Proposed Irrigation Ordinance

Share Proposed Irrigation Ordinance on Facebook Share Proposed Irrigation Ordinance on Twitter Share Proposed Irrigation Ordinance on Linkedin Email Proposed Irrigation Ordinance link

Recognizing that a reliable water supply is essential to the community, City of Columbia Utilities is proposing an irrigation ordinance to efficiently manage water use and support sustainable growth across the community.

With increased outdoor water usage in the summer, Columbia’s daily summer peak water demands — the largest amount the system is asked to provide all at once — can exceed 170% of winter water demands. And the highest hourly demand in the summer is around 240% of the peak winter hourly demand.

By staggering the lawn watering to specific days and times, users can reduce the peak demand on the water system. In addition, by requiring water conservation technology on new systems that inhibit or interrupt operation during periods of sufficient moisture, users will reduce the total amount of water used. Also, spreading outdoor water usage over a larger period of time will also allow lawn irrigation systems to operate more effectively within their designed parameters.

These irrigation measures can reduce the peak water demands and the total amount of water used for the City’s water system, allowing for the water supply and distribution systems to operate more efficiently by reducing operational costs and improving the longevity of the infrastructure.

By proposing the irrigation ordinance, City of Columbia Utilities strengthens its commitment to water efficiency and conservation strategies that reduce water use and waste to help extend the life of existing water supply and water treatment and distribution infrastructure and keep clean, safe water affordable for all residents.

Specific details including proposed schedule, irrigation system requirements, exceptions and means of enforcement may be found under the Documents tab on the right side of this page.

Public input meetings

City of Columbia Utilities is planning to host two public input meetings to discuss the ordinance. Water Utility customers will have the opportunity to engage with City staff regarding the necessity of the ordinance and the future of water use in Columbia.

Please join us at one of the following meetings:

  • 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 in Conference Room 1A/1B at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway

  • 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 at the Activity and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash St.

Best practices

City of Columbia Utilities wants to make sure that customers know the proper ways to water their landscape to help save money and conserve water. Whether watering your garden or laying new grass, it is important to think about how to use water efficiently. Visit ColumbiaPowerPartners.com for tips on outdoor water conservation, water-efficient landscaping and proper irrigation system use.

Updates

Please click on the Follow button for updates to this page or follow City of Columbia Utilities social media for updated information.

Recognizing that a reliable water supply is essential to the community, City of Columbia Utilities is proposing an irrigation ordinance to efficiently manage water use and support sustainable growth across the community.

With increased outdoor water usage in the summer, Columbia’s daily summer peak water demands — the largest amount the system is asked to provide all at once — can exceed 170% of winter water demands. And the highest hourly demand in the summer is around 240% of the peak winter hourly demand.

By staggering the lawn watering to specific days and times, users can reduce the peak demand on the water system. In addition, by requiring water conservation technology on new systems that inhibit or interrupt operation during periods of sufficient moisture, users will reduce the total amount of water used. Also, spreading outdoor water usage over a larger period of time will also allow lawn irrigation systems to operate more effectively within their designed parameters.

These irrigation measures can reduce the peak water demands and the total amount of water used for the City’s water system, allowing for the water supply and distribution systems to operate more efficiently by reducing operational costs and improving the longevity of the infrastructure.

By proposing the irrigation ordinance, City of Columbia Utilities strengthens its commitment to water efficiency and conservation strategies that reduce water use and waste to help extend the life of existing water supply and water treatment and distribution infrastructure and keep clean, safe water affordable for all residents.

Specific details including proposed schedule, irrigation system requirements, exceptions and means of enforcement may be found under the Documents tab on the right side of this page.

Public input meetings

City of Columbia Utilities is planning to host two public input meetings to discuss the ordinance. Water Utility customers will have the opportunity to engage with City staff regarding the necessity of the ordinance and the future of water use in Columbia.

Please join us at one of the following meetings:

  • 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 in Conference Room 1A/1B at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway

  • 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 at the Activity and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash St.

