As a reminder, even though we have received recent precipitation, we require much more. We are still in Stage 2 of our Drought Contingency Plan and are continuing to ask our residents, businesses and customers to conserve water. Additionally, certain usages of water are now restricted. Please see these restrictions here: www.etown-water.com/nonessential-water-use-restrictions/
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Elizabethtown Area Water Authority
211 W. Hummelstown St. Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Nonessential Water Use Restrictions
The following is a detailed description of Stage II Drought Contigency Plan restricted nonessential water uses and exceptions to the prohibition(s):
(1) The use of any water for watering of grass, except:
(i) Water may be applied to grass areas approved prior to or during the emergency as part of a sewage or storm water treatment system utilizing spray irrigation which system was approved in a permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection prior to the water supply restriction.
(ii) Water may be used to establish and maintain newly seeded and sodded grass areas when applied between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. by means of a bucket, can or hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or when applied between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. by any other means designed and operated to ensure effective conservation.
(iii) Water may be applied by a professional landscaper to establish and maintain newly seeded and sodded grass areas during working hours by any means designed and operated to ensure effective conservation.
(iv) Water may be used by professional landscapers or irrigation contractors for the purpose of testing newly installed or repaired irrigation equipment for a period not to exceed 10 minutes per irrigation zone.
(v) Water may be applied for the purpose of grub control one time during the effective period of the water supply restriction.
(vi) Water may be used, in a manner that ensures effective conservation, to implement revegetation following earthmoving, where revegetation is required under an erosion and sedimentation control plan adopted under state law or regulation. Revegetation use shall comply with applicable best conservation management practices for revegetation prescribed by the County Conservation Districts.
(2) The use of any water for watering athletic fields, except:
(i) Water may be applied to athletic field grass areas approved prior to or during the water supply restriction as part of a sewage or stormwater treatment system utilizing spray irrigation, which system was approved in a permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection prior to the water supply restriction.
(ii) Water may be applied to maintain tennis courts, by means of a bucket, can or hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle or by means of an irrigation system that is designed and operated to restrict the timing or total volume of water, when applied between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. in a manner that ensures effective conservation.
(iii) Water may be applied to athletic field grass areas and sand-based athletic field grass areas, by a means and in a manner that ensures effective conservation, between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. during 1 night per calendar week.
(v) Water may be applied to establish and maintain newly seeded or sodded grass areas by means and in a manner that ensures effective conservation.
(vi) Water may be applied to athletic field nongrass areas to control dust during an athletic event, by means and in a manner that ensures effective conservation, only where dust control is necessary to protect health or safety.
(vii) Water may be used by professional landscapers or irrigation contractors for the purpose of testing newly installed or repaired irrigation equipment for a period not to exceed 10 minutes per irrigation zone.
(3) The use of water for irrigation and watering of outdoor gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs and other outdoor plants, except that water may be:
(i) Used for irrigation for the production of food and fiber, and the maintenance of livestock and poultry.
(ii) Applied by means of a bucket, can, hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or an irrigation system that is designed and operated to restrict the timing or total volume of water and to restrict the application to specific plantings and that ensures effective conservation, when applied between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. Sources of water, other than public water, shall be used to the extent available.
(iii) Used by nurseries to maintain stock, by a means that ensures effective conservation, only to the extent that sources of water other than public water adequate to supply needs are not available or feasible to use.
(iv) Used by public gardens of regional significance, or arboretums to preserve specimens, by a means that ensures effective conservation, only to the extent that sources of water other than public water adequate to supply needs are not available or feasible to use.
(v) Used by a professional landscaper or irrigation contractor during working hours, by a means that ensures effective conservation.
(vi) Used, in a manner that ensures effective conservation, to implement revegetation following earthmoving, where revegetation is required under an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan adopted under state law or regulation, to the extent that sources of water, other than public water, adequate to supply needs are not available or feasible to use. Revegetation use shall comply with applicable best conservation management practices for revegetation prescribed by the County conservation districts.
(4) The use of any water for washing paved surfaces, except water may be used:
(i) For prewashing in preparation for recoating and sealing.
(ii) At the minimum rate necessary for the maintenance of tennis courts composed of clay or similar materials, by means of a bucket, can or hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle.
(iii) At the minimum rate necessary for sanitation of the premises of raw or processed food, pharmaceutical or vaccine processing, storage or vending establishments, including restaurants and grocery stores.
(iv) At the minimum rate necessary for the sanitation of the premises of waste handling, storage and disposal facilities.
(v) At the minimum rate necessary to comply with permit conditions or other regulatory requirements.
(5) The use of any water for ornamental purposes, including fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools, except:
(i) Fountains or waterfalls may be operated to perform the primary and necessary aeration function for a pond that supports fish life.
(ii) Water may be used to top off ornamental water gardens or fish ponds to the minimum extent necessary to maintain fish and aquatic life.
(6) The use of any water for washing or cleaning of mobile equipment, except that:
(i) An individual may wash personally owned or leased vehicles by buckets and may use a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle to prerinse and rinse (total spray period not to exceed 2 minutes)
(ii) Water may be used by commercial car washes at the minimum rate necessary to ensure an effective wash.
(iii) Water may be used for cleaning of construction, emergency, public transportation or government vehicles if necessary to preserve the proper functioning and safe operation of the vehicle.
(iv) Water may be used for cleaning and sanitizing equipment used for hauling or vending raw or processed food, pharmaceuticals or vaccines for human or livestock use, or for handling waste products.
(v) Water may be used for the cleaning of new and used cars which are part of a dealer’s sales inventory in accordance with the following restrictions:
(A) A vehicle may be washed in preparation for sale at the time the vehicle is received from the manufacturer or prior owner.
(B) A vehicle should be washed no more than once every 7 days.
(C) A vehicle may be washed following sale immediately prior to delivery to the purchaser.
(7) The serving of water in restaurants, clubs or eating places, unless specifically requested by an individual.
(8) The use of any water to fill and top off swimming pools, except that water may be used to fill and top off:
(i) Public swimming pools and residential swimming pools serving 25 or more dwelling units, if the pools have filtration equipment allowing for continued use and recycling of water over the swimming season.
(ii) Swimming pools operated by health care facilities used in relation to patient care and rehabilitation.
(9) The use of water from a fire hydrant—including sprinkler caps—for any purpose, except for the following permissible uses:
(i) Firefighting.
(ii) Testing of firefighting apparatus or conducting water flow tests for fire insurance classification or reclassification, if approved by EAWA.
(iii) Flushing sewers, water mains or hydrants when needed to protect public health and safety, if approved by EAWA.