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Scotts Valley just made it a little tougher to waste clean water.
Scotts Valley just made it a little tougher to waste clean water.
The City Council added to the city’s Green Building Ordinance by requiring all new construction and remodeling projects larger than 500 square feet to install high-efficiency water-saving fixtures.
The three additions to the ordinance are:
- All new commercial construction projects must install high-efficiency fixtures and “rough plumb” dual piping to use recycled water when it becomes available in toilet fixtures and for landscaping.
- All new residential construction must install only high-efficiency toilets.
- All residential, commercial and industrial remodels larger than 500 square feet must install high-efficiency fixtures in the area being remodeled.
The purpose of dual piping is to prepare commercial buildings to use recycled water in toilets once the Scotts Valley Water District is allowed to distribute it.
The district is applying for an updated recycled water permit that would allow it to distribute recycled water to toilets in commercial buildings, including hotels and apartments. Currently, the district can only distribute recycled water for irrigation or send it out to sea.
The cost of buying water-saving fixtures is getting lower, thanks to rebate programs from the district. Rebates for toilets, urinals and washing machines also help make it less expensive to purchase the fixtures.
The district is also preparing to launch a landscape rebate program that will reward Scotts Valley water customers with credit on their water bills for making upgrades.
Customers who purchase district-approved weather-based or sensor-based irrigation controllers, replace their lawn with artificial grass or install a qualifying water cistern can receive credit on their bill.
A public hearing regarding the conservation program will be Oct. 9 at the district board of directors meeting.
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