HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 9/24/2019 - Memorandum From Susan Strong Re: Overview Of The Soil Amendment Program And The Wasting Water ProgramUtilities
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700 Wood Street
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6700
970.221.6619 – fax
970.224.6003 – TDD
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: September 18, 2019
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
FROM: Susan Strong, Sr. Environmental Regulatory Specialist
RE: Overview of the Soil Amendment Program and the Wasting Water Program
BOTTOM LINE
The Soil Amendment Program, initially adopted in 1997 and expanded in 2003, requires all
new development and redevelopment to amend new landscaped areas with a certain amount
of organic soil and requires certain materials and procedures be applied in order to attain a
Certificate of Occupancy in the building permit process. The primary goal of the program is
to promote water efficient community landscapes.
The Program is managed by Utilities and averages about 670 certifications of soil
amendment annually. The estimated cost per typical residential lot vegetating 3,000 to 5,000
square feet is between $850 - $2100.
While not specifically related to soil amendments, the Wasting Water Program also prohibits
wasteful practices and encourages water conservation through education and collaboration.
In 2018, staff responded to 56 wasting water events.
DISCUSSION
Soil Amendment Program Overview
In 1997, City Council added provisions to Municipal Code and Land Use Code requiring new
landscaped areas to be amended with three cubic yards of organic soil amendment per 1,000
square feet. In 2003, Ordinance 84-2003 expanded the program to apply to all new development
and redevelopment, including residential. City Code includes procedures regarding how to
incorporate the amendment into the soil, proper soil amendment material, and the process for
enforcement. These requirements are a condition to attain a Certificate of Occupancy in the
building permitting process.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 978CA35E-A542-41C7-BACD-762F62BB4D43
Soil amendments are added to the soil to improve its physical properties such as water retention,
permeability, water infiltration, aeration, and structure. Soil amendments improve the texture and
water-holding capacity of the soil to promote plant growth that requires less frequent watering.
Since 2003, Utilities has been managing the soil amendment requirements. The party responsible
for meeting soil amendment requirements must certify and provide documentation (e.g. receipts)
that the soil has been amended. Most certifications are typically accepted as submitted and are
only pursued when the submitted certifications and/or proof are in question. When these
materials indicate that the soil may not have been amended per the requirements, erosion control
inspectors follow up to verify or task the responsible party with any needed corrections.
Soil Amendment Program Statistics
Soil amendment certificates have been tracked in a database since 2012:
239 certificates have been collected in 2019 YTD
The current 5-year annual average is 670 soil amendment certifications.
The estimated cost per typical residential lot vegetating 3,000 to 5,000 square feet is
between $850 - $2100.
Soil Amendments and Water Use
By reducing the amount of watering needed to support healthy plant growth, the soil amendment
program is one tool in a toolbox of programs and requirements designed to support wise use of
water resources.
While not specifically related to the soil amendments, Municipal Code related to wasting water
is another tool to promote efficient water use.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 978CA35E-A542-41C7-BACD-762F62BB4D43
Wasting Water Program Overview
Municipal Code has prohibited wasting water since approximately 1917, although Code has been
updated several times since then, most recently in 2014 with the passing of Ordinance 089, 2014.
Wasting water includes water that is pooling or running down streets and other impervious
surfaces, outdoor leaks or broken components, use of a hose without a hand-activated nozzle.
Since 1977, Utilities has had a water conservation officer to enforce the wasting water code.
Enforcement is conducted as a complaint-based program with emphasis on education and
collaboration with customers to promote wise and efficient use of water. Community members
can report events via a Saving Water hotline, online form, direct communication with Utilities
staff, and Access Fort Collins.
Once verified, staff attempts to identify the responsible party and/or the irrigation system
contractor. Staff explains the code and conveys the urgency of the matter to prevent future water
waste. Typically, these infractions are resolved within a 24-hour period. Although fines could be
issued, the practice has been to first issue warnings; prosecution has never been pursued.
The water wasting program is currently managed by one staff member. Recent annual incident
responses include:
2017 - 71 events
2018 - 56 events
2019 YTD - 48 events
CC: Carol Webb, Utilities Deputy Director
Theresa Connor, Utilities Deputy Director
Lisa Rosintoski, Utilities Deputy Director, Customer Connections
Matt Zoccali, Environmental Regulatory Affairs Manager
Liesel Hans, Water Conservation Manager
DocuSign Envelope ID: 978CA35E-A542-41C7-BACD-762F62BB4D43