Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-249 Definitions.
Sec. 47-249. - Definitions.
As used in this article, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless the context clearly indicates another meaning:
Agricultural use has the same meaning as provided in section 47-89 of this Code.
Authorized governmental use means the use of city water by a governmental entity to flush any water line for public health and safety purposes, wet any surface for the purpose of testing for leaks in buildings or structures, or alleviate any conditions threatening the life, safety, or welfare of the public, including fire suppression.
Available treatment capacity means a calculation of how much city water can be produced and distributed by the city's functioning operations.
Baseline usage means the average of the highest city water usage by non-residential customers during three consecutive months within the 12-month period immediately preceding the declaration of:
(1) A stage two, three, or four water shortage period, whichever occurs first; or
(2) An emergency water shortage period.
City treated water distribution system includes, but is not limited to, any and all infrastructure used to convey, store, or deliver city water that has been processed to make it fit for its desired end use.
City water means water obtained directly or indirectly from infrastructure owned or operated by the city.
City water supply system includes, but is not limited to, any and all infrastructure used to convey, treat, store, or deliver city water.
Current water production means the city's daily combined surface water and groundwater production averaged over the most recent three-day period.
Combined total storage of surface water supply means the aggregate volume of water available to the city from reservoirs as calculated from the current elevations that are measured by the United States Geological Survey.
Customer has the same meaning as provided in section 47-61 of this Code.
Even-numbered street address means water service addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 or ending in a fraction, letter, unit or suite number and 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. For purposes of this definition, locations without addresses shall be deemed to have an even-numbered street address.
Multifamily residential customer has the same meaning as provided in section 47-61 of this Code.
Non-residential customer has the same meaning as provided in section 47-61 of this Code.
Odd-numbered street address means water service addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 or in a fraction, letter, unit or suite number and 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.
Outdoor use means the use of city water for:
(1) Aesthetic purposes, including ornamental, decorative, or scenic devices located outside a structure, including but not limited to fountains, reflecting pools, and water gardens;
(2) Irrigation, including the wetting and maintaining of planted areas, whether publicly or privately owned, including but not limited to lawns, gardens, golf courses, parks, athletic fields, public rights-of-way, and esplanades; notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of section 47-252 of this Code only, outdoor use for irrigation shall not include water administered by an individual human holding a hose with a diameter of one inch or less, a bucket, watering can or other similar device; or
(3) Other purposes that occur outside a structure, including but not limited to washing motor vehicles and other self-propelled vehicles and trailers; washing any impervious surface, including but not limited to sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, playing surfaces, buildings or structures; foundation watering; and filling or adding to any swimming pool, spa, or whirlpool.
(4) Outdoor use shall not include the required use of city water to (i) alleviate conditions threatening life, safety, or welfare of the public, including without limitation, fire suppression and emergency response; or (ii) comply with federal, state, or local laws or regulations.
Residential customer has the same meaning as provided in section 47-61 of this Code.
Single-family residential customer has the same meaning as provided in section 47-61 of this Code.
Water shortage period means the time during which any water shortage declaration is in effect.
(Ord. No. 2012-997, § 2(Exh. A), 11-14-2012)