3029 MLMC Title 13 as amendedORDINANCE 3029
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MOSES LAKE
MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 13 WATER, SEWERS, AND
PUBLIC UTLITIES.
Recitals:
1.The City of Moses Lake continues to see declining water levels in most of the City’s
wells because of the declining aquifer resulting in a decreased ability to provide water to
the community; and,
2.The need for water conservation is critical; and,
3.Restrictions on use of potable water for landscape irrigation are necessary to conserve
water resources; and,
4.Parks are essential to the community by providing larger common spaces for recreation
and relaxation and providing a yard, turf, and open space housing facilities without one.
Additionally, the city’s larger parks are home for the many community youth and adult
sports leagues, the host for tournaments and large special events that attract teams
statewide and from neighboring states which promotes tourism and brings visitors to the
community.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOSES LAKE, WASHINGTON DO ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Moses Lake Municipal Code Section 13.07.010 titled “Water Conservation,
Restrictions, and Rationing” is amended as follows:
13.07.010 Water Conservation, Restrictions, and Rationing:
A. Conservation. To designate the months of June, July, August, and September as mandatory months of
water conservation. Addresses with odd numbers shall be allowed to irrigate and wash vehicles on odd-
numbered calendar days. Addresses with even numbers will be allowed to irrigate and wash vehicles on even-
numbered calendar days. Properties with irrigation meters that are two inches (2") and larger will be restricted
to irrigate from midnight to 8:00 a.m. or on a schedule approved by the Municipal Services Director. All odd
numbered addresses shall be allowed to irrigate on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. All even numbered
addresses shall be allowed to irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. All irrigating shall be prohibited
between the hours of 10:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. All irrigating shall be prohibited on Mondays. New sod,
turf, or grass seed may be irrigated irrespective of these provisions provided an Unrestricted Irrigation
Allowance is first obtained from the City of Moses Lake Public Works allowing 14 days of unrestricted water
use to irrigate installation of new sod, turf, or grass seed. Only three unrestricted irrigation allowances shall be
permitted per address per calendar year, except when a change in property ownership occurs, allowing for
potential re-permitting during the same year. Additional allowances may be requested and will be issued at the
Document Ref: DR8AQ-ZSQSX-ZPNRB-ZUNTW Page 1 of 4
discretion of the Municipal Services Director or their designee. Water conservation measures will be revisited
every two years, beginning February 2025, following a review of water resource availability. After a written
warning for the first offense, the second offense will incur a C-13 penalty as outlined in the Fee Schedule of
pursuant to Chapter 1.08. A third offense will be subject to a C-7 penalty.
B. Exemptions for City Parks. City parks irrigating on City’s potable water system will be limited to watering
three days each week with a specific schedule to be determined by the Parks Superintendent. No zone of a city
park irrigation system connected to the city potable water system will be irrigated more than three days each
week with the following exceptions.
1. Larson Playfields, Paul Lauzier Park, and Yonezawa Park have high tourism value, and currently
an alternative source isn’t available so in the interim there will be an exemption. This exemption will be
revisited annually as resources are identified.
2. City Parks without timers or remote watering capabilities will be exempt from the time-of-day
watering restrictions. City Park staff will maintain a current list of these parks. As park infrastructure is
updated and timers are added to these parks, they will be removed from the exemption list.
3. Upon written request of the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services, the City Manager
may approve a one-day exemption to watering restrictions to promote turf recovery following a Special Event
held at the park.
B.C. Notice to Begin Water Restrictions. The Municipal Services Director will place a notice in the local
newspaper and provide a public announcement on the City’s social media as well as to the radio stations that
are in the area. The notice will state the requirements for individuals or organizations for irrigating and
washing vehicles. Water restrictions will be effective immediately upon publication and broadcast. After a
written warning for the first offense, the second offense will incur a C-13 penalty pursuant to Chapter 1.08. A
third offense will be subject to a C-7 penalty. Further infractions will be subject to a C-4 penalty.
