13.22.050 Outdoor water use--Water conservation stages.
A. It is unlawful at any time for any person to make, cause, or use or permit the use of water from the city for residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, or any other purpose in a manner contrary to any provision of this chapter, or in an amount in excess of that use permitted by the water conservation stages which are in effect pursuant to this chapter or by action taken by the city council in accordance with this chapter. The water conservation and drought response measures set forth in this section shall be in effect at all times.
B. It is unlawful at any time for any person to waste water or to use it unreasonably. Unreasonable uses of water shall include, but are not limited to, the following practices:
1. Allowing water to leave a person’s property by drainage onto adjacent properties or public or private roadways or streets due to excessive irrigation and/or uncorrected leaks;
2. Failing to repair a water leak.
C. A water conservation stage shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. A water conservation stage shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise determined or discontinued by resolution of the city council declaring that existing water supply conditions and the supply of water available for distribution within the city’s service area has been replenished or augmented.
D. The city may declare a water shortage emergency during any water conservation stage.
E. During Water Conservation Stage 1, the water conservation and drought response measures of Water Conservation Stage 1 are voluntary and will be enforced through local and regional public education and awareness measures by the city.
F. During Water Conservation Stages 2 through 5, the water conservation and drought response measures are mandatory and violations are subject to criminal, civil, and administrative penalties and remedies as specified in this chapter and state law.
G. The city manager shall promulgate guidelines which shall set forth the criteria for determining when a particular conservation stage is to be implemented and terminated. Such guidelines shall be updated when, in the opinion of the city manager, the conditions of the water utility system have changed so as to necessitate such update. The city manager shall include in such guidelines a scheduling system designating permitted days for irrigation by customers. Said guidelines shall be available for inspection at the city clerk’s office.
H. Stage 1. Prohibition on Waste of Water. The following uses of water are defined as "waste of water" and are prohibited except as otherwise authorized. The restrictions provided herein shall apply to all persons year-round unless removed upon adoption of a more stringent water conservation stage.
1. The use of water which allows substantial and unreasonable amounts of water to run into a gutter, ditch, or drain. Every water user is deemed to have his water distribution lines and facilities under his control at all times and to know the manner and extent of his water use and excess runoff.
2. The excessive use, loss, or escape of water through breaks, leaks, or malfunctions in the water user’s plumbing or distribution facilities for any period of time after such escape of water should reasonably have been discovered and corrected. It shall be presumed that a period of forty-eight hours after discovery is a reasonable time within which to correct such leak or break.
3. The washing of vehicles, building exteriors, sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas without the use of a positive shut-off nozzle on the hose, which results in excessive runoff, except where necessary to dispose of liquids or substances that could endanger the public’s health, welfare and safety.
Exception: Commercial nurseries, farmers, parks and similar establishments are exempt from restrictions in this subsection H, but will be requested to minimize water waste at all times.
I. Stage 2. Mandatory Compliance--Minimum Water Shortage Alert. Upon implementation by the city manager and publication of notice, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons. All elements of Stage 1 shall remain in effect in Stage 2 except that:
1. Irrigation utilizing individual sprinklers or sprinkler systems of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, or other plants is permitted as follows: If the last digit of a street address is an even number, watering may only occur on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; and if the last digit of a street address is an odd number, watering may only occur on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. All watering shall occur only between the hours of twelve a.m. (midnight) to five a.m. and seven p.m. to eleven fifty-nine p.m. on the designated days. Irrigation of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, or other plants is permitted at the same times on the aforementioned days if:
a. A hand-held hose with an automatic positive shut-off nozzle is used; or
b. A hand-held, faucet-filled bucket of five gallons or less is used; or
c. A drip irrigation system is used.
Exception: Commercial nurseries, farmers, and similar establishments are exempt from Stage 2 irrigation restrictions, but will be requested to curtail all nonessential water use.
2. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, and other types of mobile equipment is permitted only on designated irrigation days between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket, or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic positive shut-off nozzle for quick rinses.
Exception: Washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station. Further, the aforementioned washing is exempt from these regulations if the health, safety, and welfare of the public is contingent upon frequent vehicle cleanings, such as in the cases of garbage trucks and vehicles to transport food and perishables.
