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Surprise council adopts municipal code updates on sewers, stormwater, turf and high-water users
Summary
Council adopted a package of Surprise Municipal Code updates (Chapter 58) addressing sewer interceptors, stormwater billing and credits, limits on nonfunctional turf in new development, and a three-tiered high water-user rule intended to protect residents from large industrial users.
The Surprise City Council adopted several updates to Chapter 58 of the Surprise Municipal Code at its Jan. 20 meeting, voting to approve ordinances addressing sewer interceptors, stormwater service, water-conservation turf rules and high water-user regulations.
City engineering staff said the sewer-interceptor updates clarify technical language, align sizing with the International Plumbing Code and set clearer thresholds for requiring interceptors in industrial and commercial settings. The council moved and approved the ordinance after staff review.
On stormwater, staff explained changes that clarify which discharges are permissible into storm drains (irrigation, hydrant flushing, AC condensation), specify maintenance responsibilities for stormwater infrastructure on private property and in rights-of-way, and adjust agricultural billing. Staff also outlined a commercial credit path allowing up to a 25% credit on a stormwater bill for documented low-impact practices; Council Member Judd pressed staff about credits for a commercial property that previously installed on-site capture and was still billed; staff said individual cases could be reviewed and said the upcoming utility rate study would further refine policy.
The water-conservation item tightened limits on nonfunctional turf in new development (exceptions for active recreation, slopes above 4:1 and areas set back from curbs/sidewalks), reflecting prior coordination with the Home Builders of Central Arizona.
The council also adopted a high water-user ordinance using a three-tier approach: uses up to 100,000 gallons per day are allowable as a baseline; 100,000—200,000 gallons per day would be subject to council and staff discretion; and uses beyond 300,000 gallons per day would require the developer to bring additional water resources. Staff said Surprise's largest current water user consumes about 30,000 gallons per day.
Clerk announced the votes as pass/unanimous on these items; where the transcript recorded "pass" or "unanimous pass" no numerical tallies were read into the record. The ordinance numbers read into the record were presented by staff in the meeting materials.
Council took no additional follow-up vote at the meeting beyond adoption; staff said the changes reflect work from recent council work sessions and will be implemented by city departments.
The council also discussed an upcoming utility rate study that will examine stormwater and commercial billing practices and consider credit policy changes where warranted.
