A quality water conservation plan consists of three elements: it is goal-oriented, cost-effective and practical in design and implementation. With this in mind, the water conservation mission of the District is to provide leadership to the County in the implementation and
dissemination of water conservation practices. It is the District’s desire to be a resource to the County by providing a meaningful water conservation effort and addressing the
implementation of a comprehensive program, utilization measures and incentives to conserve water. By promoting a meaningful water conservation effort, the District will be able to reduce water demands by 25 percent by the year 2050, thereby delaying the need for new water supply and infrastructure, and meeting the current water needs of the County.
Through the implementation of water conservation measures, the District will also provide avenues through which endangered species can be protected, challenges and costs of additional water development can be met, and water needs for the population growth can be satisfied.
Implementation of Water Management and Conservation Practices
The original Water Conservation Committee selected various conservation measures, which have been adopted as needed. The impetus for the total effort will come from the District by way of funding as well as staff time dedicated to the implementation of the proposed water management and conservation practices. Various entities or agencies in partnership with the District in this effort include the State of Utah - Division of Water
Resources, Washington County, the municipalities in Washington County, irrigation companies (throughout the County), the Cooperative Extension Service, the National Resource
Conservation Service, the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
Each of the partners will have a unique role, which will be specified in the explanation of each conservation practice or project.
Looking Forward
Future Water Management Projects General Supply Management
In order to increase water supply, the following projects (listed in Table 6) should be implemented as needed. They are listed in order of priority with an explanation of the
requirements of the project and the lead agency that will be responsible for implementation.
Information regarding costs and benefits of specific practices will need to be developed and presented to individual irrigation companies and irrigators. The National Resource Conservation Service and Cooperative Extension Service seem best equipped to accomplish this task with the assistance and encouragement of individual committee members and the District. It is expected that the District, in cooperation with local irrigation companies and the Utah Division of Water Resources, would proceed as rapidly as possible to gather the necessary information to fund and implement the first five items.
Table 6 Future Water Supply Proposed Projects
Supply Source
Ash Creek Pipeline 5,000 Culinary When Needed 2017
Culinary supply indirectly by supplying secondary supply grade water to offset current culinary use.
Crystal Creek Pipeline 2,000 Culinary When Needed 2019 Culinary supply Maximize Existing be phased as needed to meet secondary demand.
Lake Powell Pipeline 70,000 Culinary When needed 2020
Can be used to meet culinary and/or secondary supply as needed.
Future Wastewater
Reuse 16,900 Secondary When needed 2037 Phased in as needed to
meet secondary demand
Looking Forward
Notes
(1) The water reuse plant recently constructed in St. George has a total capacity of 11,200 AF per year.
Two of three filters have been installed to date (current capacity of 7,800 AF per year), with 3,400 AF per year of additional future capacity as needed. This supply can only be used to meet secondary demands during the irrigation season (April through October) and there is no storage capacity resulting in the loss of any supplies not used by the end of a given month. Average annual yield was estimated as 50 percent of capacity.
(2) A 20 percent loss was realized for treatment with reverse osmosis to reduce salinity to a level where the supply would be usable for secondary M&I purposes. (MWH 2006).
(3) Total amount available from this supply would be 12,400 AF per year in 2060.
Reduction in Ash Creek Drainage Water Losses
This project consists of two parts. First, a collection system will be constructed to replace the current open ditches on Leap Creek, South Ash Creek and Wet Sandy Creek. This will carry the water from the existing points of diversion and the existing Ash Creek Reservoir to a proposed reservoir west of Toquerville. A specific site for this reservoir has not yet been identified although several are under consideration. Second, a pipeline from the reservoir to the Toquerville and La Verkin secondary water system will be constructed. Storage from the reservoir would be used for outdoor watering in the communities of Toquerville and La Verkin, thereby conserving the high quality Toquerville Spring water for culinary use. Irrigation water for Pintura and Anderson Junction would be provided directly from the pipeline to the users in those areas.8 This project will be a cooperative effort between the District, the area irrigation companies and cities, and the State Division of Water Resources. This project has a potential yield of 5,000 AF per year.
Enhancement of Underground Water Sources
With increasing costs of new water projects and the depletion of surface water supplies, a greater focus will be on the need for development of the groundwater supply in the County.
Wise water-management policy should dictate that long-term withdrawal not exceed the average annual recharge. It has been estimated that the average annual groundwater recharge equals approximately the discharge of 155,000 AF in the Virgin River Basin.18 Historical
estimates of discharge from springs and wells vary from 40 percent of the average annual groundwater discharge in the Central basin to only 10 percent in the Upper Basin.19 Groundwater in the Virgin River Basin in Washington County is considered to be fully appropriated by Utah's Division of Water Rights, except for small domestic uses in limited areas. Future groundwater development has limited potential.
