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Council Agenda - City of BurbankTuesday, November 22, 2005Agenda Item - 12 |
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Council Agenda - City of BurbankTuesday, November 22, 2005Agenda Item - 12 |
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PURPOSE
To update the City Council on Burbank Water and Power�s (BWP) current electric- and water-saving programs and to recommend the dissolution of the Splash into Savings Program and the introduction of a Residential Drip Irrigation Program.
BACKGROUND
A primary goal of the utility is to help our customers use both water and electricity wisely. BWP has actively encouraged customers to engage in sound conservation practices for many years. By �sound� we mean measures that achieve energy and water reductions in a cost-effective manner without limiting customer comfort. Comfort and conservation should not be mutually disagreeable concepts and we design all our conservation programs with this in mind.
On the electric conservation front, the State of California passed a law that went into effect in 1998. This �Public Benefits� mandate requires all electric distributing organizations in the state to invest 2.85% of annual electric retail revenues in Public Benefits projects. There are four sanctioned Public Benefits categories:
Until the beginning of this fiscal year, the City of Burbank had divided the 2.85% Public Benefits obligation between BWP (1.85%) and the General Fund (1%). As of July 1, 2005, the utility is responsible for the full on-going obligation which will extend through to January 1, 2012. The General Fund remains responsible for its accrued balance.
This report will review BWP�s electric and water conservation programs, as well as staff�s recommendations for removing one program and adding another.
I. BWP�s Current Portfolio of Electric Conservation Programs
BWP staff tracks the monthly performance of our programs to ensure that they are operating at optimal levels. For instance, if we see any unexpected dips in performance, staff will review marketing and communication options to pursue. One goal for our program portfolio is to serve the needs of all of Burbank�s constituents. Additionally, each program must remain a wise investment of funds that meets the annual goal determined for it. With electricity conservation programs, the goals are to help customers reduce their consumption without impacting comfort, reduce peak energy use, increase awareness of energy conservation, and showcase environmentally preferred energy alternatives.
We�re proud of the programs that we have developed and nurtured over the past few years and are pleased to share with you a brief update on BWP�s existing conservation programs.
Made in the Shade
Introduced in March 2003, BWP�s Made in the Shade program has been very popular with Burbank residents. Made in the Shade provides for up to three shade trees selected by and delivered to Burbank residents for free. To participate, residents simply call our program arborist and schedule an at-home consultation. During this meeting, the certified arborist reviews possible residence-shading locations on the property. Together, the arborist and resident select sites and tree species from a list of about 30 trees. Within two weeks, the 15-gallon trees are delivered directly to the residence. BWP also provides stakes, ties, arbor guards, and a tree-planting video, all at no cost to the resident.
The goal of this program is to reduce the need for air conditioning. Planting trees in westerly and southern exposures shades the home, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning. As the tree grows, the shading grows. Trees are nature�s air conditioners that provide decades of this advantage, along with other environmental benefits, such as improved air quality and reduced storm drain run-off.
Since the program began just two and a half years ago, 3,271 trees have been planted in Burbank.
In January 2005, BWP expanded the program to include business customers. The business Made in the Shade program works exactly the same as for residential customers with the one exception of the ability to receive up to 20 free shade trees. Since January, 37 trees have been provided to ten participating businesses. These results are on par with our expectations for the business program.
In addition to other environmental and aesthetic benefits, the Made in the Shade trees planted thus far are estimated to reduce energy use over their lifetime by 14 million kilowatt-hours.
Commercial Corridor Tree Program
A related program has been the Commercial Corridor Tree Program. One of the City�s Work Plan goals is to increase the number of trees planted along major commercial corridors. Working with the Community Development Department, BWP provided $75,000 in funding during Fiscal Year 2004-2005. This funding paid for 100 36� box trees. These trees will be planted along San Fernando Boulevard, running from Alameda to Verdugo, as part of the San Fernando Boulevard streetscape enhancement program.
