ABQ takes up water conservation
Water conservation is on the Albuquerque City Council agenda Monday night. A bill by Councilor Michael Cadigan would amend current City ordinance.
If passed, it would impose new water conservation measures to reduce per capita water consumption and irrigation water usage. In addition to eliminating certain sections of City ordinance that became irrelevant when the Water Utility Board was created, the bill would change how the City penalizes those who overuse, or “waste,” water.
When the City was in charge of water bills, penalties were simply added to one’s water bill. Now that the Water Utility Authority has control over water bills the amended ordinance would make water wasters subject to civil fines by the city. It also requires restaurants to only serve water when requested by customers. In other words, don’t expect waiters to automatically bring water to the table if this bill is adopted.
The bill provides extensive guidance for landscaping and irrigation in the city, for both city owned and non-city owned property.
According to information on the Water Utility Authority’s website, 40 percent of Albuquerque’s drinking water is used on yards every year. This bill emphasizes the use of low-water plants, and restricts the use of high water turf. It also prohibits a property owners association from preventing water conservation measures by individual property owners, or from mandating the use of high water turf that conflicts with City ordinance. All City-owned buildings would also be required to contain low-flow toilets by the end of 2009.
Additionally, non-City owned non-residential buildings are to be transitioned to low-flow toilets by the end of 2011. Low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons or less per flush, versus 3.5 gallons or more used in older models.
According to the Water Use and Conservation Bureau of the New Mexico of the State Engineer, “Replacing an old water-wasting toilet with a new ultra-low-flow toilet is one of the best water conservation moves you’ll ever make."
In addition to City water conservation requirements, the ABC Water Utility Authority regulates the use of water. Go to their website here to learn about regulations affecting the watering of yards. They also have both an indoor and outdoor rebate program to encourage the transition from high-water usage to low-water use.
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