PROCLAMATION
For Immediate Release
October 11, 2007
Stage 3 Drought Declared
Increased Mandatory Water Conservation Required
Beginning Friday, October 12, 2007 at 5:00 AM, Public water customers served by Chester Metropolitan District will be required to follow increased water conservation restrictions in an effort to relieve worsening drought conditions in our area. Due to below-average rainfall and critically low lake levels, CMD has declared a Stage 3 Drought, requiring the implementation of more stringent mandatory water restrictions, including:
1. Use of sprinklers, irrigation systems or other remote landscape watering devices will be permitted only 1 day weekly, as follows:
· Odd-numbered addresses can run irrigation between Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 5:00 a.m.
·
Even-numbered addresses can run
irrigation between Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. and Monday morning at 5:00 a.m.
Although the District’s Plan and Policy permit watering one day per week
during a Stage 3 drought, we encourage customers to turn off their irrigation
systems and discontinue use of yard sprinklers.
2. Customers may use hand-held watering containers (watering cans, buckets, etc.) and hoses with spray nozzles to water plants, shrubs, flowers, containers, gardens and lawns, at any time of the day, any day of the week. No variances will be granted for irrigation systems under a Stage 3 Drought.
3. Water runoff onto driveways, sidewalks and roads and is strictly prohibited. This applies to irrigation and hand watering.
4. Washing of vehicles or outdoor structures, pavement, parking lots or other surfaces is strictly prohibited, INCLUDING car dealerships, body shops, mobile car wash businesses, car rental businesses and any other commercial businesses that require vehicular washing in their manufacturing or service operation. In addition, charitable carwashes or charity events requiring large use of water will not be permitted. Customers should use commercial car washes that use recycled water.
5. Customers are strongly encouraged to postpone planting of all new landscaping, including new sod. Aerating and overseeding of established/existing lawns is strongly discouraged. All re-seeded or newly sodded lawns will only be allowed to run irrigation one day per week, as indicated above.
6. Commercial customers applying for new hydrant permits or renewing existing hydrant permits must apply for a variance from the water restrictions. Existing hydrant permit holders may continue to draw water from designated locations until their permit expires.
7. The use of the District’s water supply for pressure washing or hosing down of streets, sidewalks, pavement, parking lots or other outdoor structures or surfaces is strictly prohibited. Pressure washing businesses that use their own water tank, with water supplied from an alternate source such as a well, may operate in Chester County during a Stage 3 drought. Customers should contact their local water provider regarding variance requests and special exceptions that apply in their community.
8. Customers are prohibited from filling new swimming pools. Customers are strongly encouraged to close and cover swimming pools and other recreational water-based equipment for the season; existing pools can be topped off for maintenance purposes only.
These restrictions will be enforced. If any customer of the Chester Metropolitan District fails to comply with any and all mandatory and/or emergency water use restrictions, the customer shall be given a written notice of such failure to comply, which cites the date of said violation, and shall be assessed surcharges in accordance with the following schedule:
Residential:
· First Violation - $50, issued as a surcharge added to the customer’s utility bill, or as a $50 violation notice delivered by a CMD courier.
· Second Violation - $100, issued as a surcharge added to the customer’s utility bill, or as a $100 violation notice delivered by a CMD courier.
· Third Violation – The customer’s utility service shall be terminated and restored only after payment of a surcharge or violation in the amount of $150 in addition to all previously assessed surcharges or notices. Reconnection fees will apply.
Commercial & Industrial:
· First Violation - $100, issued as a surcharge added to the customer’s utility bill, or as a $100 violation notice delivered by a CMD courier.
· Second Violation - $200, issued as a surcharge added to the customer’s utility bill, or as a $200 violation notice delivered by a CMD courier.
· Third Violation – The customer’s utility service shall be terminated and restored only after payment of a surcharge or violation in the amount of $300 in addition to all previously assessed surcharges or notices. Reconnection fees will apply.
Warnings will no longer be given under a Stage 3 Drought. CMD has the authority to discontinue service to repeat violators with three (3) or more offenses.
For more information on Stage 3 Drought, CMD’s Drought Response Plan and Policy, and approved penalties, please visit our website at www.cmdcsd.com
CONTACT:
Mike Medlin, Executive Director
(803) 385-5123
Chester Sewer District