Summary of KPUD s Water Use Efficiency Program and Proposed Future Water Efficiency Goals December, 2013

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1 Summary of KPUD s Water Use Efficiency Program and Proposed Future Water Efficiency Goals December, 2013 Introduction This document is a summary of Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD) Water Use Efficiency Program and proposed future water efficiency goals. The appendix to this document also contains summaries of water usage for the 25 Group A Water Systems that are owned by Kitsap Public Utility District. It is meant to inform and assist in the District s water conservation goal-setting effort as required by the Water Use Efficiency Rule. Requirements to meet the Water Use Efficiency Rule (WUE Rule) for systems over 10,000 connections are: 1. Describe the water supply characteristics. 2. Describe the past WUEP for the past six years 3. Estimate the amount of water saved through the WUEP over the last six years. 4. Describe water use efficiency goals and describe how they will are set. 5. Describe nine water use efficiency measures to be implemented during the next six years to reach the WUE goals set including schedule and budget. 6. Estimate the projected water savings from the water use efficiency measures (demand forecast) 7. Describe how customers and the public will be educated about the water use efficiency measures. 8. Describe how the water use efficiency program will be evaluated for effectiveness. 9. Evaluate distribution system leakage with a goal of 10% or less 10. Describe how rate structures are being evaluated 11. Describe the evaluation of reclaimed water opportunities Water supply characteristics Kitsap Public Utility District provides drinking water to 13,479 connections with 25 Group A Systems located throughout the county. Kitsap County encompasses almost 400 square miles and occupies a peninsula and an island in Puget Sound. It is bounded on the east and north by Puget Sound and Admiralty Inlet, and on the west by Hood Canal. Groundwater is the dominant source of supply is Kitsap County and is replenished solely by precipitation that falls on the peninsula. Groundwater from wells is the sole source of supply for KPUD water systems. Water supplied to KPUD customers comes primarily from confined aquifer comprised of glacial deposits that are found at or below sea level. KPUD has ongoing hydrologic monitoring efforts that measure aquifer levels for the assessment and management of the source aquifers utilized by KPUD. To date (November 2013) KPUD efforts have shown that its source aquifers are stable and functioning well. Water quality is generally good, though some sources have varying amounts of iron, manganese or hydrogen sulfide. Saline intrusion is a potential management concern, but KPUD s monitoring has shown its source aquifers are not currently affected. Current Goals The Water Use Efficiency Rule states that each municipal water supplier must set its own goals in order to promote water efficiency by the water system and its customers. Goals must: Describe measurable outcomes in terms of reduced or maintained water production. Be set in a public forum that gives the customers, the community and other interest parties an opportunity to participate Be adopted by KPUD Board of Commissioners who will review all comments made 1

2 Be updated each six years as part of KPUD s Water System Plan. After public review, the following goals were adopted in October of Maintain District ERU usage averages at or below the countywide average as reported in WRIA 15 s 2514 Watershed Planning documents. Maintain District leakage ( unauthorized water usage ) values at or below 10% of system production. Reduce peak day use by 3% (as calculated on three-year average). Past Program Kitsap PUD has an extensive water use efficiency program including public education, and incentives for reduced water use by customers. Kitsap PUD also has a four tier billing system and is 100% metered with both source and service meters. Kitsap PUD has implemented leak detection for systems when needed. Kitsap PUD partners with other Kitsap County water purveyors and work together under the organizational name of Water Purveyors of Kitsap (WaterPAK) as well as regionally the Partnership for Water. The Water Use Efficiency program for the prior six years includes the following elements: Public Education A comprehensive water curriculum is presented to schools. Presentations to community groups, garden clubs and other interested groups Regional promotional campaigns Customer Newsletter and Web Page with water use efficiency information Fairs and Home and Garden Show booths featuring efficient use of water Sponsors Water Festival for 4 th grade students each Spring System Measures Source meters and service meters on all systems Source meter and service meter replacement program Production, consumption and unaccounted for water is tracked Leak detection programs where applicable Incentives and other measures KPUD has a rebate program of $50 per high efficiency toilet replacement for customers Free rain sensors for automatic irrigation systems are available to customers Conservation kits are provided to customers upon request Low flow showerheads are available for single/multifamily customers Showerheads, faucet aerators and toilet leak detection dye tabs are made available to Kitsap Health District to give to participants in their Pollution Identification and Correction Program. Landscape management/irrigation information is provided to customers A conservation garden was constructed at Givens Community Center KPUD has a tiered system for billing KPUD works with Kitsap County to evaluate the use of reclaimed water During 2010, 2011 and 2012 it is estimated that Kitsap PUD s water conservation efforts have helped to save over 3,009 gallons of water per ERU in Kitsap County. See the attached Water Use Efficiency Review. 2

3 Evaluation of past program Creating standardized data collection was the first step in determining the water use, savings and leakage in our systems. Demand side: All but one of our systems maintained the average of 288 gal per day. It was determined that this system s major water user is a high school with ball fields. The rest of the ERU s are single family homes with many outdoor irrigation systems. All but three systems reduced peak day consumption by the average 3%. After analysis, it was determined that our customers have a good water conservation ethic; but, water use more than doubles in summer months due to outdoor irrigation. Supply side: Eight of our systems have leakage over 10% on a three year average. As many of our systems are comprised of older infrastructure, leak detection and repair remains a continued part of our utility management. Conclusion: Winter use in all of our systems is low. The need for water use reduction is with summer irrigation. Continued evaluation of system leakage is needed. PROPOSED GOALS On December 11, 2013, A public meeting will be held at Kitsap Public Utility District to solicit comment on the following proposed goals: KPUD owned water systems have different water use patterns and supply needs. For purposes of Water Use Efficiency goal setting, systems are grouped together according to similar characteristics. Proposed goals for Group I Maintain district leakage values at or below 10% of system production as calculated on a 3 year average Continue to maintain ERU daily consumption below the countywide average of 288 GPD/ERU. Proposed goals for Group 2 Maintain district leakage values at or below 10% of system production as calculated on a 3 year average. Reduce Peak Billing Period usage by 5% as calculated on a 3 year average. Peak Billing Period June, July, August, September Group 2 accounts for 8,793 connections or about 2/3 of our customers. See list of systems in Group 1 and Group 2 Measures The Water Efficiency Rule requires that municipal water suppliers with over 10,000 connections implement nine cost effective conservation measures. A list of measures chosen to support the Water Use Efficiency program and meet the established goals for the subsequent six year period follows. Implementation and budget scheduling is included. 3

