§ 13.03.010. Purpose.

A. It is the purpose of this new chapter to establish a water conservation and supply shortage program that will reduce water consumption within the city through conservation, enable effective water supply planning, 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 new chapter establishes permanent water conservation standards intended to alter behavior related to water use efficiency for non-shortage conditions and further establishes three levels of water supply shortage response actions to be implemented during times of declared water shortage or declared water shortage emergency, with increasing restrictions on water use in response to worsening drought or emergency conditions and decreasing supplies.

C. The city council may utilize information issued by the Metropolitan Water District, Central Basin Municipal Water District or other reliable information, dates, or indices indicating the existence of a local or regional water supply shortage in order to implement the appropriate level of water conservation measures identified in this chapter.

(Ord. 2015-09-1478 § 3 (part); Ord. 2009-04-1399 § 1 (part))