HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.a. Water Efficiency and Stormwater Rebate Update
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Utility Commission Meeting: July 26, 2021
AGENDA ITEM: Water Efficiency & Stormwater Rebate AGENDA SECTION:
Update Old Business
PREPARED BY: Jessie Paque, Deputy Clerk/Office
Specialist AGENDA NO. 6.a.
Jane Byron, Stormwater Specialist
ATTACHMENTS: Rebate Informational Flyer 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.
2021
Table 1 2018 2019 2020
Gallons of Water Saved Annually
316,800 105,600 386,800 111,000
(est)
Total Rebate $4,853.82 $1,434.93 $4,971.67 $1,780.21
Municipality Contribution (25%) $4,853.82 $1,434.93 $1,242.92 $445.05
Irrigation Controllers Replaced: 31 12 35 9
Toilets Replaced: 3 0 6 1
Washers Replaced: 2 0 8 6
Audits (Residential): 0 0 1 0
Commercial Audit (billing not complete yet)
It would be a partnership with the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers
1 3
Organization on their Urban Water Conservation Program. 2021
Municipality Contribution partially provided by Stormwater Utility.
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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.
2021
Table 2 2020
$26.94
Total Rebate $0
$26.94
Rain Barrels: $0
$0
Cisterns & Rainwater Harvesting: $0
$0
Raingardens: $0
$0
Native Plantings: $0
$0
Buffers: $0
$0
Stormwater Reuse: $0
$0
Permeable Pavers & Pavements $0
The City is hopeful that applications will be received through the summer 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. The City has reached out to
the SWCD for contact information for 2021 grant recipients so that we could do some direct outreach to
residents who likely qualify.
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.
Information at Leprechaun Days Midsummer Faire on July 23 & 24
Staff will continue to publicize these programs via social media, city newsletters, staff updates and
additional methods.
2
Save Green $$ by Being Green
A number of organizations, including the City of Rosemount, offer rebates, grants, training workshops, and other programs to
help residents save water, improve water quality, save energy, and protect pollinators. If you are looking to make
improvements that help the environment, but don’t know where to start, there’s a program out there for you. Check out the
City’s Rebates & Assistance Programs website at www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/736/7616/Rebates-Assistance-Programs for access
to program applications and information links. And remember, many programs can be used in combination.
Which Program is Right for You?
Do you want to save water? Then check out the Rosemount Water Efficiency
Rebate. You can receive a rebate on your city utility bill by replacing an existing appliance
with a qualifying appliance or having an irrigation audit performed by a certified irrigation
auditor:
• WaterSense Low Flow Toilets - $50 maximum rebate
• Energy Star Washing Machines - $150 maximum rebate
• WaterSense Irrigation Controllers - $150 maximum rebate
• Irrigation System Audits* - $200 maximum rebate
Rebates cannot exceed 50% of the purchase price of each product, receipts must be provided and dated after January 1 of
2020, and new construction homes do not qualify. The program is offered in conjunction with the Metropolitan Council
with funding from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment. Call (651) 322-2022 to learn more.
Does your HOA want to save water? The City of Rosemount has partnered with
the Vermillion River Joint Powers Organization on the Urban Water Conservation
Program. Three HOAs are selected each year to receive an irrigation audit by a pre-
selected certified irrigation auditor at a reduced cost of $50 – that’s as much as a $2,000
savings. Participating HOAs will be offered a modest reimbursement grant to be applied
toward water efficiency improvements recommended in the audits the following year;
improvements have the potential to save an HOA hundreds to thousands of dollars a year
in watering costs. The program is competitive, and selection will be based on water usage.
The application deadline is April 1. Call (651) 322-2075 to learn more.
Do you want to save energy? Rebates or other assistance with energy audits, energy saving
appliances, and energy saving home improvements are offered by local electrical and natural gas
utility providers. Because different utility providers offer service in different sections of
Rosemount, it is important to know who your utility provider is; you must be a current customer.
