Meridian, ID Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- When public works finds reuse water available
- Stormwater use
- Reuse water barred from stormwater facilities
- Backup source
- City water, reuse water, or on-site well
- Waiver
- Director may waive backup for water-conserving design
- Metering
- Separate meter required if using potable water
Summary
Meridian's landscaping code requires new development to irrigate with nonpotable or reuse water instead of potable water whenever the city public works department determines it's available, with a backup water source generally required too.
Nonpotable water. Use of nonpotable irrigation and/or reuse water is required when determined to be available by the city public works department as set forth in Section 9-1-28, "Pressurized Irrigation System", of this code; reuse water may not be used for stormwater facilities. Water availability during the fall and spring seasons is also required by connecting to city potable water, city reuse water, and/or an on-site well as a secondary source. An exception may be approved for water conserving designs as set forth in subsection 11-3B-5O of this article. In such cases, the requirement for a secondary source may be waived by the director. If city potable water is used, a separate water meter is required.E.Subdivision irrigation systems. If a pressurized irrigation pump station is required on the developed property, such station shall be on a lot solely dedicated to that pump station. Said lot shall be owned by the entity that owns and maintains the pressurized irrigation system. (Ord. No. 21-1950, § 17, 10-10-2021)
11-3B-7. - Landscape buffers along streets.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 14).
Full Breakdown
Under Meridian's landscaping and irrigation standards, developers must connect to nonpotable irrigation or reuse water rather than potable water for landscape irrigation whenever the city public works department determines such water is available, per the cross-referenced pressurized irrigation rules in Section 9-1-28. Reuse water cannot serve stormwater facilities. Sites must also maintain a secondary water source, city potable water, city reuse water, or an on-site well, for fall and spring availability, though the director can waive that backup requirement for projects using water-conserving landscape designs. Any site connecting to city potable water must install a separate meter for it.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance with the irrigation standard is a Title 11 misdemeanor under Meridian City Code § 11-1-12, punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in jail, with each day a separate offense; the city may also withhold permits or approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Meridian require developers to use recycled or reuse water for irrigation?
Can a project skip the backup water source requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Meridian
Compare Meridian to another location·View the Idaho water use rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Recycled Water Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle recycled water rules.