HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 04/22/2025 - Memorandum from Alice Conovitz re Feb. 25, 2025 Work Session Follow-up: 2025 Fort Collins Utilities Water Efficiency Plan UpdateUtilities
222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
aconovitz@fcgov.com
CC: Mariel Miller, Jill Oropeza, Eric Potyondy
WORK SESSION MEMORANDUM
Date: April 14, 2025
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Nicole Poncelet-Johnson, One Water Executive Director
From: Alice Conovitz, Water Conservation Specialist
Subject: Feb. 25, 2025 Work Session Follow-up: 2025 Fort Collins Utilities Water Efficiency
Plan Update
BOTTOM LINE
The purpose of this memo is to provide follow-up information in response to questions raised
during the Feb. 25, 2025 Work Session on the 2025 Water Efficiency Plan (WEP). A summary
of the discussion was documented in a Work Session Memorandum dated March 4, 2025 with
subject line, “Feb. 25, 2025 Work Session Summary: 2025 Fort Collins Utilities Water Efficiency
Plan Update”.
The background section describes changes to the proposed goals in the draft WEP made
following the Feb. 25 Council Work Session. Additionally, the following items, requested by
Council, are addressed in this memo:
1. For Goal 1, provide examples of how the 4% reduction works year-to-year and over
time.
2. For Goal 1, clarify the City’s responsibility and reduction target to contribute to the
overall percent reduction.
3. Provide additional detail on projects to lower City water use. Provide more information
about the estimated cost of projects and potential funding sources.
4. Provide more information about how water overuse can be identified for residential and
commercial customers.
BACKGROUND
The WEP guides the work of the Water Conservation Division1, One Water Utilities (Utilities),
and the greater City organization as it pertains to water demand management through long-
1 The Utilities Water Conservation Division conducts water demand management to extend water
supplies through conservation and efficiency activities that reduce water demands and lower losses and
inefficiencies.
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term efficiency2. The draft WEP proposes to set two goals intended to lower water demand,
minimize the frequency and magnitude of future water shortages, and build long-term
landscape resilience. These goals reflect community feedback, staff input, and a commitment
to act now to prepare for a hotter and more variable climate.
Staff revised the proposed goals following the Feb. 25, 2025 Council Work Session in
response to Council’s and Water Commission’s recent feedback and ongoing analysis of
water demand and potential savings. The revisions include increasing the Goal 1 target from
a 3% reduction to a 4% reduction and setting specific targets that support the broader goals.
The revised proposed WEP goals are:
Goal 1: Reach 4% annual reduction in water use by 2040 to reduce risk of shortages.
The WEP will set an overall water conservation goal that applies to all treated indoor and
outdoor water use within Utilities’ water service area (Attachment 1), including both customer
and City water use. The objectives of this overall goal are to gradually lower demand to
minimize the frequency and magnitude of shortages, expand access to efficiency opportunities,
lead by example as a City organization, and offset increasing demands driven by climate
change. Staff anticipate this amount of savings could offset increasing demands driven by a
temperature increase of about 1°F between now and 2040. Goal 1 incorporates three specific
targets, which are discussed in more detail in Item #1 below:
Target 1.1: By 2040, lower overall annual treated water use by 320 million
gallons (MG), or 980 acre-feet (AF) below projected water use
o Every year, take actions to keep total treated water use lower than it is projected
to be without active efficiency strategies, ramping up to being 4% lower than
projected by 2040. Looking ahead to 2040, a 4% reduction would mean that
actual demand was about 320 million gallons (MG), or 980 acre-feet (AF), lower
than projected for the year.
o Interim reduction targets will gradually ramp up annual savings between now and
2040, as shown on Figure 1:
- By 2030: 3% reduction, estimated at 210 MG (640 AF) below projected
water use
- 2035: 3.5% reduction, estimated at 260 MG (800 AF) below projected water
use
- Reductions in treated water demand by Utilities customers, including City
water accounts, will contribute to this target
Target 1.2: Double the volume of savings from efficiency strategies by 2040,
relative to 2020-2024 average performance
o To reach the Target 1.1 savings of 320 MG below projected annual water use by
2040, the Water Conservation Division will increase program offerings and
2 For simplicity and consistency with state terminology, the term “efficiency” is used throughout this
document to refer to both behavioral and technology-based water demand management; however, in
practice, efficiency generally refers to technology-based solutions (e.g., a high-efficiency showerhead),
while conservation focuses on behaviors (e.g., choosing to take a shorter shower).
