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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP-0097 - Water Conservation Policy for County Facilities• • • POLICY FOR INSERTION INTO THE POLICY MANUAL MEETING DATE: December 5, 2005 EFFECTNE DATE: January 1, 2006 NUMBER: 00097 REVISIONS: POLICY: Water Conservation Policy For County Facilities A. General Orange County's "Environmental Responsibility in County Government" goal includes the objective: Initiate policies and programs that conserve energy, reduce fuel/utility/resource consumption..." In support of this goal, the County has adopted this Water Conservation Policy. The cost for water for County facilities is a significant County cost. Beyond this, water consumption has significant environmental impacts, including direct local impacts. As a result, it is both necessary and beneficial for the County to adopt a policy of water conservation and efficiency for County government. Energy conservation and vehicle fuel conservation are addressed in separate policies. B. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to reduce the County government's water consumption, wherever possible, and improve the efficiency of use for that water that must be used in Orange County government facilities. C. Policy Goals Establish the policy foundation of responsibilities, planning, programs, standards, performance measures and the like to manage the County government's water use and conserve water. Manage water use to minimize use to the greatest extent possible while maintaining safe and acceptable work conditions. Achieve a reduction in average water consumption per square foot annually. Incorporate water conservation systems, devices, and design in renovations, replacements • and new construction. D. Scope Facilities This policy applies to County owned and leased buildings, whether occupied by the County, the courts or other agencies. Water Sources This policy applies to use of water from municipal sources and wells. E. Responsibilities Energy Task Group As provided in the County's energy conservation policy, the Manager appoints an Energy Conservation Task Group. The Task Group provides direction, counsel, and oversight as to implementation of the Water Conservation Policy. As necessary the Task Group addresses questions of policy interpretation and adherence. The Task Group also seeks • input on innovative tools and techniques to support water conservation in County facilities. Public Works Department The Public Works Department is responsible for: Up fitting as authorized and maintaining County facilities in accordance with the requirements of this policy, including installation of water conserving devices and verification of correct equipment settings and operation. Development of the annual Water Conservation Action Plan and identifying any associated costs, as part of the annual budget process. Department Heads Department heads are responsible for: Communicating the County's water conservation goals and policies to staff, providing guidance and promoting adherence. Employees County employees are responsible for: • Becomin knowled eable about the Count 's water con rv g g y se anon poltcies and initiatives and complying with these policies. Advising the supervisor of any circumstance that prevents adherence to the County 's policies. Bringing forward ideas and suggestions for water conservation that may not have been identified to them. F. Water Conservation Action Plan The Energy Task Group, Public Works Department and others involved coordinate the development of an annual "Water Conservation Action Plan." This annual plan identifies specific actions to be implemented or proposed and estimated time lines and responsibilities for implementation. The action plan is submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for review and approval, in coordination with the annual budget process. The action plan is reviewed and updated annually along with evaluation of the previous • year's performance, during the annual budget process. G. Reporting, Benchmarking and Performance Measurement Reporting The Public Works department: Obtains information for all billing periods for each water billing to provide reports on a monthly/quarterly and annual basis assessing progress, by building and/or department where feasible as well as for the County as a whole, in reducing water demand. This includes analysis of the information and assessment of trends. Presents reports to department heads and the County Manager to aid in determining if conservation efforts are meeting goals or additional efforts are required. Presents reports to the Board of County Commissioners to advise them of progress in conserving water. Benchmarking/Performance Measurement Reporting information is used to benchmark and measure performance: • From year-to-year (aggregate and by individual building) in keeping with accepted industry practices, and • Compared to results for organizations located in similar geographic areas. H. Water Use Standards General The intent of the water conservation policy and program is to achieve reductions in water consumption while maintaining reasonable comfort levels for building occupants. Waterless or low-flow fixtures are used for any replacement fixtures, unless technically impractical. The County gives preference to drought-tolerant plants when new or replacement plants and/or trees are required for landscaping. Large areas of grass are avoided in favor of alternative plantings and landscaping techniques, whenever possible. Irrigation is limited to critical needs to support survival of plants, and if allowed by local watering restrictions. Permanently installed irrigation systems are preferred to provide most efficient distribution of water. Vehicle washing is performed only as permitted by local watering restrictions. If • performed, it is done only with water conserving spraying devices rather than an open garden hose. Rain collection for vehicle washing is pursued as feasible. I. Programs To support the Water Conservation Policy and initiative, the County implements a variety of programs including: Employee Awareness/Public Awareness The County conducts communications programs to promote employee awareness of the need for water conservation. This includes such activities as distribution of this Water Conservation Policy, reminders via pamphlets, e-mails, Orange Alive, coverage in new employee orientation, and opportunities at employee events to reinforce the conservation ethic. As appropriate, the County also informs the public of water conservation measures in use such in County restrooms or in grounds care activities. Incentives Incentive programs will be developed to improve compliance and acceptance by County employees and other building occupants. These may include building • versus building contests, department versus department contests, financial incentives, preferred parking, recognition of employees who demonstrate the conservation ethic and • the like. Preventive Maintenance Preventive maintenance procedures are used to eliminate water loss through drips and leaks Repairs Repairs/replacement of equipment take into consideration the most cost effective solution over the life of the repair/equipment. Such consideration includes improvements to water efficiency. Low Demand Retrofits The County determines priority needs and pursues water conserving system retrofitting, based on the availability of funds and maintenance needs such as the condition of the equipment. New Construction • New construction is required to follow water efficiency standards as set forth by the Guidelines for Sustainable Public Facility Design and Development. Consideration is given to the feasibility of rainwater collection for non-potable uses • February 6, 2006 MEMORANDUM • TO: Orange Count De artment Heads Y p FROM: John Link, County Manager SUBJECT: