1. What - Water Conservation! John T. Sutton Texas Water Development Board February 16, 2012

2. Basically, the Water Conservation Plan is a continuous long term strategy or combination of strategies for: reducing the consumption of water reducing the loss or waste of water increasing recycling and reuse of water improving or maintaining the efficiency in the use of water Water Conservation Plan

3. http://www.twdb.texas.gov/wrpi/swp/

5. Conservation Plans Utility Profile Annual Report Water Use Survey Water Loss Audit

6. Minimum Requirements §363.15 of Texas Administrative Code U tility Profile, Form WRD-264. Specific and quantified targets for water savings and water loss in gpcd. Schedule for implementing the plan. (See BMP Guide) Method(s) for tracking plan activities and effectiveness. (See BMP Guide)

7. Requirements Continued Water accountability provisions: Master meter to measure water diverted from supply source. Universal metering for both customer and public uses. Continuous program of leak detection, repair and water loss accounting in order to control water loss. Test, calibrate, repair and replace meters.

8. Requirements Continued Non-promotional rate structure. Notify the regional water planning group for the service area of plan completion and make it available upon request. Adopt the plan. Plan should be adopted by the governing body of your utility.

9. Requirements Continued Review and revise plan every 5 years. http://www.twdb.texas.gov/assistance/conser vation/Municipal/Plans/CPlans.asp http://www.twdb.texas.gov/assistance/conser vation/Municipal/Plans/CPlans.asp

10. Utility Profile Assist with plan development Water supply system data Wastewater system data Number of connections by type Historical water use (5 years) a must Ensure this information is considered when preparing the plan and establishing reasonable gpcd and water loss goals

11. Data Historic water use Customer Classification – SB 181 Seasonal water use Large water users Water loss Population projections Future water demands

12. Why is Water Loss Important? Inefficient use of water resources – Supply side conservation Properly tracking apparent loss – Increase revenue – Decrease rate increase frequency Recovery of real losses – Cost-effective compared to new water – Diminished need to search for new water – Unnecessary investments in new facilities

13. AWWA Methodology It has consistent, standard terms “Unaccounted for water” is discouraged AWWA methodology answers the following questions: – Where did we lose the water? – How much water was actually lost? (VOLUME) – How much did the water loss cost the utility? – Why did we lose the water?

14. System Input Water Delivery Source Meter Adjustment Corrected Input Volume Wholesale Water Imported Wholesale Water Exported

15. Authorized Consumption Billed Metered – All water sold Billed Unmetered – Water charged for but not metered Unbilled Metered – Metered line/fire hydrant flushing Unbilled Unmetered – Unmetered line flushing/fire department use

16. Apparent Loss/Retail Rate Non-revenue water Unauthorized Consumption – – Fire hydrant theft, – unauthorized connections. Meter Inaccuracies – Under registering – Installed improperly Accounting discrepancies – Non billed accounts – Billing software inaccuracies – Waivers

17. Real Loss/Production Rate Non-revenue water These are the physical losses of leaks, from the pressurized point up to the point of customer metering. Reported Leaks Un-Reported Loss Catch-all Category Association with retail cost

18. Performance Indicators Real loss/mile of main/per day – rural Real loss/# of connections/per day – urban Total Apparent loss/retail cost Total Real loss/marginal production cost Infrastructure Leakage Index

19. How can the audit help the utility? – The worksheet application is designed for the utility. – Utility can select year and input data. – Compare volume data audit to audit. – Shows the need to implement the use of benchmarks or performance indicators. – Where in the system are we losing water? – How can we prevent the losses? – Can increase financial standing.

20. Data Sources http://www.twdb.texas.gov/wrpi/ – DBO12 – Search mechanism – Population – Projected GPCD – WMS – Planned volume of water

21. Stakeholder Input Other City Departments – Finance – Parks – Fire Fighting Large water users School District HOAs

22. Targets & Goals 5-yr & 10-yr specific goals for water savings & water loss

23. GPCD Goals Establish a baseline gpcd-should be consistent with your 5-yr. average in the Utility Profile

24. Goals-Bad The utility will reduce water use by 5%. The utility will lower water loss by 10%, or by 8 gpcd. The general manager will announce a watering schedule when we go into a mandatory stage. The utility will reduce water use because it is a scarce resource.

25. Goals - Good Be specific and quantify in gpcd. “Our baseline gpcd to be reduced is 150, based on our last 5 years average water use.” 5-yr gpcd goal:143 (2016) 10-yr gpcd goal: 140 (2021)

26. Specific WCP Goals GoalsYearsPer Capita Water Use (gpcd) Water Losses (%) Water Losses (gpcd) Past 5-year average 2003- 2008 153 gpcd7.01%11 5-year goal 2013145 gpcd6.66%10 10-year goal 2018138 gpcd6.33%8

27. Other Plan Activities Reduce our average day and peak day ratio Form a citizen/ratepayer committee to review and discuss water conservation & utility issues Create web site and update regularly to communicate with customers Prohibition on wasting water-usually done by ordinance Reduce wastewater flows

