Goal R: Water Use Efficiency

	Promote and increase efficient water use.

Each action includes a timeframe for completion and assigns a responsible department within the Town of Oro Valley to lead its implementation. This information is meant to be somewhat flexible, as priorities for each action may shift based on new guidance and resources. More information about the anticipated timeframe is provided at the bottom of this page.

The following is a list of policies and actions that support the goal and long-term vision for the community.

Policy R.1. Reduce residential and commercial outdoor water use.

	The following actions will be implemented on an ongoing basis:	Department Lead	Key Collaborators
143	Increase awareness about the Town’s approved plant list and provide educational opportunities about irrigation, plant types, and maintenance.	Community and Economic Development (CED)
144	Continue to develop and promote water monitoring tools, like water audits and the Water Smart Program, to identify and address high water usage.	Water Utility
145	Maintain zoning requirements to restrict natural non-native grass.	CED
146	Continue to prohibit ornamental water features, like water fountains, in non-residential developments, common areas, and residential front yards.	CED
147	Provide resources and education on different rainwater harvesting techniques.	Water Utility	CED
	The following actions are anticipated to be completed in 3-6 years:	Department Lead	Key Collaborators
148	Review and update the Town’s approved plant list to maintain a landscape plant palette that includes drought-tolerant and native Sonoran Desert plants.	CED
149	Identify opportunities to streamline the process and reduce permitting fees to encourage HOAs and commercial developments to replace grass with ground covers, like decomposed granite or native vegetation.	CED
150	Review and potentially update the passive and active rainwater harvesting requirements for subdivisions and non-residential developments to reflect best practices.	CED
151	Support community pools in lieu of individual pools in residential subdivisions during the development review process.	CED

Policy R.2. Reduce outdoor water use at Town facilities.

	The following actions will be implemented on an ongoing basis:	Department Lead	Key Collaborators
152	Continue to prohibit the installation of ornamental natural grass at Town facilities, unless used for sports fields, golf courses, or other recreational areas.	Parks and Recreation
153	Cease irrigation after plant establishment along roadways and at Town facilities.	Public Works
	The following actions are anticipated to be completed in 7-10 years:	Department Lead	Key Collaborators
154	Where appropriate, install visible rainwater harvesting systems at Town facilities as functional demonstration projects.	Water Utility	Parks and Recreation, Public Works

Policy R.3. Encourage programs and opportunities that help residents make their homes more water efficient.

	The following actions are anticipated for completion in 1-2 years:	Department Lead	Key Collaborators
155	Encourage gray water use and tankless water heaters by publishing information and resources to help educate the community.	Water Utility	CED
156	Ensure building codes facilitate the construction of gray water options.	CED
	The following actions are anticipated for completion in 3-6 years:	Department Lead	Key Collaborators
157	Further investigate the community's desire to add a dedicated water conservation fee to offer rebates that incentivize low-water-use appliances and fixtures.	Water Utility

Policy R.4. Increase awareness and education about water use and conservation.

	The following actions will be implemented on an ongoing basis:	Department Lead	Key Collaborators
158	Promote responsible water usage by encouraging residents to shut off water when away for extended periods of time and reduce irrigation during the rainy seasons.	Water Utility
159	Continue to promote water monitoring programs, like WaterSmart, to increase enrollment, education, and awareness about individual water use.	Water Utility
160	Continue to use newsletters and other platforms to promote best practices and tools for water conservation and efficiency.	Water Utility
	The following actions are anticipated for completion in 3-6 years:	Department Lead	Key Collaborators
161	Create and publish an online dashboard depicting community-wide water use by different user types to provide context and benchmarks.	Water Utility
162	Provide information about water conservation at public facilities.	Water Utility	Public Works, Town Manager's Office