Review of Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Goals and Achievements

Transcription

1 I. Water Use Efficiency Rule In 2003, the Washington State Legislature passed the Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1338, known as the Municipal Water Law or the Water Use Efficiency Rule (WUER), to address the increasing demand on Washington s water resources. This law established that all municipal water suppliers must use water more efficiently in exchange for water right certainty and flexibility to help them meet future demand. The WUER, which was implemented by Department of Health (DOH) on January 22, 2007, emphasizes the importance of measuring water use and evaluating the effectiveness of the water supplier s conservation program. The intent is to minimize water withdrawals and water use by implementing water saving activities and adopting policies, resolutions or ordinances. This public information paper follows the guidelines set forth in the Water Use Efficiency Guide Book, Third Edition, January, 2011 as well as the Water System Planning Handbook (April 1997). The WUE Guide replaces the Conservation Planning Requirements established by the state in March The fundamental elements of the Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Program are: II. Planning Requirements Distribution Leakage Standard Metering Requirements Conservation Planning and Goal Setting Annual WUE Reporting Supply Characteristics The District's water supply consists of groundwater allotted to us by the State of Washington (our Water Rights); water from the Green River Watershed via the Regional Water Supply System and; on occasion, water from the Cedar River Water & Sewer District (CRWSD) per an agreement with CRWSD and Seattle Public Utilities. The District has a total of 11 production wells, interties to receive water from four neighboring water utilities, 21.5 million gallons of storage in 8 steel tanks at seven sites throughout the District, and over 267 miles of pipeline. III. Review of Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Goals and Achievements A Objectives and Goals 1) Objectives As part of the initial WUE compliance requirements, and after a complete review of production, consumption and distribution system leakage data, system operations, and data collection processes, the District developed four objectives for its WUE Program: Page 1

2 Reduce average day residential usage. Reduce residential peak season and peak demands. Maintain Distribution System Leakage (DSL) three-year rolling average at 8% or less. Continue a historical trend of annual reduction in per connection usage. 2) Goals: Since more than 97% of the District s customers are single family households (SFH), District staff concentrated their WUE goals on reducing demand in that customer class. The demand side goals are as follows: a. To reduce the average per SFH per day consumption from the average of 200 gallons per day (gpd) to 195 gpd or 86,000 gallons per day on an average annual basis at full implementation by the end of the planning period. b. To reduce the average per SFH per day consumption during the peak season from the average of 254 gpd to 246 gpd or 121,000 gallons per day at full implementation by the end of the period. 3) Supply Side Goal: To maintain the District s rolling three-year DSL average at 8% or less of the total annual production at full implementation by the end of The Water Use Efficiency Rule standard is to contain water loss to no more than 10% of the water produced per year on a 3-year rolling average. B WUE Program Water Savings through 2012¹: The District s water savings goals for the six year period ( ) through the end of 2012 were dramatically exceeded on the demand side and moderately exceeded on the supply side as shown in Figure 1.1 below. Figure 1.2 and Table 1.1 below show the decrease in the annual SFH average day demand (ADD) over the last twelve years and particularly within the last three years. The District s peak season (June September) average day demand also declined from a average of 253 gallons per day to a average of 198 gallons per day, as shown in Figure 1.3. Through the five year period of , the District has saved approximately 1,140 MG compared to the average day and peak season average day consumption trend. ¹ Data for 2013 was not available at the time this report was complied. Page 2

3 14.00% 12.00% 13. Figure 1.1 DistributionSystem Leakage 3-Year Rolling Average 10.00% 8.00% 10.2% 8.8% 8.3% 8.8% 8.5% 6.7% 7.0% % 6.4% 6.00% 4.00% 2.00% 0.00% Figure 1.2 Average Annual Consumption Per Single Family Connection Per Day G a l l o n s p e r D a y Year Page 3

4 Table 1.1 SFH Average Annual Per Day Consumption Year Annual Number of SFH Connections Per Day Average Consumption (MG) , , , ,031 13, , , ,008 15, , Average , ,018 15, , , , Average 164 Figure 1.3 Average Annual Peak Season (June - Sept) Consumption Per Connection Per Day in Gallons G a l l o n s P e r D a y Year Page 4

