2014 Winter Resource

New Sewer Cap | Improved Utility Billing | Rainy Season is Coming

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Volume 19, Issue 1

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE:Technology and Innovation | Drought Update

Aging infrastructure replacement and planning for new development are key factors in assuring the health and economic vitality of the City into the future. To meet these challenges, the Utilities Department has embarked on an aggressive program to update the master plans for key facilities to meet the current and future demands on the water and wastewater systems. These plans are nearly complete.

WATER

As the water system ages, it is the City’s goal to make improvements to meet the current and future needs of the community. In order to meet this goal, a comprehensive Water Master Plan that evaluates all aspects of the water distribution system is under way. The last in-depth look at the system was back in 2000.

The plan prioritizes water system needs and provides a course of action to address those needs. The plan addresses the following three items:

• Existing deficiencies within the water distribution system based on today’s standards and requirements• Deficiencies within the water distribution system to meet future build‐out needs• A prioritized list of recommendations with associated hard and soft costs to complete the identified projects

RECYCLED WATER

The purpose of the Recycled Water Master Plan update is to analyze the most cost-effective way to maximize the delivery of recycled water to potential customers. The current plan was developed in 2004 prior to the completion of the recycled water distribution system in 2006. The updated plan takes an in-depth look at the production and delivery of recycled water which will provide the information needed to optimize the use of this drought-proof water supply.

WASTEWATER COLLECTION

The City’s wastewater collection system was originally installed in the late 1800’s and has expanded incrementally. The City is developing a hydraulic model of the wastewater collection system and a data-driven, long-range, Infrastructure Renewal Strategy that identifies existing and future system deficiencies, as well as prioritizes replacement programs to address these deficiencies. The work includes an analysis of existing system conditions, future build-out including infill development, and increased densities in the City.

Planning For the FutureMaster Planning of the Water, Recycled Water and Sewer Systems in the Works

New Sewer Cap Period Starts in November

It’s that time again – the next period for establishing your sewer cap for 2014–15 is coming soon. Your sewer cap is re-established annually by averaging your household’s last three billing cycles during the winter months when your outdoor irrigations should be at a minimum. As the temperature cools and the winter rains begin, turn your irrigation down or off during the sewer cap period to save money all year long on your sewer charges. The new sewer cap becomes effective each July 1.

Because billing cycles vary depending on the meter-reading route, winter water use periods may vary by a couple of weeks. To find out when your period begins and ends, visit slowater.org and click on “winter water use schedule” or call (805) 781-7133.

How Technology and Innovation Creates More Work Efficiency

Within the last several years the world has seen many technological shifts. Our mobile devices have become the new way in which we access the world. Smart phones can now double as a calendar, credit card, music player and newspaper. The City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department has embraced the use of new technology to improve our efficiency, productivity, and communication allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint and stretch your dollars. Here’s how…

Advanced TechnologyIn November of 2013, Cityworks, a new Computerized Maintenance Management System was up and running. This software uses a Geographic Information System to produce water and wastewater system maps as well as information about pumps, pipes, and other assets within the city. This information allows the department to make educated decisions about operation and maintenance. Cityworks helps with:

• In field mapping via cell phone/tablet

• Regulatory reporting

• Scheduling asset maintenance & inspection

• Job costing

• Identifying assets for future replacement

• Budget preparation

• Inventory management

• Daily workflow scheduling

Meter readers have been equipped with new Android based, 4G handheld devices to read the city’s 15,000 water meters each month. These new devices, which are similar to a cell phone, provides a multitude of benefits to the department and ratepayers. Communications between the field and office have improved. The ability to upload and download daily meter routes and other information remotely has allowed for paperless work orders and reduced fossil fuel usage. This new software also ensures the highest level of billing accuracy by accessing billing history and prompting additional levels of field verification if consumption is not in line with historical information for that account.

InnovationUsing new technology within the constraints of an existing work environment can be challenging. The ergonomic limitations of a truck cab were restricting the use of the new asset management program in the field. To overcome this limitation, the wastewater collection system operator team did some brainstorming and designed, fabricated, and installed all of the mounting hardware and electronics to convert the cab of a truck into a user-friendly work station. With a laptop stored and safely secured, and the ability to place a wireless keyboard on the steering wheel, operators can fully navigate a 21-inch flat screen monitor that lowers from the cab headliner when needed. This new design allows crews to have complete access to City data anytime and anywhere while they are working (and not driving, of course!).

