HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 11/12/2019 - Memorandum From Lisa Rosintoski And Liesel Hans Re: 2019 Sprinkler Audit Program Annual ReportUtilities
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222 Laporte Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.212.2900
V/TDD 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: November 5, 2019
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
FROM: Lisa Rosintoski, Deputy Director, Utilities, Customer Connections
Liesel Hans, Water Conservation Manager
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
RE: 2019 Sprinkler Audit Program Annual Report
Bottom Line:
Water Conservation completed a successful 2019 Residential Sprinkler Audit Season
conducting 439 residential sprinkler audits across Fort Collins Utilities (Utilities), Fort
Collins-Loveland (FCLWD) and East Larimer County (ELCO) water districts from June
through September 2019. The table below illustrates where audits occurred within each
Council District and Water District in 2019 (more details can be found on page 9 and 10
of the attached annual report).
Council District Utilities FCLWD ELCO Total
1 70 (16%) 0 (0%) 44 (10 %) 114 (26%)
2 62 (14%) 12 (3%) 0 (0%) 74 (17%)
3 13 (3%) 46 (10%) 0 (0%) 59 (13%)
4 38 (9%) 27 (6%) 0 (0%) 65 (15%)
5 32 (7%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 32 (7%)
6 24 (6%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 24 (6%)
Outside city limits 5 (1%) 35 (8%) 31 (7%) 71 (16%)
Total 244 (56%) 120 (27%) 75 (17%) 439 (100%)
In addition, on October 3, 2019, Utilities was awarded the Irrigation Association’s
Outstanding Public Engagement Award for the Sprinkler Audit Program. This award
recognizes work to engage and educate residential and commercial end users on smart
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and efficient technologies, best practices, and programs related to outdoor water
conservation.
This year represents the second highest number of audits completed since the start of the
program. (In 2010 we completed 456). This exceeded Utilities’ 2019 program goal of 350
audits across all three districts by 25%.
The total water reduction attributed to 2019 audits is 8,614,367 gallons; 23% more water
savings compared to 2018.
Background:
Utilities’ Sprinkler Audit Program began in 1999, offering free 90-minute audits to residential
customers. An audit includes a thorough visual inspection of the system, a custom watering
schedule, and recommended upgrades and repairs.
Over the last 21 years we’ve conducted 6,475 audits and reduced 83 million gallons of water. In
2018 alone, the Program contributed to 83% of Water Conservation’s reported savings from
residential outdoor water use programs and services. In a typical year, we hire about four
seasonal interns. In total, we’ve hired approximately 55 auditors, a few of which have gone on to
full-time positions with the City. Over the years we’ve evolved the program to incorporate new
technology, adapt to customer preferences, and increase program effectiveness. Starting in 2009,
we expanded the education and outreach provided by the program to assist customers within
FCLWD. We now also partner with ELCO and provide audits to these districts’ customers who
reside outside of Fort Collins’ city limits and Growth Management Area.
2019 Program Highlights:
We audited 20% more properties and about 620,000 more square feet of grass than in 2018.
Eighty-four percent of survey respondents said the audit exceeded expectations. The following is a
comment we received from a satisfied customer:
“The sprinkler audit I got was AWESOME! Such an awesome service. Everything about it
exceeded my expectations by a mile. [The Auditor] educated me about my system and how to
operate it better, and the report was perfect.”
This year, we implemented the following enhancements:
GIS-based property map of each customers’ irrigation zones, sprinkler heads and issues
identified.
Sent monthly landscape water budgets as a pilot to select Utilities’ customers that were
identified as excess water users at the beginning of the irrigation season. All other
Utilities customers received one landscape water budget with their personalized report,
following the completion of their audit.
Piloted Sprinkler Audit PLUS, a pilot rebate program for Utilities customers that required
a “PLUS” audit where the auditor helped to identify an area of unused turf that would be
easy to convert to a waterwise landscape. Then the customer removed the grass and
installed a waterwise landscape through the Garden In A Box program. The objective was
to help customers with small landscape conversion projects (small areas on isolated
zones) through an on-site consultation during and complementary to the regular Sprinkler
Audit service.
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Please find the 2019 Sprinkler Audit Program’s annual report attached. A copy of the annual
report was shared with Water Board on October 17, 2019 and FCLWD and ELCO will receive
their district-specific annual reports in November 2019.
You can find the Program’s waitlist, where customers can sign up now for an audit next year,
and more information at: fcgov.com/sprinkler-audits.