8 Washington County Water Conservancy District Purpose and Need Study. Boyle Engineering Corporation. March 1995.d
9
Looking Forward
One project of groundwater enhancement has been implemented in the Sand Hollow Reservoir Project. Any other opportunities that arise for ground water to be recharged or enhanced should be studied for feasibility.
The District has started the enhancement of underground water sources through the Sand Hollow Project. In addition to being a storage facility, this reservoir also acts as a
groundwater recharge facility. It is estimated this project will add 10,000 AF to the groundwater supply annually.
Lake Powell Pipeline
A feasibility study has been completed on a water pipeline extending from Lake Powell to Sand Hollow Reservoir. Legislation was passed authorizing the Utah Board of Water
Resources to pursue preliminary engineering design and permits for the project. The studies have concluded that the pipeline could deliver water at a reasonable unit cost. The District has established a financial mechanism in its Capital Facilities Plan to pay for new water
development projects like the Lake Powell Pipeline project and other projects through impact fees. The fees are established to cover the cost of new water development. The proposed pipeline would consist of approximately 138 miles of a 69" pipe. The alignment generally follows the existing highway and designated utility corridors and it has been aligned to avoid wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, national forests and other sensitive lands. Work on the project will continue with issuance of permits and rights of way, authorization of funding by the state, final engineering and construction. It is currently anticipated that the project will be completed in the year 2020.
The estimated annual yield of the pipeline for the District is 70,000 AF.
Future Water Conservation Programs
Based on the Maddaus evaluation, Table 7 lists current conservation programs and new 17 recommended programs for implementation between now and 2035. The evaluation determined that with the existing programs and the 17 recommended programs a potential water savings of 26,962 AF by the year 2035. This would be a water savings of 16.6 percent in total water production by the year 2035. The program costs and benefit-cost ratio of each program is included in Appendix A.
The evaluation concluded the District's service area has a relatively high portion of residential water use and a significant amount of outdoor water use. Consequently, residential conservation programs produce the most savings. The amount of new growth forecasted for the District's area is high so measures directed at new development produce large savings.
Successful implementation of these programs will exceed the State's and District's goal of 25 percent reduction in per capita water use. In setting this goal, the District has followed the State’s example and also adopted the 2000 year as the baseline gpcd of 326. This gpcd number is calculated from annual utility billing data collected from the six major cities (St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins and LaVerkin) in the county.
Looking Forward
Table 7 Future Water Conservation Programs
No Measure Name Description Imple
ment Year
W1 Promote Green Buildings Staff a position to work with local Green Building associations, developers, designers, vendors to promote incorporating water efficiency into building design. Measure includes costs to recognize
outstanding participants through co-sponsor award program.
2011
W2 Twenty Gallon Challenge The 20-Gallon Challenge is a call for residents to reduce water use on average by 20 gallons per person, per day.
2015
W3 Financial Incentives for
Irrigation Upgrades For existing Single Family (SF), Multifamily (MF), and COM, customers with landscape, provide rebates towards the purchase and installation of selected types of irrigation equipment upgrade including low volume sprinkler heads, check valves, and rain
sensors. Rebate is up to one-half of cost of equipment or a maximum of $350 for residential accounts and up to $650 for mixed use accounts and up to $10,000 for irrigation accounts. Assume average rebate to be
$2,500 for non-Residential accounts.
2012
W4 New Development (ND) Require New Landscape &
Irrigation Requirements
Enforce a regulation that specifies that homes or buildings be landscaped according to Xeriscape principals, with appropriate plant selection and irrigation systems.
2012
W5 SWAT Irrigation
Controller Rebates Provide a 50% cost-share up to $400 for the purchase of a SMART irrigation controller. Require customer has a “Water Check” and education. Assume about 0.15% of eligible SF and 2% of Non-SF accounts take rebates per year.
2007
W6 Turf Removal A $1.50 per sf incentive is available for removing existing turf and replacing with desert landscaping or synthetic turf. Maximum rebate of $5,000. Average rebate for $1,500 for SF accounts and $2,500 for Non-SF accounts. The replacement of irrigated vegetation with desert landscaping or synthetic turf may
significantly reduce outdoor watering needs.
2020
W7 Regulate Water Softeners Eliminate one percent of pre-1999 water softeners every year. Offer a $150 rebate for replacement of an existing time clock operated softener with a demand
2015
Looking Forward
particular types to be used.
