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Ordinance No. 14-23 amending Sections 1303 (Definitions); 1306 (Stage I Shortage); 1307 (Stage II Shortage); 1310 (Duration of Water Use Restrictions); 1311 (Alternative Water Management Plans); and 1313 (Special Contract Service) of Part 13 (Water Shortage) of Article 4 (Water Code) of Chapter 12 (Utilities) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to water shortage.
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Summary: The Water Shortage Ordinance (WSO) has been in place since 2002 and is the policy which enacts Colorado Springs Utilities' (Utilities) demand side drought response. In 2013, Utilities prepared an update to the WSO to reflect past experience, best management practices, and community values. Based on experience gained during the drought of 2013, Utilities has prepared additional revisions to the WSO to address several housekeeping matters and requests by the Utilities Board.
Previous Council Action: City Council approved the WSO via Ordinance No. 02-59 on May 14, 2002 and the following ordinances amending the WSO: Ordinance No. 02-121 dated August 13, 2002, Ordinance No. 02-133 dated August 27, 2002, Ordinance No. 02-154 dated September 13, 2002, Ordinance No. 03-41 dated March 25, 2003, Ordinance No. 03-85 dated June 24, 2003, Ordinance No. 05-46 dated April 12, 2005 and Ordinance No. 13-10 dated February 26, 2013.
Background: The WSO, which has been in place since 2002, is the policy which enacts Utilities' demand side drought response. The WSO provides the criteria under which City Council can declare a water shortage and defines the measures that Utilities can take in response to a declared shortage, including restrictions on the use of water by customers. The WSO is a key means for City Council and Utilities to protect water supply, maintain water service essential for public health and safety, and minimize adverse impacts to economic activity during a water shortage. The WSO was substantially updated in 2013. Utilities has ...
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