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F00.N�P CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 19, 2014 UNFINISHED BUSINESS
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE WATER MATTERS PROGRAM AND WATER
CONSERVATION INITIATIVES AND GOALS
FROM: David H. Ready, Executive Director
BY: Michele C. Mician, Manager, Office of Sustainability
SUMMARY
The City Council will receive a report on the City's response, initiatives and programs for
water conservation as adopted by the City Council in September 2014, as a result of the
State of California's declaration of a drought emergency.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive and File the Water Matters Update Report.
2. Direct Staff as appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
In September 2014, the City Council adopted bold water reduction conservation goals
and program initiatives. Since the adoption of the goals and program initiatives the
drought conditions in State has worsened. See Attachment 2 for the updated drought
conditions.
The City formed a Joint Commissions Water Task Force, representing several City
Boards and Commissions, and working with City Staff, have progressed with the City
Council conservation goals and program initiatives, including incentives for residential
and commercial turf conversion, City facility turf conversion and water conservation
education initiatives.
The City Council has committed to reduce City of Palm Springs annual municipal water
use by 50% by 2020. This equals a reduction of water use by .54 billion gallons
annually. Additionally, the City Council established a goal to reduce annual city-wide
water use by 30% by 2020. This equals a reduction of community water use by 5.85
billion gallons a year. ,^
ITEM NO. _ N
City Council Staff Report
November 19, 2014— Page 2
Water Conservation Update
Since the adoption of the City Council conservation goals and program initiatives the
City has progressed as follows:
1. Drafted and City Council adopted a new City Water Conservation and Water
Waste Ordinance.
2. Drafted and City Council adopted substantial modifications to the Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance.
3. Created a Water Watch Dog app to allow residents to participate in helping with
water conservation and violation reporting, to date the app. has been used to
report 187 citizen concerns.
4. Improved water conservation at City facilities and throughout City operations,
discussed in detail in this progress report.
5. Expanded and funded the City's increased lawn buy back incentive programs.
6. Created a comprehensive Water Matters outreach campaign and educational
program including a campaign focused on multi-family property owners and
hotels. (See Attachment 1.)
7. Begun "Phase One" of City facility turf conversion projects.
8. Produced a new informational website at www.watermattersPS.com.
Since the implementation of the water conservation and water waste prevention
ordinance residents have taken an increased interest in water conservation
opportunities. The Office of Sustainability routinely receives calls regarding interest in
water saving toilet rebates, lawn conversion and requests for educational programs or
materials. The new water watchdog web app. has seen increased use since its
release. Desert Water Agency (DWA) reported an 11% reduction in water production
in September 2014, in the City of Palm Springs.
City Staff has committed to changing the way the City utilizes our water resources, and
the following conservation initiatives have been implemented and completed:
✓ Facilities water use has been reduced by implementing the irrigation controls
and water conservation efforts included in the City's performance contract with
our energy service company. Opterra (formerly Chevron Energy Services), to
complete installation of centralized computer controlled irrigation system
throughout the City. This has been fully operational since July 2014.
✓ Found innovative ways to continue Downtown and Uptown maintenance and
cleaning including the utilization of reclaimed water, saving an estimated
02
City Council Staff Report
November 19. 2014— Page 3
Water Conservation Update
352,000 gallons of potable water for the past six months.
✓ Replaced water spray nozzles with pressure compensating micro sprayers in
flower beds at several locations including the Tahquitz Median, City Hall, Ruth
Hardy Park and the Village Green.
✓ Installed additional irrigation control valves in order to separate turf areas form
flower beds at several locations throughout the City to reduce overwatering.
✓ Removed turf around the perimeter of Ruth Hardy Park, creating a buffer to
prevent over spraying onto sidewalks and street. This project also created small
planters that were retrofitted with drip system for new plantings. (See
Attachment 5)
Specific examples of water savings at City facilities are evident at Ruth Hardy Park and
the Tahquitz Canyon median.
Tahquitz Canyon Median
Average Annual Water Usage 2009 to 2013 190,216 Gallons
Estimated Water Usage 2014 (based on 10 months) 106,769 Gallons
Water Reduction 61,661 Gallons 37% Reduction
Ruth Hardy Park
Average Annual Water Usage 2009 to 2013 363,258 Gallons
Estimated Water Usage 2014 (based on 10 months) 281,996 Gallons
Water Reduction 81,262 Gallons 23% Reduction
Not only did the City conserve water but the City also benefited in a cost savings of
approximately $24,653 for these two specific examples.
