Drought/Conservation Update

Transcription

1 Drought/Conservation Update 2016, 2017 and Where We re Going February 27, 2018 Jeff Ulrich Director of Supply Operations TM

2 2 Bargh Reservoir Fall 2016

3 3 Regional Water Demands Fall 2016

4 4 Aquarion Actions Increase Supply

5 5 Precipitation Deficit

6 Water Conservation Already started down this road Southwest Fairfield County Demands Southwest Regional Pipeline Expansion Streamflow Regulations 10 years out Loss of 15 MGD 6

7 Amy Vickers Nationally Recognized water conservation expert Author of the Handbook of Water Use and Conservation: Homes, Landscapes, Businesses, Industries, Farms Has worked with 100 water and wastewater utilities and other organizations in the United States, Canada, England, Eastern Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East. 7

8 CT Single-Family (SF) Customer Water Use Analysis Average SF 83 GPCD Median SF = 62 GPCD CT SF average is below U.S. average domestic 88 gpcd 7 CT systems are above the national average Top 1% SF avg. 693 GPCD, 8 times higher than U.S. avg. #1 highest account averages 4,932 GPCD (12,873 GD/acct) Bottom 50% avg. 37 GPCD, about 1/3 U.S. avg. Weekenders, seasonal, part-time residents, for sale and under foreclosure, small households, homes with private well augmentation, and Super savers

9 Below Above CT Single-Family (SF) Customer Water Use Analysis National Average 9

10 Single Family Use 38% of All Water Use is Outdoor 10

11 11 Average Residential Single Family Use

12 Findings Most Customers are Water Efficient Small Number of Users in each Customer Class are Very Large Users Outdoor Water Use offers a Large Potential for Savings Conservation Efforts should be focused on: Very High & High Users in each Customer Class

13 University of Colorado Study Outdoor Water Use Restrictions Voluntary watering restrictions just didn t help that much Two cities saved only 3%, two others experienced increased water use Three days per week "increase in water use" Every-third-day schedule: 14% water savings Mandatory twice-a-week schedule: 30% water savings Mandatory once-a-week schedule: 53% savings 13

14 Benefits of Permanent Watering Restrictions Water Savings: ~ 10% to 20% of total demand Average day Peak days; less extreme summertime demands Short-term and long-term cost savings Reduced utility O&M; avoided energy and chemical use Downsized, delayed, or avoided infrastructure expansion Cost savings help control customers future water bill increases Equitable: Rule applies to all, from small properties to estates Free or nearly free water-saving measure Enforcement requirements vary; public buy-in = high compliance Reduced need for restrictions during drought Permanently reduced peak demands help maintain high supply capacities Avoid crises, melodramas around drought restrictions Permanent rule doesn t limit drought restriction options Maximum 1-day/week/10 days or watering bans are still options 14

15 Dallas Water Rainfall 36ʺ average 19ʺ in 2005; 62ʺ in 2015 Summer 92 average (June-Aug) Prone to drought Drought of record ʺ average annual rainfall Average of 36 days over 100 Most recent drought of ʺ average rainfall Average of 45 days over 100 (Record set in 2010 of 71 days) 15

16 Dallas Water Twice Weekly Demands Since implementation, overall water demand is 13% lower On watering days, demand is an average of 10% lower On non-watering days demands are 25 to 40 MGD less, or about 16% lower than on watering days 16

17 17 Massachusetts Restrictions

18 2 Day per Week Irrigation Policy Used Dallas Program as a model 2 Days per week maximum Even addresses Sundays and Wednesdays Odd addresses Saturdays & Tuesdays Applies to: Automatic/buried irrigation systems Hose sprinklers Doesn't apply to: Handheld watering, drip irrigation, soaker hoses Variance process 18

19 Variances New Plantings Exempt for 5 weeks Not applicable in July or August Permit to be posted onsite Large Property Minimum 3 Acres in 2017 Revised to 2 Acres in 2018 Requires calculations completed by licensed irrigation contractor Site inspection and report by Aquarion subconsultant 15% water use reduction requirement residential/commercial Permit to be posted onsite Special Circumstances Apply through Aquarion website 19

20 Enforcement Aquarion Inspections Site Visits Customer notifications Confirmations Letter to customer reminding them of the 2 day per week restriction Phone call to customer Weekly lists sent to Town and DPH 20

21 UConn School of Turfgrass 5 Irrigation/Water Conservation Fact Sheets 21

22 Summary Two Day per Week Irrigation Outdoor water use provides the largest potential for savings Irrigation is becoming pervasive Grass will survive Right thing to do Reduce the potential for future droughts Customer Education required 22

23 2017 Communications System-wide outreach Public presentations TV, radio and newspaper ads Postcards and bill stuffers to customers Aquarion website and social media Metro-North train billboards Mobile billboard 23