W8 Distribute Retrofit Kits Provide owners of pre-1992 homes with retrofit kits that contain easy-to-install low flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and toilet tank retrofit devices.
Distribute at booths.
2011
W9 Toilet Leak Detection Distribute leak detection tablets for homeowners to test toilets for leaks; offer advice on toilet leak repair.
Continue “fix the leak week” campaign.
2007
W12 High Efficiency Toilet
(HET) Rebates Provide a $150 rebate or voucher for the installation of a high efficiency toilet (HET). HET’s are defined as any toilet to flush 20% less than an Ultra-Low Flow Toilet (ULFT) and include dual flush technology.
Rebate amounts would reflect the incremental purchase cost. Program length will be short as it is intended to be a market transformation measure and eventually would be stopped if 1.3 gallons per flush toilets are mandated by state or federal law.
2010
W13 Single Family Water
Surveys Continue outdoor water surveys, “Water Checks”, for existing single-family residential customers. Normally those with high water use are targeted and provided a customized report to the homeowner on how to save water in their home. Assume 1% of accounts surveyed per year.
2007
W15 MF Washer Rebate
(Intensive) Provide a $400 rebate to apartment complexes (10 or more units) for efficient washing machines in buildings over a certain size that has a common laundry room.
It is assumed that the rebates would remain consistent with relevant state and federal regulations
(Department of Energy, Energy Star) and only offer the best available technology.
2012
W16 ND Require Hot Water on Demand/Structured Plumbing Program
Incentivize all homes with rebate program to equip new homes or buildings with efficient hot water on 2020 demand systems such as structured plumbing systems. These systems use a pump placed under the sink to recycle water sitting in the hot water pipes to the water heater or to move the water heater into the center of the house and/or reduce hot water waiting times by having a an on-demand pump on a
recirculation line.
2015
W17 ND Require Multi Family Submetering on new accounts
Require the metering of individual units in new multi-family, condos, townhouses, mobile-home parks and business centers (less than four stories and with water
2017
Looking Forward
disposals W21 New Home Award
Programs (Patterned after WaterSense)
Provide annual awards to developers that are “Green Builders” and offer homes for sale that meet certain criteria such as USEPA’s new WaterSense program for new homes. This could be combined with energy efficient homes or measure W1.
2015
W22 Award Programs for Water Savings by Businesses
Utility would offer, organize and sponsor a series of educational workshops for homeowners in efficient landscaping and irrigation principals. Utilize guest speakers, Xeriscape demonstration gardens, incentives, such as a nursery plant coupon. Target approx. 0.5% of homes per year.
2012
W23 Rotating Sprinkler Nozzle
Rebates Programs like SoCal WaterSmart program offers a rebate of up to $4 per rotating nozzle for single-family properties. Work with irrigation supply companies to promote.
2015
W29 Focused Water Audits for
Hotels/Motels Provide free water audits to hotels and motels.
Standardize on the types of services offered to reduce costs. Included would be bathrooms, kitchens, ice machines, cooling towers, landscaping, and irrigation systems and schedules. Audit 40 of (older or high use) accounts over 10 years.
2015
W30 School Building Retrofit Run a program patterned after Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s school retrofit program wherein school receives a grant to replace fixtures and upgrade irrigation systems. Assume 10%
of schools participate over 10 years.
2015
W31 Irrigation Water Surveys All public and private irrigators of landscapes would be eligible for free landscape water surveys upon request.
Normally those with high water use would be targeted and provided a customized report. Assume 5 % of large turf areas are surveyed per year. Three year program then repeat (3 year measure life).
2007
W32 Artificial Turf Sports
Fields Provide a rebate (up to $80,000) for customer to install artificial grass on one sports field per year.
2008
W33 ND Require Irrigation Designers/Installer be Certified
Require installation of irrigation systems that are efficient and installed by trained/certified contractors.
Certification to be done by St. George. New program starting January 2010.
2011
W36 ND Prohibit Once through Cooling, Non-Recycling Fountains, Water Wasting Fixtures and Practices
Prohibit certain appliances or structures that have an obvious waste of water in new facilities, such as those listed.
2015
Looking Forward
apparent water losses thereby improving the system water balance. A ten year program to reduce
unaccounted for water to 10 percent of production or less is proposed for this measure. Actions could include installation of data loggers and proactive leak detection; accelerated meter replacement could be done over 10 years. Leak repairs would be handled by existing crews at no extra cost. Specific goals and methods to be developed by the Utility Operations Department.