ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
7.	CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS FOR LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION AUDITS/BUDGETS (RULE 172) AND AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO RENEW CONTRACTS WITH SPOT WATER MANAGEMENT AND PACIFIC WATER MANAGEMENT FOR AUDITING SERVICES
Meeting Date:			August 17, 2009	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			Darby Fuerst,	Program/	Conservation Programs
				Line Item No.:	4-2-2-D
			General Manager
Prepared By:			Stephanie Pintar	Cost Estimate:	$125,000 (Reimbursable)
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on August 11, 2009 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: Staff is seeking Board authorization to renew contracts with Spot Water Management (SWM) and Pacific Water Management (PWM) for Landscape Water Audit and Landscape Water Budget services in a not-to-exceed amount of $125,000. Funding for this program is in the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget and is reimbursable through California American Water (CAW). Both auditors have been under contract with the District for these services since 2007. Copies of the Scope of Work and the Audit Procedure are shown as Exhibits 7-A and 7-B, respectively.

Landscape Water Audits and Landscape Water Budgets completed by a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) are required for specific users by District Rule No. 172 (Exhibit 7-C). Rule 172 requires landscape water audits and landscape water budgets be offered by the District and/or CAW or their agent at no charge to all water users of CAW that have dedicated landscape meters or large irrigated areas over three acres, and to all large residential water users that average more than 32 units of water per month of use. The audit involves an on-site analysis of existing plant types and locations, soil types, existing irrigation and watering practices and equipment. The CLIA then determines a watering budget based on those factors and efficient water use.

Stage 2 Water Conservation (and higher stages) implements enforcement of Landscape Water Budgets to maintain regulatory compliance. During Stage 2, all water users required to have a Landscape Water Budget must manage outdoor irrigation within their budget. Use in excess of the Landscape Water Budget is considered Water Waste and is subject to Water Waste fees and enforcement. Every October (i.e., beginning of new Water Year), CAW reviews their customer database to determine which customers are subject to the audit/budget requirement. As of July 14, 2009, 452 audits remain to be done, most of which are dedicated irrigation meters. Since Rule 172 was established, 280 audits have been completed, with about 50 completed in the past year.

The new contracts will carry a not to exceed amount of $125,000 for Fiscal Year 2009-2010. Funding for this effort was included in the FY 2009-2010 budget. Payment to the contractors is made at the completion of the audit and budget and is reimbursed by California American Water through the conservation budget approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 2009. The Administrative Law Judge involved in the PUC decision was particularly supportive of completing these audits.

RECOMMENDATION: The Administrative Committee should recommend approval to the Board for authorizing the General Manager to renew contracts with PWM and SWM in a not-to-exceed amount of $125,000 for the purpose of completing Landscape Water Audits and Landscape Water Budgets to comply with the requirements set forth in District Rule 172.

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: Funding is available through reimbursement by California American Water in the conservation budget approved by the Public Utilities Commission in May 2009. Funds for this expenditure were included in the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget.

EXHIBITS

7-A Scope of Work

7-B Procedure for Landscape Irrigation and Budgets

7-C District Rule No. 172

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