Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 546

STATE OF DELAWARE

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

DOVER

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER THIRTY-TWO

RE: CONTINUATION OF DROUGHT WARNING; MANDATORY RESTRICTION ON CERTAIN NON-ESSENTIAL USES OF WATER

NOW, THEREFORE, 1, MICHAEL N. CASTLE, by the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby declare and order that:

1. Pursuant to my authority under 20 Del. C. 53132, the previously-declared drought warning is continued and mandatory restrictions on the use of water are imposed in that portion of the State of Delaware north of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, to wit:

The following non-essential uses of water are prohibited:

(a) The use of fresh water for non-agricultural irrigation and watering of outdoor gardens. landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, and outdoor plants with the following exceptions which are appropritate only from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 cm.:

(i) Water applied by hand-held containers or hand- held hoses with manually operated flow control nozzles for irrigation to domestic vegetable and fruit gardens or low pressure perforated hoses with the user in attendance; and

On Water used by commercial nurseries at the minimum amount necessary to maintain stock; and

(ill) Water applied in the minimum amount necessary to Implement rovegetation of land following earth moving where it is necessary to prevent soil erosion; and

(iv) Water applied in the minimum amount necessary to allow new lawns and shrubs to survive or for application of fertilizers and herbicides to existing lawns.

(b) The use of water for washing paved surfaces such u streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts and patios;

(c) The use of water for watering any portion of golf courses, except tees and greens which may be watered only from 5:00 cm. to 8 a.m.;

(d) The use of water for ornamental purposes including fountains, artificial waterfalls, and reflecting pools;

(c) The use of water for non- commercial washing and cleaning of automobiles, trucks, or other motor vehicles and trailers, except emergency vehicles and domestic washing from hand held buckets and hand-held hoses with automatic flow control nozzels where use is restricted to the minimum volume necessary and is acceptable only on unpaved surfaces;

(f) The use of water from a fire hydrant for any purposes (Including the use of sprinkler caps) except for fire fighting;

(g) The use of water for flushing sewers or hydrants except as deemed necessary in the interest of public health and safety;

(11) The serving of water in restaurants, clubs, and entertainment establishments unless specifically requested by a customer.

Additionally, the citizens of Delaware are urged to adopt other measures to save water where possible. including observing the following practices: repairing leaky water fixtures; flushing toilets only when necessary; minimizing sphshing from swimming pools and avoiding evaporation by coverning pools when not in use; installing shower flow rostrictors, toilet darns, and faucet aerators.

2. The voluntary restrictions on the non essential use of water imposed by Executive Order Number Twenty Seven arc continued. To the extent the mandatory restrictions imposed by this Executive Order govern the same uses restricted by Executive Order Number Twenty- Seven, the mandatory restrictions set forth in this Executive Order shall control.

3. Delaware water suppliers are requested to consider the adoption of such other water conservation measures as may be practicable.

4. The Drought Advisory Committee shall continue to meet on a regular basis and report to the Governor on water conditions and other issues which may cause a state of emergency to be declared.

5. The drought warning shall continue until the Drought Advisory Committee recommends to the Governor that he issue an executive order terminating It.

Approved this 25th day of September, 1986. (GREAT SEAL)

MICHAEL N. CASTLE Governor

(Attest:) MICHAEL E. HARKINS Secretary of State