|
3.
WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN: PHASE I UPDATE PLAN DE VALORISATION DE L’EAU : LE POINT SUR L’ÉTAPE I |
Committee
recommendationS
That Council:
1. Approve the following modifications to the Water
Efficiency Plan: Phase I (2007 - 2009),
as described in this report:
a)
A $60 rebate for
the installation of 6-litre and dual flush toilets and a $75 rebate for a
4.8-litre ultra low flow toilet.
b)
Allocation of 20%
of the HVU program funds ($20,000/year) to the non-profit community-housing
sector.
2. Accept information updates on the remainder of the program, and evaluation of the 2006 Summer Waterwise Campaign.
RecommandationS du Comité
Que le Conseil :
1. Approuve
les modifications suivantes du Plan de valorisation de l’eau : étape I
(2007-2009), telles qu’elles sont décrites dans le présent rapport :
a)
une remise de 60 $ à
l’installation de toilettes de 6 litres et à double chasse et de 75 $ à
l’installation d’une toilette de 4,8 litres à débit ultra faible;
b)
l’affectation de 20 % des fonds
du programme d’incitation visant les grands consommateurs
(20 000 $/an) au secteur du logement communautaire à but non
lucratif;
2. Reçoive à titre d’information, les mises à jour sur le reste du programme et
l’évaluation de la campagne de sensibilisation à l’économie de l’eau de l’été
2006.
Documentation
1.
Deputy
City Manager, Public Works and Services report dated 3 May 2007
(ACS2007-PWS-UTL-0010)
Report to / Rapport au:
Planning
and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de
l'environnement
and Council / et au Conseil
Submitted
by/Soumis par:
R.G.
Hewitt, Deputy City Manager / Directeur municipal adjoint
SUBJECT: WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN: PHASE I
UPDATE
OBJET: PLAN DE VALORISATION DE
L’EAU : LE POINT SUR L’ÉTAPE I
That the Planning and Environmental Committee recommend Council:
1. Approve the following modifications to the Water Efficiency
Plan: Phase I (2007 - 2009), as
described in this report:
c)
A $60 rebate for
the installation of 6-litre and dual flush toilets and a $75 rebate for a
4.8-litre ultra low flow toilet.
d)
Allocation of 20%
of the HVU program funds ($20,000/year) to the non-profit community-housing
sector.
2. Accept information updates on the remainder of the program, and evaluation of the 2006 Summer Waterwise Campaign.
Que le Comité de
l’urbanisme et de l’environnement recommande au Conseil :
1. d’approuver
les modifications suivantes du Plan de valorisation de l’eau : étape I
(2007-2009), telles qu’elles sont décrites dans le présent rapport :
c)
une remise de 60 $ à
l’installation de toilettes de 6 litres et à double chasse et de 75 $ à
l’installation d’une toilette de 4,8 litres à débit ultra faible;
d)
l’affectation de 20 % des fonds
du programme d’incitation visant les grands consommateurs
(20 000 $/an) au secteur du logement communautaire à but non
lucratif;
2.
de recevoir, à titre d’information, les
mises à jour sur le reste du programme et l’évaluation de la campagne de
sensibilisation à l’économie de l’eau de l’été 2006.
In accordance with Ontario’s Water Taking & Transfer Regulation, O. Reg. 387/04, which requires the City to demonstrate a commitment to water conservation, in 2005 Ottawa adopted a ten-year Water Efficiency Strategy; and, in 2006 adopted a three-year Water Efficiency Plan that identified specific activities to be undertaken during the period 2007-2009. The purpose of this report is threefold:
·
A $60 rebate
for the installation of 6-litre and dual flush toilets and a $75 rebate for a
4.8-litre ultra low flow toilet (instead of a $75 rebate limited to 6-litres
toilets.); and
To provide an update on the implementation of other Program elements, specifically:
· A partnership with Enbridge Gas has been confirmed to enable door-to-door delivery of the water efficiency kits to approximately 7,500 homes in 2007;
· Planning is underway for the retrofit of washrooms at the Civic Centre this summer; and
· Implementation of the High Volume User (HVU) program and Toilet Rebate Program are scheduled to rollout this fall commensurate with confirmation of program details and hiring of the required staff.
To provide monitoring results and analysis of the summer Waterwise campaign, and the Water Efficiency Program as a whole. In summary, monitoring data indicates the Program is on track to meet the 2008 maximum daily demand target of 565ML/d; and, that the summer Waterwise campaign is increasingly seen, heard, understood by, and acted upon by Ottawa residents.
Conformément au Règlement Water Taking and
Transfer, Règl. de l’Ont. 387/04, qui exige qu’elle montre un engagement à
économiser l’eau, la Ville d’Ottawa a adopté, en 2005, une stratégie décennale
de valorisation de l’eau et, en 2006, un plan de valorisation de l’eau qui
prévoit des activités précises pour la période 2007-2009. Le présent rapport a
un triple objet :
1.
