XXXXXXXXX Water System
Water Conservation Plan
Background / System Information
The Xxxxxxxxx public water system (PWS NV000xxxx) serves customers within the town and adjacent county areas. The total service area is approximately two square miles. The estimated population served (in 2007) is xxxx. Residential customers are metered or billed at a uniform rate. Meters are being installed on new residential services, and on existing services at change of ownership or remodeling. The xxx commercial services are all metered. Residential customers are billed on a flat or base plus increasing block or ? rate basis; commercial customers are billed on a base plus progressive unit charge basis.
The system is located in the xxxx Valley. Water is supplied from xx drilled wells using submersible or vertical line shaft turbine pumps equipped with variable speed drive motors. Above-ground storage consists of a xxxxxxxx gallon reservoir. Full-time disinfection has not been necessary and is not practiced. Wastewater collected from the area is managed through individual septic systems or treated at a local or regional plant and the effluent is recycled in a separate distribution system or flows to a rapid infiltration basin or used for agricultural purposes or is discharged to the xxxxx River. There is no reclaimed water system within the Xxxxxxxxx service area.
The original Conservation Plan for the system was developed in 199x, and modified in xxxx. The plan is to be reviewed at five year intervals, with modifications to meet changing system conditions.
Plan Elements
This plan describes the drinking water conservation and drought management efforts in the Xxxxxxxxx, along with implementation schedules. The plan components conform to Nevada regulations as outlined by the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resource, Division of Water Resources. Plan elements address the following areas:
· Increase public awareness of the need to conserve water
· Encourage reduction in lawn sizes and use of arid and semiarid plants
· Identify specific water conservation measures
· Propose plan to identify and reduce leakage
· Increase reuse of effluent where applicable
· Provide a drought contingency plan
· Implementation schedule
· Plan effectiveness metrics
For each conservation measure specified in the plan or joint plan, an estimate of the amount of water that will be conserved each year as a result of the adoption of the plan or joint plan, stated in terms of gallons of water per person per day (gpcpd).
· Variable pricing analysis
The feasibility of charging variable rates for the use of water to encourage the conservation of water.
· Water savings in gallons/person/day
How the rates that are proposed to be charged for the use of water in the plan or joint plan will maximize water conservation, including, without limitation, an estimate of the manner in which the rates will affect consumption of water (expressed in terms of gpcpd).
· How will rate structure impact conservation
How the rates that are proposed to be charged for the use of water in the plan or joint plan will maximize water conservation, including, without limitation, an estimate of the manner in which the rates will affect consumption of water (expressed in terms of gpcpd).
· Incentives to encourage water conservation
· Incentives to retrofit plumbing fixtures
· Incentives for water conserving landscaping
Public Awareness
The Xxxxxxxxx efforts to enhance public awareness of the need to conserve water include the following:
· New customers are provided with literature on conservation when they open a water service account. Examples include materials from the Turf Institute, American Waterworks Association, and USDA Agricultural Extension.
· Periodically, educational literature is placed in water bills, or messages appear printed in quarterly news letter. Educational materials include tips on Conservation landscaping, 5 basic ways to conserving water, 25 things you can do to prevent water waste and water leak loss calculators.
· We participate in Earth Day activities or other public outreach opportunities to raise public awareness of water use.
· Incentives for the customers of Xxx’s to observe water conservation practices are demonstrated through educational pamphlets flyers and bill suffers.
Lawn sizes and use of arid and semiarid plants
The Xxxxxxxxx encourages the public to practice scientific turf management, makes literature and resources such as the Turf Institute, available to customers. System-owned and public turf areas are scientifically managed. Local nurseries are encouraged to promote the use of drip irrigation and climate-appropriate plant materials.
Specific water conservation measures
· xxxxxxx County has adopted a Plumbing-Water Conservation Ordinance (copy enclosed). The Ordinance applies to structures which are renovated as well as all new construction.
a) Copies of the Plumbing- Water Conservation Ordinance are furnished to local suppliers and contractors.
b) The Xxxxxx County Building Department checks new construction, renovation, and expansions within the Xxxxxx County to insure compliance with the ordinance.
· All meters 2” and larger are tested annually, and replaced if under- registering by more than 5%
· All residential meters are tested every ten years, and replaced if under-registering by more than 5%
· The plumbing code, which specifies low-flow fixtures, is enforced.
· The xxxxx code includes a provision that water service can be shut off for wasting water. This is enforced by visual inspection for runoff, following-up on citizen reports, and review of use at metered services. Typically a verbal or written warning is issued, followed by a shut-off when cooperation is not forthcoming.
