nrgideas’s posterous

Water conservation and strict new state requirements for state grants and loans were the subject of a special meeting of the Amador Water Agency directors on Thursday.

Eligibility for state grants and loans is now conditioned on the agency's compliance with state-mandated water conservation measures. The state goal? To reduce per capita water use by 20 percent by the year 2020. The state goal includes residential, commercial and industrial potable water use, and does not factor in agricultural water use.

Leslie Dumas of RMC Water and Environment, a consultant for the agency, presented details on the 14 Best Management Practices for water conservation developed by the California Urban Water Conservation Council, that are now the basis for the state's water conservation effort.

These BMPs include a conservation coordinator for the agency, public information and school education programs, rebates for high efficiency plumbing fixtures and washing machines, mandatory water metering, tiered water rates, water audits for customers and for the Agency system, incentives for large users, and ordinances prohibiting water wasting. The agency must demonstrate progress toward implementing all 14 BMPs when applying for any state water project grant or loan.

AWA Board President Terry Moore said that agency directors support water conservation efforts and aren't motivated solely by the new requirements for state money. Moore said that stepped-up water conservation efforts would save the agency money by reducing the amount of water treatment needed and lowering energy costs.

On the other hand, District 1 Director Bill Condrashoff noted, "The less water we use, the more we pay," referring to the impact a 20 percent reduction in water sales would have on the Agency tasked with providing county-wide water infrastructure and maintenance, regardless of how much water is used.

Directors will also have to wrestle with how to pay for new activities, rebates and incentives at a time when the Amador Water Agency has cut over $600,000 in operating costs from its current budget and recently reduced rate increases.

Katherine Evatt, representing the Foothill Conservancy, called conservation "the least expensive, most reliable source of new water" for the county's future and said she was very happy with the direction of the agency's water conservation planning.

Directors Don Cooper and Debbie Dunn volunteered to form an ad hoc committee to develop a formal water conservation policy statement for consideration by the full board in August. Another public workshop will be held later this summer to review and take public comment on a draft plan for addressing the 14 required water conservation BMPs.

LOS ANGELES—The nation's second-largest city is making significant progress in conserving water.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported Monday that water demand in June was at a 32-year low for the month.

Water use by single-family customers last month was 12.7 percent lower than in June 2008 and nearly 17 percent lower than in June 2007, when residents were first asked to cut use by 10 percent.

Water conservation became mandatory on June 1, with use of outdoor sprinklers restricted to two days a week, and other measures.

The city is facing a shortage because of drought and regulatory restrictions on supplies.

TAVARES -- No matter how much falls from the sky or bubbles up from underground springs, water availability will always be a concern in Florida.

So, preserving and managing its usage are the responsibility of communities and individuals alike.

To help residents of Tavares better monitor water use, the city is hosting a water conservation seminar 5 p.m. today at the Tavares Civic Center.

"The purpose of the seminar is to save Tavares water customers millions of dollars, which will be required for future capital expenditures if customer behavior is not modified," said Brad Hayes, the city's utilities director. "It is also designed to benefit both residential and business customers."

Water conservation consultant Ida Roberts will conduct the seminar. Her 20 years in this field has given her a wide berth of experience, especially when it comes to the greatest single gulper of water in the state.

"Depending on the community, irrigation uses 50-75 percent of the water in anyone's home," Roberts said. "More grass in Florida dies from overwatering than underwatering."

That's just one of the topics she'll address in her presentation. Other subjects include how to train St. Augustine grass to require less water, the installation of micro-irrigation for plants and shrubs, selecting flowers which need little supplemental irrigation and federal, state and local government laws which require water conservation standards for plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances. Roberts will also offer water saving tips for hotels, restaurants, apartment buildings, hospitals and other businesses.

"I find communities and their residents very receptive," Roberts said. "Unfortunately, the people who come are already interested. So, I'm trying to get as many people as possible to attend the seminar, because once they learn about the aquifer and the ways to save water, they get very conscious of it. That will not only benefit them immediately in money savings, in the long term, it will really benefit them, because treating surface water is very, very expensive."

The Allen Public Library will host a free screening of the new water conservation documentary, "Texas: The State of Flowing Water” Monday evening.

The documentary lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and will be followed by raffle drawings for various prizes.

