Water Conservation Plan

Transcription

1 Water Cnservatin Plan Prepared fr Kerr Lake Reginal Water System February 2016 CH2M HILL, Inc Highwds Blvd, Ste 214 Raleigh, NC 27604

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3 Cntents Sectin KLRWS IBT WATER CONSERVATION PLAN Page Acrnyms and Abbreviatins... iv Water Cnservatin Plan Intrductin Water Resurces Planning Histry Water Cnservatin Prgram Histry Water Cnservatin Plan Supply side Management Demand side Management Reprting... 6 References... 7 Tables 1 Past and Prjected Ttal Average Day f a Maximum Mnth (MMD) Demands and Sales fr KLRWS (mgd) 2 Franklin Cunty Irrigatin Schedule III

4 Acrnyms and Abbreviatins GPCD IBT Kerr Lake KLRWS LWSP mgd MMD NCDWR NC EMC NCGS WSRP WTP gallns per capita per day Interbasin Transfer Jhn H. Kerr Reservir Kerr Lake Reginal Water System Lcal Water Supply Plan millin gallns per day average day f a maximum mnth Nrth Carlina Divisin f Water Resurces Nrth Carlina Envirnmental Management Cmmissin Nrth Carlina General Statute Water Shrtage Respnse Plan water treatment plant IV

5 SECTION 1 Water Cnservatin Plan The Kerr Lake Reginal Water System (KLRWS) was awarded an Interbasin Transfer (IBT) certificate n Nvember 5, 2015 by the Nrth Carlina Envirnmental Management Cmmissin (NC EMC) (NC EMC, 2015). The IBT certificate prvides the KLRWS with a permitted transfer f 14.2 millin gallns per day (mgd) frm the Ranke River basin, calculated as a daily average f a calendar mnth. The KLRWS includes an intake n Jhn H. Kerr Reservir (Kerr Lake) and a water treatment plant (WTP) wned by the City f Hendersn, the City f Oxfrd, and Warren Cunty (cllectively referred t as the Partners) and managed by the City f Hendersn. Water is then distributed t the Partners and their whlesale custmers in the Ranke River, Tar River, Neuse River, and Fishing Creek basins. 1.1 Intrductin Under the authrity f Nrth Carlina General Statute (NCGS) L, the NC EMC included a certificate cnditin requiring the develpment f a Water Cnservatin Plan that specifies the water cnservatin measures that will be implemented by the KLRWS t ensure the efficient use f the transferred water. This Water Cnservatin Plan is structured t: Summarize the KLRWS s water resurces planning effrts and water cnservatin prgrams Summarize the KLRWS s implementatin plans fr the water cnservatin strategy that meets the intent f the NCGS language fr such a plan Highlight the reginal cperatin f the KLRWS, its Partners and their whlesale custmers with regards t efficient water resurces management and water lss preventin Water Resurces Planning Histry The keys t maintaining successful, lng term water resurces agreements amngst the Partners and their whlesale custmers are: A lng term, shared reginal visin fr a sustainable, reliable water resurces supply Cperatin n its prtectin These effrts include: Crdinated planning effrts, which led t the determinatin that water demands in their service areas wuld necessitate a request t increase IBT beynd their grandfathered amunt in the future Cntract prvisins that state each whlesale custmer must fllw KLRWS s lead when KLRWS implements steps f its Water Shrtage Respnse Plan (WSRP) An established ntificatin system via phne tree s that if KLRWS must implement a step in its WSRP that each Partner and their whlesale custmers are ntified prudently Regular crdinatin amng water system users including bi mnthly meetings f the KLRWS Bard and (n ppsite mnths) KLRWS Partner and whlesale custmer peratrs Participatin in the Ranke River Basin Bi State Cmmissin 1

6 1.1.2 Water Cnservatin Prgram Histry The KLRWS prvides water t its three Partners wh then distribute it t their whlesale custmers. The KLRWS, via their website and ther utreach prgrams at the WTP and public events, prvides educatin regarding water cnservatin. The KLRWS is als cntinuusly imprving its peratins t limit water lss. In additin t these effrts by the KLRWS, each Partner and majr whlesale custmer has its wn water cnservatin rdinances, prgrams, and effrts. Generally speaking, water usage is primarily husehld, cmmercial, and industrial usages. Residential water uses include very little irrigatin acrss the distributin area. KLRWS supplies little irrigatin water, as evidenced by their relatively lw peak day t average day rati (peaking factr) f 1.3 (cmpared with many systems that have peaking factrs f 1.5 and abve). Mst water is used fr indr purpses and, while cnservatin helps reduce demand, these reductins are typically mdest. Therefre, per capita water use acrss the KLRWS system is lw cmpared t mre urbanized areas f Nrth Carlina as evidenced by publically available Lcal Water Supply Plan (LWSP) data. Past and prjected water demand uses are presented in Table 1. Table 1 Past and Prjected Ttal Average Day f a Maximum Mnth (MMD) Demands and Sales fr KLRWS (mgd) Partner (Ttal Including Sales) City f Hendersn City f Oxfrd Warren Cunty KLRWS TOTAL Surce: CH2M, 2015 A key cmpnent t water cnservatin by the KLRWS s strategy fr water cnservatin is the ability t implement its WSRP acrss its entire distributin area. Each Partner, thrugh an rdinance adpting its WSRP and per its cntract language with the KLRWS, must enact water cnservatin measures when ntified by the KLRWS that is necessary t d s. These measures must be put int actin acrss the entire distributin area, spanning basin bundaries. These WSRPs are described in mre detail in the KLRWS s Drught Management Plan and are accessible frm the Nrth Carlina Divisin f Water Resurces (NCDWR) website, Water Cnservatin Plan Water is a valuable natural resurce as every living thing needs it t survive. Overuse in ne area diminishes the availability f the resurce t cmmunities and ecsystems dwnstream. KLRWS recgnizes the value f this resurce and has been implementing water cnservatin, educatin, and water lss reductin measures. Efficient use f water frm the KLRWS s surce basin, the Ranke River basin, must be accmplished year rund and nt just during drught perids. Measures t accmplish this include bth supply side and demand side management strategies, which will result in the efficient use f water in bth the surce and receiving river basins. 2