Expliquer
et faire approuver des modifications du Plan de valorisation de l’eau :
étape I (2007-2009) de façon à ce qu’Ottawa puisse continuer de se rapprocher
de ses objectifs. Plus précisément, l’autorisation d’apporter les changements
suivants est demandée :
·
une
remise de 60 $ à l’installation de toilettes de 6 litres et à double
chasse et de 75 $ à l’installation d’une toilette de 4,8 litres à débit
ultra faible (plutôt que de restreindre
la remise de 75 $ aux toilettes de 6 litres);
2. Faire le point
sur les autres éléments du programme, à savoir :
·
un
partenariat avec Enbridge Gas prévoyant la distribution porte-à-porte de
trousses d’économie d’eau à environ 7 500 foyers en 2007 a été confirmé;
·
la
planification de la modernisation des salles de toilettes au Centre municipal
cet été est en cours;
·
la
mise en œuvre du programme d’incitation visant les grands consommateurs et du
programme de remises pour les toilettes économes d’eau devrait se faire cet
automne, à mesure que leurs modalités seront confirmées et que le personnel
nécessaire sera embauché.
3.
Communiquer
les résultats d’observation continue et d’analyse de la campagne estivale de
sensibilisation à l’économie de l’eau et de l’ensemble du Programme de
valorisation de l’eau. En deux mots, les données d’observation continue
montrent que le programme est en bonne voie d’atteindre la cible de demande
maximale journalière pour 2008 de 565 Ml/j et que la campagne estivale de
sensibilisation à l’économie de l’eau est sans cesse mieux connue et comprise
des résidents d’Ottawa et que, de plus en plus, ceux-ci modifient leur
consommation d’eau en conséquence.
The City promotes water efficiency because it not only encourages the wise use of this precious natural resource, but also will allow Ottawa to defer costly future expansions to existing water treatment and distribution facilities.
In accordance with Ontario’s Water Taking & Transfer Regulation, O. Reg. 387/04, which requires permit holders[1] such as the City to demonstrate a commitment to water conservation, in 2005 Ottawa adopted a ten-year Water Efficiency Strategy with the following objectives:
An implementation plan was adopted in 2006 and received funding in 2007. The Water Efficiency Plan: Phase I report outlined the following measures for implementation during 2007-2009:
An Incentive Program consisting of:
· Staged implementation of a High Volume User subsidy program; and
A Waterwise Promotion Campaign that would:
· Promote efficient use of water outdoors, targeting lawn and garden watering;
· Promote efficient use of water indoors, including distribution of information regarding the water efficiency kit and toilet rebate programs;
· Promote the High Volume User subsidy program; and
· Promote water efficiency success stories undertaken within or by the City.
A City Facilities Retrofit Program consisting of new capital funds allocated to Real Property Assessment Management (RPAM) for the purpose of undertaking water efficient retrofits at City facilities.
Annual monitoring and assessment, and reporting to Council.
Allocation of $1.87M over three years.
The following section sets out recommended modifications to the Phase I Water Efficiency Plan, provides implementation details on other elements of the Plan, and reports on the results of the efficacy of the Water Efficiency Program to date.
Since approval of the Water Efficiency Plan: Phase I report, and receipt of funding in February, staff has made significant progress towards implementation of the Plan.
Over the past several months, the City has been in discussion with Enbridge Gas and Hydro Ottawa regarding a potential three-way partnership for the door-to-door delivery of residential water efficiency kits. The outcome has been a partnership between the City and Enbridge, with good potential for Hydro Ottawa’s involvement commencing in 2008.
The contract being drafted at the time of writing this report allows for the delivery of approximately 7,500 residential kits to postal codes K1B, K1C, K1W, K1J and K0A commencing late May. Each kit will contain the following elements funded by Enbridge Gas: hot water pipe foam insulation, a low-flow showerhead, a water efficient kitchen aerator, and a water efficient bathroom aerator. The kit will also contain a Toilet Tank Bank (displaces up to 2 litres/flush) and bilingual water efficiency material provided by the City. Kits will also be delivered to non-Enbridge customers in these areas.
A key element of the door-to-door campaign is the testing of existing showerheads and the installation of the new showerheads and pipe wrap by the Enbridge representatives. This helps to ensure proper installation and use of kit items, and greater program effectiveness. Under this arrangement, the City is also able to deliver approximately 2,500 kits more than originally planned.
An additional 2,000 units will also be available for distribution at Ottawa’s Client Service Centres to residents living outside of the identified postal codes, or who are not at home at the time of the visit, or who choose not to permit access to their dwellings to enable the retrofits.[2]
A database is under construction to enable tracking of the households that receive kits via both methods, as there is a limit of one kit per household. Kits delivered via Client Service Centres will not include the pipe wrap, but will include a flow test bag so that residents can test their existing showerheads. Once all 9,500 kits are distributed, the program will cease until 2008 funding is secured.
