Santa Monica : Fees for Swimming Pools

Swimming pool construction, banned locally during the last year as an emergency water saving measure, would be permitted again subject to special fees, according to a City Council recommendation.

The change would also permit construction of decorative ponds and fountains, and allow for remodeling of existing pools, although any additional water use incurred by the new structures would be subject to penalty rates.

The ban was implemented in April, 1991, as part of a city mandate that all water customers reduce consumption by 20% of 1990 levels.

During the ensuing 10 months, residents and businesses reduced their water usage by 24.8%, according to the city.

The council’s recommendation on Tuesday night specifies that the city’s emergency water conservation ordinance be amended by the city attorney’s office, after which the council would vote on the revision.

The proposed amendment would require those who build pools to pay a mitigation fee equal to twice the estimated first-year water demand. The money would be used to retrofit existing toilets in the city with low-flow technology. The estimated fee for a 25,000-gallon residential pool would be $1,000.