7 1.2.1 Supply side Management KLRWS IBT WATER CONSERVATION PLAN Fr the KLRWS, the supply side management strategy fcuses n the accunting f water usage and minimizing water lss, with the verall bjective f the efficient use f water fr system peratins. The fllwing bullets highlight the KLRWS appraches t achieving efficient water use within the ptable water supply distributin system: Reduce nn revenue lss thrugh the expansin and treatment imprvements f the WTP and decrease the need fr system flushing Imprve tracking devices and cnduct meter audits Further prgrams t mnitr unaccunted fr and nn revenue lsses KLRWS WTP Imprvements The KLRWS is planning fr a WTP expansin, and with it, treatment system imprvements. These imprvements culd reduce the need fr system flushing and therefre reduce water lsses, althugh sme flushing fr water quality reasns will remain necessary given the large gegraphic size f the distributin area. The KLRWS is als currently evaluating ther methds t reduce water age and disinfectin byprduct accumulatin in the system, which may further reduce the need fr flushing Meter Audits The KLRWS mnitrs and audits its main meters with each Partner. Beynd that, each Partner and Franklin Cunty regularly cnduct large meter audits t ensure accurate water use. Other prgrams t detect water leaks are being develped by the Partners Valve Netwrk Imprvements Each Partner and Franklin Cunty will start r cntinue a valve mapping and imprvement prgram t cntrl lsses during unanticipated situatins, such as a water line break. The City f Oxfrd currently has an active prgram and is cntinuing t add valves t better cntrl and islate sectins f the water distributin netwrk. Valve installatin enables utility managers t efficiently islate affected areas, minimizing water lss and the number f affected custmers during an incident Demand side Management The KLRWS s demand side management strategy fcuses n influencing custmers t use water efficiently, resulting in reduced water demand. Lng term water use reductins are achieved thrugh a cmbinatin f changing behavirs (fr example, fixing leaks and aviding water waste) and technlgies (fr example, lw flw tilets) KLRWS Strategy The KLRWS s strategy is based n a tw prnged apprach that includes the fllwing elements: Educatin and Outreach KLRWS s cntinued investment in educatin prgrams and water cnservatin messaging helps ensure the lng term bjectives fr water use are met. Messages include educating custmers n the value f water, wise water use practices, water efficient technlgy, available incentives, and current water use regulatins. The KLRWS WTP has been increasing the number f facility turs given annually t schl and civic grups. Water cnservatin is an imprtant discussin tpic during the turs. 3

8 The KLRWS prmtes public stewardship thrugh water cnservatin tips n their website. This website will be updated ften with infrmatinal messages. Fr example, messages currently include: 1. Lk fr leaks and repair them right away. Mst leaks are easy t detect and repair. Fr sinks, check faucets and pipes fr dripping water. Replace washers, and repair r replace fixtures, if needed. Fr tilets, add fd clring t the tank water and check the bwl in 15 minutes. (Dn t flush.) If there s clr in the tilet bwl, it means there s a leak. 2. Install water saving devices. If yu dn t already have water efficient r lw flw fixtures, yu can cut yur water use with: aeratrs (devices that mix air with water) lw flw fixtures (such as shwer heads), flw restrictrs r cut ff valves displacement devices (t reduce the amunt f water used in lder tilets) Make sure all devices are prperly installed. 3. Wash dishes wisely. If yu use a dishwasher, wash nly full lads. If yu wash dishes by hand: Scrape dishes (but dn t pre rinse) and sak pts and pans befre washing. Dn t run the water cntinuusly. Limit yur use f the garbage dispsal. Better yet cmpst! 4. Use less water t clean yur hme. Use a pail r basin instead f running water. Als, use a spnge mp instead f a string mp (spnge mps use less water and take less water t keep clean). 5. Check hses and irrigatin systems. Use a hse nzzle that yu can shut ff r adjust t a fine spray. When finished, shut it ff at the huse t avid leaks. The KLRWS is investing in and preparing materials that culd be used at events such as fairs, festivals, and ther public events. These materials will be made available t all Partners and whlesale custmers n a reservatin basis. The KLRWS will cntinue t prepare messages that can be printed and inserted in water bills. These materials will be made available t all Partners and whlesale custmers fr their distributin with billing. Regulatins and Cntracts Regulatins including the WSRP prvide enfrceable requirements t ensure the efficient use f water thrughut the entire utility service area. Water cntracts supprt the efficient use f water by requiring whlesale custmers t fllw their WSRP Partner and Whlesale Custmer Strategies and Prgrams Billing inserts 4

