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SUPERINTENDENTS

Pima County is looking at new water-conservation rules, such as prohibiting businesses from running misters and disallowing evaporative coolers as a primary source of home cooling.

The proposed new rules, which go well beyond what other local governments require, are being considered in an effort to improve on a December 2001 county plan that promotes water conservation but doesn't require it.

"In 2001 we said that water conservation is important and that we should adopt ordinances. This is following up on that," said Kathleen Chavez, county water policy manager.

Misters are most commonly used to cool outdoor seating areas in restaurants, bars and other gathering places.

"Prohibiting misters would be a pretty awful regulation," said Bob Barger, general manager of the Thunder Canyon Brewery, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd., where the patio business is usually booming on an evening with nice weather.

"It would hurt business quite a bit in the warmer season," he said.

Other proposed water-conservation measures include discouraging individual pools in areas with community pools, prohibiting evaporative coolers as the sole source of cooling and requiring irrigation plumbing that can be connected to reclaimed water.

Most of the measures would apply to new construction, Chavez said.

"These are just ideas and we'll need to look at them from a legal perspective, an ordinance-compliance perspective and also from a public-participation perspective," Chavez said.

Barger said there are lots of other ways businesses can conserve water instead of shutting down misters.

One way his restaurant tackles the issue, he said, is by not serving water to customers unless it is requested.

He also said their brewing and mister systems are "very efficient," and use "minimal water because the pressure is so high. It is extremely high pressure and conserves a lot of water."

On Tuesday the Board of Supervisors will discuss the proposals and decide if it wants to move forward with adopting them, said County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.

"Our view is, let's put everything on the table and let people think about," Huckelberry said.

The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association plans to ask the county to delay the item until Jan. 10 so its representatives can get some answers.

"We were hoping that as the staff drafts an ordinance we will be part of the dialogue so that the measure is workable and enforceable," said Lori Lustig, SAHBA government liaison.

The proposed conservation measures are "a good first start," Lustig said, but she thinks there needs to be a lot more discussion to make sure the cost to home buyers is worth it.

"A lot of the ideas are good ideas, but they are more expensive for the home builder or the home buyer after the fact," she said.

Mitch Basefsky, Tucson Water spokesman, said the city has some laws governing water use, including regulations when misters can be used or when they need to be turned off.

There are also laws against wasting water and plumbing codes requiring low-flow fixtures be installed in new construction.

But there is more of a focus on voluntary and educational programs, Basefsky said. "Our biggest effort right now is the Community Conservation Task Force."

The task force brings together community members, including the county, to look at conservation strategies.

The towns of Oro Valley and Marana already have water-conservation ordinances, Chavez said.

"Water conservation for all of Pima County is important," Chavez said. "Going forward, there is not enough water to support a growing population plus provide water for riparian and habitat needs."