Title
An Ordinance Creating a new Article 15 (Prohibition Against the Use of Graywater Within the City) of Chapter 6 (Neighborhood Vitality/Community Health) Prohibiting the Use of Graywater within the City
Presenter:
Lauren Swenson, Environmental Services Manager, Colorado Springs Utilities
Jenny Bishop, Engineer IV, Water Resource Planning, Colorado Springs Utilities
Travas Deal, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities
Body
Summary:
Colorado Springs Utilities recommends that City Council pass an ordinance prohibiting graywater use within the City to comply with the requirements of HB 24-1362.
Background:
To comply with HB 24-1362, City Council must either pass an ordinance prohibiting the use of graywater within the City and notify the Colorado Water Quality Control Division of the ordinance or amend the Regional Building Code to require both the installation of backflow prevention devices on graywater treatment systems and notification to Colorado Springs Utilities (Utilities) by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) of all graywater system installations within the City by January 1, 2026. The City and Utilities have not determined whether prohibiting graywater use is appropriate, and while the Regional Building Code requires backflow devices on graywater treatment systems, it does not include the notification requirement.
Coordination among Utilities, El Paso County, and PPRBD to determine whether the use of graywater should be allowed within the City and/or County is ongoing. Given the time needed to complete the ongoing coordination, Utilities believes it is most efficient for City Council to initially pass an ordinance prohibiting graywater use within the City and for Utilities and City to continue the coordination with El Paso County and PPRBD. This will allow time to evaluate a long-term strategy in collaboration with El Paso County and PPRBD, define roles and responsibilities across entities, and ensure consistent and effective regional implementation.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
Not pass an ordinance prohibiting graywater use and make the required changes to the Regional Building Code by January 1, 2026
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move approval of the proposed ordinance
Summary of Ordinance Language
This ordinance will prohibit the use of graywater and the installation of graywater treatment systems within the City.