rr > ; /~lission REPORT !! Abbotsford Water & Sc\ver Services Abbotsford/Mission Water & Sewer Commission (WSC)

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Mae Preston
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1 !! Abbotsford rr > ; /~lission Water & Sc\ver Services REPORT To: From: Abbotsford/Mission Water & Sewer Commission (WSC) Amy Wakeford, Water Conservation Program Coordinator Date: August 5, 2011 Subject: Residential Irrigation and Landscape Assessments File: Report No.: WSC UTILITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (UMC) RECOMMENDATION THAT Report No. WSC , dated August 5, 2011, from Amy Conservation Program Coordinator, regarding Residential Irrigation Assessments, be received. Wakeford, Water and Landscape BACKGROUND The 2010 Water Supply Master Plan indicates that population growth and high summer water consumption will make it difficult for the Abbotsford Mission Water & Sewer Commission (AMWSC) to meet peak day demands until a new water source is commissioned. During the interim, water conservation will playa crucial role in the AMWSC's ability to meet peak water demands. Due to the improved capacity of the water system this summer, (from Bevan Wells, rehabilitated Farmer Wells and improved leak detection via Abbotsford's AMI metering program, increased conservation programming and financial incentives to conserve), residents are permitted to sprinkle their lawn twice per week, between the hours of 6 am and 8 am. That said, water staff continue to recommend that residents always use water wisely to manage system peak day demands and keep their water costs low. DISCUSSION To provide customers with the tools to conserve water this summer, staff hired SMART Watering Systems (SWS), a consulting company that specializes in irrigation and water efficiency project management. In early June, SWS trained the AMWSC Water Conservation Coordinator and summer staff to conduct irrigation and landscape assessments. These assessments help residents identify ways to reduce their outdoor water use. To date, thirty residential assessments have been conducted. Each assessment is followed with a report (Appendix A) that summarizes water saving opportunities and quantifies pay-back periods. Residents are then referred to certified professional irrigation contractors and landscapers. SWS will also be completing 16 indepth irrigation audits of Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) sites. To exemplify the water savings from the irrigation assessments, SMART Watering Systems will

2 WSC Report No Page 2 of 2 complete five case studies that examine wa ter use before and after recommended retrofit work. Three residential, one multi-family and one ICI site wi ll be selected to participate. The case studies will be used to promote the irrigation and landscape assessments and provide data that will help determine future water-saving rebates. The goal of the program is to achieve 10 to 25% water savings per year, per property. A similar program was conducted in Kelowna and individual households have realized up to a 45% water use reduction. FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION The Irrigation and Landscape Assessment costs are covered within the approved 2011 AMWSC Water Operating Budget. COMMUNICATION PLAN Residents are provided the option of a free irrigation and landscape assessment if they receive a sprinkling warning notice or if they have participated in an on-going water conservation survey. The assessments are also advertised in the newspaper. SUMMARY To provide customers with the tools to conserve water this summer, staff are conducting free res idential irrigation and landscape assessments. The program has been well received, with over 30 residential ers having opted to participate since the beginning of summe r. Promotional m rial de onstrating th e assessments' benefi ts will be created from case studies later in 201 Jim Gordon,.Eng. General M nager, Engineering & Regional Utilities Amy ~ rd LJJv/A Water Conservation Program Coordinator AW/sv Attachment

Name: Gerald Hiebert Address: 35645 Kahana Place Date of Assessment: July 23, 2011 1. Background Water is our community's most precious resource and we should all do our best to conserve and reserve.