“Texas: The State of Flowing Water” examines water resource threats facing Texas and looks at what people can do to protect the state’s most precious natural resource. The documentary features images of rivers, springs, bays and estuaries, plus interviews with a wide array of experts, stakeholders and policy makers in Texas. It is the fourth in an award-winning series of water resource documentaries produced by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

“It’s important for the city to promote conservation because water is a renewable resource and we cannot make more,” said Andrea Smith, water education specialist. “A significant portion of water we drink in the future is water we’re conserving today.”

Smith said the documentary was also shown earlier in the month and had an adequate turnout.

“We had close to 50 people watch the video last time, which is a good turnout, but this is something that everyone needs to see,” she said. “The reason why we’re showing the film is to bring awareness of the water in the state and why it’s important to conserve.”

The documentary is made possible in part by a grant from the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program, which funds nearly $18 million in Texas conservation efforts each year from purchases of fishing equipment and motorboat fuels. It is part of a multi-year TPWD communication initiative called “Texas: The State Of Water,” supported this year with additional sponsor funding from the San Antonio River Authority, Brazos River Authority, the Texas Water Foundation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, according to the documentary’s companion Web site.

Among other things, the documentary will explore the vital importance of water for humans, as well as the diverse groups of fish and wildlife that depend on water for survival. The video will look at the threats facing Texas’ waterways and what can be done to protect the natural resource and diminish the risk of future water shortages. Impacts to the natural flow of rivers will be examined, including a profile of the Fastrill Reservoir project, which is proposed for the same area where a new national wildlife refuge is being created on the Neches River.

Climate change is a new topic explored in “The State of Flowing Water.” The documentary will follow the trend of how changing weather conditions and patterns could alter Texas ecology. It will also examine the importance of keeping Texas rivers flowing into coastal estuaries and bays. It will look at how increasing municipal demand has elevated the importance of water conservation measures. It explores the link between creek beds and aquifer recharge. It shows how more Texans are gaining an appreciation of our rivers and bays through the ever-increasing number of designated paddling trails.

The documentary includes a brief look at the trend of green building and how simple steps people can take can collectively do a lot to diminish future water shortages.

Smith also wants to remind Allen residents that July is smart irrigation month.

“Allen residents can start conserving water by checking irrigation systems and perform maintenance to make sure there is no unnecessary water loss and adjust irrigation systems seasonally,” she said. “The city also frequently provides classes for more tips.”

The free screening of “Texas: The State of Flowing Water” will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Allen Public Library civic auditorium.

The city of Kerrville avoided Stage 3 water restrictions last week after a brief rain, cooler temperatures and conservation efforts by the community.

Original predictions showed Kerrville headed to Stage 3 restrictions as early as Thursday,

July 24.

Now the city says, "if citizens continue to conserve in the same manner that they did this past week, then Stage 3 of the water conservation plan can be postponed indefinitely."

"The single biggest impact to Kerrville's water system has been the reduction in water usage by the Kerrville water users," a city press release read. "Kerrville avoided stage three by simply conserving water. In fact, water usage for Thursday was one of the lowest Kerrville has had all year."

A brief rain shower moved through the area on Tuesday, dropping between .25 and .4 inches of rain throughout most of Kerrville.

Another factor that helped was several days of cloudy weather that kept temperatures below average.

The seven-day average use for the safe operating capacity of the city never reached the average of 95 percent, which would have automatically triggered stage three restrictions.

"The various stages of Kerrville's water conservation plan are triggered, and directly related to, water availability and water consumption," according to the release.

Last week, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality cut the city back to one million gallons daily intake from the Guadalupe River -- down from 6.4 million daily gallons at full capacity.

Water users can monitor the city's water usage table online at www.kerrville.org/index.aspx?nid=513.

The public is encouraged by the city to visit the site daily and, city officials said, "do their part in conserving water to avoid the inconvenience of entering Stage 3 of the conservation plan.

Redway Community Services District is currently having a severe water shortage. Water is being used faster than our system can produce it.

Effective July 16, Redway Community Services District is in a Level 2 Conservation Alert. Level 2 includes many mandatory water restrictions. In addition, all voluntary Level 1 conservation practices become mandatory. The Level 2 restrictions include:

* Landscape irrigation is limited to no more than two assigned days per week. Homes and businesses with odd-numbered addresses can water Sunday and Wednesday; homes and businesses with even-numbered addresses can water Tuesday and Saturday.

