HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 9/29/2015 - Memorandum From Lisa Rosintoski And Liesel Hans Re: Water Conservation Annual Report 2014Water Conservation
Annual Report
2014
Introduction
This is the 23
rd
Water Conservation
Annual Report prepared for the Fort
Collins City Council, which provides
accomplishments, partnerships, water
use and an update on the provisions of
the City’s Water Conservation Plan.
The City’s water conservation program
is a proactive response to water supply
variability and climate change. Reducing
indoor demand can be achieved through
improved technology, leak reduction and
behavior change. Outdoor demands can
be reduced through improved watering
efficiency and landscape transformation.
Lowering water use improves system
reliability and resilience to supply
variability.
The water conservation program
supports the City’s Strategic Plan in the
Environmental Health outcome area
related to a sustainable water supply.
Fort Collins Utilities’ water conservation
programs provide our community with
the resources and education necessary to
decrease water use. These efforts help
reduce the long-term costs of water
supply while meeting the demands of
our customers now and into the future.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ..................................... 1
Water Sources .............................................. 2
Water Conservation Planning ...................... 2
Water Use Goals .......................................... 3
Weather and Water Conditions .................... 4
Accomplishments ........................................ 5
Education and Public Information ......... 5
Water Rates and Usage Information ..... 7
Indoor Fixtures and Appliances:
Residential ............................................. 8
Outdoor Efficiency: Landscapes and
Irrigation ................................................ 8
Indoor Fixtures and Appliances:
Commercial ......................................... 10
Water Reuse Systems .......................... 10
Regulatory Measures ........................... 11
Operational Measures .......................... 11
Graywater Research and Legislation ......... 13
Collaboration & Regional Participation .... 13
How Are We Doing? ................................. 14
Rebates and Audits: 5-Year Summary ....... 15
Charts and Graphs ...................................... 19
Water Conservation Plan Measures ........... 23
2014 Water Conservation Staff
Laurie D’Audney, Water Conservation Manager
Michelle Finchum, Public Relations Coordinator
Lucas Mouttet, Water Conservation Coordinator
Eric Olson, Water Conservation Coordinator
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 1
Executive Summary
Fort Collins Utilities offers a comprehensive water conservation program based on public
education, incentives, assessments and regulation. Programs target residential and
commercial customers, and indoor and outdoor water use. The Water Conservation Plan,
which sets a goal of 140 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) by 2020, guides the program. For
2014, the incremental target to reach this goal was 147 gpcd. The average demand (adjusted
for weather) in 2014 was 143 gpcd.
In early 2014, the mountain snowpack was average, but spring snows resulted in a snowpack
in May that was 30 percent above average. Total water demand in 2014 was only 90 percent
of projected use due in part to above average rainfall in July.
2014 Highlights
• Provided 2,749 rebates to residential and commercial customers,
amounting to 3,471 items rebated for consumer appliances and
sprinkler equipment.
• Completed 413 sprinkler system audits, identifying system problems
and recommending an efficient schedule for homes and homeowner
associations.
• Provided retrofits of showerheads, faucet aerators, shower timers and
toilets to 482 households in collaboration with the Larimer County
Conservation Corps.
• Developed and implemented a Xeriscape Design Assistance Program
where homeowners are offered a one-on-one consultation with a
landscape design professional and a rebate for installation. The
program achieved 46 landscape designs prepared and nine installation
rebates.
• Distributed Home Water Reports to 10,000 single-family residential
customers as part of a pilot program. The reports provide households
with information about their water use and how they compare to
similar households.
• Developed a Continuous Consumption Program to alert customers
who have three days without zero water use in order to support
potential leaks, giving them a chance to perform repairs in a timely
manner.
• Provided three all-day Poudre Watershed Tours during the summer.
Approximately 150 community members learned what it takes to
deliver quality water from the source to the treatment facility.
• Presented three Water Catcher awards to recognize the water
conservation efforts of two residents and one business at the
Sustainable Living Fair in September.
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 2
Our Water Sources
The City receives its water supplies from the Cache la
Poudre, Michigan and Colorado River basins. The Poudre
River basin sources include senior direct-flow water rights,
shares in several local irrigation companies and storage
capacity in Joe Wright Reservoir, located high in the basin
near Cameron Pass. Water from the Michigan River basin is
conveyed into the Poudre basin where it can be stored in Joe
Wright Reservoir then released for delivery to the water
treatment plant, along with other Poudre sources.
The City also owns units of the Colorado-Big Thompson
(C-BT) Project, administered by Northern Water (formerly
the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District). C-BT
water is diverted from the upper Colorado River basin and stored in Lake Granby, Carter
Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir. The City takes delivery of its C-BT water out of Horsetooth
Reservoir.