Burbank Boulevard is the next major streetscape enhancement program. BWP has earmarked $75,000 in the current budget for the purchase of trees to be planted as part of this major corridor renovation. However, this funding will most likely be used for the Burbank Boulevard project in Fiscal Year 2006-07.
These plantings will help reduce the phenomenon known as the �heat island effect.� Heat islands are created as cities replace natural land cover with pavement, buildings, and other infrastructure that absorb heat. A good example is a large parking lot. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, urban air can be up to 10�F hotter than the temperature of the surrounding non-urban area. Because homes and buildings absorb the sun�s energy, heat islands can increase the demand for summertime cooling and raise energy expenditures. For every 1� F increase in summertime temperature, peak utility loads increase by an estimated 1.5�2.0 percent. From an energy conservation perspective, it is easy to see the importance of reducing heat islands. Planting trees along city thoroughfares is just one way to do so.
Torchiere Exchange Program
Since May 2002, BWP has held an annual Torchiere Exchange Program where we give Burbank residents and businesses new, Energy Star-rated fluorescent floor lamps (torchieres) in exchange for their old halogen floor lamps.
There are two important reasons why BWP runs this program. First, halogen lamps use about four times the energy as fluorescent lamps. Second, halogen lamps burn at up to 1100� Fahrenheit, while fluorescent lamps burn at a cool 100� Fahrenheit. To offer some perspective on this, the ignition point for paper is 249� Fahrenheit. What this means is that there exists a real fire concern with halogen torchieres. In fact, according to a 2001 report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 530 fires and 36 deaths since 1992 are attributed to halogen lamps. For this reason, Burbank�s Fire Department has co-sponsored all four of BWP�s torchiere exchange programs.
In the four years that we have run the torchiere exchange program, BWP has handed out 3,444 fluorescent lamps, taking the same number of high-energy consuming and possibly dangerous lamps out of Burbank homes and businesses. The long-term result of these exchanges is that over 7 million kilowatt-hours of energy will be saved.
Energy Solutions Business Rebate Program
BWP offers rebates to Burbank businesses under our Energy Solutions Program. The vast majority of Burbank businesses are eligible to earn up to $10,000 in rebates during each fiscal year. A handful of the City�s very largest energy users � those with peak demands in excess of 1,000 kilowatts -- qualify for up to $50,000 annually. When local businesses take action to significantly reduce their energy consumption, BWP is there to reward them with an Energy Solutions rebate! Energy Solutions provides rebates of up to 25% of the project cost. Any replacement project that meets or exceeds Title 24 energy requirements is eligible. For new construction projects, Title 24 must be exceeded for rebate eligibility. Upgrades in air conditioning and lighting and cool roofing installations are the most popular facility retrofits receiving Energy Solutions rebates. Last fiscal year, BWP provided about $400,000 in cash rebates to 53 Burbank businesses that took steps to make their facility more energy-efficient. The energy-saving value of these projects was over 3.5 million kilowatt-hours.
Home Rewards Residential Rebate Program
Perhaps BWP�s most successful energy-saving program is the Home Rewards program. Home Rewards provides cash rebates to Burbank residents who purchase and install high efficiency appliances and products. Eleven items are included in our program:
Rebate eligibility for most of the appliances and products includes an Energy Star designation. Energy Star is a labeling program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for high-efficiency products. While Energy Star-rated products tend to be more costly to purchase, they cost less to operate and therefore save money over their lifetime compared to their less-efficient counterparts.
For refrigerators, there is an additional requirement to receive a rebate: an existing refrigerator must be turned in to Burbank's Public Works Department for environmental recycling. Our aim is to reduce the number of older and inefficient refrigerators kept in service by Burbank residents.
Burbank residents can receive up to $500 in yearly rebates through the Home Rewards Program. Rebates are tied to the amount spent and if the item was purchased from a Burbank retailer. In-Burbank purchases receive a higher rebate.
