Item 3. AWU 3rd Quarter Water Conservation Update — original pdf

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Conservation Quarterly Update 3rd Quarter FY20 Mark Jordan Water Conservation Division City of Austin | Austin Water Resource Management Commission August 17, 2020 AMI PROJECT CONSERVATION ORDINANCES in the Land Development 01 04 02 Code 05 03 PROPOSED Conservation Ordinances 06 INCENTIVE PROGRAM REVISIONS NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FURTHER PROGRAM EVALUATION 01 AMI Pilot Project AMI PILOT PROJECT  5,000 residential customers split between River Place and Mueller  Locations chosen to test :  Transmitting capabilities in difficult terrain  Compatibility with different transmission infrastructure  Sept. 14 – AMI meter installation begins with WaterSmart customer portal  Full deployment over next five years  www.MyATXWater.org 02 WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCES IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 01 WATER USE BENCHMARKING WATER CONSERVATION ORDINA THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CO 23-9D-1040 Development Project Requirements (A) Water Benchmarking and Water Balance Calculation. (1) Applicability. This subsection applies to a small or large development project for which a site plan application under Division 23 -6B-2 (Site Plan Review) is submitted on or after June 1, 2020. (2) Director’s Review and Approval. and water balance calculator. (a) A site plan application must include a completed water benchmarking application (b) Approval of the water benchmarking application and water balance calculator by the director is required as a condition of site plan approval. (B) Director Consultation Required. In addition to the requirements in Subsection (A), an applicant requesting approval of a large development project must meet with the director prior to site plan release to discuss water efficiency code requirements, water use benchmarking data, and incentives and rebates for alternative water use. 02 RECLAIMED WATER USE & DUAL PLUMBING 23-9D-1030 Reclaimed Water Connection Requirements WATER CONSERVATION ORDINA THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CO (A) A small development project located within 250 feet of a reclaimed water line shall connect to a reclaimed water line and use reclaimed water for irrigation, cooling, toilet flushing, and other significant non -potable water uses identified in the water balance calculator. (B) A large development project shall connect to a reclaimed water line and use reclaimed water for irrigation, cooling, toilet flushing and other significant non -potable water uses identified in the water balance calculator if the large development project is located within 500 feet of a reclaimed water line. (C) The director may grant a variance for the requirements of this section for: 1) Small development projects if site conditions are such that compliance would represent a significant financial hardship or health risk to the applicant or the public; 2) Large development projects if site conditions are such that compliance would represent a health risk to the applicant or the public; or 3) Municipal uses associated with law enforcement or public health and safety. 03 ONSITE WATER REUSE SYSTEMS & DUAL PLUMBING WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCES IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CO 23-9D-1050 Onsite Water Reuse System Rules and Incentive Program (A) An onsite water reuse system is required for a large development project for which a site plan application is submitted under Division 23 -6B-2 (Site Plan Review ) on or after December 1, 2023. (B) By December 1, 2020, the director shall: (1) Adopt rules to implement, administer, and enforce this article, including rules to regulate the treatment, monitoring, and reporting requirements for reuse systems; and onsite water (2) Develop an incentive program for onsite water reuse systems NEW INCENTIVE PROG “NON-TRADITIONAL” INCENTIVES FOR ALTERNATIVE WATER SYSTEMS (OCT 2020)     Applies to new commercial development >250,000 SQ FT Impact fee reductions based on potable water offset $1 Million grant program “Bucks for Business” rebate of up to $100,000 still available for smaller projects 03 PROPOSED CONSERVATION ORDINANCES COOLING TOWERS (DEC 2020) PROPOSED CONSERVATION ORD  Add biocide to required water efficiency requirements  Add efficiency standards for drift eliminators  Add administrative penalties for violations of cooling tower efficiency standards, equipment, registration, and inspection requirements  Penalties currently in effect for commercial irrigation systems and car washes  Non -compliant cooling towers ineligible for evaporative loss wastewater billing credit IRRIGATION METER WAIVER (DEC 2020) PROPOSED CONSERVATION ORD ● Allows waiver of separate irrigation meter requirement for commercial/multi facilities if: -family ○ Over 90% impervious cover (mainly in Central Business District) ○ No irrigation system requirement under landscaping ordinances ○ Adequate hose bibs to meet outdoor water needs ● Incentivizes the capping, removal or non - installment of automatic irrigation systems by avoiding associated costs and tap fees PROPOSED CONSERVATION ORD RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE (JUNE 2023) •Limits turf grass and automatic irrigation systems to 2.5 X building footprint or not more than 10,000 sq. ft., whichever is less; •Landscape may only include native drought tolerant plants on city’s Preferred Plant List •Originally proposed under 140 Plan WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE TIMELINE 04 INCENTIVE PROGRAM REVISIONS INCENTIVE PROGRAM REVIS INCREASED INCENTIVE AMOUNTS (DEC 2019) REVISED “BUCKS FO BUSINESS” (DEC 2019 Based on updated cost benchmark of $1.00/1,000 gallons saved for avoided/delayed LCRA payments Water balance using AW approved calculator required for alternative water systems Annual progress reports required for alternative water systems in new development COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT (MARC INCENTIVE PROGRAM REV INCREASED REBATE …for central computer controller