CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM

Transcription

1 CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION Debby Figoni, Water Conservation Administrator DATE: May 10, 2018 SUBJECT: Water Efficiency Update ATTACHMENTS: 1. Monthly Water Consumption Report to State April 2018 RECOMMENDATION This report is for information only. It provides an update on staff activities related to the City s water conservation programs, policy and outreach efforts. In addition, this report provides a brief update to the amendments made to Water Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 2 Water Use Efficiency Regulations of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code. City Water Conservation Update and Enforcement Efforts In an effort to keep educating and promoting Water Efficiency as a Beverly Hills Way of Life, staff conducted ten residential site visits with high water users, customers with potential leaks and/or customers requesting landscape and irrigation assistance. Also in April, staff connected with residential customers 219 times and commercial, apartment or HOA customers 44 times. Additionally, 425 calls, s and/or letters were conducted/sent to customers with continuous flow, excessive irrigation and/or water related issues. In April, one water waste case was reported by the public. No Notices of Violation (NOV) were issued this past month. Staff continues to enforce all outdoor watering regulations as prescribed in Water Conservation Ordinance Stage C. Public Education & Outreach Programs and Legislative Update In April, the Wyland National Mayor s Challenge for Water Conservation was heavily promoted throughout the City of Beverly Hills. The final results will not be announced until mid-may. In honor of Earth Day, the Public Works Department held their annual Earth Day event where education on water efficiency and other environmental issues were promoted. Staff attended other environmental events and did a variety of outreach on social media reminding everyone that Every Day is Earth Day! On April 2, 2018, the City of Beverly Hills was commended in a radio story on KPCC for keeping conservation percentages high after the Governor called off the emergency drought, while cities with similar demographics did not. The City s leak program and emphasis on water efficiency were also highlighted. Metropolitan Water District (MWD) is reviving its Landscape Transformation program sometime in July of The rebate will be $1.00 per square foot up to 1,500 square feet. Turf removal

2 in front yards is the main goal of the program; however, if the customer has already transformed their front yard, side and backyards are eligible. Customers who have participated in the past are welcome to participate again. Live plant coverage is required and synthetic turf is not allowed. More details will be provided as soon as MWD has finalizes its guidelines. Staff has been working with residents and their gardeners for years, educating them on efficient watering techniques. Most recently, an informational packet was created to be distributed by field staff when they see gardeners in the field. The packet contains bilingual information including how to water grass efficiently and a sticker for the irrigation controller with the City s Stage C watering schedule. Updates to the Water Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 2 Water Use Efficiency Regulations of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code were presented at the last Public Works Commission meetings. Edits to the draft were requested at the April 18, 2018, Public Works Commission Meeting. Suggested Commission edits have been incorporated and the latest draft of the Ordinance returned to the Ad hoc committee for final review. Submetering Ordinance Update At its April 18, 2018, meeting, staff discussed what other cities were doing about submetering multifamily buildings and the benefits of AMR and the Water Tracker program. The Commission asked that staff speak with other departments to see what challenges the two options might have and bring this item back. City Water Usage Reductions for April 2018 The following table shows water consumption for the City over the last few years. For the month of April, the City used approximately Acre Feet ( AF ) compared to AF in 2013, which resulted in an estimated 15.2% reduction. For comparison purposes, the table below shows the average AF of water used daily each month. Month Table 1: Summary of Beverly Hills Water Use Reductions Submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board 2013 Usage (AF) Usage (AF) 2013 Percentage Reduction Compared to 2013 May % Jun % Jul % Aug % Sep % Oct % Nov % Dec % Jan % Feb % Mar % Apri % 2 of 3

3 Month 2013 Usage (AF) Usage (AF) 2013 Percentage Reduction Compared to 2013 May % June % July % Aug % Sept % Oct % Nov % Dec % Jan % Feb % Mar % Apr % May % June % July % Aug % Sept % Oct % Nov % Dec % Jan % Feb % Mar % Apr % SEE 04/12/18 3 of 3

