Item No. 10.
| MEETING DATE: October 5, 2020 |
|
| TO: | HONORABLE CHAIR AND DIRECTORS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR By: Elias Saykali, Public Works Director |
| SUBJECT: | APPROVE A RESOLUTION OF THE LA HABRA UTILITY AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION FOR $500,000 IN GRANT FUNDS FOR THE WATERSMART GRANTS: WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 |
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Utility Authority:
APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ______, ENTITLED A RESOLUTION OF THE LA HABRA UTILITY AUTHORITY, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS THROUGH THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION FOR THE WATERSMART GRANTS: WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021.
APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ______, ENTITLED A RESOLUTION OF THE LA HABRA UTILITY AUTHORITY, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS THROUGH THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION FOR THE WATERSMART GRANTS: WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021.
DISCUSSION:
WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY 2021 is an annual grant program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. This program provides grants to local agencies for water conservation projects that demonstrate water use reductions and savings. If awarded a grant, the La Habra Utility Authority (Utility Authority) would use funding for phases 6, 7, and 8 of its multi-year Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project. For the past five years, the Utility Authority has been replacing old meters with new AMI technology.
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is a relatively new technology that allows for two-way communication between a water meter and a utility operator's data network, in this case, the La Habra Water Authority. The goal of this new AMI system is to provide the Authority with real time data about water consumption. Customers provided with this data are able to better understand their water usage and make decisions that can help them save water. The La Habra Water Authority has already had a number of cases where installed AMI meters have detected unusual water flows at residential addresses which turned out to be major leaks. When Water Authority staff informed the customers, they were able to find and fix the leaks, which reduced water loss and saved them money. This program has proven that it will improve customer service and water use efficiency.
The Utility Authority has already included these expenses in its seven-year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Plan for water and sewer projects. The plan budgeted expenses of $712,000 each year for the next two years to replace water meters with new AMI smart meters at 5,089 households in La Habra. If received, grant funding would be used for the final two years of the project and would allow the Utility Authority to reprogram its previously allocated funds to other capital projects.
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is a relatively new technology that allows for two-way communication between a water meter and a utility operator's data network, in this case, the La Habra Water Authority. The goal of this new AMI system is to provide the Authority with real time data about water consumption. Customers provided with this data are able to better understand their water usage and make decisions that can help them save water. The La Habra Water Authority has already had a number of cases where installed AMI meters have detected unusual water flows at residential addresses which turned out to be major leaks. When Water Authority staff informed the customers, they were able to find and fix the leaks, which reduced water loss and saved them money. This program has proven that it will improve customer service and water use efficiency.
The Utility Authority has already included these expenses in its seven-year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Plan for water and sewer projects. The plan budgeted expenses of $712,000 each year for the next two years to replace water meters with new AMI smart meters at 5,089 households in La Habra. If received, grant funding would be used for the final two years of the project and would allow the Utility Authority to reprogram its previously allocated funds to other capital projects.
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The total estimated cost of this program for Fiscal Years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 is approximately $1.7 million for 5,089 meters. This represents approximately 38 percent of all meters citywide. If approved, this grant will reimburse up to $500,000 and the water fund will be responsible to fund the remaining $1.2 million from funds it sets aside for capital projects and system improvements.
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE:
WS 1.1 Urban Water Management Plan
WS 1.2 Reliable Supply and Cost-Effective Distribution
WS 1.4 Protection of Water Rights
WS 1.6 Best Practices
WS 1.9 Infrastructure Maintenance
WS 2.1 Water Conservation Standards and Programs
WS 1.2 Reliable Supply and Cost-Effective Distribution
WS 1.4 Protection of Water Rights
WS 1.6 Best Practices
WS 1.9 Infrastructure Maintenance
WS 2.1 Water Conservation Standards and Programs