system from $5,000 to $10,000. ADDED …pressure reduction components (other than PRV). REMOVED …once-per -lifetime application limitation to allow phased applications for larger commercial properties . WATERWISE LANDSCAPE (JUNE 2020) INCENTIVE PROGRAM REV ADDED …flexibility to landscape fabric and compost requirements. ADDED …pervious gravel uncovered patios to list of qualifying landscaping features to replace turf grass. PROHIBITED …installation of permanent irrigation system. RESIDENTIAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM UPGRADE (MARC INCENTIVE PROGRAM REVISIONS INCREASED …total rebate cap for each property from $400 to $1,000 INCREASED …re b a te s for PRV a n d con ve rtin g fro m sp ra y to multi -stream, multi - rotor n ozzle s trajectory INCREASED …th e re b a te from $50 to $100 for th e re m ova l of a n irriga tion zon e ADDED …new rebate fo r co n ve rsion to 6-in ch p o p -u p sp rin kle r h e a d s STREAMLINED …in voice submission process for p a rts a n d la b or 05 NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAMS NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAMS HOME WATER USE MONITORING (JUNE 2020)         Pilot rebate of up to $200 Near real time consumption data More immediate and discrete data than AMI Self-installed product Provides reads to smart phone app Quick, cost effective deployment Interim measure until full deployment of AMI and WaterSmart Eligible products  Bu o y      Flo Flu m e Pa n i Ph yn Plu s Stre a m la b s Co n tro l NEW INCENTIVE PROG POOL CARTRIDGE BACKWASH FILTER (JUNE 2020)  Up to $250 to replace sand or DE pool filter with more water efficient cartridge pool filter NEW INCENTIVE PROG GRAYWATER REUSE: “LAUNDRY LANDSCAPE” (SEPT 2020) -TO-     Up to $100 rebate for 3 -way diverter valve and gravity fed system 10% of total rebate added if combined with Rainwater Harvesting, WaterWise Landscape or WaterWise Rainscape program  Water from kitchen sinks, diaper soiled water, and "blackwater" (toilet flush water) not included Backflow protection, permitting and enforcement an issue for graywater other than Laundry to Landscape systems Aquifer recharge zone limitations 06 INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR FURTHER EVALUATION RE-EVALUATING THE RAINWATER HARVESTING REBATE FURTHER EVALUATION COST VS. SAVINGS USAGE Current rebate amount significantly exceeds cost b e n ch m a rk; RWH syste m s save significantly less p ota b le wa te r th a n a ssu m e d Cu sto m e rs with RWH syste m s in th e a ggre ga te u sin g more th a t oth e r potable water cu stom e rs with ou t RWH syste m s PRESSURIZATION Pre ssu rize d syste m s not shown to save m ore wa te r th a n n on-p re ssu rize d CUSTOMER BENEFIT Ma in ta in in g or in cre a sin g re b a te a m o u n t for wa te r q u a lity p rote ction th a t d oe s n ot a lso re su lt in a p ota b le wa te r offse t n e e d s for b e n e fit to AW further evaluation cu sto m e r b a se d on cost of se rvice re q u ire m e n ts FEE REDUCTION Dra in a ge fe e re d u ction a va ila b le to p rop e rtie s with RWH COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM ABANDONMENT FURTHER EVALUATION • Rebate would be similar to residential program i.e., cut out the valves for each station; cap the main irrigation lines • Section 2.4.6 (B) Environmental Criteria Manual (Model Landscape Ordinance) requirements to install an irrigation system to establish and maintain newly planted trees and required landscaping areas may conflict with rebate • Section 2.9.2(F)(2) Utility Criteria Manual requirement for commercial and multi for common areas and outdoor purposes may conflict with the rebate unless waived -family facilities to install a separate meter • Requirement to pay fees for irrigation meter to system that has been abandoned would be an impediment to rebate participation unless waived • Concerns from the landscaping community about the ability to adequately water trees and maintain the city’s tree canopy QUESTIONS Mark Jordan Water Conservation Division Manager (Acting) City of Austin | Austin Water 512-974-3901 mark.jordan@austintexas.gov ALTERNATIVE WATER ORDINANCES APPROACH WATER USE BENCHMARKING RECLAIMED WATER USE & DUAL PLUMBING ONSITE WATER REUSE SYSTEMS & DUAL PLUMBING Mandatory Water Balance Submittal Required • New commercial and multi-family developments submit water balance with site plan • >250,000 square feet developments meet with AW staff to discuss water balance results, water efficiency benchmarks, alternative water incentives and grant program Expanded Reclaimed Water Use & Connection Requirements • New commercial and multi-family developments >250,000 square feet must connect to reclaimed water system & dual plumb buildings if located within 500 feet of a reclaimed water main Program & Incentive Program Implemented with Mandate Implemented • Establishes new rules/regulatory Development • framework for Onsite Water Reuse Systems Incentive program developed to incentivize systems under new rules Incentive • All new Onsite Systems required to meet new rules & obtain permit from Austin Water Incentives issued to large projects to incentivize program participation for non-mandated systems • • All new commercial and multi-family developments >250,000 square feet must incorporate Onsite Water Reuse & dual plumb buildings Existing A/C Condensate Recovery Rules for Cooling Systems • New facilities with 100 tons or more cooling capacity must offset at least 10% of make-up water with alternative water • New facilities with 200 tons or more cooling capacity must reuse A/C condensate onsite Time to develop the program prior to mandate: • Cost data & affordability implications • Benefits to developers (expedited permits, density bonuses, reduced water bills, etc.) • Successful project implementation & continued use • Establish system operator proficiencies SMALL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - The construction of one or more multi family, mixed use or commercial buildings on one or more parcels in accordance with a phased plan or approved site plan, with a total gross floor area for the building(s) of less than 250,000 square feet.