[Adopted 9-20-1995 by Ord. No. 184]
This local water use restriction plan is intended to establish
measures for essential conservation of water resources and to provide
for equitable distribution of limited water supplies, in order to
balance demand and limited available supplies and to assure that sufficient
water is available to preserve public health and safety within Upper
Makefield Township.
This plan shall apply to all users of water in Upper Makefield
Township and to all residents of Upper Makefield Township who own,
maintain and/or use private wells as their source of water.
Once the Emergency Management Coordinator of Upper Makefield Township advises the Board of Supervisors that a drought emergency exists, the Board of Supervisors may, at its next regularly scheduled meeting, declare an emergency and adopt a resolution which provides for the implementation of a drought emergency and the prohibition of nonessential water uses as set forth in § 26-504 hereof, and shall indicate the effective date of said prohibitions. When the Emergency Management Coordinator of Upper Makefield Township determines that the drought emergency has ended, the Board of Supervisors may, by resolution adopted at its next regularly scheduled meeting, terminate the water use restrictions and prohibitions on the date set forth in said resolution.
The following nonessential uses of water shall be banned in
accordance with the provisions listed below:
A.
The use of watering lawns except:
(1)
Water may be applied to grass areas as part of a sewage or stormwater
treatment system utilizing spray irrigation.
(2)
Water may be applied at the minimum rate necessary to maintain grass
tennis courts to the extent that sources of water other than fresh
water adequate to supply needs are not available or feasible to use.
(3)
Water may be used at the minimum rate necessary to establish and
maintain newly seeded and sodded grass areas when applied between
the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. by means of bucket, can or handheld
hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle.
(4)
Water may be used at the minimum rate necessary to establish and
maintain newly seeded or sodded nonresidential grass areas exceeding
10,000 square feet when applied between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and
9:00 a.m., by any means designed and operated to assure effective
conservation of the water.
B.
The use of fresh water for irrigation and watering of outdoor gardens,
landscaped areas, trees, shrubs and other outdoor plants, by means
of other than a bucket, pail or handheld hose equipped with an automatic
shutoff nozzle, when applied between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00
a.m., except:
(1)
Fresh water may be used for agricultural irrigation for the production
of food and fiber, the maintenance of livestock and poultry or the
production of nursery stock.
(2)
Fresh water may be applied by means of a handheld container or handheld
hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle at the minimum rate
necessary to establish and maintain newly planted gardens, trees,
shrubs or other outdoor plants. Sources of water other than fresh
water should be used where available.
(3)
Fresh water may be used by commercial nurseries at the minimum rate
necessary to maintain stock, only to the extent that sources of water
other than fresh water adequate to supply needs are not available
or feasible to use.
(4)
Fresh water may be used by arboretums and public gardens of national,
state or regional significance at the minimum rate necessary to preserve
specimens to the extent that sources of water other than fresh water
adequate to supply needs are not available or feasible to use.
(5)
Fresh water may be used at the minimum rate necessary to implement
revegetation following earthmoving, where such revegetation is required
pursuant to an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan adopted
pursuant to state law or regulation to the extent that sources of
water, other than fresh water, adequate to supply needs are not available
or feasible to use. Revegetation use shall comply with all applicable
best conservation management practices of such revegetation as prescribed
by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the
Bucks County Conservation District.
C.
The use of fresh water for watering any portion of golf courses,
except for tees and greens, for which water may be applied during
the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
D.
The use of any water for washing paved surfaces such as streets,
roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts
and patios, except:
(1)
Water may be used for prewashing in preparation of asphalt street
or driveway recoating and sealing.
(2)
Water may be used at the minimum rate necessary for the maintenance
of tennis courts composed of clay or similar materials by means of
a handheld hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle.
(3)
Water may be used at the minimum rate necessary for sanitation of
the premises of eating and drinking places.
E.
The use of any water for ornamental purposes including fountains,
artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools.
F.
The use of any water for washing or cleaning of mobile equipment,
including automobiles, trucks, trailers and boats, except:
(1)
Water may be used by commercial car washers equipped with facilities
that recycle water or with timed water-dispensing equipment which
restricts flow to three gallons per minute.
(2)
Water may be used for cleaning of construction, public transportation
or government vehicles where necessary to preserve the proper functioning
of the vehicle.
G.
The serving of water in restaurants, clubs or eating places unless
specifically requested by the individual.
H.
The use of water to fill and top off swimming pools, except water
may be used for the following:
(1)
To fill and top off public swimming pools and residential pools serving
25 or more dwelling units, if the pools have filtration equipment
allowing for continued use and recycling of water over the swimming
season.
(2)
To fill and top off swimming pools operated by health care facilities
used in connection with patient care and rehabilitation.
(3)
To fill and top off other pools in accordance with the following
requirements:
(a)
The pool may be filled or topped off only if approved by the
public water supply system from which the water is withdrawn. If water
is obtained from other sources, permission from the owner of the source
is required.
(b)
Pools shall have filtration equipment allowing for continued
use and recycling of the water over the swimming season.
I.
Exemption from the ban on nonessential uses may be granted as follows:
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions
of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a penalty
not exceeding $300 together with costs of prosecution, and/or imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 30 days.
