Flagstaff Water Commission Meeting - March 19, 2026

The City of Flagstaff Water Commission held a meeting on March 19, 2026, focusing primarily on land use regulations related to data centers and water conservation policies. The commission discussed proposed zoning code amendments to regulate data centers, particularly concerning their water usage and cooling systems. Staff recommended permitting data centers in heavy industrial zones with conditional use permits and emphasized requiring air-cooled or closed-loop water cooling systems to mitigate water consumption. The commission expressed concerns about high water use and supported restricting water-cooled systems to protect local water resources. Additionally, the commission reviewed updates to the plumbing code to require WaterSense-labeled fixtures and discussed revisions to the water conservation ordinance, including restrictions on irrigation practices, nonfunctional turf, and reclaimed water use. The commission approved a motion to recommend these water conservation ordinance modifications to the city council. No contract awards or procurement decisions were made during this meeting, but policy discussions could influence future water resource management and development approvals in Flagstaff.