Moab, UT
WaterNow and Western Resource Advocates partnered with the City of Moab to support adoption of a water efficient landscaping ordinance for new building and re-development. The ordinance establishes enforceable standards to reduce outdoor water use and protect long-term water supply as the community grows.
Councilmember, City of Moab
“If our larger goal is to reduce water, we need a cultural shift in how we use water and how we landscape.”
As a result of this project, the Moab City Council unanimously adopted a water efficient landscaping ordinance in September 2023. The ordinance, Chapter 17.10, will provide long term water savings by:
The ordinance also supports broader community benefits including urban cooling, stormwater management and erosion control, increased pollinator and wildlife habitat, and enhanced fire protection.
Moab faced increasing pressure on a limited and variable water supply due to population growth and climate-driven changes in precipitation and snowpack. Moreover, locals were being shut out of a statewide water conservation rebate program only available to cities that had enacted landscape ordinances meeting certain criteria. With no existing conservation-focused landscaping regulations, the City sought to proactively manage outdoor water use through policy.
WaterNow and WRA provided capacity to develop the water-efficient landscaping ordinance with a detailed research effort as well as engagement with local stakeholders to obtain community input and buy-in. We also worked closely with City staff and decision-makers on drafting iterations of a workable ordinance, culminating in adoption of the ordinance in 2023.
The new landscaping ordinance establishes a strong framework for managing outdoor water use as Moab grows, ensuring that new development does not increase overall water demand. By aligning local regulations with state incentive programs, the policy creates a clear pathway to scale water-wise landscaping across the City. The ordinance’s comprehensive approach, which includes standards for design, installation, and maintenance, ensures water-efficient standards are incorporated into all new developments.
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