On average, each source provides about half of the supplies used to meet Utilities’ customer
treated water demands. Including all sources, the City currently owns water rights that have
an average annual yield of approximately 75,000 acre-feet (AF) per year. Per City Council
policy, Utilities maintains sufficient water supply to meet an average annual treated water
demand of approximately 31,000 AF during a 1-in-50 year drought in the Poudre River basin.
During more severe droughts, restrictions may be implemented to reduce demand to match
available supplies.
Water Conservation Planning
Water Supply and Demand Management Policy
The original 1992 Water Demand Management Policy was updated and combined with the
Water Supply Policy in 2003. In November 2012, City Council adopted a revised Water
Supply and Demand Management Policy (WS&DMP).
The WS&DMP provides general criteria for decisions regarding water supply projects,
acquisition of water rights and demand management measures. The revised policy sets a
water supply planning demand level of 150 gpcd, which is used to determine water supply
and facility acquisitions. The policy refers to the Water Conservation Plan for a water use
efficiency goal. The planning level provides a value that is higher than the water use goal to
address uncertainties inherent in water supply planning.
Water Conservation Plan
In 2010, the City’s Water Conservation Plan was approved by the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB) to comply with the State’s Water Conservation Act of 2004.
The Water Conservation Plan (fcgov.com/waterconservationplan) reflects specific measures
related to the demand management criteria outlined in the WS&DMP and sets a demand goal
of 140 gpcd by 2020. City Council approved the recommended measures through the
Budgeting for Outcomes process.
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 3
Programs target all customer classes and indoor and outdoor water use. Attachment ‘A’
shows the programs and measures in the plan, including the customer class that is impacted,
whether a measure affects indoor or outdoor use and the date of implementation.
The Water Conservation Act of 2004 requires that a plan be submitted to the CWCB every
seven years. Since the City’s plan was accepted by the CWCB in 2010, a revised plan is due
to be submitted in 2017. CWCB has changed the terminology to a ‘Water Efficiency Plan’
for the next round of submittals. Water efficiency encompasses not only conservation, but
also alternative water supplies such as reuse. During 2014, a timeline for the update was
established with work to be completed in 2015 and 2016 to meet the deadline.
Starting in 2014, House Bill 10-1051 requires covered entities to annually report water use
and water conservation data to be used for statewide water supply planning. Utilities
complied with this reporting requirement by submitting 2013 data in June 2014.
Water Use Goals
The Water Conservation Plan sets a goal of 140 gpcd by 2020. The gpcd calculation is based
on the total treated water used by City customers (adjusted for large contractual customers
and other sales or exchange arrangements) divided by the estimated population of the City’s
water service area and 365 days. This calculation is adjusted for weather (normalized) to
provide a fair comparison with other years.
2014 Water Use Savings
In 2014, the normalized average demand was estimated to be 143 gpcd, lower than 147 gpcd
in 2013. The table below shows the incremental annual targets for achieving the Water
Conservation Plan goal, actual normalized use and a 5-year average.
Water Conservation Plan Annual GPCD Targets
Target
Actual
Normalized
Previous
5-yr. Average
Baseline 155
2010 153 144 151
2011 152 144 149
2012 150 152 148
2013 149 147 147
2014 147 143 146
2015 146
2016 144
2017 143
2018 142
2019 140
2020 139
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 4
2014 Weather and Water Conditions
Mountain snowpack was excellent in 2014, running
about average early in the year but finishing with
abundant spring snows resulting in a snowpack about
30 percent above average on May 1. The native Poudre
River flows were well above average at over 450,000
AF, compared to an average of 277,000 AF.
Temperatures during 2014 were generally warmer than
average, with a mean daily temperature of 50.5 degrees
Fahrenheit, about 2.2 degrees above average, just
warmer than 2013. Total precipitation for the year was
slightly above average at 16.7 inches, with particularly
generous rainfall in May and July. The last four months
of the year were very close to average precipitation.
Total water demand was 22,822 AF, only 90 percent of projected use due in part to above
average rainfall in July. However, winter water use was also significantly lower than
projected. The City’s peak day use of 37.1 million gallons occurred on July 9, and was lower
than any year since 1980 with the exception of 2009.
2014 Snowpack on the Michigan Ditch
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 5
2014 Accomplishments
The Water Conservation Plan identifies eight categories of programs and measures. Below is
a review of the accomplishments in each category.
1. Education and Public Information
Education and outreach efforts are a strong component of the City’s water conservation
program to raise awareness about the need for conservation and ways to conserve. These
programs reach residents, businesses and youth.
