Canton cracks down on water waste

The Canton City Council has adopted an ordinance citing “willful waste” as grounds for cutting off someone’s water service. AJC FILE

The Canton City Council has adopted an ordinance citing “willful waste” as grounds for cutting off someone’s water service. AJC FILE

“Willful waste” or failure to fix a leak could lead to a shut-off in city water service under an ordinance recently approved by the Canton City Council.

Service could be cut off upon reasonable notice, unless circumstances require immediate action, and would not be restored “until all water bills and the bill for the cost of cutting off and again turning on the water shall have been paid,” the ordinance says. The measure passed 5-1, with Council Member Nick Estes voting against.

The water conservation measure cites examples of waste as failing to repair a controllable leak, such as a broken sprinkler head, within 30 days; or operating a lawn irrigation system when it’s raining.

Exceptions include water use in firefighting or hydrant inspections; as a dust-control measure; to abate spills of flammable or otherwise hazardous materials where appropriate; in construction; in power washing, unless prohibited by drought restrictions; in approved mobile car washes; and when emptying swimming pools for maintenance, when proper local rules are followed.