To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Mark Marlowe, P.E., Director of Castle Rock Water
Matt Benak, P.E., Water Resources Program Manager
Rick Schultz, Water Conservation Specialist
Title
Resolution Adopting the 2017 Water Use Management Plan
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
The purpose of this memorandum is to request Town Council approval of a Resolution (Attachment A) adopting the 2017 Water Use Management Plan (WUMP). No major changes to the document are proposed, other than those associated with changing the name from Utilities Department to Castle Rock Water, and adding information relating to the rain barrel legislation that went into effect on August 10, 2016.
The Town of Castle Rock has used mandatory water demand management for landscape irrigation since 1985. Peak season demands are staggered on an every-third-day format, along with designated irrigation times. No watering during the daytime hours of 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. is allowed. This format helps ensure our customers use irrigation water during times when that water is most efficient and effective, ultimately saving customer’s money. In addition, it allows positive pressures to be maintained throughout the water system while maintaining appropriate fire flows. It also allocates time for finished water reservoir (tanks) volume recovery.
The Water Use Management Plan addresses:
• Identification of regular days and hours for landscape irrigation during designated peak months
• Alternative schedules due to various hardships and/or irrigation system limitations
• Special watering circumstances, including hand watering
• Monitoring, education, and enforcement of water use management strategies
• Soil inspections and irrigation exemptions.
The full plan is on the website, and can be found at CRgov.com/waterplans.
Several administrative updates have occurred to correct the departments name change to Castle Rock Water. This includes forms such as irrigation exemptions, watering schedules, and violations.
In 2016, the number of water monitors was decreased to two, in an effort to reduce program costs and focus attention on landscape inspections. This decrease resulted in gaps in coverage and difficulty managing the overall effectiveness of the program. For the 2017 season, the number of water monitors will be increased to four. Additionally, the schedule will change to allow for more daytime and late evening coverage.
On May 12, 2016 The Governor signed House Bill 16-1005 allowing the use of rain barrels for the collection of rain water. This became effective August 10, 2016. The bill allows homeowners to have two 55-gallon rain barrels to be used for irrigation purposes only. Section 6.1 of the Water Use Management Plan includes more information.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
As defined in Chapter 13.15 of the Town’s Municipal Code, all customers will receive the 2017 watering schedule via United States Mail within 30 days (approximately May 1, 2017) of the commencement of the restriction period, and it will be published at least twice in the local newspaper. Additionally, this information will be available on the Town’s websites (CRgov.com and CRconserve.com) and promoted through Community Relations’ outreach avenues, such as Facebook, Twitter, Town Talk and press releases.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
On February 22, 2017, the Castle Rock Water Commission unanimously recommended support of the Water Use Management Plan as presented for the 2017 watering season.
Discussion
Cartegraph asset management software is used to provide enhanced reporting and mapping of violations and customer contacts. Attachment B is provided as an example. This can include customer contact information, nature of visit, recommendations provided, any follow up required, and photo documentation.
Zonar vehicle tracking continues to be an important component of the water monitoring program. This software and hardware package allows us to record real-time location of the monitoring vehicle, the route traveled, and the time spent at any given location. Attachment C is an example of a route where coverage needed to be improved. Attachment D shows a more efficient route. We are also able to track miles driven and neighborhoods visited. The following is a 2016 summary:
Miles:
Total miles 5,479.2 (96 shifts) - average of 57.0 miles per shift
Coverage by Neighborhood, Number of Visits:
Baldwin Park: 16
Castle Highlands: 7
Castle North/Rock Park: 11
Castle Ridge: 4
Castlewood Ranch: 25
Cobblestone Ranch: 18
Craig & Gould: 3
Crystal Valley: 24
Diamond Ridge: 14
Echo Ridge/Latigo Townhomes: 10
Escavera: 34
Founders Village: 26
Glovers: 15
Homestead Village: 14
Meadows: 39
Metzler Ranch: 17
Pinion Soleil: 16
Plum Creek: 27
Red Hawk: 23
Sapphire Point: 18
Terrain: 21
Timber Canyon: 16
Woodlands: 40
The Watering Violations Summary is included as Attachment E.
For the last several years, the focus of the monitoring program has undergone a philosophical shift. The program has been transitioning from a punitive violations role to a more educational role. While the monitors have always issued violations, their direction is to contact the customer, explain the problem, and provide a solution whenever reasonable and possible. Revenues collected from watering violations do not cover the costs of providing the program. In 2016, violations issued resulted in $975 of revenue, while the estimated cost to provide the program was $10,566.
Budget Impact
The increase from two monitors in 2016 to four monitors in 2017 will result in increased program costs; however, the current budget of $48,772 is adequate to cover the additional two monitors and other seasonal support staff. No additional budget increases will be required to fund this program.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approving the Water Use Management Plan as presented.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title.”
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution
Exhibit 1: Water Use Management Plan
Attachment B: Cartegraph Map of Watering Violations
Attachment C: Zonar Map, Coverage Needing Improvement
Attachment D: Zonar Map, Good Coverage
Attachment E: Watering violations summary