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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240508 - Sustainability Advisory Board - Water Efficient Landscape Code UpdateCity of Bozeman Water Conservation Program Update Jessica Ahlstrom City of Bozeman Water Conservation Program Manager May 8, 2024 Bozeman’s Water Supply Hyalite Creek 40% Bozeman Creek 40% Lyman Creek 20% Water Resource Planning & Conservation 2013 Integrated Water Resources Plan •Guide future water use and supply policies and practices •Recommends water conservation reduce future water supply/demand gap by 50% Water Supply Constraints: •Limited supplies •Limited storage •Drought prone •Snowpack reliant •Climate change impacts •Closed basin re: new water right appropriations •Cost effective & immediate return Water Supply Planning Drought Management Planning Demand Management Outdoor Water Use Trends Nearly 50% of annual residential water use goes into lawns and landscapes EXISTING/FUTURE TRENDS: New single-households use water less efficiently outdoors More large development projects are expected to connect to City water in the future Climate models predict longer, hotter, drier summers  thirstier landscapes Water Conservation Educational Resources & Incentives •Rebate incentives •4 indoor rebate incentives •6 outdoor rebate incentives •3.5 MGY savings •Free water use assessments •Sprinkler systems •Commercial and multi-family indoor •1,700 gal/household/week savings •Free water saving products •Free water use portal •Free publications •Water Smart Planting Guide •Plumbing Handbook •Drought tolerant demonstration gardens •Free educational classes •Water smart landscaping seminars for residents •Industry-certified educational courses for landscape and irrigation professionals Water Conservation Policies Adoption of… •2017: First Drought Management Plan •2019: Water conservation-based rates & drought rates •2020: Water efficiency offset incentives for new development •2022: Permanent mandatory outdoor watering restrictions •2022: Revised Drought Management Plan •2023: Water Conservation and Efficiency Plan Coming soon... •Water efficient landscape ordinance •1,300 AF = ~5,000 single households 2022 Drought Management Plan DROUGHT /drout/: Below normal water supplies such as streamflow, snowpack and reservoir levels, that result from a prolonged reduction in precipitation. Vulnerability Assessment: Drought prone, wildfire risks, climate change impacts, surface water supplies, limited storage. Drought Monitoring Framework: City staff monitor Bozeman’s water supplies and national drought indices regularly. Drought Communications Campaign: Targeted, focused outreach pursuant to drought stage. Drought Response Measures: May include lawn watering restrictions if drought conditions are severe. Authority to restrict water use provided in the BMC. Drought Response Enforcement: Enforcement may include criminal charges and fines. Prioritize targeted outreach. Water Conservation Division to field complaints of non-compliance. Drought Monitoring •Drought tool •Local water supply data •Streamflow •Snowpack •Reservoir levels •Water demand •Water production •Evapotranspiration •U.S. Drought Monitor •Other national drought indices •Precipitation patterns •Weather forecasts Drought Response Measures Restrict less essential uses before essential uses Minimize adverse financial impacts Avoid permanent loss of natural resources Affect individuals or small groups before affecting large groups Guiding Principles Stage- Specific Response Measures 2023 Water Conservation Plan 1.Serve as a flexible roadmap for program growth through 2040 •18 recommended program measures •Implementation timeline subject to budgetary & staffing needs, changes in technologies & City priorities •Regulatory measures that will require future legislative action of the City Commission 2.Quantify achievable savings  long term strategic water resource management 2023 Water Conservation Plan Outline 1.Water demand analysis 2.Conservation measure evaluation 3.Conservation ‘program’ evaluation 4.Implementation plan and schedule Program Measure Identification 1.Internal qualitative screening of over 100 measures 2.Public surveys to garner input from community members (453 responses) 3.Quantitative benefit/cost analysis Utility Cost of Acre Feet Saved ($/AF) Considerations in ‘program’ development: •Achievable water savings (benefit/cost ratio) •Voluntary vs. regulatory measures •Capital improvement projects •Innovative measures •Measure equitability among customer classes ‘Program’ Selection Three ‘programs’ evaluated •Program A: Existing measures •Program B: Recommended measures •Program C: All modeled measures Existing Program Measures Recommended Additional Program Measures Summary of Recommended Measures Total savings: 4,435 AF/year in 2040 •17,740 single family households •35,480 multi family households •40 GPCD reduction •Landscape Ordinance – Tier 3: 12 GPCD •Mandatory Water Efficiency Offsets: 17 GPCD •This GPCD reduction exceeds the goal outlined in the 2013 Integrated Water Resources Plan Goals of Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance - Landscaping •Limit turfgrass •35% for single household – 4-plex •20% for large multi-household, mixed use, commercial •Allow for functional turf areas •Ensure adequate topsoil •Increase installation of drought tolerant plants •Enhance tree requirements •Provide flexibility in landscape plan review via two compliance pathways Goals of Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance - Irrigation •Ensure efficient irrigation components are installed in future systems •Reduce water waste, overspray and runoff •Hydrozoning •Increase installation of low volume, efficient drip irrigation •Ensure health & longevity of irreplaceable vegetation such as trees Single Household Residential Design Example •4,500 ft2 lot •2,430 ft2 Landscape area •60% Coverage = 1,460 ft2 •Turf = 850 ft2 (35%) •Shrubs/perennials= 610 ft2 •1,350 ft2 home footprint •2,430 ft2 home size Estimated long term savings $234 on water bill (annually) 47% reduction in charges for outdoor use Water Conservation/Supply Planning Next Steps •Enhance education and outreach programming •Water Smart Landscaping Classes•Water Smart Planting Guide •Garden Party June 15th •Sprinkler System Assessments •Implement Water Conservation Plan •Water efficient landscape ordinance•Low-income direct installation/leak repair assistance program•Impact fee credit •Update Integrated Water Resources Plan •Late 2024•Supply planning•Community engagement Thank you! Jessica Ahlstrom Water Conservation Program Manager 406-582-2265 jahlstrom@bozeman.net Recommended Program Implementation Timeline City of Bozeman Reliable Supply & Current Demands 7,100 920 2,480 Bozeman’s Available Water Supply Existing Demand Current Development Remaining Supply •10,500 AF of reliable water supply based on projected impacts from climate change and drought events •The City is currently using 68% of its total reliable water supply (7,100 AF) •920 AF is associated with current development •2,480 AF are remaining to support future growth •10,000 single households or•20,000 multi-household units