§ 14-176. Water rationing.

In the event that water shortage conditions threaten public health, safety, and welfare, the mayor is hereby authorized to ration water according to the following water allocation plan:

(1)

Single-family residential customers.

a.

The allocation to residential water customers residing in a single-family dwelling shall be as follows:

Persons per Household	Gallons per Month
1 or 2	6,000
3 or 4	7,000
5 or 6	8,000
7 or 8	9,000
9 or 10	10,000
11 or more	12,000

 

b.

The term "household" means the residential premises served by the customer's meter. The term "persons per household" includes only those persons currently physically residing at the premises and expected to reside there for the entire billing period. It shall be assumed that a particular customer's household is comprised of two persons unless the customer notifies the town of a greater number of persons per household on a form prescribed by the mayor. The mayor shall give his best effort to see that such forms are mailed, otherwise provided, or made available to every residential customer. If, however, a customer does not receive such a form, it shall be the customer's responsibility to go to the town offices to complete and sign the form claiming more than two persons per household. New customers may claim more persons per household at the time of applying for water service on the form prescribed by the mayor. When the number of persons per household increases so as to place the customer in a different allocation category, the customer may notify the town on such form and the change will be implemented in the next practicable billing period. If the number of persons in a household is reduced, the customer shall notify the town in writing within two days. In prescribing the method for claiming more than two persons per household, the mayor shall adopt methods to ensure the accuracy of the claim. Any person who knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence falsely reports the number of persons in a household or fails to timely notify the town of a reduction in the number of persons in a household shall be fined not less than $15.00. Residential water customers shall pay surcharges, based on number of gallons over allocation, as set forth in the town see schedule. Surcharges shall be cumulative.

(2)

Master-metered multifamily residential customers. The allocation to a customer billed from a master meter which jointly measures water to multiple permanent residential dwelling units (e.g., apartments, mobile homes) shall be allocated 6,000 gallons per month for each dwelling unit. It shall be assumed that such a customer's meter serves two dwelling units unless the customer notifies the town of a greater number on a form prescribed by the mayor. The mayor shall give his best effort to see that such forms are mailed, otherwise provided, or made available to every such customer. If, however, a customer does not receive such a form, it shall be the customer's responsibility to go to the town offices to complete and sign the form claiming more than two dwellings. A dwelling unit may be claimed under this provision whether it is occupied or not. New customers may claim more dwelling units at the time of applying for water service on the form prescribed by the mayor. If the number of dwelling units served by a master meter is reduced, the customer shall notify the town in writing within two days. In prescribing the method for claiming more than two dwelling units, the mayor shall adopt methods to ensure the accuracy of the claim. Any person who knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence falsely reports the number of dwelling units served by a master meter or fails to timely notify the town of a reduction in the number of persons in a household shall be fined not less than $8.25. Customers billed from a master under this provision shall pay monthly surcharges, based on number of gallons over allocation for each dwelling unit, as set forth in the town fee schedule. Surcharges shall be cumulative.

(3)

Commercial customers.

a.

A monthly water usage allocation shall be established by the mayor, or his designee, for each nonresidential commercial customer other than an industrial customer who uses water for processing purposes. The nonresidential customer's allocation shall be approximately 75 percent of the customer's usage for corresponding month's billing period for the previous 12 months. If the customer's billing history is shorter than 12 months, the monthly average for the period for which there is a record shall be used for any monthly period for which no history exists. Provided, however, a customer, 100 percent of whose monthly usage is less than 1,000 gallons, shall be allocated 1,000 gallons. The mayor shall give his best effort to see that notice of each nonresidential customer's allocation is mailed to such customer. If, however, a customer does not receive such notice, it shall be the customer's responsibility to contact the town to determine the allocation. Upon request of the customer or at the initiative of the mayor, the allocation may be reduced or increased if:

1.

The designated period does not accurately reflect the customer's normal water usage;

2.

One nonresidential customer agrees to transfer part of its allocation to another nonresidential customer; or

3.

Other objective evidence demonstrates that the designated allocation is inaccurate under present conditions.

b.

A customer may appeal an allocation established hereunder to the mayor. The following nonresidential commercial customers shall pay surcharges, based on the number of gallons over allocation, as set forth in the town fee schedule:

1.

Customers whose allocation is 1,000 gallons through 4,000 gallons per month.

2.

Customers whose allocation is 4,000 gallons per month or more.

The surcharges shall be cumulative. As used herein, the term "block rate" means the charge to the customer per 1,000 gallons at the regular water rate schedule at the level of the customer's allocation.

(Res. of 4-7-2015, exh. B(X))