HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.c. Water Efficiency and Stormwater Rebate Update
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Utility Commission Meeting: October 25, 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: None 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
316,800 105,600 386,800 179,400
(est)
Total Rebate $4,853.82 $1,434.93 $4,971.67 $3,130.26
Municipality Contribution (25%) $4,853.82 $1,434.93 $1,242.92 $782.56
Irrigation Controllers Replaced: 31 12 35 12
Toilets Replaced: 3 0 6 4
Washers Replaced: 2 0 8 12
Audits (Residential): 0 0 1 0
Commercial Audit (billing not complete yet)
It would be a partnership with the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers
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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 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.
Table 2 provides a summary of the entire rebate program activity.
2021
Table 2 2020
$147.85
Total Rebate $0
$86.94
Rain Barrels: $0
$0
Cisterns & Rainwater Harvesting: $0
$0
Raingardens: $0
$60.91
Native Plantings: $0
$0
Buffers: $0
$0
Stormwater Reuse: $0
$0
Permeable Pavers & Pavements $0
There were a few applications that were unable to receive the rebate this year because they didn’t meet
program size requirements or are delaying installation until next year. We are hopeful that word continues
to get out about the program as more people take advantage of it.
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.
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