NEWS RELEASE

Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Jeanette Eleff, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 2, 2002

CITY OF FREDERICK ALDERMEN TO VOTE ON ENFORCEMENT MEASURES FOR A WATER CONSERVATION PLAN THURSDAY, APRIL 4

On Thursday, April 4, the Board of Aldermen for The City of Frederick will vote to adopt an Ordinance that allows enforcement of the City’s water conservation plan.

“This Ordinance will provide for the regulation of water within the City,” stated Mayor Jennifer Dougherty. “The City must have adequate water for public consumption during times of drought and/or an emergency and to protect the public health, safety and welfare. This is an ordinance that should have been in place for the City long before now. I commend the City’s Legal Office for working diligently on this important issue.”

The Ordinance allows the Mayor to declare a City water emergency and to impose restrictions on water usage. In addition, the Ordinance establishes the authority of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to adopt a water conservation plan. These regulations will restrict the non-essential use of water.

“Code Enforcement and the City’s Police Department will be responsible for enforcing mandatory water restrictions,” remarked Heather Price Smith, Chief Legal Services Officer. “The enforcement protocols are outlined in this proposed Ordinance. The fines begin at $25 and can reach $1,000 with multiple infractions. An immediate shut off of the water supply begins with the second infraction.”

“The adoption of this Ordinance will give the City the enforcement tool needed to show we are serious about water conservation,’ commented Dougherty. “ Although we have recently had some rain, the average precipitation level is still far below normal. Our region remains in a drought. We need everyone to work together to conserve this vital natural resource.”

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The water conservation plan is the first of two items that the administration promised to the to the Board of Alderman during the March 21 Public Meeting, when the Aldermen voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution concerning a Strategic Water Conservation Plan for The City of Frederick. The second item concerns the introduction of a Strategic Water Plan to the Aldermen within 90 days. On April 10, the Aldermen will discuss the Strategic Interim Water Plan during the 2 p.m. Workshop.

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen Regular Public Meeting begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 and is televised on the City’s television channel 99. The agenda for the meeting can be seen on Channel 99 or the City’s web page at www.cityoffrederick.com.

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