HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.a. Water Efficiency and Stormwater Rebate Update
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E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
Utility Commission Meeting: April 26, 2021
AGENDA ITEM: Water Efficiency & Stormwater Rebate
Update
AGENDA SECTION:
Old Business
PREPARED BY: Jessie Paque, Deputy Clerk/Office
Specialist
Jane Byron, Stormwater Specialist
AGENDA NO. 7.a.
ATTACHMENTS: Commercial Audit Report, Utility Billing
Insert APPROVED BY: BLE
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None
Quarterly Water Efficiency Rebate Update:
The City of Rosemount was awarded a Water Efficiency Grant from the Metropolitan Council (MCES) in
the amount of $11,300. The city is required to match $3,770 and that has been funded from the Water
Fund.
As part of this program, the following rebate amounts are allowed:
• $50 for Water Sense Toilets
• $150 for Energy Star Washers
• $150 for Water Sense Irrigation Controllers
• $200 for Irrigation system audits
Table 1 provides a summary of the entire rebate program activity, along with the city-funded rebate
programs that were in place prior to the MCES Water Efficiency Grant in January 2020.
Table 1 2018 2019 2020 2021
Gallons of Water Saved Annually
(est) 316,800 105,600 386,800 20,000
Total Rebate $4,853.82 $1,434.93 $4,971.67 $650.00
Municipality Contribution (25%) $4,853.82 $1,434.93 $1,242.92 $162.50
Irrigation Controllers Replaced: 31 12 35 0
Toilets Replaced: 3 0 6 1
Washers Replaced: 2 0 8 4
Audits (Residential): 0 0 1 0
Commercial Audit (billing not complete yet, report attached)
It would be a partnership with the Vermillion River Watershed Joint
Powers Organization on their Urban Water Conservation Program.
1 0
2
Quarterly Stormwater Rebate Update:
In May of 2019, the Utility Commission recommended City Council adopt a rebate program for residents
to install projects on their property to improve stormwater quality and reduce runoff volume. In March
2020, City Council approved the Stormwater Rebate Policy and established a maximum amount of $5,000
for 2020.
Table 2 provides a summary of the entire rebate program activity.
Table 2 2020 2021
Total Rebate $0
Rain Barrels: $0
Cisterns & Rainwater Harvesting: $0
Raingardens: $0
Native Plantings: $0
Buffers: $0
Stormwater Reuse: $0
Permeable Pavers & Pavements $0
The City received an application last week that is currently under review for compliance with program
policies. The City is hopeful that additional applications will be received through May as more people
participate in the Landscaping for Clean Water Program https://dakotaswcd.org/services/landscaping-
for-clean-water/ offered through the SWCD and additional advertisements occur this spring.
City staff has also made an effort to make application materials easier to complete, and the City Council
increased rebate amounts at the recommendation of the Utility Commission to better reflect anticipated
costs for projects. Updated application materials can be viewed here
https://www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/736/7616/Rebates-Assistance-Programs#stormwater%20rebate.
Here is a summary of advertisements of the program in 2021 completed or planned thus far:
• Included in a utility insert that went out for the January – March billing
• Social media posts
• Information at Home & Business Expo on May 8
• Included in course materials for Landscaping for Clean Water Workshops
• Individual staff contacts with residents
• City staff presence for Q&A at some of the Landscaping for Clean Water Workshops. There are 4
live virtual workshops through May 3, 2021.
• Potential inclusion in an upcoming Conserve & Preserve Blog post
https://ci.rosemount.mn.us/709/Conserve-and-Preserve-Blog
Staff will continue to publicize these programs via social media, city newsletters, staff updates and
additional methods.