Public Information Campaign
• Answered customer inquiries and distributed information through brochures, bill inserts
and Utilities’ website
• Wrote articles for the Fort Collins Coloradoan, City News and Colorado WaterWise
newsletter
• Promoted water conservation messages on bus benches, bus
shelters and in the local newspaper
• Staffed displays at events, including Poudre Runs Through It,
Earth Day, Poudre River Festival, CSU’s Lagoon Concert,
Gardens on Spring Creek’s Harvest Festival, Northern Water’s
Conservation Fair and Colorado WaterWise’s Conservation
Summit
• Provided staff and materials at spring and fall campaign
events at home improvement stores and farmers markets
• Gave away water and energy conservation kits with
showerheads, faucet aerators, toilet leak detection dye tablets,
compact fluorescent light bulb and other energy efficiency
items in addition to shower timers and hose nozzles.
• Promoted Fix-a-Leak Week in March with a mayoral
proclamation, news release and social media to encourage
customers to check for and repair leaks. Letters were sent to 80 customers who had
continuous use, indicative of a leak.
• Participated in the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation during the month
of April. Fort Collins took third place in the 100,000-299,000 population category. In
2014, 3,176 residents made a pledge to conserve water, up from 1,200 pledges in 2013.
Xeriscape Education
• Offered three 2-hour presentations, Understanding Permaculture, Unique and Functional
Xeriscape and Wildscaping 101 as part of the 27
th
annual Residential Environmental
Program Series. A total of 350 residents attended the programs.
• Co-coordinated the 11
th
annual full-day High Plains Landscape Workshop with a sold-out
crowd of nearly 300 people attending presentations on a variety of landscaping topics.
• Co-hosted two xeriscape classes, Composting and Native Plants, at the Gardens on
Spring Creek with 69 attendees.
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 6
• Hosted the 13
th
annual garden party in July at the City’s Xeriscape Demonstration
Garden. Master Gardeners provided guided tours, while nurseries, landscape designers
and a composter set up displays and answered questions. Refreshments and music also
were provided.
Irrigation Education
• Provided a daily Lawn Watering Guide on Utilities’ website at fcgov.com/lawnguide and
on the Coloradoan weather page. The guide shows how much water a lawn might need if
not watered for three, five or seven days.
• Co-hosted three irrigation classes at the Gardens on Spring Creek, two sessions of Just
Drip It (33 attendees) and Maximize Your Sprinklers (10 attendees); held sprinkler system
workshops at local retail stores, irrigation distributors and a nursery.
• Provided 149 customers with consultations regarding sprinkler equipment, performance
and maintenance.
Community Water Education
• Provided three all-day Poudre Watershed Tours. A
June tour was for educators, while the July and
August tours were open to the public.
Approximately 50 people attended each tour.
Participants learned about what it takes to provide
quality water from the source to the treatment
facility. Stops include a walk along the Michigan
Ditch, lunch at Cameron Pass and activities at
Gateway Park.
• Co-hosted the Big Splash Open House with the
Poudre Landmarks Foundation in June at the 1882
Water Works building. The event included tours, displays and activities.
Commercial Education
• Offered a program, Conserve in the Landscape, as part of the BizEd program series with
20 attendees aimed at commercial customers. Also offered Water Conservation for
Contractors, as part of the 2014 Contractor Training series with 18 attendees.
• As part of a regional collaboration, offered Water Efficiency Workshop for Colorado
Plumbing. The half-day workshop gave the 38 attendees the opportunity to learn about
the latest practices and regulations that promote water-efficient plumbing.
• Provided staff and materials about City programs at the ClimateWise EnvirOvation event
in May and other commercial customer events.
School Programs
• Co-sponsored the 23
rd
annual Children’s Water Festival. This fun event provided water
education to over 1,700 Poudre School District, private school and homeschooled third
graders. Students spent half a day at Front Range Community College learning all about
water through classroom presentations and hands-on exhibits.
Watershed Tour - August 2014
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 7
• Visited classrooms as Dr. WaterWISE, bringing a water conservation curriculum to
schools. Maps, activity books and teachers’ handbooks on a variety of water subjects
were distributed to teachers for use during their study of water.
• Presented classroom programs to elementary and junior high students about local water
history, watershed studies, microbiology and water chemistry.
Water Catchers
• Water Catcher awards recognize the efforts of residents
and businesses that conserve water. Two residents and a
business received awards in 2014. Doug and Lois
VanderWilt changed their conventional garden to a
wicking garden bed, a raised garden with a water reservoir
underneath. Using this method saved an estimated 654
gallons per month.
• Resident Katy Bigner took advantage of the City’s
Xeriscape Design Assistance Program and re-landscaped
part of her front yard. She’s saving an estimated 4,800
gallons per month.
• Colorado State University retrofitted the toilets and urinals at Rockwell Hall and replaced
several autoclaves at a Foothills campus building. In addition, the Colorado State Forest
Service switched from treated water to raw water for some irrigation. These projects have
an estimated water savings of 3.5 million gallons per year.