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participation to increase savings over the current annual average of 155 MG
below projected annual water use. Quantifiable treated water savings from
efficiency strategies that serve customers, as well as partnerships with City
departments to lower City treated water use, will count toward this target.
Target 1.3: Lower treated water use at City properties by a total cumulative
volume of 5 MG by 2040
o This target will achieve average annual reductions of 360,000 gallons per year by
2040 for City properties, adding up to 5 MG below projected annual water use in
total water savings between 2026-2040.
o This savings is expected to come from a variety of projects lowering indoor and
outdoor treated water demand in City buildings and properties. Strategies with
ongoing year-after-year savings, such as plumbing or turf replacement, will be
prioritized.
Progress toward Goal 1 will be evaluated based on tracking treated water demand by customer
sector, including City properties, as well as Water Conservation Division program participation
and savings.
Goal 2: Improve water efficiency and build resilience on City-owned landscapes, to
benefit the community and environment.
For the first time, the WEP will set a goal directed at the City’s outdoor water use, which
encompasses both treated and raw water and properties both inside and outside of Utilities’
water service area. Community feedback shows a widespread desire for the City to take
responsibility and action related to efficient water use. Beneficial outcomes for actions on City-
owned landscapes include contributing to the overall water efficiency (Goal 1) by lowering
municipal water use, building resiliency in our public landscapes to prepare for a hotter future,
prioritizing water use for spaces that most benefit the community, and creating highly-visible
projects that inspire water-saving actions by individuals and businesses in our community. Goal
2 incorporates one specific target:
Target 2.1: The City will implement at least 1 new water-saving project in each 2-year
municipal budget cycle, for at least 7 new projects on City landscapes by 2040.
o Projects that lower treated or raw water use and/or build landscape resilience on
City-owned properties within the Fort Collins growth management area will count
toward this target; this approach reflects the City’s intention to lead by example and
benefit the entire community regardless of water source or provider.
o Landscape projects that lower treated water use on City-owned properties that are
within Utilities water service area will also count toward Goal 1 targets.
Progress toward Goal 2 will be evaluated based on the number of projects, associated water
savings, and total project area completed each year. Project examples are discussed in Item #3
below.
The next WEP update is expected in 2032 based on the 7-year renewal cycle set by the state.
This provides an opportunity to evaluate and update goals and strategies based on changing
conditions.
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ITEM #1 – EXAMPLES OF HOW GOAL 1, ANNUAL WATER DEMAND REDUCTION
TARGET OF 4%, WORKS YEAR-TO-YEAR AND OVER TIME
Goal 1 is focused on lowering Utilities’ annual total treated water demand by 4% by 2040. The
intention is to lower overall customer demand by a meaningful amount each year, which lowers
the risk of shortages, while sustaining the beneficial uses of water that will continue year-to-year
across our service area. This approach acknowledges that overall demand is likely to increase
over time due to growth and climate change, even with increased efficiency actions and savings
as seen in Figure 1.
To evaluate progress toward Goal 1, staff will annually track overall treated water demand for
Utilities’ customers (Target 1.1) and estimated water savings from efficiency strategies
implemented by the Water Conservation Division (Target 1.2). This item provides additional
detail about how Targets 1.1 and 1.2 will be implemented and tracked over time. Target 1.3,
lowering treated water demand associated with City water accounts, is discussed in Item #2 of
this memorandum.
