An Ordinance Amending the Chatham County Water
Conservation Ordinance

February 7, 2008

Year Round Conservation Measures

This revision is enacted in an effort to encourage water conservation, preserve the water supply in Jordan Lake and help reduce seasonal peak day demands that result in the need for costly expansion of water treatment, storage and transmission facilities. Such year round practices shall include:

1. Automatic irrigation shall be regulated according to the following attached
schedule and time: (see attachment)

2. All irrigation is limited to 1 inch per week.

3. Automatic controllers or moisture sensors are required on all irrigation systems.

4. Wasteful water use is prohibited. Non-beneficial uses include, but are not limited to:

a. Landscape water applied in such a manner, rate and/or quantity that it overflows the landscaped area being watered and runs onto adjacent property or public right-of-way; or landscape water applied during periods of rainfall or when soil moisture is already adequate.

b. The use of water for washing vehicles, equipment, or hard surfaces, such as parking lots, aprons, pads, driveways, or other surfaced areas, in such quantities to flow onto adjacent property or the public right-of-way

c. Water applied in sufficient quantity to cause ponding on impervious surfaces.

d. Water lost through plumbing leaks that can be readily identified and corrected.

5. Water leaks on property or facilities of Chatham County customers must be repaired within ten (10) days of discovery

Unless superseded by the declaration of a water supply shortage or emergency, the year round requirements outlined above shall not apply to the following:

1. Outdoor irrigation necessary for the establishment of newly sodded or seeded lawns and landscaping within the first 30 days of planting.

2. Irrigation necessary for one day only where treatment with an application of chemicals requires immediate watering to preserve an existing landscape or to

establish a new landscape.

3. Water used to control dust or to compact soil when alternate methods are not available.

4. Visually supervised operation of watering systems for short periods of time to check system condition and effectiveness.

5. Water applied to prevent or abate health, safety, or accident hazards where alternate methods are not available.

6. Water used for construction or maintenance activities where the application of water is the appropriate methodology and where no practical alternative exits.

7. Water used for firefighting, firefighter training, fire hose testing, fire pumper testing, and other emergency situation mitigation purposes.

8. For situations in which there is no practical alternative, Chatham County - supplied potable water may be used for other special purposes, such as washing out garbage trucks, cleaning up hazardous or unsanitary materials, etc., or provided that such water is used in the least quantity needed to accomplish the task.
 

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