C. Restrictions. Water restrictions may be necessary when the Municipal Services Director determines that
the City water system is insufficient to meet the forecasted demand for any water distribution zone of the City
water system. Addresses with odd numbers shall be allowed to irrigate and wash vehicles on odd-numbered
calendar days. Addresses with even numbers will be allowed to irrigate and wash vehicles on even-numbered
calendar days. Properties with irrigation meters that are two inches (2") and larger will be restricted to irrigate
from midnight to 8:00 a.m. or on a schedule approved by the Municipal Services Director. After a warning for
the first offense, the second offense will incur a C-13 penalty as outlined in the Fee Schedule of Chapter 1.08.
A third offense will be subject to a C-7 penalty. Further infractions will be a C-4 penalty.
D. Rationing. Water rationing will be implemented during emergency conditions as determined by the City
Manager and Municipal Services Director.
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E. Notice to End Water Restrictions and Rationing. The Municipal Services Director will place a notice in the
local newspaper and provide a public announcement on the City’s social media as well as to the radio stations
that are in the area that states water rationing is no longer required.
Section 2. Moses Lake Municipal Code Section 13.07.060 titled “Water Use” is amended
as follows:
13.07.060 Water Use:
A. Wasting water as a result of leaking pipes and using water for purposes other than what would be normally
used to service the property is prohibited. Customers shall repair or stop all water leaks upon discovery or
within 96 hours of notification by the City. City staff will make a reasonable effort to notify the occupant that a
leak exists, as well as the utility account holder on record with the Utility Billing Department. If a water leak is
not stopped or repaired within 96 hours, the meter will be shut off by the City to prevent wasting of water. The
utility account will be assessed water leak disconnection and reconnection fees in accordance with the adopted
fee schedule. Customers shall not use a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle except
where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water
immediately when not in use. Customers shall not wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis
courts, or other paved areas without using a power washer or a hose with a shut-off nozzle. Water shall be
collected and prevented from leaving the property and entering the municipal separate storm sewer system.
The prohibition on wasting water shall be enforced by the Utility Service Supervisor Municipal Services
Director or their designee pursuant to Chapter 1.20.
B. No connection will be made to allow supplying water from one property to another property.
Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five (5) days after its
passage and publication of its summary as provided by law.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Moses Lake, WA and signed by its Mayor on June
27, 2023.
_____________________________________
Don Myers, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
Debbie Burke, City Clerk
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________________
Katherine L. Kenison, City Attorney
Martinez Swartz Myers Fancher Madewell Eck Skaug
Vote: Aye Aye Aye Aye Nay Nay Nay
Date Published: July 3, 2023
Date Effective: July 8, 2023
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Signature Certificate
Reference number: DR8AQ-ZSQSX-ZPNRB-ZUNTW
Document completed by all parties on:
12 Jul 2023 22:52:47 UTC
Page 1 of 1
Signer Timestamp Signature
Mayor Don Myers
Email: dmyers@cityofml.com
Recipient Verification:
Sent:12 Jul 2023 21:16:13 UTC
Viewed:12 Jul 2023 21:18:04 UTC
Signed:12 Jul 2023 21:19:03 UTC
✔Email verified 12 Jul 2023 21:18:04 UTC
IP address: 162.246.30.165
Location: Moses Lake, United States
Katherine Kenison
Email: kkenison@basinlaw.com
Recipient Verification:
Sent:12 Jul 2023 21:16:13 UTC
Viewed:12 Jul 2023 21:25:14 UTC
Signed:12 Jul 2023 21:25:24 UTC
✔Email verified 12 Jul 2023 21:25:14 UTC
IP address: 173.209.171.7
Location: Moses Lake, United States
Debbie Burke
Email: dburke@cityofml.com
Sent:12 Jul 2023 21:16:13 UTC
Viewed:12 Jul 2023 21:16:15 UTC
Signed:12 Jul 2023 22:52:47 UTC
IP address: 63.135.54.162
Location: Moses Lake, United States
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