Chapter 13.55
WATER CONSERVATION AND PLUMBING REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
13.55.020 Outdoor water conservation requirements.
13.55.030 Educational programs and demonstration projects.
13.55.040 Plumbing requirements.
Prior legislation: Ord. 94-001.
13.55.010 Purpose and intent.
A. The town council recognizes that the continuing use of the limited water resources within this region will have an impact upon both the groundwater and surface water resources of this region, and in particular upon the viability of the San Pedro River. The town and its residents further recognize that they have an obligation to use and to manage these water resources wisely and in a manner that will sustain these resources for future generations. Prudent use of the available water resources is necessary to protect the health, safety and well-being of this community and to avoid potential conflicts with applicable federal law.
B. This chapter is intended to apply on a multi-faceted basis to fulfill these purposes. It includes elements that are intended to limit the impacts of new and additional water uses in this area in a reasonable manner, to apply appropriate regulations that will improve the efficiency of new and remodeled facilities and to encourage the residents of the town to engage in conservation practices. (Ord. 14-08 § 1, 2014; prior code § 16-12-1)
13.55.020 Outdoor water conservation requirements.
A. Site plans, as required for a commercial or multi-family project, subdivision improvement plans and master development plans, shall include a description of and quantification of the proposed net water usage for all new artificial water features such as ponds, lakes, water courses, fountains and any other decorative water features. Any such features with more than a de minimis net water consumption of water other than harvested rainwater, shall not be approved unless they will fulfill some additional necessary purpose, such as the management or collection of water runoff, stormwater or recharge, and the developer demonstrates how any such feature will be consistent with the purpose and intent of this conservation chapter.
B. Site plans, as required for a commercial or multi-family project, subdivision improvement plans and master development plans, shall include a specific description of the landscaping plan with the locations of the species to be planted, the irrigation plan and an estimation of the proposed water usage for all proposed areas of turf and other irrigated vegetation. For subdivisions and multi-family projects, this analysis shall also include the estimated areas for all common and park space and for all residential yards that are not restricted to low water use vegetation. The developer shall demonstrate how any such proposed irrigation usage will be consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter. Irrigated turf shall not be allowed in new commercial development.
C. If a subdivision developer provides one or more model homes with any landscaping or yard improvements, at least one of any such model units shall include low water use, xeriscape-type landscaping as an option. If developer or builder-provided landscaping is offered to the buyer of a new home, low water use, xeriscape-type landscaping shall be included as one of the available options.
D. All new outdoor swimming pools and spas shall be equipped with a cover which shall be used when the pool or spa is not occupied to limit water loss due to evaporation.
E. New golf courses shall only be permitted upon a demonstration by the developer that the proposed course has been designed and will be maintained in a manner that is consistent with the best available low water use designs and practices; that treated effluent will be used to the fullest extent that it is available; that any ponds, lakes and artificial water features will only be used as a necessary component for water reclamation or re-use, recharge or stormwater control; that the course design will result in as little impact upon the natural topography and native vegetation as may be reasonably possible; and that the proposed course would be beneficial to the community and consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter. Irrigated turf areas for golf courses shall not exceed an average of five acres per hole.
F. Water-impermeable ground covers or barriers, such as plastic, shall not be used on or under landscaping, mulch, or rock, unless the barrier is included as a component of an approved water collection or stormwater management plan. Permeable weed barriers are acceptable.
G. Landscaping and irrigated vegetation shall be installed and maintained in a manner that is consistent with the approved site plans for the project. All exposed soil shall be covered with not less than two inches of mulch material. Irrigation systems shall be installed with 30-day scheduling capacity and with rainfall shutoff devices which interrupt the delivery of irrigation water when effective rainfall is present. Irrigation systems shall be designed and installed to avoid runoff and overspray during operation.
H. Vegetation and landscaping within street medians, parking areas, common areas, conservation areas and open space areas shall meet the following requirements:
1. Irrigated turf shall only be allowed in common areas that are available for public use.
2. Irrigated turf shall not be allowed in areas that are eight feet wide or less.
3. Irrigated turf and high-water-use plants shall not be allowed on slopes that exceed 25 percent.
4. Irrigation systems on commercial property or commercially managed multi-family residential property shall include timers and rain sensors and shall be designed and managed to limit unnecessary runoff. (Ord. 14-08 § 1, 2014; prior code § 16-12-2)
13.55.030 Educational programs and demonstration projects.
A. The town shall support and implement, subject to the availability of funds, educational and demonstration programs to assist the residents of this community in reducing their usage of water. This may include, but shall not be limited to, programs to encourage the members of the public to avoid wasting water resources through such activities as the following:
1. Using alternative means, other than water, to clear off parking lots, driveways, sidewalks or other public spaces, except as may be necessary to alleviate an immediate health or safety concern;
2. Conducting outdoor irrigation in a manner and at a time that increases efficiency and limits the use of water;
3. Developing recommended lists and educational information on low-water-use trees and other plants that are well adapted to this area, and discouraging the use of plants that have high water demands;
4. Limiting the use of excessive or unnecessary amounts of water for consumption at public or private eating establishments; or
5. Otherwise using water resources in a more efficient manner.
B. The town will investigate and encourage various means of implementing successful water harvesting and conservation programs from other jurisdictions, including the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Water Wise program. The town will also investigate and implement, subject to the availability of any necessary funds, the means to provide water conservation and wise water use practices on the town’s public property, such as water harvesting and the more effective use of stormwater runoff.
