SR-08-12-2014-3ECity of City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: August 12, 2014
Agenda Item: 3 -E
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dean Kubani, Sustainability Manager, Office of Sustainability and the
Environment
Subject: Technical Assistance for Energy Efficiency Improvements for the City's
Water Production and Treatment Facilities
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the application for technical
assistance, at no cost to the City, from the California Energy Commission to
identify energy efficiency improvements in City water production and
treatment facilities; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to apply for
and receive technical assistance from the California Energy Commission.
Executive Summary
The City has the opportunity to receive free technical assistance to identify energy
efficiency improvements at its water production and treatment facilities to support the
municipal emissions reduction target established in the 15x15 Climate Action Plan, the
Sustainable City Plan, and the Sustainable Water Master Plan. The California Energy
Commission offers technical assistance worth up to $20,000 in consulting services. The
City would apply to receive these services to assist in improving energy efficiency at the
water production and treatment facilities. Several options for retrofitting production and
treatment facilities to improve energy efficiency and increase water recovery may exist,
thus achieving the City's water self- sufficiency and greenhouse gas emissions
reductions simultaneously.
Background
On September 20, 1994, (staff report not available online), Council adopted the first
Sustainable City Program, including the initial iteration of the Sustainability City Plan
(SCP). The SCP sets targets and goals across a variety of social, economic and
environmental indicators. On February 11 2003 Council adopted updates to the SCP,
adding a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations by 30%
below baseline levels by 2015. On February 26 2013, Council adopted the 15x15
Climate Action Plan, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions community -wide by 15%
below baseline levels by 2015, with several actions directly relating to municipal
operations.
On March 8, 2011, Council committed the City to becoming water self- sufficient by the
year 2020. Conservation and efficiency, combined with increased supply, will help the
City realize this goal. The Charnock and Arcadia Water Facilities are critical to achieving
water self- sufficiency, as they treat and distribute water to the City's 18,000 billed water
customers. As more local groundwater is pumped, treated and distributed, energy
usage has increased, highlighting the nexus between energy and water. In order to
meet water self- sufficiency, the production from local groundwater supplied could
increase by up to 50 %. Unless more energy- and water - efficient equipment and
operations are implemented at new and existing facilities, energy use will also continue
to rise. Therefore, technical engineering expertise in water treatment facilities is needed
to assist staff in identifying energy efficiency opportunities.
Discussion
Through its Energy Partnership Program, the California Energy Commission provides
up to $20,000 of consulting services for new construction and existing facilities. This
technical assistance can be utilized to conduct energy audits and prepare feasibility
studies. Even though most of the equipment at the water treatment facilities is relatively
new, an audit would provide recommendations for new, more efficient equipment and
operational procedures that were not available when the facilities were built. Potential
measures identified for further investigation include more efficient volatile organic
compound blowers, bubblers /diffusers, energy recovery and wastewater reduction from
the reverse osmosis process, and improvements to the booster stations at the Charnock
and Arcadia Water Facilities.
Because this program has limited funds for technical assistance, primary consideration
would be given to those that are committed to implementing the recommended projects.
The application requires an adopted resolution from Council committing to implement
the recommended measures identified by the consultants, provided . that the
recommendations for energy efficiency meet the operational needs of the City. Funding
will be sought to implement the adopted recommendations identified by the Energy
Partnership Program.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared By: Matt Henigan, Sustainable Energy Engineer
Approved:
Dean Kubani
Sustainability Manager, Office of
Sustainability and the Environment
Attachment 1) Resolution
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Reference:
Resolution No. 10829
(CCS)