* On your watering day, you may only water from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

* Landscape irrigation using sprinklers is limited to no more than ten minutes maximum per watering station per assigned day (does not apply to drip, micro-irrigation).

* Trees and shrubs not irrigated by a landscape irrigation system may be watered no more than two assigned days per week by using a hand-held container, hand-held hose with positive shut-off nozzle, or low-volume soaker hose.

* Vehicle washing is permitted only in the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. with a hand-held container or a hand-held hose with a positive shut-off nozzle for quick rinses, or at any time on the immediate premises of a commercial car wash. Vehicle washing required for public health and safety is exempt.

* Water use by commercial car washes which do not use partially re-circulated water will be reduced in volume by an amount determined by the Board of Directors.

* All leaks must be stopped or repaired upon discovery or within 72 hours of notification by Operations Manager.

* Birdbaths, fishponds and any ornamental water feature using a re-circulating pump and which does not shoot water into the air are allowed under Level 2. Water fountains which discharge into the air a jet or stream of water are banned under Level 2 restrictions. However, these fountains may be operated for maintenance purposes. Any water feature that does not re-circulate water is banned.

* Use of recycled or non-potable water is required for construction purposes when available.

* Water use from fire hydrants is limited to fire fighting only. Construction operations will not use water obtained by a fire hydrant.

Friends and neighbors are encouraged to remind one another of these guidelines if they see water being overused or wasted.

Level 1 Voluntary Measures (now mandatory)

1. Avoid use of water which results in flooding or run-off in gutters, waterways, patios, driveway, or streets.

2. Do not use water for washing cars, buses, boats, trailers or other vehicles without a positive shut-off nozzle on the outlet end of the hose. Exceptions include washing vehicles at commercial or fleet vehicle washing facilities operated at locations where equipment using water is properly maintained to avoid wasteful use.

3. Do not use water for washing buildings, structures, sidewalks, walkways, driveways, patios, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas in a manner which results in excessive run-off or waste.

4. Limit use of water for watering streets with trucks, except for initial wash-down for construction purposes (if street sweeping is not feasible), or to protect the health and safety of the public.

5. Limit use of water for construction purposes, such as consolidation of backfill, dust control, or other uses unless no other source of water or other method can be used.

6. Water outside plants, lawn, landscape, and turf areas no more often than every other day, as noted on page one of this notice. This provision shall not apply to commercial nurseries.

8. Water outside plants and turf areas using a hand-held hose only with a positive shut-off valve.

9. Eliminate use of water for decorative fountains or the filling or topping off of decorative ponds. Exceptions are made for those decorative fountains, lakes, or ponds which utilize recycled water.

10. Please restrict use of water for the filling or refilling of swimming pools, spas or hot tubs. Do not allow children to play with a running hose.

11. Limit service of water by any restaurant except upon the request of the patron.

12. The District may limit the use of water through any connection when the utility has notified the customer in writing to repair broken or defective plumbing, sprinkler, watering or irrigation system and the customer has failed to make such repairs within five days after receipt of such notice.

Additional common sense conservation methods include, but are not limited to the following:

13. Turn off water when using sinks and brushing teeth.

14. Place a bucket or two in your shower to catch the water while warming up, and use it to water plants.

15. Run only full laundry and dishwasher loads. Most dishwashers do not require dishes to be pre-rinsed, just scraped before loading.

16. Always set a timer when watering outside to remind you to move or shut off sprinklers after 10 minutes.

LA VERNE - The City Council voted to enact mandatory water rationing at its Monday night meeting. The "phase III" plan calls for penalties beginning Aug. 1 for those who don't reduce water use by 10percent. The city was at "phase I," which called for voluntary cuts in water use. "Phase II" was skipped to show residents the seriousness of water shortages, said Mayor Don Kendrick.

"I think it is important to raise the bar of urgency," he said. "To let people know we are not in a non-emergency situation." The penalties for multifamily units, commercial and industrial buildings will be $2.61 per each 1,000 gallons beyond the allotted amount. For residential homes, the penalties get more serious as more water is used. Penalties range from 18 cents per 1,000 gallons to $2.61 per 1,000 gallons, administrative superintendent Jeanette Vagnozzi said. Allotments are based on individual month averages from 2004, 2005 and 2006, city officials said.