Turf Buy-Back Proarams
For the first four years of the turf buy-back program the funding was approximately
$60,000 annually. As part of the City Council 2014 water conservation initiatives, an
additional $300,000 was allocated in funding, for a total amount of funding for fiscal
year 2014-15 of $360,000. As a result of the additional funding, the number of
applicants and calls from interested parties continues to increase.
Single Family Residential Program. Since the turf buy-back program's inception in
2011, more than one hundred single family homes have benefitted from the program,
resulting in estimated water savings of 6.15 million gallons. Single family residents
have received $58,646 in City provided incentive funding, invested $534,669 of their
own funds and converted over 125,000 square feet of turf. At this time, 25 additional
single family homes are pending funding upon completion.
03
City Council Staff Report
November 19, 2014— Page 4
Water Conservation Update
Residential Turf Conversions
45 --
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
■H Applicants 30 25 36
■Total Sq.Feet(in Thousands) 42.5 22.5 38.6
■ Millions Gallons Water Saved 2.5 1.35 2.3
Homeowners Association Program. More than 50 homeowner's associations (HOA's)
have taken advantage of the turf buy-back program. Associations that have completed
their projects are listed on watermattersps.com as water winners. HOA applicants have
converted nearly a quarter million square feet of turf to desert scape saving an
estimated 12.5 million gallons of water annually (based on a calculation of
approximately 50 gallons of water saved per square foot). Further, HOA's have
received $111,176 in City incentive funding and invested $632,988 into turf to desert
landscape conversion projects.
HOA Turf Conversions
60
50
40
50
20
10
O
2011-12 2012-15 2023-14
Ep Applicants 23 7 19
III To[a15q.Fee[ (in Thousands) 54 18.2 99.2
.Mil lgns Gallons Water Saved 3.24 1-09 2.35
04
City Council Staff Report
November 19, 2014— Page 5
Water Conservation Update
Low Flow Toilet Programs
The City provides two low flow toilet rebate programs as follows: i) Rebate Program in
partnership with the City's Waste Water Treatment Service provider; and ii) the City
Grant Program to low-income households.
The Rebate program provides a partial rebate for toilets that are retrofitted to a new
model using 1.6 gallons or less of water per flush. The City Grant program provides
full funding to low-income households that requires income qualification and pays for
both the new toilet, removal of the old toilet, and installation.
Since the programs began the result has been the replacement of 925 toilets with
estimated water savings of 11,096 gallons of water per year or a 54% reduction in toilet
water use.' The result is a cumulative water savings of about 71.8 million gallons since
the inception of the programs.
'11,
0•
4111kper
w gallons of 925 toilets
ateir saved replaced to
. date
to
toilet
Educational and Outreach Programs
Shower Timers. City Staff initiated an outreach campaign to encourage the five-minute
shower. An average shower lasts ten-minutes. With a standard shower head the ten-
minute shower can use upwards of 80 gallons of water and generate up to 4 pounds of
CO2 emissions.Z The City has purchased 1,900 shower timers and distributed 1,000
thus far. Five-minute shower times are available at no cost to Palm Springs residents.
Outreach Program. City Staff initiated a targeted educational outreach to hotels and
multifamily property owners. The educational outreach program includes tips for
property managers and staff. Examples of the letters sent to property owners and
outreach literature is attached (See Attachment 1). Mailers were sent to 310 multi-
family property owners (apartments) and 104 hotels within the City of Palm Springs.
