[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Borough
Council of the Borough of Rocky Hill 10-16-1989 by Ord. No. 8-89.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Water — See Ch. 197.
Whenever the Mayor and Water Superintendent of the Borough of Rocky Hill shall both be satisfied and find that a water emergency exists in the municipality, they may adopt a resolution declaring that a water emergency exists in the municipality. Such resolution shall be adopted by the governing body at any regular, special, adjourned or emergency public meeting of the governing body. Such resolution shall identify that portion of the municipality affected by the water emergency, which may include the entire municipality and shall specify which of the water use regulations contained in § 199-2 of this chapter is being imposed as well as any exemptions as may be authorized. Such resolution shall be effective immediately upon publication according to law and shall continue in effect for 90 days, unless extended or repealed as set forth in § 199-3 of this chapter. For the purpose of this section, a water emergency shall exist if, for any of the following reasons:
A.
The public utility providing water service to all
or a portion of the municipality has adopted water use restrictions,
has notified the municipality, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities,
and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, as well
as any other state, county or local agency entitled to notice of such
restrictions and such restrictions are not overruled or declared invalid
by any state, county or local agency having the jurisdiction and power
to do so; or
B.
The Mayor and Water Superintendent are otherwise satisfied
that a water emergency exists in the municipality.
A.
Upon adoption by the governing body of a resolution declaring that a water emergency exists in the municipality in accordance with § 199-1 of this chapter, all citizens shall be urged to observe voluntary indoor conservation measures and any of the following water use restrictions shall be imposed and shall be applicable to all residents and tenants, except where a bona fide health emergency exists and to exempt businesses, as specified herein during the water emergency:
[Amended 11-3-2008 by Ord. No. 5-2008]
(1)
The
complete ban and prohibition of outside water usage, including the
watering of lawns and plants, the filling of pools and the washing
of cars; or
(2)
Outside
water usage on alternate days allowing outside water usage by persons
or businesses having even house numbers on even days and those having
odd house numbers on odd days, with outside water usage being completely
banned and prohibited on the 31st day of any month during the water
emergency; or
B.
Any water restriction imposed pursuant to this section shall be limited in application to that portion of the municipality, which may include the entire municipality, identified as being affected by the water emergency in the resolution of the governing body adopted in accordance with § 199-1 of this chapter.
A.
The resolution of the governing body required by § 199-1 of this chapter shall, in addition to complying with § 199-1, provide a period of time during which the water use restrictions imposed shall be applicable and which shall be no longer than reasonably necessary to abate the water emergency under the circumstances considering the nature and extent of the water emergency. At the expiration of the time period specified in the resolution, the water use restriction shall lapse and be inapplicable and unenforceable.
B.
If the governing body shall be satisfied that the
water emergency has been abated prior to the expiration of the time
period specified in the resolution, it shall adopt a resolution declaring
the water emergency ended and the water use restrictions inapplicable.
C.
If, at the expiration of the time period specified
in the resolution, the governing body shall be satisfied that the
water emergency continues to exists, it may adopt a resolution in
accordance with the requirements of this chapter continuing the water
use restrictions.
The water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be enforced during a water emergency by the local authorized official. Whenever a local authorized official shall find a violation of the water use restrictions, such authorized official shall give the violator a written warning and explain the penalties for a second and third offense as provided by § 199-5 of this chapter. The local authorized official shall keep such records as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of determining the persons and businesses who have been warned upon a first offense. The local authorized official is hereby empowered to write summonses for the violation of the water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this chapter.
After a first offense in accordance with § 199-4 of this chapter, any person or business who thereafter violates the water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined or imprisoned in accordance with this section. For a second offense, the fine imposed shall be $500 or imprisonment for 10 days or both. For a third and subsequent offense, the fine imposed shall be $1,000 or imprisonment for 30 days or both.[1]