4 Measure Schedule Annual Budget Water Savings Education/outreach Comprehensive water curriculum is ongoing $3, gallons per day per presented to schools, conservation kit student x 7 days 70 gal/yr give aways. Teacher training is held per student yearly. Education/outreach supports overall Presentations to community groups, garden clubs and other interested groups ongoing $ Education/outreach Evaluation Students return worksheet for an incentive Number of participants Regional promotional campaigns WaterPak/ Partnership for Water Conservation Fairs and Home and Garden Show booths (WaterPAK) Sponsors Water Festival for 4 th grade students each Spring Brochures, flyers, other promotional items Indoor Conservation Residential, Commercial and Institutional KPUD has a rebate program of $50 per high efficiency washing machine replacement for customers Leak Seeker toilet dye tablet giveaway Low flow showerheads are available for single/multi family customers Outdoor residential, institutional and commercial ongoing $ Education/outreach Two times per year $2,000 Education/outreach Yearly $5,000 Education/outreach yearly 1,000 Education/outreach ongoing $10,000 4,278 gallons per year per efficient washer ongoing fairs, kits $ gpd per leaky toilet repaired ongoing $ ,000 gal/year per household Survey of public awareness Track number of participants Student and teacher evaluations Number of brochures/items distributed Track number of rebates Track number given away Track number of showerheads Irrigation Scheduling Program Yearly - Spring $15,000 Proper scheduling saves 20% of irrigation usage Rain Sensor Giveaway program ongoing $5, % water used by automatic sprinklers 1000 gallons per sensor per year Survey Track summer water use Survey Professional Landscape Professional Irrigation Training WaterPAK Yearly 1,000 Education supports overall Survey Tiered Billing Rate ongoing $0 Not evaluated Track usage Educating Customers General education about the Water Use Efficiency Program is required. KPUD includes a newsletter containing conservation information and opportunities with billing twice yearly. KPUD s website contains a 4

5 conservation page with tips about indoor and outdoor conservation as well as information about rebates and free offers that promote conservation. KPUD compiles monitoring information about precipitation levels, well levels and stream flow. Current data is located on KPUD web page at Evaluating Measures Measures will be evaluated by tracking rebates, devices and number of participants or brochures distributed. Survey of participants in trainings, audits and the irrigation scheduling program will be made. Actual water usage will be tracked, especially water usage of customers with a history of high summer consumption. Distribution Leakage The WUE Rule requires that water distribution system leakage may not exceed 10% of total water produced using a three-year average. Leakage is defined as water loss that is not metered. The rule also states that systems must install source and service meters. KPUD systems are fully metered. KPUD will develop and implement a Water Loss Control Action Plan for systems that are not in compliance with the 10%. For systems with leakage 11-19% KPUD will assess data accuracy and data collection methods and errors for systems. Systems with 20-29% leakage KPUD will implement field activities to reduce leakage within 12 months. For systems with 30% or greater leakage, KPUD will implement additional water loss control methods within six months to reduce leakage. Water Demand Efficiency Rate Structures To comply with the WUE rule, water systems must evaluate a rate structure which encourages water demand efficiency. KPUD has implemented the four tiered rate system below: Basic bi-monthly Service Charge: $46.10 Consumption Charges (based on water usage): 0-14,000 cubic feet: $1.05 per 100 cubic feet 1,401 2,400 cubic feet: $1.50 per 100 cubic feet 2,401 4,000 cubic feet: $2.00 per 100 cubic feet 4,001 cubic feet and over: $4.50 per 100 cubic feet Evaluating Reclaimed Water The Water Efficiency Rule asks that utilities evaluate reclaimed water for systems with more than 1,000 connections. KPUD staff recognizes that the use of reclaimed water can help balance the water use demands of drinking water systems. KPUD continues to evaluate reclaimed water projects in the county in conjunction with Kitsap County. Several points of use have been identified in KPUD s service area. At this time, limiting factors for using reclaimed water at these sites include contractual obligations, costs, limited water availability and the lack of infrastructure. Annual performance reports KPUD issues annual performance reports showing progress toward water use efficiency goals. A report will be submitted via to DOH. The Water Use Efficiency rule states that municipal suppliers of water will provide a performance report to customers and to the public. KPUD posts an annual report on the KPUD webpage that provides the following information: Total production in gallons Distribution System Leakage information using gallons and percent Efforts to minimize leakage 5

6 Goal information including o Dates of public forum o Goals o Schedule for achieving the goals o A narrative on progress The proposed goals will be publicly reviewed on December 11, 2013, and adopted by the Kitsap Board of Commissioners. Measures to support the adopted goals will be implemented beginning January, Comments about the Water Use Efficiency Program and proposed goals can be addressed at the public meeting or by contacting Debbie Engel at debbie@kpud.org. 6