[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township of Harding
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted by the Board of Health 3-20-2002 by Ord. No. 3-02 (Ch. 149, Art. IV, of the 1990 Code)]
Whenever the Township Committee determines that a water emergency exists in the Township, it may adopt a resolution declaring the existence of a water emergency. The resolution shall identify that portion of the Township affected by the water emergency, which may include the entire Township, and shall specify which of the water use regulations contained in § 388-2 is being imposed as well as any exemptions which may be authorized. The resolution shall become effective immediately upon publication in an official newspaper of the Township and shall continue in effect for the period specified therein, unless extended or repealed as set forth in § 388-3. For the purposes of this section, a water emergency shall exist when the Township Committee is satisfied on the basis of expert advice that a water emergency exists in the Township.
Upon adoption by the Township Committee of a resolution declaring that a water emergency exists in the Township in accordance with § 388-1, all citizens shall be urged to observe voluntary indoor conservation measures, and any or all of the following water use restrictions shall be imposed and shall be applicable to all owners and occupants of residential and commercial properties in the Township during the water emergency, except where a bona fide health emergency exists and except as to exemptions specified in the resolution:
A.
The complete ban and prohibition of outside water
usage, including the watering and sprinkling of lawns and plants,
the filling of pools and the washing of cars or driveways; provided,
however, that hand-watering of plants, shrubs and trees without the
use of a hose shall be permitted; or
B.
Any other water use restriction specified by the Township Committee in the resolution adopted pursuant to § 388-1 which is reasonable under the circumstances considering the nature and extent of the water emergency. Any water restriction imposed pursuant to this section shall be limited in application to that portion of the Township or the entire Township identified as being affected by the water emergency in the resolution of the Township Committee adopted in accordance with § 388-1.
The resolution of the Township Committee required by § 388-1 shall, in addition to complying with that section, provide a period of time during which the water use restrictions imposed shall be applicable, 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. If the Township Committee shall be satisfied that the water emergency has 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. If, prior to or upon the expiration of the time period specified in the resolution, the Township Committee shall determine that the water emergency continues to exist, it may adopt a resolution continuing the water use restrictions for a specified period of time.
The water use restrictions imposed pursuant
to this article shall be enforced during a water emergency by such
Township official or officials as may be authorized by the Township
Committee and named in the resolution declaring the water emergency.
Each authorized official is hereby empowered to issue summonses for
the violation of the water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this
article.
For a first offense, a fine up to but not exceeding
$100. For a second offense, a fine up to but not exceeding $500 or
imprisonment for not more than 10 days, or both. For a third and any
subsequent offense, a fine up to but not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment
for not more than 30 days, or both. Each and every violation after
a first offense shall constitute a separate violation, and a separate
offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which such
a violation occurs or continues.
[Adopted by the Township Committee 7-9-2012 by Ord. No. 05-12]
A.
Water from
fire cisterns, fire hydrants and other related water fire-protection
systems shall be used only in case of fires, except that water from
fire cisterns and hydrants may be used in a reasonable amount and
at such times and places as the Township may permit. The testing of
cisterns, hydrants and firefighting apparatus by any fire company
is permitted. No lines or pumps will be permitted to be connected
with cisterns, hydrants or waterlines so as to draw water directly
from the cistern, main or service pipe, except for fire purposes,
without specific permission from the Township.
B.
The opening,
closing or use of any fire cistern or fire hydrant or plug, except
in case of fire, without the written permission of the Township shall
be deemed as tampering with firesafety facilities and shall constitute
criminal mischief.
It shall be unlawful for any person(s) to wrongfully connect,
disconnect, tap or interfere or tamper with any of the cisterns, hydrants,
plugs, mains, pipes, conduits, connections, taps, or other firesafety
facilities for the purpose of wasting or using such water or to in
any way tamper with fire-protection facilities and divert water for
non-firesafety-related use, unless such person or persons are duly
authorized by or are in the employ of the Township. Violation of this
section is declared to be a criminal mischief. The penalty shall be
assessed in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3.