3 Name: Gerald Hiebert Address: Kahana Place Date of Assessment: July 23, Background Water is our community's most precious resource and we should all do our best to conserve and reserve. The average family in Abbotsford and Mission uses 30 cubic metres (1 cubic metre [m3] equals 1000 litres) a month. When a family irrigates their landscape within the restricted hours (twice a week from 6 am to 8 am) they can use double that amount depending on their irrigation system. To encourage residents to conserve this summer, the City of Abbotsford has implemented seasonal water rates. These rates are structured so that residents who choose to conserve water will save money on their bi-monthly utility bill. To provide residents with the tools to save water and money, the Abbotsford Mission Water & Sewer Commission (AMWSC) is offering free residential irrigation and landscape assessments to help residents identify opportunities to reduce their outdoor water use. 2. Water Use and Cost at Kahana Place Daily Household Use 0.50 m 3 Irrigation Use m 3 Irrigation Frequency 3 times per week (3am to 8am) Monthly use without irrigation m 3 Monthly use with irrigation m 3 Cost of bi-monthly bill with no irrigation $57.52 Cost of bi-monthly bill with irrigation $1, Cost of irriaation Der vear (May to September) $2, *These are approximations. Data is based on your June and July consumption. if you irrigate morefrequently than vou did in June and early July your water consumljtion will increase and the costs will increase. Please see Appendix A for detailed water use.

3. Opportunities for Water Savings and Recommendations GPtortvnitiQ ~r Water Recommendations Sal/ina. 1 Significant water waste Install a rain sensor.

4 3. Opportunities for Water Savings and Recommendations GPtortvnitiQ ~r Water Recommendations Sal/ina. 1 Significant water waste Install a rain sensor. The controller needs to be upgraded from watering in the rain. to a model that has a connection for a rain sensor. 2 High pressurized system Retrofit your irrigation equipment with pressure regulated or overspray. sprinklers and/or rdtary spray nozzles to reduce pressure and prevent overspray. 3 No master valve present. Install a master valve at the point of connection where your irrigation line is located. This will prevent water loss if there is a leak or a break in the system. 4 No spray heads with Install sprinklers with check valves that will seal the sprays check valves in key areas tight and will not let water escape from those sprinklers at such as slopes to prevent lower elevations. water run-off and soil erosion. 5 No water proof caps on Add water proof grease to fill the caps to prevent damage electrical connections in to the electrical system and for safety. valve boxes 6 Obstructed spray heads. Trim back plants, shrubs and trees from bloqking sprinklers so the water targets the root zones of the landscape intended. Some stems need to be buried into the soil so the spray is at root level. 7 Overspray due to unique Consider drip irrigation that will reduce overspray, shaped, narrow garden evaporation and will contribute to plant root health. beds or above grade garden beds. 8 Overwatered landscapes. Change your irrigation schedule according to water requirements of your plants by reducing watering times, and being aware that shaded areas do not need as much water as it takes longer to evaporate. A rain sensor and/or moisture sensor will also help. Consider purchasing an ET weather-based controller that uses evapotranspiration rates to calculate the water needs of your landscape. 9 Water run-off and pooling. Change your irrigation cycle to "Cycle and Soak." This will allow you to water twice with less time, giving the soil enough time to absorb the water between cycles.

4. Summary of Recommendations and Return on Investment The property at 35645 Kahana Place has an irrigation system with an Orbit-Indoor Standard 4 Station Timer controller.

5 4. Summary of Recommendations and Return on Investment The property at Kahana Place has an irrigation system with an Orbit-Indoor Standard 4 Station Timer controller. which operates at standard City pressure. The irrigation controller is located inside the garage. The point of connection is located in the front garden in a valve box. The irrigation equipment is in good condition. The system is serviceable and operates spray heads, rotors and drip emitters throughout the property. Overall the sprinkler system has high pressure and is causing the spray nozzles to mist water with various degrees of overspray. To prevent overspray from garden beds zones switch the spray heads to drip irrigation. The spray nozzles watering turf areas could be switched to rotary spray nozzles to avoid overspray and high water use. With the sloped landscape, water could be saved by installing sprinklers with pressure regulation check valves. There is a mix of hydrozones throughout the property, which means that the irrigated zones are watering different types of landscapes that have different watering needs. These landscaped areas are best to be separated between turf and garden beds to allow for different watering requirements and equipment. Zones 2 and 3 have existing drip irrigation. Retrofitting the remainder of the gardens beds on these zones into drip irrigation is recommended. Drip irrigation reduces the pressure of the water allowing the plants to grow without damage from high pressure sprays, as well as drips water directly onto the root zone of the plants to ensure minimal evapotranspiration. There are several elbow joints of the irrigation pipe protruding from the soil. These should be buried so that the heads of the sprinkler are level with the ground surface. If an elbow joint is broken it can cause a continual leak and possibly a large rupture, without a master valve there the only way to stop the leak is to turn the water connection off from the water meter until repairs are made.

