SR-502-006-01 (2)
EPWM:EPD:BJ:NS:MWDBaysaver01-02
Council Meeting: July 10, 2001 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Extend the Baysaver Retrofit Program and Authorize
the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract With the
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to Allow Metropolitan
Water District to Refund the City $60 per Ultra-Low Flow Toilet Installed
in the City
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that City Council extend the Baysaver Retrofit Program
through June 30, 2003 and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a
contract with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) to allow
MWD to refund the City $60 per ultra-low flow (ULF) toilet installed in the City from July
1, 2001 through June 30, 2003.
BACKGROUND
The Baysaver Retrofit Program began in 1989 and provides incentives to residents and
businesses to install ULF water efficiency devices, including toilets, aerators and
shower heads. By replacing water-wasting plumbing fixtures with ULF toilets (1.6
gallon per flush) and low-flow showerheads and aerators, ratepayers help the City
achieve its Sustainable City Water Efficiency Goals as they reduce their water and
wastewater charges. Residential ratepayers also eliminate the monthly Baysaver Fee
when they install water-saving devices.
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To date, almost 47,000 ULF toilets have been installed in homes and businesses in the
city. Each ULF toilet is estimated to save an average of 35 gallons of water per day
when compared to a non-ULF toilet. Through the Baysaver Retrofit Program, the City
has achieved a permanent reduction in water usage and wastewater generation of 1.6
million gallons per day (MGD), representing an 18 percent reduction in average daily
wastewater flows and a 13 percent reduction in Santa Monica?s total daily water
demand. It is estimated that the 1.6 MGD permanent water and wastewater flow
reduction saves the City approximately $450,000 annually in avoided sewage treatment
costs from the City of Los Angeles and about $800,000 in avoided annual water
purchase costs from MWD. The Baysaver Program is funded through water demand
mitigation fees paid by new development and a $60 per toilet credit issued by the MWD
on the City?s potable water bill.
DISCUSSION
The City likely will continue purchasing a significant portion of its water supply from the
MWD in the forseeable future. Staff recommends that the City extend the Baysaver
Retrofit Program through FY 2001-03 to continue providing ratepayers with a
permanent means of reducing their utility costs and reducing the City?s total water
usage. The program description and incentives available to city residents and
businesses are attached. This information is also available on the City?s website.
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City staff anticipates the installation of 3,000 ULFTs during the contract period from
July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003, equating to an anticipated credit to the City of $180,000.
These funds partially offset the costs of the program incentives and administration.
The remainder of the program is funded by the Baysaver Fee and Water/Wastewater
Funds. Staff will return to City Council in August to request authority to negotiate and
execute a contract with a vendor to provide administrative and data management
services to assist in the implementation of the Baysaver Program.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of the MWD refund will be a reduction of the Water Division budget
line item 25671.522140 (designated for potable water purchase) by approximately
$60,000. There are no costs to the City associated with the proposed agreement with
MWD. Costs associated with the further implementation of the Baysaver Program are
included in the Environmental Programs Division fiscal year 2001/02 operating budget.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that City Council extend the Baysaver Retrofit Program through
June 30, 2003 and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with
the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) to allow MWD to refund
the City $60 per ultra-low flow (ULF) toilet installed in the City from July 1, 2001
through June 30, 2003.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director, EPWM
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Brian Johnson, Manager, Environmental Programs Division
Neal Shapiro, Senior Administrative Analyst -Water Resources
Attachment: Bay Saver Retrofit Program Description
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