The Office of Sustainability provides the materials to hotels and other property
managers upon request and at no cost.
htti)://www.mwra.com/comsupoorticonservation/toilets.htm
z http://www.greenlifestylechanges.com/take-5-minute-showers/
05
City Council Staff Report
November 19, 2014—Page 6
Water Conservation Update
City Facility Turf Replacement
The City has approximately 125 acres of turf, 42.8 of which reside in the Demuth Park
complex which is irrigated with reclaimed water. The City Council approved a Phase
One City Facility turf conversion plan including:
Facility Estimated Cost
Corporate Yard to Desert Scape $24,700
Fire Station #2 Convert Annuals to Perennials $6,825
Fire Station #5 Annuals to Perennials $9,110
Dog Park Perimeter to Gravel $12,000
Police Department all to Desert Scapa $125,000
Total: 177 635
The Phase One City Facility Turf Conversions proposed for the City of Palm Springs
equals 12 acres of desert scape which when implemented amounts to nearly 26 million
gallons of water saved per year. The Police Department project will be submitted to the
Measure J Commission for funding consideration, and will require further City Council
approval of plans and specifications, and authorization to bid. The other projects noted
above will be fully funded from General Fund Continuing Appropriations.
The Corporate Yard conversion project is scheduled to be completed as part of a
Community Education Day to be held on Saturday, December 13, 2014 (Attachment 4).
The City has applied to the Desert Water Agency's lawn buy-back program. However,
Desert Water Agency has placed the application on hold until funds become available.
City Staff will continue to work with the Joint Commissions Water Task Force to advise
on other water conservation measures such as gray water, retrofits to water fixtures, and
other municipal operations water conservation measures.
Further, the Joint Commissions Water Task Force will be called on to aid in expanding
outreach to the community so the City of Palm Springs can reach its goals. Additionally,
the Sustainability Commission has created a new education and outreach subcommittee
that will also continue to work on water education issues.
A requirement to drain swimming pools into the public sewer system was added as part
of the recently adopted water conservation and waste water prevention ordinance. This
option was investigated by the City's wastewater service operator to account for
connection issues, impacts to the system and costs. The attached memorandum details
the wastewater treatment plant operator's findings.
Based on the findings, City Staff requests City Council direction as to continue with the
requirements in the Code, and amend the fee schedule to increase the swimming pool
draining permit fee from $5.00 to $75.00 to cover the additional cost of the program, or
06
City Council Staff Report
November 19, 2014—Page 7
Water Conservation Update
to prepare an ordinance to remove the requirement to drain swimming pools into the
public sewer system as opposed to the storm drainage system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Phase One City Facility Turf Conversion Projects in the amount of $52,635 will be
funded with General Fund Continuing Appropriations.
The Police Department conversion project, estimated at $125,000, will be submitted to
the Measure J Commission.
The City has applied to Desert Water Agency to fund additional facility turf conversions
in the amount of$233,560.
Sustainability Funds of $300,000 are appropriated to fund the fiscal year 2014-15
increased residential and commercial turf conversion incentives. City Staff will
continue to seek a funding source for these programs for the next fiscal year as part of
the annual budget process.
The cost associated with permitting swimming pool drainage to enter the public sewer
system is about $32,000 annually. Pending City Council direction, Staff will prepare an
amendment to the comprehensive fee schedule to increase the fee associated with a
swimming pool drainage permit.
I l.�
MICHELE MICIAN DAVID H. READY
Sustainability Manager City Manager
Attachments:
1. Water Matters Letter to property owners
2. Figure 1 and 2: Drought Monitor map from September 3 Meeting and Current
3. Attachment 3 A and 3 B New Hotel and Multi-unit property outreach campaign
4. Community Planting Day Flyer
5. Ruth Hardy Park Landscape Buffer Improvements
6. Veolia Letter Swimming Pool Drainage
07
ATTACHMENT
s
City of Palm Springs
• Office of Sustainability
3200 C.Tahgnitz Canyon Way•Palm Spnngs,California 92262
�rfOFN�P Tel:(760)323-8211 •Fax 060)322-8360•Web.www.palmspringsca.gov
October 27, 2014
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIPCODE]Re: City of Palm Springs Water Conservation Programs WATER
Dear[NAME], PS
Due to the severe drought affecting the entire state, The City of Palm
Springs has set a goal to reduce water use by 50% by 2020 including City WalerMallenPS.com
facilities and parks. EPA studies show hotels account for 15% of water use
in a community, so we'd like to partner with you and your guests during the drought to minimize water
consumption.
The Office of Sustainability has several water saving programs available today to help hotels save water-
- Lawn Buy Back Rebates— up to $5,000 in rebates for landscape conversion
- Low Flow Toilet Rebates—Two low flow toilets per hotel per year
- Education Materials—Guest and employee education materials from the Water Matters program.
