Staff Report Conservation Program Update Conservation Initiatives
Staff Report Conservation Program Update February 16, 2016 Brian Lillibridge
Conservation Initiatives • Council approved conservation budget
– $36,000 for FY 15-16 – Programs need to have appeal to wide variety of citizens, but also need to focus on tangible results. – Behavioral/educational and technological components
1
Print Media
Texas A&M using similar tag line Eppstein Group has been asked to verify our right to use
Conservation Initiatives Possible Programs Lowflow Toilet Rebate • Relatively new housing stock – important, but limited opportunity
Efficient Appliance Rebate • Most appliances available today are efficient
Irrigation System Audit/Turfgrass Replacement • Outdoor water use is a high-volume discretionary use
Rainwater Harvesting/Condensate Reuse • Educational at residential scale; effective at commercial scale
Educational Items • Some can be useful, but keychains don’t save water
2
Focus on Irrigation •
Creates high demand pressure on distribution
•
Irrigation systems can waste large amounts of water, often without owner knowledge
•
Programs that lead to improved irrigation efficiency can be a more effective conservation measure than other efforts
3
Potential Water Savings Comparison
Potential Water Savings Comparison Average Family 3
Gallons Per Flush
Avg Flush per Capita 5 Avg Daily Flushes per Home 15 Gallons Flushed Yearly
High Flow
Low Flow
5 GPF
1.6 GPF
75 27,375
24 8,760
Gallons Saved by Retrofit (Annually)
18,615
4
Potential Water Savings Comparison •
Usage does not always occur at home
WORK
SCHOOL
•
Can reduce potential for water savings
MALL
Potential Water Savings Comparison
Irrigation Water Use Example 13 gpm Full System 260 gal Day 2,080 gal Per Zone
Week Month
4,160 gal 12, 480 gal
X X X X X
260 gal 2,080 gal
20 min 8 zones 2 cycles
=
3 days 4 weeks
=
4,160 gal 12,480 gal
=
49,920 gal
= =
5
Potential Water Savings Comparison Water Use After Irrigation Audit 13 gpm
20 min (4 zones)
260
13 gpm
10 min (4 zones)
130
260 gal (4 zones)
130 gal (4 zones)
1,560
1,560 gal
2 cycles
3,120
3,120 gal
3 days
9,360
9,360 gal
4 weeks
37,440
**Gallons Saved by Efficiency (Monthly)
12,480
Gallons Saved by Efficiency (4 Months)
49,920
**Based on pre-audit usage (49,920 gal) - post audit usage (37,440 gal)
Potential Water Savings Comparison
18,615 gal IN ONE YEAR
49,920 gal IN 4 MONTHS
6
Turfgrass Conversion Program Encourage customers to permanently remove turfgrass and replace with low water use xeriscape/hardscape – Must be replacing viable, healthy turfgrass with low water use landscaping – Required conversion amount (100 – 500 sq ft) – New plant installation from approved plant list – Require irrigation zone elimination
Irrigation System Audit Provide a rebate to customers to have irrigation system audit performed by a licensed irrigator – Document pre-audit water use by system – Audit system, note deficiencies, make corrections – Document post-audit water use – Submit documentation to City Staff for rebate
7
RW Harvesting and Condensate Capture
Denton County Government Building (RWH)
San Antonio Public Library Main Branch (Condensate)
RWH Harvesting and Condensate Capture • Points to Consider – RWH requires large amount of storage to be truly effective during drought periods – HVAC condensate is generated steadily during drought prone months; requires less storage because of constant supply – Both systems require extensive planning and ongoing maintenance for successful operation
8
RWH Harvesting and Condensate Capture • Initial Programs – Provide rebate for rain barrels or small RWH systems (100 gallons or less) Consider rain barrels and educational effort – Create condensate reuse incentive program with input from knowledgeable professionals – commercial users – Create rebate program for large scale RWH systems in new construction or existing commercial
RW Harvesting and Condensate Capture What types of systems are we willing to rebate on? www.intstrucables.com
9
RW Harvesting and Condensate Capture What types of systems are we willing to rebate on?
