Sterling 1996 WC Plan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: City of Sterling Water Conservation Plan
• Title: Water Conservation Plan
• Date: 6/21/1996
• County: Logan
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

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STERLING WATER CONSERVATION PLAN

MAY 28, 1996

The State does require a permit for the installation of a sprinkler system, with a follow-
up inspection. However, the inspection deals only with safety issues, such as backflow
prevention, and not with quality of installation as related to water-efficiency.

Measure Be - Reauire installation of low-flow showerheads. toilets and low-flow
faucet aerators at time of Buildina Pennit for remodelina: If selected the following
should be considered: Public acceptance could be low, especially if the remodel was
minor. It could encourage people to not get Building Permits. The cost of a ultra-low
volume toilet may be a hardship for some. Also, it may not seem environmentally
responsible to replace wor1<ing toilets, without having a recyding program for them.

Measure Sf - Develol) code amendments oermittill<l use of arevwater from
bathtubs. showers and bathroom and kitchen sinks for irriaation: This is not illegal
in Colorado, but it was deemed that the public is not ready for using greywater. If
selected, further research and study is needed before modifying the City Code.

Measure Sa - Adopt a more strinaent water waste ordinance: If selected, further
research and study is needed before modifying the City Code.

Measure Sh - Mandate soil preparation with buildina oermits: Bring about the
increased improvement of soils with organic matter by, (a) requiring the practice in
conjunction with new development, or (b) offering a rebate. The addition of organic
matter to our high-day soils improves their infiltration rates and water-holding capacity.
Additionally, it improves the fertility and structure of the soil. All of this results in less
water runoff and improved plant health. Because of the improved plant health, people
are less likely to unwittingly apply excess water. The City of Aurora, Colorado, and
several California communities require soil amendments. The typical requirement is for
3 cubic yards of organic matter (usually defined as compost, peat moss, aged manures,
or aged sawdust) per 1000 square feet of planted landscape area.

After speaking with staff at the City of Aurora where this program was in place for many
years, it does not seem feasible to pursue. Aurora said it is almost impossible to
require this and inspect to make sure it is carried out. It would take too much staff time
to follow-up on every single-family home. They gave up on it and no longer require soil
amendment. Also, many landscapers already prepare the soil with organic matter.
Encouraging use of soil preparation could be induded in the public education program.

Measure 81 - Develop landscapinG desiGn reGuirements for new development: The
- - - - - - - - -C-ity of Aurora -has--a-Iimitation-on- the amount -ef-Iandscaping-that -ean-be--p/anted-to- - .
Kentucky bluegrass turf. For example, the limit is 3200 square feet of bluegrass for a
6,000 square foot lot, and for a 9,000 square foot lot the limit is 3,800 square feet. An
exemption is avaUabte if lower v..'Ster-requtring grass is used, incfuding taU fescue. This
is regulated through a process that requires the homeowner to submit a landscape plan
with the intended turfgrass area shown, in order to obtain a lawn permit.

Measure 8i - Reauire rain shutoff devices on automatic sprinkler sYStems with
sprinkler oermits: New time docks have an automatic rain shutoff. The City could
encourage people to get rain shutoffs for older systems.

Measure 8k - Enact mandatory lawn waterina restrictions: The same lawn watering
restrictions presented to the public as being voluntary, can be mandated by ordinance.
Mandatory restrictions would have the same type of effects as described above for

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