BWP began offering residential rebates for high-efficient appliance purchases in 1998. It was a relatively limited program until late 2000 when the program was revised to include the majority of appliances and products that are covered today. Since July 1, 2001, BWP has processed 8,290 rebates, providing nearly $1.5 million to Burbank residents who have made sound energy choices. Looking at the rebates issued just last fiscal year, the sound energy choices made by the residents receiving rebates are responsible for reducing Burbank�s energy use over the next 15 years by nearly 13 million kilowatt-hours.
Home Energy Analyzer
In December 2003, BWP introduced an on-line energy audit service for Burbank residents called the Home Energy Analyzer. This service is free, easy to use, and provides valuable energy usage information and energy-saving recommendations.
To use, Burbank residents simply visit www.BurbankWaterandPower.com and click on the offering. The on-line audit is a breeze to use, with drop-down menu choices provided, easy-to-follow instructions, and fun graphics. The mission of the Home Energy Analyzer is to help Burbank residents analyze their energy usage and discover ways to save energy, thereby reducing their annual energy costs. The service includes energy calculators that focus on specific energy end uses, such as air conditioning. These calculators show customers how different appliance choices can save them money in the long-run. The Home Energy Analyzer is also a learning resource with information on the Energy Star rating designation and how to understand the Energy Guide Label that all major household appliances come with.
BWP�s Home Energy Analyzer took flight on December 11, 2003. In less than two years, 3,558 users have benefited from the service.
Business Bucks
In May 2004, BWP rolled out the Business Bucks Program. Business Bucks is a facility audit program that also provides energy-saving installations. Understanding that the majority of Burbank�s 6,000 businesses are smaller organizations whose owners and managers often lack both the time and expertise to better manage their energy usage and costs, BWP designed this program with them in mind.
We hired Richard Heath and Associates (RHA), an organization with much experience in the energy auditing and installation field, to be our partner in this endeavor. Both BWP and RHA publicize the program, BWP primarily through monthly advertisements in the Burbank Chamber of Commerce newsletter and our own community newsletter, Currents, and RHA through in-field introductions. To participate in the program, Burbank businesses call RHA directly to schedule time for a comprehensive energy audit. An RHA auditor would arrive at the business at the scheduled time and conduct the audit. Lighting, air conditioning, refrigeration, motors, water heating, and building envelope analysis are included in the audits. The participating business receives a short report that includes analyses of existing energy systems, potential efficiency upgrades, estimated installation costs, simple payback, any other benefits for each measure recommended, and BWP rebate opportunities for energy-saving retrofits conducted. RHA and the business discuss the recommended measures, and in about one-third of the cases, the Burbank business moves forward with RHA in implementing recommended measures.
Our goal is obviously to convince customers to take action and install energy-saving measures. The reality is that there are barriers to customers wanting to take this step, most typically the up-front cost involved in improving their energy systems. To increase the odds that the program will result in energy-saving installations versus just providing valuable information, Business Bucks includes BWP providing up to $1,000 in installations without the business having to kick in even one dollar.
In the year and a-half since the program was introduced, BWP has served 333 Burbank businesses with free energy audits of their facilities and has installed cost-effective energy-saving installations in 107 sites. The lifetime energy savings of these installations is over 4 million kilowatt-hours.
Solar Photovoltaic Installations
Solar photovoltaic, or PV, systems generate electricity by using energy from the sun. While not yet a cost-effective alternative to other energy production methods, solar PV systems are nonetheless of interest for their environmental advantages.
To both encourage the installation of solar PV systems in Burbank and help reduce the payback of these expensive systems, BWP offers rebates of $3/watt to residents and businesses. We cap the program at $6,000 in residential rebates and $9,000 in business rebates. Burbank has eight solar PV installations, providing 133 kilowatts of on-going, renewable, and emission-free power.