Public Works and Services (PWS) and Real Property Asset Management (RPAM) have reviewed facility audit findings and are currently investigating two options for the replacement of urinals and faucets at the Civic Centre. Currently, the plan is to undertake all retrofits prior to the annual summer exposition. Pre and post retrofit monitoring will be undertaken, and facility visitors will be made aware of the retrofit and savings through on-site promotions.
The program to rollout this fall will require applicants to submit a simple audit of their existing facility that itemizes the fixtures and appliances to be replaced, provides pre and post-retrofit usage, photos of the existing items, billing data and receipts. Successful applicants who complete retrofits will qualify for the subsidies set out in Table 1, up to a maximum of $10,000 per applicant.
|
Table 1: HVU Subsidy Rates for Installation of Water Efficient Fixtures and Appliances |
|
|
Item |
Subsidy |
|
Replacement of a 13-litre or greater toilet |
|
|
Replacement of a 19-litre/min showerhead |
$10/unit |
|
Replacement of an industrial dishwasher |
25%[3] up to $1,000 per unit |
|
Replacement of an industrial clothes washing machine |
25% up to $1,000 per unit |
To be eligible under the High Volume User Rebate Program, a facility must be located in the City of Ottawa, and be an Industrial, Commercial of Institutional (IC&I) facility, or a high-density residential building (> 6 units).
Since approval of the Water Efficiency Plan last year, staff have received many queries from non-profit social housing providers regarding the applicability of the HVU program to their facilities, and the potential to dedicate a portion of program funds to the retrofit of their units.
Approximately 2,500 social housing units are vacated and change hands each year. In between tenancies, maintenance crews clean, paint, and repair the units. During this maintenance period, crews also have the opportunity to install tamper proof water efficiency fixtures. This is considered a valuable investment because: a) most of these units have only one washroom used by many people. Therefore, the rate of use of any retrofit fixture is very high and the savings also high; and b) a significant proportion of community housing units are owned by the City, and the City pays a significant portion of the utility bill. Such retrofits would yield financial savings for the service provider, the tenant, and the City while helping to reduce base system demand.
In consultation with Ottawa’s Housing Branch, staff propose to provide tamper proof water efficiency kits to local social housing providers to allow for installation of the following items during these maintenance periods: low flow showerhead, kitchen aerator, bathroom aerator, toilet displacement bag or toilet flapper.
While details of program administration require confirmation, currently it is envisioned that social housing providers would submit monthly requests based upon the number of vacancy notifications received. Units would be distributed monthly, and the program would cease and all social housing providers notified when the annual allotment of kits is fully committed and distributed.
Allocation of these kits to the social housing providers would not prevent this sector from applying and qualifying for funds under the main HVU Program for toilet, dishwasher, and clothes washer replacements. Where feasible, pre and post installation monitoring will be undertaken to verify the impact of the retrofits.
Implementation of a broad scale rebate program is a significant undertaking. While staff has been investigating the full scope of challenges to be addressed, not all matters are sufficiently resolved to enable a spring launch as originally envisioned. In particular, before the program promotion can begin there are legal matters to be reviewed, the retention and training of program staff is required, as well as the education of local retailers, and confirmation of the program details set out below.
The toilet rebate program approved in the Water Efficiency Plan prescribed a $75 rebate for replacement[5] of inefficient toilets with 6-litre toilets. Since approval of the Plan, staff have received numerous queries from interested residents, several who asked if the Program might be extended to include ultra low flow and dual-flush models.
Staff have further investigated this option, which is currently applied in the City of Toronto[6], and believe that administration of a two-tier program would not be significantly different or more expensive. Accordingly, staff recommends the following:
§ $60 rebate for installation of 6-litre and dual-flush toilets
§ $75 rebate for installation of 4.8-litre ultra low flow toilets
Rebates for dual flush toilets are at the lower rate as there is no assurance that the lower three-litre flush setting will be used on a consistent basis. Reserving the higher incentive for 4.8-litre models will enable the City to provide upwards of 10% more rebates in a year.[7]
Based on the discussions with other municipalities, Ottawa could receive over 4,000 applications per year. It is important to note that funding has been approved for distribution of rebates for less than half that number.
Accordingly, the Program will be delivered on a “first come first serve” basis, will not be retroactive, and will cease each year once funds are fully expended. Currently, staff are investigating the cost-benefit of issuing a cheque versus providing a credit on an applicant’s water or tax bill.