· All commercial customers a metered and pay a metered water rate charge based on usage (water rate charges are included).
·
A residential metering
program has been implemented, requiring water meters to be installed on
all new construction and anytime a property changes ownership.
These meters are read
quarterly
to obtain usage information, however
a metered water rate charge will not become
or became
effective until or when
all residential customers are metered.
· Incentives for the customers of Xxx’s to retrofit plumbing fixtures are demonstrated through educational pamphlets flyers and bill suffers.
Plan to identify and reduce leakage
· The Xxxxxxxxx has in place a capital improvement plan to replace distribution lines at the anticipated life-cycle end.
· Monthly, we audit production vs. sales to determine the amount of unaccounted water and infrastructure leakage index. We also compare current to historical same-month production. When production increases unexpectedly, we initiate a leak survey.
· It is our written policy to repair leaks in a timely manner. All large leaks are repaired immediately and small leaks (less than 1 gallon per minute) within 48 hours.
Reuse of effluent
Effluent is treated by a separate entity, and is reused for agricultural or ??? describe how disposed purposes. Currently, there are no plans in place to reuse effluent within the service area.
Incentives for the customers of Xxx’s to use water conserving landscaping are demonstrated through educational pamphlets flyers and bill suffers.
Drought contingency plan
Nevada is an arid state and Xxxxxx County is continuing to grow and water requirements are increasing. The area is subject to drought cycles; therefore, it is necessary to have a drought contingency plan. The objective of our plan is to manage the available resources to insure continued supply of potable water during periods of drought. We monitor water levels at our Well Sites and record the information. We work with other local water purveyors to insure adequate supplies are available. We have installed an inter-tie with the xxxxxxxxxx water system which allows water to flow both ways between the towns should condition warrant.
When the Xxxxxxxxx has found that a water scarcity condition exists or is likely to exist and has proclaimed the existence of a drought or emergency condition, it shall also declare an appropriate drought or emergency stage for its service area which may be Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, or Stage 4, described as follows:
Stage 1 Drought or Emergency
1. Water from the xxxx’s water system allowed to pool, pond, or run- off of applied areas is considered a waste of water and as such is not permitted.
2. Leaks occurring on the customer side of each meter in the xxxx’s water system are considered a waste of water and as such are not permitted.
3. Water from the xxxx’s water system which runs down the street due to excessive watering or poorly maintained sprinklers is considered a waste of water and as such, is not permitted. If a sprinkler system is broken and left on for more than two (2) hours, the water will be shut off by the Town until it is fixed.
4. During a Stage 1 Drought or Emergency, lawn watering, including landscaping and the watering of a garden, will NOT be permitted between the hours of 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Stage 2 Drought or Emergency
1. Water from the Xxx’s water system allowed to pool, pond, or run-off of applied areas is considered a waste of water and as such is not permitted.
2. Leaks occurring on the customer side of each meter in the Xxx’s water system are considered a waste of water and as such are not permitted.
3. No hard surfaces including sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, or decks may washed or hosed down with water supplied through the Xxx’s potable water system unless required by health and safety requirements.
4. No washing of vehicles with hoses is permitted with the Xxx’s water supplied through the Xxx’s potable water system, except with hoses equipped with automatic shut off device or at facilities designated on the Xxx’s billing records as a commercial vehicle wash.
5. Water used for watering vegetation, including lawns, landscaping, and gardens is limited as follows:
a. Residences with even numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday, & Saturday;
b. Residences with odd numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday;
c. Commercial and Industrial Customers: Tuesday and Friday; and Sunday;
d. All watering of lawns, landscaping, and gardens is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
6. No use of water for and decorative purpose is permitted.
Stage 3 Drought or Emergency
1. Water from the Xxx’s water system allowed to pool, pond, or run-off of applied areas is considered a waste of water and as such is not permitted.
2. Leaks occurring on the customer side of each meter in the Xxx’s water system are considered a waste of water and as such are not permitted.
3. No hard surfaces including sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, or decks may washed or hosed down with water supplied through the Xxx’s potable water system unless required by health and safety requirements.
4. No washing of vehicles with hoses is permitted with the Xxx’s water supplied through the Xxx’s potable water system, except with hoses equipped with automatic shut off device or at facilities designated on the Xxx’s billing records as a commercial vehicle wash.