www.poly-mart.com
RW Harvesting and Condensate Capture
10
Educational Giveaways – Promotional item costs can add up quick especially when branding is applied
– Select items that have some novelty appeal, but also convey meaningful message
– Select educational material to target both indoor and outdoor water use
Educational Giveaways
11
Conservation Initiatives • Council approved conservation budget
– $36,000 for FY 15-16 – Programs need to have appeal to wide variety of citizens, but also need to focus on tangible results. – Behavioral/educational and technological components
1
Print Media
Texas A&M using similar tag line Eppstein Group has been asked to verify our right to use
Conservation Initiatives Possible Programs Lowflow Toilet Rebate • Relatively new housing stock – important, but limited opportunity
Efficient Appliance Rebate • Most appliances available today are efficient
Irrigation System Audit/Turfgrass Replacement • Outdoor water use is a high-volume discretionary use
Rainwater Harvesting/Condensate Reuse • Educational at residential scale; effective at commercial scale
Educational Items • Some can be useful, but keychains don’t save water
2
Focus on Irrigation •
Creates high demand pressure on distribution
•
Irrigation systems can waste large amounts of water, often without owner knowledge
•
Programs that lead to improved irrigation efficiency can be a more effective conservation measure than other efforts
3
Potential Water Savings Comparison
Potential Water Savings Comparison Average Family 3
Gallons Per Flush
Avg Flush per Capita 5 Avg Daily Flushes per Home 15 Gallons Flushed Yearly
High Flow
Low Flow
5 GPF
1.6 GPF
75 27,375
24 8,760
Gallons Saved by Retrofit (Annually)
18,615
4
Potential Water Savings Comparison •
Usage does not always occur at home
WORK
SCHOOL
•
Can reduce potential for water savings
MALL
Potential Water Savings Comparison
Irrigation Water Use Example 13 gpm Full System 260 gal Day 2,080 gal Per Zone
Week Month
4,160 gal 12, 480 gal
X X X X X
260 gal 2,080 gal
20 min 8 zones 2 cycles
=
3 days 4 weeks
=
4,160 gal 12,480 gal
=
49,920 gal
= =
5
Potential Water Savings Comparison Water Use After Irrigation Audit 13 gpm
20 min (4 zones)
260
13 gpm
10 min (4 zones)
130
260 gal (4 zones)
130 gal (4 zones)
1,560
1,560 gal
2 cycles
3,120
3,120 gal
3 days
9,360
9,360 gal
4 weeks
37,440
**Gallons Saved by Efficiency (Monthly)
12,480
Gallons Saved by Efficiency (4 Months)
49,920
**Based on pre-audit usage (49,920 gal) - post audit usage (37,440 gal)
Potential Water Savings Comparison
18,615 gal IN ONE YEAR
49,920 gal IN 4 MONTHS
6
Turfgrass Conversion Program Encourage customers to permanently remove turfgrass and replace with low water use xeriscape/hardscape – Must be replacing viable, healthy turfgrass with low water use landscaping – Required conversion amount (100 – 500 sq ft) – New plant installation from approved plant list – Require irrigation zone elimination
Irrigation System Audit Provide a rebate to customers to have irrigation system audit performed by a licensed irrigator – Document pre-audit water use by system – Audit system, note deficiencies, make corrections – Document post-audit water use – Submit documentation to City Staff for rebate
7
RW Harvesting and Condensate Capture
Denton County Government Building (RWH)
San Antonio Public Library Main Branch (Condensate)
RWH Harvesting and Condensate Capture • Points to Consider – RWH requires large amount of storage to be truly effective during drought periods – HVAC condensate is generated steadily during drought prone months; requires less storage because of constant supply – Both systems require extensive planning and ongoing maintenance for successful operation
8
RWH Harvesting and Condensate Capture • Initial Programs – Provide rebate for rain barrels or small RWH systems (100 gallons or less) Consider rain barrels and educational effort – Create condensate reuse incentive program with input from knowledgeable professionals – commercial users – Create rebate program for large scale RWH systems in new construction or existing commercial
RW Harvesting and Condensate Capture What types of systems are we willing to rebate on? www.intstrucables.com
9
RW Harvesting and Condensate Capture What types of systems are we willing to rebate on?
www.poly-mart.com
RW Harvesting and Condensate Capture
10
Educational Giveaways – Promotional item costs can add up quick especially when branding is applied
– Select items that have some novelty appeal, but also convey meaningful message
– Select educational material to target both indoor and outdoor water use
Educational Giveaways
11