Enemy, Vehicle Fuel and Water Conservation As you know, Orange County has embarked on an initiative to conserve energy and water used at County buildings and facilities, and to conserve fuel used in the operation of County vehicles and equipment. This mission is part of the County's "Environmental Responsibility in County Government" goal. To begin work on this initiative, the County established an informal working group of interested staff that now has been formalized as the Energy Conservation Task Group to advise on and assist in development and implementation of this initiative. As the next step, I asked Personnel Director Elaine Holmes with Acting Public Works Director Wayne Fenton to develop recommended County policy on building energy, water and vehicle fuel conservation with the direction and assistance of the Energy Task Group. At the December Board of Commissioners' meetings, the Board adopted the recommended policies effective January 1, 2006. These cover: • Energy Conservation (Attachment 1), Vehicle Fuel Conservation (Attachment 2), and Water Conservation (Attachment 3). These policies include goals, responsibilities, standards for use, reporting and performance measures. They also provide for development of proposed conservation action plans and budget proposals as part of each year's annual budget process. To provide on-going support for this initiative, the County also has established an Energy Conservation Team led by Wayne Fenton and including Kevin Lindley, Engineering Specialist and Noah Ranells, Economic Development Coordinator, to assist with implementing the County's policies. While some changes to be made are beyond what can be accomplished by one employee or even an entire department, such as replacement of outdated equipment, many important things can be improved by small contributions of many individuals. We need the support and active participation of each County employee to report problems and to turn off energy and water consuming devices when not needed. And we need the support of each department head to help convey the importance of conservation within Orange County. During the coming weeks, the Energy Conservation Management Team, Public Works staff and • others will be working with departments individually to look for opportunities to save, and we are asking your assistance. The conservation team will be working building by building to identify conservation opportunities for each location, identifying associated costs, and providing prioritized recommendations to the County Manager and Board for consideration during the annual budget process. This will include education efforts with the building occupants. • In terms of specific building implementation of the heating and air conditioning standards set out in the Energy Conservation Policy, -the plan is to pursue this effort also building by building. In this, let me assure you that you will have advance notice and opportunity for discussion of any changes to be made in your building and opportunity to provide feedback on any specific problem areas in the building heating and air conditioning. It is our goal to provide a comfortable work environment as well as an energy efficient one and Public Works and the Energy Team will need your assistance to assure this happens. Our hope is that conservation will become second nature for all of us. Making this happen will require communication and support for, and from, employees from their very first day as a County employee until their last day before retirement. We look forward to working with each of you and your staff as we "go green and save green" in Orange County! • • ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date:. December 13, 2005 Action Agenda Item No. q--~ SUBJECT: Draft Water Conservation Policy For County Facilities and Report on Water Use and Performance Measures DEPARTMENT: Public Works, Personnel, PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Energy Task Group ATTACHMENT(S): Draft Water Conservation Policy For County Facilities INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Fenton, Assistant Public Works Director, Telephone 919-245-2628 Wilbert McAdoo, Public Works Director, Telephone 919-245-2625 Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director, Telephone 919-245-2552 Under separate cover: Orange County Water Usage and Cost Comparison Report PURPOSE: To consider adoption of a Water Conservation Policy covering Orange County government facilities and equipment, in follow up to the Board's Environmental Responsibility goal and to receive a report on building water use and possible water conservation performance measures. BACKGROUND: In keeping with the Orange County Environmental Responsibility goal and Board of County Commissioners' direction, the Public Works Department, in conjunction with the Personnel Director and the Energy Conservation Task Group has developed a preliminary draft Water Conservation Policy For County Facilities for Board review. Staff also has compiled and analyzed data on building water consumption and developed possible water conservation performance measures for the Board's review. Draft Policy The attached draft establishes County policy to conserve water and reduce water consumption in County government facilities. Staff recommends the draft policy be considered as a preliminary policy for County facilities pending further research of water conservation options and opportunities that would include broader reviews and discussions with the Commission for Environment. The focus of this preliminary policy is on County buildings and grounds and addressing the most immediately attainable conservation measures. Energy conservation and vehicle fuel conservation have been addressed in separate policies. Policy highlights include: • Setting goals. • Designating responsibilities for water conservation as to the Energy Conservation Task Group, Public Works Department, department heads and employees. • Providing for an annual Water Conservation Action Plan setting out specific actions to be accomplished during the coming year for review and approval by the Board, in conjunction with the annual budget process. • Providing for data collection, reporting and performance measures to assess water conservation performance. • Establishing Water Use Standards for County facilities, including watering plants, washing vehicles and the like. • Establishing a framework of supporting programs including employee awareness, incentives, water efficient equipment and construction and so forth. Water Consumption and Performance Measures Public Works maintains a database of water consumption and cost information from utility billings for County buildings. This will serve as the basis for measuring the County's success in reducing water consumption. As the Board wishes, this information may be presented in a variety of formats and varying levels of detail. Under separate cover, Public Works has provided a report covering Orange County water usage and cost. Public Works also will provide a brief presentation of this information at the Board meeting. At the Board meeting, the Board may wish to provide direction to staff on the types of water consumption information that it wishes to receive and the desired format for this information. Based on the current data, staff recommends two measures be used to assess the County's success in reducing building water consumption. These are: • Average daily water use per month -total and by building -and • Average daily water cost per month per square foot -total and by building. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1. Adopt the attached Water Conservation Policy effective January 1, 2006, subject to any further direction it may wish to provide. 2. Receive the report on County building water use and measures and provide additional direction to staff as desired. •