HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.a. Water Efficiency and Stormwater Rebate Update
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Utility Commission Meeting: April 24, 2023
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 Energy Star Dishwashers
• $150 for Water Sense Irrigation Controllers
• $200 for Irrigation system audits
The City also partners with the Vermilion River Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) to offer
funding to multi-family residential properties for low-cost irrigation audits and improvement cost
share grants through this funding source. Under the program, HOAs pay $50 towards the cost of an
audit, a savings of several thousand dollars, the VRWJPO hires a certified contractor to complete the
audit, and the City provides grants up to 80% of the cost, not to exceed $1500, for WaterSense
improvements recommended in the audit reports. The City and VRWJPO also provide a grant for
non WaterSense audit recommended improvements up to 20% not to exceed $500. Previous audits
through the program have shown HOAs are wasting on average 1 Mgal/yr at a cost of $4,146 per year
on inefficient irrigation.
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 1,226,800 551,336
Total Rebate $4,971.67 $3,790.26 $13,634.95 $9,411.84
Municipality Contribution
(25%) $1,242.92 $911.15 $9,202.49 $2,352.96
Irrigation Controllers
Replaced: 35 1 4 17
Toilets Replaced: 6 1 4 9
2
Clothes Washers Replaced: 8 1 10 6
Dishwashers Replaced 0 0 0 1
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
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 2023
Total Rebate $0 $147.85 $77.50 $0
Rain Barrels: $0 $86.94 $77.50 $0
Cisterns & Rainwater Harvesting: $0 $0 $0 $0
Raingardens: $0 $0 $0 $0
Native Plantings: $0 $60.91 $0 $0
Buffers: $0 $0 $0 $0
Stormwater Reuse: $0 $0 $0 $0
Permeable Pavers & Pavements $0 $0 $0 $0
Here is a summary of advertisements of the program in 2023:
• 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 28 & 29
Staff will continue to publicize these programs via social media, city newsletters, staff updates and
additional methods.