4 in front yards is the main goal of the program; however, if the customer has already transformed their front yard, side and backyards are eligible. Customers who have participated in the past are welcome to participate again. Live plant coverage is required and synthetic turf is not allowed. More details will be provided as soon as MWD has finalizes its guidelines. Staff has been working with residents and their gardeners for years, educating them on efficient watering techniques. Most recently, an informational packet was created to be distributed by field staff when they see gardeners in the field. The packet contains bilingual information including how to water grass efficiently and a sticker for the irrigation controller with the City s Stage C watering schedule. Updates to the Water Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 2 Water Use Efficiency Regulations of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code were presented at the last Public Works Commission meetings. Edits to the draft were requested at the April 18, 2018, Public Works Commission Meeting. Suggested Commission edits have been incorporated and the latest draft of the Ordinance returned to the Ad hoc committee for final review. Submetering Ordinance Update At its April 18, 2018, meeting, staff discussed what other cities were doing about submetering multifamily buildings and the benefits of AMR and the Water Tracker program. The Commission asked that staff speak with other departments to see what challenges the two options might have and bring this item back. City Water Usage Reductions for April 2018 The following table shows water consumption for the City over the last few years. For the month of April, the City used approximately Acre Feet ( AF ) compared to AF in 2013, which resulted in an estimated 15.2% reduction. For comparison purposes, the table below shows the average AF of water used daily each month. Table 1: Summary of Beverly Hills Water Use Reductions Submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board Month 2013 Percentage 201 5/ Usage Reduction & (AF) Compared Usage (AF) to 2013 May % Jun % Jul % Aug % Sep % Oct % Nov % Dec % Jan % Feb % Mar % Apri % 2 of 3

5 Month 2013 Percentage 2015/1 6 & Usage Reduction (AF) Compared Usage (AF) ( Day(AF) May % June % July % Aug % Sept % Oct % Nov % Dec % Jan % Feb % Mar % Apr % May % June % July % Aug % Sept % Oct % Nov % Dec % Jan % Feb % Mar % Apr % 3 of 3

6 ATTACHMENT 1

7 Monthly Report to State Water Resources Control Board April 2018 Thank you for your Monitoring Report. Below is the information you have submitted for the month of 041$. If this information is incorrect, please re-submit your report for the month with the corrected information. We use your most recently submitted monthly report in our calculations. Reporter Debby Figoni Urban Water Supplier/Number Beverly Hills City of (640) Reporting Month 0418 Stage/Mandatory Days Outside Irrigation 2 Total Potable Water Production Stage C Yes $21.6 AF 2013 Same Month Production AF CII Water Commercial Agricultural Water Commercial Agricultural Water 2013 Recycled Water Non-revenue Water AF Residential Use Percentage 69 % Population Estimated R-GPCD Number Complaints 1 Number Follow-ups 425 Number Warnings 0 Rate Penalties 0 Other Penalties 0 Enforcement Actions: During the month of April, there was 1 public complaint. Staff notified 184 different customers with continuous water flow or excessive irrigation issues. Additionally, the Water Conservation Administrator conducted 10 on-site audits with high water users, customers with potential leaks and/or residents requesting landscape and irrigation assistance. The Water Conservation Administrator communicated with customers having water issues 425 times mainly via phone or (45 letters were also mailed). Consistently, about 99% of these leaks are immediately repaired and the additional 1% are in progress for repair. There were no

8 notices of violation issues in April Efficient irrigation continues to be promoted and enforced. Actions Taken: Reduced Raised rates, Reduced allowed outdoor irrigation days, Restricted allowed outdoor irrigation times, Instituted new prohibitions on specific water uses, Instituted stricter prohibitions on specific water uses, Instituted use of behavioral modification programs, Instituted use of SmartMeters for data tracking and enforcement, Increased penalties for water waste, Increased leak detection and repair actions, Increased conservation personnel, Increased conservation program budget, Increased conservation program scope (e.g., offered audits to a broader segment of customers) Implementation Comments: We promoted Fix A Leak Week with s, Facebook, and a direct mail postcard to every single family home. The emphasis was checking toilets for leaks (the #1 cause of continuous water flow issues). Outreach informing Beverly Hills water customers of efficient irrigation and checking for leaks remains diligent. We continue to update our website, expand outreach materials, and promote our Water Tracker program. We continue educating customers on how to find leaks and how to read their meter. The Water Conservation Administrator continues to work one-on-one with as many residents and businesses as possible. Outreach materials continually placed around City facilities, and articles in local papers, City s quarterly newsletter and Public Works new bi monthly newsletter. Staff attended several Earth Day events. The City participated in the Wyland Mayors Challenge for Water Conservation. Qualification: Monthly production is calculated from local production and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) purchases. The percentage of water used by the various accounts (single family, multi-family, commercial, etc.) is calculated using billing data. Customer s water usage is billed every two months, therefore consumption data is calculated once available. Because there is a lag time, monthly ¾ of residential water use is calculated from the prior year data.

