HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 2/26/2019 - Memorandum From Liesel Hans Re: 2018 Xeriscape Incentive Program Results & 2019 EffortsUtilities
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222 Laporte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: February 18, 2019
TO: Mayor Troxell and City Councilmembers
FROM: Liesel Hans, Water Conservation Manager
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
RE: 2018 Xeriscape Incentive Program Results & 2019 Efforts
Bottom Line:
The Water Efficiency Plan adopted by City Council guides the 2030 goal of reducing the Utilities
service area water use to 130 gallons per capita per day (GCPD) by 2030. A critical strategy is to
cultivate landscapes that are appropriate for our semi-arid region. The growing Xeriscape Incentive
Program (XIP) transformed over 53,000 square feet across 47 residential landscapes in 2018, up
from 39 projects in 2017 but a few shy of the 50-project goal. These projects are estimated to save
about 747,000 gallons of water per year. This memo includes highlights, related efforts, and the
2018 XIP report as an attachment.
Overview & Highlights:
Outdoor use is the largest source of excess water use on residential properties; high-water landscapes
and inefficient irrigation systems use as much as 80 percent more water than water-wise landscapes.
XIP provides education, support, resources, and ultimately a $0.75 per-square-foot incentive for
transforming high water use landscapes into low- or no-water use landscapes.
XIP started in 2016 and participation continues to grow.
Based on customer feedback, Staff offered free 1:1 design consultations in addition to the 1:1
irrigation consultations the program has offered since 2017.
20 local contractors are on the XIP “Ambassador” list; 10 of these contractors were utilized
by participants for some or all of their xeriscape project.
2019 Goal: Complete 70 projects, 76,000 square feet, etc. Budget is $40,000.
Visit fcgov.com/xip to learn more. Now accepting enrollment!
DocuSign Envelope ID: CE9CB4DF-F9DD-4ABE-8079-6129A188FCC1
2/19/2019
2/19/2019
2/21/2019
2/21/2019
Related Efforts:
Water Conservation partners with Resource Central to bring the Garden in a Box to Fort
Collins. This program includes easy plant and maintenance guides with the plants, making it
an easy way to incorporate xeriscape into a landscape. In 2019, staff partnered with Nature
in the City to design a native-focused box to support local pollinators in addition to water
conservation goals. For the first time, the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District is also
offering this waterwise program to its customers.
XIP was included in a national study by Alliance for Water Efficiency on landscape
transformation programs. Results show that participants reduce water use by 39 percent, on
average. Programs with more assistance and education prior to a project resulted in greater
savings. The study suggested adjusting Land Use Codes to ensure waterwise landscapes from
the start.
Staff identified that larger landscapes like commercial, multi-family and HOA properties
need support to successfully implement a water-wise landscape transformation. Staff is
exploring how to best support regionally appropriate landscapes at these larger customer
sites.
o Staff applied for a Colorado Water Conservation Board grant to support for large-
scale landscape projects. Staff will also be applying for a U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation grant for a similar purpose, too.
o Staff is working with Parks, Natural Areas, Planning, Streets, and local contractors to
develop better tools to successfully install and care for native and waterwise
landscapes, especially to convert existing turf to waterwise grasses.
o The Landscape Water Budget program provides consultations and reports that
show recommended vs. actual watering based on water use, local weather, and
landscape area. Visit fcgov.com/commercial-irrigation to learn more.
o In 2018, Staff started a free leak notification service to commercial customers,
including irrigation accounts, and is transitioning to a more user-friendly automated
system in 2019. Over 50 customers registered in the first two weeks.
o Developing these types of programs and services is especially valuable to the
community given the recent water rates and billing changes.
Xeriscape Demonstration Garden:
Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual Xeriscape Garden Party on Saturday June 15th
from 11 a.m.– 2p.m. in the City Hall south parking lot and the Xeriscape Demonstration
garden. (fcgov.com/garden-party).
Staff is partnering with Rachio in 2019 to pilot a public-facing dashboard so anyone can see
the water schedules for each area of the Garden and learn how to adapt for their waterwise
landscape.
Attachments:
2018 Xeriscape Inventive Program report.
CC: Lisa Rosintoski, Utilities Deputy Director, Customer Connections
DocuSign Envelope ID: CE9CB4DF-F9DD-4ABE-8079-6129A188FCC1
The Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP) is a comprehensive, education-based incentive program that
offers Fort Collins Utilities residential water customers a post-project rebate for transforming a high-
water use area to a water-wise landscape.
2018 RESULTS
Completed 47 projects.
Converted 53,406 square feet.
$31,533 issued in rebates.
747,684 gallons of water saved annually.
