09-03-1996 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda Section STAFF REPORT Report Number: 1t0/,S Report Date: 8/27/96 • WORKSESrSION MEETING DATE %m September 3, 1996 •A :iiia` -iesF'PanDet'NA's Item Description: Consideration of Water Conservation Measures Administrator's Review/Recommendation: -No Comments to supplement this report -Comments attached. X Explanation/Summary(attach supplement sheets as necessary) Summary: The City was mandated by the Met Council to develop a Water Emergency and Conservation Plan in 1995. This plan is currently in the review stages at Met Council. One comment from Met Council was, that the City should introduce and proceed with additional conservation measures. The only measure currently in place is the seasonal watering ban. The State Plumbing Code requires low flow faucet aerators and low flow toilets. Staff attended sessions at the Water Conference this year where conservation measures and retrofits were highly valued. Staff received information from vendors to provide both low flow faucet aerators and toilet tank dams as part of a possible start to the City's conservation plan. An analysis based on water pumped and wastewater treatment measured by Met Council show a steady •increase in the amount of wastewater produced, and some peaks in an otherwise average amount of water production. By initiating these two conservation measures, the residents could reduce the amount of water consumed and decrease the wastewater produced. Revenues would be slightly reduces from water sales, and expenses related to wastewater treatment would also be reduced. The following is the results of the analysis. It is based on the usage of an average family of four. The toilet tank dams could reduce the usage from 6 gallons per flush to 3.5 gallons per flush. This could result in a reduction of wastewater treatment expenses by approximately $35,000.00 or a 67 % savings. Resulting wastewater produced would be approximately 28.30 million gallons per year. Water production could be reduced by 28.3 million gallons per year with the toilet dams alone. Water revenue is anticipated to be reduced by $36,790. It is unknown the amount of water conservation that would be achieved through the low flow aerators. The cost to provide every residential property with a kit which would include one pair of toilet tank dams, one low flow aerator, one dye tablet for toilet bowls is $21,115.00. Funds were budgeted, $5,000.00 in the Water Department, for conservation education and measures in the 1996 budget. Staff is requesting a transfer of funds from the Water Contingency Fund of$5,000.00 and the remaining $11,115.00 transferred from the Wastewater Contingency Fund to the Infrastructure fund to pay for the retrofits. Staff will delivery the packets and information to the residents. (Additional single units will be available should residents request them.) The anticipated pay back for the retrofits is approximately 7 '/2 months. Staff will provide further explanation of the calculations at the work session. Staff will advertise this program in the local papers and cable TV if Council approves and authorizes the program. • „. Michael Ulrich, Director of Public orks