The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Updated water fixtures and hot tub covers
[ By Kendra Walker ]
Mt. Crested Butte is working on updating some town building codes and regulations in order to encourage efficient water use and conservation. A working ordinance that will be considered for final approval on June 15 could help the town adopt updated indoor water efficiency standards and implement water conservation measures.
Town staff and the town council have been working with High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) and the Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District on the proposed ordinance to update indoor and outdoor water conservation codes.
Julie Nania of HCCA explained in a recent work session with the council that the Gunnison Water Smart working group has been meeting since 2018 to help municipalities identify and achieve water-related goals, especially with prolonged drought trends and the rapid growth of the valley. The goal, she explained, is to “provide a forum for Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation and the town to work together to meet some of these shared efficiency goals.
“Codes are usually implemented to try to allow for growth while using less amounts of water in the future,” said Nania. “Tucson, Arizona is a great example of really stringent water efficiency codes,” she said, estimating that the city has gone 30-some years without increasing water use and providing for their growth.
“I think it’s a very important thing that we need to be doing, the drought this year has been very significant,” said mayor Janet Farmer. “If we don’t do something we’re going to have a major problem in the near future and not just the distant future.”
The proposed ordinance requires WaterSense-approved fixtures or fixtures that meet flow standards to be installed during remodels and new construction projects. It would require recirculating systems for any indoor water features. It also addresses water use at lodging facilities, requiring covers for hot tubs and pools when not in use.
“Not to pick on the hotels but they’re our biggest water users,” said Kyle Koelliker with Water and San. He noted that while their water fixtures are already in place, the town could also create incentives that are not part of the building code, such as housekeeping and laundry practices that save water.
Leah Desposato of the town’s community development department said that most of the lodging facilities in Mt. Crested Butte are already asking guests to save water by only requesting housekeeping or laundry service when necessary. “It seems to be common among them already,” she said, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize guest and staff contact.
Regarding updated water fixtures, the proposed ordinance would apply to any new construction and any development or remodels to existing structures requiring new or expanded water service or replacement of plumbing fixtures.
Council member Michael Bacani asked that Water and San or the town look into offering some type of incentive for citizens not necessarily applicable to the ordinance. For example, getting bill credit or a check for upgrading fixtures, toilets, etc. that save water. “Incentivizing change has more positive effect than punitive punishment,” he said.
“I think we can look at creative ways to provide some funding, whether it’s the town providing it or just working on a program by which if people are doing what they’re supposed to do anyway that they can still receive a credit,” said town attorney Kathy Fogo.
Bacani stressed that he would like to further discuss incentives as soon as possible to continue the momentum and explore ways for everyone to participate in water efficiency in the town.
“An incentive program would have to be funded through either the town or though the Water and Sanitation District,” said Desposato. “If that’s something the council wants to explore right away after we pass this ordinance we can definitely look into it.”
“We can get help from folks on the Gunnison Water Smart group to get some ideas and come up with a rough proposal or information on what that might entail,” offered Nania.
Desposato also noted that the town is working with Gunnison Water Smart to put together general marketing and educational signage, as well as establish guidelines and water quality standards for outdoor and landscape irrigation.
The council approved the first reading of the ordinance on May 18, and will review the second reading on June 15 for final approval.