Target 1.1: By 2040, lower overall annual treated water use by 320 MG or 980 AF below
projected annual water use
The volume of savings associated with the 4% goal is determined based on projected demands
for Utilities’ customers (excluding certain contractual and wholesale deliveries) under a range of
future growth and climate scenarios. Because demands vary year-to-year, for a specific percent
reduction target (i.e., 4%) the volume (millions of gallons) of savings would go up or down based
on variability in consumption. Staff estimate that a 4% reduction in 2040 demand is estimated to
require 280-355 MG (860-1,090 AF) of efficiency savings, which reflects the range of estimated
2040 demands driven by different climate and growth scenarios. The 320 MG target represents
a moderate growth and climate change scenario within that range.
To illustrate this concept, Figure 1 presents recent historical customer treated water use (solid
blue line) and the projected range of future customer water demands under different climate and
growth scenarios without demand management (dashed blue lines). The green shading
represents how the projected customer demands could be lowered if we meet Goal 1. To
gradually progress to the final 2040 goal, interim annual targets will be tracked from 2026-2040.
The green diamonds on Figure 1 represent average efficiency savings from interim (shown in 5-
year increments) and final Goal 1 targets. It is important to note that the annual percent
reduction targets do not compound year-to-year and will not put Utilities on a track to zero water
use in the future.
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Figure 1. Water Efficiency Plan Goal 1 interim targets and final 2040 goal. Figure note: Historical water use and
projections include customer demands and non-revenue losses, and exclude wholesale and contractual obligations.
Target 1.2: Double the volume of savings from efficiency strategies by 2040, relative to
2020-2024 average performance
Annual efficiency savings tracked for this target include the water savings estimated for new
actions implemented in a given year. This is a conservative approach that avoids over-
estimating impacts that can vary year-to-year due to changing individual behaviors. However,
many efficiency actions have ongoing savings that can continue for years (e.g., installing an
efficient toilet or replacing turf with a xeric landscape)3.
Figure 2 illustrates this concept by showing recent historical demands (solid blue bars) and
savings (solid orange bars), along with projected future demands (hashed bars) and Goal 1
targeted water savings (red bars) under a single possible future demand scenario of moderate
growth and climate change impacts. Measurable Water Conservation Division strategy savings
averaged 155 MG (475 AF) and 2.3% of total annual demand from 2020-2024. Achieving Goal
1 with a 4% reduction of projected annual demand under this moderate scenario is expected to
3 Other efficiency actions such as education, outreach, and marketing, as well as external influences
including statewide regulations and passive savings from new techno logies, are difficult to quantify in
savings estimates but are important strategies that help Utilities manage overall water demand despite
upward pressures from climate change and growth.
3%
3.5%
4%
9,200
13,200
17,200
21,200
25,200
3,000
5,000
7,000
9,000
20
1
5
20
2
0
20
2
5
20
3
0
20
3
5
20
4
0
20
4
5
20
5
0
Ac
r
e
-Fe
e
t
Mi
l
l
i
o
n
G
a
l
l
o
n
s
Historic demand
Projected demand range, without additional efficiency
Goal 1 interim and final targets
Projected demand range, with Goal 1 reductions
Range of
projected
demands
with
successful
attainment
of Goal 1
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require 320 MG (980 AF) of efficiency savings in 2040. This challenges the Water Conservation
Division to increase measured savings by about two times over current average performance
over the next 14 years.
*This chart shows the 2020 efficiency savings of 130 MG. In that year, an additional 105 MG reduction
resulted from 30 days of mandatory restrictions due to an infrastructure project and wildfire.
Figure 2. Measured water demand and efficiency savings (2020-2024) shown with projected (2030-2040) demand
under moderate future growth and climate conditions with Goal 1 interim and final targets (for Utilities customers,
excludes wholesale and unique large contractual deliveries).
Goal 1 Examples
To implement Goal 1, every year staff will (1) set a working savings target based on projected
demands and the targets, then (2) evaluate actual performance at the end of the year based on
actual demand, population, and climate conditions.