5 C Conservation Measures Table 1.2 below describes the District s conservation measures in affect during the six year WUE period. Many of the District s conservation measures during this period were carried out in partnership with the Cascade Water Alliance a (Cascade), of which the District was a member of at the time. The District ended its membership with Cascade in late Table 1.2 Covington Water District Historical (H), Current (C) and Proposed (P) Conservation Measures Supply Side Measures Description Implementation Production (Source) All sources are metered Metering (M) and calibrated annually H C P Consumption All service connections Metering (M) are metered H C P Leak Detection and Leak detection program and Repair (M) repair known leaks w/in 72 hours H C P Water Loss Control DSL is under 10 percent - Action Plan action plan developed voluntarily C P Demand Side Measures Description Implementation¹ Residential Indoor: Toilet Leak Detection Mailed to customers annually H C P Dye Kits and available at District office (P available at office only) WaterSense Toilet In partnership with Cascade- Replacement Rebates will not continue in future H C Showerhead Replacement Free 2.0 gpm showerheads H C P WaterSense Toilet In partnership with Cascade- Installation for Low Income will not continue in future HC WaterSense Aerator Free 1.5 gpm kitchen and Replacement bathroom aerators H C P WaterSense Clothes In partnership with Cascade- Washer Rebates will not continue in future H C Shower Timers and Given away at District office Other Give-A-Ways and community events H C P Irrigation Rain Given away at District office Sensors and community events H C P Commercial Indoor: WaterSense Toilet In partnership with Cascade- Replacement Rebates will not continue in future H C Commercial Kitchen In partnership with Cascade- Equipment Replacement will not continue in future H C Pre-Rinse Spray Valve In partnership with Cascade- Installation will not continue in future H C Residential/Commercial Outdoor: Irrigation Evaluations In partnership with Cascade- Page 5

6 will not continue in future H C Irrigation Efficiency In partnership with Cascade- Upgrades will not continue in future H C Drip Irrigation In partnership with Cascade Projects will not continue in future H C Outreach and Education: Savvy Gardener Classes Poor attendance -will not continue H C School Classroom Presentations Very worthwhile - will continue H C P Community Fairs/Events Will continue H C P Newsletter Conservation Articles Will continue H C P III. Covington Water District Water Use Efficiency Program As shown in Figures 1.2 and 1.3 above, the District s water supply outlook is currently very different than it was when the former WUE Program was developed. The unexpected reduction in consumption across all customer classes, well beyond the expectations of the District s goals, caused the District to re-evaluate future water savings expectations and to change the objectives and goals of its WUE Program. As such, due to the marked trend in declining per connection per day consumption seen in the last five years ( ), the District assumes that the declining trend will not continue at rate seen in the last five years and that the potential for future water savings will be much less dramatic. Another significant change in the program goals is that, unlike the prior program goals, which concentrated on reducing residential demand, the new goals apply to water savings across all customer classes. A Objectives and Goals 1) Objectives: a. Develop and implement conservation measures to improve water use efficiency across all customer classes. b. Guide the WUE Program towards long-term sustainable water use efficiencies and use adaptive measures that are goal-based, accountable and measureable over time. c. Implement a supply management plan (Water Loss Control Plan) to optimize record keeping practices and minimize DSL. d. Continue public education outreach for all customers and ensure equitable access to conservation efficiency tools and information. e. Implement and practice sound planning principles that promote longterm sustainable water use efficiencies Page 6

7 2) Goals: As mentioned above, the goals for the District s WUE Program will apply to water use efficiency and savings across all customer classes, not just residential customers as it did during the previous WUE period. At the end of 2012, residential customers made up over 97 percent of the District s customer base and yet accounted only 79 percent of the total consumption (see Figures 1.4 and 1.5 below), which demonstrates the potential for water savings across all other customer classes. However, due to the dramatic trend in declining per connection per day water usage over the last 13 years ( ), as seen in Figure 1.2 (above), the goals do not attempt to sustain the same level of water savings, rather they will support a more conservative water savings trend of a one percent per year reduction of the average day demand. Likewise, the goals will support a more conservative peak season water savings trend of a one percent per year reduction of the average peak day demand. The 2014 to 2020 WUE Program goals are: a. Demand Side Goals: i. To reduce the average day demand of 164 gallons per ERU by one percent per year through the planning period. Reducing the average day per ERU demand by one percent annually will result in an average savings of approximately 44,500 gallons a day through the planning period. This will result in a savings of over 97 MG through the end of ii. To reduce the average peak season (June- September) demand of 224 gallons per day per ERU by one percent per year through the planning period. Reducing the average peak season demand per ERU per day by one percent annually will result in a savings of approximately 55,759 gallons a day during the peak season, for a total savings of approximately 7.4 MG. b. Supply Side Goal: To maintain the District s three year rolling Distribution System Leakage (DSL) at 8 percent or less of the total annual production through the period. Page 7

