City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 13
Chapter 13.045
Section 13.045.050
 

Title 13 Public Utilities and Services

Chapter 13.045 Intertie Agreements and Water Rights

Section 13.045.050 Water Rights and Seasonal Flow Goals
  1. The City of Spokane shall not sell or transfer any water rights without the approving vote of City Council.  The City upon approval of City Council may acquire available water rights if it would be prudent to do so for the purpose of protecting the resource for system resiliency purposes, and/or operational efficiency as provided by Chapter 35.21 RCW.
  1. The City Council will use the best available evidence and science to set written appropriate minimum seasonal river flow goals for the portion of the Spokane River flowing through the City of Spokane in respect to City operations only. Appropriate minimum flow goals set by the City Council may exceed the minimum standard as established by Washington State Department of Ecology in Chapter 173- 557 WAC.  Such goals are not intended to overlap the legal jurisdiction of the State of Washington.
  1. The City is committed through its policies and environmental sustainability plan to substantially conserve water and reduce per capita consumption across the City’s water distribution system as set out in the City’s Water System Plan and water use efficiency goals that are established by City Council Resolution.  In order to achieve the City’s water use efficiency goals, the City will provide budget support for the following operational and maintenance efforts and policy framework that will improve and protect the regional delivery system’s natural water resources, efficiency and effectiveness, including  flows in the Spokane River:
  1. Conservation educational programming and technical advice;
  1. Implementation of conservation measures on city owned property;
  1. Programs supporting water conservation equipment and irrigation reduction for all customers;
  1. Water re-use programs;
  1. Seasonal irrigation efficiency and reduction measures; and
  1. Other innovations that will support water conservation goals and increased flows in the Spokane River.
  1. The City’s policy is to adhere to its river flow goals by following its conservation measures and efficiency plans developed by the water department, which may include implementing seasonal irrigation measures in accordance with the City’s policies and procedures.  Within twenty months of the adoption of this chapter, the City shall develop and periodically update a comprehensive plan and clear policies and procedures applicable to all customers and classes to achieve its water conservation goals.

Date Passed: Monday, July 9, 2018

Effective Date: Wednesday, August 22, 2018

ORD C35630 Section 1