Chapter 4.25
WATER CURTAILMENT PLAN
Sections:
4.25.050 Water system capacity constraints.
4.25.100 Violation – Penalties.
4.25.010 Introduction.
The city of Halsey has prepared this water curtailment plan to meet minimum supply needs encountered during drought conditions, supply depletion, or emergencies such as facility breakdown or failure. This plan will address conditions that exist during a water shortage emergency and when the ordinary demands and requirements of water consumers cannot be satisfied without depleting the water supply of the city of Halsey. The purpose of this plan is to conserve the water supply of the city of Halsey for the greatest public benefit with particular regard to public health, fire protection, and domestic use. This plan will attempt to provide sufficient water by reducing waste and maintaining water usage on a fair and equitable basis. [Ord. 389 § 1, 2011.]
4.25.020 Authority.
This plan will comply with the requirement of the Oregon Water Resources Department and OAR 690-19-030. The city of Halsey is allowed to implement nonvoluntary curtailment or suspension of water service as defined under this plan. The city of Halsey will hold a public hearing prior to adoption or amendment of this plan. [Ord. 389 § 2, 2011.]
4.25.030 Administration.
This plan will be administered by the city administrator/recorder of the city of Halsey unless specified otherwise. [Ord. 389 § 3, 2011.]
4.25.040 Plan implementation.
The city administrator/recorder of the city of Halsey or the Halsey city council can, with a majority of consent, declare an emergency and enact the plan. If a majority of the Halsey city council cannot be reached, and an emergency situation exists, the city administrator/recorder will have the authority to enact the plan. The plan will remain in effect until the Halsey city council declares that the water shortage emergency has ended. [Ord. 389 § 4, 2011.]
4.25.050 Water system capacity constraints.
The city of Halsey would enact curtailment measures to reduce the impact of a drought or the inability of the system to meet peak daily demands. These constraints shall apply to all types of customers using water provided by the city of Halsey. [Ord. 389 § 5, 2011.]
4.25.060 Definitions.
For the purpose of this plan, the following terms have the meaning given:
“Billing period” means that period used by the city for the reading of water meters consisting of approximately 30 calendar days.
“Customer” means any person using water supplied by the city of Halsey.
“Necessary irrigation” means the minimal amount of water which can be applied directly to the plant root zone through hand or drip watering to sustain plant life. Limited to vegetables, flowers, and shrubs. Does not include turf, lawns or any other than as expressly stated and is limited to once per week.
“Nonessential irrigation” means all irrigation which is not classified as necessary irrigation.
“Person” means any person, firm, entity, partnership, association, corporation, company, group, customer, or organization of any kind.
“Water” means water supplied to the city of Halsey. [Ord. 389 § 6, 2011.]
4.25.070 Curtailment levels.
(1) Low Alert Level. Water demand is approaching the reliable capacity of the system and a strong probability exists that, based on current demand patterns, current demand will exceed the current supply if allowed to continue at the current rate.
(2) Mild Alert Level. The water demand is at the capacity of upper limit of the system and occasionally exceeds the system’s capacity.
(3) Moderate Alert Level. The water system has a problem which results in a supply capacity far below the system demands. This will require strict curtailment measures to ensure domestic and fire needs can be met.
(4) High Alert Level. The water system has an immediate supply or demand problem and the health or safety of the public is at risk.
(5) Extreme Alert Level. The water system is incapable of supplying water to the customers. The water system has failed. [Ord. 389 § 7, 2011.]
4.25.080 Curtailment plan.
(1) Low Alert Level.
(a) Voluntary Reduction in Water Use. Voluntarily curb nonessential uses.
(i) Residential.
(A) Lawn watering more than every other day.
(B) Noncommercial washing of privately owned vehicles, trailers, and boats, except from a bucket and hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle which may be used for quick rinse.
(C) Washing sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other exterior paved areas except by the Halsey Shedd Fire Department or other public agency for the purpose of public safety.
(D) The city of Halsey will intensify the current leak repair policy and give leak repairing the highest priority. Public agencies will be asked to curtail their water use in parks and office landscapes. Fire hydrants will not be flushed unless necessary for water quality reasons. No annual hydrant flushing will be conducted.
(ii) Commercial/Industrial.
(A) Recommend all nonessential irrigation be discontinued and all necessary irrigation be done on an alternate day basis.
(B) Inform all commercial and industrial customers of the second level of curtailment triggers and restrictions.
(C) Washing of commercial vehicles except in a facility which recycles water.
(b) Notification. Water conservation suggestions will be part of Level One curtailment measures and will be distributed through leaflets, public service announcements posted at the Post Office and the local store, and newspaper announcements. During the first level of curtailment, the public will be fully advised of possible future curtailment measures and what conditions may require implementation.
(2) Mild Alert Level.
(a) Mandatory Reductions in Residential Water Use.
(i) Enact a mandatory alternate day lawn and garden watering schedule.
(ii) Eliminate any use of water from a fire hydrant except for fighting fires or emergency applications.
(iii) Customers will be required to water during the evening hours when demand is lower. Watering in the midday heat will be prohibited.
(iv) Disallow the washing of any motorbike, motor vehicle, boat, trailer, airplane, or other vehicle except at a commercial fixed washing facility or by bucket and hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle which may be used for a quick rinse.
(v) Disallow the use of nonrecycled water in a fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes except where necessary to support fish life.