6 Cubic ' Based on the watering season May to September (5 months) Measure Projected Savings Water Savings/yr (m3) Water Costs Saved/yr Est. Cost to Repair/Retrofit (Approx only) Simple Payback (yrs) Changes - reduce irrigation time in each zone by 5 minutes. Up to 80% m 3 $2, immediate Up to 30% m 3 $ m 3 Replace Irrigation Controller to an ET Weather Based SMART Controller I system litre rain water harvesting Up to 30% m 3 'l>oe,0.07 'savings can increase with a larger storage size $1, is compiling case studies to assess the projected savings based on properties to determine actual savings for each of the retrofit options with diverse landscapes/property sizes. Savings will.. vary on property, amount

5. Recommended schedule for controller with existing system Zone 1 ZI!>ne 2 Zone 3 LO"cations Front garden and South side of North side of house. turf. South side of house.

7 5. Recommended schedule for controller with existing system Zone 1 ZI!>ne 2 Zone 3 LO"cations Front garden and South side of North side of house. turf. South side of house. Back yard gardens house Back yard turf and gardens Existing Watering Times Irrigation Start Time: 3:00 am - 8:00 am Monday, Thursday and Sunday Existing Schedule New Watering Irrigation Start Time: 6:00 am & 6:45 am Times Irrigation Watering Window: 6:00 am - 7:15 am Thursday and Sunday New Schedule No. (ill Sprays No. of R(iltors Drip Emitters Landscape Recommendations The landscape includes a mix of turf grass and waterwise plants. The plants that require more water on site are the hydrangeas, Japanese maples, ferns, annuals and newly planted perennials. Microclimates range from full sun to part sun with some shade. This property has made good use of waterwise plants, shrubs and native plants including lavender, hostas, blue fescues and cora bells however, the plants should be grouped into separate hydrozones dependent on the water requirements of each plant. We also suggest adding mulch to the backyard garden beds about 3 inches in depth. This will ensure water is not evaporated too quickly, will prevent weed groth and provide. more nutrients into the soil when using an organic mulch. Amending the soil with an organic compost (about y. inch) yearly will aid in the healthy grow1h of new and established plants and lawn. There is an opportunity for rainwater harvesting at the down spout(s). You may want to consider using non-potable water for irrigation purposes through the use of rainwater harvesting systems.

8 Due to the varying slope in the backyard and on the sides of the house we suggest pressure reducing equipment including spray heads with check valves and pressure reducing components for sprinklers at lower elevation. Spray heads of this type will need to be installed in order to prolong the life and operation of your irrigation system, maintain the health of your landscape and protect your investment. Currently the water that is left in the system is wasted and can ca use erosion. A ra in sensor is an inexpensive water-saving device for the system. It will save water by shutting off the system when there is rainfall. You will need to upgrade your irrigation controller to a model that has the necessary components to have a rain sensor attached. The present rain sensor is not connected to the irrigation system at the controller. For your property, we suggest retrofitting your system to drip irrigation for the garden beds. There is existing drip irrigation components that can be continued throughout the garden beds. Replacing the spray heads on mixed turf zones with rotary nozzles will reduce water run-off and overspray and also maintain the health of your landscape.

7. Photographs II This area could reduce misting overspray with pressure reducing spray head retrofit. The misting is caused by the system being over pressurized.

