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Orange County Utilities Water Conservation Program Overview

Presented to Orange County Board of Commissioners on April 1, 2008. Learn about water conservation initiatives, programs, ordinances, and customer water usage profiles. Discover the impact of education, incentives, and regulations on saving water for the future.

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Orange County Utilities Water Conservation Program Overview

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  1. Orange County UtilitiesWater Conservation ProgramSaving Water for the Future Presented to: Orange County Board of County Commissioners April 1, 2008

  2. Water Conservation • Background • Customer Water Usage Profiles • Program Overview • Conservation Ordinance • Landscape Ordinance • New Programs and Projects • Water Rates • Summary

  3. BackgroundWater Resources Program Surface Water Supply Reclaimed Water Stormwater Groundwater Supply Aquifer Recharge Conservation

  4. BackgroundWater Conservation Program Water conservation program since late 1980s Both breadth and budget of program steadily grown over time Originally rate-based Passed Ordinance in 1993 Now, incentive, education, and regulation based with multiple initiatives 4 full-time staff FY 08 Budget - $1.6 million

  5. BackgroundWater Conservation Program Water Management District requirements for Public Water Supply System Audit Meter Survey Leak Detection Audit if >10% UAW Meter Replacement Program Education Program Rate Structure promoting conservation Orange County Utilities program goes beyond the minimum requirements set by the Water Management Districts

  6. Background Program Objectives Modify behaviors and practices to lead to more efficient water use Improve and/or take advantage of new technologies to reduce water consumption Three components Education programs Incentive programs Regulatory programs Education Regulatory Incentive

  7. Water Conservation Background Customer Water Usage Profiles Program Overview Conservation Ordinance Landscape Ordinance New Programs and Projects Commercial Water Rates Summary

  8. Water Use ProfileConnections by Classification Over 140,000water connections 96% of connections are residential 4% of connections are commercial

  9. Water Use ProfileWater Use by Classification Customer Water Use by Classification Residential water use is 80% Commercial water use is 20%

  10. Water Use ProfileComparison of Accounts and Use Comparison of connections versus water use by service area East West South Southwest Water Use by Service Area Connections by Service Area

  11. Water Use ProfileBy Lot Size

  12. Water Use ProfilePer Capita Water Usage 130 GPD/capita

  13. Water Use ProfileMulti-Year Comparison

  14. Water Use ProfilePer Capita Comparison

  15. SummaryWater Use Profiles Largest customer classification and water usage is residential customers More than 50% of residential water use is for irrigation Newer construction typically uses more water than older construction Water use increases with lot size The West and South Service areas have 41% of the accounts but represent 57% of the water demand

  16. Water Conservation Background Customer Water Usage Profiles Program Overview Conservation Ordinance Landscape Ordinance New Programs and Projects Commercial Water Rates Summary

  17. Program OverviewEducation Programs

  18. Program OverviewEducation Programs School Programs Blue Thumb Junior Detective Program for elementary school students since 1993 Touring the Water Facts Program for middle school students since 2003 Partnership with the Orlando Science Center The Wonder of Water Program for high school students 2007

  19. Program OverviewEducation Programs School Programs Waterwise Resource Action Program Uses a school-based method that builds student knowledge provides high efficiency devices to families serves as an effective community outreach program

  20. Program OverviewEducation Programs School Program Water Color Project Partnership with Orlando Utilities Commission Water conservation art-themed program High School Students (Barrels) Elementary Students (Calendars)

  21. Program OverviewEducation Programs Millions of residents reached through media partnerships Orange TV programming SJRWMD “Florida’s Water - It’s Worth Saving” campaign Radio Disney campaign Florida’s Water Wealth for Our Future

  22. Program OverviewEducation Programs Thousands of residents reached through local outreach programs Homeowners Associations and civic group presentations Florida Friendly landscaping seminars ‘How-To-Clinics’ at home improvement centers Displays and presentations at local libraries

  23. Program OverviewEducation Programs Other Information Sites Conservation Hot Line Web Site Information Messages on water bills Inserts in water bills

  24. Program OverviewEducation Programs Florida Friendly Landscape Gardens West Orange Trail Butterfly garden Elementary and middle school demonstration gardens Orange County Administration Building Florida Friendly garden

  25. Toilet retrofit programs Replacement of high-flow toilets (typically 5 to 7 gal/flush) Installation of low-flow toilets Over 2,200 toilets since 2003 Estimated water savings 19 million gallons Program OverviewIncentive Programs

  26. Program OverviewIncentive Programs Pre-rinse Spray Valve Program Replacement of valves using 5 to 7 gallons/minute Installation of 1.6 gallons/minute valves 285 valves since 2007 Estimated water savings 48 million gallons

  27. Program OverviewIncentive Programs Mobile Irrigation Laboratory Evaluation of customer irrigation systems Over 600 audits since 2000 Recommendations for improving system efficiency Estimated water savings 31 million gallons

