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Home My WebLink About8.a. Water Efficiency and Stormwater Rebate Update EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Utility Commission Meeting: September 26, 2022 AGENDA ITEM: Water Efficiency & Stormwater Rebate Update AGENDA SECTION: Old Business PREPARED BY: Amy Simonson, Public Works Office Specialist Jane Byron, Stormwater Specialist AGENDA NO. 8.a ATTACHMENTS: None APPROVED BY: NE 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 $34,000 for the 2022-24 grant cycle. 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. Table 1 2020 2021 2022 July 2022 *New cycle* Gallons of Water Saved Annually (est.) 386,800 200,200 1,144,800 143,800 Total Rebate $4,971.67 $3,790.26 $3,644.57 $1,473.35 Municipality Contribution (25%) $1,242.92 $947.56 $911.15 $368.34 Irrigation Controllers Replaced: 35 13 1 16 Toilets Replaced: 6 4 1 1 Washers Replaced: 8 16 1 0 Audits (Residential): 1 0 0 0 Commercial Audit In a partnership with the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) on their Urban Water Conservation Program. 2021 Municipality Contribution partially provided by Stormwater Utility. 3 0 2 The three irrigation audits were processed during the 1st Quarter of 2022. The irrigation audits for the Homeowners Associations (HOA) do not function as a rebate, but rather function as a grant. The HOA applies and is accepted. The City and VRWJPO arrange for and pay the audit contractor. The HOA only pays $50 out of pocket. The three HOAs were Crosscroft HOA, Bloomfield Single Family HOA, and Harmony East HOA. Processing the irrigation audit rebates used up the reminder of the grant dollar for the current period. The new grant cycle started in June 2022. An additional pilot audit was conducted for Claret Springs HOA in 2020, but the MCES grant did not contribute to the cost of that audit. Three HOAs have been selected for audits in 2022 (Bloomfield Townhomes, Claret Springs East, Glenrose of Rosemount). The audits conducted in 2022 will likely be processed the final quarter of 2022 or first quarter of 2023. A new program element has been added to the commercial audits for the 2022-2024 grant cycle. HOAs that have previously had an irrigation audit under the program are eligible to apply for grants to implement some of the conservation measures recommended in their respective audits. The first grants for conservation implementation will likely be processed in the final quarter of 2022 or first quarter of 2023 per an agreement with the VRWJPO guiding the program. We have received feedback of significant savings in irrigation from one HOA, Crosscroft HOA, as a result of the Urban Water Conservation Program (Commercial Audits). Their audit was completed in 2021, and they began making improvements to their system in 2021, completing improvements in 2022. They have replaced 600 leaking sprinkler heads, repaired 20 underground leaks, installed 5 rain sensors, and are better managing their irrigation controllers, all while reducing their irrigation technical services by 80%. As you can see by the table below, the resulting savings have been significant, with a year over year reduction from 2021 to 2022 of over $20,000. Year Bill June-August Estimated Rainfall* Estimated Gallons 2020 $31,833 15.09” 8.8 MGal 2021 $25,057 8.20” 6.6 MGal 2022 $4,670 8.47” 1.2 MGal * Rainfall estimated from https://climateapps.dnr.state.mn.us/gridded_data/precip/wetland/wetland.asp 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. Table 2 2020 2021 2022 Total Rebate $0 $147.85 $77.50 Rain Barrels: $0 $86.94 $77.50 Cisterns & Rainwater Harvesting: $0 $0 $0 Raingardens: $0 $0 $0 3 Native Plantings: $0 $60.91 $0 Buffers: $0 $0 $0 Stormwater Reuse: $0 $0 $0 Permeable Pavers & Pavements $0 $0 $0 Here is a summary of advertisements of the program in 2022: • Included in a utility insert going out for the January – March billing • Conserve & Preserve Blog Post https://ci.rosemount.mn.us/preserve • The City Newsletter • Information at Home & Business Expo in March • 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. • Information at Leprechaun Days Midsummer Faire July 29 & 30 Staff will continue to publicize these programs via social media, city newsletters, staff updates and additional methods.