Support City Council's water conservation efforts and urge them to get rid of turf in front of businesses too

"Nonfunctional" grass along Speedway east of Craycroft Road, an example provided by Tucson City Councilman Kevin Dahl's office. Courtesy of Shannon Jenkins

Water conservation measures on tap - Tucson.com  by Tony Davis Oct 22, 2022 
Here are the water conservation actions the Tucson City Council took at its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 18.

All were unanimously approved measures directing Tucson Water to return with formal proposals later.

1) The council wants staff to produce in 90 days a proposed ban on ornamental, "nonfunctional" grass in new developments, mainly those for businesses and multi-family housing. The council also wants a plan to phase out such turf in existing developments.

2) In six months, the staff is supposed to produce a new rate structure for businesses in which they would pay higher rates as their water use rose — a system already in effect for single-family homeowners.

3) The council set a January public hearing on a proposal to raise everyone's water rates by 5.5% annually from fiscal year 2023-24 through fiscal year 2026-27.

4) Tucson Water will return in six months with proposed ordinances requiring low-water-use fixtures and separate irrigation meters for new businesses and apartment complexes.

5) The utility will also develop an ordinance mandating rainwater harvesting or other forms of "green infrastructure" in new subdivisions. Tucson Water says it could take up to two years to develop such an ordinance but that it will try to move faster.

6) In six months, Tucson Water will produce a detailed analysis of a "net zero" plan that would require all new development to show that it will reduce someone else's water use so the new development won't increase the utility's total use.

Ornamental grass may be banned in areas:

https://arizonadailystar-az.newsmemory.com/?publink=079fd4a2f_1348683

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Yes! Its about time! We really need to get rid of all the unnecessary turf in front of businesses too. Please, contact your City Council members to show support and to urge them to get rid of turf in front of businesses.

Mayor Regina Romero Mayor.Romero@tucsonaz.gov or (520) 791-4201

Ward 1 Council Member Lane Santa Cruz ward1@tucsonaz.gov or (520) 791-4040

Ward 2 Council Member Paul Cunningham ward2@tucsonaz.gov or (520) 791-4687

Ward 3 Council Member Kevin Dahl ward3@tucsonaz.gov or (520) 791-4711

Ward 4 Council Member Nikki Lee ward4@tucsonaz.gov or (520) 791-3199

Ward 5 Council Member Richard Fimbres ward5@tucsonaz.gov or (520) 791-4231

Ward 6 Council Member Steve Kozachik ward6@tucsonaz.gov or (520) 791-4601