10B.05.010 Definitions.
For purposes of this Chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning provided herein:
“Aquifer” means an underground layer of porous rock, sand, etc., containing water, into which wells can be sunk.
“Arc” means the surface area of the landscape to which a sprinkler head will provide water. Usually described in degrees or part of a full circle (360-degree) head. The degrees of coverage of a sprinkler from one side of a pattern to the other. For example, a 90-degree arc would be a quarter-circle sprinkler, a 180-degree arc would be a half-circle sprinkler, a 360-degree arc would be a full-circle sprinkler, etc.
“Automatic Shut-off Mechanism” means a device or attachment which immediately and automatically shuts off the flow of water from a hose or other outlet when not being physically held or operated by a person, such as a garden hose nozzle with a trigger device, or other automatic positive shut-off component. A device or attachment which shuts off water flow by measuring or metering water (such as a mechanized water timer), or a device or attachment which shuts off water flow after a certain measurement of time (such as an electronic water timer), is not an automatic shut-off mechanism for purposes of this Chapter.
“Calendar Week” means seven consecutive calendar days starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday.
“Coverage” means the pattern of water that a certain sprinkler covers. Various sprinklers or sprinkler nozzles have varying patterns of coverage: quarter, half, full, etc. Most manufacturers even have adjustable arc nozzles that suffice for many odd-shaped areas.
“Impervious Surface” means any hard surface that prevents or hinders the absorption of water into the soil, or that causes reduced quality of runoff water, or causes water to run off in greater quantities or at greater flow rates than the natural surface prior to development. Common impervious areas include, but are not limited to, rooftops, sidewalks, walkways, patio areas, driveways, parking lots, storage areas, compacted gravel and soil surfaces, and awnings and other fabric or plastic coverings.
“Irrigation” means application of water from the City water system using any device(s) or system(s), including hose, pipe, and/or other conduits through which water moves to be applied to land, crops, plants, and/or other vegetation. There are many types of irrigation and various methods/systems through which the irrigation occurs, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Automatic Irrigation System – An irrigation system which will automatically cycle (water) according to a preset program. Uses a device or attachment which shuts off water flow by measuring or metering water or by measuring the passage of time.
(b) Drip Irrigation – The slow application (low volume) of water to the specific root zone area of plant material using very low pressure, typically less than four gallons per hour. For the purposes of this document, drip irrigation shall be considered part of either an automatic or manual irrigation system and shall be utilized only during the identified Outdoor Irrigation Season and Schedule.
(c) Handheld Irrigation – Also known as hand-watering, refers to the application of water for irrigation purposes through a handheld hose or watering container. A person must be physically holding the hose or container. Watering by hand cannot occur unattended.
(d) Irrigation System – Any device(s) or system(s) utilizing a hose, pipe, and/or other conduit which connects to any source of ground and/or surface water and through which water is conveyed and/or drawn in order to apply such water to land, crops, plants, and/or other vegetation. “Irrigation System” shall not include an automatic shut-off mechanism, as defined in this Chapter.
(e) Manual Irrigation – The use of sprinklers or other above-ground watering devices being placed, moved, and administered by a person manually. Manual irrigation can occur unattended. For the purposes of this document, manual irrigation shall be utilized only during the identified Outdoor Irrigation Season and Schedule.
(f) Outdoor (Landscape) Irrigation – The act and management of applying water to the landscape in a manner to encourage the growth of plant material by causing water from the City’s water supply to flow upon, over, through, or into the property using sprinklers, sprinkler hoses, soaker hose(s), drip irrigation, in-ground irrigation systems, or by other similar means. Handheld irrigation shall not be considered outdoor irrigation for the purposes of this Chapter.
(g) Soaker Hose – A porous tube that looks like a garden hose, except that it “weeps” water along its entire length. Placed on the surface of your soil, soaker hoses deliver water steadily to your plants.
“Outdoor Irrigation Schedule” means the established time, and frequency, of allowed outdoor irrigation water application. For purposes of this Chapter, the Outdoor Irrigation Schedule will be based on odd-even addressing, with water application allowed to begin at the opening of an identified Watering Window.
“Outdoor Irrigation Season” means the period in each calendar year during which outdoor irrigation is allowed within City limits.
“Runoff” means, during a rain or irrigation event, the water that is not absorbed by the soil or landscape. If water is applied at a rate faster than the infiltration rate of the soil, a runoff will result.
“User” means a person, firm, corporation, entity, user, owner, or occupant of a building, property, location, or premises using or having available for use water service connected to the water system of the City of Pullman.
“User” also means the person or entity responsible for paying for water use or water charges as shown on the records of the city finance department.
“Water Fixture” means an exchangeable device which is connected to the City water system to deliver and/or drain water.
“Watering Window” begins at 6:00 p.m. on the designated day and ends at 10:00 a.m., local time, the following day.
“Wisescape®” means water-efficient landscaping with designs and guidelines specific to the Palouse climate. (Ord. 23-7 §1, 2023).