Making Conservation Work for You

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Making Conservation Work for You

• Chris Brown
• Chris Brown Consulting
• for
• Office of Rural Community Affairs
• December 2, 2003

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Topics

• Demand Profile and Programmatic Decisions
• Price
• Conservation avings

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Conservation

• Results from
• Behavior
• Efficient Equipment
• Utility and customer cooperation

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Public

• Support is essential
• Expects leadership from utility
• Can be an ally or a partner
• Can drive new program development

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Conservation Goals

• Percent reduction
• Per Capita reduction
• Cost/Benefit

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Demand Profile

• Lost or un-metered water
• Customer classes
• Summertime peaking
• Growth projections

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Connections by Customer Class
SAWS 1995
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Water Consumption by Customer Class
SAWS 1995
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Average Monthly Consumption per Connection
(gallons)
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Average Daily Pumping
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Annual Pumping versus GrowthSan Antonio Water
System
60,000.00
295000
290000
59,000.00
285000
58,000.00
280000
275000
Million Gallons per Year
Connections
57,000.00
270000
56,000.00
265000
260000
55,000.00
255000
54,000.00
250000
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
SAWS
Year
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Historical Water UseAll EPWU Customers
GPCD
New goal for 2010 140 GPCD
Excess rate structure Water Conservation Ordinan
ce adopted
160 GPCD was the goal set for 2000 back in 1990
2000 goal was achieved, use by 2001 was 155 GPCD
155
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The Basics

• Water Accountability Program
• Metering
• System Audit and Leak Detection
• Conservation Pricing
• Increasing Block Rates
• Irrigation Rates

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Price

• Cost/Benefit
• Avoided costs
• Rates
• Best motivator for outdoor and discretionary
  water use
• Inverted blocks or drought surcharges
• Water budgets

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ResidentialAnnual Bills Vs. Usage
Percent
Blocks
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Drought Surcharges

• Significant percentage increase
• Only top or excess users
• Automatic
• They Work!

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G
P
C
D

v
s

R
a
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n
f
a
l
l
2
3
0
2
2
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
9
0
D
C
1
8
0
P
G
1
7
0
1
6
0
1
5
0
Aug/Sep 96
1
4
0
1
3
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
n
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i
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Drought Surcharge Results

• Rainfall and Critical Period Management most
  significant
• Best fit 154 gpcd
• Actual 136 gpcd
• 271 to 573 million gallons additional
  conservation above predicted amount.

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Best Management Practices (EAA)
Core Municipal

• System Audits, Leak Detection and Repair
• Public Information
• School Education
• Conservation Pricing
• Metering
• Water Waste Prohibition
• Conservation Coordinator

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Initiatives with Retail Customers

• Public Education and Information Programs
• Learning to be Water Wise
• Project Wet
• Large Landscape
• Conservation Programs
• Water Survey Programs
• For Residential Customers

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Costs Of Water Saved And Acre Feet
SavedConservation Programs
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Conclusion

• Utility public cooperation essential
• Understanding demand success
• Conservation is a benefit
• BMPs help with planning and management of programs

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• Chris Brown Consulting
• Water Resources Conservation Planning
• 5108 Broadway, Ste. 231
• San Antonio, TX 78209
• Ph [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email CBx3_at_aol.com