Alamosa council advances ordinance to prohibit graywater use amid capacity concerns
December 22, 2025 | Alamosa City, Alamosa, Colorado
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The Alamosa City Council on Dec. 17 moved forward Ordinance 26-2025, a proposal to prohibit graywater use and the installation of graywater treatment works within Alamosa, after a public hearing and unanimous council vote.
City Attorney Miss Sanchez told the council that a state rule change shifts the presumption so that jurisdictions must prohibit graywater unless they affirmatively allow it by Jan. 1. "We are not ready to allow any graywater usage to happen by January 1," she said, citing the significant regulatory and inspection steps the city would need to put in place.
Richard Huebler, Alamosa’s Land Use and Building Department director, also urged prohibition during the hearing. Huebler said technical constraints — including plumbing-code conflicts and the high cost of NSF-350-level treatment — and seasonal feasibility in colder months make many legal graywater options impractical here. "I’m a fan of graywater," Huebler said, "but the regulation is not the way to get us there right now." He added that the county plans a similar prohibition.
Council discussion stressed staff capacity and coordination with the county. Councilor Jan Vigil moved to proceed with the ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Council and staff said that if the council later wants to reconsider allowing graywater, a work session could be scheduled but would require sufficient council interest and significant staff time to develop a regulatory scheme and inspection capacity.
Why it matters: The ordinance responds to a statewide regulatory change while prioritizing the city’s practical ability to monitor and enforce graywater systems. If adopted, the local prohibition would block on-the-ground graywater installations until the city develops regulatory, inspection and staffing capabilities or votes to change course.
What’s next: Council moved the measure forward during the meeting; procedural next steps are to schedule the ordinance for subsequent readings or final action as required by council rules.
City Attorney Miss Sanchez told the council that a state rule change shifts the presumption so that jurisdictions must prohibit graywater unless they affirmatively allow it by Jan. 1. "We are not ready to allow any graywater usage to happen by January 1," she said, citing the significant regulatory and inspection steps the city would need to put in place.
Richard Huebler, Alamosa’s Land Use and Building Department director, also urged prohibition during the hearing. Huebler said technical constraints — including plumbing-code conflicts and the high cost of NSF-350-level treatment — and seasonal feasibility in colder months make many legal graywater options impractical here. "I’m a fan of graywater," Huebler said, "but the regulation is not the way to get us there right now." He added that the county plans a similar prohibition.
Council discussion stressed staff capacity and coordination with the county. Councilor Jan Vigil moved to proceed with the ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Council and staff said that if the council later wants to reconsider allowing graywater, a work session could be scheduled but would require sufficient council interest and significant staff time to develop a regulatory scheme and inspection capacity.
Why it matters: The ordinance responds to a statewide regulatory change while prioritizing the city’s practical ability to monitor and enforce graywater systems. If adopted, the local prohibition would block on-the-ground graywater installations until the city develops regulatory, inspection and staffing capabilities or votes to change course.
What’s next: Council moved the measure forward during the meeting; procedural next steps are to schedule the ordinance for subsequent readings or final action as required by council rules.
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