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Resident urges Spokane to strengthen drought enforcement and adopt tiered water pricing
Summary
A resident told the council Spokane uses more water per capita than most U.S. cities and urged stronger enforcement of restrictions and a baseline pricing model to reduce lawn watering.
Robert Teal told the Spokane City Council on July 21 that Spokane’s per-capita water use is far higher than most U.S. municipalities and urged the council to strengthen drought restrictions and enforcement. “Currently, we use more water per capita than 98% of other US municipalities,” Teal said, and he added that, in his account, the city uses “2 and a half times what Phoenix, Arizona is using and 4 times LA.” He said about 75% of consumption is for lawns and recommended a tiered pricing approach that charges users above a reasonable baseline.
Teal also criticized uneven compliance and enforcement, saying residents observe golf courses and city parks watering during restricted hours and that there are “no teeth behind the restrictions.” He supported Waterwise Spokane rebate programs but said rebates alone would not change behavior. He urged a combination of public awareness, reporting, and pricing incentives to reduce consumption and protect the river and aquifer.
