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1 <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD <br />AGENDA ITEM 6B <br /> <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator <br /> <br />MEETING DATE: July 31st, 2024 <br /> <br />REQUEST: Discussion only <br /> <br />TOPIC: Metropolitan Council Clean Water Fund Grant <br />______________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />The City of Lino Lakes has been promoting water conservation strategies in an effort to provide <br />for reasonable use while recognizing that there is increased demand on finite water supplies. <br />Utilizing water-saving devices is one important and effective strategy residents can utilize to <br />reduce water consumption. The Metropolitan Council recently offered Water Efficiency Grant <br />funds to help residents purchase United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) <br />WaterSense certified products to enhance water conservation efforts in individual homes. <br /> <br />Staff submitted a grant proposal for this program that has been approved for funding. The City <br />Council approved Resolution No. 24-91, accepting the Metropolitan Council Clean Water Grant <br />funds on July 8th, 2024. The $22,000 award must be met with a 20% match. For the program <br />total of $27,500, the City match is $5,500. The program end date is June 30th, 2026. <br /> <br />US EPA WaterSense products that would be eligible for rebates under this grant program <br />include dishwashers, clothes washers, shower heads, toilets, and smart irrigation controllers. <br />Staff is still evaluating how the rebate program would be structured, but we have had success <br />with selling discounted smart irrigation controllers through the last Water Efficiency Grant <br />award that the City received in 2022. <br /> <br />One option under consideration is to provide rebates for WaterSense certified products at 80% <br />up to a cap of $150. Including an upper limit on the rebate amount allows for a greater <br />program impact as more water conserving devices can be purchased and installed in the City. <br />An example of this option is provided as an attachment with hypothetical program impacts. <br /> <br />Staff is seeking feedback from the Environmental Board on the proposed option or any <br />adjustments staff should incorporate into the program (i.e. more device options, change to <br />rebate cap, etc.). <br /> <br /> <br />