Drought Information

The Pine Brook Water District Board and the Pine Brook Hills community recognize that water resources are limited. While the existing water resources are generally adequate to meet the needs of the community, during times of drought the Board may impose restrictions to ensure all members of the community have sufficient water and share equitably in the limitations necessitated by drought conditions. This policy identifies the steps the Board and its designated representatives will take to address droughts or other water supply issues.

Responsive Measures:

The Board of Directors may impose water use restrictions at any time to respond to droughts or other water supply issues.  If restrictions are imposed, the District Manager or the Manager's designee shall inform the residents of Pine Brook Hills through all common methods of communication, which may include the District Website, forums, email, and bill messages.

The restriction levels to be considered may be, but are not limited to the following;

Level 1 - a restriction level not allowing any home to use more than 15,000 gallons per month.

Level 2 - a restriction level not allowing any home to use more than 12,000 gallons per month.

Level 3 - a restriction level not allowing any home to use more than 9,000 gallons per month.

Level 4 - a restriction level not allowing any home to use more than 6,000 gallons per month.

If it is determined that restriction level 4 is not sufficient, the District shall than impose a restriction level that they determine to be adequate and shall also ban all outside use of water.

Leak Rate Policy:

During water restrictions, the District's Leak Rate Policy for outdoor leaks is suspended. The restrictions imposed pursuant to this Drought Response Policy overrides the Outdoor Leak Rate Policy.

In-home leaks will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with evidence of the source of the leak required to provide a leak rate adjustment.

Penalties:

1st Offense - Any residence that exceeds mandatory water usage limits by 1,000 gallons or more will receive a written notice that they are in exceedance of the mandatory restrictions.  This will trigger weekly meter readings to verify that usage has returned to levels below the restricted level.

2nd Offense - Any residence that continues to exceed the mandatory water usage limits by 1,000 gallons or more will be charged a penalty of $100.  This may be assessed for residents who have received a warning of first offense and whose anticipated usage is over the restricted amount on a weekly basis.

3nd Offense - Any residence that continues to exceed the mandatory water usage limits by 1,000 gallons or more will be charged a penalty of $200.  This may be assessed for residents who have received a warning of first offense, charged a penalty for a second offense, and whose anticipated usage is over the restricted amount on a weekly basis.

4th Offense - Any residence that continues to exceed the mandatory water usage limits by 1,000 gallons or more will be charged a penalty of $500 and service will be shut off.  This may be assessed for residents who have received a warning of first offense, charged a penalty for a second and third offense, and whose anticipated usage is over the restricted amount on a weekly basis.

For purposes of calculating water usage, the usage as measured by the residence's water meter shall be deemed conclusive unless the residence can demonstrate that the meter was defective in a manner that precluded accurate measurement of the usage.

Exemptions and Allowances:

Any resident requiring greater water use as a result of a medical condition is exempt from these drought restrictions so long as that resident has applied for and obtained an exemption from the Board.

Adopted June, 2026 by the Board of Directors of the Pine Brook Water District