Santa Monica’s New Water Ordinance
A Water Neutrality Ordinance will go into effect on July 1 in Santa Monica, Calif.
This ordinance was made last May 9 in an effort to achieve water self-sufficiency by 2020, through water conservation and a diversity of water supplies.
The ordinance will cap water use for developments to the historical five-year average for individual sites. Keeping water usage at this level will help the community manage limited groundwater supplies and the effect of climate change. Santa Monica intends to increase water conservation and maximize alternative water supplies to obtain water self-sufficiency, in response to residents’ concern about water use in new developments.
For example, if a proposed mixed-use development is projected to use 400,000 gallons of water a year and the historical use on the site is 150,000 gallons a year, the new development would need to offset 250,000 gallons each year, according to the press release from the city’s public information department.
Projects in plan or that have received building permits before June 30 are not required to comply with the new ordinance. This law applies only to new residential and commercial developments, new or enlarged pools, spas, water features, and ponds. New developments include new buildings with plumbing fixtures, and existing buildings with plumbing fixtures that demolish 50 percent or more of the exterior walls or structural supports. The ordinance does not apply to kitchen or bathroom remodels or minor renovations either.
The installation of water-efficient fixtures and systems on-site will help the community reach water neutrality. If the building doesn’t comply with the law, the additional water use will need to be offset at a different location in the community. Development applicants can install retrofits at their own costs in sites of their choice, or the city will provide a fee-based turnkey retrofit program.
New applicants will be educated about various water-saving devices and systems, including greywater systems, recirculating hot water systems, irrigation systems, and toilets, which will work toward achieving compliance. Fees will be charged for projects that offset water use, to cover the costs necessary to achieve the offsets.
Developments will be required to determine their projected water demand, using a calculator at sustainablesm.org/water, which will be available at the end of June. The calculator will show usage projects for different systems such as toilets, showers, landscaping, and water features.
Source: http://www.plumbingengineer.com/content/santa-monica-water-neutrality-ordinance-take-effect-july%E2%80%8B