CC: Mariel Miller, Water Conservation Specialist
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Fort Collins Utilities Sprinkler Audit Program 2019
1
BACKGROUND
2019 marked the 21st year of the Fort Collins Sprinkler Audit program, which provides free water efficiency evaluations
of residential sprinkler systems. These 90-minute consults cover system efficiency, optimal operation and potential
water-saving upgrades. Auditors also discuss turf health, landscape transformation and indoor conservation. After the
site visit, participants receive a follow-up report that includes advice on efficient lawn watering as well as a customized
watering schedule and list of repairs. Over the years, this service has grown to include other water districts and multiple
enhancements.
BENEFITS
During the summer months, about 60% of all treated water is used outdoors. The benefits of educating our community
and fostering better management of irrigation include:
• Support of the Fort Collins Utilities and other water districts’ Water Efficiency Plans
• Reducing peak usage, which drives overall water utilities’ system capacity needs
• Reducing summer water bills for customers
• Reducing run-off and keeping excess irrigation from taking fertilizer and other pollution into waterways
• Helping the community adapt to a changing climate
PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS
439 sprinkler systems across three water districts were audited in 2019. This is 20% more than the 366 audits
completed in the 2018 season, and about 25% higher than our goal of 350. July was the busiest month of the season
with 166 audits, which is over 41 audits per week.
Number of sprinkler audits by Water District and month
May Jun Jul Aug Sep Total
Utilities 3 61 101 51 28 244
FCLWD 0 44 43 25 8 120
ELCO 0 35 22 17 1 75
Total 3 140 166 93 37 439
439
Total Audits
Completed
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Fort Collins Utilities Sprinkler Audit Program 2019
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Auditors used an online application and Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) to collect unique data at each
site and provide the following program results:
• Audited 1,940,413 square feet (34 football
fields) of turf
• Reduced usage by 8,614,367 gallons
(equivalent to water use of 102 homes for
one year1)
• Changed schedules on 82% of controllers to
be more efficient
• Averaged a 2.1-day turnaround from
sprinkler audit completion to customer
report delivery
Participation from ELCO and FCLWD customers was much greater in 2019 compared to 2018. This likely is due in large
part to promoting the program in the City of Fort Collins Utilities bill insert, which most water district customers receive,
and additional promotion and marketing by ELCO and FCLWD.
1 Water Conservation 2017 Annual Report states that the average home water usage in Utilities’ Water service area is approx. 84,066 gallons/yr.
2 The ‘gallons reduced’ estimates were calculated using irrigation events observed through hourly water usage data. Gallons and days per week for
irrigation events were compared before and after the audit date. A coefficient for gallons saved per square foot of audited area was established
and then multiplied to reflect the savings over the average 16-week irrigation season. In previous years, staff has used a coefficient based on
savings per audit, which is not as accurate due to a wide range in property sizes. The gallons saved per square foot estimate for Fort Collins Utilities
was then extrapolated across the partnering districts to estimate the total gallons of water reduced for the entire season.
3
The ‘controllers changed’ estimates are conservative as they only consider audits where the auditor and homeowner re-programmed the
controller during the audit. There are likely customers who later reprogrammed the controller and made repairs or upgrades to their system that
also resulted in water conservation.
Water Service
District
Average area audited
per home (sq. ft.)
Completed
Audits
Total area
audited (sq.
ft.)
Estimated water
reduction (gal)2
Controllers
changed (%)3
Utilities 3,923
244 957,269 4,249,748 82%
FCLWD 5,217
120 626,005 2,779,118 84%
ELCO 4,762
75 357,139 1,585,501 81%
Total 4,634 439 1,940,413 8,614,367 82%
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Fort Collins Utilities Sprinkler Audit Program 2019
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PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK
Following each audit, customers are sent an online satisfaction survey to gather information about the value of the
audit, what was learned and what changes were made post-audit. We received 113 responses; 95 indicated that the
audit exceeded expectations4.
99.2% of Audits Exceeded or Met Customer Expectations
Customer Comments
“The sprinkler audit I got was AWESOME! Such an awesome service. Everything about it exceeded my expectations by
a mile. [The Auditor] educated me about my system and how to operate it better, and the report was perfect.”
– Adam Z, District 2, Utilities Customer.
“I thought the audit was extremely helpful, and [The Auditor] did a great job explaining things and making
suggestions.”
-Anne T, District 1, Utilities Customer.
“We so appreciated [The Auditor]’s time to walk our sprinkler zones and share knowledge and expertise.”
-Anne M, District 5, Utilities Customer.
