Sec. 22-132. Water conservation measures.

(a)      The following water conservation measures shall apply to all persons and/or properties situated within the city limits of the City of Sulphur, including all persons and/or properties receiving city water through wholesale distribution.

(1)     Mandatory water conservation restrictions shall be in effect from May 1st to September 30th of each year.

(2)     Mandatory water conservation restrictions shall include the implementation of the following water conservation schedule:

  1. Owners and occupiers of residences and businesses with odd numbered street addresses shall be permitted to water their lawns and gardens only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between midnight and 2:00 p.m.
  2. Owners and occupiers of residences and businesses with even numbered street addresses shall be permitted to water their lawns and gardens on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, between midnight and 2:00 p.m.
  3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and in subsection 22-132(6), watering of lawns and gardens of residences and businesses affected by this ordinance from May 1st to September 30th of each year shall be prohibited.
  4. Owners and occupiers of residences and businesses that do not have street addresses shall be permitted to water their lawns and gardens only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between midnight and 2:00 p.m.

(3)     Voluntary or mandatory water conservation measures may be implemented at any other time during the year in the event of an emergency situation as declared by the Mayor in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 29:721, et seq. (the "Louisiana Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act").

(4)     The city shall have the authority to implement voluntary or mandatory water conservation measures at any other time of the year where the director of public works reasonably determines, based upon sound utility practices, that water conservation measures are necessary.

(5)     Water conservation measures which may be implemented include, but are not limited to:

  1. Limitations and restrictions on the time of day that residents, consumers, and businesses can engage in the outdoor and recreational use of water;
  2. Requirements that shutoff nozzles be used on any hoses used for hand watering of lawns and gardens, car washing, or other outdoor uses;
  3. Imposition of outdoor watering schedules setting forth days of the week that businesses and residents in the City of Sulphur currently being served with potable water furnished by the city can engage in the outdoor and recreational use of water.

(6)     The restrictions above do not apply to the following:

  1. Watering of golf courses, athletic fields, and public parks that do not use potable water furnished by the city.
  2. Watering of lawns and gardens by hand watering or through use of drip irrigation methods.
  3. Flow resulting from temporary water supply system failures or malfunctions. These failures or malfunctions shall be repaired within a reasonable period of time.
  4. Flow resulting from fire fighting, routine inspection of fire hydrants, or fire training activities.
  5. Water applied to abate spills of flammable or otherwise hazardous materials, where water is the appropriate method of abatement.
  6. Water applied to prevent or abate health, safety, or accident hazards when alternate methods are not available.
  7. Flow resulting from routine inspection, operation, or maintenance of city water supply system.
  8. Outdoor and recreational use of water obtained from a private water well or water source other than water produced and distributed by the city.
  9. Watering of commercial and/or residential property upon which there has been placed substantial newly planted grass, sod, grass seed, and/or natural landscaping. Watering of these newly planted areas only shall be permitted as an exception to the limitations contained in this article within the first thirty (30) days after planting or placement thereof. Watering may occur under these circumstances only between midnight and 2:00 p.m., but may be performed on a daily basis during the thirty (30) day period. The property owner shall be responsible for notifying the city of the planting and/or placement of grass, sod, grass seed and/or landscaping to qualify for this exemption.

(Ord. No. 520, § 2, 5-12-03)