§ 31-141.39. Other water management strategies.

(a)

Vehicle wash fundraisers: Vehicle washing for fundraising purposes by schools, non-profit organizations, or charity organizations shall require a one-day permit from the City of Laredo Utilities Department. An application for a one-day permit must be obtained from the water conservation program. A complete application shall be submitted to the water conservation program at least five (5) days before the day of the event. A fee of ten dollars ($10.00) shall be charged for each permit, and funds are to be deposited into a "water conservation fund" in the city's annual budget. Funds from the "water conservation fund" shall be used for programs related to water conservation, which include, but are not limited to, educational programs, free giveaway programs, and other water conservation programs for the community. Payments shall be made by check or money order and made payable to the City of Laredo Utilities Department. Upon receiving payment of ten dollars ($10.00) for each car washing fundraising activity, the water conservation program will issue a one-day permit (not to exceed five (5) hours), approved by the utilities director, with instructions on water conservation strategies, and one (1) hose bibb vacuum breaker to be placed on the outdoor faucet at the location of the event to help protect the city's water system from any possible contamination. The school or non-profit organization shall be responsible to purchase additional hose bibb vacuum breakers from any local hardware store when using more than one (1) outdoor faucet at the same location.

(b)

Mobile vehicle washing: Mobile vehicle washing, which provides on-site services, will not be permitted, unless an eco-friendly vehicle washing system is used that features a super fine mist of 1.6 gallons of water per minute or less. Only dry mobile-washing, which is a waterless way of washing a vehicle, shall be permitted any day at any time.

(c)

Large water users: The customer of any residential, commercial, or irrigation meter, including that of athletic fields, golf courses, subdivision areas, and parks, that register more than four thousand (4,000) gallons of water per day shall prepare a water conservation plan and submit it to the water conservation program. The plan must demonstrate that reasonable diligence will be used to avoid waste and achieve water conservation. The water conservation plan shall include techniques and technologies that will reduce water consumption, reduce the loss of water, and improve the efficiency of water utilization, or increase the recycling and reuse of water. A revised plan shall be submitted every two (2) years.

(d)

Dining facilities and cafeterias: Commercial dining facilities, school cafeterias, and hospital cafeterias shall provide a water conservation plan that shows a ten (10) percent improvement of monthly water usage or:

(1)

Serve water only upon request by customer.

(2)

Utilize positive shut-off nozzles or valves on dish-rinsing wands for dishwashing.

(3)

Utilize water flow restrictors for all garbage disposals.

(4)

Utilize water efficient dishwashing machines or steam washers.

(5)

Install hot water on-demand systems.

(e)

Hotels and lodging facilities: Hotels and other lodging facilities shall provide a water conservation plan that shows a ten (10) percent improvement of water usage or:

(1)

Offer patrons the option of reusing towels, bed linens, and pillowcases while lodging.

(2)

Install hot water on-demand systems.

(3)

Utilize water efficient laundry machines, dishwashing machines, or steam washers.

(4)

Utilize positive shut-off nozzles or valves on dish-rinsing wands for dish-washing.

(5)

Utilize water flow restrictors for all garbage disposals.

(f)

Laundry facilities: All new commercial laundry facilities shall install water efficient laundry machines or steam washers. Established facilities undergoing renovations or replacing equipment shall install water-efficient laundry machines or steam washers.

(g)

Automatic control valves: All buildings having five (5) or more toilets and/or urinals shall have automatic control valves to prevent a sudden massive drop in water pressure, resulting in a continuous flow of water into the units when multiple units are flushed at the same time.

(h)

Water deionization or reverse osmosis systems: New residential, commercial, and industrial water deionization systems or reverse osmosis systems shall meet the current industry standards and shall be installed by a licensed plumber to prevent back flow into the potable water supply.

(i)

Bleeder lines from evaporative systems: New and replacement lines shall not be larger than one-eighth ( 1/8 ) inch diameter inside. Lines shall be directed to discharge the effluent outdoors to irrigate landscaping or other vegetation, if possible, except where this would be impractical or unfeasible as determined by the utilities director.

(j)

Single-pass cooling or heating systems: The use of water for non-residential single-pass cooling or heating systems is strictly prohibited, unless the water is reused and recycled for other purposes such as irrigating landscaping or other vegetation. Newly installed ice machines shall not be single-pass cooled.

(k)

Cooling towers: Newly constructed cooling towers shall be operated with conductivity controllers and makeup and blowdown meters. This type of connection shall not qualify as an irrigation meter. Cooling towers shall operate a minimum of three (3) cycles of concentration.

(l)

New swimming pools, splash parks, and all other water parks: All shall be equipped with filtration, pumping, and recirculation systems.

( Ord. No. 2014-O-048, §1(Exh. A), 4-21-14 )