Water Conservation Ordinance Revision Discussion
 

This discussion will include the opportunity for Council to provide feedback on several proposed changes to the Water Conservation Ordinance. The proposed changes were developed in partnership with the Water Commission and stakeholders from major reclaimed water users. A short summary of the proposed changes is as follows:

• Time of use restrictions for reclaimed water
  • No irrigating during the hottest parts of the day (9 am - 5pm) during warm months (May - September)
• Other restrictions for future uses of water (both potable and reclaimed)
  • Minimizing the size of amenity lakes
  • Flexibility for low water landscape choices for residents within HOAs
  • Restrictions on nonfunctional turf
  • Restrictions on decorative fountains 
• Administrative changes to allow more flexibility for athletic and recreational fields
  • Allow for alternate watering schedules for turf that is used for recreation and athletics

During the 2024 water rate study process, City Council directed staff to work through the Water Commission to discuss and recommend rate-setting policy for reclaimed water and to pursue additional measures to conserve reclaimed water. At the February 18, 2025 City Council meeting, staff presented recommendations from the Guidance Document drafted by the "Reclaimed Water Rates Workgroup," through the recommendation of the Water Commission. The Workgroup was comprised of several members of the Water Commission, City staff, and reclaimed water users representing city parks, golf courses, schools, NAU, and Snowbowl. The Guidance Document made two recommendations: conduct a cost-of-service study for the reclaimed water fund as a policy and to work with the Water Conservation Program to explore and develop additional water conservation measures for reclaimed water. 

Over the past year and a half, Water Conservation Program staff have worked through the Water Commission and with reclaimed water customers on how the water conservation ordinance might be altered to conserve reclaimed water. The changes recommended in this ordinance include restricting the use of reclaimed water for irrigation between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm in the warmest months (May - September) and allowing the City of Flagstaff to enforce the wasting water clause of the ordinance for reclaimed water. An exemption is allowed for irrigation of active/programmed recreational or athletic field turf. An example of this would be the need to water heavily on Monday due to not watering all weekend to accommodate for an athletic event or festival. The proposed recommendations also include restrictions on amenity lakes, nonfunctional (decorative) turf, and decorative fountains, and prohibiting homeowner's associations from requiring turf.