Hypothetical examples showing how Goal 1 would be implemented and evaluated in 2032,
which has a 3% reduction target based on the interim goals, are presented in Table 1 and as
follows:
Normal year: If the Utilities’ projected demand for 2032 is 7,200 MG, the working target
for that year would be to reduce demand by 3%, or 220 MG. At the end of the year, if
weather conditions were normal and customers used 6,980 MG or less, the goal would
be met and no weather normalization methods would need to be applied.
Hot year: The Utilities’ projected demand for 2032 is 7,200 MG and the working target
for that year is to reduce demand by 3%, or 220 MG. Due to hotter-than-normal
conditions, customers ended up using 7,600 MG. To evaluate if a 3% reduction target
was achieved, staff normalized for weather by adjusting the projected demand to 7,800
1.9%*2.3%2.5%
2.1%
2.5%3.0%3.5%4.0%
0
6,000
12,000
18,000
24,000
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2030 2035 2040
Ac
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Mi
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G
a
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s
Treated Water Demand Measured Conservation Savings
Projected Treated Water Demand Targeted Conservation Savings
* This chart shows the 2020 efficiency program savings of 130. In that year, an additional 105 MG reduction resulted from
30 days of mandatory restrictions due to an infrastructure project & wildfire.
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MG, an expected demand for the weather conditions, and the 3% target would then be
230 MG. If customers used 7,570 MG or less, the 3% reduction target would still be met.
The same weather normalization would be done to evaluate progress toward Goal 1 if
there was wetter/cooler than normal conditions.
Normal Hot, Dry Cool, Wet
Step 1 - Set working target based on historic
normal weather and WEP goal
Projected Treated Water Demand (MG)
7,200 7,200 7,200
(Based on historical normal weather and
previous year population)
Initial Savings Target (MG) 220 220 220 (3% Reduction × Projected Demand)
Step 2 - Evaluate success based on actual
conditions and WEP goal
Actual Treated Water Demand (MG) 6,900 7,500 6,400
Normalized Treated Water Demand (MG)
7,200 7,800 6,500
(Weather normalized and current year
population)
End-of-Year Savings Target (MG) 220 230 200 (3% Reduction × Normalized Demand)
End-of-Year Savings Achieved for 2032 (MG) 300 300 100 (Normalized Demand - Actual Demand)
Was 3% Reduction Target Achieved?
Yes Yes No
(Is the end-of-year savings greater than
the end-of-year savings target?)
ITEM #2 – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CITY WATER USE TARGETS RELATIVE
TO THE 4% REDUCTION IN GOAL 1
To support Goal 1 (overall treated water savings) and set a clear quantified target directed
at lowering City water use, staff set Target 1.3: Lower treated water use at City
properties by 5 MG by 2040. This treated water savings would be achieved through the
cumulative impact of projects completed from 2026-2040 that lower treated water use in City
buildings or on City landscapes within the Utilities service area. Although the savings will
vary year-to-year depending on the size and scope of completed projects, over the 14-year
implementation period projects are expected to achieve average annual reductions of
360,000 gallons per year, adding up to 5 MG by 2040.
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Staff will prioritize projects that involve durable water savings that persist over time, such as
efficiency upgrades to plumbing fixtures, irrigation equipment, or pipeline repair. Examples of
City projects are provided in Item #3.
City properties in the Utilities service area used an average of 100 MGY (310 AFY) from 2020-
2024, about 1.8% of the total treated water demand from all customers. This water supports
multiple important community benefits including buildings, pools and recreation facilities, and
irrigation of parks, streetscapes, and landscapes around City buildings. Target 1.3 challenges
City departments to achieve new water savings in addition to the ongoing efficiency best
practices already regularly implemented by staff.
The City also uses:
About 978 MG (3,000 AF) of raw water to irrigate Fort Collins' parks, golf courses,
cemeteries, and other green belt areas.
Treated water at City-owned properties in the East Larimer County and Fort Collins-
Loveland Water Districts water service areas.
These water uses are not included in strategies for Goal 1, which focuses on treated water use
in the Utilities service area but are considered in strategies to meet Goal 2, which includes all
City water use regardless of source or location.
