Chapter 17.88 — WATER CONSERVATION

This chapter is intended to encourage all residential developers, where more than four residential units are to be built or substantially renovated, and all commercial/industrial developers to design their projects to maximize water conservation within their projects. (Prior code § 9775)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words or phrases shall be defined as follows:

"Hydrozone" means a portion of a landscaped area having plants with similar water needs, that are served by a sprinkler valve or set of sprinkler valves, with the same watering schedules.

"Infiltration rate" means the rate of water entry into the soil expressed as a measure of the depth of water units over time (inches per hour).

"Overspray" means the water which is delivered beyond the landscaped areas wetting nonlandscaped areas or hydrazones not intended to be watered by the irrigation system being utilized.

"Recycled water" means reclaimed or treated water, sewage effluent water which has been rendered suitable for nonpotable use for landscape irrigation or industrial uses. Such water is not for human consumption.

"Runoff" means water which is not absorbed by the soil or landscape to which it is applied and flows from the area.

"Turf" means a surface layer of earth containing mowed grass and its roots. (Prior code § 9776)

All landscaping shall be designed to fully comply with the provisions of this title. Wherever possible, landscaping and irrigation systems shall also be designed to encourage water conservation. Conservation measures should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

• A. Limiting turf areas on project sites subject to city review and approval;

• B. Design of all irrigation systems to ensure that proper water infiltration will occur based on soil and grading conditions;

• C. Design of all irrigation systems to ensure they will supply needed quantities of water only and that these systems are fine-tuned to avoid use of unneeded water as well as avoiding overspray and runoff;

• D. Where appropriate, developers should provide planters and planted areas which incorporate drought-tolerant groundcovers, shrubs and trees;

• E. Where appropriate, developers should plant fast-growing, broad head trees (which shall be 24 inch box-size trees or greater at the time of their planting) in order to provide shading and to reduce evaporation;

• F. Where appropriate, planting should be grouped into hydrazones to maximize the efficiency of the irrigation system;

• G. The city water conservation design strategy guidelines heretofore adopted include a list of drought-tolerant trees, shrubs and groundcovers which shall be used as reference material for developers when designing landscape/irrigation plans.

• (Prior code §§ 9777, 9778)