ALBUQUERQUE BERNALILLO COUNTY
WATER UTILITY AUTHORITY
BILL NO. R-18-8 _____|
RESOLUTION
t
Approving the Update to the Water Conservation Plan
b
WHEREAS, Policy D of the Water 2120 recommends review of the water conservation goal every ten years; and
WHEREAS, the Water Authority’s previous conservation goal of 135 GPCD was achieved in 2014 and new goal has been set at 110 GPCD for 2037; and
WHEREAS, the Water Authority recognizes the benefits of further reducing water usage in the service area to extend area water supplies; and
WHEREAS, all new initiatives will comply with R-10-12, “Enhancing the Water Conservation Program and Establishing a Process for Evaluating and Amending the Program” to ensure that new initiatives provide the same cost benefit as the current initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the Water Authority wishes to continue to focus its conservation program on positive, participatory, choice-based ways to conserve water rather than prescriptive or punitive programs; and
WHEREAS, outdoor water savings are favored over indoor water savings because outdoor water use is consumptive while indoor is not; and
WHEREAS, residential customers have dramatically reduced their water use and while initiatives will continue to be offered to all customer classes, new initiatives will target reductions from non-residential customers; and
WHEREAS, new water conservation initiatives will be designed to enhance, support and work conjunctively with all other Water 2120 Plan strategies and proposed policies; and
WHEREAS, while decreasing the water conservation goal to 110 GPCD will provide many benefits through saving both water and money it cannot, and is not intended to, address all of the Water Authority’s future water resource planning needs; and
WHEREAS, Water2120 addresses comprehensive drought planning, and
WHEREAS, the former Drought Management Plan has been updated to be consistent with Water2120 and renamed “Plan for Customer Demand Reduction During Drought”; and
WHEREAS, the update to the plan includes input provided by industrial, commercial and institutional customers, and
WHEREAS, four public meetings were held February 6, 8, 13 and 15 of 2018 to present the updates to the public; and
WHEREAS, the Technical Customer Advisory Committee met on January 10, 2018 and unanimously approve the update to the Water Conservation Plan; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WATER AUTHORITY:
Section 1. Replacement of Previous Water Conservation Plans and Policies. This update to the water conservation plan replaces and supersedes all previous plans, policies, procedures and strategies.
Section 2. GPCD Goal of 110 by 2037. The Water Authority’s new water conservation goal shall be 110 GPCD by 2037. Progress toward this goal shall be measured annually and presented to the Board.
Section 3. All changes to rebate programs will be made in accordance with R-06-12, “Enhancing the Water Conservation Program and Establishing a Process for Evaluating and Amending the Program. Customers will be notified six months in advance of the phase out of any rebate program.
Section 4. All approval of new rebates and changes to the rebates will be recommended by the Water Conservation Program Manager or the Water Resource Division Manager.
Section 5. No new rebate program shall pay for more than half the cost of the product, no rebate shall pay more than $20 per anticipated unit (748 gallons) of water saved.
Section 6. Prior to the elimination or reduction of any rebate program, the Water Authority shall make the public aware of the change for at least six months prior to the change.
Section 7. The former “Drought Management Plan” shall be renamed “Plan for Customer Demand Reduction During Drought” and incorporated into the Water Conservation Plan.
Section 8. Customers are given ninety (90) days to submit a rebate request from purchase date. Exceptions may be approved when the customer has met all the program requirements, the customer makes a reasonable request, if funding in budget is available and if the request is made within the same fiscal year of product purchase. Rebate exceptions are approved by the Water Conservation Manager or Designee if they meet all exception requirements.
Section 9. Implementation of new programs shall begin April 1, 2018. Any reduction or elimination of rebates will be advertised as described in Section 6.
A. Washing machine rebate - to incentivize purchase of the most water efficient washing machines available, the Water Authority will limit rebates to machines with an International Water Factor (IWF) of 3.0 or less. The washing machine rebates will remain at $100, available every five years or when the property is sold.
B. WaterSmart Workshops - gardening workshops will continue, emphasizing a broad range of topics to provide customers with the most up-to-date information on growing food and irrigating landscapes efficiently. Rebates will no longer be offered for these classes.
C. Toilet, urinals, showerheads, hot water recirculation systems, swamp cooler thermostats - phase out rebates that focus on indoor savings to allow more funding for outdoor efficiency rebates.
D. New garden website and newsletter - the website and monthly newsletter will cover topics on efficient horticultural practices, landscape maintenance, irrigation principles and seasonal tips.
E. Professional landscape dripline - customers with inefficient tree irrigation systems will be able to take advantage of this rebate via the Treebate program.
F. Efficient irrigation and pre-xeriscape conversion consultations - free educational visits to assist customers with topics related to irrigation efficiency and turf-to- xeriscape conversions.
G. Pressure regulation valves, backflow prevention valves, and pressure vacuum break - phase out of these rebates for low participation and because these items are now generally standard with irrigation system installation.
H. Flow sensors - irrigation flow sensors measure irrigation water flow and can work with an irrigation controller to stop or adjust a zone of the irrigation system and alert the customer of a broken pipe or other system leaks. A 25% rebate per controller will be offered (up to $100 for residential customers and up to $500 for commercial customers).
I. Bulk Organic Mulch - this rebate will promote increased moisture content, soil buildup, and healthy root establishment in landscapes. The mulch incentive will be available for Xeriscape Rebate and Treebate participants. A 25% rebate up to $100 for residential customers and up to $500 for commercial customers.
J. Water Efficient Incentive Program - this will promote water conservation initiatives such as installing water efficient devices and technologies that result in at least 100,000 gallons saved annually. Approved projects will be evaluated for an incentive of up to a $10 per unit of water saved annually. Commercial customers could qualify for up to 50% of the cost of the project totaling up to $50,000 per year. Savings will be calculated after the first year of installation and if savings meet threshold requirements, a one-time credit will be adjusted to the customer account.
K. Gardens to Go rebate - rebate to raise interest in xeric gardening for newly constructed homes or customers looking to redesign their landscapes. Customers will be able to choose from a variety of easy, professionally planned, xeric garden kits and apply for a rebate.
L. In-ground soil moisture sensors and wind sensing technology rebate - in ground soil moisture sensors measure soil moisture content in the active root zone. Wind sensing technology interrupts irrigation cycles in the presence of significant wind. A 25% rebate will be offered per controller up to $100 for residential customers and up to $500 for commercial customers.
M. Soil Moisture Enhancers - a soil moisture enhancer rebate will benefit water efficiency in parks, golf courses and other big landscape areas. A 25% rebate will be offered per site up to $500 for commercial customers.
Section 10. Programs for Evaluation. The following new programs require the development of studies that will be undertaken by Water Authority staff.
A. Low Income Pilot Program - develop a pilot program to assist low-income customers in becoming more water efficient. Possible services include low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation systems, water reduction visits and leak repair.
B. Multi-setting sprinkler timer - rebates only for “Smart Irrigation” controllers. The Water Authority will be evaluating which Smart Irrigation Controllers work best for our region and type of landscapes by tracking current participation, type of landscape and controller type during the irrigation seasons of 2018 and 2019. Additionally, a pilot program in partnership with Smart Irrigation Controller manufacturers to install units in residential and commercial sites to identify the most effective units will be developed. The pilot study requires an investment of $20,000 per year to purchase and install controllers. If revised the rebate will be limited to 25% per controller, up to $100 for residential customers and up to $500 for commercial customers, per account.