Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 6, September 16, 2024
When the NCDMAC designates a region of the state as
suffering from Extreme Drought, the following water use reduction standards
shall apply to water users in the designated area, as indicated in Rule .0612
of this Section:
(1) Water users shall
reduce water use by at least 10% below the amount used in the month prior to a
NCDMAC Extreme Drought designation in the affected area.
(2) All water users shall minimize
non-essential use of water.
(3)
Outdoor irrigation is prohibited, except for:
(a) Watering lawns less than one inch of
water per week, between the hours of 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM;
(b) 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 60 days following installation, by means designed
and operated to maximize water use efficiency and to prevent run-off and
excessive watering;
(c) Using spray
irrigation by wastewater effluent treatment systems from the NCDMAC Extreme
Drought designated area(s) according to permit conditions under the provisions
of North Carolina Administrative Code
15A NCAC
02U .0100 and any successive rules and
amendments;
(d) Maintaining
athletic fields with less than one inch of water per week between the hours of
8:00 PM and 8:00 AM;
(e)
Maintaining personal food gardens;
(f) 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;
(g) Watering golf
course tees, fairways, and greens by means of an automated irrigation system
between the hours of 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM with less than one inch of water per
week;
(h) Syringing golf course
tees and greens exhibiting visible signs of stress between the hours of 12:00
PM and 4:00 PM, at the minimum rate necessary; and
(i) 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
of 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 in their daily operations and have reduced total water
consumption by 10% below the amount used in the month prior to a NCDMAC Extreme
Drought designation in the affected area;
(b) Washing with a hand-held hose with an
automatic shutoff device using less than five gallons per vehicle;
(c) Cleaning new and used vehicles using less
than five gallons per vehicle to prepare for display in a dealer's show room,
upon receipt from the manufacturer or prior owner, and following a sale prior
to delivery to the purchaser; and
(d) Cleaning of construction, emergency,
transport, or public transportation vehicles if necessary to preserve the
functioning and operation of the vehicle.
(5) The use of water for washing impervious
and paved surfaces is prohibited, except for:
(a) Prewashing in preparation for painting,
recoating, or sealing; and
(b)
Applying at the minimum rate necessary for sanitation and public health
purposes.
(6) 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.
(7) The use of water for power washing of
buildings and other structures is prohibited except when necessary to meet
federal, state, and local public health and safety requirements.
(8) The use of water for flushing sewer lines
is prohibited except when necessary to meet public health and safety
standards.
(9) The use of water
from fire hydrants is prohibited, except for:
(a) Fighting fire and fire protection
purposes;
(b) Testing or training
if it is necessary to protect public safety and has been approved by the
applicable water purveyor; and
(c)
Flushing of potable water lines to protect the public health.
(10) The filling of family,
public, or private swimming pools, including hot tubs, spas, and whirlpool
tubs, is prohibited, except:
(a) For health
and rehabilitative purposes as prescribed by a medical doctor or administered
by a medical facility; and
(b) For
the minimal amount of make-up water necessary to maintain a pool's structural
integrity and filtration system.
(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 NCMDAC.
Authority S.L.
2002-167;
Eff. March 19, 2007;
Readopted Eff. January
1, 2022.
