ITEM:

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

2.

CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED REIMBURSABLE FUNDS TO CONTRACT WITH WATERWISE INC., AND AQUASAVE TO CONDUCT REQUIRED LANDSCAPE WATER AUDITS AND PREPARE BUDGETS

 

Meeting Date:

March 18, 2013

Budgeted: 

Yes

 

From:

David J. Stoldt,

Program/

Conservation Programs

 

General Manager

Line Item No.: 

4-2-2-A

 

 

 

Prepared By:

Gabriela Ayala

Cost Estimate:

$475,000 Reimbursable

 

General Counsel Approval:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 11, 2013, and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:  Staff is seeking Board authorization to contract with WaterWise Consulting, Inc., and AquaSave for Landscape Water Audit and Landscape Water Budget services not-to-exceed $475,000.  Funding for audits is included in the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget and is reimbursable through California American Water (CAW).  WaterWise has been under contract with the District for these services since 2009. WaterWise has extensive experience performing water audits on large Sites. 

 

Landscape Water Audits and Landscape Water Budgets completed by a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) are required for specific users by District Rule No. 172.  Rule 172 requires landscape water audits and landscape water budgets to be offered by the District and/or CAW or their agent free of charge to CAW customers who have dedicated landscape meters or large irrigated areas over three acres, and to all large residential water customers who use more than 32 units per month average.  The audit involves an on-site analysis of existing plant types and locations, soil types, existing irrigation and watering practices and equipment.  The CLIA then determines a watering budget based on those factors and efficient water use. 

 

Payment to the contractors is made at the completion of the audit and budget and is reimbursed by California American Water through the conservation budget approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2009.  The Administrative Law Judge involved in the PUC decision was particularly supportive of completing these audits.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  The Administrative Committee should recommend that the Board authorize the General Manager to contract with WaterWise and AquaSave in a not-to-exceed amount of $475,000 for the purpose of conducting Landscape Water Audits and Landscape Water Budgets to comply with the requirements set forth in District Rule 172. 

 

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES:  Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget through reimbursement by CAW in the conservation budget approved by the PUC and through the District’s budget for Commercial, Industrial & Institutional audits. 

 

BACKGROUND:  Stage 2 Water Conservation (and higher stages) implements enforcement of Landscape Water Budgets to maintain regulatory compliance.  During Stage 2, all water users required to have a Landscape Water Budget must manage outdoor irrigation within their budget.  Use in excess of the Landscape Water Budget is considered Water Waste and is subject to Water Waste fees and enforcement.  Every October (i.e. new Water Year), CAW reviews their customer database to determine which customers are subject to the audit/budget requirement. 

 

EXHIBIT

None

 

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