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Large Water User Ordinance

At a glance

  • What: Whether Scottsdale should adopt an ordinance governing large water users. Staff presented options at the September 22, 2026 work study session; Council gave observations but took no vote.
  • Staff recommendation: An ordinance requiring a conservation plan binding to the terms of service for all proposed developments using 100,000 gallons per day or more, annual review of users over 250,000 gallons per day, and five-year conservation plan review. Escalating review: 100,000+ gallons per day needs a Water Demand Exhibit and conservation plan; 250,000+ adds project information and an economic impact analysis; 500,000+ adds further review and Council approval.
  • Next: Further direction and presentations; no date set in the record.

Presentation (September 22, 2026)

Interim Water Resources Senior Director Ryden-Diaz presented with Senior Director Perrault and Senior Director Burke.

  • Current policy (approved June 21, 2022) requires a Water Demand Exhibit for General Plan amendments or rezonings above 100,000 gallons per day (excluding fire flow), reviewed by Water Resources and Economic Development.
  • Scottsdale currently has 12 accounts in the 100,000 to 250,000 gallons per day tier (hospitals, multifamily and HOAs, resorts, large industrial, large retail, mixed use).
  • 2025 potable use: single family residential 61 percent, multifamily 20 percent, commercial and industrial 14 percent (slide figures).
  • Neighboring city ordinances define large users from 25,000 to 250,000 gallons per day and use conservation plans, offsetting water supply, and penalties above 120 percent of approved use.

Public comment

  • Alisa McMahon supported creating the ordinance, urged review of other cities' ordinances, said potable and non-potable water should both be covered, and asked for transparency.
  • Raoul Zubia supported the ordinance and stressed workable, enforceable options.

Council observations (no motion)

Most water is used by single-family homes; non-potable ("wet") water should be considered; future presentations should show indoor versus outdoor use and reclaimed water percentages; reduce reliance on Colorado River water; fund Scottsdale Water's Strategic Plan and the advanced water purification project; staff expertise on the plan has been lost; conservation alone is not sufficient; be mindful of residents and small businesses; golf courses are conserving through self-regulation; explore requiring developers to bring their own water and factoring each development into the 100-year water assurance plan; protect single-family homes and keep water affordable. The minutes do not attribute these to individual members.

Sources

Log

2026-09-22 - City Council

Presentation, two speakers in support, Council observations. No vote.