RCACWater Conservation

RCAC

What is water conservation?

Any action, program or technology that:Reduces draw from water sourcesReduces indoor and outdoor water useReduces water loss or waste Improves efficiency of water use Increases water recycling/reusePrevents water pollution

RCAC

“Selling” water conservation to clients

What are some challenges to promoting WC planning to communities?

RCAC

EPA Water Conservation planning tool for TA providers

Designed for systems serving populations of 10,000 or fewer

1. Specify conservation planning goals

2. Develop a water system profile

3. Prepare a demand forecast

4. Identify & evaluate conservation measures

5. Present implementation strategy

ESEPA “Basic Guidelines for Preparing a Water Conservation Plan”

RCAC

1. Specify Conservation Planning Goals

Goals should be specific and measurable Examples:

Residential water use will be reduced by 15% over three years

Low flow showerheads will be installed in 20% of the residences by 2011

Water audits will be completed on 30% of Commercial/industrial/institutional customers within the first two years

RCAC

1. Specify Conservation Planning Goals (cont’d)

Planning goals may also include:Eliminating, downsizing, or postponing capital

projectsExtending the life of existing facilitiesAvoiding new source development costsEducating customers about the value of waterProtecting/preserving environmental

resourcesLowering variable operating costs

RCAC

2. Develop a water system profile

Summarize system characteristicsPopulation servedService areaAnnual water supplyNumber of service connectionsWater demand

Average day demandPeak demand

Water pricing/rates

RCAC

2. Develop a water system profile (cont’d)

Summarize system conditionsDesignated critical water supply area?Frequent supply shortages/emergencies?Substantial unaccounted for/lost water?High rate of population/demand growth?Substantial improvements or additions

planned?

RCAC

2. Develop a water system profile (cont’d)

Summarize current conservation measuresWhat specific measures are in place?When were they implemented?How effective are they?What are the estimated annual water savings

from each measure?

RCAC

3. Prepare a demand forecast

Based on anticipated population growth More accurate if prepared for different

classifications of water useResidentialCommercial/large water users

5 and 10 years forecasts Optional if population is growing at less

than 2% per year

RCAC

4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures

Three level of conservation measures1. Basic (even smallest systems should

consider these)

2. Intermediate

3. Advanced

RCAC

4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures (cont’d)

RCAC

4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures (cont’d)

RCAC

4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures (cont’d)

Criteria for selecting conservation measures can include:Program costsCost effectivenessBudgetary considerationsEase of implementingStaff resources & capabilityEnvironmental impactsRatepayer impacts

RCAC

4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures (cont’d)

Criteria for selecting conservation measures can include:Water rights and permitsLegal issues or restraintsRegulatory approvalPublic acceptanceTimeliness of savingsConsistency with other programs

RCAC

4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures (cont’d)

Prepare a budget for each planned conservation measure, including estimated costs/gallon of water saved

Avoid counting water savings from a measure more than once when doing cost benefit analysis

RCAC

4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures (cont’d)

Based on budget and other selection criteria, chose which measures will be implemented

Consider effects of conservation on system revenues (reduction in sales)

Include general summary of expected benefits, including effects on planned capital improvements

RCAC

5. Present Implementation Strategy

Present strategy and timetable for implementation

Note specific factors or contingencies that might effect implementation

Address data collection and modeling required to track effects of conservation over time

Plan to update and revise WC plan

RCAC

Indoor water use

For single family homes, average water use/person/day = 69.3 gallons (benchmark)

RCAC

Indoor + outdoor water use

Total water use per person per day in the United States = 171.8 gallons

From AWWARF “Residential End Uses of Water”

RCAC

Overall water use

RCAC

Review current and forecasted systems conditions

Exercise Page 1-4

RCAC

Definition of a Water Audit

Thorough examination of the accuracy of a water agencies records and control equipment

Overall Goal IdentifyQuantifyVerify Water Losses and Revenue

Performed AnnuallyTo update the results of earlier audits

RCAC

Water Audits

Water in: Groundwater/surface water Purchased water

Total water in____________ Water out:

