University of California, Santa Barbara Water Action Plan Group Project Proposal Winter 2012

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1 University of California, Santa Barbara Water Action Plan Group Project Proposal Winter 2012 UCSB Contact Mo Lovegreen, Executive Officer UCSB Department of Geography (805) Bren Student Proposers Matthew O Carroll mocarroll@bren.ucsb.edu Katie Cole kcole@bren.ucsb.edu Faculty Sponsor Dr. Derek Booth dbooth@bren.ucsb.edu CLIENT: The University of California, Santa Barbara SUMMARY The use of water in its many forms - waste water management, potable water resources, and stormwater management - are of the upmost importance at global, national, and regional scales. Water use and water shortages have the ability to create economic, social, and political conflicts. Over much of California, these issues are magnified by the state s growing population and semi-arid climate. The University of California (UC) system recognizes the importance of addressing water issues and proactively implementing solutions. With the overall intent of achieving sustainable water systems, the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) has instructed all UC campuses to develop and implement a Water Action Plan as part of their UC Sustainable Practices Policy. This effort will ensure that the UC system remains a leader in sustainability among institutions of higher education. The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) has sought to collaborate with students from the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management (Bren School) to produce the campus Water Action Plan. The students will analyze water usage data and provide recommendations that will maximize water use efficiency at UCSB. The Water Action Plan will serve as the students Master s Group Project and, upon completion, will be used as the Water Action Plan that will satisfy the campus s obligations under the University s Sustainable Practices Policy. OBJECTIVES The Group s goal is to produce a Water Action Plan for UCSB that will meet and surpass the requirements outlined by the UCOP, benefiting the University both immediately and in the future. The following objectives have been set by representatives from UCSB and the Bren School: Review the University s historical and current water usage and practices, including the following sources: potable, reclaimed, stormwater, and wastewater. Provide recommendations that will allow UCSB to achieve the following: o Meet the goal of a 20% reduction in urban water use by 2020 set by the state of California (SB X7-7, the Water Conservation Act of 2009) o Evaluate UCSB s water utilities expenditures in anticipation of a 45% increase in Goleta Water rates over the next five years (Chris Rich, Goleta Water District. Personal communication, 5 December 2011). Conduct a hydrological investigation of the University campus to support development of a capture-reuse water system and design of other stormwater-management measures. Enhance the GIS layer of the interactive campus map to include low impact development opportunities and water-efficient plantings in accordance with the Campus Landscape Plan. 1

2 SIGNIFICANCE UCSB is a leader in promoting environmental stewardship among institutions of higher education, as exemplified by its distinguished LEED Program. UCSB s desire to produce and implement its Water Action Plan ahead of the summer 2013 deadline provides the University with another opportunity to showcase its dedication to environmental stewardship. Such a plan will be the first for the University and the UC system, providing as a guideline for other UC campuses and universities nationwide. UCSB projects that the faculty, staff, and student population will increase by 13% in the next eight years (UCSB 2010 Long Range Development Plan). This population increase, combined with the long-term goal of housing a larger quantity of its faculty and staff in on-campus housing, requires the University to reevaluate its water utility expenditures. The Water Action Plan will assist UCSB in producing a sustainable funding model that will maximize water efficiency and meet the demands of its current and future users. On a regional scale, the Plan will increase water efficiency by relocating individuals living in water-inefficient-housing to water-efficient-residences on-campus. BACKGROUND In 2004, the UCOP mandated the UC Sustainable Practices Policy system-wide. Each university is required to have their own Sustainable Practices Policy that addresses issues in the following areas: Sustainable Transportation, Climate Protection Practices, Sustainable Operations and Maintenance, Waste Reduction and Recycling, Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, Sustainable Foodservice, and Clean Energy and Green Building. By August 15, 2013, each University will be required to amend their current policy to include a Water Action Plan (Sustainable Policy at UCSB). STAKEHOLDERS University of California Office of the President (UCOP) University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Goleta Water District Goleta Sanitary District County of Santa Barbara City of Goleta City of Santa Barbara POSSIBLE APPROACHES AND AVAILABLE DATA Data regarding historical and current potable, non-potable, wastewater, and stormwater practices have been recorded by Physical Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), and Housing and Residential Services (H&RS). Recorded data includes total monthly potable water and reclaimed water use and its respective costs from 1996 to the present date. UCSB and all involved departments will provide existing data and will assist in retrieving any further information needed to complete the Water Action Plan. DELIVERABLES Through the Water Action Plan, UCSB and the Bren students will: Perform a review of background information and data compilation of the University s potable, stormwater, and wastewater policies and practices. Create a map/gis layer of the University s potable, non-potable, and stormwater systems. Explore mitigation scenarios that will highlight efficiency opportunities that will help UCSB achieve their water reduction goals. Possible mitigation techniques include: o Eliminating cooling towers (tied to the hot water loop) o Blending reclaimed water into remaining cooling towers o Converting additional grass fields to turf o Extending reclaimed irrigation lines o Reclaiming water for toilets/urinals 2

