PROJ02016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Phased Development Strategic phasing is a crucial component to the economic feasibility of developing secondary supply systems. It is anticipated that the development of secondary supply systems will occur in phases over extended periods of time in order to meet developmental priorities and to work within feasible budgetary frameworks. As each phase is developed, the water storage facilities, pumping systems and secondary supply transmission piping network should be constructed or extended to provide point-of- connections to developments. Secondary supply systems must be developed in a way that matches the timetable for developing water supplies for the secondary system. It is important that the potential problems of both excess capacity and inadequate capacity are avoided during the construction of any given phase. The success of phasing will depend on the revenue generated from the system relative to the costs of capital improvements. Hook up fees and water rates should be sufficient to assure adequate revenue to cover the costs of this capital project, within each phase of development. Point-of-Connection and MeterinQ As urban areas develop within the canal service area, a point-of-connection (POC) is typically made to the transmission pipeline of the system. From this point-of-connection, the developer would design and install, to the canal company's specifications, a distribution system to provide irrigation water to all desired areas or points of connection (parks, open spaces, streetscapes, schools, and residential lots). The concept of the secondary system is for the canal company to maintain and manage the primary transmission system, while the water users develop and maintain the distribution system needed to supply water to users; or the canal company may manage the entire system as well. In the case of a new development, the distribution would be designed by and paid for by the developer, not the canal company. Figures 3 and 4 show conceptual POC details for a raw water connection at a residential lot or at other discrete open space areas such as parks or streetscapes. Secondary water supply that is delivered to a POC can either be metered or un-metered, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 respectively. Whether or not the POC is metered will ultimately be determined by the canal company, as it provides the foundation for the canal company to develop revenues from water fees. There are real implications in the decision to meter or not to meter customer water use in a secondary supply system. An aspect of the revenue generated from a project will in part depend on the rates that are charged for water use, whether they are flat in the case of no meters or use-based in the case of meters. A preference for metering or not metering is primarily dependent on the site specific conditions and goals of the project. There are also sound institutional or political aspects to the question. The perceived benefits and drawbacks of each method should be weighed accordingly. The following examines some of the issues associated with metering or not metering secondary supply systems. Aqua Engineering, Inc. November 17, 2004 Canal Modernization Study -8-