HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 12/7/2021 - Memorandum From Liesel Hans Re: November 23, 2021 Work Session Summary - Exploring A Local Graywater Ordinance
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
970.212.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: November 29, 2021
TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers
FROM: Liesel Hans, Interim Utilities Deputy Director
THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Theresa Connor, Interim Utilities Executive Director
RE: November 23, 2021 Work Session Summary Exploring a Local Graywater
Ordinance
The purpose of this item was to seek Council feedback on the proposed approach for a local
graywater ordinance, which is necessary to enable installation of graywater systems. Staff
proposed creating an enabling ordinance to allow graywater systems for toilet/urinal flushing in
the portion of the City within both the Fort Collins Utilities water and wastewater service areas.
Feedback:
Overall: All Councilmembers expressed support for creation of a local graywater ordinance.
Specific:
The discussion covered Colorado water law issues, our own water rights constraints, how
the other water districts might be affected, and issues like return flows and consumptive
vs. non-consumptive use.
Several Councilmembers indicated desire to have graywater be allow across the entire
city, not just within the Utilities service areas. They indicated support to collaborate with
the other water and wastewater districts and, if districts are not comfortable participating
at this time, to create the ordinance with flexibility to easily add these geographical areas
in later.
Staff clarified the types of systems that would be allowed, indicating that sink-toilet
combination fixtures would not be eligible under the state regulations.
Several Councilmembers commented about whether graywater was the best place to put
staff time and resources in terms of water conservation outcomes.
One Councilmember asked if there is risk if we create an ordinance before Regulation 86
is updated and staff relayed that there could be some risk if the state makes Regulation 86
more stringent.
One Councilmember asked about potential impacts to return flows. Staff collaborated
with Colorado State University in 2014 on a study to assess this very issue and staff will
revisit that research and provide an update when an ordinance is brought for Council
consideration.
Council suggested to explore what would encourage folks to install graywater systems as
part of the stakeholder engagement process.
Next Steps:
Follow up memo: Staff will provide broader information about the Water Efficiency Plan
goal, current progress toward that goal, discussion of creating a more ambitious goal, and
information about some of the key water conservation and efficiency programs like toilet
replacements, irrigation management, and xeriscape.
Project timeline:
o Q1 2022: Draft ordinance and other related documents
o Q2 2022: Internal and external stakeholder engagement, including Boards and
Commissions
o Q3 2022: Bring ordinance to Council for consideration