Emergency Water Management Plan

Article 235 Emergency Water Management Plan

Sec. 235.1 Purpose. California Water Code Sections 375 et seq. permit public entities which supply water at retail to adopt and enforce a water conservation program to reduce the quantity of water used by the people therein for the purpose of conserving the water supplies of such public entity. The Board hereby establishes a comprehensive emergency water management plan to be implemented in case of an emergency pursuant to California Water Code Sections 375 et seq., based upon the need to conserve water supplies during the emergency.

Sec. 235.2 Application. The provisions of this Article shall apply to all water served to persons, customers, and property by the District.

Sec. 235.3 Authorization. The District's General Manager, or a designated representative, is hereby authorized and directed to implement the provisions of the Emergency Water Management Plan. Additionally, the General Manager, or a designated representative, is hereby authorized to make minor and limited exceptions to prevent undue hardship or unreasonable restrictions, provided that water shall not be wasted or used unreasonably and the purpose of this ordinance can be accomplished.

Sec. 235.4 Water Emergency Measures. No person shall knowingly use water or permit the use of water supplied by the District for commercial, industrial, agricultural, governmental, or any other purpose in a manner contrary to any provision of this article, in an amount in excess of the amounts authorized by this article, or during any period of time other than the periods of time specified in this article. At no time shall water be wasted or used unreasonably.

It is anticipated that these measures will result in a reduction in water use from a base period to be determined at the time of declaration. During the emergency, the following measures shall apply except when reclaimed or private well water is used:

1. All outdoor landscape irrigation is prohibited.

2. Use of water for agricultural or commercial nursery purposes shall be permitted under conditions set forth by the District based upon the severity and anticipated duration of the shortage. Livestock watering will be permitted on an as needed basis with a prohibition against non-essential use.

Per Ordinance No. 214 Adopted 2/19/91 [Article 235]

Sec. 235.4 Water Emergency Measures

3. Washing of autos, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment is prohibited. Such washings are exempted from these regulations where the health, safety and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleaning such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.

4. Filling, refilling or adding of water to swimming pools, spas, ponds and artificial lakes is prohibited.

5. Watering of all golf course areas, except greens, is prohibited. Watering of parks, school grounds and recreation fields is prohibited with the exception of plant materials classified to be rare, exceptionally valuable, or essential to the well being of rare animals.

6. The use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting or to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the public.

7. Restaurants shall not serve water to their customers except when specifically requested.

8. The operation of any ornamental fountain or similar structure is prohibited.

9. New construction meters or permits for unmetered service will not be issued. Construction water shall not be used for earth work or road construction purposes.

10. The use of water for commercial manufacturing or processing purposes shall be permitted under conditions set forth by the District based upon the severity and anticipated duration of the shortage.

Sec. 235.5 Implementation of Emergency Water Management Program. The District shall monitor the projected supply and demand for water by its customers on a daily basis. The General Manager shall determine the extent of the emergency conservation required in order for the District to prudently plan for and supply water to its customers. Thereafter, the General Manager may order that the Emergency Water Management Plan be implemented or terminated in accordance with the applicable provision of this Article. The declaration of a water emergency shall be made by public announcement and notice shall be published a minimum of one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation and shall become effective immediately upon announcement. The declaration shall be reported to the Board at its next regular meeting. The Board shall thereupon ratify the declaration or rescind the declaration, and may adopt such additional rules and regulations to limit water use during the emergency as it deems appropriate.

Sec. 235.6 Enforcement. As provided in Water Code Section 377, any violation of the Water Emergency Measures, found in Section 235.4 of this Emergency Water Management Plan, is a misdemeanor. Upon conviction thereof, such person shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days, or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or both. In addition, or as an alternative, the District may install flow restrictors or discontinue water service at any time. Prior to seeking criminal enforcement of the provisions of Section 235.4, Water Emergency Measures, the District may impose progressive enforcement measures for repeated, willful violations as follows:

First Violation: Citation

Second Violation: Penalty equal to 25% of previous month's water bill and service of water limited to not less than 5 GPM and not more than 10 GPM for a period not to exceed 72 hours.

Third Violation: Penalty equal to 50% of the previous month's water bill and service of water terminated for a period not to exceed 48 hours.