Beyond Low Hanging Fruit in Water Conservation

Transcription

1 Beyond Low Hanging Fruit in Water Conservation OWWA Conference, May 6, 2014 Steve Gombos Manager, Water Efficiency DOCs #

2 Outline Municipal profile Current water efficiency program Water Efficiency Master Plan Update New program planning

3 The Region's Water Supply Population 2011: 553,000 people 2031: 729,000 people Water System Integrated Urban System 16 Rural Systems 25% Groundwater 75% Surface Water

4 The Shift in Water Demands Long Term Trend

5 Water Demand by Sector 5

6 Why The Drop in Demands? Industrial closures, changing economy CII efficiency practices More efficient appliances & fixtures Water efficiency programs Water Conservation By-Law (max day) More water-conscious public

7 We Believe in Water Efficiency Delivered first conservation programs 1998 First Water Efficiency Master Plan results exceeded goals Master Plan Exceeded Goals WEMP for approval by June Now fine tuning program offerings/budget

8 2013 Base WEMP Target/Actual Program Target m 3 /day Actual General Public Ed. 2,610 2,558 Toilet Replacement 3,492 5,501 CII Leak Reduction Total m 3 /day 7,067 9, WEMP Target (exceeded by 30%!) 8,146 Water saved enough to supply 13,500 households Add 5-7% peak reduction from by-law

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10 Long Term Water Supply Strategy Updated Shift from growing to sustaining Optimize, rehabilitate and replace groundwater sources Continue with water efficiency efforts Optimize existing water distrib. System Close tracking of demand trends Defer/eliminate Great Lakes pipeline

11 2007 Long Term Strategy Recommended strategy with maximum week demand effective water efficiency program & water restrictions ML/d (95 migd) GL Pipeline 400 Water Demand (ML/d) ML/d (58 migd) 282 ML/d (62 migd) Phase 1 ASR (4 migd) 327 ML/d (72 migd) 305 ML/d (67 migd) New GW (5 migd) Phase 2 ASR (5 migd) Demand With Water Efficiency Demand Without Water Efficiency

12 Water Efficiency Vision The Region of Waterloo Water Efficiency Program contributes to sustaining a clean and reliable drinking water supply for the future; a supply that draws primarily from our groundwater and river water sources. 12

13 Objectives & Targets OBJECTIVES 2011 STATUS 2025 TARGET To further reduce indoor and outdoor water demand in the residential sector. To further reduce total system per capita demand. To keep summer peak demands at or below existing levels. To maintain Water Efficiency Program budget and staff at current levels. 202 Litres per capita per day (Lcd) (Tri-City average, single family residential). 285 Litres per capita per day (Lcd). Peaking factor (ratio of maximum day demand to average day demand) averaged 1.28 from 2006 to $1.3 million per year total budget for programming. 160 Litres per capita per day (Lcd), in line with the documented assumptions in the Water Supply Master Plan Forecast 235 Litres per capita per day (Lcd). Peaking factor remains same or less than $1.3 million* per year total budget for programming. * 2012 dollars

14 Progress to Date Current Phase 1.Data Collection and Review (Jan-May 2013) 2.Develop & Refine Program Options (May-July 2013) 3.Draft Updated WEMP (Aug-Nov 2013) 4. Consult with Public and Stakeholders (Dec -Feb 2014) 5. Final WEMP Update (Mar-May 2014) Water Efficiency Master Plan Update Process 14

15 Recap of Measure Selection Process TM# 1-3 TM# 4 Background research informed shortlist of potential new measures Potential measures screened, ranked, shortlisted and refined June 19 th TM# 5 14 Potential New Measures presented to Stakeholders for feedback Revisions made based on feedback & measures/scenarios modelled Focus groups Select residential measures presented to 3 focus groups Draft WEMP New and continuing measures recommended based on background information, Stakeholder and public feedback, and modelling results 15

