To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Mark Marlowe, P.E., Director of Castle Rock Water
Title
Resolution Adopting the 2018 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 2018 Water Use Management Plan (WUMP).
The major changes proposed for 2018 are highlighted below, and a complete summary is included as Attachment B.
• Continue the non-residential three fixed days per week watering schedule instituted last year during June, July and August similar to what is required for residential customers;
• Non-residential violations surcharges increased;
• Irrigation exemptions not issued or applicable July 1-31;
• Sod exemption reduced from 30 days to 21 days;
• Seed exemption reduced from 45 days to 30 days;
• Water Wiser Workshops now included in education discussion, and introducing a five (5) year expiration on the program.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
As defined in Chapter 13.15 of the Town’s Municipal Code, all customers will receive the 2018 watering schedule via United States Mail within 30 days (approximately May 1, 2018) of the commencement of the restriction period. 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 7, 2018, Castle Rock Water held an open house where the proposed WUMP was presented. Written comments from the open house are included in Attachment C.
On February 21, 2018, the WUMP was presented and discussed at the Developer’s Roundtable. No opposition was expressed.
On February 22, 2018, a presentation was made to the Planning Commission.
On February 28, 2018, the Castle Rock Water Commission supported the revisions to the WUMP as presented.
Discussion
The Town of Castle Rock has used mandatory water demand management for landscape irrigation since 1985. Peak season demands for residential customers are staggered on an every-third-day format. This is the traditional circle, diamond, square schedule that is familiar to our customers. New for 2018, we are proposing to implement a fixed three days per week irrigation schedule for non-residential customers, along with designated irrigation times. Non-residential properties west of I-25 will be designated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Non-residential properties east of I-25 will be designated Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Non-residential watering hours will begin at 10 p.m. on the designated day and must be complete by 6 a.m. the following morning. Other than hand watering, 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 distribution system while maintaining appropriate fire flows. It also allocates time for the finished water storage tanks to recover volume.
Violations surcharges have remained flat since program inception. For 2018 we are proposing to increase the non-residential violations surcharges. The ultimate goal is to encourage compliance with the mandatory schedule during the restriction period, and reduce/eliminate water waste. For those properties where violations are issued, the associated fines will still go to fund the rebate and incentive program.
Another way to maximize the efficient use of water is to limit the issuance of irrigation exemptions during the hottest and driest part of the year. July is typically the hottest month of the year, and as such, it takes significantly more water to establish new plant material during this period. Staff is proposing irrigation exemptions not be issued or applicable from July 1 - July 31. Additionally, staff is proposing the exemption period for new sod be reduced from 30 days to 21 days, and the exemption period for new seed or other plant material be reduced from 45 days to 30 days. Historically, installation contractors set the irrigation controller for an everyday schedule with multiple start times each day, and the program stays in place for the full exemption period. This is excessive and unnecessary. By eliminating exemptions for the month of July and reducing the exemption period, we are placing a more realistic expectation for water use during the establishment period for new plant material.
The final major change to the WUMP is the addition of the Water Wiser workshop program to the education discussion. The Water Wiser program has been in place since 2004, and to date has had no renewal requirements. Landscape plant material, irrigation technologies, and water management techniques are constantly being improved, and as a result it is felt a program expiration is appropriate. Beginning in 2018, all Water Wiser designations will carry a 5-year expiration. All program participants having completed the workshop five or more years ago will expire in 2018, and will be required to attend a workshop before the end of the year in order to continue their Water Wiser status. Additional workshops have been scheduled to accommodate the extra attendance. If necessary, depending on actual demand and attendance, we may need to spread the renewal requirements for older program participants over two years.
The Watering Violations Summary is included as Attachment D.
For the last several years, the focus of the monitoring program has undergone a philosophical shift. Primarily for residential customers, 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.
Budget Impact
The budget for 2018 seasonal water conservation staff is $48,772 and is covered under account number 211-4330-443.10-30. This is adequate to cover the cost of the 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: Summary of proposed changes
Attachment C: Open house summary
Attachment D: Watering violations summary