§ 36-62. Definitions.

Allotment, as the term is used in this division, shall mean the maximum quantity of water allowed for each customer over any applicable period as established in the water rationing provisions of this division.

Any water, as the term is used in this division, shall mean any type of water, including fresh water, brackish water, wastewater, or reclaimed water.

Customer, as the term is used in this division, shall mean any person using water for any purpose from the city's water distribution system and for which either a regular charge is made or, in this case of bulk sales, a cash charge is made at the site of delivery.

Emergency, as the term is used in this division, shall mean that water supplies are below the level necessary, to meet normal needs and that serious shortages exist in the area.

Excess use, as the term is used in this division, shall mean the usage of water by a water customer in excess of the water allotment provided under the water rationing provisions of this division for that customer, over any applicable period.

Fresh water, as the term is used in this division, shall mean water withdrawn from surface or groundwater, which has not been previously used, other than brackish water.

Mandatory conservation, as the term is used in this division, shall mean that raw water supplies (i.e., streamflow, reservoir levels or groundwater levels) are consistently below seasonal averages, and if they continue to decline, may not be adequate to meet normal needs.

Nonresidential customer, as the term is used in this division, shall mean commercial, industrial, institutional, public and all other such users, with the exception of hospitals and health care facilities.

Rationing, as the term is used in this division, shall mean procedures established to provide for the equitable distribution of critically-limited water supplies, in order to balance demand and limited available supplies, and to assure that sufficient water is available to preserve public health and safety.

Residential customer, as the term is used in this division, shall mean any customers who receive water service for a single or multi-family dwelling unit. The term residential customer does not include educational or other institutions, hotels, motel, or similar commercial establishments.

Service area, as the term is used in this division, shall mean the area served by the City of Mebane water systems, including all connections to said system.

Service interruption, as the term is used in this division, shall mean the temporary suspension of water supply, or reduction of pressure below that required for adequate supply, to any customer, portion of a water supply, or entire system.

City as used in this division means the City of Mebane, N.C.

Voluntary conservation , as the term is used in this division, shall mean that conditions exist which indicate the potential for serious water supply shortages.

Waste of water , as the term is used in this division, includes, but is not limited to (1) permitting water to escape down a gutter, ditch, or other surface drain, or (2) failure to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing.

Wastewater as the term is used in this division, shall mean water which has been previously used for industrial, municipal, domestic, or other purpose, and has not been returned to the surface or groundwater source.

(Ord. of 7-12-2010)