WASHINGTON CITY — Members of the Washington City Council unanimously voted to approve changes to a recent ordinance pertaining to water conservation in current households and new developments.
While Wednesday’s vote received the approval of all council members, one month ago that was not the case.
Changes to an ordinance for “Implementing Regulations for Landscaping and Water Conservation for Developing Land” was previously discussed at a meeting on Sept. 27, but the discussion was tabled.
Jordan Hess, Washington City’s legislative affairs representative, said the proposed changes were needed to bring the city’s conservation regulations on par with Washington County Water Conservancy District regulations.
“Washington City’s current landscape ordinance meets most of the Water District’s standards but the following standards must be adopted in order for the city to be in full compliance,” Hess told the council.
In the September meeting, Councilman Craig Coats voiced his concerns that the city’s current ordinance was already one of Southern Utah’s strictest.
Washington County Water Conservancy District Water Manager Doug Bennett said most standards to be included in the county’s water rebate program are set by state legislators, not the water district.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Coats said both city leaders and county water managers worked through their concerns regarding the ordinance changes that were ultimately approved.
“I want to say thanks to everyone who took our suggestions and implemented them,” he said. “Going back to the board with Doug and the mayor, I really appreciate that.”
Councilman Kurt Ivie echoed sentiments expressed by Coats, telling those in attendance that “we appreciate to be heard.”
“It is great to have local partners that are cooperative, listen and work together to find meaningful solutions to move forward,” he said. “We had a concern, it was listened to — and we appreciate that.”
Before the changes were approved, the city’s code stated that an “irrigated lawn area must not exceed 8% of the lot square footage, up to a maximum of 1,500 square feet of grass (irrigated lawn area).”
Under the new ordinance, “lots less than 7,500 square feet are allowed up to 600 square feet of grass,” was added to the previous ordinance.
Other notable changes include:
- Grass is also prohibited within 10 feet of a roadway.
- Where lawns are allowed, spray irrigation may be used. All other plant material must be irrigated from a drip irrigation system equipped with a pressure regulator filter, flush-end assembly and emitters rated for 20 gallons per hour or less.
- Drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation may not be served from the same irrigation valve.
- Automated irrigation systems must use a U.S. EPA-approved WaterSense labeled smart controller or a similar weather-based controller.
- All planting beds must have mulch upon the soil surface with exceptions for areas being restored to appear as native desert.
Mayor Kress Staheli said the changes were needed in a time of growth and expansion to assist residents with future water concerns presently.
“The process works,” he said. “We hope that the result is an ordinance that we can be proud of and I think this one is … It allows us to continue our wonderful rebate program and lead across the state in water conservation and water policy.”
In a telephone interview with St. George News, Staheli said one of the main issues from the council was with “telling residents where they could plant grass.” As a board member of the conservancy district, he was also in several meetings where county water managers discussed this.
“The prohibition of grass within 10 feet of roadway will only apply to new businesses and not residential homes in the city,” Staheli said. “It was great to see both city and county officials working together. As a result, Washington City is the first city to commit to building the county’s most water-efficient homes and businesses.”
To read the full ordinance, click here to visit the Washington City government website.
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