HomeMy WebLinkAboutInfo Rprt - Water Conservation Efforts by the CityCITY OF PALM DESERT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: RECEIVE AND FILE INFORMATION IN REGARD TO WATER
CONSERVATION EFFORTS
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works
DATE: January 28, 2016
CONTENTS: Water Savings and Fines (July -December 2015)
Photo of Washington Charter Park
Recommendation
Receive and file information in regard to water conservation efforts.
Background
In 2010, the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) implemented tiered water rates
that penalize excessive water use by charging higher rates for higher usage. There are
5 Tier categories with Tier 1 being "Excellent" and Tier 5 being "Wasteful." Since that
rate structure went into effect, the Landscape Services Division has been working to
increase efficiency of water use in the landscaped areas maintained by the City.
In April 2015, Governor Brown implemented a mandatory 25 percent statewide water
reduction to reduce potable urban water usage. The state -set goal for water usage
reduction for CVWD is 36 percent. Governor Brown's drought —related water restrictions
have been extended through October 2016. This reflects the widely known fact that
even in an extreme El Nino year, such as we are undergoing, the effects of the drought
will continue for at least the foreseeable future.
On July 1, 2015, a Tier 2 Drought Penalty was implemented for customers that failed to
reduce their outdoor water budget by 36 percent. Staff has implemented measures
such as program changes to the irrigation systems, replacement of outdated irrigation
systems, and not overseeding to reduce irrigation by the required percentage. These
changes have resulted in an average water reduction of 32.41 percent for the period of
July through December, 2015. Even with the reduction in usage, the City has incurred
an additional $4,985.16 in penalties compared to the same period in the prior year.
Given that maintaining the City's parks is water intensive, this increase in assessed
penalties is relatively minor and can be attributed to several factors such as failure of
outdated irrigations systems, normal park use and programmed events, increased
irrigation run time to salvage mature trees, increasing irrigation at the Hovley Soccer
Staff Report
Receive and File Information in Regard to Water Conservation Efforts
January 28, 2016
Page 2 of 2
Park to promote the Bermuda grass, vandalism, and increased penalty rates
implemented by CVWD.
The water savings has also come at a cost. Actively used parks such as Washington
Charter Park, Freedom Soccer Park, Hovley Soccer Park, and the four dog parks have
seen the turf severely deteriorate due to the reduced water and not overseeding or
sodding this year. The soil has become compacted and is either too dusty or too wet
when the parks are used. Staff has received complaints regarding the lack of turf,
including calls from Washington Charter School parents reporting an increase in
asthma -related incidences as a result of the additional dust. To properly correct this
issue, the Washington Charter Park will be sodded and the cost included in the budget.
Watering will be increased in other heavily used park areas in an attempt to keep the
Bermuda grass viable. This will result in increased water usage and penalties
Fiscal Analvsis
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Depa e t Head: Approval:
Mark Gr a ood, P.Irr Jo M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
Director f ublic Works
G IPubWorkstStaff Reportsl2016Vanuary28101 Receive and File Information in Regard to Water ConservationlSR Info rfem -Water Conservation docx
2015
Month
Savings
July
32.24%
August
32 15%
September
30.49%
October
32.79%
November
33.64%
December
33.17%
Average
Savings.
32.41 %
Water Savings and Fines
Additional Fees
2015 Fines
2014 Fines Paid in 2015
$ 6,013.96
$
10,249.00
$ 5,999.76
$
5,015.92
$ 9,56816
$
3,868.96
$ 5,208.03
$
5,458.32
$ 2,721.86
$
1,057.28
$ 1,890.07
$
767.20
Total
Fines: $ 31,401.84 $ 26,416.68 $ 4,985.16
Washington Charter Park
Freedom Soccer Field
7,000 sq. ft. x $1.75 = $12,250
Freedom Dog Park
4,000 sq. ft. x $1.75 = $7,000
Joe Mann Dag Park
1,000 sq. ft. x $1.75 = $1,750
Civic Center Dog Park
5,000 sq. ft. x $1.75 ; $8,750
University Deg Park
3,000 sq. ft. x $1.75 = $5,250