The Town of Oro Valley town codes require smart water use
Let’s look at the Town of Oro Valley’s Water Code. It is Chapter 15 of the Town Code which can be found on the Town’s website.• Chapter 15-18-1 states: “The intent of this article is to conserve and protect the Town’s high quality, safe and reliable water supply for the current and future needs of the community.”
• Chapter 15-18-2 (which was amended in Oct. 2021) states: “…waste, excessive use, or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented, and that conservation of water be exercised in the interests of the Town of Oro Valley and for the public welfare.”
• Chapter 15-18-3 states: “It shall be unlawful at any time for any customer of the Town of Oro Valley Water Utility to knowingly make, cause, use or permit the use of water provided by the Town for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, irrigation or any other purpose in a manner contrary to any provisions of this code.”
• Chapter 15-18-4 discusses potable water and the ramifications of a potential declared shortage. Paragraph E states: “Priority for potable water demand shall be designated as follows:
Highest Priority -- Residential indoor domestic use and fire protection.
Second Highest Priority -- Commercial/institutional/industrial uses.
Third Highest Priority -- Public and private landscape irrigation sites, including golf courses, athletic fields and parks.
Remember, we are talking about potable water, not reclaimed water. Potable water is drinking water.
Hypocrisy: Town wastes 55 million gallons of potable water on two parks and a golf course
The Town Code discusses water conservation and the importance of potable water use. However, our town continues to waste potable water on Riverfront Park, Jim Kriegh Park, and the Pusch Ridge Golf course.
In a 12-month period, the Town used for irrigation purposes 10,586,000 gallons at Riverfront Park and 9,973,000 gallons at Jim Kriegh Park, while at Pusch Ridge it used 34,608,000 gallons. Pusch Ridge utilized over 30% more water than both parks combined.
Questionable use of bond money
So what is our Town Council doing? They are spending bond money to replace -- as a past Council majority would say, “our beautiful tennis courts,” -- with post tension courts, install another splash pad at Naranja Park, and reconstruct and expand the Community Center parking lot.
How about spending bond money for the future of the entire community? And how about we stop over seeding the parks, close the Pusch Ridge course, and supply Jim Kriegh and Riverfront parks with reclaimed water?
Do something for the future of the entire town.
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Mike Zinkin and his wife have lived in Oro Valley since 1998. He served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009, the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012, and the Town Council from 2012-2016. He was named a Fellow for the National League of Cities. He was a member of the NLC Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee. He was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge.