You can learn more by visiting ci.rosemount.mn.us/695/Residential-Energy-Rebates-and-
Programs.
The Dakota County Community Development Authority (CDA) offers Weatherization and
Energy Efficiency programs for energy efficiency improvements to homes. Example projects
include insulation improvements, furnace upgrades, and appliance upgrades. Participants must
meet income limits. Find more information at this website www.dakotacda.org/housing-
resources/homeownership/weatherization-energy-efficiency.
Green Rebates & Assistance for Homeowners
WaterSense is a certification and
label program of the US EPA
Irrigation audits can find broken
sprinkler heads that waste water
Energy audits find
energy inefficiencies.
Do you want to improve water quality in local lakes and ponds? Through the
Rosemount Stormwater Rebate you can receive a city utility rebate by installing projects in
your yard that reduce stormwater volume or improve local water quality. Typical projects
include rain barrel installations, native plant gardens, raingardens, and buffers. Rebate amount
is based on type of project and cannot exceed 50% of total qualifying expenses. Some types of
projects need to be approved by the City before installation, so we recommend you become
familiar with program requirements before installation. Call (651) 322-2075 to learn more.
Landscaping for Clean Water is a series of classes, workshops, and grants offered by the
Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in partnership with local
communities that seek to make it easy for residents to install native plant gardens,
raingardens, and shoreline buffers for their water quality and pollinator habitat benefits.
Workshops are generally held from March through May; the Introduction to Clean Water
Class and the Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course are both required to qualify for a
$250 grant. The SWCD also offers larger grant amounts for large projects, which can be an
option for HOAs looking to install multiple gardens or businesses, churches, or schools that
want to install a large garden. Register for workshops at
DakotaSWCD.org/services/landscaping-for-clean-water/. Information on other SWCD
cost share grant programs is available at DakotaSWCD.org/services/incentives/.
Dakota County offers a rain barrel or compost bin discount on the Recycling Association of Minnesota’s (RAM)
annual rain barrel and compost bin sale. The RAM sale occurs in the spring. Use the promo code ‘Dakota’ at checkout to
get the discount. Visit RecycleMinnesota.org/ to access the sale.
Do you want to help pollinators? The Lawns to Legumes program offer by the Minnesota
Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) provides workshops, coaching, and planting guides to
residents seeking to add pollinator habitat to their yards. The program provides information on
pocket plantings, addition of flowering trees/shrubs, pollinator lawns, and pollinator meadows.
Grants of up to $350 have been offered in the past but are not being offered at this time. Sign up
for program update at bwsr.state.mn.us/l2l; funding may be offered again in the future.
Do you want to plant a tree? Every year on a Saturday in late April or early May, the City
hosts an Annual Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway. The City of Rosemount gives
away free trees to residents at the event in addition to other activities. Trees are generally 6-8 feet
tall and are bareroot. Each year about five different species of trees are offered. Supply is limited,
so show up early to get a tree. The event is first come first served with a limit of one tree per
household. The event is advertised on the City website, in social media, and City newsletters.
Trees offer a variety of environment benefits including habitat, energy savings through shade,
stormwater runoff reduction, and water quality improvement, just to name a few. You can learn
more about special events by visiting www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/204/Special-Events.
Other Ways to Make a Difference
Volunteer for the City The City of Rosemount offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Whether it’s a one-day
event or long-term opportunity, we have something for you. Volunteers strengthen local services, raise awareness of social
needs, connects communities, and build friendships. Change your life and those around you - volunteer! To learn more,
call 651-208-4840 or visit www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/582/Volunteer-for-the-City.
2875 145th Street West ∙ Rosemount, MN 55068
651-423-4411 ∙ comment@ci.rosemount.mn.us
www.ci.rosemount.mn.us
Raingardens add beauty
while helping water quality
SWCD staff and a homeowner
layout a raingarden.
Rosemount has been a
Tree City since 1991