TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ITEM:		ACTION ITEMS
2.	Review and Comment on Proposal to Modify the Rebate Program to Include ET Irrigation Controllers and Adjust Existing Rebate Amounts
Meeting Date:			June 29, 2007
From:			David A. Berger,
			General Manager
Prepared by:			Stephanie Pintar

SUMMARY: Staff is preparing an ordinance to amend the rebate program to add ET (evapotranspiration) Controllers with Rain Sensors, Soil Moisture Sensors with Conservation Controllers, and rain shut off sensors to the list of Qualifying Devices in the joint MPWMD/California American Water (CAW) rebate program. Outdoor water use has been targeted by the District and California American Water as an area where significant water savings can still be achieved. In addition, staff is proposing modifying the quantity of rebate issued for installation of the existing qualifying devices based on the cost/benefit of the appliance.

1. Irrigation Controllers and Sensors

ET Controllers with rain sensors use historical or pre-programmed water usage, or actual evapotranspiration data from a local station or the controller to regulate a watering timer based on real-time estimated water needs. Soil Moisture Sensors use actual soil conditions to establish start/stop points using a Conservation Controller. Both types of controllers achieve significant water savings (up to 50 percent) over conventional controllers that receive no feedback on actual soil or weather conditions. District staff is in the process of developing product specifications and a list of available products that qualify for rebates. It is recommended that rebates of $100 be offered for the first four irrigation zones with an additional $10 per station beyond the initial four. Average cost of an ET Controller is $350, including installation. In addition, a subscription to a service that uploads evapotranspiration data is required at an cost of about $48 annually. A rain sensor (or rain switch) catches moisture and prevents the sprinkler system from watering in the rain. The sensor automatically interrupts the watering schedule but returns it to its normal schedule after it dries out. Rain shut off sensors cost an average of $50, with a pay back period of 4 years. Staff will recommend a rebate of a maximum of $50.

2. Adjustment of Existing Rebates for Installation of Water Conservation Appliances

Staff is recommending varying rebates for installation of other qualifying devices allowed by the rebate program based on the cost/benefit of the appliance.

• Washing machines are the highest water using appliance inside the home other than old high flush toilets. Older and less efficient washers use an average of 46 gallons of water per load. The District/CAW rebate program reimburses a customer $100 for purchase and installation of a washing machine that uses less than 28 gallons per load. Staff is proposing two levels of rebates: $100 for machines that use18.1 to 28 gallons and $150 for machines that use less than 18 gallons per load. The cost of these machines averages $850 for the 18.1-28 gallon models, and $1,000 for the 18 gallon maximum machines.
• Older (over 4 gallons per flush) toilets are the other highest inside water use. The District has targeted the replacement of older toilets with ULF (ultra-low flush 1.6 gallons per flush) toilets for the past 20 years. As a result, the number of rebate applications received for replacement of toilets with ULF toilets is negligible. However, the number of applications received for installation of (HET) (High Efficiency Toilets averaging 1.28 gpf) has increased. HET toilets function better and have significant water savings over the standard ULF toilet. The District/CAW rebate program reimburses a customer up to $100 for the initial purchase and installation of a ULF toilet when the retrofit is not required by the District. Staff is proposing two levels of toilet rebates: A maximum of $100 for ULF toilets, and a rebate of $150 for purchase and installation of HET toilets. District records show that purchase and installation of ULF toilets average about $226 each, and purchase and installation of HET toilets average about $318 each.
• Zero Water Consumption Urinals offer significant water savings over conventional urinals by saving the full quantity of water use of the older fixture. Zero Water Consumption Urinals are generally non-residential installations. Water savings associated with installation of Zero Water Consumption Urinals can be significant depending on the location of the urinal, particularly if the fixture is located in a public restroom. The payback period for Zero Water Consumption Urinals is one to four years, depending on the location. Zero Water Consumption Urinals cost an average of $530, not including installation and maintenance. Staff is proposing increasing the rebate for Zero Water Consumption Urinals to $150.

No change is proposed to the rebates offered for installation of instant-access hot water systems (IAHWS) or cisterns. Water savings associated with IAHWS vary depending on the existing plumbing layout. IAHWS are required in all new construction, and Monterey County requires IAHWS for remodels when the hot water heater is located over 10’ from the outlet. The current rebate is $100 for installation of an IAHWS. Cisterns are currently rebated according to storage capacity. The cistern rebate varies from $25 for 100 gallons of storage to $750 for 3,000 gallons of storage.

RECOMMENDATION: The Water Demand Committee should review the proposed rebates and provide feedback to staff. First reading of an ordinance to implement the proposed changes is scheduled to be presented to the Board at the July 2007 regular meeting.

IMPACTS ON STAFF: The proposed changes will not result in additional workload.

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