ITEM #3 – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CITY STRATEGIES TO MEET WEP
GOALS 1 AND 2
Through collaborative cross-departmental meetings, staff identified strategies to lower treated
water demand and build landscape resilience on City properties and infrastructure. Many of the
strategies align with planned or ongoing work. In addition, there are new and existing funding
opportunities for projects including the 2050 tax, about $50,000 from Water Conservation’s
ongoing budget (limited to use on treated water in Utilities service area), and external grants.
(Grants offered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board are regularly available and are not
impacted by federal decisions.) Examples of a variety of strategies, both large and small, to
lower City water use and build resilience on City landscapes are shown in the following table.
(Note that some of the strategies listed below are planned projects, while others are areas of
opportunity that will be pursued. Additionally, this is not a comprehensive list and additional
opportunities will continue to be evaluated through cross-departmental collaboration.):
City Project
Example
Description Water Savings
Potential for 1
year of
Implementatio
n
Anticipated
Cost Range
Potential
Funding
Sources
Landings
Park irrigation
and turf
replacement
Planned project to
lower outdoor
treated water use
and build landscape
resilience through
About 550,000
gallons
Design and
community
outreach:
$65,000
(General
Water
Conservation
funds
allocated to
City projects:
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irrigation system
efficiency upgrades
and converting turf
to low-water
landscape.
Landings Park
requires over 3.5
MGY of treated
water to irrigate
309,000 square feet
(7.1 acres). The
2019 Parks Irrigation
Master Plan
identified Landings
Park as a high
priority for
infrastructure
replacement.
Fund
allocation in
2024)
Installation
anticipated to
range from
$800,000- $1
million
up to $50,000
annually
Nature in the
City grants
Municipal
Innovation
Fund: up to
$30,000
General Fund
2050 tax
External
grants
Native plant
demonstration
garden at the
Farm at Lee
Martinez Park
Planned project to
promote landscape
resilience through
demonstrating use
of native and xeric
plants and
alternative lawns.
Landscape
resilience
Nature in the
City project
cost typically
range from
$5,000-
>$50,000
depending on
scope and
scale
Nature in the
City grants
Water
Conservation
funds
allocated to
City projects:
up to $50,000
annually
City Hall turf
replacement
near parking
lots
Possible project to
lower outdoor
treated water use
and build landscape
resilience in a highly
visible location, and
adjacent to the
Xeriscape
Demonstration
Gardens, through
irrigation system
efficiency upgrades
and converting
7,500 sq. ft. of turf to
low-water
landscape.
About 30,000
gallons
Volunteer-
based
approach:
Installation
$23,000;
annual
maintenance
$1,700
Contractor-
based
approach:
Installation
$40,000 –
80,000;
annual
maintenance
Water
Conservation
funds
allocated to
City projects:
up to $50,000
annually
Nature in the
City grants
Municipal
Innovation
Fund: up to
$30,000
External
grants
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. $1,500-
$6,400
35 toilet
replacements
in City
buildings
Possible projects to
lower indoor treated
water use by
replacing less-
efficient toilets and
urinals with modern,
high-efficiency units.
400,000 gallons $20,000-
$40,000
Water
Conservation
funds
allocated to
City projects:
up to $50,000
annually
Water
Conservation
rebates:
o Toilets: up
to $100
per toilet
o Custom:
$1,000-
25,000
Municipal
Innovation
Fund: up to
$30,000
External
grants
Water main
line repair and
replacement
Opportunity to
increase current
pace of line repair
and replacement to
lower distribution
system water losses
and main line
breaks.
- Current water
line replacement
rate is about
0.3%, or 2.5
linear miles, per
year. Goal is 1%
(5 linear miles).
- Water leaks from
the Utilities
distribution
system exceed
80 MGY, based
About 700,000-
1,400,000
gallons
$3,000,000
$5,000,000
(Budget
allocation for
2025 for
ongoing asset
management)
Capital
Improvement
Project funds
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on water loss
audits.
