ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
7.	CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS FOR LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION AUDITS/BUDGETS (RULE 172) AND AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL MANAGER TO AMEND CONTRACT WITH SPOT WATER MANAGEMENT FOR AUDITING SERVICES
Meeting Date:			November 16, 2009	Budgeted:	No
From:			Darby Fuerst,	Program/	Conservation Programs
			General Manager	Line Item No.:	4-2-2-D
Prepared By:			Stephanie Pintar	Cost Estimate:	$100,000 (Reimbursable)
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on November 10, 2009 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: Staff is seeking Board authorization to amend the contract with Spot Water Management (SWM) for Landscape Water Audit and Landscape Water Budget services in a not-to-exceed amount of $100,000. Funding for this program is reimbursable through California American Water (CAW). Contracts for the audits/budgets are administered by MPWMD.

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. Landscape Water Audits and Landscape Water Budgets are offered at no charge to all water users of CAW that have dedicated landscape meters, large irrigated areas over three acres, and large residential water users that average more than 32 units or approximately 23,900 gallons f 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) requires 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.

The contract amendment will carry a not-to-exceed amount of $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2009-2010. Funding for this effort was not anticipated in the FY 2009-2010 budget, but is reimbursable by California American Water and was included in the PUC-approved conservation budget. The Administrative Law Judge involved in the PUC decision was particularly supportive of completing these audits.

RECOMMENDATION: The Administrative Committee should recommend that the Board authorize the General Manager to amend the contract with SWM in a not-to-exceed amount of $100,000 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 California Public Utilities Commission in May 2009. Funds for this additional expenditure were not in the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget, but will be included in the mid-year budget adjustment.

EXHIBITS

None

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