5. Water used for watering vegetation, including lawns, landscaping, and gardens is limited as follows:
a. Residences with even numbered addresses: Wednesday & Saturday;
b. Residences with odd numbered addresses: Tuesday & Sunday;
c. Commercial and Industrial Customers: Tuesday & Friday;
d. All watering of lawns, landscaping, and gardens is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
6. No use of water for and decorative purpose is permitted.
7. Water from the towns potable water system used for general construction or maintenance activities, including dust control, compaction and concrete curing, is considered a waste of water and as such is not permitted.
Stage 4 Drought or Emergency
1. Water from the Xxx’s water system allowed to pool, pond, or run-off of applied areas is considered a waste of water and as such is not permitted.
2. Leaks occurring on the customer side of each meter in the Xxx’s water system are considered a waste of water and as such are not permitted.
3. No hard surfaces including sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, or decks may washed or hosed down with water supplied through the Xxx’s potable water system unless required by health and safety requirements.
4. No washing of vehicles with hoses is permitted with the Xxx’s water supplied through the Xxx’s potable water system, except with hoses equipped with automatic shut off device or at facilities designated on the Xxx’s billing records as a commercial vehicle wash.
5. Water used for watering vegetation, including lawns, landscaping, and gardens is limited as follows:
a. No watering from December through February;
b. Watering will only be allowed one day per week during March, April & May.
c. Watering will be allowed two days per week from June 1st through August 15th:
1. Residences with even numbered addresses: Wednesday & Saturday;
2. Residences with odd numbered addresses: Tuesday & Sunday;
3. Commercial and Industrial Customers: Tuesday & Friday;
d. One day per week August 16th through September;
e. All watering of lawns, landscaping, and gardens is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
6. No use of water for and decorative purpose is permitted.
7. Water from the towns potable water system used for general construction or maintenance activities, including dust control, compaction and concrete curing, is considered a waste of water and as such is not permitted.
8. During a Stage 4 Drought or Emergency, the planting or installing of new lawns is prohibited from July through September.
Implementation schedule
All of the plan elements listed are currently in place. The plan is to be reviewed every five years, and updated as system needs change.
Approximately xxx each or xxx% of residential services are now metered. Residential meters in place are now being read. At the current rate of installation, it can be anticipated that the entire system will be metered in approximately xxx years. As that time approaches, the degree of metering will be evaluated, to determine whether implementation of full metering is warranted.
Plan effectiveness metrics
Historical well production will be compared to estimated population each year to determine the gallons per capita per day (gpcpd) consumption. For 2006, the gross production less commercial sales, divided by the estimated population, is xxxx gpcpd. With average annual consumption is significantly greater than xxxx gpcpd, plan revision will be considered, to include additional conservation measures. At the present time, well production, less commercial sales, provides a gross gpcpd estimate. The same calculation applied to winter sales, provides an estimate of non-irrigation household use. More accurate determination of water loss and conservation components will become available as residential metering nears completion.
When a plan element is activated, such as mailing literature or declaring a drought stage, production in terms of gpcpd will be compared to same month historical data to estimate effectiveness. It is estimated that metering alone will be the major driver of conservation, by raising awareness of individual account use. Metering alone, without a rate structure change, but with the public education elements, can be expected to provide a ten percent reduction in water use, or xx gpcpd.
Variable pricing analysis
The present residential water rate structure is an increasing block or uniform or ???? rate. Commercial accounts numbering xxxx are billed at a base plus progressive unit charge basis. Rates are scheduled to be reviewed annually and adjusted, to meet budgeted costs. Each time rates are altered, the water usage patterns will be analyzed to determine price sensitivity. The amount of water conserved as a result of actual price changes, in terms of gpcpd, will be used in future analyses. The feasibility of charging variable rates for the use of water to encourage conservation of water will also be considered.
Water savings in gallons/person/day
With the current water usage of Xxx’s is_____gpcpd, which is ___% of the national average of approximately 100 gpcpd for residential users. Xxx’s will continue to monitor the water usage of it’s population and water use regulations will be amended as needed.
Rate structure impact on water conservation
At this time, Xxx’s does not anticipate any further water conservation in terms of gpcpd due to rate structure alterations. Xxx’s will continue to monitor the gpcpd of it customers and will re-visit this issue at each rate modification.
Incentives to encourage water conservation
Explain incentive program, or say there is not any in place or planned.
Incentives to retrofit plumbing fixtures
Explain incentive program, or say there is not any in place or planned.
Incentives for water conserving landscaping
Explain incentive program, or say there is not any in place or planned.