New plumbing retrofit mandate aims at saving water
By April Charlton/Senior Staff Writer
Homes and businesses sold in Nipomo will have to be retrofitted with water-saving plumbing fixtures before the property can be sold, the Board of Supervisors has decided.
With a 5-0 vote Aug. 26, the supervisors adopted a new ordinance requiring all sellers of existing residential and commercial units to retrofit plumbing fixtures to help conserve water in the community.
In December 2005, the supervisors declared a Level 3 severity for water in Nipomo Mesa Water Conservation Area, meaning the demand for the resource is exceeding supply. Level 3 is the highest resource severity level in the county.
The Community Services District has been working to secure a supplemental water source for Nipomo, but nothing has been acquired yet.
The new ordinance will apply to existing properties within the Nipomo Mesa Water Conservation Area — all areas west of Highway 101 and the Olde Towne and Thompson Road area east of the highway — and become effective in 30 days.
County planners hope a series of water-saving ordinances, including the new retrofit law adopted Tuesday, will help achieve a reduction in water use in Nipomo until a supplemental source is secured.
Under the newly adopted retrofit ordinance, low-consumption plumbing fixtures for residential units include: toilets that are rated at no more 1.28 gallons per flush, showerheads not exceeding 2.5 gallons of water per minute and aerators on all bathroom sinks that don’t exceed 2 gallons per minute.
For commercial units, the retrofit plumbing fixture requirements are the same as those mandated for residential units, with the additional requirement of using waterless urinals.
Additionally, homeowners and those selling commercial properties will have to hire a licensed plumber to verify the retrofitting has been done for escrow to close.
Based on the number of homes sold each year in Nipomo, the new program is expected to save about 3.5 million gallons a year, according to county planning staff.
Planners are also expected to present another proposed retrofitting ordinance to the supervisors on Sept. 23 that would require builders of new homes and commercial buildings in Nipomo to also install fixtures that use less water. The proposed ordinance also addresses outdoor landscape for new development.
“That’s where there should be more substantial water savings,” James Caruso, senior county planner, said.
RETROFIT INFORMATION:
The new retrofit ordinance has different standards for residential and commercial units. Homeowners and business owners selling property will have to hire a plumber to verify retrofit work.
Residential:
— toilets that are rated at no more 1.28 gallons per flush
— showerheads not exceeding 2.5 gallons of water per minute
— aerators on all bathroom sinks that don’t exceed 2 gallons per minute.
Commercial:
— Same as for residential units, with addition of waterless urinals
acharlton@theadobepress.com
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