§ 18-151. Definitions.

For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section.

Advisory, as the term used in this article, is the first phase of a water supply shortage and shall mean that conditions exist which indicate the potential for serious water shortages.

Alert as the term used in this article, is the second phase of a water supply shortage and shall mean that the raw water supply (stream-flow) is consistently low and, if this supply continues to decline, it may not be adequate to meet normal needs; or that serious mechanical failure has occurred; or that plant capacity has been reached, so that adequate water supplies cannot be maintained and a water shortage may occur.

Customer, as the term is used in this article, shall mean any person using water for any purpose from the town's water distribution system and for which a regular charge is made.

Emergency, as the term is used in this article, is the third phase of a water supply shortage and shall mean that the raw water supply is below the level necessary to meet normal needs and that serious shortages exist or mechanical failure is to such extent that a prolonged shortage is subject to occur.

Plant capacity, as the term is used in this article, shall mean the water filtration rate that is authorized by the State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Town, [as the term is used in this article, is] the Town of Smithfield Department of Public Utilities acting through the city manager, utilities director, or representatives.

Waste of water, as the term is used in this article, includes, but is not limited to, failure to repair a leak of water due to defective plumbing.

Water, as the term is used in this article, shall mean water available to the town for treatment or any treated water introduced by town into its distribution system.

Water supply shortage, as the term is used in this article, shall mean the water supply is below the level necessary to meet normal needs and based on the situation, an advisory, alert, or emergency is declared.

Water use classes, as the term is used in this article, shall be established as follows:

Class 1: Essential water uses.

Domestic use.

• Water necessary to sustain human life and the lives of domestic pets, and to maintain minimum standards of hygiene and sanitation.

Health care facilities.

• Patient care and rehabilitation.

Public use.

• Fire fighting

• Health and public protection purposes, as specifically approved by health officials and their governing bodies.

Class 2: Socially or economically important uses of water.

Domestic.

• Home water use including kitchen, bathroom, and laundry use.

Outdoor noncommercial watering (public or private).

• Agricultural irrigation for the production of food and fiber or the maintenance of livestock.

• Watering by commercial nurseries at a minimum level necessary to maintain stock, to the extent that sources of water other than town sources are not available or feasible to use.

• Watering of golf course greens.

• Use of town water at a minimum rate necessary to implement revegetation following earth moving, where such vegetation is required pursuant to an erosion and sedimentation control plan adopted pursuant to law or regulation.

• Water use by public gardens of national, state, or regional significance where necessary to preserve specimens, to the extent that sources of water other than Town sources are not available or feasible to use.

Filling and operation of swimming pools.

• Pools used by health care facilities for patient care and rehabilitation.

• Municipal pools.

Class 3: Nonessential uses of water.

All domestic uses other than those included in classes 1 and 2:

Ornamental purposes.

• Fountains, reflecting pools and artificial waterfalls.

Outdoor noncommercial watering (public or private).

• Gardens, lawns, parks, golf courses, playing fields and other recreational areas.

Filling and operation of swimming pools.

•Private pools.

Washing of motor vehicles.

• Automobiles, trucks, boats and trailers.

Restaurants, clubs, or eating establishments.

• Serving water

Exceptions.

• Specific request by customer.

Fire hydrants.

• Any purpose, including use of sprinkler caps and testing fire apparatus and for fire department drills.

• Exceptions.

• Firefighting

• Health protection purposes, if specifically approved by the health officials of Town of Smithfield.

• Certain testing and drills by fire departments, if in the interest of public safety and is approved town.

Flushing of sewers and hydrants.

• Routine flushing and requests for flushing to rid taste, odor, and discoloration.

Exceptions.

• As needed to ensure public safety, and approved by health officials and the town.

(Ord. No. 398, 6-4-02)