§ 8.2.4. Stage 4—Water crisis.

Goal. Reduce average daily water demand to below one hundred (100) percent of the combined maximum wholesale flow rate contracted with DWU and from Irving Lake Chapman water supply. Increase available water supplies in Lake Chapman.

Water use restrictions. All requirements of stages 1, 2 and 3 shall remain in effect during stage 4. Under threat of penalty for violation, the following water use restrictions shall apply under stage 4:

(1)

Irrigation: All landscape watering is prohibited.

(2)

Car washing:

a)

Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited.

b)

Commercial car washing is prohibited with the exception of washing that is in the immediate interest of public health, safety and welfare.

c)

Fund raiser car washes are prohibited.

d)

City staff will halt car washing with the exception of that needed for public health, safety and welfare considerations.

(3)

Foundation watering:

a)

Foundations may be watered up to two (2) hours on the designated watering day as prescribed for stage 3 irrigation restrictions.

b)

Watering of foundations is limited to soaker hose, hand-held hose with positive shutoff spray nozzle or drip systems.

c)

Watering of foundations is prohibited between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

(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 only be watered twice per week, according to the stage 2 irrigation schedule.

c)

Nursery irrigation must employ drip systems, soaker hoses, buckets or hoses bearing positive shutoff nozzles.

(5)

Public garden/park irrigation: All irrigation in public gardens and parks is prohibited.

(6)

Golf course irrigation: All golf course irrigation is prohibited.

(7)

Athletic field irrigation: All athletic field irrigation is prohibited.

(8)

Filling pools and hot tubs:

a)

Filling pools and hot tubs is prohibited except for required maintenance and repair or to top off.

b)

Construction of new pools is prohibited.

(9)

Ornamental fountain operations: Operation of ornamental fountains or ponds for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited with the following exceptions:

a)

To support aquatic life, or

b)

Where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.

c)

The City of Irving will halt use of all ornamental fountains.

(10)

Repair of known leaks:

a)

In order to maximize the elimination of water loss, residents will be informed of leaks and asked to repair them.

b)

To the extent city staff discover such leaks, residents will be issued a notice of violation (NOV) which specifically requests leak repair within two (2) weeks.

c)

City staff will follow up with recipients of NOVs to ensure the leak has been repaired.

(11)

New landscaping: It is recommended that installation be delayed as all irrigation is prohibited.

(12)

Cool season grass overseeding: Installation of cool season grasses for aesthetic purposes is prohibited.

(13)

Grass overseeding for erosion control:

a)

Overseeding of grasses for erosion control is permitted for up to fifteen (15) days only with a written variance from the director (see section 12.0).

b)

Where a variance is granted, landscape maintenance personnel are encouraged to minimize turf area to the extent practical to reduce irrigation needs.

(14)

Water from fire hydrants:

a)

Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting activities.

b)

Water for construction purposes may only be allowed with a special permit from Irving Water Utilities.

(15)

Washing pavement, buildings and windows:

a)

This use is considered non-essential and is prohibited.

b)

The only exception is in preparation for painting a building.

(16)

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.

(17)

Wet street sweeping: The city will eliminate all wet street sweeping.

(18)

High volume residential use:

a)

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

b)

Staff will offer residential water audits to those customers identified as using the most water.

c)

Staff will point out specific practices that can reduce water consumption, as well as identify private leaks.

d)

City staff will monitor identified accounts for resulting reductions.

(19)

Commercial and industrial use:

a)

City staff will review water use across commercial, industrial and multi-family users.

b)

Staff will consult with the businesses regarding the reduction of water use and prepare and deliver reduction recommendations in writing.

(20)

Spray parks: The City of Irving will reduce spray park operations by at least fifty (50) percent.

(21)

Non-essential use: The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:

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)