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La Plata Commission begins review of proposed water conservation ordinance; study session and subcommittee suggested
Summary
Planning staff presented ZTA 03/2026 to add water conservation and emergency restrictions to the municipal code, proposing odd/even outdoor watering, an 80% production trigger for alerts, limits on non‑essential uses, and requirements for large water users. Commissioners asked for a study session and a subcommittee to refine enforcement, grandfathering and turf rules.
Planning staff presented Zoning Text Amendment 03/2026, a proposed addition of Article 11 to La Plata—hapter 191 to enable water conservation measures and emergency restrictions, and proposed amendments to landscaping rules.
Director Dooley said the draft ordinance would: apply to properties on the town system; define "designated large volume users" (examples cited as average consumption of 10,000 gallons per day or 300,000 gallons in a single billing cycle); allow the town manager to declare a water conservation alert when production reaches 80% of permitted capacity or during a drought; impose mandatory odd/even watering schedules during alerts; prohibit non‑essential uses such as washing impervious surfaces (except for health or safety reasons); limit vehicle washing to recycled‑water facilities; require that pools and fountains use recirculated water or be disabled; and allow the town to require large users to reduce consumption with compliance verified using metered data and billing records.
"The town manager may declare an alert when the town's water production reaches 80% of its permitted capacity or during a drought," Dooley said, summarizing the alert trigger and public‑notice requirements.
The draft sets a warning‑first approach to enforcement and treats violations as municipal infractions, with separate counts for each day of a continuing violation; it also provides an appeals process. Exemptions would be permitted for fire suppression and essential public health and emergency operations.
Commissioners raised practical questions: how obvious turf limitations would be defined and enforced, whether existing developments covered by development agreements (DRA) or preliminary plats would be grandfathered, how routine meter data would be used to verify compliance, and how staff would balance residents and businesses in a conservation alert. Commissioner Ford cautioned that turf and landscaping mandates may be politically sensitive for homeowners; Commissioner Miller asked who would respond to complaints and how enforcement resources would be used.
Staff noted the water conservation ordinance is one part of a three‑part strategy: the APFOs for water/sewer, negotiating supplemental water with Charles County, and adoption of conservation measures. Dooley recommended the Commission hold a study session and/or appoint a subcommittee to work with staff on specific drafting issues; the commission generally supported further vetting before a formal recommendation.
No formal adoption of ZTA 03/2026 occurred at the meeting; staff will arrange additional Commission review and possible subcommittee meetings.
