§ 46-330. Water shortage.

(a)

Methods of declaring, implementation and canceling. Declaration and cancellation of a water shortage, and implementation of those water conservation measures required only by this section shall occur by one of the following two methods:

(1)

Automatically, upon receipt by the county of a declaration of a water shortage, as promulgated by the St. Johns River Water Management District Water Shortage Plan. The water shortage plan shall be enforced by the board, and shall remain in effect until canceled by the St. Johns River Water Management District.

(2)

By resolution of the board when the board deems that a water shortage exists within the county or within specified areas of the county. The board shall declare by resolution appropriate curtailments of water usage as described in the conditions in subsection (b) below. The water shortage plan shall be enforced by the board and shall remain in effect until canceled by the board.

(b)

Water shortage conditions. When a water shortage emergency has been declared to exist, pursuant to subsection (a) above, the board shall, by resolution, declare a water shortage condition to be in effect according to the following schedule:

(1)

Condition 1: This is the lowest water shortage condition, the condition normally first implemented upon notice of a water shortage. This condition consists of voluntary cutbacks in water consumption by users. The board shall determine the amount of voluntary cutbacks, which shall not be more than 15 percent.

(2)

Condition 2: This is a mandatory reduction of 30 percent of water consumption. Mandatory constraints shall include:

a.

Residential watering of lawns and shrubs shall be limited to the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.

b.

Commercial watering of lawns and shrubs shall be limited to the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. daily, by the use of public water supplies.

c.

The use of water for the washing of sidewalks, driveways, porches, exterior of houses, apartments, or other outdoor surfaces shall be prohibited.

d.

The washing of business or industrial vehicles, equipment and machinery, except if necessary for such equipment and machinery to continue to operate or as may be required for the public health, shall be prohibited.

e.

The filling of swimming and wading pools not using filter and recirculating systems, and the operation of any ornamental fountain or other structure using water, with or without recirculating water, is prohibited, unless such operation is necessary to maintain aquatic life.

f.

The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, motor homes, or any other types of motorized equipment shall be prohibited.

(3)

Condition 3: This is a heightened mandatory reduction of at least 45 percent in water consumption. Mandatory constraints shall include:

a.

All residential and commercial watering of lawns and shrubs shall be limited to the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.

b.

Residential watering of lawns and shrubs using private wells shall be limited to the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily.

c.

The filling of all swimming and wading pools shall be prohibited; maintaining water level is permitted.

d.

The use of water for dust control, except as required for public health or other regulatory agency requirements, is prohibited.

e.

All other restrictions of subsection (b)(2), above, not in conflict with subsections a., b., c., or d. above, shall also apply to subsection (3) above.

(4)

Condition 4: This is an extreme water shortage condition, requiring extensive water consumption cutbacks, involving constraints of at least 60 percent in water consumption. Mandatory constraints shall include:

a.

All residential and commercial watering of lawns and shrubs shall be limited to the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, and shall comply with the following restrictions:

1.

Residences and commercial establishments having street numbers ending in an odd number shall water only on odd numbered days.

2.

Residences and commercial establishments having street numbers ending in an even number shall water only on even numbered days.

b.

All other restrictions of subsections (b)(2) and (3), above, not in conflict with subsection a., above, shall also apply to subsection (b)(4).

(5)

Condition 5: This is an emergency water shortage condition. Constraints shall include:

a.

There shall be no use of water, either municipal or private well, for any purpose not related directly to the health and welfare of the residents of the county.

b.

Reserved.

(c)

Exemptions.

(1)

Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the board shall have the authority, at its discretion, to allow the use of reasonable amounts of water for such use as determined necessary to maintain minimum health or sanitation standards.

(2)

Irrigation using reclaimed water (treated wastewater effluent) shall be exempt from the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 85-35, § 5, 10-8-85)