Why Efficiency Planning Update from the State. Alice Miller Keyes GA Environmental Protection Division Watershed Protection Branch

Transcription

1 Why Efficiency Planning Update from the State Alice Miller Keyes GA Environmental Protection Division Watershed Protection Branch

2 The ultimate goal of water conservation is not to prevent water use, but to maximize each gallon of water used (WCIP 2010)

3 Extreme Drought

4 Lake Lanier Ruling Judge Magnuson s ruling Water supply was not originally authorized purpose of Lanier Current supply use exceeds Army Corps authority Restricts future water use (2012)

5 New Statewide and Regional Conservation Requirements Water Stewardship Act of 2010 Statewide Water Management Plan - conservation priority Regional water planning

6 Water Stewardship Act of 2010 WSA was enacted by 2010 General Assembly Recognizes imminent needs: to create a culture of water conservation in the State of Georgia to plan for water supply enhancement during future extreme drought conditions and water emergencies Signing Ceremony, June 1, 2010, Lake Lanier

7 State Agency Requirements SB 370 Water Stewardship Act GA DNR (including EPD), GEFA, DCA, GFC, DCH (including Division of Public Health), GDA, GSWCC are to begin reporting: Opportunities to provide enhanced programming and incentives for voluntary water conservation in 14 specific areas Opportunities to enhance the state s water supply Establish programs and report progress annually for the next five years Report available online : - What s New

8 Best Practice Requirements SB 370 Water Stewardship Act Public water systems and political subdivisions must to improve water conservation by : Public Water Systems must conduct a water loss audit annually o Those serving >10,000 individuals by January 1, 2012 o Those serving serving 3,300 to 10,000 individuals by January 1, 2013 Outdoor irrigation restricted to 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. (exceptions specified)

9 Agricultural Permitting Farm Use surface water and ground water withdrawals to be classified as: Active Inactive Unused SB 370 Water Stewardship Act Unused permits will expire after two years

10 Water Conserving Fixtures SB 370 Water Stewardship Act Requires high-efficiency plumbing fixtures in all new construction permitted on or after July 1, 2012: 1.28 gallon per flush toilets 2.5 gpm at 60 psi shower heads 0.5 gallon per flush urinals 1.5 gpm at 60 psi lavatory faucets 2.0 gpm kitchen faucets

11 New Construction Requirements SB 370 Water Stewardship Act Submetering Submetering is specifically allowed All new multiunit residential and industrial buildings permitted on or after July 1, 2012 shall be submetered Building Heat Removal High-efficiency cooling towers required in new construction permitted on or after July 1, 2012

12 Joint Committee on Water Supply SB 370 Water Stewardship Act Committee of Ten Members: 4 members at-large by the Governor 4 members of the House of Representatives 4 members of the Senate House and Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee chairpersons to serve as co-chairpersons Committee required to study and analyze the state s reservoir system and strategic needs for additional water supply

13 Statewide Water Management Plan Comprehensive Water Planning Act directed development of State Plan in 2004 State Water Plan approved by General Assembly and signed by Governor Perdue in 2008 Plan identifies Policies and Implementation Actions Regional Plan Development Water Resource Assessment technical tools developed for: Surface Water Availability Groundwater Availability Surface Water Quality Water needs through Regional Water Planning Councils selecting management practices to meet future water needs

14 Statewide Water Management Plan Water conservation is not expected to fully meet all water needs an effective and efficient practice for all water users (Policy 1 Sec. 8) a priority water quantity management practice (Policy 3 Sec. 7) Each Regional Water Planning Council is expected to include demand management in their regional water plan

15 Regional Planning & Conservation Assessment Guidance issued to Councils to: Establish a common starting point for considering demand management practices Ensure practices reflect current rules as well as amended rules expected following the SWP and the WSA, and Provide flexibility to Councils to adapt practices to the specifics of each region

16 Regional Planning A Tiered Structure Tier 4 : Beyond Basic to close resource gaps Tier 3 : Basic Practices, not required Tier 2: Basic Practices, required of some Tier 1: Basic Practices, required of all

17 Regional Conservation Assessment Process Guidance, not a prescriptive methodology Councils and their Contractors should use tools available Final process, inputs, outputs and results will be documented in a technical memorandum that supplements the regional plans Demand management practices will be included in regional plans Available online anning.org under Technical Guidance/Regional Planning Guidance

18 State Implementation and beyond Amend conservation rules Establish water loss control program Enhance conservation assessment capacity

19 Amend Conservation Rules Per the WSA and the SWP, DNR is to amend rules related to conservation and water loss. Amended rules will likely be coordinated and include: Progress toward water efficiency for water withdrawal permits (SWP) Annually report information on water efficiency (SWP) Annually submit water system audits (WSA) Likely to occur this Spring

20 Establish Water Loss Control Program Water loss auditing assistance for providers DNR/EPD will develop BMPs manual for water loss control (per WSA) Targeted training opportunities for providers 10,000+ individuals served - Jan ,300-9,999 individuals served - Jan 2013 GAWP will coordinate technical input and info sessions Technical input for manual Outreach and information sessions

21 Enhance Conservation Capacity Develop a water conservation planning and tracking tool to support EPD water planning and permitting programs Adjusted from the Alliance for Water Efficiency conservation tracking model Provide consistency and ease in reporting Assistance to permittees

22 Tools for Implementation Water Conservation Implementation Plan Regional water planning guidance Rainwater harvesting guidelines WaterSmart education and outreach tools Trainings and workshop

23 Water Conservation Implementation Plan The WCIP creates a common vision for water conservation is not regulation Resource with sector-specific goals, benchmarks, practices, and implementation actions for: Agricultural Water Use, Electric Generation, Golf Course Water Use, Industrial and Commercial, Landscape, Public water providers, and State agencies

24 WCIP The WCIP can be found through : or

25 Rainwater Harvesting Guidelines Rainwater is free, and not subject to drought restrictions You can collect 68,200 gal of rainwater from a 2200-sq ft roof if you receive 50 in of rain during a year Using rainwater in place of potable water for applications that don't require potable water quality saves energy, as well as collection, treatment and operating expense Rainwater harvesting can reduce runoff and thereby improve water quality esandrainwaterguidelines.htm

26 WaterSmart Tools Brochures and flyers Video public service announcements Homeowner workshop Media Relations/Landscape Challenge Drought in Georgia a unit for 6 th grade teachers Upcoming YardStick for certifying watersmart landscapes - Grant supported (hopefully )

27 Trainings and Workshops Water loss control training workshops (Fall, 2011) IWA/AWWA methodology Best practices Water conservation planning and tracking workshops May 9 Metro Atlanta, EPD Tradeport Training Center May 11 Coastal GA, EPD Coastal District Office Conservation sessions at association meetings GAWP - GA WaterWise Council sessions GA Rural Water GA Water Resources Conference

28 Concluding thoughts Conservation is not free, but practices are cost effective for managing water supplies The role of water utilities and local governments is increasing Public expectations Regional planning and reporting State and/or federal funds can off set cost of diverse water management practices Tools discussed today can only help

29 Alice Miller Keyes Georgia EPD Watershed Protection Branch