Water Conservation Efforts

Water ConservationCollege Station City Council

August 25, 2016

Topics to cover

• Overview of current conservation programs• Brazos Valley WaterSmart• Partnership with Texas A&M Agrilife Research– Irrigation checkups– Irrigation workshops

• Partnership with Public Works (smart controllers)

Peak Daily Water Demand 2015

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 205520

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

City of College StationWater Production Capacity vs. Max Day Demand

2.5% Growth Rate

Production Capacity

Maximum Day Demand - Expected Buildout

Maximum Day Demand with Conservation - Expected Buildout

Mill

ion

Gallo

ns p

er D

ay

Well 8

CoolingTowers

Well 9

Well 10 Expected BO Demand = 43 MGD

Expected w/ Conserv. = 37 MGD

Well 11/DPR/ASR

Water Supply Plan for College Station

• Wells 9, 10 and 11• Conservation and Reuse• Alternative Water Supply:– Direct Potable Reuse– Aquifer Storage & Recovery– Desalination– Surface Water: Brazos River Authority

Water Conservation:Every Drop Counts!

• Essential to keep up with rapid growth• New water sources are expensive• Water Reuse• Water Loss Tracking and Management• Conservation – Oriented Water Rates• Rainwater Harvesting• Landscape Irrigation Conservation

– Brazos Valley WaterSmart Network: – http://bvwatersmart.tamu.edu

College Station’s Conservation Programs

Rebates Irrigation checkups

Direct mail to high water

users

Water waste restrictions

Conservation-oriented

water rates

Reclaimed water

Rainwater harvesting

Brazos Valley WaterSmart

network

Irrigation Check-Ups

• Free to residential customers

• Focus on “how to” for irrigation systems

• Referral to Licensed Irrigator

• Nearly 600 checkups since 2010

Why do an Irrigation Checkup?• Over-irrigation is common• Water use going to

outdoor landscape– 13% - 64% statewide– 45% - 75% in College

Station• Recognized Best

Management Practice• Savings of 5% - 30% post-

intervention

Irrigation Check-Ups

• NOT an Irrigation Audit• Identify and correct sources

of water waste: – Inefficient irrigation system

design– Poor maintenance and

operation practices– Excessive irrigation run times– Leaking/misdirected

sprinkler heads– Lack of understanding of

irrigation controller

Irrigation Check-Ups• Evaluate controller settings• Operate & inspect system• Provide a follow-up report

with recommendations• Detailed description of

system maintenance needs• Documentation of current

irrigation schedule• Recommended irrigation

schedule for current season

http://bvwatersmart.tamu.edu

• Example of “No watering”

• Example of “Watering Needed”

Sprinkler Spruce Up Workshops•3 workshops in 2015 and 2016•Geared toward high water use neighborhoods•Licensed Irrigator with Agrilife imparts “tips of the trade” to help homeowners save water

Public Works Partnership

• Regular coordination on water use for City buildings and landscapes

• Service Level Adjustment for replacement of inefficient “clock” style controllers with efficient irrigation controllers in FY 17– Funded with Apache Corp. revenue

Questions?

Jennifer D. NationsWater Resource Coordinator

City of College StationWater Services Department

[email protected] www.cstx.gov/water

979-764-6223