8 Figure 1.4 Connections By Customer Class 2012 Non-Residential 1.7% Irrigation 0.6% Multi-Family 0. Single Family Residential 97.6% Single Family Residential Non-Residential Irrigation Multi-Family Figure 1.5 Water Use by Customer Class 2012 Multi Family 0.7% Non- Residential 8.6% Irrigation 11.7% Single Family Residential 79.0% Single Family Residential Non-Residential Irrigation Multi-Family Page 8

9 B WUE Conservation Measures Current water conservation planning is governed by the Municipal Water Law or Water Use Efficiency Rule (WUER). The WUER stipulates the minimum number and type of efficiency measures that a water purveyor must evaluate or implement. As a municipal water supplier with more than 16,000 connections, the District is required by the WUER to implement five mandatory measures and either evaluate or implement two others. These mandatory measures and the District s current compliance status are shown below in Table 1.3 below. Table 1.3. WUER Mandatory Measures Must Implement the Following Measures Install production (source) meters Install consumption (service) meters Perform meter calibrations Implement a water loss control plan Educate customers about water use efficiency at least once a year Must Evaluate or Implement These Measures Evaluate rates that encourage water demand efficiency Evaluate reclamation water opportunities District Status All District sources are metered All District services are metered Implemented/ongoing Implemented/ongoing Implemented/ongoing District Status Implemented/ongoing Evaluated but not implemented (see conclusion of # 5 on page 11) 1. Meters All of the District s sources and interties are equipped with production meters and all new connections are equipped with radio read meters. Meter calibration and testing is performed bi-annually and meter maintenance is ongoing. 2. Water Loss Control Plan Even though the District meets the distribution system leakage standard of ten percent or less of water produced, a Water Loss Control Plan was developed and implemented in 2012 to assure continued compliance with the standard and to better manage data collection, water resources and meter efficiencies. Page 9

10 3. Conservation Education The mandatory requirement for annual customer education is met through the publication and delivery of the District s annual Consumer Confidence Report (Water Quality Report), and more specifically, the Water Use Efficiency Report included in the annual Water Quality Report. The District also publishes a quarterly customer newsletter and conservation education is frequently included within the newsletter. The District provides interactive educational experience for elementary grades through classroom presentations and conservation classes. Elementary and secondary classroom presentations explain the groundwater cycle and promote conservation and environmental stewardship. 4. Water Rate Structure The District implemented a 3 year moratorium in the mid 1990 s due to a water supply shortage and a subsequent inability to provide water to a fast growing community. As the District searched for new sources of supply, it became apparent that any reliable long term arrangement for new sources was not going to happen in the near future. Consequently, in 2000, the District enacted a rigorous conservation program in order to assure the District could meet demands until new sources could be found. As part of the conservation effort, the District Board of Commissioners adopted an aggressive conservation rate structure with an inclining block rate for residential customers and seasonal rates for residential, non-residential and irrigation customers. As noted in Figure 1.4 above, the District s residential customer class made up over 97 percent of the District s customers and therefore, the conservation rates were aimed primarily at the residential customer class. This rate structure has remained in place through 2012 and will continue into the future. However, the District will consider applying the inclining block rates across all customer classes in the future. The District s rate structure has been its single most effective residential customer conservation measure. 5. Water Reclamation In December of 2007, the District entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with King County to jointly study the feasibility of Page 10

11 reclaimed water opportunities within the District s service area; and to develop water reclamation facility alternatives. The District retained HDR Engineering, Inc. to assist with the preparation of the study and it was completed in two phases. The first phase, which was completed in December of 2008, focused on: Existing and potential reclaimed water demands within the District s service area. Potential reclaimed water distribution configurations to convey reclaimed water from possible production sites to use areas. Costs and benefits of the various configurations identified. Potential impacts upon the basin s water resources due to implementation of a reclaimed water program. Policy and financing issues related to implementation of a joint District/County reclaimed water program. The second and final phase of the feasibility study, which was completed in December 2009, involved the development of a Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) of select reclaimed water system options. The purpose of the BCA was to better understand the benefits and costs of reclaimed water program implementation in the District s service area within a broad economic analysis framework. Subsequently, in late 2009, the District retained Camp Dresser McKee Inc. to develop a strategic water supply plan, which forecasted water demand, summarized existing and potential water supplies, and evaluated water supply options based on demand, yield, cost, control, reliability and uncertainties. The conclusions of both the MOU study and the strategic water supply plan were that reclaimed water as a source of supply for the District was, at the time, not a feasible option nor was it cost effective. The primary reasons that reclaimed water was not considered a feasible supply option include: The extensive infrastructure needed to capture and convey the reclaimed water. The prohibitive cost of constructing the infrastructure. The amount of time it would take to build the infrastructure, and significantly. Page 11

