[Ord. 244, 11/26/1986]
This local water use restriction plan is intended to establish
measures for essential conservation of water resources and to provide
for the 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 Northampton Township.
[Ord. 244, 11/26/1986]
This plan shall apply to all users of water in Northampton Township,
including water customers of the Northampton Township, Bucks County
Municipal Authority, and to all residents of Northampton Township
who own, maintain and/or use private wells as their sources of water.
[Ord. 244, 11/26/1986]
This plan is authorized by the Second Class Township Code, 53
P.S. § 65101 et seq.
[Ord. 244, 11/26/1986]
1.
It is imperative that users of water in Northampton Township, including
water customers of the Northampton Township, Bucks County, Municipal
Authority, as well as Northampton Township residents who own and use
private wells, achieve an immediate and further reduction in water
use in order to extend existing water supplies and, at the same time,
assure that sufficient water is available to preserve the public health
and sanitation and provide fire-protection service.
2.
The plan provides for equitable reduction in water usage and for
equal sacrifice on the part of each water consumer. The success of
this plan depends on the cooperation of all water users in Northampton
Township, including water customers of the Northampton Township, Bucks
County, Municipal Authority, as well as Northampton Township residents
who own and use private wells.
[Ord. 244, 11/26/1986]
1.
The Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township, at its sole discretion, will determine the timing of the implementation of the plan set forth in § 26-206.
2.
The Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township may declare a drought emergency by a resolution, which will be acted upon at a duly authorized and advertised meeting of said Board, which provides for implementation of a water use restriction plan and the prohibition of nonessential water uses, as set forth in § 26-206 hereof, and shall indicate the effective date of said prohibitions. When, in the sole discretion of the Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township, the drought emergency has ended, said Board shall, by resolution, terminate the water use restrictions and prohibitions on the date set forth in said resolution.
[Ord. 244, 11/26/1986]
1.
The following water uses are declared nonessential and are prohibited
within Northampton Township:
A.
The use of water for the watering of lawns including the use of in-ground
sprinklers, except that water may be used at the minimum rate necessary
to establish and maintain newly seeded and sodded grass areas (those
areas which have been seeded or sodded no more than three months prior
to the drought emergency declaration) when applied between the hours
of 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. by means of a bucket, can or hand-held
hose equipped with an automatic-shutoff nozzle.
B.
The use of fresh water for irrigation and the watering of outdoor
gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs and other outdoor plants
by means other than a bucket, pail or hand-held hose equipped with
an automatic-shutoff nozzle, except agricultural irrigation for the
production of food and fiber, the maintenance of livestock or the
production of nursery stock.
C.
The use of fresh water for watering any portion of golf courses,
except for tees and greens.
D.
The use of water for washing paved surfaces such as streets, roads,
sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts and patios.
E.
The use of water for ornamental purposes, including fountains, artificial
waterfalls and reflecting pools.
F.
The use of water for the noncommercial washing or cleaning of automobiles,
trucks and other motor vehicles and trailers by means other than by
bucket or pail.
G.
The serving of water in restaurants, clubs or eating places unless
specifically requested by the individual.
2.
In addition to prohibited uses, all water consumers will be encouraged
to save water on a voluntary basis.
[Ord. 244, 11/26/1986; as amended by Ord. 285, 2/22/1989; and by Ord. 561, 4/25/2012]
Any person violating any provision of this Part shall, upon
conviction thereof in an action brought before a magisterial district
judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses
under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced
to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of
payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed
90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each
section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated shall
constitute a separate offense.
