Sec. 26-3. Water emergency; restriction.

Sec. 26-3. Water emergency; restriction.

(a) The city administrator or his or her authorized representative may declare a water emergency based on phases set forth in this section. The phases will be determined by wellfield static water levels and water use measured in million gallons a day (MGD) and shall be used to initially consider if drought water restrictions shall be implemented. Other circumstances shall also be considered, including but not limited to, the time of year, weather forecasts, previous rainfall, temperature, past experience and agricultural and economic considerations. Each of the phases shall remain in effect until conditions indicate a more or less restrictive phase is necessary and the current phase is rescinded to a less restrictive phase or accelerated to a more restrictive phase by the city administrator. The city administrator shall have authority to enact any phase and need not proceed in order through the phases. All restrictions are limited to all users of the Norfolk Water System.

PHASE 1: Moderate Shortage

Trigger: West wellfield static water levels greater than 16’ and/or system water use greater than 10.0 MGD usage. Other circumstances shall also be considered, including but not limited to, the time of year, weather forecasts, previous rainfall, temperature, past experience and agricultural and economic considerations.

Action: Voluntary decline and lawn irrigation should be limited as follows:

1. Properties with street addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) should limit outdoor water use to Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

2. Properties with street addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) should limit outdoor water use to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

PHASE 2: Severe Shortage

Trigger: West wellfield static water levels greater than 17’ and/or system water use greater than 10.0 MGD usage. Other circumstances shall also be considered, including but not limited to, the time of year, weather forecasts, previous rainfall, temperature, past experience and agricultural and economic considerations.

Action: Lawn irrigation: Mandatory decline of usage to 2 days per week instead of 3.

1. Properties with street addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) must limit outdoor water use to Wednesdays and Fridays.

2. Properties with street addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) must limit outdoor water use to Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Exemptions:

1. Parks and Recreation Department: Watering at parks and ballfields in areas of above average water need will remain on the regular schedule to prevent the loss of grass cover and not disrupt recreational programing.

2. Hand-Held Containers for Watering Indoors and Outdoors: Outdoor watering using attended handheld hoses is permitted for watering of landscape and all commercial gardens and private gardens for produce for human consumption.

3. New Sod/Seed Growing Areas: Those with new sod and seeded areas (installed less than 30 days prior to severe shortage declaration) may obtain a watering permit from the Planning and Development Department. For new sod and seeded areas, receipts and proof of purchase date will be required for installation date. Permits must be posted in a window facing the street or posted onsite. Permits are good for 30 days from permit issuance.

4. Private Water Supplies: Property owners with private water supplies such as wells are exempt from all the above restrictions.

PHASE 3: Critical Shortage

Trigger: West wellfield static water levels greater than 18’ and/or system water use greater than 10.0 MGD usage. Other circumstances shall also be considered, including but not limited to, the time of year, weather forecasts, previous rainfall, temperature, past experience and agricultural and economic considerations.

Action: Lawn irrigation: No lawn watering. Limited outdoor water use.

Exemptions:

1. Parks and Recreation Department: Watering at parks and ballfields in areas of above average water need will be on the regular schedule to prevent the loss of grass cover and not disrupt recreational programing.

4. Private Water Supplies: Property owners with private water supplies such as wells are exempt from all the above restrictions.

(b) In the event of a natural disaster or failure of water system facilities, the mayor or his or her authorized representative shall have authority to enact any phase set forth herein and need not proceed in order through the phases. Other measures may be implemented at the discretion of the city administrator or his or her authorized representative.

Source: Ord. No. 3594, § 1, 9-19-88; Ord. No. 5742, § 1, 7-19-21