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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-28ORDINANCE NO. 81 - 28 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING EMERGENCY REGULA- TIONS FOR WATER SHORTAGE WITHIN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY, PENALTIES, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Indian River County is suffering from a significant lack of rainfall; and WHEREAS, the lack of rainfall is manifested by record low water levels in surface water bodies, by prominent declines in both the water table and potentiometric surface elevations of the ground water systems and by salt water contamination of well fields; and WHEREAS, the lack of rainfall has prompted the governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District ro declare a water shortage and to order mandatory reductions in water usage; and WHEREAS, the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners is cognizant of the current and potential magnitude of the problems created by the continued lack of rainfall, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY TETE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA: ARTICLE I. The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County finds that the lack of rainfall and the resultant failure to recharge the aquifer has reached emergency proportions and that there is a water consumption emergency within Indian River County, Florida, which threatens the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the county. It is thus determined necessary to enact regulations to conserve the water resources of Indian River County. ARTICLE II. The following activity is prohibited: Irrigation of lawns shall be prohibited between 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. unless by heat pump air conditioning units. ARTICLE III. All residents of Indian River County are urged to take additional, immediate and decisive actions to conserve water to a maximum extent possible. z t: ARTICLE IV. The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners endorses the water conservation methods delineated in the St. Johns River Water Management District pamphlet (Water - wise Living) and requests the media to effect wide dissemination of such methods. ARTICLE V. The County Administrator is hereby granted authority to provide for exemptions from the provisions of this Ordinance in cases of extreme hardship which would directly affect a person or firm in the earning of a livelihood or where the curtailment of use of water would cause irreparable damage to property. ARTICLE VI. The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all users of water within the unincorporated areas of Indian River County. ARTICLE VII. This Ordinance shall remain in effect for 90 days or until the St. Johns River Water Management District order for mandatory reduction is repealed, whichever shall first occur. ARTICLE VIII. Penalties. Violation of any provision of this Ordinance shall be subject to the following penalties: First violation 525.00 Second violation $50.00 Third violation $500.00 ARTICLE IX. In the event that any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof as a whole or part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid. ARTICLE X. This Ordinance is adopted under the emergency enactment provisions provided in Chapter 125.66, Florida Statutes, and shall become effective as provided by law. This Ordinance shall take effect August 5, 1981. STATE OF FLORIDA INDIAN RIVER COUNTY '17HI3 IS TO CERTIFY THAT THIS IS ,A UUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL ON FILE IN THIS IOFFI��'. FREDA WRIGHT, CLERK �� - - D.C.