Conserve To Preserve

www.partners4water.org

Beau SchilzJune 24, 2008


Topics for Discussion• Reasons to Conserve

– Environmental, Social, and Economic Perspectives– It’s the Law

• Key Steps in the Evaluation Process– The Cost-Effectiveness Method– The Cost of Producing Water– Data Collection– Tracking your Progress

• Example Exercises• Questions and Comments


The Need for Preservation• Economic: A matter of Supply and Demand

– Conflict occurs where value is highest– In US, cost of producing water historically low– Trends in Water Rights Applications in WA– Lessons learned from other States

• Environmental Concerns– Climate Change– Endangered Species Act

• Social: A Shift in Water Resources Management– Water Rights Applications at DOE


Water Conservation Makes “Cents”• Extends Useful Life of

Water Resources– MWRA in Massachusetts saved

between $111-153 million in deferred water supply expansion costs by implementing a $20 million conservation program.

• Maintains Hydropower Production Levels

• Recreational Use Revenues

• Prevents Rate Increases


Environmental Concerns• Latest Research on

Climate Change:– “In Washington’s North

Cascades Mountains, 47 glaciers monitored since 1984 have lost, on average, 20 – 40 % of their volume, with five having melted entirely away.” (NRDC report, March 27, 2008)

• More Droughts and Floods

• Protecting Ecological Habitats


Water Rights Permitting in WA


What does it all mean?• Understanding the need for

conservation drives your program and your decision making

• Educating customers is the first step in building support

• The “stitch in time saves nine” principal

• With MWL, WA is better prepared to meet the challenges of diminishing supplies.


Evaluation Methods: Getting Started• Cost-Effectiveness Method• Data Collection

– The Role of Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data– Requirements from the MWL

• Meters, Meters, and more Meters• Define Customer Classes and monitor monthly use

– Review building history for best results– Use your own data as much as possible, and trust it

• Establish Base Data– Ideally, look at 3 current years of data– Collect Rainfall data– Examine the characteristics of your water system

• Look for patterns of use by customer class• Compare use to rainfall data


Qualitative Methods• Best for Public Education / Behavioral Measures

– Education is effective, but how effective?– Combine with other measures can aid process

• Information Gathering– Perfection is not the goal

• It’s easy to get caught up in flaws of data collection methods• Your own data is the best data

– Mix in interviews and/or focus groups• Questionnaires don’t tell the full story

– Field Staff are excellent resources– Proper Survey Design

• The Shorter the Survey, the Better the Response Rate• Avoid open ended questions


Cost Assumptions• Calculate the Marginal Cost of Producing Water

– Focus on Variable Costs1. Chemicals used in Treatment Process2. Electricity, Gas3. Maintenance and Repair

– If operating at supply capacity, include estimated fixed costs of expansion projects, if data is available.

1. Facilities, Vehicles, and Equipment2. Bond and Loan Repayments3. Additional Employment Wages

• Values in Present Terms and Future Terms• Production Costs vs. Delivery Costs• Put into terms you can use (normalize)

– $/ccf– $/gal/day


Measure Selection• Number of

Measures Required for your System

• Should support your Conservation Goal

• Targets your customers

System’s Number of Connections

Measures Required

Less than 500 1

500 - 999 4

1,000 - 2,499 5

2,500 - 9,999 6

10,000 – 49,999 9

50,000 or more 12


Targeting your Program• Base your Program on:

– Customer Type• Find something for everyone, if possible

– Seasonal Patterns– Changes in Plumbing Codes– Staff Capabilities and Budget

• How to Target customers?– Identify your Community’s leaders– Water Bill Complainers– Smart Technology can help


Running your Program• Ongoing Data Collection: The more, the better

– Require data collection for all measures– Be conservative when estimating– Evaluate your target audience

• Example: High Efficiency Showerheads– Collect the following information (at a minimum) when

distributing the showerhead:• Name, Address, Year Home Built (optional), Household Size

(optional), Resident Age (optional), Average shower time (optional)– Coordinate distribution with meter reading or maintenance

schedules– If running a “hang and pray” program, target oldest

neighborhoods first


Program Cost Saving Tips• Data Collection Costs

– Pass collection efforts on to participant• Utilize online forms when possible or appropriate

– Be conservative when estimating– Require data collection at the time of distribution

• Distribution Costs– Keep indoor residential kits and leak detection kits in all

maintenance vehicles.– Coordinate distribution with meter reading routes– Implement a “Fixture is free, installation has a fee” policy

• Administrative, Evaluation, and Reporting Costs– Organizing your data (and electronically!) can minimize

annual reporting costs from year-to-year


Useful Strategies• Combine Measures

– When delivering indoor kit, provide educational brochures on behavioral changes as a supplement

• Once a Saver, always a Saver– People inquiring about high efficiency appliances are

more likely to be receptive to other conservation measures

• Include Annual Reporting on Efficiency Program with Consumer Confidence Report– Save on distribution costs– Establishes an annual pattern


Online Resources• Garden Planner Tool – Building a Water Wise Garden

– http://www.h2ouse.org/gardensoft/index.aspx• Tools from AWWA

– Unit Conversion Tool: http://www.awwa.org/Resources/– WaterWiser Drip Calculator:

http://www.awwa.org/awwa/waterwiser/dripcalc.cfm• Water Use It Wisely Links

– http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/toolsLinks/index.shtml• King County Rainfall Data Collection:

– http://green.kingcounty.gov/WLR/Waterres/hydrology/GaugeMap.aspx • Partnership for Water Conservation:

– http://www.partners4water.org• State DOH Office of Drinking Water:

– http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/default.htm


Questions and Comments

Conserve To Preserve

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