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Richmond council begins review of secondary-water rule for new subdivisions
Summary
Councilmembers and staff discussed whether Richmond should continue requiring secondary (irrigation) systems in new subdivisions, weighing maintenance costs for private laterals, water-right constraints, meter costs, and growth-related pressure on culinary supplies; the council asked staff to draft an ordinance for further review.
A lengthy policy discussion at the May 19 Richmond City Council meeting focused on whether the city should continue to require secondary (irrigation) water systems in new subdivisions.
Mayor Jeff Young opened the discussion by questioning whether the ordinance mandating secondary systems remains appropriate given the costs of connecting and maintaining private laterals and the fact that most newer subdivisions are not currently tied into the city irrigation system. "Many private laterals are not maintained and connecting the City to those systems would be expensive," he said.
City Engineer Weston Bellon and water operations staff explained the legal and technical constraints: irrigation water shares are distinct from municipal culinary rights and cannot be used for drinking water without formal change applications to the State Engineer; privately owned shares not used within seven years risk forfeiture. Bellon said the city catalogs its water rights and updates the Water Master Plan regularly.
Councilmember Joel Draxler voiced concern that relying on culinary water for outdoor irrigation would increase residents' costs and argued the city should plan for growth-related water needs. Councilmember Daryl Black suggested a compromise: rather than eliminating the option entirely, modify the ordinance so existing secondary lines remain accessible and developers install only the necessary secondary infrastructure to allow future connections.
Staff and council agreed to draft a new ordinance reflecting the discussion for consideration next month. The item will return with proposed language clarifying when secondary systems are required, how developers should provide access, and how the city will handle maintenance responsibilities for laterals.