12 No users of recycled water at quantities that would affect substantial cost savings or reduction in supplying potable water could be identified. At this time, it is still not a viable option. However, the District will explore reclamation opportunities in the future if they become more feasible. C. Selected Measures Along with the mandatory measures, the WUER also requires municipal water suppliers of the District s size to evaluate or implement nine conservation measures of its choice. The mandatory measure of customer education, conservation rate structures and reclaimed water usage, can be included. Each selected conservation measure was evaluated for water savings potential and cost effectiveness. The conservation measures selected for the Water Use Efficiency Program are shown in Table 1.4. Table Water Use Efficiency Program Conservation Measures Indoor Description 1. Toilet Leak Detection Mailed to customers annually and available And Repair Dye Kits at District office 2. Showerhead Replacement Free 2.0 gpm showerheads given away at Community events and at District office 3. WaterSense Aerator Replacement Free 1.5 gpm kitchen and bathroom aerators 4. Shower Timers and Conservation kits and fixtures are given away Other Give-A-Ways at community events and the District office Indoor/Outdoor and Customer Outreach/Education 5. Conservation Rate Structure Continue the rate structure described above 6. School Classroom Presentations District will contract for elementary classroom And Outreach education and presentations as requested 7. Community Fairs/Events The District participates in city fairs and events provides conservation handouts/education 8. Newsletter and Website The District provides conservation education Conservation Articles in quarterly newsletters and other articles 9. Water Bill Consumption History Consumption history provided on customer bill Outdoor 10. Irrigation Rain Sensors Given away at District office and community events 11. Allow Lawn to go Dormant Promotion of behavioral change Page 12

13 1. Toilet Leak Detection and Repair The District will mail free toilet leak detection tablet kits to customers and will also provide detailed instructions on how to fix leaks. This measure will target all customer classes but will primarily benefit single and multi-family customers. This measure will be implemented in years 1-6 of the plan. Evaluation will consist of tracking the number of leak detection dye tablets sent to customers multiplied by the per unit savings (using the numbers from the District s Conservation Potential Assessment) to determine the total savings achieved. 2. Showerhead Replacement The District will provide free low-flow 2.0 gallon per minute (gpm) showerheads at the District s front office and at community events for customers to replace less efficient fixtures. The 2.0 gpm showerheads are more efficient that the 2.5 gpm maximum showerheads allowed under the plumbing code. This measure will be implemented in years 1-6 of the plan. Evaluation will consist of tracking the number of showerheads provided to customers multiplied by the per unit savings (using the numbers from the District s Conservation Potential Assessment) to determine the total savings achieved. 3. Kitchen and Bathroom Aerator Replacement The District will provide free 1.0 gallon per minute (gpm) kitchen and bathroom aerators at the District s front office and at community events for customers to replace less efficient fixtures. The 1.0 gpm aerators are more efficient than the 2.5 gpm maximum aerators allowed under the plumbing code. This measure will be implemented in years 1-6 of the plan. Evaluation will consist of tracking the number of aerators provided to customers multiplied by the per unit savings (using the numbers from the District s Conservation Potential Assessment) to determine the total savings achieved. 4. Shower Timers and Other Conservation Give-A-Ways The District will provide free shower timers and other give-aways such as, rain and drip gauges, activity and coloring books, pens, rulers and refrigerator magnets with conservation messages, etc. at the District s front office and at community events. The shower timers and other conservation give-aways will encourage customers to shorten their Page 13

14 shower time and to conserve water in other areas. This measure will be implemented in years 1-6 of the plan. Evaluation will consist of tracking the number of aerators provided to customers multiplied by the per unit savings (using the figures from the District s Conservation Potential Assessment) to determine the total savings achieved. 5. Conservation Rate Structure The Water Use Efficiency Rule requires water purveyors to evaluate conservation rate structures such as inclining block rates and seasonal rates. The District implemented these rate structures in 2000 and will carry them forward through the 6 year plan period. This measure, while mandatory under the WUER to evaluate, can also be used as a selected measure, as the District has chosen to do. 6. Classroom Presentations/School Outreach The District will provide interactive educational experience for elementary grades and/or junior high school through classroom presentations and conservation classes. Targeted third grade classroom presentations will explain the groundwater cycle and promote conservation. 7. Community Events The District will participate in 2-3 community events per year through the 6 year planning period. The District will promote conservation through education and by giving out free promotional items such as those listed in # 4 above. 8. Newsletter and Website Conservation Articles The District will promote conservation through educational newsletter and website articles and promotions. The District produces 3-4 newsletters per year and will devote at least one article in each newsletter to conservation promotion. The District also will provide conservation education and tips continually on its website. 9. Water Bill Consumption History Customer bills display historical consumption data to help educate customers of their usage patterns throughout the year and particularly show them the impact of outdoor watering. This information will assist them in making informed choices related to conservation and water costs. All customer classes benefit from this information. Page 14