2. Water Rates and Usage Information
Increasing Block Rate: the three-tiered water rates for single-family and duplex customers
increased 4 percent in 2014.
Seasonal Rate: with higher rates from May through September, commercial and multi-
family customers experienced an increase of 4 percent in 2014. In addition, commercial
water rates also have a second tier based on higher water use.
Continuous Consumption Program: with installation of advanced, electronic water meters,
data from the meters is received on an hourly basis. A continuous consumption report is
generated daily and identifies customers whose water meters haven’t had a zero read in three
days, typically indicating a leak. Staff alert customers immediately and they are able to repair
leaks in a timely manner, not waiting for their monthly bill.
Home Water Reports: began a pilot program in 2014 to deliver Home Water Reports to
10,000 single-family residential customers, alternating months with delivery of the Home
Energy Reports. The reports provide households with information on their current water use
and compare it to their past use, the average of similar households and the use of the most
efficient households. A Budgeting for Outcomes offer was accepted and will expand
distribution of the reports to 15,000 customers in 2015 and 20,000 in 2016.
Online Water Use Calculator: an online tool for customers to help them evaluate their
water efficiency. A link to the Alliance for Water Efficiency’s Home Water Works site
includes the calculator, water saving tips, and information on water-using fixtures and
appliances.
Katy Bigner accepts a Water Catcher
award from Eric Olson
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 8
3. Indoor Fixtures and Appliances: Residential
Incentive programs provide rebates, loans, services or goods to customers to encourage the
purchase of efficient products.
Rebates: offered rebates for the purchase of water-efficient clothes washers, dishwashers,
toilets and showerheads.
2014 Residential Indoor Rebates
Rebates # Items # Rebates
ENERGY STAR® clothes washer - $50 1,058 1,056
ENERGY STAR dishwasher - $25 787 785
MaP Premium toilet (1.06 gpf) - $75 51 31
WaterSense toilet (1.28 gpf) - $50 953 687
WaterSense showerhead (2 gpm) - $10 73 54
Total 2,922 2,613
On-bill Financing: offered low-interest loans for energy and water conservation projects.
Water loans are available for service line repairs or replacement. In 2014, seven on-bill
financing water loans were given.
Low Income Retrofit Program: participated in Larimer County Conservation Corps’ retrofit
program by providing 446 showerheads, 639 bathroom faucet aerators, 288 kitchen faucet
aerators, 111 toilet tank bags and 181 shower timers for the 482 homes that received retrofits.
In addition, 96 WaterSense labeled toilets were installed to replace high water use models.
The retrofits are estimated to save about 2 million gallons of water annually.
Home Efficiency Audits: offered an assessment of a home’s energy and water use and
provided a list of recommended measures to improve efficiency. During 2014, 662 audits
were conducted.
4. Outdoor Efficiency: Landscapes and Irrigation
Xeriscape Demonstration Garden: oversaw
maintenance of the City’s Xeriscape Demonstration
Garden with over 160 species of trees, shrubs,
perennials and groundcovers. The garden is a Plant
Select
®
demonstration garden, a cooperative program
between Denver Botanic Gardens, CSU and local
horticulturists, and identifies and promotes
distribution of plants that are well-suited for our
region. In 2014, the 15 interpretive signs were re-
designed and replaced. The welcome sign is at the
right.
Xeriscape Design Assistance Program: new for 2014, the Xeriscape Design Clinics were
revised into an ongoing design assistance program at a customer’s home. During 2014, 46
customers had a one-on-one consultation with a landscape design professional to develop a
xeric landscape plan for an area of their yard.
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 9
Sprinkler System Audits: offered a sprinkler system
audit program for the sixteenth summer. Sprinkler
systems were evaluated for watering efficiency, and
homeowners received a watering schedule and
information about proper watering.
• Five seasonal auditors performed 395 home and
18 HOA audits in 2014. Of these audits, 232
home and 11 HOA audits were for Fort Collins
Utilities water customers. Since the program’s
inception in 1999, 4,218 homes, 128 HOAs
andfive businesses have received sprinkler audits.
• Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (95 home
and 2 HOA audits) and East Larimer County
Water District (68 home audits) contracted with Utilities to perform audits for their
customers.
• In 2014, audit software using iPad technology was introduced to gather data and
prepare professional reports for participants. Also, in 2014 customers were able to
schedule audits online.
• Homeowners may borrow a self-audit kit with the equipment needed to assess their
own sprinkler system.
Sprinkler Equipment Rebates: Along with a rebate, a Tech Check consultation was offered
to ensure new equipment is correctly installed and programmed. In 2014, seven Tech Checks
were completed.