Best practices

City of Columbia Utilities wants to make sure that customers know the proper ways to water their landscape to help save money and conserve water. Whether watering your garden or laying new grass, it is important to think about how to use water efficiently. Visit ColumbiaPowerPartners.com for tips on outdoor water conservation, water-efficient landscaping and proper irrigation system use.

Updates

Please click on the Follow button for updates to this page or follow City of Columbia Utilities social media for updated information.

Questions

What questions do you have about the proposed ordinance?

Email
loader image
Forgot password?
Didn't receive confirmation?
Register Now
Seems like you are already registered, please provide the password. Forgot your password? Create a new one now.
  • Share Why exempt manual watering? This can often be less efficient than automated systems. on Facebook Share Why exempt manual watering? This can often be less efficient than automated systems. on Twitter Share Why exempt manual watering? This can often be less efficient than automated systems. on Linkedin Email Why exempt manual watering? This can often be less efficient than automated systems. link

    Why exempt manual watering? This can often be less efficient than automated systems.

    TLM asked about 2 months ago

    Manual watering typically is utilized in a manner that does not cause cumulative effects to the water system.  It is typically completed during hours and conditions that do not overlap with significant dedicated irrigation system usage.

  • Share There is a lot of construction and installation of utilities around Columbia right now. Our yard has been torn up and left a mess 4 times in the last 2 years. When the contractors leave and the ground is left with rocks, etc. and a bit of grass seed home owners are stuck re-seeding and watering to replace the grass they provided in the first place. What considerations will be included in the ordinance to keep affected homeowners from paying acclerated rates in these circumstances? on Facebook Share There is a lot of construction and installation of utilities around Columbia right now. Our yard has been torn up and left a mess 4 times in the last 2 years. When the contractors leave and the ground is left with rocks, etc. and a bit of grass seed home owners are stuck re-seeding and watering to replace the grass they provided in the first place. What considerations will be included in the ordinance to keep affected homeowners from paying acclerated rates in these circumstances? on Twitter Share There is a lot of construction and installation of utilities around Columbia right now. Our yard has been torn up and left a mess 4 times in the last 2 years. When the contractors leave and the ground is left with rocks, etc. and a bit of grass seed home owners are stuck re-seeding and watering to replace the grass they provided in the first place. What considerations will be included in the ordinance to keep affected homeowners from paying acclerated rates in these circumstances? on Linkedin Email There is a lot of construction and installation of utilities around Columbia right now. Our yard has been torn up and left a mess 4 times in the last 2 years. When the contractors leave and the ground is left with rocks, etc. and a bit of grass seed home owners are stuck re-seeding and watering to replace the grass they provided in the first place. What considerations will be included in the ordinance to keep affected homeowners from paying acclerated rates in these circumstances? link

    There is a lot of construction and installation of utilities around Columbia right now. Our yard has been torn up and left a mess 4 times in the last 2 years. When the contractors leave and the ground is left with rocks, etc. and a bit of grass seed home owners are stuck re-seeding and watering to replace the grass they provided in the first place. What considerations will be included in the ordinance to keep affected homeowners from paying acclerated rates in these circumstances?

    SUSAN R ASHER asked 19 days ago

    The ordinance includes allowances for establishing new seed/sod or landscaping. If utility work has disrupted your yard and not been properly restored, I would suggest contacting the company that completed the work. This information can be found by searching tickets at https://mo.itic.occinc.com/

  • Share Does this apply to large water consumers like golf courses? on Facebook Share Does this apply to large water consumers like golf courses? on Twitter Share Does this apply to large water consumers like golf courses? on Linkedin Email Does this apply to large water consumers like golf courses? link

    Does this apply to large water consumers like golf courses?

    bravadomizzou asked 18 days ago

    The majority of golf course irrigation does not come from utility water sources. The proposed ordinance does provide an exception for turf subject to significant public uses. This exception is not meant to apply to private or membership-based properties.

