Chapter 13.12
WATER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
Sections:
13.12.010 Purpose.
It is in the public interest to promote the conservation of the city’s water supply in order to protect the health, welfare, and safety of water users in times of water emergency. The city reserves the right to exercise its police powers through emergency measures as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1062 § 1, 2005).
13.12.020 Authority.
The mayor, when necessary for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare, shall have the authority to declare various levels of water emergencies, determine the duration and to implement the water conservation measures set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1062 § 1, 2005).
13.12.030 Emergency levels.
The following policies and procedures shall apply for various levels of water emergency as set forth in this section:
A. Level 1 – Anticipate Serious Water Shortage. The mayor may declare a Level 1 water emergency when a water shortage is anticipated but not immediate and voluntary reductions in consumption are necessary. At this response level, public works departments will begin making internal preparations. Staff will notify water users of the necessity of water conservation and request voluntary conservation. Staff will also provide the public with methods of water reduction, and newsletters and newspaper articles encouraging voluntary water conservation. Staff will contact large water consumers first, encouraging them to implement water reduction measures.
B. Level 2 – Critical Water Shortage – Limited Outdoor Restrictions. The mayor may declare a Level 2 water emergency when water supplies are critically impacted and water demand must be reduced. The mayor is further authorized to prohibit or regulate nonessential uses of water within the water system during such times as there is an actual or impending water shortage, pressure loss in the distribution system, or for any other reasonable cause inside or outside of the city. The mayor is authorized to implement any or all of the following elements:
1. Specified days or hours for irrigating, sprinkling or watering lawns, gardens and city parks and facilities;
2. Prohibiting runoff from irrigation, sprinkling or watering lawns and gardens;
3. Discontinuance of washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, patios, streets and other exterior paved areas by direct hosing, except as may be necessary to prevent or eliminate materials dangerous to the public health and safety;
4. Require breaks or leaks in customers’ water services be repaired within 48 hours after the break or leak is discovered, or consumer receives notice from the city that such a leak or break exists;
5. Prohibit watering of commercial or industrial landscape areas;
6. Prohibit washing of privately owned vehicles, trailers, boats, etc., except at a commercial establishment specifically for that purpose.
C. Level 3 – Emergency Water Shortage – Mandatory Outdoor Restrictions and Indoor Conservation. The mayor may declare a Level 3 water emergency when a water shortage exists such that maximum flow reduction is immediately required, water available to the city is insufficient to permit any irrigation, watering, or sprinkling, and all available water is needed solely for human consumption, sanitation and fire protection. The mayor is authorized to implement such emergency water and/or sewer rates as are deemed necessary and he/she may prohibit all nonessential uses of water, including but not limited to the following elements:
1. Washing of vehicles at home;
2. Watering lawns and landscaping;
3. Filling of swimming pools, hot tubs or spas;
4. Shut down the city standpipe except to city residents who depend on the standpipe as a sole source of water;
5. Industrial users reduce water consumption by 10 percent. (Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1062 § 1, 2005).
13.12.040 Implementation.
Prior to the implementation and enforcement of any of the above levels, the mayor shall take reasonable efforts to circulate information to customers regarding the water emergency response plan, which shall include, at a minimum, publication in the official newspaper of the city at least one week in advance of the effective date and contact radio stations to air public service announcements of the level of restriction. If, at any time, urgent circumstances exist that require immediate notification, implementation and enforcement, the mayor may provide notification to affected customer(s) by personal service, posting notices at customers’ residences, and/or by posting notices at public locations: City Hall, library, post office, etc. (Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1062 § 1, 2005).
13.12.050 Enforcement.
The mayor or designee shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1062 § 1, 2005).
13.12.060 Variance.
The mayor or designee may grant a temporary variance for the prospective use of water otherwise prohibited by this chapter. The variance shall be in writing and shall be based on a determination by the mayor. The variance shall indicate the unusual circumstance that would result in an extraordinary hardship that would adversely affect the health, sanitation, or fire protection of the applicant. The determination of the mayor shall be final unless appealed. (Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1062 § 1, 2005).
13.12.070 Appeal.
The applicant that is adversely affected by the decision of the mayor may appeal the determination to the city council, in writing within 24 hours of the mayor’s determination. The 24-hour period shall exclude Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays. The city council’s decision shall be final and may not be appealed. (Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1062 § 1, 2005).