15A NCAC 02E .0614. DEFAULT WATER USE REDUCTION MEASURES DURING NCDMAC EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT DESIGNATIONS

When the NCDMAC designates a region of the state as suffering from Exceptional Drought, the following water use reduction standards shall apply to water users in the designated area, as indicated in Rule .0612:

(1)           Water users shall reduce water use by at least 20% below the amount used in the month prior to the most recent NCDMAC Extreme Drought designation in the affected area.

(2)           Non-essential water use shall be minimized by the maximum extent possible.

(3)           Outdoor irrigation is prohibited, except for:

(a)           Using spray irrigation by wastewater effluent treatment systems in NCDMAC Exceptional Drought designated areas according to permit conditions under the provisions of North Carolina Administrative Code 15A NCAC 02H .0200 and any successive rules and amendments, as administered by the Department's Division of Water Quality;

(b)           Watering personal food gardens by hand with a container or hand held hose with an automatic shutoff device or using drip irrigation between the hours of 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM;

(c)           Maintaining existing landscape plantings at the minimum rate necessary, between the hours of 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM, using a hand held container or hose with an automatic shutoff or using drip irrigation;

(d)           Watering golf course tees, fairways and greens, athletic fields and lawns between the hours of 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM with less than one half inch of water per week;

(e)           Syringing of golf course tees and greens exhibiting visible signs of stress between the hours of 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM, at the minimum rate necessary;

(f)            Maintaining newly installed landscapes, lawns and erosion control projects that were initiated prior to the issuance of an Extreme Drought advisory, not to exceed the minimum rate necessary on the day of installation and for 28 days following installation, by means designed and operated to maximize water use efficiency and to prevent run-off and excessive watering; and

(g)           Maintaining plant inventories, by means designed and operated to maximize water use efficiency, at retail garden centers, garden centers within mass merchant stores, or other businesses with live plants as their stock in trade.

(4)           The use of water for washing or cleaning mobile equipment including automobiles, trucks, boats and fleet vehicles is prohibited, except for:

(a)           Operating commercial car washes that utilize the industry's best management practices for the efficient use of water and those that recycle, reclaim or reuse a portion of their wash water and have reduced total water consumption by 20% below the amount used in the month prior to the most recent NCDMAC Extreme Drought designation in the affected area;

(b)           Cleaning of new and used vehicles in preparation for display in a dealer's show room, using less than five gallons per vehicle; and

(c)           Using the minimum amount of water necessary to clean construction, emergency, transport or public transportation vehicles, if required to preserve the proper functioning and safe operation of the vehicle as required by law.

(5)           The use of water for washing impervious and paved surfaces is prohibited except for using the minimum amount of water necessary for sanitation and public health purposes.

(6)           The use of water for power washing of buildings and other structures is prohibited.

(7)           The use of water for flushing sewer lines is prohibited except when necessary to meet public health and safety standards.

(8)           The use of water from fire hydrants is prohibited, except for:

(a)           Fighting fire and fire protection purposes; and

(b)           Flushing of drinking water lines to protect public health and safety.

(9)           The filling of family, public or private swimming pools, including hot tubs, spas and whirlpool tubs, is prohibited except for health and rehabilitative purposes as prescribed by a medical doctor or administered by a medical facility.

(10)         The use of water for ornamental fountains, artificial waterfalls, misting machines, reflecting pools, and ornamental ponds is prohibited, except for the minimum amount of make-up water necessary to maintain aquatic life.

(11)         The serving of water in eating and drinking establishments shall be done on customer request only.

(12)         Water shall be applied at the minimum rate necessary to maintain effective dust and erosion control during the construction of roads and highways initiated prior to the declaration of an Extreme Drought by the NCDMAC.

 

History Note:        Authority S.L. 2002-167;

Eff. March 19, 2007.