  • Share I work for MEM at 101 N. Keene Street. We have a well that we use for irrigation. My worry is that we will be reported and have to deal with responding every time. on Facebook Share I work for MEM at 101 N. Keene Street. We have a well that we use for irrigation. My worry is that we will be reported and have to deal with responding every time. on Twitter Share I work for MEM at 101 N. Keene Street. We have a well that we use for irrigation. My worry is that we will be reported and have to deal with responding every time. on Linkedin Email I work for MEM at 101 N. Keene Street. We have a well that we use for irrigation. My worry is that we will be reported and have to deal with responding every time. link

    I work for MEM at 101 N. Keene Street. We have a well that we use for irrigation. My worry is that we will be reported and have to deal with responding every time.

    Melody asked 18 days ago

    While you may inadvertently receive communication about your irrigation uses, training and diligence should keep this from becoming an ongoing concern.

  • Share In the narrative about the proposed watering ordinance the following information was provided: With increased outdoor water usage in the summer, Columbia’s daily summer peak water demands — the largest amount the system is asked to provide all at once — can exceed 170% of winter water demands. And the highest hourly demand in the summer is around 240% of the peak winter hourly demand. The high percentages are misleading. I would like to see what the percentages are in relation to Water Plant capacity. I'd also like to see the peak percentages to the average summer usage. Thanks. on Facebook Share In the narrative about the proposed watering ordinance the following information was provided: With increased outdoor water usage in the summer, Columbia’s daily summer peak water demands — the largest amount the system is asked to provide all at once — can exceed 170% of winter water demands. And the highest hourly demand in the summer is around 240% of the peak winter hourly demand. The high percentages are misleading. I would like to see what the percentages are in relation to Water Plant capacity. I'd also like to see the peak percentages to the average summer usage. Thanks. on Twitter Share In the narrative about the proposed watering ordinance the following information was provided: With increased outdoor water usage in the summer, Columbia’s daily summer peak water demands — the largest amount the system is asked to provide all at once — can exceed 170% of winter water demands. And the highest hourly demand in the summer is around 240% of the peak winter hourly demand. The high percentages are misleading. I would like to see what the percentages are in relation to Water Plant capacity. I'd also like to see the peak percentages to the average summer usage. Thanks. on Linkedin Email In the narrative about the proposed watering ordinance the following information was provided: With increased outdoor water usage in the summer, Columbia’s daily summer peak water demands — the largest amount the system is asked to provide all at once — can exceed 170% of winter water demands. And the highest hourly demand in the summer is around 240% of the peak winter hourly demand. The high percentages are misleading. I would like to see what the percentages are in relation to Water Plant capacity. I'd also like to see the peak percentages to the average summer usage. Thanks. link

    In the narrative about the proposed watering ordinance the following information was provided: With increased outdoor water usage in the summer, Columbia’s daily summer peak water demands — the largest amount the system is asked to provide all at once — can exceed 170% of winter water demands. And the highest hourly demand in the summer is around 240% of the peak winter hourly demand. The high percentages are misleading. I would like to see what the percentages are in relation to Water Plant capacity. I'd also like to see the peak percentages to the average summer usage. Thanks.

    bgidding asked 17 days ago

    For those more interested in the data, the 170% refers to a 1.7 factor between the demand on an average day in the water system to the demand on a maximum day. There is another factor of 1.4 on top of this to move from an average demand on a maximum day to the maximum hour on that day. These factors when combined make a factor of 2.4 from an overall average system demand to a peak hour demand.  

    It is worth noting that these factors represent an average when applied system wide. We have observed conditions in individual portions of the water system with peaking factors as high as 16 to move from an average demand to a peak hour demand. The highest peaking factors in the water distribution system occur in residential neighborhoods with high irrigation usage. 

    While industrial or commercial users may be some of our highest water users, their usage remains more level and consistent without extreme peaking factors that provide the most stress to the water system.

    In regards to your question about water plant capacity, the utility is in the final stages of completing a project to restore the water plant to its rated capacity of 32 million gallons per day. Our historical peak water treated at the plant for a single day is 22.3 million gallons.

