Tony Davis Tucson Water will work this year to get water use reduced by nearly 8,000 households — almost half of them in the Catalina Foothills — that each consume more than 250% of an average household's annual use.But the utility is also evaluating the possibility and feasibility of imposing a"drought surcharge" on water bills. Probably in the next few months and definitely this year, its officials say they will provide surcharge options to the City Council.
Councilman Kevin Dahl, however, said the utility staff wasn't clear about the surcharges' purpose when they discussed the issue at last week's council meeting. For now,"we have no plans to do surcharges — not at this level of drought," he said. Forty-five percent of the letters went to residents of the Catalina Foothills, and including foothills residents, 62% went to households in unincorporated areas of Pima County that are Tucson Water customers, utility statistics show. City residents made up about 32% of the letter recipients. Most of the rest are households in Marana, Oro Valley and South Tucson. A total of three letters went to households on the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O'odham reservations.
At meetings of interest groups the city held to gauge public sentiment about a ban, there was little or no opposition voiced. Asked if he thinks that means people understand the nature of the water problem that would justify such a ban, MacAdam said"Yes." "A zanjero audit includes checking for excessive water consumption, measuring flow rates of shower heads and faucets, looking for special water uses such as spas, pools, or misting systems, and analyzing the efficiency of an irrigation system. During an audit, new low-flow fixtures, faucet aerators, or other water-saving devices may be provided," says a Tucson Water website.
The utility's current definition of significantly exceeding water use averages is more than 250% of average, but"that's definitely subject to change." If Mead falls below 1,025 feet at the end of a calendar year, federal officials are required under an earlier, regional drought plan to declare a Tier 3 shortage. If that happens, and water consumption in Tucson doesn't decrease due to measures taken in earlier drought tiers, the city's mayor and council may consider actual water-use restrictions for customers continuing to exceed city usage guidelines, the drought plan says.
What does the foothills have to do with anything 😂….
Yeah, but ask Mayor McStupid about all of the trees that need watering!
Meanwhile more housing is planned.
Tucson issue isn't 'carbon footprint.' Tucson & always has been an oasis in a desert. Tucson has astronomically exceeded the population numbers that our water table, aquafer can support. Folly to isolate good intention of low cost housing from overpopulation depleting aquafer.
People still watering their giant lawns like the Colorado River isn't about to dry up
Good luck reducing water use in Tucson. The City will undo your efforts by finding every vacant lot in Tucson & building houses. Illogical City adding more residents will reduce water consumption in Tucson. Oh, and don't forget watering the 'million trees for Tucson.'