Landfill Microturbines
In July 2001, Burbank became the first city in California to operate a full-time landfill power plant using microturbine technology. When we flipped the switches on the ten microturbines installed at the landfill, BWP began producing nearly 300 kilowatts of clean energy. Unfortunately, we realized the risk that always comes when using cutting edge technology. Over time, the ten individual compressors that worked to clean the landfill gas before it could be used in the ten associated microturbines failed. The compressors were simply overwhelmed by the corrosive acids that exist in the landfill gas and were rendered unable to adequately dry, filter and compress the landfill gas. The good news is that the microturbines themselves were fine. We began a search for the best solution to the problem. We found that solution and with it came the opportunity to not only fix the problem, but to expand the energy-producing capability at the landfill.
During this past summer, BWP replaced the ten small compressor units with two large compressors, and also installed a 250-kilowatt microturbine. Each compressor is powerful enough to process the landfill gas required to generate the full 550-kilowatt potential of the site. By having two compressors at the site, we are ensured of the ability to keep operations running at all times. The full power complement of the current eleven microturbines � 550 kilowatts � is enough energy to serve the daily needs of about 500 Burbank homes.
As a side note, the site has received considerable attention from other parties interested in adopting the same technology in their cities, including officials from Dade County, Florida who recently toured the site. Burbank also received $450,000 in funding for the project from the California Energy Commission. This grant covered 41% of the total project cost. The landfill itself is expected to remain an active site for another 50 years or so.
Burbank staff is extremely proud to have twice moved this project forward. Providing clean energy from a free and renewable fuel source is a good business practice!
Ice Bear Installation
Burbank is interested in exploring new technologies that can reduce peak energy demand. Due to air conditioning requirements, electricity always hits high demands on hot days. In fact, according to the California Energy Commission, up to 70% of California�s peak electricity demand comes from air conditioners. Anything that can reasonably be done to reduce this demand is worth exploring. Over the summer we installed a unit called an �Ice Bear� at Fire Station 16 to field test a new peak demand reduction technology.
Ice Bears use ice to provide for space cooling. During the evening when demand for electricity is lower, the Ice Bear unit freezes the water in its tank. During the day, when both electricity demand and power procurement costs are high, the condensing unit of the conventional air conditioner is turned off and the ice in the Ice Bear unit is used for cooling. The potential of this technology is significant. Review of the findings to date show that on-peak electricity for air conditioning can be reduced by as much as 95%. Our findings at the Burbank fire station actually marginally bested these findings. To illustrate, on September 20, 2005, the Ice Bear unit was producing cooling from noon until 6:00 p.m. The highest electrical demand from the unit during these operating hours was just 0.3 kilowatts. Having been a warm day with temperatures in the 90s, a need for air conditioning continued past 6:00 p.m. The traditional air conditioning unit turned on and registered a peak demand of 8.4 kilowatts. Given these facts, we know that the Ice Bear unit was responsible for a peak demand reduction of 96.4%.
Nine other Ice Bear units are being installed in southern California cities. The data will be shared amongst the cities to provide for a comprehensive picture of the potential value of this technology.
Clean Green Support
Clean Green Support is BWP�s offering for Burbank residents who wish to sponsor green energy production in California. Residents who enroll in Clean Green Support select either a $3 or $5 monthly premium amount to show on their municipal services bill. The $3 amount covers 50% of the kilowatt-hours used by their household during the month; the $5 option supports 100% of the household�s energy use. BWP is using the funds from this program to purchase Green Tickets on participants� behalf. All dollars are spent on Green Tickets from a resource in California that is Green-e certified.
Which begs the questions: What are Green Tickets and what is Green-E certification? Green Tickets represent the added cost to produce green energy and the environmental value of it. The purchase of Green Tickets directly supports green energy production. As green energy is produced, non-green energy sources may be displaced. Green-e is the nation's leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy products. Green-e tracks all Green Tickets to verify that each that is sold is sold once and only once.
About 700 households are currently enrolled in this program. The majority, about three-fourths, are enrolled in the $5/month level; the balance sponsor at $3/month.
