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WATER
DEMAND COMMITTEE |
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2. |
DEVELOP RECOMMENDATION TO
THE BOARD REGARDING FIRST |
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Meeting
Date: |
September 14, 2009 |
Budgeted: |
Yes. |
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From: |
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Program/ |
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General
Manager |
Line Item No.: |
4-2-3 |
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Prepared
By: |
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Cost
Estimate: |
N/A |
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General Counsel Approval: Counsel has reviewed the ordinance |
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Committee Recommendation: |
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CEQA Compliance: This ordinance is exempt as it is not a
Project under CEQA. |
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SUMMARY: On June 18, 2009, the Water Demand Committee discussed potential amendments to the Rebate program, including rebates for lawn removal and synthetic turf installation. In response, staff has prepared a draft ordinance (Exhibit 2-A) that adds rebates for turf removal and synthetic turf installation, as well as the purchase and installation of:
· High Efficiency Urinals
· Pint Urinals
· Non-Residential High Efficiency Clothes Washers
· Rotating Sprinkler Nozzles
· Water Brooms
· Commercial/industrial/institutional permanent retrofits.
In addition to adding new definitions for the proposed added devices, draft Ordinance No. 140 deletes rebates for 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) toilets (ULF toilets) and increases the amounts of some rebates to enhance the incentive to retrofit to these devices. The recommended amounts are suggested after studying rebates issued by other water agencies and purveyors for the same retrofits. The draft ordinance is scheduled for consideration of first reading at the September 21, 2009 Board meeting.
The draft ordinance contains a provision to make the new rebates retroactive to September 22, 2009. Staff included this provision to encourage retrofits between first reading and the effective date of the ordinance (December 1, 2009). Providing a retroactive date should encourage lawn removal during the fall months, when drought-tolerant replacement plantings can take advantage of the rainy season to become established. Lawn removal rebates are conditioned on a pre- and post-removal inspection to verify the water savings.
Funding for the rebate program is reimbursable through the CAW conservation budget approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Program additions were discussed during the hearings on the conservation program and are supported by CAW and CPUC staff.
DISCUSSION: Staff is seeking direction from the Water Demand Committee on the following points:
1. Should the lawn removal rebate only apply to California American Water (CAW) and Seaside Municipal Water Distribution Systems or should it apply to all properties within the District? (Rule 141-C-6)
2.
Staff would like the Water Demand Committee to take a
strong supportive position for deleting the ULF toilets from the rebate program
as a way to encourage installation of High Efficiency Toilets (HET) that use
1.3 gpf. HETs are a future
3. Does the committee agree with the proposed rebate amounts? Staff will provide the committee with a list of other agency’s rebate amounts at the meeting.
4. Funding for non-CAW rebates is very limited. This limitation will apply to lawn removal and synthetic turf rebates for Seaside Municipal and other system eligible for these rebates. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out. The District’s 2009-2010 Fiscal Year budget had $10,000 for non-CAW rebates: over $1,600 has been issued to date.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Water Demand Committee should discuss the
proposed rebate amendment ordinance, provide direction to staff and make a
recommendation to the Board.
IMPACTS
ON STAFF/RESOURCES: Increased
participation in the rebate program has impacts on staff as the District
administers the rebate programs for the District. However, the District has been able to
accommodate the existing program and the new database will enhance staff’s
ability to process and issue rebates.
EXHIBIT
2-A Draft
Ordinance No. 140
U:\staff\word\committees\waterdemand\2009\20090914\02\item2.doc