City of Durham Department of Water Management Water Efficiency and Conservation NCAWWA Sustainability Seminar September 20, 2017

About Water Management Mission: Provide cost effective water and wastewater services that meet customers’ expectations and all regulatory requirements We are like a utility in that we are responsible for all aspects of delivering water to customers, removal & treatment before discharge back into the environment, as well as billing for those services. Durham has two drinking water reservoirs: Lake Michie and Little River reservoir. Water is pumped to our two treatment plants, Brown and Williams. On average, we treat just over 26 millions gallons/day. In addition, Durham has two waste water reclamation facilities… The only water “element” we don’t manage is storm water.

Water Efficiency and Conservation Broad Overview Customer focused programming Internal support Voluntary efficiency focus Mandatory conservation enforcement

Program History 1981 - 1994 Durham petitions NC Building Code Council for more efficient plumbing codes Durham's original Conservation Ordinance adopted Water utility bond referendum 1981 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1994 Today Water utility bond referendum Water efficient fixture requirements adopted Conservation program initiated

Program History 1995 - 2010 Third staff member added Drought Drought 1995 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2010 Today Current Water Efficiency Ordinance adopted Second staff member added Drought Toilet rebate program started

Efficiency and Conservation Efficient water use allows for the conservation of limited natural resources and adequate water supplies to preserve environmental integrity Water efficiency is typically technology-oriented, whereas water conservation is behavior-oriented Example: Replacing an incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent will reduce energy use, BUT simply not turning on the bulb will eliminate use

Major Activities Programs and Services Water Use Assessments Toilet rebate program Save Water Kits Rain barrels Water Efficiency Ordinance enforcement/response Public Education Community events School presentations Development of educational programs/materials Water Efficiency Ordinance education (odd-even schedule)

Water Use Assessments Educate customers about the wise use of water and to make their homes and businesses as water efficient as possible. Identify leaks Check for inefficient fixtures and devices Provide complimentary low-flow aerators and showerheads if needed Make recommendations on habit changes

WaterSense Toilet Rebate Must use 1.28 gpf or less Must be WaterSense Must replace a 1.6 gpf or greater toilet We offer rebates valued at $100 when qualified residential water customers replace their toilets with EPA WaterSense rated High Efficiency Toilet (HET) models.

Save Water Kits WaterSense Showerhead Fill Valve Diverter Dye Tablets Efficiency kits are sold that include water saving devices for the home; additional, the program offers showerhead exchanges at some public events. Rain barrels are sold at wholesale through arrangement with Rain Water Solutions. WaterSense Bathroom Aerator Kitchen Aerator

Rain Barrel Sales The “Ivy” Rain Barrel 50 gallon capacity Price: $65.00 ea. plus tax Can be purchased online or by check at time of pick-up Made of recycled materials and is recyclable. Retail at $129.

Public Education Event Participation

Public Education School and Youth Presentations

Public Education Annual Poster Contest

Public Education Major Campaigns

Brochures, Guides, and Booklets Public Education Brochures, Guides, and Booklets

Brochures, Guides, and Booklets Public Education Brochures, Guides, and Booklets

Public Education Custom Videos

Conservation Program Public Affairs News releases Advertising Website Get information on: Current Daily Demand Daily Lake Elevations Comparative graphs Current Conservation Status Related links Water Supply Status

EPA WaterSense® Partner

EPA WaterSense® Partner

We Won!

Regulatory Requirements: Water Efficiency Ordinance Part I – Year-Round Efficiency Part II – Four Stages of Water Restrictions Water Shortage Response Plan Water shortage response: includes enforcing mandatory restrictions, working with City departments to decrease water use and comply with ordinance, implementing Water Use Licensing process, responding to violation reports, responding to media inquiries, boosting public information efforts WSRP is not just drought, but could include other shortages as a result of infrastructure failure, etc.

Major Challenges: Water Supply & Drought Potential Little River Reservoir November 2007

Tiered Rates Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 Residential $1.93 (0 – 2 ccf) Tier 2 (>2– 5 ccf) Tier 3 (>5-8 ccf) Tier 4 (>8 – 15 ccf) Tier 5 (>15 ccf) Residential $1.93 $2.91 $3.19 $4.16 $6.23 Non-Residential Irrigation Durham implemented its tiered rate structure effective fiscal year 2009. The tiered rate structure has 5 tiers for single family residential customers, based on water usage/consumption. All non-residential customers are set at the Tier 3 rate, and all irrigation accounts are set at the Tier 5 rate. Tiered rates are designed to reward customers who use less water by charging the lower rates for water used in the lower tiers. The more water a customer uses, usage moves into the higher tier(s) resulting in higher charges for water use. FYI – 1500 cubic feet = 11,220 gallons

Trend – Percent of SFR Consumption by Tiers There’s been a general decrease in consumption at the highest tiers.

Customer Breakdown 2015 Local Water Supply Plan

Program Challenges Conservation is historically viewed as a temporary or standby solution Efficiency and conservation CAN be a long-term viable supply option Conservation is historically viewed as a temporary or standby solution in response to drought or a water shortage Conservation CAN be a long-term viable supply option Program has been moving in the direction of promoting water efficiency in conjunction with water conservation

Questions? James Lim Water Efficiency & Conservation Program Manager james.lim@durhamnc.gov www.DurhamSavesWater.org @DurhamWater facebook.com/durhamsaveswater Please be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.