“[The Auditor] took the time to explain my sprinkler system to me: a new homeowner. Really appreciated her
patience!”
-Pat F, District 6, Utilities Customer
“I was really impressed with the detailed process. [The Auditors] exceeded what sprinkler repair companies do.”
–Doug B, District 3, FCLWD Customer
“[The Auditor] was very informative, showed and explained everything. She answered all my questions and even
showed me how to use our control panel properly, I learned so much!”
-Cindy S, Outside of City, FCLWD Customer
4 One “fell short” survey response was received from a customer who felt that the recommended schedule wasn’t adequate watering for the
property. Staff followed up with the customer and resolved the concern.
26%
Response
Rate
84%
Exceeded
15% Met
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“This was one of the most beneficial services we have ever had. [The Auditor] was fantastic, explaining everything in
detail and in clear terms that were easy to understand. Very thorough, comprehensive and valuable audit. I highly
recommend this service to anyone wishing to conserve water and, at the same time, have a healthy lawn and flower
beds. Thanks for the fabulous sprinkler audit.”
-William B, Outside of City, ELCO Customer
“[The Auditor] was so knowledgeable and answered all of our questions! He went above and beyond sharing
information regarding switching our system to a drip system. Just overall a wonderful experience.”
-Anonymous ELCO Customer
“[The Auditor] was incredible. A real professional representative of the City of Fort Collins. He found leaks, fixed
heads, replaced heads, and will send me info on how to get my leaks fixed.”
-Carol T, Outside of City, ELCO Customer
“Controlling the Controller”
Audits instill confidence in customers so they can “control the controller.” This is done through education on best
watering practices, such as the cycle-soak method to reduce run-off and excessive watering, in addition to teaching
customers about the seasonal-adjust feature of their controller to react to weather changes throughout the summer.
86% of customers
made changes to their
system or controller
post-audit.
Over 70%
implemented the
cycle-soak method.
57% learned to use
the seasonal-adjust
feature.
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Fort Collins Utilities Sprinkler Audit Program 2019
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PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS
The 2019 season was the second season that incorporated the use of GIS as part of the data collection process and audit
report map production for customers. Staff learned a lot from the first pilot year (2018) that used GIS. Many significant
improvements were incorporated this season to make the spatial data collection more efficient and better capture and
display the characteristics of each audited sprinkler system. The resultant GIS maps are useful for cataloging
recommended repairs and upgrades and can be used to help identify zones that would be ideal for conversion to less
water intensive landscapes.
GIS and Map Production Improvements
Offline mapping capability
ensuring fast and efficient
data collection in the field
Standardized map template
ensuring quality and
consistency
High resolution aerial
imagery base map
Integrated map
symbols indicating
sprinkler head type,
operating condition
and zone number
Dynamic map legend
that updates
automatically to
reflect the sprinkler
system of interest
Ability to
map drip
lines
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Fort Collins Utilities Sprinkler Audit Program 2019
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A total of 14,364 sprinkler heads were inspected in
the 2019 season, including 11,158 (78%) in good
condition, with the remaining 3,206 (22%) exhibiting
operational problems. The most common problem
in every water district was wrong equipment, which
indicates the use of different types of sprinkler
heads being used in the same zone. Different types
of sprinkler heads water at different rates and
consequently apply different amounts of water to
the landscape. For this reason, sprinkler zones
should be separated based on plant and sprinkler
head type to ensure the same amount of water is
applied to each zone consistently (e.g., no under- or
over-watering). Mixed head types can be fixed
relatively easily by changing sprinkler heads to the
same type per zone and by reconfiguring zones to
water plants with similar water needs (e.g., grass).
NEW TOOLS AND SERVICES
Monthly Landscape Water Budgets
Landscape Water Budgets were included in customers’ audit
reports in 2018. Beginning in 2019, staff piloted providing
recurring monthly landscape water budget graphs to Fort Collins
Utilities customers who were excess irrigators and had audits
completed in June (example on page 7). The water budgets
informed excess irrigators if they had successfully reduced their
outdoor water consumption throughout the irrigation season.
Staff are determining if these follow-up water budgets were a
valuable tool in helping customers minimize or eliminate excess
outdoor water use.
Landscape
Water
Budget
Daily climate
data
Irrigated area
of turf
Up to two
years of daily
water use
data
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Fort Collins Utilities Sprinkler Audit Program 2019
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Example of the landscape water budget graph that indicates estimated indoor water use, efficient outdoor water use,
excess water use and efficient total water use.
