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WATER
DEMAND COMMITTEE |
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ITEM: |
ACTION
ITEMS |
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2. |
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Meeting Date: |
November 16, 2006 |
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From: |
David A. Berger, |
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General Manager |
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Prepared by: |
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SUMMARY: District staff is proposing the addition of
HET (High Efficiency Toilets) and Waterless Urinals to the list of qualifying
devices for the rebate program by adoption of Ordinance No. 127 (attached as Exhibit 2-A). HET toilets are toilets designed to flush at 20 percent below a
1.6-gallons-per-flush Ultra-Low Flush Toilet or with a maximum average flush of
1.28 gallons. HET toilets include
dual-flush and 1.0 gallon per flush toilets.
The District, as a member of the California Urban Water Conservation
Council (CUWCC), has been regularly meeting with agencies that are changing
their programs to exclusively require HET toilets in place of ULF (1.6
gallons-per-flush) toilets and promoting waterless urinal installations. Installation of these fixtures appears to be
a water conservation trend in
The
proposed ordinance adds HET and Waterless Urinals to the list of items that
qualify for a rebate of $100 from the joint District/Cal-Am rebate
program. The ordinance also opens the
rebate program to any water user within the District that is supplied by a
water distribution system regulated by the District. This change is recommended to increase
District-wide water conservation savings, particularly in light of the recent
Seaside Adjudication and continued lack of local water supplies.
This ordinance is exempt from CEQA as a categorical exemption under Class I, §15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Class I exemptions are available for replacement of existing facilities. A Notice of Exemption will be filed in compliance with CEQA following adoption of the proposed ordinance.
DISCUSSION: Staff recommends modification of the existing rebate program at this time to add two proven water saving fixtures (HET toilets and waterless urinals). Staff will be proposing a comprehensive revision of the rebate program, including adding the program to the District’s Rules and Regulations, after approval of the Cal-Am Rate Case and the associated funding that will be available to the District for new conservation programs. In the interim, staff sees a need to expand the program immediately to encourage water savings resulting from the installation of low consumption appliances and to encourage water savings throughout the District.
The rebate program is jointly
funded with Cal-Am. The District
administers the program and tracks the retrofits and water savings that
occur. The addition of the waterless
urinals and HET toilets to the rebate program is agreeable with Cal-Am and
contributes to both agencies goals.
Since January 1, 2006, the program has increased water estimated water
savings in the
RECOMMENDATION: The Water Demand Committee should discuss the proposed rule changes and provide feedback to staff.
EXHIBITS
2-A Preliminary Draft Ordinance No. 127
U:\staff\word\committees\waterdemand\2006\20061116\02\item2.doc