Future EnhancementsAll of this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the technological advancements planned for the future. One example is the installation of a state-of-the-art web-based communication system which will give water distribution operators more information and control over storage tanks, pump stations and system pressure through the click of a mouse. The infrastructure of tomorrow is one that will utilize technology in a way that will provide our well-trained staff with the information they need to make critical decisions regarding the overall operations and maintenance of the system, all of which saves time and money.

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Month Irrigation Minutes per Week

November As needed (check soil moisture)

December OFF

January OFF

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TIME TO REDUCE YOUR IRRIGATION

Though the days may be still be warm, your lawn, trees, and shrubs are sensing the change in the seasons and do not require as much water as they did just a month ago. The evenings are cooler and the days are getting shorter as we move towards winter. In fact, during this time of year we recommend that you turn off your irrigation entirely and only water as needed. Reducing your irrigation schedule now will save you money on your water bill all winter long.

At this point in the year it is difficult to predict when and how much rain we will receive this season. The weather forecasts have been varied which adds to the uncertainty. That said, thanks to a multi-source water strategy, the City’s water supply is still in relatively good shape. The Community has five water sources to meet our daily water demand: Salinas, Whale Rock and Nacimiento Reservoirs, recycled water (for irrigation), and groundwater.

The big question is – what if we have another rainy season like last year? Unfortunately, this is a tough question to answer since there are a lot of variables to consider when trying to predict how much water will be in storage at the three reservoirs at the end of the rainy season. What we do know is that we all need to use water wisely during this period of uncertainty.

The state-mandated watering restrictions are in effect until next spring and water waste prohibitions will continue to be enforced on an ongoing basis. Your Utilities Services Section is available to assist with questions regarding drought, irrigation practices and water-wise landscaping – contact Utilities Services Manager Ron Munds at [email protected]. You may also find helpful water conservation information at slowater.org.

DROUGHT UPDATE – OUTDOOR WATERING RESTRICTION IN PLACE

THREE-DAY A WEEK SCHEDULE

Even numbered addresses: Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday

Odd numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday & Friday

HEY! WHAT’S UNDER THERE?The old adage ‘out of sight, out of mind’ seems to apply to the water and sewer pipes that can be found under nearly every street (and some bridges) throughout the city. You might think of these pipes like your body’s intestines – although you can’t see them, there’s a lot of ‘pipe’ in there. 134 miles of sewer and 184 miles of water lines are zig-zagging back and forth underground to bring those services right to your property. Your water and sewer rates pay to have people and equipment maintain, repair, and replace these lines. No other city funds are used to do this work – just the charges you get billed on your utility bill.

Designed by: Verdin Printed on recycled paper

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ECRWSS

OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW

If you haven’t already done so, check out the Utilities Department’s Facebook page at facebook.com/SLOUtilitiesDepartment. You’ll get news about the latest projects, ways to save money on your water and sewer bill, interesting facts about your water and sewer utility, and much more. Like us on Facebook and join the conversation.

HELP PREPARE FOR THE ‘FIRST FLUSH’

The phrase “first flush" is used to describe the runoff that occurs at the beginning of each rainy season. The first flush carries with it concentrations of pollutants that have accumulated during the period of dry weather between storms, which in our case, has been many months.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the rainy season:

• Pick up after your pet.

• Keep the area in front of your home clean – pick up and dispose of trash and debris in the gutter.

• Recycle used motor oil and oil filters.

• Use your green waste container for grass and yard clippings.

• Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers to your lawn before it rains.

• Report any illegal dumping of debris or hazardous material by calling 781-7511.

For more information on the City’s Stormwater Program, contact Aaron Floyd at [email protected].

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Water & Sewer Problems8 am to 5 pm(805) 781-7220

After Hours & Weekends(805) 781-7312If you have any questions, please contact the Utilities Department at 805-781-7215.

REMINDER: Operation Clean SweepFind your street sweeping day and help keep your street clean.http://www.slocity.org/finance/gis/gis.asp