Water Demand Committee

October 10, 2003

Action Item 3-D:  Review Ordinance No. 113, Amending Baseline Water Conservation Requirements and Amending and Republishing Rules 11, 142, and 143

 

 

SUMMARY:  The Board of Directors will consider the first reading of Ordinance No. 113 “Amending District Baseline Water Conservation Requirements And Amending And Republishing Rules 11, 142, And 144” at the October 30, 2003 meeting (Exhibit D-1).  The proposed ordinance clarifies the existing water conservation requirements and adds new requirements for new construction, remodels and additions, change in ownership or use, and expansion in use.  The proposed elements are in keeping with the Water Demand Committee’s desire to update the conservation requirements.

 

Added requirements for new construction are:

 

                   1.     Ultra-low consumption dishwashers;

                   2.     Ultra-low consumption washing machines;

                   3.     Rainwater collection and cistern systems;

                   4.     Rain sensors on all automated irrigation systems.

The Water Demand Committee has recommended that new water conservation technology, such as automatic faucets and timed showers, be required for commercial, industrial and public authority uses, when those fixtures are appropriate.   In addition to the requirements listed above and already contained in the District’s Rules and Regulations, Draft Ordinance No. 113 adds the following water conservation requirements for new construction of commercial, industrial, and public authority uses, when applicable:

 

             1.           Automatic shut-off, infrared faucet or self-closing faucets on multiple washbasin installations;

             2.           Automatic shut-off or timer controlled showers;

             3.           Waterless urinals;

             4.           Air-cooled refrigeration and cooling systems;

             5.           Recirculating pumps on evaporative coolers.

 

District Rule 144 requires retrofitting to the District’s definition of low water use fixtures when a property changes ownership or use and upon expansion of use.  The proposed ordinance does not implement the new requirements until January 1, 2007.  This allows sufficient time to educate the community on the new requirements and to prepare for implementation.  It should also be noted that during the transition, the District may offer rebates for several of the future requirements, including ultra-low consumption dishwashers, ultra-low consumption washing machines, hot water demand pumping systems and cisterns, if Ordinance No. 110 is approved.

 

Methods of certifying compliance with the retrofit requirements have been clarified and updated in the proposed ordinance.  The District rules presently include outdated and/or ambiguous procedures for certifying retrofit compliance.  The proposed ordinance updates and clarifies the list of acceptable methods of certification and amends the vernacular to be consistent with the District’s policies and procedures.

 

Revising the permit processes, including clarification of the Rules and Regulations administered by the Water Demand Division, is a high priority of the Board.  This ordinance supports the compilation of a policies and procedures manual.  Clarification of existing rules and definitions are a critical component to the preparation of the policies and procedures manual.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  The Water Demand Committee should review the proposed ordinance and recommend approval to the Board. 

 

Ordinance No. 113 establishes construction standards and requires the Board to adopt an Initial Study and a Notice of Intent to File a Negative Declaration under CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act).  As this action will begin at the October 30, 2003 Board meeting, and as the documents must be filed with the State Clearinghouse and circulated for public review for at least 30 days, the adoption of the ordinance will take place at the January 2004 Board meeting.