Water Use and Conservation Plan & Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) Palm Springs Unified School...

Water Use and Conservation Plan&

Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB)

Palm Springs Unified School DistrictBoard Study Session

July 28, 2015

Water Use and Conservation

• On April 9, 2015, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ordered the water companies under its jurisdiction to notify customers of emergency regulations that were put into place by the State Water Resources Control Board on March 17, 2015, in order to preserve sufficient potable water and ensure safe drinking water for Californians.

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• On April 1, 2015, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order mandating a 25 percent state-wide reduction or cut in water use through February 2016 as compared with 2013 water usage data for all urban water users

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• The new restrictions are in effect through February 2016, and set a different target for each agency depending on how much water its customers use per capita and conservation progress since last year

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• The governor also called for urban water agencies to create rate structures, fees and penalties that encourage customers to use less water

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• It also can be expected that if the mandates are met, utility bills will increase for the District regardless, as a result of lost revenue by the water companies.

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• Each water district is responsible for enforcing restrictions, and each is responsible for determining its own enforcement approach.

• Violations typically start with a written warning, followed by a monetary penalty for subsequent violations and could include discontinuance of service, depending on the agency.

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• 2015 restrictions– Ornamental landscapes or turf with potable water

is allowed, but the company must limit such irrigation to the appropriate water restriction limits

– Turf or ornamental landscapes prohibited during and up to 48 hours following measurable precipitation

– Leak abatement

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Water Use and Conservation• Desert Water Agency, which serves Palm

Springs area including outlying county areas, Desert Hot Springs, part of Cathedral City and Palm Springs

• Coachella Valley Water District, which covers approximately 1,000 square miles, serves mostly within the Coachella Valley

• Mission Springs Water District, which serves Desert Hot Springs and its surrounding area

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Water Use and Conservation• Desert Water Agency, which serves Palm Springs

area including outlying county areas, Desert Hot Springs, part of Cathedral City and Palm Springs– Reduction goal: 36%– Billing structure

• Flat rate of $1.57 per 100 cubic feet (not including other charges and fees)– Reclaimed water is $.79 per 100 cubic feet

– Watering restrictions• Water alternate days depending on address; 7pm until

7am

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Water Use and Conservation• Coachella Valley Water District, which covers

approximately 1,000 square miles, serves mostly within the Coachella Valley– Reduction goal: 36%– Billing structure

• Tier 1 Domestic/Interior use• Tier 2 Irrigation $1.12 per centum cubic feet (ccf, or 100 cubic

feet of water)• Usage above 64% of budget results in an increase to $3.63 per

ccf

– Watering restrictions• No daily restrictions• Water budget is for exterior use only

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Water Use and Conservation• Mission Springs Water District, which serves

Desert Hot Springs and its surrounding area– Reduction goal: 32%– Billing structure• Flat rate of $1.74 per ccf (not including other charges

and fees)

– Watering restrictions• Watering permitted four days per week

– Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday- June 1 to September 30; 6pm to 6am

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• Currently, we use over 80% of our water for exterior uses (grass and landscaping)– In 2014-2015, we spent approximately $1,100,000

on water from the three agencies• In 2013-2014, we used 413 million gallons of water

– $725,438

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• Landscape Areas (trees, shrubs, grass)• Non Functional Ornamental Turf• Functional Ornamental Turf• Play Turf

Where are we using water outside?


• It is important to note that all (3) three water companies allow exceptions where necessary to address an immediate health and safety need or to comply with a term or condition in a permit issued by a state or federal agency.

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• Current PSUSD Measures– Reducing district-wide watering station start times

from operating twice per night at each school site to only once

– Reset irrigation controllers with the seasons – Routinely check sprinkler heads to assure they are

spraying properly– Set the lawn mower to a higher setting– Use drought tolerant plants where practical– Trying to stay within our water budget

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• Obstacles and Challenges– Mainline breaks and stuck valves– Time needed to replace grass with xeriscape (cost

of grass replacement is approximately $7-$8 per sq. ft.• Rebate is minimal- approximately $2/sq. ft.

– Artificial turf– “Fields are classrooms”

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Water Use and Conservation• PSUSD Measures for Consideration– Overseeding pros and cons

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Pros Cons

Overseeding results in a aesthetically pleasing facility for students and visitors

Water costs associated with germinating overseeded areas increases 50%-75% (CVWD will not allot additional water for overseeding)

Overseeding results in a “softer” playing environment for students and reduces minor injuries associated with sports like football and soccer

Fertilizer and seed costs associated with supporting the growth of overseeded areas (approximately $5-$10K per high school)

Overseeding greatly enhances the playability of fields in the spring and summer months when dormant Bermuda grass begins its growing season

Maintenances costs of equipment used to mow, trim, and otherwise maintain overseeded turf

Water Use and Conservation• PSUSD Measures for Consideration– Board Direction

1. Continue to overseed, fertilize, water, and maintain stadium fields?

2. Continue to overseed, fertilize, water, and maintain common areas at Palm Springs High School and Rancho Mirage High School?

3. Continue to allow high schools to solicit donations for seed and then grow that seed on non-stadium fields (typically baseball and softball fields)?

4. Only allow PSHS to overseed because they have access to non-potable water for irrigation?

5. Replace grass parking lot island areas with hardscape and/or desert landscaping

6. Upgrade irrigation control devices for $36,000?7. Install flow and master valve sensors for $103,000?

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1. Continue to overseed, fertilize, water, and maintain stadium fields?

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Recommendation Rationale Cost Fund

Yes Greatly helps preserve the playing surface; creates a safer playing surface

Water: ~$17,000-~$49,000 (RMHS and CCHS only)DHSHS and PSHS- no increase from last yearSeed and Fertilizer: ~$26,400Total: ~$59,400

General Fund; Routine Restricted Maintenance


2. Continue to overseed, fertilize, water, and maintain common areas at Palm Springs High School and Rancho Mirage High School?

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No Grass is for aesthetics and not for safety.

Water: RMHS and PSHS- ~$4,000 to ~$12,000Seed and Fertilizer: ~$8,925Total: ~$25,000



3. Continue to allow high schools to solicit donations for seed and then grow that seed on non-stadium fields (typically baseball and softball fields)?

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No Overseeded areas mainly for aesthetics with limited impact to the playability in regards to safety

Water: ~$24,000-~$70,000 at RMHS; ~$38,000-~$100,000 at CCHS; no increase at DHSHS or PSHS; Fertilizer: ~$36,000Total: ~$152,000



4. Allow PSHS to overseed and fertilize their stadium field because they have access to non-potable water for irrigation?

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Yes A non-potable water supply was planned for and installed for the purposes of servicing the stadium field at PSHS. Non-potable water is not subject to drought regulations.

Seed and Fertilizer: $6,600 (no increase from last year)Total: $6,600



5. Replace grass parking lot island areas with hardscape and/or desert landscaping

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Yes Based on the recommendation from all water districts. The area in question is not for student use and is for aesthetics only (“non-functional ornamental turf”)

~$7-$8 per sq. ft. General Fund; Routine Restricted Maintenance


6. Upgrade irrigation control devices?

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Yes Will bring all school sites on a central control; efficient- based on “evapo-transpiration rate” related to relative humidity

~$36,000 Routine Restricted Maintenance


7. Install flow and master valve sensors?

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Yes Automatically shuts water off when a mainline break is detected. Currently, we average two mainline breaks or stuck valves per week.

$103,000 for 24 schools or ~$4,291 per school.Total: ~$103,000

Routine Restricted Maintenance

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