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It is the intent of the city to ensure healthy development and growth patterns within the city which are sustainable, to support an important economic sector, and to ensure that there are sufficient resources necessary for future growth. In order to ensure the viability of development into the future, the city is adopting these provisions in order to prevent egregious abuses of a limited natural resource and to encourage wise stewardship of water.

A. It shall be unlawful for any water user to knowingly and intentionally waste water. Water waste may include, but is not limited to:

1. Allowing it to be wasted by stops, taps, valves, or leaky joints or pipes, or to allow tanks or watering troughs to leak or overflow;

2. Wastefully running water from hydrants, faucets, or stops or through basins, water closets, urinals, sinks, or other apparatus; or

3. Outdoor watering of landscaping so that a majority or significant portion of water falls directly onto impervious surfaces rather than onto any landscape plantings and accumulates on the impervious surface to the extent that running water leaves the property and enters gutters, storm drains, ditches, and other conveyances.

B. Notice Of Water Waste: The water services director or designee shall be responsible for identifying persons who waste or may be wasting water by reviewing complaints or by reviewing metering information.

1. Whenever any person or entity is identified as possibly wasting water, the water services director or designee may give such person or entity verbal or written notice of that fact, with recommendations as to how the wasting of water can be eliminated. Such recommendations might include, but are not limited to, repairing leaky pipes, valves, or stops, redirection of sprinkler heads, resetting of system timers, addition of devices to prevent water pressure fluctuations, or changes in location of sprinkler systems.

2. Whenever the water services director or designee finds that any person knowingly and repeatedly or flagrantly wastes water, he or she may serve upon such person a written notice of violation. Such notice shall be served by personal delivery, by mail, or by email, and shall identify the location at which water is being wasted, the manner in which the water is being wasted, and shall specify a time within which the wasting of water shall cease. The notice shall also warn that more severe measures, such as restriction or termination of water service, may be assessed or brought against the person unless the wasting of water ceases within the time provided.

3. The time given to cease wasting water may range from a requirement for immediate compliance up to thirty (30) days, depending upon the facts and circumstances of each case. For instance, if a remedy involves moving a portable hose or sprinkler, immediate compliance may be appropriate; if a remedy involves repairing or replacing a sprinkler head, several days may be required; if the remedy involves more extensive or expensive work, up to thirty (30) days may be necessary.

4. If, after receipt of a notice, the user of the city water continues to waste water after the period of time specified in the notice for ceasing such activity, the city may terminate the right of the individual to use city water. Notice of the intention to terminate a water connection shall be given at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior the termination of service. A decision to terminate a water connection may be appealed in writing to the city manager within ten (10) calendar days of the date of the notice. Appeals must be in writing and served upon the city recorder in person or by email. Appeals which are not timely filed will not be heard. (Ord. 2022-07-009, 7-28-2022)