Kendrick said the increased urgency is not a sign that the voluntary "phase I" plan was failing. Residents voluntarily had cut water use by about 13 percent, officials said. "We want more people to participate," Kendrick said. "More than likely, the residents of La Verne will go much beyond the 10 percent." Fliers and informational packets will be distributed to residents via water bills. City officials also plan to host community meetings. Alongwith the cuts, a few new rules also will kick in.

They include: fixing plumbing issues within 48 hours, no water runoff, using hoses with a valve turnoff while washing cars, no sidewalk spraying, and no use of decorative fountains unless the water is recycled, Vagnozzi said.

Recent district court rulings restrict Atlanta's access to Lake Lanier
Photo credit: www.obeo.com

Georgia, and the city of Atlanta in particular, could be facing dry days ahead if leaders from two other neighboring states can’t negotiate an agreement within the next three years.

According to the Associated Press, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia remain in a deadlock over the fate of Lake Lanier, but could be forced to the bargaining table, leaving Georgia politicians in a tight situation – either succumb to strict demands by neighboring states, such as tight water efficiency standards, costly construction and infrastructure projects, and round-the-clock checkpoints, or leave Georgia out to dry by cutting water supplies to levels they were decades ago.

District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson ruled July 17 that Georgia was required to cease all activity and water withdrawals from the lake immediately, as the water reservoir is protected for alternative uses of power, and does not exist as an unrestricted supply for the city. Usage of Lake Lanier, Atlanta’s primary water source to over 5.5 million as of 2009, must undergo permission by Congress if the city wants access to it.

Larry Sanders, Interim Director of the Turner Environmental Law Clinic at Emory University Law School, stated that the tri-state predicament is unusual, and that Judge Magnuson’s district court ruling is based on issues of legality, not on who needs or wants the water most.

New buildings in Los Angeles will be required to have low-flow faucets, toilets, urinals, shower heads and other plumbing devices under a law passed today by the City Council.

Officials with the Department of Water and Power said the water conservation ordinance, which is part of the city’s Green Building program, would reduce water consumption in new buildings by 20%. The measure would help building owners save money as well, said Council President Eric Garcetti.

“A waterless urinal gives you a return on your investment in the same year that it is purchased,” he said.

Water-efficient devices also will be required when property owners upgrade their plumbing fixtures, city officials said. As more fixtures are installed, “water conservation will become a way of life without people even having to think about it,” said DWP General Manager H. David Nahai.

visit www.nrgideas.com for low flow water saving fixtures.

 A report released today by California's Pacific Institute estimates that reasonable water conservation improvements on the state's farms could save a huge amount of water--far more than what farmers have been forced to relinquish to protect fish habitat during the state's ongoing drought. The amount that could be saved, 1.8 trillion gallons annually, is more than 15 times the size of the municipal supply of San Francisco. 

The report, Sustaining California Agriculture in an Uncertain Future, provides considerable ammunition to environmentalists their fight with farmers over the West's dwindling water resources. In the midst of the third year of drought in California, growers are blaming endangered species laws for crimping their water supply and contributing to more than $1 billion in lost revenue this summer. Though they've used their plight to call for weakening environmental regulations and building more dams and reservoirs, the report suggests their efforts are misplaced. Smarter conservation has allowed some growers "to increase their income, crop yields, and production, even during drought," says Pacific Institute president Peter Gleick. "Such success stories offer the state a vision of what a healthy agricultural future might look like."

The water conservation methods that the Gleick studied are already in use in the state, though many farmers cling to older practices. For example, 60 percent of crops in California are still irrigated by flooding the field, even though drip irrigation methods can easily halve water use. The report also suggests that farmers apply less water to crops during drought-tolerant growth stages and use sensors that can detect when soil is dry. 

These ideas can seem far-removed from our lives until we realize that the products we consume account for more than 90 percent of our daily water use, far more than what comes out of our taps. I explore this idea in "What's Your Water Footprint," a piece in the current issue.  The Pacific Institute and other environmental groups eventually hope the concept of a water footprint will catch on much as carbon footprints have. The idea could be used to reward farmers who do the right thing, either with tax breaks, loans, or a premium for the products they sell. 

The case for looking at carbon footprints and water footprints together is stronger than ever. A new study from the University of Colorado found that climate change creates a 50 percent chance that the reservoirs supplied by the Colorado River, the West's main water source, could run dry by 2057. If that happens, all the water conservation technology in the world still probably won't save us.