2014 Residential Sprinkler Equipment Rebates
Rebates # Items # Rebates
Weather-based controllers - $100 26 19
Soil moisture sensor - $45 3 1
Rain sensor - wired, $15, or
wireless, $30 35 30
High efficiency nozzles - $25 (purchases
of $50-$99) or $50 (more than $100) 40 26
Pressure-reducing heads - $25 (purchases
of $40-$79) or $40 (more than $80) 16 8
Pressure regulator 6 4
Total 135 97
Using an iPad to perform an audit
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 10
2014 Commercial Sprinkler Equipment Rebates
Rebates # Items # Rebates
Weather-based controllers – 50% of purchase
price, up to $400 2 2
Soil sensor - $45 1 1
Rain sensor - $30 2 2
High efficiency nozzles - $3 per nozzle 123 3
Pressure-reducing heads - $3 per head 2 2
Pressure regulator - $35 per zone 35 2
Total 165 12
5. Indoor Fixtures and Appliances: Commercial
Commercial Facility Assessments: performed 281 facility water and energy assessments for
commercial customers, compared to 268 in 2013 and 77 in 2012. They were done in
conjunction with ClimateWise and the Business Efficiency Program. Free faucet aerators
were provided to businesses at the time of the assessment.
Hotel Conservation Materials: water conservation materials were distributed to hotels,
motels and other local lodging establishments, including a linen reuse card, towel reuse
hanger and table-top brochure with information about the Poudre River watershed and
importance of conserving water.
Commercial Indoor Rebates: offered a variety of rebates to commercial customers for
water-efficient appliances and fixtures.
2014 Commercial Indoor Rebates
Rebates # Items # Rebates
MaP Premium tank toilets (1.06 gpf) - $75 107 8
WaterSense tank toilets (1.28 gpf) - $50 17 5
Flushometer toilets (1.28 gpf) - $100 71 3
Urinals (.5 gpf or less) - $100 32 7
WaterSense Showerhead 22 4
Total 249 27
6. Water Reuse Systems
Water Treatment Facility: treats the backwash water with ultraviolet disinfection and
recycles it to the beginning of the treatment process, allowing this water to be captured and
reused.
Drake Water Reclamation Facility: treated wastewater is reused by being pumped to the
Rawhide Power Plant for landscaping and cooling water.
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 11
7. Regulatory Measures
The City of Fort Collins has various regulations to encourage efficient water use.
Landscape and Irrigation Standards for Water Conservation: promote efficient water use
through proper landscape and irrigation system design and installation.
• Reviewed 59 landscape plans for new developments for compliance with the Land
Use Code water conservation standards. The plan review is part of the process prior
to City approval of new developments.
• Reviewed 69 irrigation plans and completed 52 site inspections of new developments
for compliance with the Land Use Code water conservation standards. The review is
part of the construction permitting process before a final building permit is issued.
Wasting Water Code: investigated 36 complaints in accordance with the Municipal Code’s
wasting water regulations. The wasting water code was update in July 2014 with Ordinance
No. 089, 2014, providing a clearer definition of the “waste of water,” extending wasting
water beyond irrigation use to service line and indoor leaks. In addition, hoses are required to
have a hand-activated hose nozzle for spraying impervious surfaces.
Water Supply Shortage Response Plan: outlines a series of measures to be enacted,
including water restrictions for four water shortage response levels. No water restrictions
were necessary in 2014. An update of the plan, Ordinance No. 088, 2014, was adopted by
City Council in July. It added definitions and associated restrictions for food production,
splash parks, outdoor swimming pools and essential powerwashing. The Municipal Code
also was revised to align with the plan.
Public outreach occurred jointly for the Wasting Water and Water Supply Shortage Response
Plan updates. Citizen feedback was gathered through an online survey and at a Community
Issues Forum.
Restrictive Covenants Ordinance: prohibits homeowner association covenants from
banning the use of Xeriscape or requiring that a percentage of the landscape be planted with
turf. Although customers asked questions, no enforcement was needed in 2014.
Soil Amendment Ordinance: requires organic matter be added to the soil before planting
turf to encourage deep roots and water penetration. In 2014, 655 soil amendment
certifications were issued.
Green Building Code: the City’s building code mandates WaterSense 1.28 gpf toilets as well
as low-flow faucets, urinals and showerheads in residential and commercial facilities.
Estimated annual water savings is 20 percent for residential properties and 25 percent for
commercial properties.
Streetscape Standards: The City’s Streetscape Standards outline requirements for
landscaping medians and parkways.
8. Operational Measures
Water Loss Program: A leak detection program uses sound detection equipment to identify
small to moderate leaks so they can be repaired before they become large leaks. Over a four
year period, Utilities surveys the 540 miles of water main to detect leaks. Pinpointing the
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 12
exact location of the leaks before they surface saves water and reduces excavation and street
pavement repair costs.
