WS Item 3The W.I.S.E. Guys Program Increasing Efficiency of Water Use
Tonight’s Discussion
Water Efficiency and Residential Irrigation
How are they related?
Why is water efficiency important to Southlake?
How does Southlake propose to improve water efficiency as it relates to residential irrigation?
Increasing Water Efficiency
Water Efficiency – The use of water in the most effective manner with the least possible waste (i.e., reducing unintended water loss)
During peak periods, Irrigation accounts for majority of water use
Through this irrigation audit incentive program, Southlake is increasing water efficiency
Why a Water Efficiency Program?
The City of Southlake continues to seek innovative ways to encourage water efficiency
Consumption statistics:
Average per capita per day in 2010: 351 gal
Winter/Summer use ratio: 3:1
Texas Water Development Board Goals:
190 gallons per person per day by 2015
180 gallons per person per day by 2020
High Summer Demand is Costly
Peak demand drives new infrastructure improvements:
New water lines
Increased water production facilities
Increased storage
Peak demand charge:
Penalty fee paid to Fort Worth
For maximum day and hour use
$1.72 M (Average FY06 – FY10)
25% total annual bill (Average FY06 – FY10)
What is the W.I.S.E. Guys Program?
A service offered to cities and other water providers
The program evaluates existing residential irrigation systems
Makes recommendations for improvement to the performance of the system and to the scheduling of the controller to reduce unnecessary water waste
Educates the consumer on water efficiency as it relates to irrigation
Why Irrigation System Evaluations?
Statistics show that outdoor water use:
Is more than 50% of total household use
80% of peak outdoor use is dedicated to irrigation
Reasons typical older irrigation systems are inefficient:
Broken or misaligned heads
Older technology
Poor layout
In many cases, 50% or more of this water use may be wasted
W.I.S.E. Guys estimate that 20% or more of irrigation use can be saved by adjusting controllers and even more through repairs
Why the W.I.S.E. Guys Program?
Several metroplex cities have shown success by providing a similar service using municipal staff:
Fort Worth: 843 eval., saving 969 M gal (2008-10)
Majority are violation evaluations; includes commercial
Dallas: 1,286 eval., saving 80 M gal (2008-10)
W.I.S.E. Guys provides :
Administrative support
Trained, licensed professionals to conduct the evaluations
A third-party, unbiased opinion about the homeowner’s system
How the W.I.S.E. Guys Program Works
The City will promote the program to residents, focusing on:
Top 200 water consumers
Water conservation violations
Interested consumers will complete a short questionnaire to determine:
If the system is operational
If the system is operated by an automatic controller
The level of interest in efficiency of water use
How it Works (continued)
The evaluation is assigned to a professional W.I.S.E. Guys contractor
The contractor contacts the interested consumer and schedules an evaluation
The contractor evaluates the irrigation system and makes recommendations to the consumer for improvements
How it Works (continued)
An evaluation form is completed on site and in an online system
The online system allows for the evaluation to be viewed by the consumer at any time
The online system allows for the evaluation to also be viewed by city staff at any time
Who Performs the Evaluation?
Each evaluation is assigned to an approved W.I.S.E. Guys contractor
Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas
Attended the required training or the W.I.S.E. Guys program
Well trained in proper irrigation design and installation
Maintains required liability insurance
The evaluation found my system could use some improvements, now what?
After any evaluation, the City will offer a water bill credit for any repairs or upgrades highlighted during the evaluation and address
Match costs for repairs and upgrades that contribute to water savings
Limited rebate of up to $200
Will require water bill credit application and receipt review process
Financial Impact
W.I.S.E. Guys
Administrative Fee (annual) $7,500
Evaluation Fee (x165) $55 ea $9,075
Total compensation to WISE Guys $16,575
Customer Irrigation Improvement Rebate
Water Bill Credit (x165) $200 ea $33,000
Total Estimated Program Cost for FY 2011 $49,575
Benefits to the City
Help the City meet goal of reducing average
$1.7 M penalty fee by decreasing overall summer consumption
Determine future needs by reviewing data, easily produced by W.I.S.E. Guys
What time of day is majority of watering occurring?
How long are customers watering?
What types of problems are typically found in the City of Southlake?
How well is the program working, how much water is being saved?
Benefits (continued)
Educate the consumer on the need for efficiency and ability to use water efficiently
Face-to-face education for the consumer
Online continuing education for the consumer
Create positive customer service
Use the “carrot” approach
Potential to provide support where violations are noted, rather than taking punitive actions
Increasingly efficient systems save customers money
Future of the Program
Evaluate contract after one year:
Effectiveness of the program
Use Data Profiler water meter
Reduction in number of repeat violations
Customer service satisfaction
Cost of the program versus benefit of savings
Drilling Water Use Only Available: Oct 15 – May 1
Gas Drilling Sale of Water
Max Consumption Rate = 1400 gpm
In event of water system failure
First to be curtailed
In event system maintenance req’t,
May need to restrict consumption for fracking use
Will coordinate with well operator
Drilling Water Use Only Available: Oct 15 – May 1
Questions: Bob Price 817-748-8097
FY 2010 Water Usage Total Gallons
Total Gallons
WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant
Proposed project cost: $269,601
* Budgeted