9 in front yards is the main goal of the program; however, if the customer has already transformed their front yard, side and backyards are eligible. Customers who have participated in the past are welcome to participate again. Live plant coverage is required and synthetic turf is not allowed. More details will be provided as soon as MWD has finalizes its guidelines. Staff has been working with residents and their gardeners for years, educating them on efficient watering techniques. Most recently, an informational packet was created to be distributed by field staff when they see gardeners in the field. The packet contains bilingual information including how to water grass efficiently and a sticker for the irrigation controller with the City s Stage C watering schedule. Updates to the Water Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 2 Water Use Efficiency Regulations of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code were presented at the last Public Works Commission meetings. Edits to the draft were requested at the April 18, 2018, Public Works Commission Meeting. Suggested Commission edits have been incorporated and the latest draft of the Ordinance returned to the Ad hoc committee for final review. Submetering Ordinance Update At its April 18, 2018, meeting, staff discussed what other cities were doing about submetering multifamily buildings and the benefits of AMR and the Water Tracker program. The Commission asked that staff speak with other departments to see what challenges the two options might have and bring this item back. City Water Usage Reductions for April 2018 The following table shows water consumption for the City over the last few years. For the month of April, the City used approximately Acre Feet ( AF ) compared to AF in 2013, which resulted in an estimated 15.2% reduction. For comparison purposes, the table below shows the average AF of water used daily each month. Table 1: Summary of Beverly Hills Water Use Reductions Submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board Month 2013 Percentage 201 5/ Usage Reduction & (AF) Compared Usage (AF) to 2013 May % Jun % Jul % Aug % Sep % Oct % Nov % Dec % Jan % Feb % Mar % Apri % 2 of 3

10 Month 2013 Percentage 2015/1 6 & Usage Reduction (AF) Compared Usage (AF) ( Day(AF) May % June % July % Aug % Sept % Oct % Nov % Dec % Jan % Feb % Mar % Apr % May % June % July % Aug % Sept % Oct % Nov % Dec % Jan % Feb % Mar % Apr % 3 of 3

11 ATTACHMENT 1

12 Monthly Report to State Water Resources Control Board April 2018 Thank you for your Monitoring Report. Below is the information you have submitted for the month of 041$. If this information is incorrect, please re-submit your report for the month with the corrected information. We use your most recently submitted monthly report in our calculations. Reporter Debby Figoni Urban Water Supplier/Number Beverly Hills City of (640) Reporting Month 0418 Stage/Mandatory Days Outside Irrigation 2 Total Potable Water Production Stage C Yes $21.6 AF 2013 Same Month Production AF CII Water Commercial Agricultural Water Commercial Agricultural Water 2013 Recycled Water Non-revenue Water AF Residential Use Percentage 69 % Population Estimated R-GPCD Number Complaints 1 Number Follow-ups 425 Number Warnings 0 Rate Penalties 0 Other Penalties 0 Enforcement Actions: During the month of April, there was 1 public complaint. Staff notified 184 different customers with continuous water flow or excessive irrigation issues. Additionally, the Water Conservation Administrator conducted 10 on-site audits with high water users, customers with potential leaks and/or residents requesting landscape and irrigation assistance. The Water Conservation Administrator communicated with customers having water issues 425 times mainly via phone or (45 letters were also mailed). Consistently, about 99% of these leaks are immediately repaired and the additional 1% are in progress for repair. There were no

13 notices of violation issues in April Efficient irrigation continues to be promoted and enforced. Actions Taken: Reduced Raised rates, Reduced allowed outdoor irrigation days, Restricted allowed outdoor irrigation times, Instituted new prohibitions on specific water uses, Instituted stricter prohibitions on specific water uses, Instituted use of behavioral modification programs, Instituted use of SmartMeters for data tracking and enforcement, Increased penalties for water waste, Increased leak detection and repair actions, Increased conservation personnel, Increased conservation program budget, Increased conservation program scope (e.g., offered audits to a broader segment of customers) Implementation Comments: We promoted Fix A Leak Week with s, Facebook, and a direct mail postcard to every single family home. The emphasis was checking toilets for leaks (the #1 cause of continuous water flow issues). Outreach informing Beverly Hills water customers of efficient irrigation and checking for leaks remains diligent. We continue to update our website, expand outreach materials, and promote our Water Tracker program. We continue educating customers on how to find leaks and how to read their meter. The Water Conservation Administrator continues to work one-on-one with as many residents and businesses as possible. Outreach materials continually placed around City facilities, and articles in local papers, City s quarterly newsletter and Public Works new bi monthly newsletter. Staff attended several Earth Day events. The City participated in the Wyland Mayors Challenge for Water Conservation. Qualification: Monthly production is calculated from local production and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) purchases. The percentage of water used by the various accounts (single family, multi-family, commercial, etc.) is calculated using billing data. Customer s water usage is billed every two months, therefore consumption data is calculated once available. Because there is a lag time, monthly ¾ of residential water use is calculated from the prior year data.