Advanced Meter Fort Collins (AMFC): With the replacement of most mechanical water
meters to electronic (advanced) meters, completed in 2013, a web portal became available to
customers in 2014. With the web portal, customers have access to hourly water use data and
can track their water consumption and receive leak or usage alerts.
Municipal Government Sustainability Management Plan: The City of Fort Collins has a
long history of promoting sustainable practices through a variety of innovative programs and
policies. The 2014 Municipal Government Sustainability Management plan outlines goals,
objectives and strategies to guide the City organization on a long-term sustainable path. A
goal related to water use says, “Reduce municipal operations water irrigation use and
increase efficiency per acre. Reduce building water use by 20 percent by 2020.”
City Buildings
• Planting was completed for a
demonstration of the City’s
parkway standards along Elm
Street at the Utilities Service
Center. Six garden designs are
displayed, including the one at the
right.
• Construction of new City-owned
buildings must achieve Leadership
in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) “Gold” certification to raise the bar for energy efficiency and
environmental design, including water conservation credits.
Parks Department Water Use Efficiency
Water consumption data was collected and analyzed throughout the parks system. Using
evapotranspiration (ET) readings, rainfall and water use readings, Parks calculates the
landscape’s need for water and compares it to the amount of water that was actually applied.
The ET rate during the 2014 irrigation season was 22.4 inches; effective rainfall was
calculated at 4.4 inches. Water need was 18 inches or 487,686 gallons per acre. Parks has a
goal to water all park areas at or under 95 percent of ET. The average water use for all park
areas was 79 percent of the amount needed. In 2014, Parks found that:
• nine parks used over 95 percent of the water needed
• 35 parks used under 95 percent of the water needed
• of the 35 parks, 31 used under 90 percent of the water needed
Audits are performed at sites when more than 95 percent of the area’s water need is used for
two consecutive months. During 2014, eight sites were audited.
When designing new community and neighborhood parks, water-efficient practices are
incorporated, such as low water use turf in low traffic areas. For example, areas of a park that
are designated for stormwater flows are ideal for types of grasses that do not need a lot of
water, fertilizer or mowing. These areas also provide a different visual aspect to the park,
creating unstructured play areas and enhancing the environmental value of the park. High
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 13
traffic areas use durable, water-efficient varieties of turfgrass. Whenever possible, raw water
is used for irrigation. Irrigation system designers work closely with the park design team to
make sure the system is efficient and uses the latest technology.
Graywater Research and Legislation
Graywater consists of wastewater from indoor activities
such as laundry facilities, but excludes wastewater from
toilet flushing and other waste streams that may threaten
public health and the environment.
In May 2013, House Bill 13-1044 authorized the use of
graywater in Colorado. Before graywater use will be
allowed by municipalities, the Colorado Water Quality
Control Commission must adopt regulations to control its
use. Utilities staff participated in the Water Quality Control
Division’s stakeholder process to develop content for the
regulation. The rulemaking is expected to be complete in 2015.
Graywater Use in Fort Collins
HB 13-1044 does not require municipalities or counties to implement a graywater
program unless they choose to do so. Fort Collins is interested in pursuing graywater use.
The City’s Building Department will track and oversee installation of systems within the
city limits through issuing building permits and performing inspections at the time of
installation. Larimer County’s Department of Health and Environment will oversee
graywater systems outside the city limits.
Graywater Research
Utilities participated in the second year of a two-year contract with CSU’s College of
Engineering to continue their graywater research and perform other tasks to support
graywater use. Some outcomes included:
• Water use of several commercial customers was analyzed to see if graywater
reuse would be a viable option for them.
• A study was done analyzing various graywater adoption rates in Fort Collins and
their potential impacts on return flows.
• Fact sheets, to be distributed throughout the state, were developed addressing the
basics of graywater use, how to install a graywater system and best management
practices.
Collaboration and Regional Participation
The water conservation program is enhanced through partnerships with other City
departments, local businesses and regional and national organizations.
• Continued the free toilet recycling program in 2014, diverting tons of porcelain from the
landfill. The program is a partnership between the Utilities, Environmental Services and
Streets departments. Customers dropped off their high water-using toilets at the Habitat
ReStore or the City’s Hoffman Mill facility and the Streets Department crushed them into
road base.
Outdoor Graywater System
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 14
• Promoted the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense
program through rebates, articles and events. WaterSense promotes
and enhances water-efficient products and services. Utilities is a
WaterSense promotional partner and submitted WaterSense’s annual
reporting form and a nomination for an award.
Organization Participation
• Board member of Colorado WaterWise, a statewide organization with a mission to
promote the efficient use of Colorado’s water. Sponsored the WaterWise Summit in
October.
• Member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency’s Education and Outreach, and WaterSense
and Water Efficient Products committees.
• Made presentations to various organizations, including the Fort Collins Historical
Society, Poudre Runs Through It steering team, CityWorks and Irrigation Association.