We also have staff education materials including information on the new water ordinance, which details
hours for watering, use of water for washing driveways and sidewalks and other information, which will all
make a difference during the drought.
Enclosed are some samples of
- Guest — Hotel Room Signage — "We Have a Drought, Please Help Out!" with tips for water
conservation
- An employee education flyer — Quick tips for water conservation and awareness to remind
employees how they can be part of the solution
We also encourage you to join the EPA's WaterSense H2Otel Challenge. Polls show that 79% of
travelers factor in environmental considerations in choosing a destination. We hope you'll help send a
clear signal to travelers that your hotel, and all of Palm Springs, is making a difference during the drought.
You can find a link to enroll in the WaterSense H2Otel Challenge under"Tips" at WaterMattersPS.com.
I look forward to working with you and being a resource and partner for you in order to make these water
saving efforts a success to help Palm Springs weather the drought. Please contact me with any
questions, suggestions or to participate in any of the available programs.
Sincerely,
1
Michele Mician, Manager
Office of Sustainability, City of Palm Springs
08
Attachment 2: Figure 1 and 2
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Attachment 3A
OUTREACH MATERIAL FOR HOTEL STAFF
SUSMN 1 R • ,� !. THERE'S A DROUGHT!
MY
HELP US OUT!
Dear Hotel Staff:
Our hotel is participating in the Water Matters program
with the City of Palm Springs. We have set a goal to reduce
water use 3o% by 2020. We all can make a difference!
Water Leaks Maintenance Tips
The average leak wastes io.000 gallons a Landscaping and Sprinkler systems must
year. Please report all leaks immediately. only run from ?PM-74M as required in a
new City of Palm Springs Ordinance.
Reception and Cheek-In
Remind guests how to participate by: Report or replace broken sprinkler fixtures
• Use the card to keep their sheets immediately
during their stay.
• Towels will be replaced only when Report or repair leaks immediately
on the ground
Powerwashing sidewalks and driveways
Housekeeping Tips must have a regulator that automatically
Check each room for"Keep the Sheets" turns off the water when released.
cards
Landscaping Tips
Only replace towels on the ground Prevent Run Ofi of Water-At the curb and
along walk ways, have a 24'3e berm of
When cleaning the toilet, DO NOT flush decomposed granite or other porous rock
prior to cleaning unless necessary. to catch any run off.
Report drips and leaks immediately Replace dead or seasonal plants with
drought tolerant plants
Listen for running toilet valves
+
10
Attachment 3B
OUTREACH MATERIAL FOR HOTEL GUESTS
susruwM9
utr
WELCOME TO
PALM
SPRINGS !
THERE'S A DROUGHT !
HELP US OUT !
Our hotel is participating in the Water Matters program
with the City of Palm Springs. During your stay we hope
you'll help us with the following water saving opportunities:
• Take 5-minute showers
• Save Your Sheets
• Re-Use Your Towels
• Turn Your Sink Off While Brushing or Shaving.
The City of Palm Springs has set a goal
to reduce water use by 5oo/o and is asking
hotels and local businesses to reduce
water use by 30%.
Find out more at WaterMattersPS.com A
PS
Thank you and enjoy your visit! fie, n
i3
Attachment 4
YOUR
SUSTAINABLE D
OTY
Jain us for COI1UNITY PLANTING DAY
Friday DIC11111 130 firm 111 1 P1 at III VON DOW
We will meet at the City Yard at 425 Civic Drive to join in a day
long learning experience that will teach residents
• Best plants for our Desert environment
• Plant identification
• Water conservation techniques
• Irrigation systems and controls
• Smart Controllers...how to get one FREE from DWA
Snacks and beverages included. Each participant will receive a
water conservation goodie bag.
PLEASE RSVP to
Palm Springs Office of Sustainability at
rm or gar mwrs
760-323-8214 SUS OFFICE Of
... .. I.,.,.