PROGRAM RESULTS
TOTAL 2018 2017 2016
Projects completed 102 47 39 16
Estimated annual water savings in gallons1
1,677,816 747,684 705,558 224,574
Area converted (square feet) 119,844 53,406 50,397 16,041
Rebate dollars paid $68,191 $31,533 $25,054 $11,604
% total area rebated 76% 78% 66% 96%
% program retention2
- 38% 35% N/A
1-on-1 Irrigation Consultations 40 15 25 N/A
1-on-1 Design Consultations 25 25 N/A N/A
Average project size 1,171 1,136 1,292 1,003
Average rebate paid per participant $669 $670 $617 $725
# DIY projects 60 28 25 7
# Contractor-support projects 42 19 14 9
2019 GOALS
Complete 70 projects and transform 76,000 square feet.
Provide $40,000 in rebates.
Increase program retention by 5%.
1 See WATER SAVINGS section
2 Program retention measured by number of participants enrolled in program year compared to number of
completed projects.
DocuSign Envelope ID: CE9CB4DF-F9DD-4ABE-8079-6129A188FCC1
WATER SAVINGS
Newly planted landscapes, whether xeric or not, typically require two years of elevated watering to
establish healthy root systems. After year two, plants can be managed at the prescribed low- or no-
water requirement per plant. Using data from 2017 Xeriscape Incentive Program completed projects, we
compared summer water historical water meter data pre- and post-landscape project. An average of 14
gallons of water are saved per square foot of conversion. In few instances, water use went up,
identifying a need for follow-up reminders to check for leaks and irrigation schedules.
BACKGROUND
2018 marked the 3rd year of the Xeriscape Incentive Program. Participants receive a $0.75/square foot
rebate up to 1000 square feet, or up to $750, per approved project, per address.
Xeriscape Incentive Program participants:
1. Watch an online program orientation.
2. Attend an Irrigation 101 class.
3. Attend a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) class.
4. Attend optional 1-on-1 design and irrigation consultations.
5. Install an approved project.
6. Participate in a final site inspection.
7. Receive their rebate.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Supporting the Fort Collins Utilities Water Efficiency Plan objectives and goals.
Reducing peak water usage.
Increasing the area of drought-resilient landscape.
Supporting and increasing pollinator and wildlife habitat.
Increasing species diversity.
Educating the community about water efficiency and management.
PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK
70 percent of participants returned program surveys after completing a XIP project. Customer
satisfaction was consistent with the highly-positive results in 2017.
100% of respondents said, “City Staff had knowledge to help [participants] through the
program.”
97% of respondents would recommend XIP to a friend.
50% of respondents reported “conserving water” as the number one reason for
participation in the program.
DocuSign Envelope ID: CE9CB4DF-F9DD-4ABE-8079-6129A188FCC1
“The City is first class in it’s organization and programs to improve our
community.” – Kevin K.
“The rebate was really important for us to participate.” – Ryan B.
“Starting out I was a bit intimidated, but with so many resources and lots of
communication I succeeded in converting 1000 sq ft!” – Leah K.
TRENDS
Fort Collins is talking about xeriscape. 44 percent of 2019 enrollees heard about
XIP by word of mouth. In October 2018, 90 residents showed up to a XIP Open House event to
learn more about the program. Six past participants attended the event as well, eager to share
their projects and experience in the program with prospective participants.
Fort Collins is getting comfortable with xeriscape. A growing number of past
participants are doing multiple projects over several years. 16 participants have already
completed multiple projects. 59 percent of 2018 survey respondents said they are considering
participating in XIP again in other parts of their landscape.
PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT
Staff is utilizing FC Lean tools to evaluate the customer experience and administrative
process. Staff is implementing easy-win process improvements in the 2019 program
year and has plans for larger program improvements for the 2020 program year.
Staff identified a need to offer landscape design support and responded by offering
design 1-on-1 sessions in 2018. 25 participants took advantage of this optional
opportunity. Of those participants who had a 1-on-1 sessions, 13 went on to complete a
project – a retention rate 15 percentage points higher than the overall program rate.
Based on customer feedback, Staff offered the first hybrid class in January 2019,
combining both required classes into one class time to trial a different scheduling
option. The hybrid class had the highest registration and attendance of any XIP class to
date. This type of class scheduling, and an online training option are being strongly
considered for future program years to enable more customers to participate in ways
that work for their schedules.
Interested in learning more about the program? Visit fcgov.com/xip
or contact us directly. E-mail: xeriscape@fcgov.com Phone: 970-416-4378
DocuSign Envelope ID: CE9CB4DF-F9DD-4ABE-8079-6129A188FCC1