Action: Ef_H20CsvnOrd
Date:
ACTION PLAN DETAIL SHEET
Action Full Name: Water Conservation Ordinance
_10/15/10___ Work Group: _____
Recommended Action: Water conservation ordinance
Action Overview
Interrelationships:
 Related Actions from other groups which this Action could contribute to: “Waste Water Treatment Plant
Methane”, “Shower Heads”, “Toilets”, Faucets, “Clothes washers”, “Dish washers”
 The City of Durango Water Commission, The Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District, Florida Water
Conservancy District, La Plata Water Conservancy District, Pine River Water District, Southwestern Water
Conservancy District
 The City of Durango:
o Water-efficient landscape ordinance
o Water-efficient fixtures at City facilities
 La Plata Comprehensive Plan:
Support investment in adequate and sustainable water resources for social, environmental, and economic
purposes.
a) Educate the community about practicing efficient water distribution and irrigation
techniques without compromising water rights.
b) Advocate for legislation to create agricultural water-banking to protect water rights
and promote conservation.
c) Promote the use of water harvesting, gray water systems, and reclaimed water, and
increase the use of permeable surfaces.
Goal/Effect:
Urban water supplies require energy to transport, treat, distribute and treat wastewater. Water pumping, purification
and wastewater treatment can represent a large portion of municipal energy. More conservative water ordinances
could help in reducing pollutants and GHG emissions associated with electricity generation within and outside of the
county.
Strategies: (high level activities/steps/tasks to implement the Action)
1. Establish countywide water conservancy ordinances that may relate to some of these measures:
o Water-efficient landscape ordinance (already in existence in Durango)
o Water-efficient fixtures at City facilities (already in existence in Durango)
o Increase water-efficient irrigation systems for agricultural practices
o Increase wastewater treatment efficiency measures
o Increase the use and development of water harvesting, gray water systems, and reclaimed water
o Increase the use of permeable surfaces in residential and commercial development
2. Countywide education/awareness building outreach campaign to inform community on water issues and
conservancy measures mentioned above
o Establish collaborative effort between City, County, environmental groups, non-profit, schools and
organizations create ways to engage community and encourage water conservation measures and
methods.
3. Publicize and market collateral benefits associated with water conservation ordinance
4. Local government to draft ordinance, mandate, incentives or disincentives to implement water conservation
ordinance
5. Create program to give awards to recognize businesses and industry demonstrating leadership in water
conservation.
Page 1 of 4
File: Ef_H20CsvnOrd.pdf
Action: Ef_H20CsvnOrd
ACTION PLAN DETAIL SHEET
Action Full Name: Water Conservation Ordinance
6. City and County to build greater regional partnerships with water conservancy districts and communities
sharing water sources/resources.
Coverage All residents, business and industry within La Plata County
Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibility (who/what agency would need to implement this Action): Joint Collaborative Effort between The
County, The City of Durango Water Commission, The Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District, Florida Water
Conservancy District, La Plata Water Conservancy District, Pine River Water District, Southwestern Water
Conservancy District
Coordination/Support Required to Implement Action Plan:
Entity / Function
Name
Phone
Email
4CORE
Aileen Tracy
(970)
2591916
aileen@fourcore.org
The City of
Durango Water
Commission
ChristinaThompson,
Council liaison
The Animas-La
Plata Water
Conservation
District
Florida Water
Conservancy
District
La Plata Water
Conservancy
District
Southwestern
Water
Conservancy
District
Board of County
Commissioners
Robert Wolff,
Presiden
Contact person
unknown
Contact person
unknown
John Porter,
President,
Montezuma County
ChristinaThompson@ci.durango.co.us
9703754800
(970)
2472659
(970)
2475332
(970)
5882280
(970)
2471302
iwater@frontier.net
info@waterinfo.org
Wally White, Kellie
Hotter, Joelle Riddle
Planning
Commission Board Erick J. Aune –
Planning Director
The City of
Durango
Date
contacted
to discuss
feasibility
of action
plan and
response
2-22-10
Ron LeBlanc
P: 9703826263
F: 9703826259
970375-
citymgr@ci.durango.co.us
Page 2 of 4
File: Ef_H20CsvnOrd.pdf
Action: Ef_H20CsvnOrd
ACTION PLAN DETAIL SHEET
Action Full Name: Water Conservation Ordinance
City of Durango,
Dept. of
Sustainable
Services/Solid
Waste Division
City of Durango,
Wastewater
Treatment
City of Durango,
City Council
Mark Williams
La Plata County
Sustainability
Coordinator
Walt Serfoss
John Sandhaus
Michael Rendon
5005
9703754830
9703754895
9703755001
9703826417
williamsml@ci.durango.co.us
sandhausjh@ci.durango.co.us
Michael_Rendon@ci.durango.co.u
s
serfosswa@co.laplata.co.us
Implementation Opportunities, Barriers and Strategies
Educational (Training/Awareness) Strategies: Targeted outreach to all community members within La Plata
County with specific demographic targeted outreach to business, industry, governmental buildings/offices, schools
and residents
o Collaboration between County, City of Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio, Water Conservancy boards and
environmental groups (sharing resources, best practices and joint efforts).
Implementation Mechanisms: (Law/Policy/Code Changes; Incentives (Economic, Payments, Market, nonmonetary); Livelihood and Business Opportunities; Other (explain). Provide specifics):
Law/Policy/Code Change:
o Planning Commission Board initiated
Incentives: local government initiated
o City-based incentives for residential/commercial water conservation
o Competition/award program awarding residential/commercial business demonstrating water conservation
Disincentives: local government initiated
o Disincentives in form of tax or extra costs for water usage beyond conservation measures
Potential Barriers to Consensus and Suggested Alternative Solutions:
Business/industry may resist consensus if they are unaware of short-term and long-term benefits:
o Educational outreach, countywide awareness building and education on collateral benefits. Hands-on training
on how to implement ordinances.
Business/industry may see water conservancy ordinances and measures as too costly:
o Outreach to educate on long-term and short-term benefits, develop methods of receiving/retaining ‘low
hanging fruit’ associated with action and collateral benefits to business and community
Potential Implementation Barriers and Suggestions to Overcome Barriers:
Business/industry may not have capacity to incorporate more water conserving measures into practice:
o Costs of implementation
Page 3 of 4
File: Ef_H20CsvnOrd.pdf
Action: Ef_H20CsvnOrd
ACTION PLAN DETAIL SHEET
Action Full Name: Water Conservation Ordinance
Suggested Funding Mechanism:
o City/County needs to be able to fund, create and promote programs and activities that will help inform
and show people how to implement more water conserving measures. A countywide campaign to educate
on how to implement the different water conservation ordinances.
o City/County needs to be able to access State and Federal money to support initiative. Allocate grants and
State rebates for water conservancy measures
Collateral Benefits: Lowered GHG emissions, more community collaboration, new jobs related to education
outreach and energy efficiency implementation, stronger business relations, increase in business development
Precedent(s) of Successful Implementation
Example/Story of Successful Precedent of Implementation (if available):
Glens Falls, NY replaced aeration blowers at its wastewater treatment plant, saving 2 million kWh and $168,000 a year,
for a two-year payback time.
For more information see: www.nyserda.org/programs/Technical_Assistance/Success/Glens_Falls_WWTP.pdf
A study of five wastewater pumps in Rensselaer County, NY found that replacing them could save 737,000 kWh a year,
with payback times between two and six years. The sewer district is in the process of replacing them.
For more Information see: www.nyserda.org/programs/Technical_Assistance/Success/RCSewerDistrict.pdf
Page 4 of 4
File: Ef_H20CsvnOrd.pdf