How Are We Doing?
Total Program Water Savings
Total water savings is estimated for measurable water conservation programs, including
rebates, sprinkler audits, equipment distribution, retrofits and Building Code regulations. The
water savings are calculated based on savings estimates for each type of measure, called
“deemed savings.” The deemed savings is taken from various water use studies. In 2014, the
verifiable water savings from programs was 27.2 million gallons or 83.5 acre feet.
ClimateWise Water Savings
During 2014, ClimateWise grew by 43 businesses, for a total of more than 350 business
partners. Since 2000, ClimateWise partners have saved 10 billion gallons of water.
Evaluating Water Use
The water use trend continues to be significantly lower than pre-2002 drought (1993-2001)
demands. Tiered and seasonal water rates, and water conservation efforts, contribute to this
trend. How much of the lower usage can be attributed to the City’s water conservation
measures is difficult to analyze. For over 20 years, low-flow plumbing standards and metered
water taps have contributed to the reduction of per capita water use.
Per capita water use can vary for many reasons; population is not the sole determinant of
water use. Changes in weather, season, household size and income also can contribute.
Precipitation levels and daily temperatures during the watering season cause water use to
vary considerably from year to year.
The first graph on the next page shows the percentage of water used indoors versus outdoors
by year for all water use. Indoor water use remains fairly consistent while outdoor water use
fluctuates. In 2014, outdoor water use was 33 percent of total use, compared with 32 percent
in 2013. The second graph compares indoor and total water use for single family homes.
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 15
39% 39%
36% 36%
39%
32%
39%
36%
39%
35%
41%
38%
36%
32%
31%
34%
40%
36%
34%
28%
35%
34%
40%
32%
33%
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Millions of Gallons
Estimated Indoor and Outdoor Water Use
Indoor Use
Outdoor Use
100.2
95.2
112
90
81
56.3
52.3 53.8
51.1 46
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Single Family Homes - GPCD
Total gpcd Indoor gpcd
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 16
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
Clothes
Washer
Dishwasher Showerhead Toilet
Total per year
Residential Rebates - Indoor
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Controller Soil
Sensor
Rain
Sensor
Nozzles &
Heads
Pressure
Regulator
Total per year
Residential Rebates - Outdoor
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 17
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
Total per year
Commercial Rebates - Indoor
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
Controller Soil Sensor Rain
Sensor
Pressure
Regulator
Nozzles &
Heads
Total per year
Commercial Rebates - Outdoor
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 18
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
HOA Sprinkler
Audit
Custom Rebate Facility
Assessments
Total per year
Commercial Audits
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Sprinkler Audit LCCC Audits Home Efficiency
Audits
Total per year
Residential Audits
2
2
2
2
2
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 19
Historic Water Use Per Person1
Year Actual Use
(gpcd)
Normalized
Average Use2
(gpcd)
Actual
Peak Day Use
(gpc)
1 in 50
Normalized
Peak Day Use3
(gpc)
2003 154 157 346 383
2004 146 150 307 327
2005 155 155 365 363
2006 172 156 353 350
2007 162 156 342 356
2008 153 153 321 333
2009 135 147 265 304
2010 146 144 295 323
2011 141 144 285 309
2012 165 152 342 337
2013 141 147 312 327
2014 139 143 269 309
Notes:
1. Values do not include large contractual water use.
2. Normalized values represent average expected use for 1930-1995 weather conditions.
3. 1 in 50 peak use is expected to occur once in 50 years.
