CHAPTER 10
WATER CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY MEASURE
Sections:
§ 51002 Declaration of Purpose and Intent.
§ 51005 Permanent Water Conservation Measures – Preventing Waste.
51000 Title.
This Chapter will be known as the City of Carson water conservation and sustainability measure. (Ord. 09-1433, § 1)
51001 Findings.
(a) A reliable minimum and sustainable supply of potable water is essential to the public health, safety and welfare of the people and economy of the City of Carson and the Southern California region.
(b) Southern California is a semi-arid region and is largely dependent upon imported water supplies. A growing population, climate change, environmental concerns, and other factors in other parts of the State and western United States make the region highly susceptible to water supply reliability issues.
(c) Careful water management that includes active water conservation measures not only in times of drought, but at all times, is essential to ensure a reliable minimum supply of water to meet current and future water supply needs.
(d) Chapter XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution declares that a city or county may make and enforce within its limits all local, police, sanitary and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws.
(e) Chapter X, Section 2 of the California Constitution declares that the general welfare requires that water resources be put to beneficial use, waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented, and conservation of water be fully exercised with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof.
(f) The adoption of water conservation and sustainability measures is necessary to reduce the supply of potable water in the short and long term and to avoid or minimize the effects of drought and shortage within the City. Such program is essential to ensure a reliable and sustainable minimum supply of water for the public health, safety and welfare for current and future generations. (Ord. 09-1433, § 1)
51002 Declaration of Purpose and Intent.
(a) The purpose of this Chapter is to establish a water conservation and sustainability program that provides guidelines and standards for the reduction of water consumption within the City through conservation, assure reasonable and beneficial use of water, prevent waste of water, and maximize the efficient use of water within the City to avoid and minimize the effect and hardship of a water shortage to the greatest extent possible.
(b) This Chapter establishes permanent water conservation standards intended to alter behavior related to water use efficiency. (Ord. 09-1433, § 1)
51003 Definitions.
The following words and phrases whenever used in this Chapter have the meaning defined in this Section:
(a) “Allocation” means a form of water rationing that uses penalty pricing to achieve target reductions in water use.
(b) “City” means the City of Carson.
(c) “Conservation” means the practice of protecting against the loss or waste of natural resources.
(d) “User” means a person or business that uses potable water through a metered service connection.
(e) “Landscape irrigation system” means an irrigation system with pipes, hoses, spray heads, or sprinkling devices that are operated by hand or through an automated system.
(f) “Large landscape areas” means a lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area, or combination thereof, equal to more than one (1) acre of irrigable land.
(g) “Person” means any natural person or persons, corporation, public or private entity, governmental agency or institution, or any other user of water within the City.
(h) “Potable water” means water which is suitable for drinking.
(i) “Recycled water” means the reclamation and reuse of nonpotable water for beneficial use.
(j) “Single pass cooling systems” means equipment where water is circulated only once to cool equipment before being disposed.
(k) “Sustainability” means a decision-making concept describing water use that meets present needs without compromising the ability to meet future requirements. (Ord. 09-1433, § 1)
51004 Application.
(a) The provisions of this Chapter apply to any users in the use of any potable water in the City.
(b) The provisions of this Chapter do not apply to users of water necessary to protect public health and safety or for essential government services, such as police, fire, or other similar emergency services.
(c) The provisions of this Chapter do not apply to the use of recycled water.
(d) The provisions of this Chapter do not apply to the use of water by commercial nurseries and commercial growers to sustain plants, trees, shrubs, crops or other vegetation intended for commercial sale.
(e) This Chapter is intended solely to further the conservation of water. It is not intended to implement any provision of Federal, State, or local statutes, ordinances, or regulations relating to protection of water quality or control of drainage or runoff. (Ord. 09-1433, § 1)
51005 Permanent Water Conservation Measures – Preventing Waste.
(a) Recirculating Water Required for Water Fountains and Decorative Water Features. Operating a water fountain or other decorative water feature that does not use recirculated water is prohibited.
(b) Commercial Car Wash Systems. Effective on January 1, 2012, all commercial conveyor car wash systems must have installed and operational recirculating water systems, or must have secured a waiver of this requirement from the City.
(c) Large Landscape Areas – Rain Sensors. It is recommended that effective January 1, 2012, large landscape areas, such as parks, cemeteries, golf courses, school grounds, and playing fields, that use landscape irrigation systems to water or irrigate, use landscape irrigation systems with rain sensors that automatically shut off such systems during periods of rain or irrigation timers which automatically use information such as evapotranspiration sensors to set an efficient water use schedule.
(d) Construction Purposes. Recycled or other approved nonpotable water must be used for construction purposes when available.
(e) Single Pass Cooling Systems. Installation of single pass cooling systems is prohibited in buildings requesting new water service.
(f) Nonrecirculating Water System in Commercial Car Wash and Laundry Systems. Installation of nonrecirculating water systems is prohibited in new commercial conveyor car wash and new commercial laundry systems. (Ord. 09-1433, § 1)