9 The City f Hendersn regularly includes inserts with billing that prmte water cnservatin and is cmmitted t increasing this effrt with the availability f additinal materials frm the KLRWS. Franklin Cunty, regularly includes inserts with billing that prmte water cnservatin. Others, including the City f Oxfrd and Vance Cunty, will begin prgrams t send inserts with billing as materials becme available frm KLRWS. New user educatin Franklin Cunty and Vance Cunty have plicy brchures that are distributed t each new custmer and ther members f the cmmunity as requested. Franklin Cunty s Custmer Billing and Cllectins Plicy Overview dcuments plicies and prcedures related t water use and emphasizes the need fr water cnservatin (Franklin Cunty, 2015). Onging educatin As mentined abve, each utility receiving water frm KLRWS will have access t educatinal materials and signage that can be reserved and used fr presentatins t civic grups, schls, and at public events such as festivals. Each utility with a website will be updating its availability f n line water cnservatin educatinal materials. Irrigatin Incentives While little irrigatin demand is present within the KLRWS s distributin area as a whle, sme des ccur in the newer residential cmmunities within Franklin Cunty. Franklin Cunty s Bard f Cmmissiners adpted a year rund limited irrigatin schedule and began enfrcing it in Franklin Cunty adpted this schedule in respnse t increasing demand n the water system fr nn essential uses. The current irrigatin schedule is utlined in Table 2. Nn essential utdrs water use including pressure washing f driveways, sidewalks, decks, and exterir building surfaces is limited t Saturdays and Sundays. The cmmercial use f pwer washers is permitted under these cnditins. Franklin Cunty s water use restrictins als apply t custmers in the Twn f Bunn and Lake Ryale. Franklin Cunty has a rate structure that incentivizes custmers t use water efficiently by charging custmers based n individual usage; the less water custmers use, the mre mney they save. Mst f the water systems in the KLRWS distributin area have rates structured with a relatively high rate service fee then with a rate per 1,000 gallns. This apprach prvides fr a relatively cnsistent incme fr these utilities, which is necessary t meet their debt service and aging infrastructure needs as well as create the financial security necessary t underg the WTP expansin. Rate structures are evaluated ften and if per capita water usage starts t increase, utilities will cnsider a tiered rate structure. 5

10 Table 2 Franklin Cunty Irrigatin Schedule Water Use Irrigatin Schedule Times Autmatic/nn autmatic irrigatin systems ODD Tuesdays & Saturdays EVEN Wednesdays & Sundays 12 am 10 am 12 am 10 am Hse end sprinklers ODD Tuesdays & Saturdays 6 am 10 am/6 pm 10 pm EVEN Wednesdays & Sundays 6 am 10 am/6 pm 10 pm Hand held hses ODD Tuesdays & Saturdays 6 am 10 am/6 pm 10 pm EVEN Wednesdays & Sundays 6 am 10 am/6 pm 10 pm Vehicle washing N restrictins All Pressure washing (persnal) Saturday & Sunday All N watering allwed Mndays, Thursdays, & Fridays N/A Surce: Franklin Cunty, 2015 These prgrams are examples f hw the KLRWS, its Partners, and its whlesale custmers will cntinue t prmte water cnservatin. T the extent that these prgrams influence custmer behavir and achieve water cnservatin will be evaluated and prgrams will be mdified ver time t imprve results. 1.3 Reprting The KLRWS, each Partner, and each whlesale custmer whse usage meets the minimum required by statute is required t submit a LWSP annually t NCDWR. As part f this submissin, the annual gallns per capita per day (GPCD) (residential and verall system wide GPCD) is calculated and can be used t track the lng term status f water use efficiency n a per capita basis. The LWSP updates will serve as the reprting mechanism regarding water cnservatin effectiveness. Additinally, cmpliance with the Water Cnservatin Plan will be dcumented in the Annual Reprt submitted t NCDWR as required by the IBT certificate. 6

11 References KLRWS IBT WATER CONSERVATION PLAN CH2M HILL, Inc. (CH2M) Interbasin Transfer Petitin fr the Transfer f Water frm the Ranke River Basin. Prepared fr the Kerr Lake Reginal Water System. Raleigh, NC. Franklin Cunty Custmer Billing and Cllectins Plicy Overview. utilities/maintenance/policy2016.pdf Nrth Carlina Envirnmental Management Cmmissin (NC EMC) Certificate Authrizing the Twns f Cary and Apex t Transfer Water frm the Haw River Basin t the Neuse and Cape Fear River Basins. Nvember 5,

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