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

2. 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.

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

4. Program History
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

5. Program History
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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Public Education Event Participation

13. Public Education School and Youth Presentations

14. Public Education Annual Poster Contest

15. Public Education Major Campaigns

16. Brochures, Guides, and Booklets
Public Education
Brochures, Guides, and Booklets

17. Brochures, Guides, and Booklets
Public Education
Brochures, Guides, and Booklets

18. Public Education Custom Videos

19. 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

20. EPA WaterSense® Partner

21. EPA WaterSense® Partner

22. We Won!

23. 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.

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

26. 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

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

28. Customer Breakdown
2015 Local Water Supply Plan

29. 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

30. Questions?
James Lim
Water Efficiency & Conservation Program Manager
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