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<br />COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES' 2008-2012 WATER CONSERVATION PLAN <br /> <br />AMR Data Access Automated Meter Reading (AMR) will be fully deployed to all customers in <br />2010. Shortly thereafter, Springs Utilities will develop a service whereby large water users can <br />access daily and weel(ly water consumption information. At the large water users meeting in <br />October 2006, customers requested access to this information in order to more efficiently <br />manage their irrigation systems. <br /> <br />Residential New Construction <br /> <br />Early in the process, it became clear that citizens are concerned with growth in the community. <br />As a result, Springs Utilities will implement two new programs, targeted at residential new <br />construction. First, Springs Utilities will introduce a builder incentive program, similar to the <br />ENERGY STAR new homes program. The program will provide incentives for homebuilders to <br />qualify their homes under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense New <br />Homes program which encourages the design and construction of water-efficient homes. <br /> <br />Second, Springs Utilities will require landscape establishment permits for residential new <br />construction. This program will require customers to install at least three cubic yards of organic <br />material for every 1,000 square feet of planting area. This requirement was so well-received <br />during water restrictions that the green industry encouraged Springs Utilities to continue the <br />program. Springs Utilities will worl( with builders, developers and green industry professionals <br />to develop the permit specifications and enforcement procedures. <br /> <br />Residential Outdoor <br /> <br />In 2003, Springs Utilities introduced an irrigation equipment rebate for residential customers. <br />Historically, the rebate has applied to equipment such as rain shut-off devices, irrigation <br />controllers, spray heads with checl( valves and rotating multi-stream nozzles. In 2008, the rebate <br />will be renamed the smart irrigation rebate. At the same time, the rebate will be restructured so <br />customers may better understand the features and benefits of the available equipment with the <br />intent of increasing penetration and overall program effectiveness. Qualifying weather-based <br />irrigation controllers, which use actual weather data to adjust watering schedules according to <br />plant need, will be eligible for a rebate. Many other types of irrigation equipment will also be <br />evaluated for possible inclusion in the program. <br /> <br />In 2006, Springs Utilities piloted a residential sprinl(ler checl( program to audit irrigation system <br />efficiency for residential customers. The program was offered to thirty-six customers, using the <br />methodologies and templates established by the Colorado WaterWise Council (CWWC). Water <br />use at each participating property is being monitored periodically to evaluate the effectiveness of <br />the audits. When the value of the audits is better understood, the residential sprinl(ler checl( <br />program will be introduced to a larger audience. <br /> <br />The residential sprinl(ler checl( program may provide partnership opportunities with Certified <br />Landscape Irrigation Auditors. Springs Utilities may also consider a partnership with the Center <br />for Resource Conservation's "Slow the Flow Colorado" program. The "Slow the Flow <br />Colorado" program is designed to test irrigation systems for efficiency and to mal(e <br />recommendations for improvements. <br /> <br />15 <br />