Water Savings: Smart Community Management

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The summer of 2012 will be recorded as the hottest and one of the driest summers in history. Even if the current patterns are just an aberration, water issues will increasingly become important to community associations in the years ahead as supply concerns, a growing population and an aging infrastructure put pressure on supplies. Experts estimate that as early as 2013, 36 states will be facing serious water shortages. For community associations, this creates a host of challenges and opportunities to serve residents and counter negative perceptions of community association living.

Community association residents are bound together by governing documents and rules that protect the value and look of the community. These rules can promote environmentally friendly practices or, in the case of older communities, serve as an obstacle for greener living. The biggest challenges that many existing communities face are a burden of rules that no longer fit contemporary environmental demands or residents’ needs.
On issues related to water, these obstacles can take several forms. First, many communities in the southwest have rules that mandate green lawns, which in an arid environment can be a challenge. Second, there are other rules that may limit residents to an enumerated list of landscaping options or prevent the installation of water saving devices like rain barrels.
Boards and managers should take a proactive approach to empower residents with a host of options for water conservation. This can take place on both a community-wide and individual basis. First, making more efficient use of resources saves money! Reviewing association water usage and community rules just makes economic sense. The built-in social infrastructure of community associations also provides a forum to educate and inform residents about actions that individuals can take to conserve water and increase efficiency. The key to any successful effort is to frame it as a process of creating options rather than restricting or mandating certain actions.
Communities that don’t effectively respond to environmental concerns may find themselves with a host of challenges. Inflexible rules and limited options for residents may invite scrutiny by the media and legislators. Local news outlets are eager to further the inaccurate, but compelling, narrative that community associations are filled with petty tyrants who enforce inflexible rules on residents. Legislators are also willing to pass legislation that overrides the ability of a community association to regulate life within the neighborhood. Examples of this include states that are intervening to prevent associations from issuing any rules to govern solar panels, clothes lines, or other environmental related concerns. Such rules undermine community governance and the property value protection they provide.

  • From a community perspective, here are few ideas to consider:
  • Review community CC&Rs and bylaws for outdated rules related to watering, yards, or planting
  • Contact your local water authority or area non-profit conservation organization for a water usage audit
  • Consider a complimentary water use analysis from Associa Green vendor partner Valley Crest
  • Create a menu of options for residents, in line with community restrictions, that allow for more efficient water usage
  • Host a meeting or educational session at the community clubhouse or publish an article in a community newsletter on steps individuals can take for more efficient water use
  • Plan a community awareness “green” event through the Associa Green program

With a little forethought and planning, today’s managed communities can lead the way in sensible water usage and environmental impact.