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Water Conservation PlanNovember 12, 2007 To: Mayor, Council and City Manager .From: Bob Hafferman Subject: water Conservation Plan Attached are comments and suggestions about a water Conservation Plan. Such a plan was recommended in the Water Facility Flan Update. Hopefully, such a plan can be discussed at an early workshop. It is recommended that the Council pass a Resolution adopting a "water conservation Plan '. It is further recommended that a Water Conservation Committee be appointed that would provide information to the news media, city staff and Council for promoting water conservation. Such a committee, of maybe four members, could consist of a council member as liaison, a member of the builder community and two members at large. It would be helpful at the workshop if the City Manager could inform the council of any limitations on (1) sending conservation tips along with regulation -required water system information and (2) if there would be any problems or costs associated with the committee providing frequent information on our TV channel when it gets up and running. (It would also be helpful to know how this Tv channel will operate without an increase in the general fund). SUGGESTIONS for WATER CONSERVAT10N PLAN Existing Water Supply Unlike much of the area west and north of Kalispell, wells for the city have an excellent water supply source known as the deep artesian aquifer(s). More than one deep artesian aquifer is known to exist 'n the main valley floor. while it is not positively known which one, Noffsinger Springs is also supplied by a deep artesian aquifer. Much of the valley to the west and north of the city has iffy supply sources in bedrock and perched aquifers - aquifers_ not dependable for quantity. The sand aquifer south of Four Corners is also iffy. The deep artesian aquifers are recharged primarily from snow melt and surface runoff entering the porous soils along the east and west mountain. fronts. These porous soils exist throughout most of the valley, but after leaving the mountain fronts they are overlain by as ever deepening layer of glacial till that is quite impervious, hence not subject to contamination from surface sources. DNRC has baseline data. on a number of wells throughout the valley to monitor depth to the water surface in the well known as the piezometric surface. This piezometric surface may vary slightly during recharge periods and changes in barometric pressure differences between the recharge area and the monitor well. But to date there has been no evidence that water consumption through the valley is in excess of the deep artesian aquifers) ability to supply the needs of the valley residents. Existing Water Consumption While there is no cause for alarm at the present time, the recently completed Water Facilities Plan Update recommended that Kalispell prepare a Water Conservation Plan. This plan is not only needed in case the valley population reaches a number that the deep artesian aquifer(s) can no long supply the demand, but the use of irrigation water can create UMVECESSAR Yitkpense to enlarge pipes and pumps and drill more wells to meet the demand Note on Figure 1-3 and Table 1-6, reproduced from the Water .Facilities Plan Update, on page 2 herein. Note particularly the months of June through September. The large increase is due primarily to irrigation consumption. Tourist usage, car washing, swimming pool water changes, construction activity and hydrant testing also contribute a minor amount to the increased seasonal usage. Without a water Conservation Plan the city government may someday have to (1) implement water rationing as a routine measure and (2) spend money to increase existing water system infrastructure just because of irrigation demand. Waste and Education Landscaping is an essential part ofhomes and businesses in Kalispell. But not all landscaping has to rely on water to bring out the pleasing aesthetics of the lot. Nor is landscaping needs the only demands placed on an irrigation system. Waste a, f `irrigation water is a large cono tutor to demand. Kalispell Water Production 300.00 250.00 O 200.00 150.00 100.00 50.00 0.00 2+001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Figure 1- 3. Monthly YVa er Production Table 1-6. Average Water Produced peer Month Million Gallons per Month Month (average from 2+001 — 2005) January 66.22 February 62.89 March 70.1 4 April 72.11 May 100.96 June 116.32 July 1 V5. 5 August 190.87 September 117.73 October 79.35 November 55.37 December 69.32 20 A water conservation plan does not have to be costly to implement, but a few existing residents may wish to retrofit their irrigation systems or change their landscaping to reduce consumption. However, it is recommended that any NEW CONSTRUCTION be encourgged, not required, to provide landscaping that is less water consumptive then the general practice. Education can be a key component of a water Conservation Plan. Every summer day a person can travel around town and see people water the roads and sidewalks, irrigating after 11 a.m., watering during rain and wind storms and water running off the irrigated area. Not all of these situations can be cured., but. a large amount could be if people only knew or become aware of the wast4 As an example: there is generally very little water becoming available for lawn type vegetation during the heat of the day when evaporation is high, particularly on low humidity days. Late evening or night water gets the water to the roots of vegetation. Watering during windy weather is almost a total waste* A.ltearnatives to High Water Demand in Landscaping There are alternatives to landscaping that can greatly reduce the demand for water for irrigation. Some examples are: 1. Use of decorative pavers and bark with weed barriers. 2. Planting wild flowers - they need VERY little water compared to most domestic varieties. 3. Use of storm water catchment areas as part of the landscape plan (Royal Reserve condos east of Garden Drive off of Reserve Drive is an example). 4. Use of soil moisture sensors in automatic sprinkler systems. 5. Use of time clods for automatic sprinkler systems to be activated between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. 6. Proper watering of lawns, trees and shrubs as per literature available on-line or agricultural agencies. Much of Kalispell has a groundwater table fairly close to the surface. Properwatering during the early life ofthe vegetation can get roots of trees and larger shrubs into this water table. Implementation It is recommended that the Council adopt a water Conservation. Plan as soon as possible while there is no emergency. A ro am M not be jgWlemented overnight. Development must gry into the plan. It is suggested the Darks Department, a LARGE USER. of water for irrigation, be the leader in implementing a 10 p.m.. to 6 a.m. water sprinkling time, varying the start/stop time for different areas so all sprinklers are not on at the same time. It is recommended that residents and businesses that have time clock controlled sprinkling between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. be given a reduced water sprinkling rate. Since this period of sprinkling reduces the demand for larger infrastructure, hence a savings to the ratepayers, a reduction "n rates could be a big incentive A third, and maj or recommendation., is education through use of our TV channel, our website and reminders with the water bills. Reduction in waste through education can pay dividends to ALL residents of Kalispell 3.