

C. Irrigate no longer than ten minutes per watering zone or station per water-day.

D. Restaurants and other food service establishments shall serve and refill water only upon request.

E. Repair all water leaks within the water consumer's water and irrigation system within forty-eight hours after written notification by the city unless other arrangements are made with the city manager.

F. Upon the approval of the city engineer, the city may deny new water service connections to new construction and the issuance of water "will-serve" letters regarding proposed construction or development.

G. Such other and further regulations as the city council may determine and approve in the resolution adopted under Section 13.54.020.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015)

This section applies when the city council has adopted a resolution under Section 13.54.020 declaring a Stage 4 drought condition. All water consumers shall comply with the mandatory water conservation measures and restrictions in this section. The Stage 1, 2 and 3 drought response water conservation measures and restrictions also apply, except as modified by this section.

A. The use of running water from a hose, pipe, or faucet for the purpose of cleaning or washing down paved surfaces (including sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and patios), buildings, structures, vehicles, boats or equipment is prohibited.

B. Landscape irrigation and watering is prohibited, except as permitted by the fire chief as appropriate to prevent fire hazards.

C. Repair all water leaks within the water consumer's water and irrigation system within twenty-four hours after written notification by the city unless other arrangements are made with the city manager.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015)

Nothing in this chapter shall apply to the use of water for purposes of extinguishing fires or responding to other emergency condition.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015)

Upon adoption of a resolution by the city council declaring a Stage 1, 2, 3 or 4 drought condition and making operative the applicable water conservation measures and restrictions, it is unlawful for any person to fail to comply or otherwise violate any section or provision of the operative section or sections of this chapter.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015)

Certain landscaping projects are required to comply with the water efficiency provisions of Section 18.60.130 of this code and the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), as contained in 23 CCR, Division 2, Chapter 2.7.

(Ord. 485 § 10, 2022)

A. Each violation of this chapter may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than thirty days or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or by both, as provided in Water Code Section 377.

B. Administrative penalties may be levied for each violation of this chapter in accordance with Wheatland Municipal Code Chapter 1.18.

C. For a violation of this chapter during a declared Stage 3 or 4 drought condition, the city may terminate water service to the property where the violation occurs.

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

E. The remedies provided in this section are cumulative and are in addition to all other remedies provided by law.

F. The city manager is authorized to adopt and implement enforcement guidelines for city staff consistent with this section, which guidelines may incorporate progressive enforcement and penalty principles.

(Ord. 455 § 3, 2015; Ord. 485 § 10, 2022)