9 7. Photographs II This area could reduce misting overspray with pressure reducing spray head retrofit. The misting is caused by the system being over pressurized. The wind can carry the spray intended for the garden onto the turf area and hardscape. Sloped landscapes cause water loss in the irrigation system; as the zone is turned off the water continues to flow to least resistance down hill causing the sprayheads to leak water well after the zone has changed. Retrofit with checkvalve heads to stop the wasted run-off. Deficiencies Overspray onto rock steps does not target garden beds. Over time this will cause structural damage to hardscapes. I Leak in the stem or wiper seal of the spray head. This is causing water loss and could cause erosion of the landscape as the head is located on a slope. Over pressurized spray is eroding the soil at the base of the Japanese Maple Tree. This will eventually create stress in the tree as roots are exposed from lack of soil. Spray is hitting the Boxwood shrub mid height because the based to the sprinkler is not level with the soil. There will be lack of growth in this area of the boxwood. Lower sprinkler to root height.

$The stem of the sprinkler head is above the level of the soil which creates a tripping hazard as well as possible fractures in the PVC piping.$

10 The stem of the sprinkler head is above the level of the soil which creates a tripping hazard as well as possible fractures in the PVC piping. Over pressurized spray is stressing the lavender shrub and well as over watering the drought tolerant species. This is a key area to hydrozone by moving the lavender or the hydrangea. Elbow joint above ground could be broken easily causing large leak in the system. Obstructing spray by day lily. Move shrub or switch spray head to drip irrigation. Alignment of the spray head is tilting up causing the spray to hit the cedar tree mid level. There are signs of stress on the tree at this location. Change to drip irrigation. A spray head connected to a drip irrigation pipe with drip emitters connected to the spray head. Take out the spray and keep the drip emitters.

Appendix A [)aily ~onsljmption... Oaily Consumption 15.. 1 i I -I 5-0 ' ",.fl _0.tIII 27.Jvn 30~ 3.JvI ill.. m """ ~ Consumption c=- e/~/20li ~. "II..!J I._g _ liijj. 12.JuI 15-JoJ 1s...M 21..Jv1 24.

11 Appendix A [)aily ~onsljmption... Oaily Consumption i I -I 5-0 ' ",.fl _0.tIII 27.Jvn 30~ 3.JvI ill.. m """ ~ Consumption c=- e/~/20li ~. "II..!J I._g _ liijj. 12.JuI 15-JoJ 1s...M 21..Jv1 24.Ju1 27.JuJ ~ 2.,.6ug 5~ Datil Consumption with original sprinkling schedule : I. ~,... ~ 8. X : 0,5 - :. 0.0 : :00 02:00 c:::. 7/:14/2011 n..,...,;. J) t -"- 04:00 06:00 08:00 10: :00 How 16:00 16:00 20:00 22:00

Consumption with modified sprinkling schedule HouriV Consumption -- ----.-~.-...:-.- --=:---.. 2.0 -: i f 1.5 - ~ _. ~ 1.0 --: ~ ' : ::t l ~ r : 0.5.. C. 7/28/2011 1-1M"" """ 08:00 10:00 12:00 Hour Consumption without sprinkling (please note the scale changes) ;.

12 Consumption with modified sprinkling schedule HouriV Consumption ~.-...:-.- --=: : i f ~ _. ~ : ~ ' : ::t l ~ r : C. 7/28/ M"" """ 08:00 10:00 12:00 Hour Consumption without sprinkling (please note the scale changes) ;.--' ::::-=--._ ~.~ ourlv Consumption.'::_._- ~-=:-: :::::=~:' -'.---,---.-~-..,-..-~ """ :.., '- : 0.00 '- :.... L.. : _ " <-- III III 00:00 02:00 04:00 06: !:II 1000 : i 1 j J I :... J.. -. ~ ~ :.. j...:.... _ DIlJlJi -'I 1 ~.:J 12:00 14:00 16:00 16:00 20:00 22:00 Hour ~ 7/29/ 2011.

Creating A Waterwise Landscape. Conservation Garden Park South 1300 West West Jordan, UT

Creating A Waterwise Landscape Conservation Garden Park www.conservationgardenpark.org 8215 South 1300 West West Jordan, UT 801-565-4300 Adjusting your landscape to be more water-efficient The majority