NEWS RELEASE

Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, July 8, 2002

CITY OF FREDERICK MOVES INTO LEVEL II MANDATORY WATER RESTRICTIONS

Frederick, Md. --- The City of Frederick is announcing that effective tomorrow, July 9, Level II Mandatory Water Restrictions will go into effect.

Level II Mandatory Water Restrictions are as follows:

• All businesses and governmentally owned facilities are required to achieve a 10% water reduction. There are no exceptions.

• Filling and toping off of all privately owned swimming pools, hot tubs, and wading pools is prohibited using water from the city’s water system. Community and public pools are the exception. Also allowed are pools, spas, and tubs needed for health reasons.

• Re-circulating and ornamental fountains are prohibited. Exception: fountains which are used for aeration to sustain aquatic life.

• There will be no exterior use of drinking (potable) water. Exception; watering of shrubs and gardens using captured rain water or gray water; commercial growers with a 10% dehydration plan in place; athletic fields and golf courses with a 50% reduction plan in place, however the watering of golf course rough areas is prohibited; spray irrigation of waste water effluent or storm water systems may be used in designated areas according to permit conditions; and irrigation of public parks at a minimum rate to preserve newly planted specimens and using hydrant flush or storm water only.

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• Prohibited will be washing of paved surfaces such as streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts and patios. Exceptions include; at a minimum rate necessary for maintain public safety, sanitation or health, such as eating and drinking establishments. Another exception is to maintain dust control during construction/maintenance of highways and roads.

• Pressure washing or washing in preparation of painting or staining of houses, decks and buildings will be restricted to Saturdays and Sundays.

• Use of water for washing or cleaning of any mobile equipment, including but not limited to: automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, motorcycles, lawn equipment, recreational vehicles, etc, is prohibited. Exceptions: use of commercial car washes and car dealers with a 10% water reduction plan in place. Also auto dealers may wash cars using a low volume (2GPM) washing system on Saturdays or Sundays ONLY if a car is being delivered to a new owner. And washing at a minimum rate necessary to maintain the safe operation of a vehicle.

• Restaurants, clubs, eating establishments, publicly or privately owned, are only permitted to serve water to customers who request it. There are no exceptions.

Finally the Mayor continues to encourage every citizen and business to do their part in reducing your consumption of water by 10%.

The City will also be conducting weekly audits of the top 300 users. If within the next week the City does not see measurable reductions in water consumption it will be necessary to move to another level of emergency restrictions.

The City of Frederick Permit and Code Management and/or City of Frederick Police Department will be responsible for enforcing the mandatory water restrictions. Violations will be handled as follows: 1^st infraction $25 fine; 2^nd infraction $50 fine and immediate shut off of water supply; 3^rd infraction $500 fine and immediate shut off of water supply; and 4^th infraction $1000 fine and immediate shut off of water supply.

For clarification of these restrictions please call Marc Stachowski, Department of Public Works Water and Sewer Division Chief and Drought Coordinator, at 301-600-1169, or Mike Blank, Permits and Codes, 301-360-3842.

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