02-01-2021 Council Work Session Packet

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WS — Item 3 Date: To: WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 3 February 1st, 2021 City Council From: Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator Jessica Eller, Community Development Intern Re: Smart Irrigation Controller Program Background Fresh water is a finite resource. In our area, over 60% of water usage for a typical home is used for outdoor irrigation during the growing season. Of that water use, roughly 50% is wasted on overwatering, evaporation, and non -target watering. Wasted fresh water could easily reach 150 gallons per house per day. One of the most powerful and easy to implement options to improve our water conservation efforts in the City involves increasing the efficiency of outdoor irrigation. As part of the City's water conservation efforts, staff is proposing to implement a smart irrigation controller purchase program. $20,000 was budgeted for this program in the 2021 Water Utility budget. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -certified WaterSense smart irrigation controllers greatly reduce overwatering by tailoring irrigation system operation to local weather, plant type, soil type, slopes, and other factors. We have the ability to purchase around 100 Rachio 3 controllers using $20,000 from the Water Utility Fund. These controllers usually cost $230, but the City will be able to purchase them for $190 at a bulk -rate discount. Staff is proposing to offer these controllers to residents at a discounted rate of $38 each (20% of our cost). The Rachio 3 controllers were selected based on Wi-Fi compatibility, the quality of the customer help -line, ease of installation, and ease of operation. The City of Woodbury offered several controllers in their similar program and surveys returned by residents showed the Rachio 3 as the clear choice. The City of Hugo also offers Rachio 3 controllers and they have received positive feedback as well. This program could possibly be expanded in the future through acquisition of Met Council Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment Grant funds, which would provide a 75% match and allow for the purchase of many more controllers. There is also the possibility of including an ordinance in City Code requiring that all irrigation controllers installed in new homes bear the EPA WaterSense certification to further bolster our water conservation efforts.