C. The builder or developer of a new residential project shall provide the first owner/occupant with an operating manual that includes specific instruction for the efficient use, operation, and maintenance of all water consumptive appliances, irrigation and water delivery systems, pools and spas, as applicable.
D. If an irrigation system is installed, the builder shall provide the single-family homeowner and/or commercial site owners with an “as-built” drawing (i.e., schematic) of the system, an itemized list of irrigation components, copies of the irrigation schedules, and instructions on how to reprogram the schedule after the landscaping is established. (Ord. 14-08 § 1, 2014; prior code § 16-12-3)
13.55.040 Plumbing requirements.
The following water saving requirements are intended to be applied in connection with the provisions of the adopted plumbing code and shall be applicable to all new construction and to that portion of any remodeled or retrofitted commercial construction which includes any substantial replacement or remodeling of the systems or fixtures described in this chapter.
A. Plumbing Standards.
1. Hot water pipes, including those in any recirculation system, shall be insulated with a minimum thermal resistance (R-value) of R-4.
2. Hot water systems shall be designed and shall include such components as may be necessary to deliver hot water at each demand point with no more than 0.6 gallons (2.3 liters) of water delivered prior to the delivery of hot water.
3. All new single-family residential construction shall include plumbing features that will be readily adaptable, accessible, and clearly marked to allow for the optional use of the “gray water” (aka “greywater”) to be produced by the residents, to be used as a source for outdoor irrigation, in the manner allowed by applicable law.
4. Water service pressure at the point of delivery for residential occupancies shall not exceed 60 pounds per square inch (psi). The building inspector is authorized to allow exceptions where circumstances beyond the control of the property owner may require a higher limit.
B. Plumbing Fixture Standards. Except as otherwise noted, the following designated plumbing fixtures and appliances shall either be “WaterSense” labeled fixtures, or shall meet or exceed the water conservation standard established for these types of fixtures through the WaterSense program. “WaterSense” is a program established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which, among other matters, establishes criteria for water-efficient plumbing fixtures and maintains listings through the EPA website of the designated criteria and approved fixtures. For proposed fixtures or appliances which do not include the WaterSense label, the property owner or contractor shall have the obligation of demonstrating that the proposed fixture meets or exceeds these requirements. (Where flow rates are provided in parentheses, these represent maximums at the time of the adoption of this chapter, but may be subject to change as the WaterSense program efficiencies are improved.)
1. Toilets (1.28 gallons per flush (gpf)).
2. Flushing urinals (only for custodial cleaning) or non-water-using units.
3. Bathroom sink faucets and faucet accessories (1.5 gpm).
4. Kitchen sink faucets and accessories (2.2 gpm maximum).
5. Showerheads, single units. For shower compartments with multiple outlet units, including body sprays, rain systems, waterfalls, and jets, the total flow rate of water from all such outlets into the compartment shall not exceed 2.0 gpm.
6. Residential clothes washers, Energy Star qualified with a water factor equal or less than 6.0 gallons of water per cycle per cubic foot of capacity.
7. Commercial laundry facilities, including for-fee washing machines available to the public or residents of a multi-family housing development, Energy Star qualified with a water factor of 4.5 gallons per cubic foot of capacity or less.
8. Evaporative cooling systems for single-family residences shall use a maximum of 3.5 gallons (13.3 liters) of water per ton-hour cooling, when adjusted to maximum water use.
9. Water softener systems shall be certified to meet the standards of NSF/ANSI 44.
10. Drinking water treatment systems must be certified to yield at least 85 gallons of treated water for each 100 gallons of water processed.
C. Prohibited Plumbing Fixtures. The following designated types of plumbing fixtures and systems shall not be permitted in connection with any new or remodeled commercial or multi-family building or other facility. For purposes of this subsection, a “remodeled commercial or multi-family building or facility” would include any such structure or improvement in which these designated types of plumbing fixtures and systems were not already in place.
1. Outdoor air-cooling misters which release water or water vapor, reducing the apparent ambient temperature in that location.
2. Commercial car washing facilities, including dealerships, which do not include systems which recycle a minimum of 75 percent of the water used in the system.
3. Watering or irrigation systems that do not include rainfall shutoff devices, or other mechanisms that reduce or interrupt the delivery of water during effective rain events. (Ord. 14-08 § 1, 2014; prior code § 16-12-4)