Chapter 13.22
WATER CURTAILMENT REGULATIONS

Sections:

13.22.010    Water waste prohibited.

13.22.020    Water curtailment authority.

13.22.030    Penalties and enforcement.

13.22.040    Withholding of water service.

13.22.010 Water waste prohibited.

(1) It is unlawful to allow waste of city supplied water by knowingly or negligently causing, authorizing or permitting such water to escape from its intended beneficial use into any river, creek, natural watercourse, depression, lake, reservoir, storm sewer, street, highway, road, or ditch.

(2) For the purpose of this section:

(a) “Waste” means the use of water in excess of the reasonable volume necessary to meet the beneficial use; and

(b) “Beneficial use” means the reasonable efficient use of water.

History: Ord. 1461 §1, 2015.

13.22.020 Water curtailment authority.

(1) When the City Administrator determines that a critical water supply shortage threatens the ability of the city to deliver essential water to its customers, the City Administrator may activate emergency measures in compliance with the entitled “Water Curtailment Plan” adopted by the Council on September 22, 2015 and on file with the City Recorder.

(2) Upon declaration of a stage three critical water supply shortage by the City Administrator:

(a) No person may water or irrigate lawns, grass or turf unless it is:

(A) New lawn, grass, or turf that has been seeded or sodded after March 1st and before November 1st of the calendar year in which any restrictions are imposed, and in such cases it may be watered only as necessary until established;

(B) Athletic fields frequently used for organized play;

(C) Golf course tees and greens; and

(D) Park and recreation areas of a particular significance and value to the community as approved by the City Administrator.

(b) No use of city supplied water shall be allowed to clean, fill or maintain levels in decorative fountains.

(c) No use of city supplied water shall be allowed to fill swimming pools or other pools with a capacity in excess of 100 gallons, provided, however, that water may be added to swimming pools to replace volume lost due to evaporation and normal loss due to usage.

(d) No use of city supplied water shall be allowed to wash sidewalks, walkways, streets, driveways, parking lots, or other hard surfaced areas except where necessary for public health or safety.

(e) No use of city supplied water shall be allowed to wash vehicles.

History: Ord. 1461 §1, 2015.

13.22.030 Penalties and enforcement.

The penalties for violations of this chapter are in addition to, not in lieu of, other penalties, remedies or surcharges established by this chapter.

(1) Warning. Each violation will first receive a warning. The letter of warning will be in writing, specifying the violation.

(2) Citation. After the resident has received a warning letter, any subsequent violation will be a civil infraction pursuant to the Gladstone Municipal Code and shall be punished as set forth in Chapter 1.08 of the Municipal Code and subsection (3) below.

(3) Penalties for Violations.

(a) First violation: warning letter.

(b) Second violation for the same type: Class C infraction.

(c) Third violation of the same type: Class B infraction.

(d) Fourth and any subsequent violation of the same type: Class A infraction.

History: Ord. 1461 §1, 2015.

13.22.040 Withholding of water service.

(1) In the event that a citation is issued during the period of activated emergency measures for a violation of this chapter, and the City Administrator determines that a second violation has occurred after the date of the citation and during the same emergency curtailment period, the City Administrator may, in addition to any other authorized penalties:

(a) Install a flow restrictor on the street side of the water meter; or

(b) Terminate water service.

(2) If the city installs a flow restrictor, then before normal service will be restored, the water customer must pay a flow restrictor installation and removal charge of $100.00.

History: Ord. 1461 §1, 2015.