4.3. ERMUSR04-10-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. ~ Elk River Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING pOwEN~`EO er ®~~~ W P O W E R E D T O S E R V E TO: FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Tom Sagstetter -Conservation and Key John Dietz -Chair Accounts Manager Daryl Thompson- Vice Chair & Al Nadeau -Trustee David Berg -Water Superintendent MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: A ril 10, 2012 43 SUBJECT: Commercial Irri ation Water Conservation Pro ram (Pilot Program) BACKGROUND: Based on the March 20, 2012 Commission Meeting discussion staff was directed to bring back the commercial irrigation water conservation program marketing information and discuss implementation of the new pilot program. The draft marketing brochure and application are provided as pages 2 and 3 for this agenda item. There had been discussion in past months on the laws that pertained to water conservation programs for Public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people. In April Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law water conservation measures that are consistent with the commercial irrigation water conservation pilot program. The new law states that, "Public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people must encourage water conservation by employing water use demand reduction measures..." The demand reduction measures mean those measures which reduce the demand, water losses, peak water demands, and nonessential water uses. The law goes on to state the demand reduction must include a conservation rate structure or a uniform rate structure, or a uniform rate structure with a conservation program that achieves demand reduction. DISCUSSION: Commercial Irrigation Customer Conservation Program (Pilot Program) The pilot program as designed meets or exceeds the requirements of the law. The water demand reduction measures of the pilot program fall into two basic categories; 1) financial -participating irrigation customers may be eligible for an exemption from 3`d step rates provided they enroll and annually participate in the commercial irrigation water conservation program; and 2) the customer implements and/or installs water conserving technology or landscaping that reduces irrigation demands. After final review of the application and marketing brochure staff will mail an introductory letter, marketing brochure, and the application to approximately 96 Commercial Irrigation customers and follow up with interested customers on a case by case basis.