Loveland council advances overhaul of water-use rules on first reading
The Loveland City Council voted 8-0 Tuesday to adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 6839, a broad update to the city’s water-use code aimed at clearer enforcement, stronger leak and waste requirements, and faster restrictions during shortages or emergencies. The ordinance amends parts of Titles 13 and 19 of the municipal code, rewriting rules on wasting water, potable-water restrictions and the Hydrozone landscape program. A second reading is scheduled for July 8.
The update makes it unlawful for city water customers to waste water or negligently fail to take reasonable steps to prevent waste. The rewritten section defines waste to include leaving taps, spigots or irrigation systems running when not in use, failing to repair leaks or broken irrigation equipment within a reasonable time set by the city, and using more water than reasonably necessary for an activity. The ordinance allows the city to issue a notice of violation and a repair period, grant extensions when a customer shows reasonable efforts, and temporarily discontinue service to the affected property if problems are not corrected, with exceptions for essential health and safety uses.
Another major change expands the city’s authority to restrict potable-water use. Instead of applying only to a catastrophic event or other emergency and largely outdoor use, the revised code allows the city manager or a designee to limit all or specified uses of potable water when necessary because of a current or projected shortage, a catastrophic occurrence, or another emergency threatening the water supply or distribution system. Violations could bring warnings, citations, fines or service suspension, and each day could count as a separate offense.
The ordinance also overhauls the Hydrozone program for water-efficient landscaping. The program remains voluntary, but participants who opt in would be required to fully comply with city development standards and Hydrozone rules. The rewritten code updates definitions, formalizes recorded agreements that run with the land for participating properties, and keeps surcharge tiers for users who exceed their annual water budget. Participants who go more than 5% over budget for three consecutive years could be required to provide full water rights, while those who exceed the budget for two straight years could face temporary irrigation-meter shutoffs if they do not take corrective action.
Staff told advisory boards the proposal is meant to modernize outdated code language, improve consistency with the city’s 2020 Water Efficiency Plan and reduce ambiguity that can complicate enforcement. Agenda materials said the changes would have no impact on the Water Utility Enterprise Fund. Multiple city boards endorsed the update before it reached council, including unanimous approvals from the Construction Advisory Board, Loveland Utilities Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission and Planning Commission.