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Applies during periods when a normal water supply is available
The effectiveness of any voluntary plan ultimately depends on the public's awareness of the need for the plan. Local residents have a history of commitment to their community and support of the public welfare. It is a reliance upon this tradition that makes the distribution of public information the cornerstone of the City's Water Conservation Plan.
ACTIONS BY THE CITY:
I. Public information Program
A. Distribution of suggestions for residential, commercial and industrial water conservation and awareness.
B. Coordination of public information with the local news media.
C. City participation in Water Awareness Month ( May).
D. Lawn and Landscape Watering Guides will be made available upon request.
E. City staff will coordinate with local nurseries to compile a list of low‑water using trees and plants. The list will be made available at City Hall, the Corporation Yard, and the Parks & Leisure Services Department for local residents.
F. Coordination with local schools to encourage young people to become aware of local water issues and conditions.
II. Project Review Committee
A. The City’s Project Review Committee (PRC) will include the evaluation of all submitted projects for water use and conservation efforts. The goal of City staff in cooperation with the developer will be to voluntarily reduce consumption of water used in the project.
B. City staff will assist the developer in familiarization with the Xeriscape Concept, combining creative landscaping and efficient irrigation to save water and promote attractive alternatives to traditional, high‑water use landscapes.
III. City Landscapes and Watering Schedules
A. City parks, median islands, and landscaped public facilities will be watered during late night or early morning hours to the greatest extent possible.
B. All new landscaping projects undertaken by the City will incorporate conservation design.
IV. Retrofit Bathroom Facilities
Water saving kits which contain toilet water conservation and low‑flow shower head devices will be made available to City water consumers, both residential and commercial, upon request, as funds are available.
V. Fire Hydrant Testing
The City's fire hydrant testing program will be scheduled during non‑peak water usage times to the greatest extent possible without impairing the integrity of the City's fire protection service.
ACTIONS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
A. The general public will be encouraged to utilize those water conservation measures contained within the City's public information program.
B. Voluntary Odd/Even watering program is encouraged as follows:
1. No watering on Mondays
2. Addresses ending in an Odd number will water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; and
3. Addresses ending in an Even number will water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
C. Advise Public to turn off sprinklers on rainy days.
Phase II
Applies during periods when there is a water supply shortage
When water supply conditions start to deteriorate it would be incumbent upon the City to implement mandatory water conservation provisions.
ACTIONS BY THE CITY:
I. Public Information Program
The City will pursue a more aggressive distribution of information than its efforts initiated in Phase I to promote public awareness of the need to conserve water with a stronger emphasis on the water shortage condition.
II. Water System Pressure Reduction
The City's water system may experience reduced water pressures during high usage periods. This may deter water use for nonessential activities and encourage scheduling of landscape watering to late nights or early mornings.
III. City Landscapes and Watering Schedules
All City parks, median islands and public facility landscapes will be watered during the late night or early morning hours to reduce impact on the water system during peak usage hours.
IV. Leak Detection ‑ Water Waste
The City will continue in its proactive plan to audit water supply usage. All City staff will be reminded of the necessity of reporting any evidence of leaks or water waste for immediate action. There will be an emphasis on coordinated community efforts to reduce water waste.
V. Waste of Water Notices
City staff will be equipped to issue “Waste of Water” notices to consumers identified as misusing water.
VI. Voluntary Odd/Even Watering days
Increase Public education on program initiated from phase I
VII. Continuation of all Conservation programs from Phase I
ACTIONS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
I. Conservation Efforts:
The general public will be strongly encouraged to utilize those water conservation measures contained within the City's public information program.
II. Restaurants:
Notices will be sent to all restaurants within the City limits requesting support of water conservation efforts by serving water to customers upon request only.
III. Lawn and Landscaping Watering:
All residential, commercial and industrial landscape watering should be reduced to a minimum and avoid watering between the hours of 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
IV. Vehicle Washing and Sidewalk Hosing:
A. Vehicle washing should be accomplished either by automatic car washes that recycle water or with buckets and hoses equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
B. Per Section 25-5 of the City Municipal Code, “The consumer shall use reasonable care to prevent the waste of water, shall not allow water to run or waste from his property onto streets or highways, shall not use water in washing sidewalks, building entrances or lobbies or other properties to such excess that water shall flow in street gutters beyond the frontage of the properties occupied by them.”
Phase III
Applies during periods when there is a severe water supply shortage
ACTIONS BY THE CITY:
I. Public Information Program: The utility billing system will begin to notify customers of restrictions on water use. The program to promote public awareness will be intensified with emphasis placed on communicating the mandatory water conservation requirements to the public.
II. Rate Structure Enhancement: A 20% rate increase on all residential and landscape accounts will go into effect. This rate increase will encourage water conservation and will also.
III. City Landscapes and Watering Schedules
All City parks, median islands and public facility landscapes will continue to be watered during the late nights or early morning hours to confine impact on the water system to off-peak usage hours. If it becomes necessary, watering of City parks and median islands will be suspended and evaluated each day.
IV. Continuation of all Conservation programs from Phases I and II in addition to Phase III regulations
ACTIONS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
A. Landscape watering shall not be done between the hours of 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
B. Sidewalk and driveway washing will be prohibited.
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