Commerce City and South Adams County Water & Sanitation District, CO

Aligning Water Management and Non-Functional Turf Replacement: A Collaborative Framework Our Approach Project Outcomes

Project Goal

WaterNow is partnering with the City of Commerce City (C3) and South Adams County Water & Sanitation District (SACWSD) to support their efforts to develop a collaborative non-functional turf replacement incentive program for their residents. Effective water resource management and resiliency planning are of utmost importance to these two organizations, and findings ways to align their policies, programs, and water efficiency goals is key to safeguarding water supply in the community. WaterNow will support the organizations on developing a non-functional turf replacement rebate program by attaining alignment on goals, program needs, roles and responsibilities, and more to establish a process and serve as a model for the organizations as they collaborate on other future water efficiency program development.

Our Approach

C3 and SACWSD are working together to address future water challenges including the rapid growth of their customer base and equivalent residential units, increased temperatures, and unpredictable precipitation patterns. SACWSD provides essential potable, irrigation and augmentation water, and wastewater treatment services to over 68,000 customers in C3 and parts of unincorporated Adams County. The City is updating its Land Development Code, aimed to be completed in 2024, which includes land and xeriscaping design standards and a waterwise plant list. To complement these code updates, recognizing a growing local interest in waterwise landscaping, the City and SACWSD seek to collaborate on developing a non-functional turf replacement program and incentives for their residents. WaterNow will work with C3 and SACWSD on five foundational tasks: (1) evaluate existing water conservation programs and policies; (2) facilitate collaborative team meetings; (3) research viable non-functional turf replacement and demand-side management program options; (4) engage with partners and the community for input; and (5) develop a roadmap and communication plan to support program implementation.

Outcomes

Stay tuned! This project is currently underway!