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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
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“Selling” water conservation to clients
What are some challenges to promoting WC planning to communities?
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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”
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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
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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
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2. Develop a water system profile
Summarize system characteristicsPopulation servedService areaAnnual water supplyNumber of service connectionsWater demand
Average day demandPeak demand
Water pricing/rates
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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?
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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?
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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
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4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures
Three level of conservation measures1. Basic (even smallest systems should
consider these)
2. Intermediate
3. Advanced
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4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures (cont’d)
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4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures (cont’d)
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4. Identify/evaluate conservation measures (cont’d)
Criteria for selecting conservation measures can include:Program costsCost effectivenessBudgetary considerationsEase of implementingStaff resources & capabilityEnvironmental impactsRatepayer impacts
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Indoor water use
For single family homes, average water use/person/day = 69.3 gallons (benchmark)
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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”
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Overall water use
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Review current and forecasted systems conditions
Exercise Page 1-4
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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
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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
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“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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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Why Do Distribution Systems Leak?
Age Corrosion Faulty installation Material defect Excessive pressures (or
surges) Ground movement Traffic loading and
vibration
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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
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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
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Leak Detection Technology
Portable contact (probe) devices
Unpowered geophones (stethoscope)
Amplified acoustic microphone systems
Multi-channel acoustic correlators
Portable noise loggers
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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
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Equipment options
Purchase (good investment) Rent / Lease Hire a contractor Borrow from neighboring
agency Vendor demo units
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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
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Water Conservation measures
Table 3
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Public Education & Outreach
Understandable water billUsage, rates and charges
Information available on requestBrochures, etc.
Informative water billConservation tips
Water bill inserts
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Water conservation incentives through rate structuring
Flat fee Uniform rate Decreasing block rate Increasing block rate Seasonal rates
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Apportioning costs fairly
Cost distribution spreadsheet
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Resources
AWWA M52
Water Conservation
Manual
Resources
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Resources
http://epa.gov/watersense/pubs/guide.htm
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Questions?