§ 34-121. Wasting water and drought response stages.
(a)
Wasting water.
(1)
It shall be unlawful for any person or customer to waste water for any use other than described in the specific responses to each critical period drought response stage.
(2)
Landscape irrigation, using individual sprinklers or sprinkler systems, is prohibited year-round between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (mandatory). Use of gray water (treated wastewater or recycled water) is permitted.
(3)
It shall be a violation if any person or customer allows water to run off onto an impervious street, ditch or drain, or fails to repair a controllable leak.
(b)
Critical period drought response stages. The City Manager shall monitor the water supply conditions on a daily basis and, in accordance with the triggering criteria set forth in section 34-120, shall determine that a critical period drought response stage exists and shall implement the following actions: signs posted in public places, notice on marquee, notice on website and handouts. In addition, the City Manager shall notify directly, or cause to be notified directly, the following individuals and entities, as appropriate for the requisite drought stage:
(1)
Mayor;
(2)
Members of the City Council;
(3)
Police Chief;
(4)
Fire Chief;
(5)
Water Utility Director;
(6)
City Secretary;
(7)
Code Compliance Officer; and
(8)
Utility staff.
(c)
Specific responses—Stage I.
(1)
Stage I response. Achieve a mandatory 20-percent reduction in the use of all permitted water rights.
(2)
Supply management measures. The City will continue its ongoing education program, coordination activities, special-use provision, reuse and recycling program, fire hydrant and line monitoring program, and programs with water purveyors and companies. In addition, the City shall reduce or discontinue flushing of water mains as far as is practical and prudent.
(3)
Stage I water use limitations. Under threat of penalty for violation, the following water use limitations shall apply to all persons:
a.
Water customers shall comply with mandatory limits of landscape irrigation. Watering days will be based on the last digit of the address:
Last Digit of Address Day 0 and 1 Monday 2 and 3 Tuesday 4 and 5 Wednesday 6 and 7 Thursday 8 and 9 Friday b.
No person may waste water.
c.
Restaurants may not give out water unless requested by customers.
d.
Landscape irrigation by means of an individual sprinkler or a handheld hose, a handheld bucket, a soaker hose, or a properly installed drip irrigation system is permitted any day of the week, but limited to the morning hours from 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and the evening hours from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.
e.
No person may use water to wash an impervious outdoor ground covering such as a parking lot, driveway, street, or sidewalk unless for health or safety reasons.
f.
No person may allow irrigation runoff to escape from that person's land.
g.
No person may wash an automobile at a residence except on a watering day designated by this plan, and in no event may a person allow water from automobile washing at a residence escape into the street or otherwise off the person's property.
h.
Charity car washes are prohibited. Water customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or discontinue water use for nonessential purposes.
i.
Pressure washing is prohibited.
j.
Essential and utility use:
1.
Firefighting: no restrictions.
2.
Water utility use:
(i)
Leak detection and system pressure is recommended.
(ii)
Fire hydrant flushing: reduction is recommended for water quality control.
(d)
Same—Stage II.
(1)
Stage II response. Achieve a 30-percent reduction in the use of all permitted water rights.
(2)
Supply management measures. In addition to the supply management measures for Stage I, the City, will closely monitor the system for leaks and provide rapid repairs and reduce or discontinue the irrigation of public landscaped areas.
(3)
Stage II water use limitations. Under threat of penalty for violation, the following water use limitations shall apply to all persons:
a.
All of the limitations and prohibitions applicable in Stage I apply in Stage II.
b.
Landscape irrigation using individual sprinkler is reduced to the morning hours of 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and the evening hours of 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
c.
However, landscape watering by means of a handheld hose, a handheld bucket, a soaker hose, or a properly installed drip irrigation system is permitted on any day of the week between the morning hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and evening hours of 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.
d.
Filling of all existing swimming pools is prohibited, unless at least 30 percent of the water is obtained from a source other than the Edwards Aquifer. A new swimming pool may be filled if the appropriate permit was approved during Stage I. No new swimming pool permits will be approved during Stage II and subsequent stages.
e.
Restaurants will not offer water unless requested by customer.
f.
Pressure washing is prohibited.
g.
Groundwater may be used to replenish swimming pools to maintenance level. Draining of swimming pools is permitted only on a pervious surface or onto a pool deck where the water is transmitted directly to a pervious surface, only if necessary, to:
1.
Remove excess water from the pool due to rain to lower the water to the maintenance level;
2.
Repair, maintain, or replace a pool component that has become hazardous; or
3.
Repair a pool leak.
h.
No person may use groundwater for an ornamental outdoor fountain or similar feature, unless the water is recycled and the only additional groundwater used for the feature is to compensate for evaporative losses.
i.
Homeowner associations served by the City must comply with the provisions of the plan.
j.
Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under special permit from the City.
(e)
Same—Stage III.
(1)
Stage III response. Achieve a 35-percent reduction in the use of all permitted water rights.
(2)
Supply management measures. In addition to the supply management measures in Stages I and II, the City will patrol and monitor the system for any waste of water and will issue citations as required.
(3)
Stage III water use limitations. All requirements of Stage II shall remain in effect during Stage III except:
a.
Landscape irrigation by handheld hose or five-gallon bucket is permitted only during the hours of 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
b.
Landscape irrigation with an irrigation system or sprinkler is permitted every other week beginning on the second Monday after Stage III has been declared and only on the designated water days in Stages I and II during the hours of 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
c.
The filling, refilling, or adding of water to swimming pools, wading pools, and Jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited.
d.
No person may use groundwater for an ornamental outdoor fountain or similar feature.
e.
The use of water for construction purposes from designated fire hydrants under special permit is to be discontinued.
f.
Washing cars at home is permitted only during the designated watering day during the hours of 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
g.
Pressure washing is prohibited.
h.
Restaurants may not give out water unless requested by customers.
(f)
Same—Stage IV.
(1)
Stage IV response. Achieve a 40-percent reduction in the use of all permitted water rights.
(2)
Supply management measures. The City will continue to implement the supply management measures of Stages I, II, and III.
(3)
Water use limitations. All requirements of Stages I, II and III shall remain in effect during Stage IV except:
a.
Landscape irrigation is absolutely prohibited.
b.
Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is absolutely prohibited.
c.
Restaurants may not give out water unless requested by customers.
d.
Pressure washing is prohibited.
e.
Implementation of additional drought contingency measures may be applied by the direction of the EAA.
(g)
Same—Stage V.
(1)
Stage V response. Achieve a 44-percent reduction in the use of all permitted water rights.
(2)
Supply management measures. The City will continue to implement the supply management measures of Stages I, II, III and IV.
(3)
Water use limitations. All requirements of Stages I, II, III and IV shall remain in effect during Stage V except:
a.
Landscape irrigation is absolutely prohibited.
b.
Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is absolutely prohibited.
c.
Restaurants may not give out water unless requested by customers.
d.
Pressure washing is prohibited.
e.
Implementation of additional drought contingency measures may be applied by the direction of the EAA.
(Ord. No. 500-06-12, § I, 8-27-2012; Ord. No. 300-07-12, § I(2), 9-24-2012)