BWP introduced the Clean Green Support program in November 2001. A total of $119,120 has been collected since that time and used to purchase nearly 50,000 Green Tickets that represent 9,450 megawatt-hours of green energy production. These Green Tickets come from wind, geothermal, biomass, small hydro, landfill, and solar photovoltaic electric generation resources, all in California.
We greatly appreciate the environmental commitment of the 700 Burbank households who participate in Clean Green Support. These are people who put their money into action to support their commitment and we very much respect them for that action.
Splash into Savings Pool Program
As mentioned in the Background section of this report, BWP staff is recommending that one Public Benefit program be eliminated. Splash into Savings is that program.
In August 2001, BWP introduced the Splash into Savings incentive program to Burbank homeowners with built-in pools. Residents who signed up for this program pledged to set their pool pumps to run only during off-peak energy hours, identified as 10:00 p.m. to noon. The pumps would not run anytime between noon and 10 p.m. as those are the hours when energy requirements are at their highest. In exchange for this peak-reducing action, BWP rewarded participants with a $5 credit on their monthly municipal services bill.
Reducing peak consumption remains an important goal of the utility. When instituted, it was expected that this program would marginally, yet positively, reduce peak requirements. It has failed to do so.
The reality for many pool-owning customers is that they hire others to clean and maintain their pools. It appears that the pool pump settings are frequently changed to coincide with the pool cleaning schedule and are often not re-set. As a result, the program is decidedly not hitting its requirement. BWP field operations staff was asked to conduct a number of random inspections of pool pump settings over several months and in a variety of Burbank neighborhoods. The results were consistent with about a third of the timers incorrectly set. When staff sent out letters to non-compliant program participants telling them that they were removed from the program, we experienced quite a backlash. Customers were literally incensed that, through no perceived fault of their own, they were being removed. From a customer satisfaction perspective, Splash into Savings has not always proved to be a winner!
Concurrent with our own disappointment with the program, there came an external element to consider. At least one environmental group has challenged the validity of using Public Benefits funds to provide incentives for peak-reducing programs.
After considerable discussion, staff highly recommends that the Splash into Savings program be eliminated. Simply put, the program is not performing as required to be cost-effective. Could we make it effective? Perhaps, but in order to do so, an inordinate amount of staff time would be required for both frequent communications with program participants to remind them of their role in the program, and for random inspections to ensure that the program is delivering value.
Currently, 784 households, about a fourth of all pool-owning households in Burbank, are enrolled in this program. We recognize that many will be disappointed in losing the $5/month benefit. However, it is nonetheless the sound business decision to make.
II. BWP�s Current Portfolio of Water Conservation Programs
Ultra Low Flush Toilet Programs
For many years, BWP�s Conservation Services staff has worked closely with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) in exploring and implementing water-saving programs and measures. BWP�s long-standing efforts go back fourteen years with our ULFT efforts. ULFT stands for Ultra Low Flush Toilets. For seven years, BWP ran an annual Toilet Exchange Program whereby Burbank residents and businesses would receive free ULFTs in exchange for their old high-water using toilets. BWP ran these annual exchanges in addition to our year-round ULFT rebate program. Through the ULFT rebate program, BWP issues cash rebates of up to $60 per toilet when high-water using toilets are replaced. Both residential and commercial customers can avail themselves of this program. The ULFT rebate program is a pass-through program. This means that BWP issues rebates to customers participating in the program and then receives a credit from MWD for those rebates.
ULFTs use about 30 gallons less water daily than a non-ULFT. In the course of a year, well over 10,000 gallons are saved for every ULFT toilet that replaces an inefficient toilet. BWP�s ULFT rebate program continues to perform at high levels. Last Fiscal Year alone, BWP issued rebates for 325 ULFT installations replacing older, inefficient units. This program yielded savings of over 3.7 million gallons annually. Of course, a toilet will be operational for many years, so the water savings become especially profound when one looks at each unit�s lifetime savings.
