The City of Peoria may institute a permit process for entities using large volumes of City-supplied water.
At its meeting last week, Council presented a draft ordinance that would require non-residential water consumers to obtain a permit for heavy water consumption. The ordinance is intended to uphold sustainability for Peoria’s water supply.
Permitting would affect non-residential consumers using more than 50,000 gallons of water/day, on average, for a one-year period or consumers who use more than 100,000 gallons in a single day.
Consumers would only be able to connect to a public water source after obtaining the Large Water User permit. The permit may contain specific conditions to promote sustainable water use.
Water-intensive users have been described as:
- Auto or self-service vehicle washes that result in water use that exceeds 25,000 gallons per day averaged over any consecutive 365-day period;
- Cooling with any method that results in water use that exceeds 25,000 gallons per day averaged over any consecutive 365-day period;
- Operation of a short-term rental or lodging with 50 or more rooms or units, including, without limitation, motels, hotels, timeshares, resorts, and hostels;
- Providing long-term care services via multi-residential facility containing 50 or more rooms or units. Examples include but are not limited to assisted living centers, memory care centers, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes; or
- Filling or maintaining the water level in any water body with a water surface area exposed to the atmosphere of 10,890SF (one-quarter acre) or more.
Water-intensive users will have to obtain a Large Water User permit, but they may also be able to submit a notice to the City that demonstrates how the consumer will voluntarily conserve water.
Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert already have similar ordinances implemented. Prior to the ordinance being brought to Council, officials plan to seek feedback from stakeholders. (Source)