6.3.3 Goals and Policies

Goal 1

Efforts to improve regional cooperation and communication among appropriate agencies and communities are supported.

Policies:

Support ADWR efforts to assure that all water providers and users in the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) participate equally in the attainment of safe yield.
Assist the private water companies in conservation, long range planning, and identification of their roles as water suppliers for the region.
Maintain a 100-year Assured Water Supply Designation from the ADWR.
Work cooperatively with state of Arizona agencies to refine existing water legislation and achieve the adoption of plans, policies, and regulations.
Expand processes to communicate current and planned water programs to the public.

Goal 2

City of Surprise continues to promote water conservation.

Policies:

Implement conservation programs that meet Surprise Water Management Plan conservation requirements.
Support conservation and efficient water use in an effort to minimize the need for new water sources.
Expand programs and regulations to reduce water waste.
Make information about water conserving landscaping and water recycling methods and resources available to property managers, designers, and homeowners.

Goal 3

Surprise continues to develop and implement programs for new sources of water.

Policies:

Continue research and implementation programs to recharge CAP water.
Continue to pursue acquisition of new water supplies.
Standardize data collection and methods for economic comparison of alternative water supplies and programs.

Goal 4

Research shall be conducted on the relationship between water supplies and service, land use, and growth of the region.

Policies:

Include conservation of water resources in plans and policies to guide land use decisions.
Pursue water plans and policies that protect and benefit natural ecological systems.
Pursue programs and procedures that require application of xeriscape concepts for all landscaped areas, limit turf to active recreation areas, and keep natural desert in washes.

Goal 5

The city of Surprise continues to invest in the storage and distribution system to insure reliable delivery of high quality water to meet daily and emergency needs.

Policies:

Develop surface water treatment plants to satisfy the city’s potable water needs.
Provide all future water service in areas that are not currently covered by an existing water franchise. The city’s intent is to allow no additional water service franchises into the Surprise Planning Area.
Encourage continued development of the city’s water supply and distribution system to meet established system pressure and fire flow standards (including reservoirs, mains and hydrants).
Provide storage facilities to serve twice the average daily water need.
Work with regional agencies to provide and improve emergency measures to ensure adequate water, storage and distribution during supply interruptions.

Goal 6

Use of effluent/reclaimed water is promoted.

Policies:

Maximize the use of effluent and integrate effluent management plans.
Continue to research and implement programs to increase the use of reclaimed water and secondary effluent.
Develop incentives to encourage the use of re-cycled water/reclaimed water/non-potable water.
Support the extension of recycled water distribution infrastructure.

Goal 7

The quality of Surprise’s water sources are protected and enhanced.

Policies:

Analyze and mitigate the potential for contamination of groundwater supplies from proposed industrial or commercial land uses.
Locate landfills or other groundwater polluting land uses to minimize the potential for the contamination of groundwater.
Pursue programs and funds to mitigate groundwater pollution caused by existing and historic land uses which may pose a threat to water resources.
Develop plans, policies, and procedures and identify funding sources to comply with federal and state water quality programs as they are developed.

Goal 8

The potential for contaminants to enter the community’s water supply is minimized.

Policies:

Develop and implement a leak detection monitoring and installation program for underground storage tanks, in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
Develop and implement a program for preventing hazardous substances from entering the aquifer and the water supply system.
Establish a groundwater monitoring program at landfills to permit the early detection of any groundwater degradation which may occur.

Goal 9

The pollutant load in surface water runoff is reduced.

Policies:

Due to potential impact to increased water discharge, all development activities shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with Phase One NPDES permit requirements.
Preserve and enhance the design conveyance capacity of the surface water drainage system.
Invest in the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the water utility infrastructure
Preserve and improve water quality through enhancement and expansion of the storm water program including education, policies and procedures to improve runoff quality.

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