Water-Saving Devices
BWP also provides a variety of free water-saving devices to customers who request them. These items are low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and toilet displacement bags. Last fiscal year, BWP�s Conservation Services group distributed a total of 547 of these items for an estimated annual water savings of 421,000 gallons.
High Efficiency Washing Machine Rebates
Some appliances do a great job in saving both energy and water. High efficiency washing machines are a great example of this. BWP offers cash rebates for Energy Star-labeled washing machines as they use considerably less energy than non-Energy Star washers. However, there is a sub-set of Energy Star clothes washers that also use significantly less water. These are, generally speaking, the front-loading units. These units use about 18 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons used by a standard machine. That�s a 55% savings on water used! BWP provides an additional $100 in rebates to encourage the purchase of these High Efficiency Washing Machines. As with the ultra low flush toilet rebates, this additional $100 incentive for high efficiency washing machines is an MWD pass-through rebate whereby BWP issues the customer rebate then receives a credit of the same amount from MWD.
Customers are apparently embracing this new technology. Out of 548 Energy Star washing machines that we rebated on last fiscal year, 374 were for front-loading washing machines. Obviously, the benefits of these new washers are being communicated to residents.
Recycled Water Program
A significant percent of the water used in Burbank is for irrigation purposes. BWP is committed to and actively working on expanding the City�s recycled water infrastructure so that larger water-using customers can shift their irrigation from potable (drinking) water to recycled water. Doing so will not only help preserve a precious resource, but will also reduce their on-going irrigation costs by 15%.
Over the next ten to fifteen years, BWP is planning on a threefold expansion of landscape irrigation served by Burbank�s recycled water system. This aggressive schedule is made possible in large part by the Magnolia Power Plant. Magnolia has the distinction of using recycled water for all industrial uses in its operations. The six municipal owners of Magnolia purchase as much as two million gallons of recycled water daily from Burbank, the host city. Revenue from this purchase is invested in the expansion of the recycled water system, allowing the City to plumb to large irrigation users. Our plan is to maximize the use of recycled water for landscape irrigation to as many significant users of water for landscape purposes as possible. Of course, we will have the additional benefit of serving other smaller, yet still significant water users located in the pathway of the recycled water infrastructure. This is good news for customers as recycled water is sold at 85% of the domestic water rate.
Efficient Landscape Education
For the past four years, BWP has offered Burbank residents a landscape education program called Protector del Agua. Protector del Agua is a landscaping program that takes place over four weekend sessions. Each of the four sessions covers a different gardening issue -- plant selection, landscape design, fertilizing and watering, and irrigation systems. Over the past four years, about 150 Burbank residents have gone through these workshops. The bottom line for BWP is to provide information of interest to our customers that will help them save water and money.
III. BWP�s Proposed New Water Conservation Program
The Background section of the report also mentioned staff�s recommendation to implement a new program. What staff is proposing is a residential drip irrigation program. While our indoor water conservation programs have been successful, 60% of residential water use takes place outside the home, largely for landscaping purposes. It�s time for BWP to focus on outdoor water use and help Burbank residents curb this usage. In keeping with our comfort and conservation philosophy, we will achieve this focus without negatively impacting landscapes.
What is Drip Irrigation?
The Southern California area is marked by mild winters and warm, dry summers. Water supply restrictions and our region�s unpredictable cycle of wet and dry years make water conservation a long-term need rather than a short-term option. As the most practical way to water plants, drip irrigation makes more sense than ever in our water-conscious region.
The term �drip irrigation� describes the application of water by drip emitters and microsprays. Both devices operate at low pressure, and both deliver a low volume of water compared to standard sprinklers. Because the water is applied slowly on or near the ground, there should be no waste from runoff and little or no loss to evaporation and overspray.
Whether plants are thirsty or drought tolerant, shallow or deep rooted, on a steep slope or on irregular ground, drip allows for each plant to receive the ideal amount of water with no waste.
