20251105-002: Artificial Turf Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Environmental Commission Recommendation Number: 20251105-002: Artificial Turf Water Quality Considerations WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission received a staff presentation and report from Watershed Protection regarding the impacts of artificial turf grass on water quality, the environment and Austin residents; and WHEREAS, the Watershed Protection staff has identified several concerns regarding the use of artificial turf, including: • worsening the urban heat island effect • polluting the environment with micro-plastics, PFAs, and heavy metals • reversal of perceived water conservation due to the need to clean and cool the turf down with water, particularly on sports fields • high installation costs • public health impacts such as increased concussions or injuries, childhood cancer, etc. • negative effects on soil health • • increased stormwater runoff Increased landfill waste • Hidden maintenance costs • increased erosion • Negative effects on overall tree canopy and soil health • Increased impervious cover; and WHEREAS, the Watershed Protection staff also identified that natural sod requires periodic soil aeration or replacement, irrigation (with or without reclaimed water), and sometimes involves fertilization. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Environmental Commission recommends: • The City of Austin ban the use of artificial turf, with the option to make exceptions in special circumstances where mitigating environmental conditions are met, or artificial turf is the only way to address accessibility issues . • • • • The City of Austin initiate a code amendment to define artificial turf as impervious cover in city code The City of Austin explores conducting an analysis of any commercial spaces and residential lots currently using impervious cover, to assess whether they are out of compliance with their allowed impervious cover limits The City of Austin creates a residential and commercial education campaign about the environmental and health impacts of artificial turf grass, and xeric and native planting alternatives that exist, and explore an opt-in buyback program for artificial turf The Environmental Commission creates a working group to further investigate possible regulations around artificial turf. Date of Approval: November 5, 2025 Motioned By: Mariana Krueger Seconded By: Isabella Changsut Vote: 8-0 For: Jennifer Bristol, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, Richard Brimer, Isabella Changsut, Annie Fierro, Mar Moretta-Urdiales, David Sullivan Against: None Abstain: Justin Fleury Off the dais: None Absent: Martin Luecke and Allison Morriso Attest: __________________________________________ Jennifer Bristol, Chair