HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.l. Water Efficiency Grant Program G:\Water\MCES Water Efficiency Grant\20151117 CC Water Efficiency Grant Program.docx
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Regular Meeting: November 17, 2015
AGENDA ITEM: Water Efficiency Grant Program AGENDA SECTION:
Consent
PREPARED BY: Patrick Wrase, PE, Director of Public
Works / City Engineer AGENDA NO. 6.l.
ATTACHMENTS: Water Efficiency Grant Program and
Application Form APPROVED BY: ddj
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion Directing Staff to Submit an Application to the
Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant Program
BACKGROUND
The Metropolitan Council (MCES) is offering, for the first time, a Water Efficiency Grant to be used
towards water efficient technologies. MCES has $250,000 available, appropriated by the 2015 Minnesota
Legislature, to be awarded to municipalities making an effort to reduce potable water consumption.
Grants will be awarded in amounts from $2,000 to $50,000. Grant funding covers 75% of the program
costs, and municipalities are required to match 25% of the allocated amount. The funds may be used as
rebates towards the purchase and installation of low-flow toilets, Energy Star-rated washing machines, and
WaterSense irrigation controllers. The application due date is Monday, November 30th.
In reviewing a few cities that already offer water conservation rebates, the funding is generally at $50 for
Water Sense Toilets, $150 for Energy Star Washers and $150 for Water Sense Irrigation Controllers. The
water savings associated with the program are substantial. WaterSense Toilets are estimated to save 4000
gallons per year (gpy), EnergyStar Washers 3000 gpy and WaterSense Irrigation Controllers up to 8800
gpy. Assuming 100 applications distributed equally among the three rebate programs, an annual savings of
526,000 gallons would be realized. Regarding program cost, making similar utilization assumptions, the
total estimated rebate payments would be $11,666 per year with $8,749 (75%) funded from the MCES
Grant Program and $2,916 in funds from the Rosemount Water Utility Fund.
If the application process is successful, Staff will develop a Water Efficiency Rebate Program for city of
Rosemount customers. The details regarding the program, including process, administration and
communication and application materials will be presented to the City Council at a future date.
SUMMARY
Staff is seeking approval of a motion directing application to the Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency
Grant program.