www.partners4water.org Beau Schilz June 24, 2008
Jun 14, 2015
www.partners4water.org
Beau SchilzJune 24, 2008
www.partners4water.org
Topics for Discussion• Reasons to Conserve
– Environmental, Social, and Economic Perspectives– It’s the Law
• Key Steps in the Evaluation Process– The Cost-Effectiveness Method– The Cost of Producing Water– Data Collection– Tracking your Progress
• Example Exercises• Questions and Comments
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The Need for Preservation• Economic: A matter of Supply and Demand
– Conflict occurs where value is highest– In US, cost of producing water historically low– Trends in Water Rights Applications in WA– Lessons learned from other States
• Environmental Concerns– Climate Change– Endangered Species Act
• Social: A Shift in Water Resources Management– Water Rights Applications at DOE
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Water Conservation Makes “Cents”• Extends Useful Life of
Water Resources– MWRA in Massachusetts saved
between $111-153 million in deferred water supply expansion costs by implementing a $20 million conservation program.
• Maintains Hydropower Production Levels
• Recreational Use Revenues
• Prevents Rate Increases
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Environmental Concerns• Latest Research on
Climate Change:– “In Washington’s North
Cascades Mountains, 47 glaciers monitored since 1984 have lost, on average, 20 – 40 % of their volume, with five having melted entirely away.” (NRDC report, March 27, 2008)
• More Droughts and Floods
• Protecting Ecological Habitats
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Water Rights Permitting in WA
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Water Rights Permitting in WA
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What does it all mean?• Understanding the need for
conservation drives your program and your decision making
• Educating customers is the first step in building support
• The “stitch in time saves nine” principal
• With MWL, WA is better prepared to meet the challenges of diminishing supplies.
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Evaluation Methods: Getting Started• Cost-Effectiveness Method• Data Collection
– The Role of Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data– Requirements from the MWL
• Meters, Meters, and more Meters• Define Customer Classes and monitor monthly use
– Review building history for best results– Use your own data as much as possible, and trust it
• Establish Base Data– Ideally, look at 3 current years of data– Collect Rainfall data– Examine the characteristics of your water system
• Look for patterns of use by customer class• Compare use to rainfall data
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Qualitative Methods• Best for Public Education / Behavioral Measures
– Education is effective, but how effective?– Combine with other measures can aid process
• Information Gathering– Perfection is not the goal
• It’s easy to get caught up in flaws of data collection methods• Your own data is the best data
– Mix in interviews and/or focus groups• Questionnaires don’t tell the full story
– Field Staff are excellent resources– Proper Survey Design
• The Shorter the Survey, the Better the Response Rate• Avoid open ended questions
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Cost Assumptions• Calculate the Marginal Cost of Producing Water
– Focus on Variable Costs1. Chemicals used in Treatment Process2. Electricity, Gas3. Maintenance and Repair
– If operating at supply capacity, include estimated fixed costs of expansion projects, if data is available.
1. Facilities, Vehicles, and Equipment2. Bond and Loan Repayments3. Additional Employment Wages
• Values in Present Terms and Future Terms• Production Costs vs. Delivery Costs• Put into terms you can use (normalize)
– $/ccf– $/gal/day
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Measure Selection• Number of
Measures Required for your System
• Should support your Conservation Goal
• Targets your customers
System’s Number of Connections
Measures Required
Less than 500 1
500 - 999 4
1,000 - 2,499 5
2,500 - 9,999 6
10,000 – 49,999 9
50,000 or more 12
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Targeting your Program• Base your Program on:
– Customer Type• Find something for everyone, if possible
– Seasonal Patterns– Changes in Plumbing Codes– Staff Capabilities and Budget
• How to Target customers?– Identify your Community’s leaders– Water Bill Complainers– Smart Technology can help
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Running your Program• Ongoing Data Collection: The more, the better
– Require data collection for all measures– Be conservative when estimating– Evaluate your target audience
• Example: High Efficiency Showerheads– Collect the following information (at a minimum) when
distributing the showerhead:• Name, Address, Year Home Built (optional), Household Size
(optional), Resident Age (optional), Average shower time (optional)– Coordinate distribution with meter reading or maintenance
schedules– If running a “hang and pray” program, target oldest
neighborhoods first
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Program Cost Saving Tips• Data Collection Costs
– Pass collection efforts on to participant• Utilize online forms when possible or appropriate
– Be conservative when estimating– Require data collection at the time of distribution
• Distribution Costs– Keep indoor residential kits and leak detection kits in all
maintenance vehicles.– Coordinate distribution with meter reading routes– Implement a “Fixture is free, installation has a fee” policy
• Administrative, Evaluation, and Reporting Costs– Organizing your data (and electronically!) can minimize
annual reporting costs from year-to-year
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Useful Strategies• Combine Measures
– When delivering indoor kit, provide educational brochures on behavioral changes as a supplement
• Once a Saver, always a Saver– People inquiring about high efficiency appliances are
more likely to be receptive to other conservation measures
• Include Annual Reporting on Efficiency Program with Consumer Confidence Report– Save on distribution costs– Establishes an annual pattern
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Online Resources• Garden Planner Tool – Building a Water Wise Garden
– http://www.h2ouse.org/gardensoft/index.aspx• Tools from AWWA
– Unit Conversion Tool: http://www.awwa.org/Resources/– WaterWiser Drip Calculator:
http://www.awwa.org/awwa/waterwiser/dripcalc.cfm• Water Use It Wisely Links
– http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/toolsLinks/index.shtml• King County Rainfall Data Collection:
– http://green.kingcounty.gov/WLR/Waterres/hydrology/GaugeMap.aspx • Partnership for Water Conservation:
– http://www.partners4water.org• State DOH Office of Drinking Water:
– http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/default.htm
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Questions and Comments