28. Region H Water Conservation Small WUG population under 3300. Estimate based on BMPs: Unaccounted-for-water reduction (leak detection), Public Education, Water Wise program. Potential savings estimated at 5.55% Cost estimated at $202/ac-ft Medium WUG population 3300 to 10,000. Estimate based on BMPs: Unaccounted-for-water, Public Education, Water Wise program, Indoor/Exterior Audits. Savings estimated at 5.96% Cost estimated at $311/ac-ft Large WUG population great than 10,000. Estimate based on BMPs: Water Audits, Indoor/Exterior Audits, Pool/Fountain Standards, In-house Programs, Unaccounted-for- water, Public Education, Water Wise program. Savings estimated at 6.8% Cost estimated at $213/ac-ft

29. NFBCWA 2008 Conservation Plan Data Residential use comprises the majority of groundwater consumption 170 gpcd average – 210 gpcd in a dry year 190 gpcd as baseline

30. NFBCWA 2008 Conservation Plan Reduce water consumption from the levels that would prevail without conservation efforts Reduce the loss and waste of water Improve the efficiency in the use of water Document the level of reuse, which is replacing potable water supply

31. NFBCWA 2008 Conservation Plan Goals 5-year (2018) – 10% water loss 10-year (2023) – 8% water loss

32. NFBCWA 2008 Conservation Plan Measures Irrigation Schedules Pricing Policies Leak Detection & Water Audits Water Efficient Plumbing Fixtures & Appliances Retrofit Kits Educational Programs – ie. Water is Life & Water WISE

34. Know Your… System – What’s the water source & how much are you allocated? – Is there enough to accommodate population growth? – How much water can you treat daily? – What are your limits? Drought Contingency plan – What is your system’s water loss? Unaccounted for water loss Metered but unbilled water Age of infrastructure

35. Know Your… Town – Who’s using the most water? (customer class) – How is water being used? Irrigation, industrial, residential…this will determine baselines and where it can be reduced – When is water being used? Seasonally—irrigation? Peak times/days? – Age of residences Will help determine gallons used in plumbing – GPCD (be consistent w/ formula) total water produced/population/365 – Round Rock’s is: 2008 = 167 gpcd 2009 = 144 gpcd2010 = 130 gpcd

36. Know Your… Policy – Is there an effective meter replacement program? – Is water given away for free? Why? Charge for it so there will be value to it – Ordinances Plumbing code requirements New development Landscape &/or Tree ordinances Water Waste

37. Monthly Water Use 2008-2010

38. Program Implementation What will work best for your situation: – Indoor use – Outdoor use – Policy change Support of management – Do you have it? – What is their idea of a program? Budget – Dedicated funding source: water rates Multi-tiered water rates—let those that are using the most water pay higher amounts and dedicate that revenue to water conservation education and programs. (easier said than done!) – Seasonal rates

39. Program Implementation Toilets – Pros: The easiest way to achieve water savings! – No behavior changes required WaterSense toilets City media used for advertising (read: free) Generally well-liked by public – Cons: Not (always) priority for management Need a budgeted $ amount Collaboration with several departments

40. Program Implementation Water (Irrigation) Evaluations – Pros: Irrigation system typically the largest consumer at residences – whole house too time consuming, not much yield Low costs: vehicle, audit report, stopwatch Target highest water users with billing system – Cons: Most effective with knowledge- able staff – Irrigation, horticulture, – native plants, soils, meters Licensed Irrigator? – Willing to send to training – & take certification » Added expense

41. Program Implementation Rainbarrels – Pros Repurpose barrels from other source Cheap to convert More than conservation – Stormwater, drainage, erosion Feel-good program – Cons Not substantial water savings or $ savings

42. Staff Resources Collaboration – Other cities, water districts, counties What are they doing? Who is your counterpart there? – Staff within your organization Parks dept, utility billing office, recycle center – Professional organizations—be a joiner! TAWWA WC&R, WCAC, WaterSense Partnership, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists Create your own with folks within your water district if there isn’t already one.

43. Staff Resources Other Avenues – Presentations Schools, garden clubs, service organizations – Writing articles Utility bill stuffer, HOA newsletters, website – Public Education Signs or notices at high-traffic buildings – library, billing office, courthouse, rec centers, other? Brochures, dye tables, flow bags, teacher resources… Links on website to WaterSense, Water IQ

44. Water Conservation Plan Resources The Best Management Practices or BMP Guide: http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/assistance/conservation/TaskForceDoc s/WCITFBMPGuide.pdf TWDB Water Efficiency Study: http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/assistance/conservation/gdsstudy.asp

45. WISE Guys

46. WATER CONSERVATION Education Kids Page Water Conservation Brochures Texas WaterHog – classroom & coloring book Water Wise Program Mobile Teaching Lab

47. Public Awareness Program Identified target audience and messaging Local programs utilizing the brand www.WaterIQ.org

48. Technology, innovation, awareness and participation in water planning and conservation activities can help ensure Texans meet their water demand. John T. Sutton John.sutton@twdb.texas.gov 512-463-7988 Texas Water Development Board http://www.twdb.texas.gov