Water Conservation Options
Michael Cohen
Ft. Collins
July 14, 2014
Overview
• Pacific Institute background
• General water trends – declining GPCD
• Water conservation as cost avoidance –
Westminster study
• Basin Study – long term planning
• Available conservation tools
Pacific Institute
PI
Founded in 1987 and based in
Oakland, California, the Pacific
background
Institute is a non-profit research
center dedicated to protecting our
natural world, encouraging
sustainable development, and
improving global security.
www.pacinst.org
• Michael Cohen
• May 28, 2014
Change from 1990-2008
Provider
•Water
Michael
Cohen
• May 28, 2014
State Deliveries (AF) Population gpcd
Metropolitan Water Dist.
CA
-154,921 3,594,000 -23%
Salt Lake City
UT
-34,199
37,215 -39%
Albuquerque
NM
-18,789
115,215 -34%
Fort Collins
CO
-2,876
32,800 -33%
Tempe
AZ
-840
31,000 -19%
• Michael Cohen
• May 28, 2014
Source: Seattle Public Utilities revised 2013 demand forecast
Oct. 2009
•total US water
use down 1%
from 2000 to 2005
•US pop grew 5%
“Reduced water use in Westminster since 1980
has resulted in significant savings in both water
resource and infrastructure costs, saving
residents and businesses 80% in tap fees and
91% in rates compared to what they would have
been without conservation.”
Old BOR basin map 1938
www.usbr.gov/lc/region/programs/crbstudy.html
Tools Available to Providers
– Rates & Budgets
– Rebates
– Retrofits
– Social Norming (“WaterSmart”)
– Land use planning
– Performance contracting
Use > Demand
Land Use Planning
• Aurora – last Nov., changed service connection fee for new
taps - optional $1000 credit for single-family detached homes
installing xeric landscaping in the front yard.
– assesses $2.75/ft2 of “non-water conserving landscaped common
areas”
– $1.47/ ft2 for “water conserving landscaped common areas.”
• Las Vegas – ordinance bans turf in new development front
yards and limits extent in back yards
• Florida requires all automatic landscape irrigation systems
include sensors that interrupt system operation when it rains
• Las Vegas – standards for new construction – 40% lower use
• MWD - $3/ ft2 turf replacement rebates
Performance Contracts (Boulder)
Item
Electricity Reduction
Gas Reduction
Water reduction
Utility Cost Savings
Maint. Cost Savings
CO2 reduction
Future Capital Avoided
Total (annual)
7,883,532 kWh
180,680 therms
2,796 kgals (8.6 AF)
$667,614
$52,615 (3 years only)
8,216 mtons (24.4%)
$3,354,460 (one-time)
Source: City of Boulder (Joe Castro), 8/20/2013
Summary
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General trend - ~1% annual GPCD decline
Basin Study recognition of conservation
Various tools available to reduce demand
Increasing focus on outdoor use
Embedded energy benefits from conservation
Drought response vs long-term conservation