In addition to water conservation, drip systems offer the advantage of flexibility. The drip system can be tailored to water individual plants by providing each with its own emitter or distribute water over larger areas with microsprays. By making smart plant and irrigation choices, it�s possible to achieve dramatic water savings outdoors.
How the Program Would Work
Drip Irrigation Kits
Through BWP�s proposed residential drip irrigation program, BWP intends to distribute drip irrigation kits to 1,200 of Burbank�s 19,935 single-family households, or about 6% of this population. Based upon the percentage of residents who have participated in other BWP conservation programs, we are confident that BWP will meet this goal. If BWP is able to distribute 1,200 drip irrigation kits and these kits are installed, it is anticipated that we will achieve an annual savings of 66 to 92 acre-feet of water annually. This savings range is 21.5 million to over 30 million gallons of water annually!
The Drip Irrigation incentive program will provide drip irrigation starter kits, free of charge, to single-family homeowners. The starter kit that staff has selected is made by Raindrip and is the market leader of drip irrigation kits. Each kit can irrigate up to 30 plants, including ornamental trees, vines, shrubs, and hedges, or 30 square feet of ground cover. According to the manufacturer, each kit can reduce outdoor water usage by as much as 70%.
However, after consulting with a landscape professional, staff determined that adding some additional items to the kit would greatly enhance the value and success of the irrigation system. Specifically, we will purchase and add to the kits a pressure regulator, Y-filter, adjustable bubblers, and a coupling for the Y-filter to allow for attachment to the hose bib. With the inclusion of these items, Burbank recipients should have everything they need for a preeminent drip irrigation system. For example, adding adjustable bubblers results in a drip irrigation system that is less likely to get clogged. Adding these extra elements will increase the long-term viability of the drip irrigation kits, allowing for continued water savings.
The total cost to BWP for each enhanced kit is about $33. If residents purchased the items on their own, they would pay approximately $45. BWP�s $33 price also includes the assembly involved by the kit manufacturer in placing the extra items in each kit box, written information on those additional items also included in the kit box, and a sticker placed on the box to identify it as a special Burbank Water and Power item.
Educational Workshops and On-going Participant Support
Burbank will host a minimum of four public workshops at different locations throughout the City from March to June, 2006. At these workshops, led by a landscape professional and BWP Conservation Services staff, a video will be played conveying the benefits of installing a drip irrigation system and how the system is installed. BWP will work with the Public Information Office in producing the instructional video. Attendees to the workshop will receive a DVD copy of the video for use as a reference guide, as needed, when they install their drip irrigation systems.
After watching the instructional video, the landscape trainer will conduct a live installation demonstration with the kit. This �see, then do� training method has proved to be extremely effective.
Our customer support for the workshop participants will continue well after the workshops are over. BWP staff, as well as the drip irrigation manufacturer�s technical service department, will be available to answer questions and concerns related to installing and properly using the drip irrigation systems.
At the conclusion of the 90-minute workshop, a drip irrigation kit, the instructional DVD, a colorful watering guide, and a survey will be given to each attendee, all for free. Participants in Burbank�s Drip Irrigation Program will be required to sign a Customer Participation Agreement, similar to one used with BWP�s Made in the Shade program. The agreement will state that the customer agrees to install the drip irrigation system at their own personal residence and that failure to install the system may result in a fee being charged to the customer for the cost of the kit, DVD, and workshop seminar if the City discovers the kit was not installed. The City is requiring such an agreement to discourage residents from giving the system as a gift and to encourage them to install the system. Residents will be given the option to return the kit to the City within 30 days if they decide not to install the system provided the components are intact and in new condition. Defective kits will be replaced.
To encourage installation, BWP intends to offer an incentive to the first 200 customers who install their drip irrigation kits. The proposed incentive is a timer that would work with the system. This timer is retailed by a major home improvement store for $20. The price to BWP for 200 units would be $11 per timer.
