Water Use Efficiency Goals Details
Goal Install service meters by January 2017.
Goal Type This goal is required by the WUE Rule.
Objective Treasure Island has source meters but no service meters. When completed, this goal will enable us to calculate distribution system leakage. As the meters are installed, we will be able to start providing customers with baseline data on how much water they are using. The goal will also allow us to work with customers to identify leaks downstream of the service connections (i.e., customer leaks).
Measurement Treasure Island has 235 service connections. Service meters will be installed over the next six years on a straight-line basis (approximately 40 service connections per year). Service meters for any new connections will be installed when the connection is made.
Timeframe The goal's timeframe is required by the WUE Rule. It will be completed over a six-year period with approximately one-sixth of the meters installed each year.
Cost-effectiveness To be evaluated. Installation of service meters will allow us to develop customer baseline data on water use and to work with customers to identify customer leaks. Both should contribute to reducing the amount of water used.
Funding Source Service meters will be funded partially from the water system annual operating budget and partially from the Asset Replacement Fund. Service meters for new connections will be paid for by the property owners. Collection and development of customer usage data, including any software programs needed, will be funded from the water system annual operating budget.
Other Discussion As part of the installation process, service connections will be standardized. This includes meter boxes, shutoff valves, water lines, and connections for backflow devices. Concerning customer usage data, the emphasis will begin with year-round residents because developing usage profiles for them will be faster and more accurate.
Goal As service meters are installed, work with customers to identify and fix customer leaks.
Goal Type This is a demand-side goal.
Objective Finding and fixing customer leaks will contribute to customers using less water. A written leak-detection procedure will be provided to all customers as service meters are installed. It will also be posted on the Treasure Island web site.
Measurement The number of customer leaks is unknown. The goal will be to work with every customer to determine if they have a leak. Some part-time residents may be difficult to contact.
Timeframe This goal will be completed over a six-year period as service meters are installed.
Cost-effectiveness We do not have an estimate of how many customers have leaks, making cost-effectiveness difficult to quantify. Although the program will be voluntary, customers will be strongly encouraged to fix any leaks that are detected. The estimated usage savings, on average, is 5 percent for each customer with a leak that is repaired.
Funding Source The cost of reminder mailings, technical assistance, site visits, and conservation messages will come out of the annual water system operating budget. The major costs of the goal (locating and fixing leaks) will be borne by customers. Should we decide to provide leak-detection kits, funding will be from the water system operating budget.
Other Discussion The Treasure Island water department will develop and maintain a list of qualified leak-detection specialists as well as plumbing contractors. Many customers will be able to complete the leak-detection procedure on their own. We could offer an incentive for reporting completion of the procedure. Other customers will need assistance. In some cases usage figures may point to customer leaks. Depending on how the program is communicated, we might use a combination of contacting customers and having them contact us.
Goal Reduce peak month production by 1 percent per service connection by 2017.
Goal Type This is a demand-side goal.
Objective Peak months for water use on Treasure Island are June, July, and August, when part-time residents and guests greatly increase the demand for water. By 2017 the objective is to reduce the amount of water used by 1 percent during these three months from current usage. The comparison will be between the three-year averages for 2008–2010 and 2015–2017.
Measurement Treasure Island has comprehensive data on the amount of source water pumped per month for the last decade. We will continue to collect and record that data. We do not have data on source water consumed by customers because installation of service meters only began in 2011 and will not be complete until 2017. Therefore, for this goal, the comparison will be made using data on source water pumped. Treasure Island has 235 service connections. Up to 20 connections may be added between now and 2017 with a resulting increase in overall demand. To allow for an accurate comparison, the data will be compared on the basis of the average amount of water pumped per service connection.
Timeframe The goal will be completed over a six-year period and it dovetails with completion of service meter installation.
Cost-effectiveness The reduced demand should result in some savings in wear-and-tear on the pumps. It will also reduce the amount of water pumped from the aquifer. Treasure Island does not currently bill customers based on the amount of water used. Therefore, there will no loss of revenue to the water system.
Funding Source Collection and development of customer usage data, including any software programs needed, will be funded from the water system annual operating budget. Conservation messages and other customer outreach programs will likewise be funded from the water system budget.
Other Discussion This is a modest goal. It is set low because our customers do not know how much water they are using now. After all service meters are installed and customers are more knowledgeable on water use, we expect to increase the goal in a future goal-setting session.
More Thoughts
The Treasure Island meters will measure usage in gallons. Many water companies provide usage data in cubic feet. Part-time residents who receive water bills from such purveyors will need to be reminded of the relationship between gallons and cubic feet.
Once we have source meters we can provide quarterly usage information via mail (perhaps like the graph on an electric bill).