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<br />COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES' 2008-2012 WATER CONSERVATION PLAN <br /> <br />7 . Water rate structures and billing systems designed to encourage water use efficiency in a <br />fiscally responsible manner <br /> <br />One of the l(ey strategies of the 2008-2012 Water Conservation Plan is to encourage <br />conservation through blocl( rates for residential customers and seasonal rates for commercial <br />customers. The following table illustrates the water rate structure as of May 1, 2006. <br /> <br />Table 14: Springs Utilities' Rates as of May 1, 2006 <br /> <br />Residential Block Rates <br />More than 2,500 CF 4.2 cents per cubic foot <br />1000 to 2,499 CF 2.8 cents per cubic foot <br />Up to 999 CF 1.6 cents per cubic foot <br />Commercial Seasonal Rates <br />May 1 - October 31 2.6 cents per cubic foot <br />November 1 - April 30 1.4 cents per cubic foot <br /> <br />1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons <br /> <br />Visit www.csu.org for current rates. <br /> <br />8. Regulatory measures designed to encourage water conservation <br /> <br />Springs Utilities plans to update the Landscape Code and Policy, which requires water-efficient <br />landscaping for new commercial, industrial and multi-family properties. For years, the <br />landscape code in Colorado Springs has been cited as a model for other communities to follow. <br />Given recent advancements in irrigation technology and changing customer expectations, the <br />existing code needs review. Elements under consideration include stricter enforcement <br />procedures and smart (ET) controller requirements. Springs Utilities will engage l(ey <br />stal(eholders in the code review process. <br /> <br />Other regulatory measures include a water waste ordinance and landscape establishment permits. <br />The water waste ordinance will set limitations on pooling or flowing of water across impervious <br />surfaces as well as time-of-day watering restrictions. The landscape establishment permits will <br />require customers to install at least three cubic yards of organic material for every 1,000 square <br />feet of planting area. Springs Utilities will engage l(ey stal(eholders in the process due to the <br />regulatory nature of the ordinance and the permits. <br /> <br />9. Incentives to implement water conservation techniques'l including rebates to customers to <br />encourage the installation of water conservation measures <br /> <br />Springs Utilities began offering rebates in 2002, when the community first entered mandatory <br />water restrictions. Since that time, a number of rebates have been offered to encourage <br />customers to upgrade their appliances and equipment to more water-efficient models. In 2007, <br />rebates were available to residential customers for high-efficiency toilets, clothes washers and <br />water-saving irrigation equipment. Springs Utilities plans to evaluate rebates for smart (ET) <br />controllers for commercial customers. In addition, Springs Utilities will consider indoor and <br />outdoor efficiency incentives for improvements to processes, facilities and landscapes. A builder <br />incentive program will provide incentives to homebuilders for the design and construction of <br />water-efficient homes and landscapes. <br /> <br />31 <br />