3. The emptying and refilling of water to swimming pools and/or spas is permitted only on designated irrigation days between the hours of twelve a.m. (midnight) to five a.m. and seven p.m. to eleven fifty-nine p.m.
4. The operation of any ornamental fountain or other structure making similar use of water is prohibited unless the fountain uses a recycling system, such as an electric pump.
5. The washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, courts, patios, or other paved or hard surface areas is absolutely prohibited, unless it is necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
6. Construction operations receiving water from a construction meter or water truck shall not use water unnecessarily for any purpose other than those required by regulatory agencies. Construction projects requiring watering for new landscaping materials shall adhere to the designated irrigation requirements set forth in subsection (I)(1) of this section.
7. Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting and/or other activities immediately necessary to maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Wasco.
J. Stage 3. Mandatory Compliance--Moderate Water Shortage Warning. Upon implementation by the city manager and publication of notice, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons. All elements of Stage 2 shall remain in effect in Stage 3 except that:
1. Customers are permitted to water lawns as follows: If the last digit of a street address is an even number, watering may only occur on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday; and if the last digit of a street address is an odd number, watering may only occur on Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday. All watering shall occur only between the hours of twelve a.m. (midnight) to five a.m. and seven p.m. to eleven fifty-nine p.m.
2. The irrigation of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, or other plants shall be limited to the same times on the designated days regardless of the manner of irrigation.
3. The draining and refilling of swimming pools and/or spas will be allowed by permit only.
4. The number of new construction meters shall not exceed the number of currently authorized meters removed from service. A new meter shall be issued only when an old meter is returned. Construction projects requiring water from a construction meter or a water truck shall not use water unnecessarily for any purposes other than those required by regulatory agencies. Construction projects requiring water for new landscapes shall adhere to the designated days and watering windows as set forth in subsection (J)(1) of this section. Further, construction projects necessary to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of the public, as determined by the city, are exempt from these regulations.
K. Stage 4. Mandatory Compliance--Severe Water Shortage Emergency. Upon implementation by the city manager and publication of notice, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons. All elements of Stage 3 shall remain in effect in Stage 4 except:
1. Customers are permitted to water lawns as follows: If the last digit of a street address is an even number, watering may only occur on Sunday and Thursday; and if the last digit of a street address is an odd number, watering may only occur on Saturday and Wednesday. All watering shall occur between the hours of twelve a.m. (midnight) to five a.m. and seven p.m. to eleven fifty-nine p.m.
2. The irrigation of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, or other plants shall be limited to the same times on the designated days regardless of the manner of irrigation.
3. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, and other types of mobile equipment, not occurring upon the immediate premises of commercial car washes and commercial service stations, is prohibited unless such washing is in the immediate interest of the public health, safety, and welfare.
4. Commercial nurseries, farmers, and similar establishments shall water only on designated days between the hours of ten a.m. and six p.m. and shall only use hand-held hoses equipped with positive shut-off nozzles, drip irrigation systems, or hand-held buckets.
5. The operation of or any refilling of water to swimming pools, artificial ponds and fountains is prohibited.
6. The use of water for cooling mists is prohibited.
7. No new construction meters will be issued. Construction water shall not be used for earth work, road construction purposes, dust control, compaction, or trenching jetting. Construction projects necessary to maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of the public, as determined by the city, are exempt from these regulations.
L. Stage 5. Mandatory Compliance--Critical Water Shortage Emergency. Upon implementation by the city manager and publication of notice, the following restrictions shall apply to all persons. All elements of Stage 4 shall remain in effect in Stage 5 except:
1. Customers are absolutely prohibited from outdoor watering and irrigation of lawns and ground cover at any time.
2. The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, and other types of mobile equipment, not occurring upon the immediate premises of commercial car washes and commercial service stations which utilize recirculated or recovered water, is prohibited unless such washing is in the immediate interest of the public health, safety, and welfare.
3. Provided the city council has declared a water shortage emergency pursuant to California Water Code Section 350 et seq., the city shall not allow any new connections to the water system during Water Conservation Stage 5. (Ord. 652 §1, 2015; Ord. 651 §2, 2015; Ord. 650 §2, 2015; Ord. 643 §2, 2014; Ord. 589, 2009; Ord. 583, 2009).