ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
3.	CONSIDER EXPENDITURE FOR IRRIGATION RETROFIT EQUIPMENT AT MONTEREY PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOLS
Meeting Date:		March 10, 2014	Budgeted:	Yes
From:		David J. Stoldt,	Program/	Water Conservation
		General Manager	Line Item No.:	4-2-2-B
Prepared By:		Stephanie Pintar	Cost Estimate:	$77,000
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 10, 2014 and recommended _____________. The Water Demand Committee considered this item on February 19, 2014, and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: Staff is seeking authorization to expend up to $77,000 in budgeted funds to pay for water saving irrigation equipment for installation at twelve Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) schools supplied by California American Water. A similar funding request was approved by the Board in December 2011. This current request increases the water saving potential of the schools by installing additional equipment which will quickly detect leaks in twelve irrigation systems, as well as pay for installation and training costs.

MPUSD Energy Specialist, David Chandler, obtained a quote for 23 master valves and flow sensors which connect to the previously installed, sophisticated WeatherTRAK weather-based irrigation system controllers (Exhibit 3-A). The flow sensors work in combination with the controller by sending flow data to it. If the controller receives a message that water is flowing outside of the irrigation schedule, a message is sent to maintenance staff to check for a leak. Leaks can be detected within minutes, rather than weeks or months. Additionally, by using flow sensor data, the controller can apply a precise amount of water to the landscape, allowing the property to accurately meet Landscape Budget requirements. This installation will help MPUSD meet its water conservation goal by standardizing the irrigation systems across the school district with high tech irrigation controllers, master valves and flow sensors (Exhibit 3-A). By funding this proposal, all of the Cal-Am serviced sites will use evapotranspiration irrigation technology and will have the tools to best manage water application. Use of the WeatherTRAK Smart Irrigation Controller technology in conjunction with the flow sensors will result in accurate and exceptionally efficient irrigation water use.

Funding for school retrofits is fully reimbursable through the conservation budget approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 2012. The conservation budget for school retrofits provides funding to local educational facilities to improve water efficiency with new technology.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Administrative Committee support this request by recommending approval of up to $77,000 to pay for irrigation equipment (Exhibit 3-B).

EXHIBITS

3-A Purchase Estimate

3-B MPUSD Proposal

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