Tucson cuts large water-user review threshold to 8,500 CCF

Tucson cuts large water-user review threshold to 8,500 CCFTucson Mayor and Council approved revisions to its Large Quantity Water User Ordinance in a 4-3 vote, reducing the trigger for council scrutiny from 10,000 to 8,500 CCF per month. The city will return within 120 days with options for requiring conservation plans from users at 5,000 CCF per month and above.

The approved ordinance lowers the large-user threshold from 10,000 CCF to 8,500 CCF per month.

Council directed staff to return in 120 days with analysis of a 5,000-CCF trigger for water-conservation plans, comparable-city thresholds and water use by development type.

The future revisions are also to provide for notification to Mayor and Council when a large water user exceeds its threshold.

The staff-backed amendments close a multiple-meter loophole, make notices of noncompliance public records and allow a water-restricting device at a violator's expense after a second violation rather than a fourth.

Tucson Mayor and Council has reduced the monthly threshold at which major water users face the city’s Large Quantity Water User Ordinance, approving an 8,500-CCF trigger and ordering a further review of conservation-plan requirements for lower-volume users. The 4-3 decision on 22 September approves staff recommendations developed with the Large Quantity Water Users Ad Hoc Committee, while changing the ordinance’s former 10,000 CCF-per-month threshold. Council also directed Tucson Water staff to return within 120 days with proposed conforming language requiring a water-conservation plan for users at 5,000 CCF per month and above. That future report must analyse thresholds used in comparable cities, anticipated water use by differing development types, and thresholds that protect Tucson water resources while supporting the businesses and opportunities the city seeks to attract. It is also to address notification of Mayor and Council when a large user exceeds its threshold. Under the approach described by the city attorney, applicants above 8,500 CCF would continue to be reviewed by Mayor and Council. A conservation-plan process for users between 5,000 and 8,500 CCF could be overseen by the Tucson Water director. Applicants are required to show conservation efforts and water-use efficiency, although the form of those measures can differ among users such as hospitals and manufacturers. The ordinance amendments also strengthen enforcement and transparency. Councilmember Miranda Schubert said the revisions close a loophole that could allow users to employ multiple meters to avoid the threshold; make a director’s notice of noncompliance a public record; and allow the city to install a water-restricting device at a violator’s expense after a second violation, rather than a fourth. The public hearing drew calls from several speakers for a significantly lower threshold of 2,500 CCF per month, a 2:1 offset for consumptive water use, net-zero conservation measures, stronger reporting and a pause on new large-user applications during drought. Councilmember Kevin Dahl initially moved to lower the threshold to 5,000 CCF and require violations to be brought before Mayor and Council. His proposal was displaced by the substitute motion. Dahl, Paul Cunningham and Schubert voted against the final motion; Selina Barajas, Nikki Lee, Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz and Mayor Regina Romero voted in favour. Mayor Romero said Tucson should continue community engagement on water resources and large users. She supported conservation planning at 5,000 CCF while citing the need to retain flexibility for facilities including hospitals, colleges, schools, parks and recreation centres. Councilmember Lee said the 120-day process would allow the city to assess the implications of thresholds between 2,500 and 10,000 CCF before determining the next revisions.