Historic Annual Water Use
Year
Service Area
Population
Annual
Precipitation
(inches)
Annual Water
Use
(MG)
Average Day
Use
(MGD)
Peak Day Use
(MGD)
2003 125,500 18.2 8,280 22.6 46.9
2004 125,800 18.1 7,984 21.8 42.3
2005 126,900 16.2 8,497 23.3 50.1
2006 127,800 11.2 9,268 25.4 48.9
2007 128,400 13.7 8,860 24.2 47.5
2008 128,700 13.8 8,352 22.8 44.3
2009 128,900 21.9 7,391 20.2 37.1
2010 129,000 14.1 7,830 21.4 40.8
2011 129,100 17.8 7,621 20.8 39.7
2012 129,200 10.8 8,757 23.9 46.8
2013 129,300 18.8 7,560 20.7 43.0
2014 130,200 16.7 7,437 20.3 37.2
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 20
Number of Accounts by Customer Class
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Single-Family 26,627 26,588 26,605 26,654 26,930
Duplex 1,175 1,191 1,205 1,217 1,226
Multi-Family 2,154 2,165 2,180 2,204 2,240
Commercial 2,184 2,186 2,192 2,174 2,222
City Government 208 208 212 213 225
West Fort Collins WD 1 1 1 1 1
Outside City Customers 1,414 1,415 1,419 1,427 1,454
Total 33,762 33,754 33,814 33,889 34,298
Water Use by Customer Class
(Million Gallons)
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Single-Family 2,619.1 2,475.3 2,915.8 2,347 2,142
Duplex 134.0 130.9 146.4 127.8 120
Multi-Family 1,000.2 980.2 1,048.2 1,096.6 970
Commercial 3,095.3 3,057.8 3,330.5 2,924.6 2972
City Government 122.8 108.0 148.1 100.4 107
West Fort Collins WD 168.3 146.9 169.9 154.1 140
Outside City Customers 263.8 259.5 303.4 274.7 280
System Losses 426.5 462.1 695.1 534.9 706
Total 7,830.1 7,620.7 8,757.4 7,560.1 7437
Water Use per Account by Customer Class
(Gallons per Year)
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Single-Family 98,363 93,097 109,594 88,056 79,536
Duplex 114,085 109,886 121,518 104,999 97,750
Multi-Family 464,338 452,038 480,866 497,632 432,934
Commercial 1,417,338 1,397,962 1,519,134 1,345,089 1,337,765
City Government 591,785 519,674 699,082 472,134 475,830
Outside City
Customers 186,599 183,365 213,772 192,547 192,751
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 21
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14
Acre-Feet
Year
Annual Treated Water Use
1960-2014
WTF#2
WTF#1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 77 79 81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 13
MGD
Year
Peak Day Use
1961-2014
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 22
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14
Inches
Year
Historic Annual Precipitation Fort Collins
1960-2014
1981-2010 Average
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Inches
Month
2014 Precipitation
2014 Precipitation (16.69")
81-'10 Average Precipitation
(16.08")
.
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 23
Attachment ‘A’
Fort Collins Utilities Water Conservation Plan: Recommended Measures
Measure
Customers Water Use Date
RSF RMF CII City Indoor Outdoor Started/
Ended
Education and Public Information
Conservation public information campaign X X X X X X 1977
Adult education programs X X X X 1977
Business programs X X X X 2004
School education programs X X X X 1977
Conservation giveaways X X X X 1990
Water conservation awards X X X X X X 2013-
2014
Water Rates and Usage Information
Increasing block rate – Res. X X X 2003
Seasonal rates – Comm. & multi-family X X X X X 2003
Continuous consumption program X X X 2014
Home Water Reports X X X 2014
Online access to water history X X X X X 2014
Online water use calculator X X X 2012
Indoor Fixtures and Appliances -
Residential
Clothes washer rebates X X X 2003
Dishwasher rebates X X X 2007
WaterSense toilet rebates X X X 2010
WaterSense showerhead rebates X X X 2013
Low income retrofit program X X X 2007
Zero-interest loans/On-bill financing X X 1994
Research: Water end use study X X X 2011
Outdoor Efficiency - Landscape and
Irrigation
Sprinkler system audits X X 1999
Xeriscape Demonstration Garden X X X X X 1986
Xeriscape design clinics X X X 2009-
2012
Xeriscape design assistance program X X X 2014
Xeriscape installation rebates X X X 2014
Sprinkler equipment rebates X X X X 2010
Raw water for irrigation at parks, cemeteries
and golf courses
X X 1900
Research: Determine irrigated area for lots X X X X X 2012
Research: Determine irrigated area for lots X X X X X 2012
2014 Water Conservation Annual Report 24
Measure
Customers Water Use Date
RSF RMF CII City Indoor Outdoor Started/
Ended
Indoor Fixtures and Appliances -
Commercial
Commercial facility audits X X X 2004
Financial incentives for commercial water-
saving upgrades
X X X 2011
Hotel and restaurant conservation materials X X 2003
Restaurant pre-rinse spray valve distribution X X 2011
Water Reuse Systems
Large customer reuse X X X X 1980
Backwash recycling at water treatment facility X 2003
Regulatory Measures
Wasting water ordinance X X X X X X 1964
Restrictive covenants ordinance X X 2003
Soil amendment ordinance X X X X X 2003
Water Shortage Response Plan X X X X X X 2003
Landscape & irrigation standards for new
development
X X X X 1994
Operational Measures
Water loss program X 1993
Water loss program enhancement X Future
Water conservation upgrades at City LEED
buildings
X X X 2006
Water conservation upgrades at City facilities X X X 2010
Key:
RSF – Residential Single Family
RMF – Residential Multi-family
CII – Commercial, Industrial, Institutional
City – City government
Indoor – affects indoor water use
Outdoor – affects outdoor water use
Future – future measure
Kelly Scholl Kellow, Horticulturist
Seasonal Staff
Wendy Anderson
Nadia Iranpour
Kyle Schroeder
Dylan Smith
Terra Smith
Andrew Vogel