The Phoenix City Council has approved several new water conservation policies and restrictions under a resolution called “The Sustainable Desert City Development Policy.”
The policies look to reduce water consumption among both residential and commercial users and focus largely on improving efficiency before buildings are constructed.
The resolution passed on an 8-0 vote, with one councilmember absent.
The approved measure is a statement of intent. The policies will be codified through ordinances and changes to the building codes over time. Staff will first have to assess how to practically implement the items, and the changes will have to undergo a public comment process.
In the interim, the new water policies will be placed as stipulations in rezoning cases.
The changes in the new resolution deal with the types of landscaping allowed in to-be-built residential and commercial properties, mandate indoor and outdoor water efficiency standards and set new regulations for businesses with high water usage, which is defined as those businesses using 250,000 or more gallons per day. There are currently an estimated 20 such users in the city.
Users of more than 250,000 gallons will be required to outline plans for conserving as much water as possible. Those using more than 500,000 gallons per day will have to obtain at least 30% of their water from recycled sources.
It will also now be City policy to not annex land outside the water service area. While an outright prohibition on annexations would violate state law, the policy shift has been described as the closest legal equivalent. (Source)