  • Share I understand the need for off hours of watering. I also know that Columbia residents pay more for irrigation water than water usage for drinking and bathing. Question: Will residential customers who have swimming pools pay the irrigation rate for water? Swimming pools like irrigation systems are wants (optional) rather than needs. on Facebook Share I understand the need for off hours of watering. I also know that Columbia residents pay more for irrigation water than water usage for drinking and bathing. Question: Will residential customers who have swimming pools pay the irrigation rate for water? Swimming pools like irrigation systems are wants (optional) rather than needs. on Twitter Share I understand the need for off hours of watering. I also know that Columbia residents pay more for irrigation water than water usage for drinking and bathing. Question: Will residential customers who have swimming pools pay the irrigation rate for water? Swimming pools like irrigation systems are wants (optional) rather than needs. on Linkedin Email I understand the need for off hours of watering. I also know that Columbia residents pay more for irrigation water than water usage for drinking and bathing. Question: Will residential customers who have swimming pools pay the irrigation rate for water? Swimming pools like irrigation systems are wants (optional) rather than needs. link

    I understand the need for off hours of watering. I also know that Columbia residents pay more for irrigation water than water usage for drinking and bathing. Question: Will residential customers who have swimming pools pay the irrigation rate for water? Swimming pools like irrigation systems are wants (optional) rather than needs.

    Making waves asked 18 days ago

    Water bills are calculated by monthly usage. So if a customer filling a pool goes over 200% or their Winter Average Consumption, that customer will pay at the Tier 3 rate.

  • Share Does this apply to the use of recreational sprinklers? Kids playing in the hose, kinds playing in the water sprinkler, or other children's recreational water devices that are connected to a hose? on Facebook Share Does this apply to the use of recreational sprinklers? Kids playing in the hose, kinds playing in the water sprinkler, or other children's recreational water devices that are connected to a hose? on Twitter Share Does this apply to the use of recreational sprinklers? Kids playing in the hose, kinds playing in the water sprinkler, or other children's recreational water devices that are connected to a hose? on Linkedin Email Does this apply to the use of recreational sprinklers? Kids playing in the hose, kinds playing in the water sprinkler, or other children's recreational water devices that are connected to a hose? link

    Does this apply to the use of recreational sprinklers? Kids playing in the hose, kinds playing in the water sprinkler, or other children's recreational water devices that are connected to a hose?

    Questions asked 18 days ago

    No. This would be considered as an attended hose and would be allowed.

  • Share What about vegetable gardens for which the produce is intended (as donation) for the food pantry? It seems that should have an exception. Those that are volunteer-run really have little flexibility as to when to do watering, since volunteers have limited availability. on Facebook Share What about vegetable gardens for which the produce is intended (as donation) for the food pantry? It seems that should have an exception. Those that are volunteer-run really have little flexibility as to when to do watering, since volunteers have limited availability. on Twitter Share What about vegetable gardens for which the produce is intended (as donation) for the food pantry? It seems that should have an exception. Those that are volunteer-run really have little flexibility as to when to do watering, since volunteers have limited availability. on Linkedin Email What about vegetable gardens for which the produce is intended (as donation) for the food pantry? It seems that should have an exception. Those that are volunteer-run really have little flexibility as to when to do watering, since volunteers have limited availability. link

    What about vegetable gardens for which the produce is intended (as donation) for the food pantry? It seems that should have an exception. Those that are volunteer-run really have little flexibility as to when to do watering, since volunteers have limited availability.

    Tanya.Christiansen asked 18 days ago

    The ordinance allows for individuals or entities to apply for a variance if undue burden can be identified. 

  • Share Would this ordinance apply to any type of residential watering? Or only to install installed irrigation system systems? on Facebook Share Would this ordinance apply to any type of residential watering? Or only to install installed irrigation system systems? on Twitter Share Would this ordinance apply to any type of residential watering? Or only to install installed irrigation system systems? on Linkedin Email Would this ordinance apply to any type of residential watering? Or only to install installed irrigation system systems? link

    Would this ordinance apply to any type of residential watering? Or only to install installed irrigation system systems?

    Ken Reeves asked about 1 month ago

    The ordinance applies to: 

    • Dedicated in ground systems
    • Unattended hose end devices


    Exceptions include:

    • Watering by hand
    • Low-pressure (i.e., drip irrigation) systems
Page last updated: 22 May 2026, 08:40 AM