MPWMD ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING--DEC 8, 2009--ITEM 3--APPROVE EXPENDITURE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION FOR LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION AUDITS AND BUDGETS

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

3.	APPROVE EXPENDITURE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION FOR LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION AUDITS AND BUDGETS

Meeting Date:		December 8, 2009	Budgeted:	No

From:		Darby Fuerst,	Program/	Conservation Programs
		General Manager	Line Item No.:	4-2-2-D


Prepared By:		Stephanie Pintar	Cost Estimate:	$100,000 (Reimbursable)

General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on December 8, 2009 and recommended __________.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: California American Water has requested that all priority Landscape Water Audits and Budgets be completed by January 14, 2010. To accomplish this, the District has contracted with Pacific Water Management, Spot Water Management and WaterWise, Inc. to conduct audits and prepare budgets. As of November 22, 2009, there were 210 priority audits remaining outstanding for Water Year 2010, although half were in process. Properties subject to the mandatory Landscape Water Audit and Landscape Water Budget include Residential properties that use an average of 32 units per month, dedicated landscape irrigation meters and large irrigated areas over three acres.

Staff is seeking Board authorization to amend contracts with Spot Water Management and WaterWise, Inc. for Landscape Water Audit and Landscape Water Budget services in a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000. Funding is reimbursable through California American Water (CAW) and was approved in the conservation budget approved by the Public Utilities Commission in May 2009. The full amount of the approved funding was not included in the District’s Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget, since it was not anticipated that the full amount would be needed this year and the funding was scheduled to be expended over a three-year period. However, with the possibility of Stage 2 or Stage 3 being implemented this year, California American Water has asked that the District approve the funding at this time to facilitate an increase in the number of audits and budgets being completed. Contracts for the audits/budgets are administered by the District.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff requests that the Administrative Committee recommend the Board authorize the General Manager to amend the contracts with the District’s Landscape Irrigation Auditors in a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000 for the purpose of completing Landscape Water Audits and Landscape Water Budgets to comply with the requirements set forth in District Rule 172.

BACKGROUND: 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. Landscape Water Audits and Landscape Water Budgets are offered at no charge to all water users of CAW that have dedicated landscape meters, large irrigated areas over three acres, and large residential water users that average more than 32 units of water per month of use. 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.

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., beginning of new Water Year), CAW reviews their customer database to determine which customers are subject to the audit/budget requirement.

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: Funding is available through reimbursement by California American Water in the conservation budget approved by the Public Utilities Commission in May 2009. Funds for this additional expenditure were not in the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget, but will be included in the mid-year budget adjustment.

EXHIBITS

None

U:\staff\word\committees\Admin\2009\20091208\03\item3.doc

December 8, 2009