Metered Leaks/theft/under billing/ faulty control systems

Total water out___________ Water in – water out = unaccounted for

water

RCAC

“Selling” the benefits of a water audit to a utility

Reduced pumping costs (electricity) Reduced treatment costs (chemical) Increased revenues from undercharged

customers Increased knowledge of distribution system

Gain experience with the use of mapsHelps a utility respond more quickly to

emergencies

RCAC

Benefits of a Water Audit

Stretch existing supplies to meet increased needs

Defer construction of new facilities Improved maintenance can reduced the

likelihood of property damageBetter safe guard public health and safetyCross contamination during system pressure

loss occurrences

RCAC

The health risks of a leaky distribution system

USEPA: The Potential for Health Risks from Intrusion of Contaminants into the Distribution System from Pressure transientsPotential for prolonged negative pressure

events in distribution systemsDirect epidemiological connection between

leaky mains/poor chlorine residual/ low pressure and gastrointestinal illness

RCAC

Water Audit Activities

Verifying, Quantifying and Updating : Water source inflow records

Inaccurate source data will invalidate the audit

Billing and accounting information Un-metered use records

Parks, community centers, government facilities, firefighting

RCAC

Authorized Un-metered Users

Un-metered uses must be carefully estimated to produce an accurate audit

Recommend metering all water users even if it is not billed

RCAC

Water Audit Activities

Verifying and Updating system maps-GIS Testing master and source meters for

accuracy Testing residential, commercial, and

industrial sales meters for accuracy Large meter testing is the most expensive

item of a water audit ($150- $500 per meter, repair $350- $1000 per meter)

RCAC

Tabletop Audit Exercise

Velo City

Water Board Faces Grand Jury Grilling Over Fatal Sink Hole Incident

Officials “Turned a blind eye” to warning signs, alleges former manager.

Story on page B2

RCAC

Why Do Distribution Systems Leak?

Age Corrosion Faulty installation Material defect Excessive pressures (or

surges) Ground movement Traffic loading and

vibration

RCAC

Where Is All This Water Going?

Leaks follow the path of least resistancePorous (sandy) soilGravel backfill Sanitary sewersStorm sewersGeologic featuresA few actually reach the

surface!

Are There Any Warning Signs?

Many main breaks are actually unseen leaks that could be repaired before the break occurs

RCAC

Robotic “Noise Loggers”

Placed in remote areas Turn themselves on when noise

is at a minimum (2 a.m.) Listen for leak noises, then shut

themselves off after a few hours Transmit data wirelessly during

daylight hours Moved to other areas as needed

RCAC

Leak Detection Technology

Portable contact (probe) devices

Unpowered geophones (stethoscope)

Amplified acoustic microphone systems

Multi-channel acoustic correlators

Portable noise loggers

RCAC

Typical Equipment Cost

Portable contact (probe) devices - $1500-$2000

Unpowered geophones - $30-$350 Amplified acoustic detection systems -

$2500-$3800 Multi-channel acoustic correlators -

$17,000 - $23,000 Portable leak noise loggers - $200-$600

per unit depending on quantity

RCAC

Equipment options

Purchase (good investment) Rent / Lease Hire a contractor Borrow from neighboring

agency Vendor demo units

RCAC

How Is A Leak Survey Done?

Map out a grid of water system

Experienced crew should cover 6 to 8 miles per day

Conduct preliminary survey using contact (probe) equipment

Return to pinpoint suspected leak locations using correlation

RCAC

Water Conservation measures

Table 3

RCAC

Public Education & Outreach

Understandable water billUsage, rates and charges

Information available on requestBrochures, etc.

Informative water billConservation tips

Water bill inserts

RCAC

Water conservation incentives through rate structuring

Flat fee Uniform rate Decreasing block rate Increasing block rate Seasonal rates

RCAC

Apportioning costs fairly

Cost distribution spreadsheet

RCAC

Resources

AWWA M52

Water Conservation

Manual

Resources

RCAC

Resources

http://epa.gov/watersense/pubs/guide.htm

RCAC

Questions?