Loveland City Council gives final approval to updated water-use rules

The Loveland City Council voted 9-0 Tuesday to adopt Ordinance No. 6839 on second reading, giving final approval to updates to the city’s water-efficiency and water-use rules. The ordinance amends parts of Titles 13 and 19 of the Loveland Municipal Code to clarify water-waste rules, expand the city’s authority to restrict potable water use during shortages or emergencies, and revise the Hydrozone Program. The changes are intended to align city code with Loveland’s 2020 Water Efficiency Plan and take effect July 21.

The measure passed as part of the consent agenda after Mayor Patrick McFall called for any council member to move items off consent and none did. City staff had recommended adoption of the ordinance, describing it as a modernization of water-efficiency regulations to improve “clarity, consistency, and enforceability” and to promote responsible water use across residential, commercial and institutional sectors.

Under the ordinance, the city’s water-waste section is rewritten to make it unlawful for a water utility customer to waste water or negligently fail to take reasonable measures to prevent waste. The updated code lists examples including leaving taps or irrigation systems running when not in use, failing to repair leaks in a timely manner, and using more water than is reasonably necessary for an activity. It also makes clear that washing impervious surfaces is still allowed when needed for maintenance, health or safety.

The ordinance also broadens the city’s authority during water shortages and emergencies. The revised code allows the city manager or a designee to restrict specified uses of potable water when necessary because of a shortage, projected shortage, catastrophic occurrence or other emergency that threatens the water supply or distribution system. Violations can lead to warnings, citations, fines or other penalties, and the city may suspend or terminate water service.

Another major section rewrites the Hydrozone Program, which remains voluntary but requires full compliance once a property owner opts in. The updated rules keep benefits such as reduced water-rights requirements and possible lower system impact fees, while requiring recorded Hydrozone agreements for participants and setting revised water-budget categories, surcharges for overuse, and enforcement provisions for repeated exceedances. Staff said the update would reduce ambiguity and administrative burden in the current code.

The ordinance received unanimous support in earlier reviews by the Construction Advisory Board, Loveland Utilities Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Planning Commission, and it also passed first reading unanimously on June 16. Staff reported no effect on the Water Utility Enterprise Fund or on budgeted revenues, expenditures, or fund balances.