Phoenix City Council cites move as part of ‘sustainable desert development policy’
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Phoenix City Council has approved a water conservation ordinance, officials at City Hall say, is geared toward large water users.
Citing the new measure as a component of ‘Sustainable Desert Development Policy’ officials at City Hall say the efforts is in concert with years of strategic planning at the City Council level.
“Passing our new large water user ordinance is another important milestone in our longstanding commitment to a comprehensive approach to protect our water resources,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a prepared statement.
“This new policy will ensure we are balancing our economic development priorities with the critical need to secure our water supply for generations to come. Phoenix will continue to lead the way both in policy and practice to ensure we sustain our most precious resource.”
City Hall officials report the new ordinance places additional requirements on new projects expected to use more than 250,000 gallons of water per day.
Those new large water users must submit a water conservation plan that is approved by the Phoenix Water Services Department, according to a press release published at the city’s website.
Any new users projected to use more than 500,000 gallons per day must submit a conservation plan, meet at least 30% of their consumptive water demand with recycled or conserved water, and fit within the city’s existing Water Resource Portfolio, city officials say.