15 10. Irrigation Rain Sensors The District will give away free irrigation rain sensors at the District office and at community events. The rain sensors help customers lower their summer consumption by indicating when it s unnecessary to run their automatic irrigation systems, due to wet conditions. All customer classes benefit from this information. 11. Allow Lawn to go Dormant The District will encourage customers, through printed newsletters and other forms of public education, to allow their lawn to go dormant in the summer months, rather than to water it regularly. Allowing lawns to go dormant does not completely eliminate the need to water lawns because they need some water to remain alive but it will save a considerable amount of water over the summer. This measure will be implemented each summer during the 6 year planning period. The District will base the actual marketing levels on the planned number of participants. D. Estimated Savings and Budget The estimated savings of the WUE Program, at full implementation at the end of 2019, is estimated to save an average of 44,500 gallons per day (gpd) on an annual basis and over 55,000 gpd on a peak season basis. The program s budget consists of staff time and annual out-of pocket costs of $10,000 for education and school programs. The savings achieved by the program, and the corresponding progress towards reaching the District s water saving goals will be calculated by tracking the number of devices and multiplying them by their per unit savings. To track savings from behavioral measures, assumptions will be made on the number of customers reached by conservation messaging. This will be determined by the level of program promotion that each behavioral measure receives. F. Impact on Demand The WUE Program will be implemented equally over the six year planning period, meaning that each of the eleven conservation measures will be implemented each year, with savings accumulated over time. The cumulative annual and peak season savings, as well as their relationship to the District s demand forecast, are provided in Table 1.6 and 1.7 on the next page. Page 15

16 Table 1.6 Savings Schedule and Impact on Average Demand Year Projected Demand Without Conservation (ADD gpd) Cumulative Annual Savings (gpd) Projected Demand With Conservation (ADD gpd) Demand Reduction ,200,000 42,000 4,161, ,300,000 43,000 4,260, ,400,000 44,000 4,360, ,500,000 45,000 4,460, ,600,000 46,000 4,559, ,700,000 47,000 4,659,399 Table 1.7 Savings Schedule and Impact on Average Peak Season Day Demand (APSDD) Projected Peak Projected Demand Year Demand W/out Conservation (APSDD gpd) Cumulative Peak Annual Savings (gpd) Peak With Conservation (APSDD gpd) Demand Reduction ,262,600 52,626 5,209, ,387,900 53,879 5,334, ,132 5,458, ,638,500 56,385 5,582, ,763,800 57,638 5,706, ,889,100 58,891 5,830,209 Page 16

17 G. WUE Program Evaluation Evaluation of the Water Use Efficiency Program objectives and goals are necessary to ensure anticipated savings are being achieved and to modify the Program if necessary to achieve the savings. Program evaluations and/or modifications may also be necessary when drought, budget constraints, changes in demographics, climate change and other unforeseen events occur that may lead to shifts in water use patterns. The District places a strong emphasis on the evaluation of its conservation measures. This emphasis is even more critical since evaluation is required under the new Water Efficiency Rule. Under the new rule the District is required to report annually, to customers and the State Department of Health (DOH), on the progress towards meeting its conservation goals. The progress reports are also included in the Districts annual Consumer Confidence Report (Water Quality Report). The performance of the District s Water Use Efficiency Program is evaluated annually, if not more frequently, and can be adjusted if necessary to help meet the identified goals. The evaluation will vary to some degree for different types of measures, such as hardware measures versus behavioral measures. The evaluation is anticipated to include aspects such as tracking actual activity levels and comparing them to planned/anticipated activity levels. H. Public Notification Requirements The District must engage its customers and interested members of the public in a public forum when establishing its WUE objectives and goals (WAC (4)(b)). The meeting, which will be held at the District s headquarters on January 15, 2014 beginning at 6:45 P.M., ensures that the District s customers and the public will have an opportunity to provide input on the decisions made by the governing body. It also helps the public understand the need to use water more efficiently. The District must provide notice of the public meeting at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. Notice will be printed in the Covington/Maple valley Reporter and posted on the DOH Office of Drinking Water s website and on the District s website tow weeks priorto the January 15, 2014 meeting. I. WUE Annual Performance Reports WUE Annual Performance Reports Page 17