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Salem Council adopts four-tier PI surcharge to encourage conservation
Summary
Council approved a four-tier pressurized irrigation surcharge structure for the 2026 season, increasing surcharge rates for higher-volume users as a conservation measure while staff continue work on enforcement ordinance options.
The Salem City Council on June 3 adopted a change to the pressurized irrigation (PI) billing structure intended to encourage water conservation by increasing surcharge percentages for customers who exceed recommended usage levels.
City Manager Matt Marziale presented the proposed approach, which retains the existing four-tier system but raises surcharge percentages in higher tiers so the financial incentive increases with higher consumption. Staff said the change is intended to use pricing signals rather than direct enforcement to reduce water demand during the 2026 season.
Council members raised concerns about the limits of enforcement: staff confirmed the current billing system can automatically apply tiered surcharges but cannot track individual watering violations or apply parcel-level enforcement without additional software and staffing. Council discussed implications for homeowners associations and multi-unit developments, and directed staff to continue drafting a separate water ordinance that would supply additional enforcement options for repeat or blatant violations.
The Council approved the motion to adopt the PI surcharge changes (motion by Councilperson Paul Taylor, seconded by Councilperson Cynthia Deveraux Rees). Staff will notify high-volume customers of their usage levels and provide water conservation guidance; longer-term ordinance options remain under development.
