Chapter 8.20 WATER SHORTAGES

Chapter 8.20
WATER SHORTAGES

Sections:

8.20.010 Voluntary conservation measures.

Upon a determination that water consumption exceeds availability and/or that due to a water shortage the water available within the system is approaching the minimum required to meet fire protection and other essential requirements, the city manager or mayor may request voluntary reduction of water use by customers through actions which may include, but are not limited to, the following specific actions:

A. Raise customer awareness through notification of water conditions and provide general information on water;

B. Limit irrigation of lawns to only after 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.;

C. Limit hosing and/or washing off sidewalks, walkways, driveways, streets, parking lots, open ground, or other hard-surfaced areas to only where necessary for public health or safety;

D. Limit washing cars, boats, trailers, or other vehicles by hose to only when using a shut-off nozzle. Washing such vehicles at commercial or fleet washing facilities which use water recycling equipment is an exception;

E. Limit serving water for drinking at a restaurant, motel, cafe, cafeteria, or other public place where food is sold or served to any person to only when expressly requested;

F. Limit cleaning buildings (walls or roofs) to only when in preparation for painting;

G. Request other voluntary measures on the part of Lincoln City water customers. (Ord. 95-19 § 1)

8.20.020 Serious water shortages.

Upon determination of serious water shortages by the city council, the city council may declare an emergency restricting certain uses. Upon such action the council may impose any of the following restrictions:

A. Prohibit lawn water except after 9:00 p.m. up to 9:00 a.m. and for no more than one hour during that time period;

B. Provide for a reduction in system-wide pressure below standard operating pressure in accordance with the existing conditions, but not to the point so as to jeopardize public health or safety;

C. Restrict or prohibit other outdoor water uses as determined appropriate in accordance with existing conditions. (Ord. 95-19 § 2)

8.20.030 Critical water shortages.

Upon determination of critical water shortages by the city council, the council may declare an emergency prohibiting certain uses. Upon such action by the council it shall be unlawful to:

A. Water, sprinkle or irrigate a lawn, grass or turf unless:

1. It is a new lawn, grass or turf that has been seeded or sodded after March 1st of the calendar year in which the critical water shortage has been declared. In such cases water is permitted only as necessary until the lawn, grass or turf has become established;

2. It is a high-use athletic field that is used for organized play;

3. It is a golf tee and green; or

4. It is a park and recreation area deemed by the city council to be of a particular significance and value to the community sufficient to justify watering, sprinkling or irrigating notwithstanding the critical water shortage;

B. Wash, wet down, or seep with water sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, open ground or other hard-surfaced areas unless:

1. In the opinion of the city council there is a demonstrable need for the activity in order to meet public health or safety requirements including but not limited to alleviation of immediate fire or sanitation hazards, or dust control to meet air quality requirements mandated by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality;

2. The activity is limited to power washing of buildings, roofs and homes prior to painting, repair, remodeling or reconstruction and not solely for aesthetic purposes;

C. Wash cars, trucks, trailers, tractors, or other land vehicles or boats or other waterborne vehicles except if by commercial establishments or fleet washing facilities which recycle or reuse the water in their washing processes or if by bucket and hose with a shut-off mechanism unless the council finds as to specific classes of vehicles that the public health, safety and welfare is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleaning, such as cleaning of solid waste transfer vehicles and vehicles that transport food and other perishables. (Ord. 95-19 § 3)

8.20.040 Enforcement.

Any violation of the mandatory restrictions and prohibitions stated in this chapter shall be enforced by Lincoln City as follows: the Lincoln City water department shall personally deliver a notice of violation to the occupant at the premises where the violation has occurred. If the occupant is not present, the Lincoln City water department may post the notice on the premises advising the user of the violation and warning that the water service may be discontinued if the violation continues. The Lincoln City water department also shall mail the notice of violation by regular mail to the occupant at the address of the subject premises where the violation has occurred. If the violation continues or is repeated, the Lincoln City water department may discontinue the water service during the period of the critical water shortage. (Ord. 95-19 § 4)