16 Recommended Residential Sector Continuing General Education & Awareness New or Enhanced Water Savings Assistance Prog. Toilet Flapper Prog. Rainwater H Prog. CII Sectors W.E.T. Program CII E-Newsletter Restaurant Cert. Cooling System prog. Partner Professions Trades Training New Home Building Incentives Plumber Training Community-wide Research & Devel. Conservation By-Law, Leakage & Pressure Management Water Softeners & Alternatives Enhanced Interactive Web & Communications Commercial Submetering Hot-Water Recirc Topsoil Depth

17 Recommended: $ Proportional to Demand 17

18 Financial Benefits Prog. Cost of $1.81 per litres/day Minimum cost for new infrastructure is $2.00 per litre/day Already deferred $100 mill in capital $1 million avoided water operating $1.5 million avoided wastewater op Defer/avoid $1 billion pipeline

19 Other Benefits Minimize new construction Preserve aquifer & downstream Reduced chemical use Promotes intrinsic value of water Promotes conservation behaviour Enhanced Regulatory Compliance Greenhouse gas reduction

20 Est. Carbon Dioxide Savings 1,176 tonnes of CO 2 e/year by 2025

21 Public Feedback Which do you think are most important for the Region to help residents like you reduce water use? ( 1 = most important, 5 = least). 21

22 Next Steps WEAC approves final WEMP May 13 Planning and Works May 27 th Council approval June 4 th Launch new programs fall 2014, early

23 Residential "Targeted" User Program Identify high demand households, then provide education, awareness and/or incentives to help them manage their consumption Key Benefits Customer savings on bill/dashboard/other Easily identified market using meter data Potential for significant water savings Key Risks & Challenges: Must be tailored to the user Some may resist Few examples to follow

24 Toilet Flapper Replacement Program Educate: giveaways, rebates, or direct installation by a professional Key Benefits Likely to be well received by the community Addresses a large but neglected source of water loss Key Risks & Challenges: Professional installation costly Identifying leaky households is a challenge Homeowners may not feel confident to install Audits costly

25 Residential Water Softener Replacement Target 75% SFDs to replace with no-backwash alternative Key Benefits Rebates may persuade those on the fence Helps shift the market towards efficient technology About 7% HH water savings Key Risks & Challenges: Freeriders Many homes already have efficient models Rebate value must be high to gain new uptake

26 Residential Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Provide incentives to homeowners who install large (>800 L) rainwater harvesting systems Key Benefits Rebates will shorten pay-back for residents Significant savings possible, esp. if connected to indoor fixtures Stormwater management benefits Key Risks & Challenges: Potentially low uptake due to cost Construction and maintenance challenges

27 Commercial Sub Metering Work with property owners to sub meter both new and existing commercial, industrial and institutional establishments Key Benefits Users pay for their consumption Easily identify high volume users Easier to locate leakage points Key Risks & Challenges: Some businesses may resist Retrofitting can be time-consuming and expensive Collaboration between the Region and local municipalities

28 Restaurant Certification Program Incentives and recognition for restaurants that retrofit of inefficient appliances and fixtures Key Benefits Targeted penetration into a niche market Reduced operating costs for businesses Certification is good for marketing and CSR Key Risks & Challenges: Uncertain uptake rate Possible savings not huge relative to total demand Program would need to target high volume restaurants

29 CII Cooling System Program Educate and provide incentives to businesses to replace once-through cooling systems with more efficient models Key Benefits Short pay-back period possible Significant savings possible Reduced energy and chemical use Key Risks & Challenges: Rebates must be large Out-of-sight, out-of-mind Special expertise required

30 New Home Incentives Provide incentives to developers who construct water sustainable buildings and development projects Key Benefits Incentives offset perceived costs of building blue Many different kinds of incentives are available More flexible and less prescriptive than codes Key Risks & Challenges: Aversion to using new technology and methods Delivered in partnership with local municipalities Interest from homebuyers requires study Rain garden

31 Plumber Training Program Train plumbers in sustainability practices, then provide certification in partnership with other Canadian municipalities and partners Key Benefits Certification can be marketed by businesses Builds awareness with key decision makers Plumbers learn how to educate homeowners Key Risks & Challenges: Plumber interest unknown Best delivered at the national level Canadian curriculum needs to be created

32 Questions?

33 Residential End Use Study Source: Aquacraft and NRC (2013) Source: Aquacraft and NRC (2013) 33