§ 8.2.1. Stage 1—Conservation stage.

Goal. Achieve a voluntary reduction in water use.

Voluntary water use restrictions. Under stage 1, customers shall be encouraged to conserve water and voluntarily adhere to the following water use restrictions:

(1)

Irrigation:

a)

Landscaped areas may be irrigated on a maximum twice per week schedule (as discussed under stage 2).

b)

Recommend irrigation of landscaped areas by means of hand-held hose, soaker hose, bucket, or drip irrigation system.

c)

Irrigation is prohibited between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from April 1 through October 31 each year.

(2)

Car wash:

a)

Residents are encouraged to reduce car washing at home and are required to use positive shutoff nozzles and/or buckets for hand washing.

b)

Commercial car washing may continue.

c)

City staff are encouraged to curtail use of car washing and limit to the extent practical for business operations.

(3)

Foundation watering:

a)

Watering of foundations should be accomplished by soaker hose, hand-held hose with positive shutoff spray nozzle or drip systems.

b)

Residents are encouraged to water foundations no more than two (2) hours on the designated watering days prescribed in stage 2 of this plan.

(4)

Nursery irrigation:

a)

Businesses with plant stock are asked to review watering practices and ensure care is taken to prevent water wasting.

b)

Plant stock may be watered on a daily basis with drip system, soaker hose, bucket or hose bearing a positive shutoff nozzle.

(5)

Public garden/park irrigation: Maintenance personnel are encouraged to use the twice weekly watering schedule prescribed in stage 2 of this plan.

(6)

Golf course irrigation:

a)

Maintenance personnel are encouraged to use the twice weekly watering schedule prescribed in stage 2 of this plan for fairways.

b)

Only tee boxes and greens may be watered on any day.

(7)

Athletic field irrigation: Maintenance personnel are encouraged to use the twice weekly watering schedule prescribed in stage 2 of this plan in maintaining athletic fields.

(8)

Filling pools and hot tubs: Curtail filling pools and hot tubs except when maintenance and repair are required.

(9)

Ornamental fountain operations: The city encourages reducing use of fountains.

(10)

Repair of known leaks:

a)

In order to maximize the elimination of water loss, residents are asked to repair identified leaks on private property within two (2) weeks.

b)

To the extent city staff discover such leaks, a written notice will be provided.

(11)

New landscaping:

a)

New landscaping may be installed as necessary.

b)

It is recommended that installation maximize the use of xeriscaping and/or drought tolerant plants to the greatest extent possible to minimize water requirements.

(12)

Cool season grass overseeding:

a)

Installation of cool season grasses for aesthetic purposes is permissible.

b)

Landscape maintenance personnel are encouraged to consider reducing or eliminating this practice to the fullest extent possible.

(13)

Grass overseeding for erosion control:

a)

Overseeding of grasses for erosion control is acceptable.

b)

Landscape maintenance personnel are encouraged to minimize turf area to the extent practical to reduce irrigation needs.

(14)

Washing pavement, buildings and windows: This use is considered non-essential and should be reduced to the extent practical for effective business operations.

(15)

Drinking water at restaurants and bars: As a water conservation measure, businesses that serve food or beverage are encouraged to provide water to customers on request only.

(16)

Wet street sweeping: To reduce water use, the city will plan for a reduction in the use of wet street sweeping.

(17)

High volume residential use:

a)

City staff will review water use across residential customers and identify the highest and most excessive users.

b)

Communication and encouragement will be provided to such users regarding how to reduce water consumption.

(18)

Commercial and industrial use: City staff will review water use across commercial, industrial and multi-family users and provide communication and encouragement regarding the reduction of water use.

(19)

Non-essential use: Water customers are encouraged to practice water conservation and minimize or discontinue water use for non-essential purposes. The following uses of water are defined as non-essential:

a)

Washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts or other hard-surfaced areas.

b)

Washing buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection or in preparation for painting.

c)

Use of water for dust control.

d)

Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street.

e)

Failure to repair controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s).

f)

Operation of free-flowing or any other water devices for recreational purposes.

(Ord. No. 2011-9302, § 1, 12-8-11)