HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 4 WTR CONSV UPDT 10-21-91REPORTS NO. 4
10-21-91
Inter -Com
ITE: OCTOBER 17, 1991
TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: FINANCE
SUBJECT: WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file Water Conservation and Variance Update and
authorize staff to continue the Summer allotments through the
winter period.
DISCUSSION:
Since the inception of the City's mandatory Water Conservation
Program, all 13,000 water customers have been billed twice. Staff
continues to receive requests for variances to the allowable water
usage. To date, staff has approved up to 3000 requests. Currently
Staff accepts variance requests by phone to expedite the process.
Penalties for consumption above the allowable usage are averaging
$33.82. Approximately 100 variances are being reviewed and credits
may be granted.
Staff is continuing to work with both apartment owners and
commercial users to obtain an appropriate conservation rate. Staff
feels that these accounts may be eligible for variances which will
result in credits. The number of requests for variances has
tapered off (about five requests received daily), although the
requests to re-evaluate variances continue to increase.
Water customers have made a tremendous conservation effort. During
the month of September there was a 19 percent reduction in
consumption. Attachment I details conservation efforts by month.
Additionally, Attachment II graphically depicts water conservation
target information. The 19 percent reduction was obtained even
though unseasonal weather conditions were experienced during the
month of September.
The City avoided paying penalties and received $21,918 in incentive
credits due to our conscious effort to obtain a 19 percent
reduction in our water purchase. Metropolitan Water District's
Board has eliminated these types of incentive credits effective
October 1, 1991, but has increased the penalty charge by $50.00
for exceeding the purchased water target. When the City exceeds
the targeted usage, the total cost of an acre-foot will be $707.00
October 16, 1991
Water Conservation Update
Page 2
($263 cost of water plus $444 penalty). Purchased water targets
continue to remain at 70 percent of 1989-90 base year usage which
requires a 15 percent water reduction to the City water system.
The City has entered into a Professional Services Agreement with
the firm of Bartle Wells and Associates to conduct a Water Rate
Study Program. This, study may have a potential impact on our
future rates and water conservation programs.
The mandatory Water Conservation Program has been very successful
in obtaining consistent water reduction which in turn has lead to
the avoidance of penalties. The conservation program sets separate
allocations for the summer periods and for the winter periods, with
the winter allocations beginning in November. At this time, staff
has researched the effects of continuing with the summer allocation
throughout the winter period and has determined that if we continue
to obtain the current conservation level, the City would avoid any
penalties.
It is recommended that we allow water service customers their
summer allotments to be used during the winter period, with the
option to revert to winter allotments if the City cannot meet its
conservation targets and is forced to pay penalties. If
authorization is given, staff will mail out postcards to notify
water service customers of this change and to congratulate them for
obtaining and maintaining conservation goals.
Ron'Id A. Nault
Director of Finance
RAN: IH: ls
awpdate.wtr
Irma Hernandez
Administrative Assistant
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