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Attachment 5 - Ruth Hardy Park Landscape Buffer Retrofit
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VEOLIA
WATER
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November 12, 2014 N�V 12 2p14
David Ready
City Manager MY OP QptNISPR►NGS
City of Palm Springs
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Regarding: The Discharge of Swimming Pool Water to the Wastewater Collection
System
Dear Mr. Ready:
It has been proposed that swimming pools, fountains and other water features should
be drained into the wastewater collection system, rather than into the stormwater
conveyance system. This would provide additional water that could be treated and re-
used as reclaimed water for landscape irrigation, thus reducing the amount of potable
water used during our severe drought. While we appreciate this water conservation
effort, as the operator of the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant, Veolia is concerned
that the salinity present in the swimming pool water will further increase the amount of
plant effluent chloride, which is already in excess of our permitted limit.
The Palm Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant must meet the discharge requirements
set forth in its WDR Permit issued by the Colorado River Basin - Regional Water Quality
Control Board (RWQCB). This permit specifies a maximum average annual
concentration limit for chloride, a major component of salinity, of 70 mg/I in the plant
effluent. The effluent discharged by the wastewater plant has not been able to meet this
limit for the last five years, because the treatment processes at the wastewater plant are
not capable of removing chloride and the domestic wastewater coming into the plant
consistently contains higher concentrations of chloride than the discharge limit. So far,
the only action the RWQCB has taken on these permit violations is to issue a Notice of
Noncompliance once each year. However, this is unlikely to continue indefinitely.
Salinity has become a major concern throughout California and Regional Boards in
other areas of the state have already taken very strong enforcement actions against
chronic chloride limit violators. For this reason, we feel it is important for Palm Springs
to do what it can to prohibit any additional discharges of high salinity water into its
wastewater treatment plant and, if possible, try to reduce the level of salinity in the
wastewater entering the plant.
In general, all swimming pools will have a somewhat higher level of salinity than the
water supply due to the addition of pool chemicals and salinity concentration due to pool
water evaporation and replenishment. However, the pools of most concern to us are
Veolia Water North America
Palm Springs Project
4375 Mesquite Avenue,Palm Springs,CA 92264
Tel 760-323-6166 1 Fax 760325-5747 14
Mr. David Ready 11/12/2014 2
saline pools, in which bags of salt are added to the pool water to achieve a salinity
concentration generally over 2000 mg/I. These pools have become popular in recent
years because they are easier on swimmer's eyes and skin, and they eliminate the
need to regularly add chlorine for disinfection. The discharge to the collection system of
one large saline pool could literally double the amount of chloride in the wastewater
plant's daily discharge.
We also have a few additional concerns unrelated to salinity. Generally, in order to
discharge to the sewer system, a Pool Maintenance Worker must remove the cover
from the building sewer clean-out and then insert the end of the hose from the pool
pump into the cleanout. This could potentially cause a building sewer backup, resulting
in sewage overflowing from the open cleanout. Care needs to be taken when a
cleanout is used and it should not be left unattended. There is also a potential that
pools could be pumped down at too great a flow rate and cause sewer overflows from
the building sewer or even the sewer main. While maintaining the City's wastewater
collection system, we have also found a few pools in Palm Springs that have actually
been connected to building sewers so that they can discharge pool filter backwash
water or the pool water directly into the collection system. In some of these cases, this
had led to sewage backing up into the pool when a blockage occurred on either the
building sewer or the sewer main. Pools should definitely not be connected directly to
the sewer system.
If it is the City Council desires to move forward with this proposal, we recommend that
prior to the draining of any pool, as part of the City's permitting process, the pool be
tested to determine its salinity level. If a saline pool is identified, it should not to be
allowed to discharge to the sewer. This testing will require a trained City/Consultant
Technician to visit each pool site prior to permitting. The salinity test could be done
using a handheld probe, which makes it relatively quick and easy to determine the
salinity level. A salinity limit would be established and, if the pool water exceeded this
limit, the pool would not be allowed to discharge into the sewer system. Also, while the
Technician is at the site, he/she could provide information on the correct procedures to
use; look into where the pool pump will discharge into the sewer system; and make sure
the pump flow rate is not too great. The average time spent at each pool site would be
about one hour, including follow-up visits when necessary. With an average of
2.5 pools tested per day (based on the City staffs estimation of 500 permits obtained
per year out of 14,500 pools installed in the City), and using a technician paid at
$65/hour at full benefits rate, the annual cost would be $32,000.
Sincerely
Jack Martin
Project Manager, Veolia Water West Operating Services
15
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