Dedicated
tree irrigation
Possible projects to
support tree health
and canopy by
installing dedicated
irrigation to trees
that does not
depend on overhead
irrigation of the
surrounding turf
grass. This ensures
trees can be
watered during
shortages, even if
restrictions limit turf
irrigation.
Landscape
resilience
For some
projects, water
savings are
possible
because drip
systems direct
irrigation to tree
root zones and
minimize water
waste.
About
$20,000-
$50,000 per
project (cost
varies based
on location
and size)
Water
Conservation
funds
allocated to
City projects:
up to $50,000
annually
External
grants
Staff will progressively introduce new strategies over the coming years to increase water
savings, align with staff capacity, and allow time for planning and pursuit of approval and
funding (when necessary). Of course, project opportunities may not always align with this
cadence, and we expect periods of time when there are more or fewer projects than one every
two-year budget cycle. There are many competing City priorities and staff developed the
proposal to be ambitious but reasonable. Figure 3 presents a conceptual implementation
timeline.
Figure 3. Conceptual implementation timeline for WEP goals and strategies.
ITEM #4 – METHODS TO IDENTIFY WATER OVERUSE
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040
Continue Existing
Strategies
Plan & Start New Strategies
Track Progress & Adjust
Strategies
4%
320 MG
(980 AF)
Interim and Final Goal 2
Targets: At least 1 new City
landscape resilience project
with every 2-year budget
cycle
7+ projects
completed
Update Water Efficiency
Plan (7-year renewal cycle)
Interim and Final Goal 1
Targets: Progress to
lowering projected annual
demand by 4% 2040
Water Efficiency Milestones
3.5%
260 MG (800 AF)
3%
210 MG (640 AF)
2.3% - 3%
> 155 MG (> 480 AF)
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Utilities provides water customers with a variety of tools to understand their water use relative to
typical or recommended levels. Customers can use these data to improve their water literacy
and support decision-making. Staff can use these data to identify opportunities for focused
programming and marketing to connect with customers who have higher than expected use.
The following are examples of existing behavior-based strategies, all enabled by the MyWater
(or WaterSmart, owned by VertexOne) software platform:
Residential water budgets – Monthly water budgets based on occupancy, irrigable area,
and historical use patterns intended to help single-unit and duplex customers understand
and manage their water use. Residential water budgets are managed and distributed
through the MyWater data portal.
Continuous consumption (i.e., leaks) and high use notifications – This program notifies
customers who have hourly water usage for 24 hours (potential leaks) or unusually high
use relative to their normal patterns. The system contacts customers by email, text, or
letter to alert them to the continuous consumption or high use.
Water reports – Utilities sends these reports to approximately 29,000 residential and
commercial water customers via email (or paper if requested or no email is provided).
For residential reports, they include customized comparisons of each customer’s water
use relative to a cohort of customers with similar attributes such as number of occupants
in the home and yard size. Commercial customers are compared to their own historical
use. Specifics about residential water reports are addressed in the memorandum to
Council dated April 10, 2025, with subject, “Utilities Behavioral Energy and Water
Efficiency Strategies Overview.” The water reports discussed during the Work Session
will be part of a larger effort that includes more information about how both reports
(water and energy) will be integrated into the larger VertexOne Customer Information
System launch, slated in Q4 2025. Ongoing updates to Council will be provided by staff
involved in this project, including a Council Work Session planned for later in 2025.
Through the WEP update process, staff identified an efficiency strategy opportunity to build out
the water portion of the behavior-based Building Energy and Water Scoring program:
Commercial water use benchmarking – Water use benchmarks are standards or
reference points used to measure and compare water consumption levels. They help set
goals for water efficiency and identify areas for improvement. Establishing water use
benchmarks for indoor and outdoor consumption can drive efficiency efforts. A public-
facing website would track and report water use for multi-unit housing and commercial
buildings to promote transparency and accountability. City buildings would be used to
pilot this strategy before rolling it out to the public.
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ATTACHMENT 1 – WATER PROVIDERS MAP
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