WATER DEMAND COMMITTEE MEETING

 

ITEM:

ACTION ITEM

 

3.

REVIEW LIST OF EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL USERS

 

Meeting Date:

August 13, 2012

Budgeted: 

N/A

 

From:

David J. Stoldt

Program/

N/A

 

General Manager

Line Item No.:

 

 

 

Prepared By:

Stephanie Pintar

Cost Estimate:

N/A

 

General Counsel Review:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  N/A

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:  Staff has compiled lists of the District’s water efficiency requirements for discussion at the August 13, 2012 Water Demand Committee meeting (Exhibit 3-A).  The committee began discussing Best Management Practices (BMPs) at the June 21, 2012 meeting.  BMPs are referenced in MPWMD Rule 142 (Water Efficiency Requirements), Rule 143 (Water Efficiency Standards for Existing Non-Residential Uses), and in Rule 169 (Water Rationing Variance). 

A BMP is a conservation measure or device that results in proven, cost-effective water savings.  BMPs normally result in significant water savings and are generally accepted among water efficiency experts.  Examples include High Efficiency Toilets (HET) and High Efficiency Urinals (HEU).  Industries such as food service, laundromats, medical and health care systems, and hotels and motels have BMPs specific to their end uses of water.  In many cases, BMP implementation requires an initial expenditure that has a reasonable return on investment, saving

BMPs are used by the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC) to achieve desired water demand reductions.  The Flex Track Menu for Commercial, Institutional and Industrial (CII) uses that is available from the CUWCC contains many of the same BMPs used by other water efficiency organizations such as the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) and the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP).  These sources were used to compile the list of draft BMPs.  The most comprehensive BMP resource is East Bay Municipal Utility District’s WaterSmart Guidebook.  A copy will be available at the meeting and it can be found on the Internet at  http://www.ebmud.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/WaterSmart-Guidebook.pdf. 

 

Staff is interested in having the District adopt a list of BMPs that can be displayed on the website as a reference for Residential and Non-Residential water users.  Adoption of a list of BMPs will allow the Non-Residential sector to budget for and implement retrofit programs over time and will facilitate advance compliance certification for future Water Rationing variances. 

 

When funding is available, the Rebate Program offers financial support to achieve BMPs.  In addition, MPWMD and California American Water can assist with auditing businesses to identify potential retrofits and to document BMP compliance when achieved.  Both the District and California American Water have other programs that provide assistance to achieve BMP compliance for large irrigated areas and to local schools.

RECOMMENDATION:  The Water Demand Committee should discuss the proposed BMPs and provide guidance to staff.

 

IMPACT ON STAFF/RESOURCES:  N/A

 

EXHIBIT

3-A      District Water Efficiency Requirements and Proposed BMPs

 

 

 

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