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<br />COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES' 2008-2012 WATER CONSERVATION PLAN <br /> <br />Commercial Indoor <br /> <br />In 2008, Springs Utilities will introduce a pre-rinse spray nozzle retrofit program for restaurants, <br />cafeterias and other commercial food service providers. A pre-rinse spray nozzle is a handheld <br />device that uses a spray of water to remove food and grease from dishes prior to cleaning in a <br />commercial dishwasher. The national standard requires all pre-rinse spray valves manufactured <br />after January 1,2006 to have flow rates of 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm) or less. Many existing <br />pre-rinse spray valves have flow rates of 1.0 to 5.0 gpm so the pre-rinse spray nozzle program <br />represents a significant water-savings opportunity. Increased water efficiency also correlates to <br />direct savings in energy by reducing the amount of water that needs to be heated. <br /> <br />In 2009, Springs Utilities will introduce high-efficiency toilet and urinal rebates to the <br />commercial segment. These programs are relatively simple to administer because they are <br />equipment-based incentive programs. In addition, they are relatively cost-effective. <br /> <br />Springs Utilities also plans to introduce an indoor audit program and indoor efficiency <br />incentives. The indoor audit program and the indoor efficiency incentives are relatively difficult <br />to administer due to the diversity and complexity of commercial and industrial water use. As <br />discussed in the Implementation Plan section, Springs Utilities will host specialized worl(ing <br />groups to assist with program design. Program specifications and approvals will be refined <br />during the implementation phase. <br /> <br />The intent of the indoor audit program is to help commercial and industrial customers locate <br />water-saving opportunities in their processes and facilities. The intent of the indoor efficiency <br />incentives is to provide financial incentives for water-efficiency improvements, such as water <br />reuse and recycling, replacing plumbing fixtures and monitoring cooling towers. The indoor <br />audit program and the indoor efficiency incentives will require annual measurement and <br />verification in order to verify water savings and to refine assumptions. <br /> <br />Commercial Outdoor <br /> <br />Similar to the commercial indoor program, Springs Utilities plans to introduce an outdoor audit <br />program and outdoor efficiency incentives. These two programs will focus on improvements in <br />landscape and irrigation efficiency, particularly with large water users such as parl(s, schools and <br />military. The audit program may provide partnership opportunities for Certified Landscape <br />Irrigation Auditors. The program may also tal(e advantage of the "Slow the Flow Colorado" <br />program, which tests irrigation systems for efficiency and mal(es recommendations for <br />improvements. Details will be determined during the implementation phase. <br /> <br />Outdoor efficiency incentives will provide financial incentives for landscape improvements such <br />as converting landscapes to be more water-efficient and replacing high-water-use turf with low- <br />water-use plants. The incentives will also enable large irrigators to replace aging irrigation <br />systems with more efficient infrastructure and more advanced technology. Incentives will be <br />based on the amount of water saved, not necessarily the infrastructure or the technology adopted. <br />This provides the customer with maximum flexibility in determining individual water-saving <br />needs. Similar to the indoor program, annual measurement and verification will be imperative in <br />order to verify water savings and refine assumptions. <br /> <br />16 <br />