Landscaping water rules under review

Some new housing developments will be subject to stricter water conservation requirements for landscaping under a measure to be taken up by the Santa Cruz, N.M. city council. Prompted by a state law mandating municipalities write stronger landscape conservation ordinances this year, the new rules also would apply to any landscaping put in as a result of remodeling or new additions to current development projects. Existing homes or businesses that have less than an acre of developed gardens or landscaping would not be affected, but those with larger than an acre will have to conduct a water audit annually to ensure they are not exceeding their permitted use. The city’s water conservation manager hopes the new measure will reduce landscape water use by at least 10 percent. 

Among the most significant changes is that turf will no longer be permitted on slopes greater than 5 percent, a 50 percent cut from the 10 percent allowed under current rules. The state allows turf on slopes up to 25 percent, but the city wants to reduce more runoff.