The landscape water budget graphs display customers’ historic monthly water use for up to two years and compares it
to an estimate of how much water is needed per month based on the area of their landscape that is irrigated and daily
climate data. If excess water usage occurred in 2018, the utility bill savings opportunities, in gallons and dollars, is
included below the graph to provide an estimate of potential annual savings if there was no excess water use.
Targeted Irrigation Notifications
Throughout the 2019 irrigation season, six different irrigation alerts were emailed to select Utilities’ customers who
received an audit and were identified as using potentially inefficient irrigation practices. Notifications and messages
were pertinent to individual customers’ irrigation use and were sent under the following scenarios:
• Irrigating within 48 hours after substantial rainfall
• Irrigating during the day (between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.)
• Irrigating 4 or more days per week
• Seasonal adjust and upcoming forecast reminders
• Winterization reminder
Using WaterSmart’s AMI tool, a software product that developed an algorithm to identify water use patterns associated
with leaks, irrigation events and other types of water use, staff identified which sprinkler audit recipients should be
0
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Your Water Use (Gallons)
Indoor Water Use Efficient Outdoor Water Use Excess Water Use Efficient Water Use
Estimated Annual Savings (Gal): 24,700 Estimated Annual Savings: $79 - $90
Estimated Irrigated
Fort Collins Utilities Sprinkler Audit Program 2019
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notified based on their use. Only those who were identified by the tool as exhibiting the practices listed above were sent
the targeted email message, which included irrigation resources and related information to assist the customer. Staff are
in the process of determining if these messages were a valuable tool in helping customers focus on their outdoor water
use throughout the irrigation season and not just around the time of their audit.
Sprinkler Audit PLUS
Sprinkler Audit PLUS was piloted in 2019. The pilot was introduced to Utilities customers as an additional sprinkler audit
enhancement. During a Sprinkler Audit PLUS service, one dedicated auditor performed the typical sprinkler audit and
focused on identifying sprinkler zones that could be easily converted from spray heads to drip irrigation, and from grass
to a Garden In A Box. Easily converted zones are those that can be swapped to drip without compromising the remaining
irrigation coverage of the areas adjacent to the zone undergoing the swap. Customers with eligible areas could receive a
$110 rebate for installing a project, in addition to rebates up to $50 for drip conversion kits.
Before and after example of a Sprinkler Audit PLUS rebate recipient’s project.
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Fort Collins Utilities Sprinkler Audit Program 2019
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At the time of this report was prepared, only two
rebate applications for the Sprinkler Audit PLUS
program had been submitted and four customers
were in progress. In order to identify areas of
improvement, a customer survey was sent out to
PLUS customers and staff held a feedback session
with auditors. Based on auditor and customer
feedback, the Sprinkler Audit PLUS team has decided
to give Sprinkler Audit PLUS another try in 2020 with
the following changes:
• Train all auditors to perform the PLUS service
• Integrate the PLUS service into every Fort Collins Utilities audit
• Illustrate drip conversion with physical examples of equipment
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DISTRICT CLASSIFICATIONS
Number and percent of 2019 sprinkler audits per Council District (rows) and Water District (columns)
Council District Utilities FCLWD ELCO Total
1 70 (16%) 0 (0%) 44 (10 %) 114 (26%)
2 62 (14%) 12 (3%) 0 (0%) 74 (17%)
3 13 (3%) 46 (10%) 0 (0%) 59 (13%)
4 38 (9%) 27 (6%) 0 (0%) 65 (15%)
5 32 (7%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 32 (7%)
6 24 (6%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 24 (6%)
Outside city limits 5 (1%) 35 (8%) 31 (7%) 71 (16%)
Total 244 (56%) 120 (27%) 75 (17%) 439 (100%)
5 Auditors recorded if a property had a PLUS eligible Zone for ELCO and FCLWD properties even if the audit wasn’t a specified PLUS audit.
Water
District
Eligible
Properties5
Percent of
Properties
Utilities 83 33.8%
FCLWD 42 35%
ELCO 27 36%
Total 152 34.6%
34% of Properties Audited
Eligible for a PLUS Rebate!
An example of a PLUS eligible zone (Zone 2). Customers use the
map provided in the follow-up Sprinkler Audit Report to determine
which heads to cap (red X) as well as which heads to retrofit using
a drip conversion kit.
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Fort Collins Utilities Sprinkler Audit Program 2019
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Locations of 2019 sprinkler audits in each Water District and Council District
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Area (sq ft): 3,468
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