Bylaw 1637 - Water Rationing

Cardston, Alberta

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TOWN OF CARDSTON IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA BYLAW 1637 WATER RATIONING BYLAW TOWN OF CARDSTON BYLAW 1637 PAGE 1 OF 6 Table of Contents TITLE ....................................................................................................................... 2 DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................... 2 ACTIVATION ............................................................................................................ 2 WATER RATIONING ................................................................................................. 3 LEVEL I WATER RATIONING .................................................................................... 3 LEVEL II WATER RATIONING ................................................................................... 3 LEVEL III WATER RATIONING .................................................................................. 4 EXEMPTIONS ........................................................................................................... 4 NOTIFICATION ......................................................................................................... 5 FINES AND PENALTIES ............................................................................................ 5 REPEAL .................................................................................................................... 5 TOWN OF CARDSTON BYLAW 1637 PAGE 2 OF 6 TOWN OF CARDSTON IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA BYLAW 1637 WATER RATIONING BYLAW A BYLAW OF THE TOWN OF CARDSTON, IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, TO PROVIDE FOR WATER RATIONING WHEREAS Section 7 of the Municipal Government Act, Being Chapter M-26, Statutes of Alberta, 2000 provides for the passing of bylaws respecting public utilities; and WHEREAS Council deems it appropriate to prepare a water rationing schedule to limit the amount of water being treated or being drawn from local water sources in a variety of situations; NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the Town of Cardston, in the Province of Alberta, duly assembled, enacts the following: TITLE 1) This Bylaw may be referred to as the Water Rationing Bylaw. DEFINITIONS 2) In this bylaw: (a) "Direct Watering" means watering by use of a watering can or other handheld container. (b) "Non-Essential Watering" means any use of water that is done for a purpose other than drinking, cooking, dish washing, indoor cleaning, and indoor bathing or showering. ACTIVATION 3) This Bylaw and its provisions may be brought into force by the CAO when: (a) The water in the bodies or watersheds that feed the Town's water treatment plant are below seasonal averages or are forecasted to be lower than normal; (b) Alberta Environment's Water Supply Outlook Report shows that the lower value of the "Probable Range as Percent of Average" of the water supply for the southern tributaries is less than 70% as per Policy #W-17. (c) It is not advisable to draw water from the water bodies that feed the Town's water treatment plant; (d) The water treatment plant is unable to treat water at the TOWN OF CARDSTON BYLAW 1637 PAGE 3 OF 6 rate normally required by the Town on a daily basis; (e) External bodies, (eg., Alberta Environment, the Oldman River Watershed Council, other municipalities, etc.), counsel that water rationing would be an advisable practice; or (f) There is an issue that, in the consideration of the CAO, may cause significant shortages in the Town's water supply. WATER RATIONING 4) The CAO may enact any of the following levels of Water Rationing depending on the projected or actual severity or the duration of the event at hand. LEVEL I WATER RATIONING 5) Outside watering is discouraged for all users and for all properties, but water rationing is voluntary. 6) The Town will provide water conservation education material to the public. LEVEL II WATER RATIONING 7) Outside watering for the following purposes is prohibited, except on the days and in the hours specified in Section 8 and not for a total length of time exceeding two hours of watering per day: (a) Using a sprinkler or hose to water a lawn or garden; i. Direct Watering of a garden, flower pots, or sections of lawn is permitted. In Level II Water Rationing, residents are encouraged to investigate using grey water from dish washing and other household chores for this purpose before using new potable water. (b) Filling a swimming pool or a hot tub; i. Topping up a previously full swimming pool or hot tub is permitted (c) Washing a vehicle or boat; (d) Washing a house, driveway, or sidewalk unless preparing to i. Apply paints or preservatives, or ii. Pour concrete. TOWN OF CARDSTON BYLAW 1637 PAGE 4 OF 6 8) Outside watering, in accordance with Section 7, will be allowed between 6 AM and 8 AM or 8 PM and 10 PM as follows: Permitted Day for Watering House Numbers Large Users Monday 0-199 Blood Reserve residents, Provincial Buildings, Tourist Information Buildings, and Museums Tuesday 200-299 Religious Facilities Wednesday 300-399 Schools, Parks, and Town Properties Thursday 400-499 Temple Friday 500-599 Seniors Assisted Living Facilities Saturday 600+ Cardston County residents Sunday N/A N/A LEVEL III WATER RATIONING 9) Non-Essential Watering is prohibited at all hours and on all days for all properties. EXEMPTIONS 10) Level II and Level III Water Rationing will not apply to commercial enterprises that require water use to facilitate normal business activities. (a) Commercial enterprises are encouraged to limit their water usage where possible and the CAO or their delegate may discuss and implement water saving measures in cooperation with the business owner depending on the severity of the water shortage issues and the Water Sharing Agreements entered into by the Town. 11) An exemption period of one (1) month may be granted from Level II Water Rationing, upon written request to the CAO, for those who have planted new lawns. 12) Rain Capture Water and Grey Water, meaning water that has TOWN OF CARDSTON BYLAW 1637 PAGE 5 OF 6 This Bylaw comes into force on the day it is finally passed. already been used for another purpose allowed by the Water Rationing Level in force, may be used for non-essential outdoor watering during Level II and Level III Water Rationing. NOTIFICATION 13) The CAO will notify Council prior to posting public notification regarding the activation of this Bylaw. 14) Notice of prohibiting or limiting the use or water shall be given by the CAO and shall be deemed to be given and to be served upon all consumers by publication of such notice in a local newspaper, television station, Town website or social media account seventy-two (72) hours prior to the commencement, change or revocation of the restrictions. (a) In the event of that a situation which requires this bylaw to be activated merits the use of Policy #C-16, the Local Emergency Notification System will be used and the notification will be deemed to be immediate. FINES AND PENALTIES 15) Any employee of the Town may enter upon any parcel suspected of violating water use restrictions and require the occupant of such parcel to discontinue such non-compliance or, the occupant is not available, the employee may turn off the source of such non-compliance. 16) Upon violation of any water use restriction, the supply of water to any parcel may be temporarily discontinued, and the owner shall be liable to pay a $75 reconnect fee in addition to the fine that may be applied. 17) The fines for contravention of any provision of this bylaw are: (a) 1st Offence: $50 (b) 2nd Offence: $100 (c) 3rd and Subsequent Offences: $250 REPEAL 18) Bylaw #1519 is repealed. TOWN OF CARDSTON BYLAW 1637 PAGE 6 OF 6 Received First Reading this 14 day of July, 2015 Received Second Reading this 14 day of July, 2015 Received Third & Final Reading this 14 day of July, 2015 Signed by the Mayor and the Chief Administrative Officer this 15 day of July, 2015 TOWN OF CARDSTON MAYOR - Maggie Kronen CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - Jeff Shaw