3 o Planting additional native and drought-tolerant flora Conduct a hydrological investigation of the UCSB topography that would determine the feasibility of developing a capture and reuse water system, likely using the Campus Lagoon. Time permitting, Bren School students will also: Examine potential locations for additional water metering to ensure proper monitoring and quick leak detection. Provide funding scenarios for future water use, which incorporate population growth and future rate increases. COMMITMENT UCSB is fully committed to supporting the Bren School students in developing a Water Action Plan that will exceed the requirements outlined by the UCOP. Representatives from various UCSB departments have been instrumental in helping to develop this proposal. Upon completion, the project will be made public and included in UCSB s Sustainable Practices Policy as the Water Action Plan. SUPPORTERS (* Letter of Support, see appendices) *Marc Fisher Senior Associate Vice Chancellor, Administrative Services (Appendix A) *Ron Cortez Associate Vice Chancellor, Administrative Services/ Co-Chair, Chancellor s Sustainability Committee (Appendix B) *Bruce Tiffney Dean, College of Creative Studies/ Co-Chair, Chancellor s Sustainability Committee (Appendix B) *Chris Rich Water Supply & Conservation Manager, Goleta Water District (Appendix C) Stacey Callaway Environmental Compliance Specialist, EH&S David McHale Associate Director, Physical Facilities Dan Marquez Area Manager, Physical Facilities Lisa Stratton Director, Ecosystem Management, CCBER Jordan Sager LEED Program Manager, Physical Facilities Kristen Deshler Director, Government Relations Shari Hammond Senior Planner, Office of Planning & Design Planning Tomas Beland Assistant Director, Custodial & Landscaping, Housing & Residential Services Jonathan Cook Associate Director, Physical Facilities Mark Rousseau Energy and Environmental Manager, Housing & Residential Services FINANCIAL SUPPORT UCSB is committed to providing financial assistance to the Bren School students responsible for the Water Management Plan. A budget of $16, has been approved by Marc Fisher to support the two internships associated with this project. A TGIF proposal in the amount of $8, has also been submitted to further support the internship positions, with a final decision expected in early April. INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES UCSB has requested funding for two full-time internships during the summer of 2012 at $15.99 per hour. Interns will primarily focus on the Water Action Plan but will also have the option to contribute to other sustainable projects on campus. Once school resumes, the internship positions will continue part-time until December 31, 2012 (See Appendix D). 3

4 REFERENCES UC Santa Barbara 2010 Long Range Development Plan UC Sustainable Practices Policy University of California Office of the President Capital Resources Management. APPENDIX A: Letter of Support Marc Fisher 4

5 APPENDIX B: Letter of Support Ron Cortez and Bruce Tiffney 5

6 APPENDIX C: Letter of Support Christopher Rich 6

7 APPENDIX D: Financial Support Funded by: Marc Fisher via UCSB Internship Salaries Student Assistant V $15.99/hr, June 15 - Sept. 15 $8, Student Assistant V $15.99/hr, Sept Dec. 31 $3, Student Assistant V $15.99/hr, Sept Dec. 31 $3, Internship Benefits Benefit rate for Student Assistant V #1 (June 15 - Sept. 15) $ Benefit rate for Student Assistant V #1 (Sept Dec. 15) $ Benefit rate for Student Assistant V #2 (Sept Dec. 15) $ Total: $16, Funded by: TGIF Grant Internship Salaries Student Assistant V $15.99/hr, June 15 - Sept. 15 $8, Internship Benefits Benefit rate for Student Assistant V #2 (June 15 - Sept. 15) $ TGIF Presentation and Poster Poster preperation $50.00 Total: $8, Funded by: Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Bren School Master's Group Project Supplies, Printing, Travel, Misc. $1, Total: $1, ESTIMATED PROJECT TOTAL: $26,