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ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE |
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2. |
CONSIDER
EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED REIMBURSABLE FUNDS TO CONTRACT WITH FOR WATERWISE INC., AND AQUASAVE TO
CONDUCT REQUIRED LANDSCAPE WATER AUDITS AND PREPARE BUDGETS |
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Meeting
Date: |
March 11, 2013 |
Budgeted: |
Yes |
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From: |
David J.
Stoldt, |
Program/ |
Conservation
Programs |
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General
Manager |
Line Item
No.: |
4-2-2-A |
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Prepared
By: |
Gabriela
Ayala |
Cost
Estimate: |
$475,000 Reimbursable |
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General Counsel Approval: N/A
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Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this
item on March 11, 2013, and recommended _________________.
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CEQA Compliance:
N/A |
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SUMMARY: Staff is seeking Board authorization to
contract with WaterWise Consulting, Inc., and AquaSave for Landscape Water
Audit and Landscape Water Budget services not-to-exceed $475,000. Funding for audits is included in the Fiscal
Year 2012-2013 budget and is reimbursable through California American Water
(CAW). WaterWise has been under contract
with the District for these services since 2009. WaterWise has extensive
experience performing water audits on large Sites.
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. Rule 172 requires landscape water
audits and landscape water budgets to be offered by the District and/or CAW or
their agent free of charge to CAW customers who have dedicated landscape meters
or large irrigated areas over three acres, and to all large residential water customers
who use more than 32 units per month average.
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.
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 (PUC) in 2009. 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 contract with WaterWise and AquaSave in a not-to-exceed amount of $475,000 for the purpose of conducting 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 in the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget through reimbursement by
CAW in the conservation budget approved by the PUC and through the District’s
budget for Commercial, Industrial & Institutional audits.
BACKGROUND: 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. new Water Year), CAW reviews their customer database
to determine which customers are subject to the audit/budget requirement.
EXHIBIT
None
U:\staff\Board_Committees\Admin\2013\20130311\02\item2.docx