(vi) Mandate that no person or customer shall cause or permit water to run to waste in any gutter or drain.
(b) Mandatory Reduction in Commercial or Industrial Water Use. The following commercial or industrial water uses are hereby determined to be nonessential and are prohibited:
(i) Disallow the use of water for dust control at construction sites.
(ii) All nonessential irrigation shall be discontinued and all necessary irrigation shall be done on an alternate day basis.
(iii) Disallow the use of water from hydrants for any purpose other than fire fighting.
(iv) Washing of commercial vehicles except in a facility which recycles water.
(3) Moderate Alert Level.
(a) Mandatory Reductions in Residential Water Use.
(i) All lawn and garden watering shall be restricted to every fourth day.
(ii) Eliminate any use of water from a fire hydrant except for fighting fires, or emergency applications.
(iii) Disallow initial filling or refilling of a swimming pool.
(iv) Disallow the washing of any motorbike, motor vehicle, boat, trailer, airplane, or other vehicle, except at a commercial fixed washing facility which recycles its water.
(v) Disallow the use of nonrecycled water in a fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes except where necessary to support fish life.
(vi) Mandate no person or customer shall cause or permit water to run to waste in any gutter or drain.
(vii) Prohibit daylight watering.
(b) Mandatory Reduction in Commercial or Industrial Water Use. The following commercial or industrial water uses are hereby determined to be nonessential and are prohibited:
(i) Disallow the use of water for dust control at construction sites.
(ii) Disallow the use of water from hydrants for any purpose other than fire fighting.
(iii) The city of Halsey reserves the right to set gallonage limits on individual businesses based on the severity of the current situation as well as current and past consumption habits.
(iv) The largest consumers in the city of Halsey’s service area will be contacted and possible ways to reduce water consumption will be discussed on an individual basis.
(c) Lawn Watering Schedule. A plan allowing customers to water their lawn every fourth day will be enacted. This plan will be publicized in the following ways:
(i) The local newspaper will be contacted and asked to give this item heavy publicity.
(ii) A flyer will be sent out to all city of Halsey water customers with a lawn watering calendar.
(iii) Door-to-door notification or telephone calls may be made.
(iv) Leaflets will be placed in conspicuous locations such as the Post Office or store.
(v) Customers will be required to water during the evening or early morning hours when demand is lower. Watering in the midday heat will be prohibited.
(4) High Alert Level.
(a) Mandatory Reduction in Residential Water Use.
(i) The city of Halsey reserves the right to set gallonage limits on individual residences based on the severity of the situation and current and past per capita consumption patterns.
(ii) Prohibition on Sprinkling and Watering. No person or customer shall sprinkle, water, or irrigate any shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, flower or any other vegetation.
(b) Mandatory Reduction in Commercial or Industrial Water Use. Any commercial or industrial use shall be limited to 70 percent of the amount used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the same time period of the previous year. If connection to the water system was not in existence during the previous year, an assumed amount will be computed using existing records of similar services. The city of Halsey reserves the right to set gallonage limits on individual businesses based on the severity of the current situation as well as current and past consumption habits. An appeal to the 70 percent limitation may be made directly to the city administrator/recorder. The city administrator/recorder’s decision will be final.
(5) Extreme Alert Level.
(a) During an unusual event or emergency the city will convene a meeting to determine council action or consent of the mayor necessary to restrict water use. Depending upon the severity of the emergency the following may occur:
(i) Rationing of water for each customer to be distributed at a designated location.
(ii) Residential use may be restricted to a particular number of gallons per day.
(iii) Commercial and industrial customers mandated to decrease consumption by a certain percentage depending upon the severity of the event or the emergency.
(iv) Elimination of all uses not directly involved with health, sanitation, or safety.
(v) Closure of public schools and offices for a period of time depending upon the severity of the event or the emergency.
(vi) Shutting down of industrial operations for a period of time depending upon the severity of the event or the emergency.
(vii) Possible loss of service for all customers for a period of time to be determined by the severity of the event or the emergency. [Ord. 389 § 8, 2011.]
4.25.090 Enforcement.
(1) Warning. Each violation shall receive a warning. The letter of warning shall be in writing, shall specify the violation, may require compliance measures, and shall be served upon the customer either personally by city staff or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
(2) Citation. After the customer has received a warning letter, a citation will be served by the Linn County sheriff’s department for any subsequent violation. The fee imposed shall be no less than $100.00 or more than $500.00 for each violation. [Ord. 389 § 9, 2011.]
4.25.100 Violation – Penalties.
(1) Penalties for violations include:
(a) First violation: warning letter.
(b) Second violation of the same type: $100.00.
(c) Third violation of the same type: $250.00.
(d) Fourth and subsequent violations: $500.00.
(2) Third and subsequent violations may include a water shut-off. [Ord. 389 § 10, 2011.]
4.25.110 Variances.
The city of Halsey may, in writing, grant temporary variances for prospective uses of water otherwise prohibited after determining that due to unusual circumstances failure to grant such a variance would cause an emergency condition affecting health, sanitation, or fire protection of the applicant or the public. Appeals for variances shall be made directly to the city administrator/recorder of the city of Halsey whose decision will be final. [Ord. 389 § 11, 2011.]
4.25.120 Modifications.
The city of Halsey may modify or revise the plan, or any portion of the plan, when it deems appropriate. Modifications of the plan can be passed by a majority of consent by the city council. [Ord. 389 § 12, 2011.]