Another question raised regarding the Program was whether the City would require recycling of the old toilets. During consultations with Solid Waste Services it was learned that the volume of crushed toilets is very small (5 toilets equals approximately 1 blue box); and, would likely only provide sufficient material for approximately 10 to 20 feet of roadbed. Staff believe it is more energy efficient for toilets to be collected as part of regular garbage collection. Given that toilets are solid non-hazardous waste, are currently picked-up via curb-side collection, and that Trail Waste Facility is at a significant distance to most residents.
Currently, the program is scheduled for implementation this fall.
Annual Program
Monitoring and Reporting
Monitoring of production and consumption data for the past six years indicates that the combination of supply side (e.g. leak detection) and demand side initiatives (e.g. summer Waterwise campaign) being carried out by the City are yielding positive results. However, as summer water demand is highly dependent upon precipitation frequency and volumes, the City should not be complacent, particularly as weather patterns are increasingly unpredictable and extreme.
Tables 2 and 3 show that gross production and per capita residential demand for water are diminishing; and, that the City is on track to meet its 2008 maximum daily target of 565 ML/d. This finding is further supported by survey work carried out following the annual Summer Waterwise Campaigns. Table 4 shows that increasing numbers of residents are hearing, remembering, and acting on the water efficiency message.
|
Table 2: Total Water Production in ML (millions of
litres) |
||||||
|
Year |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
Annual
Production (ML) |
134,668 |
130,713 |
133,499 |
125,141 |
124,971 |
121,262 |
|
Max.
Day (ML/d) |
551 |
545 |
553 |
438 |
509 |
512 |
Sources: Drinking Water Services.
|
Table 3: Average Residential Consumption vs. Summer
Precipitation |
||||||
|
Year |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
Use per Household (m3/yr) |
274 |
276 |
262 |
249 |
248 |
236 |
|
Per
Capita Use (l/c/day)* |
301 |
305 |
293 |
277 |
277 |
265 |
|
Precipitation
(mm) May-September
incl. |
365 |
475 |
409 |
468 |
466 |
555 |
*Calculated
value based upon OMBI: 2005 Performance
Benchmarking Report 2.49 ppu for Ottawa.
Sources: Billing Revenue Systems Unit and Environment
Canada.
Source: Corporate Research Group.
CONSULTATION
/ PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
This initiative implements the
policies and objectives of Ottawa 20/20, the Infrastructure Master Plan, and
the Environmental Strategy, all of which received extensive public consultation. Furthermore, it implements the City’s 2005 Water
Efficiency Strategy, and 2006 Water Efficiency Plan, both of which
are public documents approved by Council.
This report was circulated for
review to Real Property Asset Management, Corporate Communications, Housing
Branch and within Public Works and Services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION
Funds are available in the
approved 2007 Operating and Capital Budgets as follows:
Funding for 2008 and beyond has
been identified and forecasted in the 2007 Approved Capital Budget.
Excessive water consumption means greater volumes of water and wastewater requiring treatment, along with additional demands on source water, energy and other resources, and larger discharges to the natural environment. Successful implementation of the City’s water efficiency program will have a positive impact on Ottawa's natural and man-made environment.
Water efficiency for residents on
private wells benefits not only the homeowner but also the community by
reducing energy and treatment costs and reducing demand on local aquifers. Water efficiency kits will be available to
rural residents via Client Service Centres.
Toilet rebates will be available to all residents via on-line
application forms submitted by first class mail or hand delivery to Clyde Ave.
DISPOSITION
The Public Works and Services Department will adjust program
delivery details as approved.
The Housing Branch will work with Public Works and Services
Department to confirm final design and implementation of the Community Housing
Subsidy Program.
[1] The City holds Permits to Take Water(PTTW) for the Britannia and Lemieux Water Purification Plants, and the Carp, Vars, Kings Park, and Munster communal well systems. In order to renew these permits, the City must either have a water conservation program in place or have a program that will be undertaken for the duration of the permit, which is typically ten years. The City is required to report to the Province annually on the activities it undertakes to promote and ensure water efficiency.
[2] Enbridge is required under the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 to install the items in order to claim the applicable energy credits.
[3] Pre-tax price based upon submission of three quotes and original receipts.
[4] Non-profit social housing providers refers to the 56 social housing providers who are administered by the City of Ottawa as Service Manager.
[5] The Ontario Building Code requires installation of 6-litre toilets during new construction, but permits the installation of 13-litre toilets during renovations. Therefore, this rebate program will only apply to bathroom renovations.
[6] By way of comparison, Toronto rebates $60 for single-flush 6L toilets, $75 for high efficiency toilets (dual or 4L single-flush) and $150 for rear-exit toilets (discharge to wall drains not floor drains); Waterloo rebates $40 for single-flush 6L toilets and $60 for high efficiency toilets; and Peel rebates $60 for single-flush 6 L and $100 for high efficiency toilets.
[7] Up to ten percent of all rebates issued will be validated via home inspection or other means.
[8] Target established for the 2006 summer Waterwise campaign.