City to exempt some watering from limits

Water-wise landscaping and drip irrigation systems will be exempt from Lafayette’s watering restrictions.

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to allow some exceptions to the watering restriction ordinances.

Public Works Director Jeff Arthur said that since 2013 Lafayette has placed watering restrictions to limit outdoor irrigation to three days a week. Exceptions to the water restriction apply to low-volume drip irrigation systems, irrigation on newly planted vegetation in accordance to a city approved landscape plan for a period of 30 days, and the irrigation of xeric or reseeding of xeric landscaping for a period of 30 days from the date of installation. Arthur noted that there has been growing interest from residents, homeowners associations, businesses and apartments to replace existing turf with more water-wise options.

Arthur said that the small adjustments to the ordinance will help people who want to move things in the right direction. He said that when converting to a water-wise landscape, there is a period at the beginning where more irrigation may be required.

Water Resources Manager Cari Bischoff said that an increased demand for the warmer seasons are starting to pick up. She noted that the recent heavy precipitation in the area has resulted in a large increase in Lafayette’s water supply. She added that the city’s water reservoirs are filling, approximately 80% full, and water delivery to Waneka Lake started May 11.

Elizabeth Szorad, sustainability manager, said that there are a variety of water conservation programs. She spoke of the Garden in a Box, lawn removal, Slow the Flow and water efficiency rebates programs. She added that the Sustainability and Resilience Advisory Committee was awarded a $23,000 water conservation grant, and the grant will help fund the Garden in a Box and lawn removal programs.