  28. Program OverviewIncentive Programs Low-flow fixture Program Replacement of high-flow fixtures Low-flow fixture kit with showerhead, aerators and toilet tank displacement bag Over 2700 kits since 2003 Estimated water savings 19 million gallons

  29. Program OverviewRegulatory Programs Mandatory irrigation restrictions currently: 2 days per week Citizen chooses the days No watering between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm Operable rain sensor

  30. Program OverviewRegulatory Programs Water Watch Enforcement Program Door hangers and written notifications to customers violating the ordinance 5 dedicated Water Watch officers Over 43,000 violations since 2001 Cases to Code Enforcement and Special Master Hearing

  31. Program OverviewReclaimed Water 100% beneficial reuse since 1985 for irrigation, industrial, wetlands and recharge 51 mgd in 2006 Largest reuse program in Florida Reclaimed water used for irrigation is a direct off-set of potable water use 18 mgd for public and agricultural irrigation

  32. Water Conservation Background Customer Water Usage Profiles Program Overview Conservation Ordinance Landscape Ordinance New Programs and Projects Commercial Water Rates Summary

  33. Program ImprovementsConservation Ordinances Conservation Ordinance 1993 Orange County ordinance is dated Outdoor water use in Orange County New conservation measures offer increased savings Conflicting district rules SJRWMD March 2006 “U-pick” 2-days/week rule SFWMD proposed 3-days/week rule

  34. Program ImprovementsConservation Ordinance • Year-round, maximum two-day-per-week irrigation schedule: • Odd (Wednesday and Saturday) • Even and common areas (Thursday and Sunday) • Irrigation by spray, rotor or sprinkler limited to max 30 minutes per zone, max 1-inch/week • Only one form of irrigation allowed per area • Rain sensors as required by Florida law (1991) must be working

  35. Program ImprovementsConservation Ordinance • Over watering is common–and bad for lawn and landscape health. Most turf and plant diseases are from root rot and fungus • Many Florida lawns and landscapes would thrive better on less than 2 days/week watering • Voluntary irrigation schedules don’t save water • Mandatory outdoor restrictions achieve reliable and permanent water savings

  36. Water Conservation Background Customer Water Usage Profiles Program Overview Conservation Ordinance Landscape Ordinance New Programs and Projects Commercial Water Rates Summary

  37. Program ImprovementsLandscape Ordinance To promote the values and benefits of water efficient landscaping Seven areas need to be addressed Planning and Design Soil Analysis Appropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf Areas, restriction in size of turf areas Efficient Irrigation Use of Mulches Appropriate Maintenance Will ensure more efficient water use

  38. Program ImprovementsLandscape Ordinance Potential 30% Water Savings

  39. Water Conservation Background Customer Water Usage Profiles Program Overview Conservation Ordinance Landscape Ordinance New Programs and Projects Commercial Water Rates Summary

  40. New Programs and Projects Blue Ribbon Neighborhood Program Kickoff in 2008 Study on use of evapo-transpiration systems and moisture sensors Working with University of Florida Stakeholder Group Projects Large Property Irrigation Focus Group Home Builders Association Florida Irrigation Society OC Homeowners Association

  41. New Programs and Projects Opportunities to use reclaimed water for commercial toilets Toilet flushing estimated to be 80% of water use in commercial buildings Processing plans for new commercial building with estimated potable water savings of 10 million gallons per year Will require special provisions to ensure backflow prevention and signage to meet FDEP

  42. Water Conservation Background Customer Water Usage Profiles Program Overview Conservation Ordinance Landscape Ordinance New Programs and Projects Water Rates Summary

  43. Use Price Water Rates • Water Rates and Conservation • Increased conservation is a cornerstone of the Water Resources Program • Water conserving rate structures and higher prices signals are components of the Conservation Program

  44. Water Rates • Recent focus has been on residential water rates • Apply to 96% of our customers • These customers use 80% of water • Increasing block rate structure • Promotes conservation

  45. Water Rates • Commercial Water Rates • Apply to 4% of our customers • These customers use 20% of water • Uniform base rate for all water used • Does not promote conservation

  46. Water Rates • Residential Rates • Volume Charge 0 – 3,000 gallons $0.95 per 1,000 4,000 – 10,000 gallons $1.27 per 1,000 11,000 – 20,000 gallons $2.52 per 1,000 21,000 – 30,000 gallons $4.26 per 1,000 Above 30,000 gallons $7.21 per 1,000 • Commercial Rates • Volume Charge 0 – 3,000 gallons $0.95 per 1,000 4,000 +gallons $1.27 per 1,000

  47. Water Rates • Commercial Rate Challenges • Commercial customers have a wide range of consumption patterns depending on the nature of their business • Difficult to determine how much of their indoor usage is discretionary • Irrigation is discretionary

  48. Water Rates • Focus on implementation of a conservation rate structure for commercial irrigation meters • Introduces conservation rates to commercial customers • Targets discretionary use of water • Does not adversely impact the non-discretionary water use • Consider applying similar concept to residential irrigation meters

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