Neal Klassen,
Water Smart Coordinator.
watersmart@look.ca
Phone: (250) 868-3339
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In early 2007, Kelowna City Council endorsed the Water Utility’s goal of reducing city-wide water use by 15% by the year 2012. We are developing initiatives to help residents and business reduce their water consumption, but the plan also includes a commitment to:
- Reduce water consumption at all City-owned facilities by 15%
- Parks Division initiatives to reduce irrigation by 15%
- Develop water efficient landscaping and irrigation bylaws and standards for all new development
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New landscape standards will promote the use of drought tolerant plants.
( Click on photos to enlarge )
The following initiatives were endorsed by council in January 2007, and outline a Water Sustainability Action Plan for the City of Kelowna. Each of the elements listed represent a call for action within the City as well as throughout the community over the next 5 years.
- Require, Implement and Track Demand Side Management Programs (DSM)
Implement the City Council endorsed water reduction strategy by reducing overall water consumption by a further 15% by 2012.
Track internal and external customer consumption data to ensure consumption patterns are in keeping with reduction targets.
Build relationships with the community and help guide the planning and implementation of DSM programs that require citizen participation.
Work with all corporate customers to develop DSM reduction plans that reflect the overall corporate reduction objectives.
Monitor and adapt DSM programs over the long term and plan for water sustainability beyond 20 years.
- Enhance Customer Education through Effective Social Marketing Programs
Continue to implement permanent water conservation programs and resource these with staff that possess technical skills and understanding in the fields of economics and customer education.
Develop relationships with high water users in all customer classes and work with these users to develop reduction strategies.
Develop incentive-based social marketing programs designed to reduce outdoor water use.
Provide direct assistance to all customers who need to reduce water use.
Provide leadership and innovation in outdoor water conservation research..
Work with all other water purveyors within Kelowna to ensure a consistent approach is applied throughout the community.
- Link Water Conservation to Development Approvals
Make Development Permit approval contingent upon demand management
planning that provide demonstrated outcome.
Require that all new developments and retrofits of existing facilities and homes make use of the best available water conservation technologies.
Require water sensitive Urban Design by limiting “green sprawl”
Develop mandatory landscaping standards that demonstrate water use reduction and ensure installations occur as part of final inspection processes.
Encourage the provincial government to tie major infrastructure funding to demonstrated water conservation planning.
- Ensure Effective Full Cost Pricing with Volume Based Pricing Structures
Implement full cost pricing with volume based pricing structures.
Reflect the importance and value of water to promote conservation and ensure equitable access through water rates.
Target high and excessive users and send a strong signal during peak demand periods.
Promote revenue neutrality and provide incentives by penalizing heavy users and rewarding low users.
Review opportunities for alternate metering technologies as part of meter replacement programs.
Work with all other water purveyors within Kelowna to ensure a consistent approach to full cost pricing is applied throughout the community.
- Reduce Water System Leakage That Results in Water Loss
Confirm percentage of water system losses as part of the utility’s overall unaccounted for water formula. Identify costs associated with delivery and lost revenue.
Enhance the current leak detection program by identifying priority areas and completing leak detection surveys.
Develop a 5 year revolving plan to rectify system leakage.
Work with all other water purveyors within Kelowna to ensure a consistent approach to water system leakage is being applied.
- romote and Ensure the Use of Water Efficient Fixtures
Review existing fixture bylaws to ensure they reflect the latest technology available and reconfirm that all new development continues to be installed using mandatory water efficient fixtures.
Work with all internal departments in 2007 to identify water use reduction opportunities within all city owned facilities.
Develop 2 year plans that require fixture retrofits to all facilities beginning in 2008.
- Explore and Develop Water Reuse Opportunities
Identify water reuse opportunities within existing city divisions.
Explore retrofits or new installation potential where water reuse makes sense.
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