Program Evaluation
As mentioned earlier, workshop attendees will be given a short written survey to complete and return to BWP once they install their drip irrigation kit. We will ask kit recipients to complete the survey within two months of receiving their kit. This survey will be used to help BWP staff evaluate the success of the program in terms of water-savings. These surveys will also assist staff in determining the efficacy of the program from the residents� perspective (i.e. ease of installation, watering efficiency, cost savings, expanding system, etc.). Staff will follow up with residents who have not returned their survey within four months.
BWP staff will also randomly review and compare water bills of 10%, of the participants in the Drip Irrigation Program to determine if actual water usage was decreased and, if so, by what degree.
If the goal of distributing 1,200 drip irrigation kits has not been achieved during these first workshops, BWP will host additional workshops in the Fall. The distribution of the kits will be monitored by recording the addresses that have received kits.
Program Benefits
The estimated water savings for the proposed program are significant: 66 to 92 acre-feet of water saved annually. In terms of gallons, this is a range of 21.5 million to over 30 million gallons of water saved annually. These water savings translate to dollar savings for customers, all without any negative impact on the customer�s landscape.
Program Marketing
To achieve the highest communication impact, a multifaceted marketing approach will be used. The variety of publicizing avenues to be used include press releases, utility bill inserts, BWP�s website, posters, informational brochures, workshop notices posted at local nurseries and home improvement centers, city facilities, and senior centers, and use of Burbank�s public access Channel 6.
Program Funding
Program Costs
The program is estimated to cost just over $50,000, with the following cost breakdown:
Item Cost Enhanced drip irrigation kits (1,200) $40,428 Timers (200), to serve as early installation incentives 2,200 Workshop costs 1,600 Video production, marketing 3,000 Administrative costs (salaries, etc.) 4,468 $51,696
Bureau of Reclamation Grant Opportunity
In early June, BWP staff heard about a grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior�s Bureau of Reclamation. We had the intention of creating a residential drip irrigation program during Fiscal Year 2005-06, so hearing of the opportunity to potentially receive funding for the program was exciting. The grant application was due by June 24, so staff pulled out all the stops and quickly created a program that we are quite proud of.
Our research of residential drip irrigation systems showed just one water agency offering a drip irrigation program. Azusa Light and Water provides rebates of up to 50% on drip irrigation systems. BWP staff considered a rebate program but decided in favor of a more interactive and educational program. We want to actively promote drip irrigation by showing its benefits and installation ease, and by offering an extremely generous package to our residents. We also felt that our grant application would be more competitive if it included an educational component.
Obviously, the Bureau of Reclamation agreed and awarded Burbank�s Residential Drip Irrigation Program with matching funds of up to $25,848! Additionally, the Bureau shared with BWP that our application was ranked first out of all the entries, in part because our program could be readily adopted by other water agencies. In providing grant funding, the Bureau of Reclamation�s goal is to reduce the use of Colorado River water. Burbank purchases 50% of the water the city consumes from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD). Of that, MWD primarily draws water from the Colorado River and the State Water Project. Any efforts to reduce the need for Colorado River water, in particular, will ease the growing demand on this limited resource.
BWP staff was thrilled to receive this recognition as well as the funding.
Conclusion
Burbank�s Residential Drip Irrigation Program will be the newest addition to the City�s water conservation programs. This program is intended to promote efficient watering technologies for residential landscapes. With it, Burbank will establish itself in a leadership position relative to residential landscape water conservation. As the most efficient method of irrigating, drip irrigation is a proven technology and one the BWP would be proud to support.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 2005-06 Marketing and Conservation Services budgets have sufficient funds to cover all existing and proposed programs detailed in this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff respectfully requests that the City Council approve staff�s recommendations to eliminate the Splash into Savings Program, adopt the proposed Residential Drip Irrigation Program as outlined in this report, and approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant in an amount not to exceed $25,848 from the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, for the Burbank Water and Power Residential Drip Irrigation Program.
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