City of Renton, WA
Water Use Efficiency
Opportunities,
Challenges and
Strategies
For Water Use
Efficiency
Margaret Ales
MAY 1, 2008
Copyright © 2008 by R. W. Beck, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
PNWS – AWWA
CONFERENCE
Introductions
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R. W. Beck, Inc.
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Partnership for Water Conservation


Evolved from Water Conservation Coalition –
primarily utility based organization
Consists of 3 caucuses of 150 organizations

76% Utility

12% Business

12% Environmental
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Today’s OUTLINE
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Background

Municipal Water Law

City of Renton
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Opportunities

Challenges

Strategies – Water Use Efficiency Plan

Objectives, Goals, Measures, Water Savings,
Annual Budgets
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Municipal Water Law

In effect January 2007

Promote stewardship for water resources

Provide greater reliability for safe drinking
water

Improve water use efficiency

Help plan for future growth
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Municipal Water Law - Requirements
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1) Reduce Leakage to 10% by 2010

2) Meter production and consumption
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
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3) Set objectives and goals for water use
efficiency, invite public
4) Develop to measures to meet goals
5) Report progress annually to public and
Department of Health
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City of Renton – Background

Located south of Seattle and Bellevue near
I-5 corridor
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Older residential neighborhoods
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Industry
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Boeing Manufacturing Plant

King County Wastewater Treatment Plant

IKEA Store
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City of Renton Water Service Area
City of Renton – Water Production

Groundwater – clean and minimal treatment


7 local wells from 3 aquifer systems
For 2004 to 2006:

Average Month
~ 6 mgd

Peak Month
~12 mgd
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City of Renton
Average Production (2004 - 2006)
Average Production (gpd)
14,000,000
12,000,000
10,000,000
8,000,000
6,000,000
4,000,000
2,000,000
0
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUNE
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
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DEC
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City of Renton – Water Use

17,000 connections

Water Use

Indoor residential water use largest total user
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City of Renton – Water Use

17,000 connections

Water Use


Indoor residential water use largest total user
Peak use is double the average – due to summer
time watering
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City of Renton – Water Use

17,000 connections

Water Use



Indoor residential water use largest total user
Peak use is double the average – due to summer
time watering
Consumption per connection is decreasing
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Opportunities

Long history of conservation

Long history of community outreach
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Municipal code

Nexus with Solid Waste Utility – 5 steps to
healthy lawn

Membership to regional conservation groups

Recent droughts
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Challenges

Peak water use is close to permit allowable

Some City departments not conserving

Neighboring utilities enjoy benefits of large
conservation budgets

Meter reading is not consistent

Leakage has increased since 2000

Not accounting for all authorized
consumption
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Water Use Efficiency Objectives

ID and reduce leakage

Ensure sufficient supply for area growth

Reduce peak day and peak season demands

Continued historical conservation trend
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Water Use Efficiency Goals



Reduce system leakage to 10% by 2010
Limit peak day demand at 16.5 mgd or less
through 2015
Continue reduction of annual average water
use per connection by 0.5% per year
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Measures
MANDATORY IMPLEMENTATION

Meter of all production

Meter of all consumption
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Calibrate meters
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Develop Water Loss Control Action Plan

Provide Water Use Efficient Education
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Measures
REQUIRED IMPLEMENTATION OR EVALUATE


Rate structure that supports efficient water
use
Opportunities for reclaimed water
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Measures
UTILIITY CHOICE IMPLEMENT OR EVALUATE

Washing Machine Rebate
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Class Room Presentations
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Speakers Bureau

Public Presentations at fairs and festivals
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Measures
UTILIITY CHOICE IMPLEMENT OR EVALUATE

Water bill consumption history

Advertising
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Household leak detection kits

Natural yard care workshops

City Demonstration Garden
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Projected Water Savings per Year

Existing Measures


Education and
meter based savings
0.5 % to 1.0%
New Measures

Leakage Reduction

Rate Structure

Washing Machine Rebate
2.3 % to 3.5 %
1.4 %
0.2%
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Water Use Efficiency Budget


Annual Budget
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Historically - $10,000
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Now - $50,000
Radio read for small meters

$200,000
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Water Loss Control Action Plan

Account for all authorized uses

Metering fire fighting activities

Water Audit for City irrigation meters

Audit for utility billing system
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Next steps

Coordinated meter reading

Automatic meter reading

Agreement and coordination with City
irrigators

More hardware incentives

Continue strong education program

Reclaimed water opportunities
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