24 Communications

25 Communications

26 Communications

27 Communications

28 28 SWFC Total Demand May to Sept

29 29 SWFC Total Demand May to Sept

30 30 SWFC Demand Days of the Week

31 31 SWFC Demand Days of the Week

32 32 SWFC Demand Days of the Week

33 Water Conservation 2017 May 1 to Late October Greenwich received the same rainfall in 2016 and inches 4 inches below normal 2017 Demand in the 4 towns was down 860 Million Gallons 15.8% Reduction in demand through October 19.7% Reduction in demand through September

34 34 Rainfall

35 35 Greenwich Reservoir Status

36 36 Greenwich Reservoir Status

37 37 Stamford Reservoir Status

38 38 Precipitation Deficit Through Jan 2018

39 Summary 2016 through 2017 Rainfall remains below normal 2 Day per Week Restrictions were successful Total demand reduced by 860 Million Gallons Positive impact on reservoirs Planning for 2018 Communications Variances Enforcement Additional Towns 39

40 Enforcement - Overall Lessons Learned A lot of back office work Letters Phone calls Research Customers will find a way through the system Alternate applications Phone calls s Faxes Irrigation Contractors were supportive Monthly meetings and input Industry moving in this direction 40

41 New Planting Variance To address new plantings/grass/sod Exempt from 2 Day per Week Restrictions for 5 weeks Total Granted in Greenwich 53 Darien 78 New Canaan 28 Stamford 28 41

42 New Planting Variance 2017 Issues Heat of the summer July and August applications System shutdown July 1 lots of work arounds Plan - More education of customers, contractors and businesses New Construction July and August applications Plan Approved if town supports Extension requests Plan - Automate 2 week extension Beyond 2 weeks will not be granted 42

43 Large Property Variance To address properties that can't be watered in one day Inspection by irrigation expert Commitment to reduce 2015 water use by 15% Total Granted in Greenwich 8 Darien 3 New Canaan 3 Stamford

44 Large Property Variance 2017 Issues 3 Acres too large Plan revise to 2 Acre minimum Coordination with Owners/Irrigation Contractors/Required Forms Implemented - Require owner to grant authority to irrigation contractor Systems not up to current standards Incorrect heads, layouts, zone combinations conditional approval, provide comments and reinspect

45 Proposed Pilot Variance High Efficiency Working with Irrigation Contractors Potential to reduce water use Requirements Includes an EPA WaterSense labeled smart irrigation controller that incorporates local weather and landscape conditions. The irrigation system must be in accordance with the IA (Irrigation Association) BMP (Best Management Practices) standards. 20% Reduction from 2015 water use 45

46 Enforcement Results Total 1 st Violations 1,401 Greenwich 415 Darien 395 New Canaan 247 Stamford 344 Total 2 nd Violations 110 Greenwich 25 Darien 46 New Canaan 24 Stamford 15 Total 3 rd Violations

47 47 Enforcement

48 Enforcement Anonymous Note They are using the irrigation system at this moment (5:00 PM on a Thursday). Watering days on this side of the street are Wednesdays and Sundays. This is my 8th report about this violator. Has #24 XXXXXX Avenue been given special privileges to water at-will? 48

49 Enforcement Anonymous Note Every day there is a steady stream of water running from their bushes down their driveway and onto XXXXXX Road. I do mean every day because I walk this way every day. There is so much running that it goes all the way down the curb gutter to the storm drain about a block away. The latest is today 7/28/17 but it has been running at least 5 days previous, if not longer. They did the same thing last year when the drought was more severe. 49

50 Enforcement Anonymous Note This is my FIFTH and FINAL time reporting this: when I woke up at 5:30 this morning to go for my run, it was raining heavily and they were using their irrigation system (on a timer) on a nonwatering day. Since you are clearly NOT going to enforce the mandatory restriction, you have indicated that it is OK for ALL users to water at-will, and I am now going to start doing the same. I will water my lawn at my convenience, regularly, to keep it green and healthy. I have been complying the entire time, and even allowing my lawn to yellow, as I watch my neighbors totally ignore the restrictions and water regularly, all the while maintaining a perfectly lush, green lawn. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander. 50

51 Enforcement Addressing Repeat Offenders Small number identified in 2017 Only 15 There are more than we're aware of Program can lose credibility over time Options Shutoff Fine Town contact Irrigation shaming 51

52 2 Day per Week Watering Expand to 2 additional towns Westport Newtown Revisions to variances New Planting New construction, automated 2 week extension Large Property reduce from 3 acres min to 2 acres min New High Efficiency Pilot Variance Repeat Offenders Work with towns Soften violation sign Please Adhere to the Mandatory Irrigation Schedule 52

53 2 Day per Week Watering Communications Billboards, Newspapers, Commercials, Mailers Greenwich, Stamford, Darien and New Canaan Reinforce water conservation message Westport & Newtown Educate about new requirements Local businesses Nurseries, Landscapers, Builders, etc... This meeting Provide handouts for customers Work with town building departments, newsletters, etc... Request language in application packets Provide handouts for residents 53

54 54

55 55 Questions