It is declared that the public health, safety and welfare require that the Township of East Greenwich maximize the beneficial use of its available natural resources and that the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented. The conservation of such potable water resource is to be extended with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof as is necessary for sanitary, domestic and firefighting purposes in the interests of the people of the Township of East Greenwich. The purpose of the conservation measures set forth in this chapter is to prevent the need to declare a water emergency in the township.

(Ord. 9A-2006 (part): Ord. 8-2006 (part))

It is unlawful for anyone in the Township of East Greenwich to make, cause, use or permit the use of water from the township for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, governmental or any other purpose in a manner contrary to any provision herein.

A.

It is unlawful for any person to waste water or to use it unreasonably. Unreasonable uses of water shall include, but are not limited to, the following practices: No one shall let water leave a property by drainage onto adjacent properties or public or private roadways or streets due to excessive irrigation and/or uncorrected leaks.

B.

The following water conservation measures shall apply, except when reclaimed water is used:

Outside water usage on alternate days shall be allowed for by persons or businesses having even house or box numbers on even days and those having odd house or box numbers on odd days with outside water usage being completely banned and prohibited on the thirty-first day of any month during the water emergency. Any other usage is prohibited, except as set forth below.

1.

Lawn watering and landscape irrigation, including construction irrigation, is permitted only on the "odd-even" designated days as set forth above. Watering is permitted at any time if:

a.

A hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle is used; or

b.

A hand-held container is used; or

c.

A drip irrigation system is used.

Commercial nurseries, commercial sod farms, athletic fields, and parks open for use to the general public, are exempt from these irrigation restrictions but will be required to curtail all nonessential water use.

Newly sodded or seeded lawns may be watered for a period of fourteen (14) days without the odd/even day restriction, with prior written approval of the water and sewer department.

All newly installed irrigation systems shall include an automatic rain sensor that will shut off the irrigation system during a rain event.

2.

The washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes and other types of mobile equipment, is permitted at any time with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle for quick rinses. Washing may be done at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash or commercial service station, or by a mobile car wash or on-site car wash using high-pressure washing equipment. Further, such washings are exempted from these regulations where the health, safety and welfare of the public are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleanings, such as garbage trucks and vehicles to transport food and perishables.

3.

The overfilling of swimming pools and spas is prohibited. Whenever possible, water from the draining of swimming pools shall not be drained directly into the street or into storm drains but shall be beneficially reused. Beneficial reuse consists of, but is not limited to, watering of gardens, trees/shrubs, and lawns where the water is allowed to seep into the ground.

4.

Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to firefighting, related activities or other activities necessary to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of East Greenwich.

5.

Water shall not be used to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas, except to alleviate immediate fire or sanitation hazards. High-pressure washing of such surfaces will be permitted.

6.

Ornamental fountains and garden ponds may operate if they recirculate water. Ornamental fountains and garden ponds that do not recycle water are prohibited.

7.

Construction operations receiving water from a construction meter or water truck shall not use water unnecessarily for any purposes other than those required by regulatory agencies. Construction projects requiring watering for new landscaping materials should adhere to the designated schedule set forth herein.

The conservation requirements set forth in this chapter apply to all persons, whether the source is the Township of East Greenwich or any water company.

State mandates, if more restrictive, shall supersede this chapter.

(Ord. 11-2007: Ord. 9A-2006 (part): Ord. 8-2006 (part))

(Ord. No. 17-2010, 8-24-2010; Ord. No. 22-2010, 10-12-2010)

All premises using water in the Township of East Greenwich shall be subject to inspection by the township's employees or any other person duly authorized and appointed by the township to perform inspections to oversee compliance. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to hinder, obstruct, delay, resist or prevent any such inspection as is described herein.

(Ord. 9A-2006 (part): Ord. 8-2006 (part))

It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to use water from the Township of East Greenwich water system at any time in a manner prohibited by any declaration issued pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. 9A-2006 (part): Ord. 8-2006 (part))

A.

Any person who violates this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof in a proceeding before a court of competent jurisdiction, be subject to a fine, the amount of which shall be a minimum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) up to a maximum of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.

B.

Any person who is convicted of violating this chapter within one year of the date of a previous violation of the same ordinance and who was fined for the previous violation, shall be sentenced by a court to an additional fine as a repeat offender. The additional fine imposed by the court upon a person for a repeated offense shall not be less than the minimum or exceed the maximum fine fixed for a violation of the ordinance, but shall be calculated separately from the fine imposed for the violation of this chapter. In addition, the court may impose a sentence of incarceration not to exceed ninety (90) days, or community service not to exceed ninety (90) days, or any combination thereof.

(Ord. 9A-2006 (part): Ord. 8-2006 (part))