Item 2: AW Quarterly Update — original pdf

Backup

Quarterly Update of Water Conservation Activities Single Family Residential Landscape Transformation Ordinance Water Conservation Division November 15, 2022  Water Forward Plan - Landscape Transformation Ordinance (D5) • From traditional landscaping to plants with reduced water needs • New single-family residential • Potential limits on turf and irrigation • Savings goal of 2,490 AF (2.2 MGD) by 2040 Public/stakeholder engagement  Public and External Stakeholder Meetings • February, May, and June 2022  Speakup Austin • Survey (256 responses)  Smaller External Stakeholder Group Meetings • Home Builders Association of Greater Austin • Irrigation professionals • Texas Nursery and Landscape Association / Turfgrass Producers of Texas • Central Texas Chapter of ASLA Transforming landscapes to save water Build with savings Set customers up for success Encourage alternative water • Topsoil mix shall be composed of 20 percent compost… (Standard Build with savings  Enhanced Soil Inspections • A minimum of 6 inches of topsoil (ECM 1.4.7.B5) Specifications Manual 601S.3.A) • Water Savings: 10% reduction • Cost: • Environmental inspection cost could increase by $80.  Mulch is currently required and inspected Build with savings  Required residential plant list • ECM Appendix N – Commercial properties only • Grow Green Plant Guide could act as a model for plant list Build with savings  Limit turf grass area • Up to 50% of landscape area; 2,250 sqft max • Water savings: 16% reduction or 4,350 gallons annually per home • Cost: • Possible $80 increase for enhanced inspection • Additional bed cost - $6 per sq ft - $8,700 average home Build with savings  Limit irrigation area • Up to 50% of landscape area • Water savings: 35% reduction or 9,800 gallons annually per home • Cost: • Possible $71 increase for enhanced irrigation inspection performed by Austin Water Set customers up for success Better Irrigation Require pressure reduction devices (PRD) Require irrigation inspection (post- installation) Offer new home irrigation check-ups within 90 days Water Savings (gal/yr/home) 6,100 (22% savings) Cost $350-$500 + $71 increase in permit cost for Austin Water inspection 2,800 (10% savings) Austin Water inspection 1,400 (5% savings) Austin Water staff Encourage alternative water  Required plumbing for laundry to landscape  Incentivize builders to add rainwater harvesting • Available in all new homes • Incentivize building • Supply: 3,500 gal • Cost: <$1,000 homes with 500-gallon tanks/systems • Supply: 5,000 • Cost: No required costs Bundling activities into scenarios In all scenarios Build with savings Setting up customers for success Encourage alternative water Options Limiting turf or irrigation Example scenario #1 (Turf limitation) Water Savings (gal/yr/home) Existing Soil and Mulch Requirements Turf Grass Limitation (50%) Irrigation Requirements Irrigation Checkup Total Encourage Alternatives (graywater & rainwater) 2,400 4,300 6,400 700 13,800 8,500 Builder Cost (per home) $800 + $80 increase to environmental inspection $8,700 + $80 increase to environmental inspection $350 - $500 + $71 increase for irrigation permit N/A $10,150 Responsible Department DSD Inspection DSD Inspection AW Inspection AW Service <$1,000 + TBD DSD and AW Example scenario #2 (Irrigation limitation) Existing Soil and Mulch Requirements Irrigation limitation (50%) Irrigation Requirements Irrigation Checkup Total Water Savings (gal/yr/home) Builder Cost (per home) $800 + $80 increase to environmental inspection $71 increase for irrigation permit $350 - $500 + $71 increase for irrigation permit N/A $1,450 Responsible Department DSD Inspection AW Inspection AW Inspection AW Service 1,800 9,800 2,600 400 14,600 Encourage Alternatives (graywater & rainwater) 8,500 <$1,000 + TBD DSD and AW Next Steps  October/November • COA stakeholders  January - February • Affordability review • SpeakUp Austin! Update and • Legal review Survey • RMC  December • WWWC • Stakeholder/public meetings • Develop ordinance language • Last Public Meeting  March-May • WFTF, RMC, and WWWC • City Council How can Austin grow and meet our water use goal? Build with savings Set customers up for success Encourage alternative water