Vail Valley Consolidated WD 1996 WCPlan

Home Browse Search

Vail Valley Consolidated Water District Water Conservation Master Plan April IS, 1996 Page 10 f) The District has initiated a training program to inform staff members about conservation measures, enforcement measures, and interaction with the community related to conservation issues. G. Water rate structures designed to encourage water use efficiency in fiscally responsible manner 1. Purpose Many of the conservation measures included in this Master Plan will potentially result in reductions in water use by customers. Lower water, wastewater, and energy bills provide incentives for customers to implement measures to use water more efficiently and reduce demands. It may also be possible to modify rate structures in a marmer that increases financial incentives for residential and commercial conservation. 2. Program The Board of Directors of the District has considered options for implementation of an inclining block rate structure in which the rate per thousand gallons of usage would increase for higher levels of use. However, it was concluded that an inclining block rate structure would not be feasible at this time due to several factors. These factors included the need for more information about the concerns customers, complications associated with customizing billing software to calculate inclining block rates, and the need to investigate the potential impacts of such a rate structure on revenues. The District reviews its rate structure on an armual basis and will continue to consider rate structures to encourage water conservation. H. Regulatory measures, including standards for the use of water use efficiency fixtures and landscapes, and ordinances, codes, or other law designed tc~_encourage water use u_____~ efficiency 1. Purpose Regulations to require the use of certain water conservation measures, such as water efficiency standards for plwnbing fixtures and use of water efficient landscaping, should be employed to facilitate and enforce implementation of reasonable conservation measures. While the District does not have jurisdiction over building codes or ordinances, it can encourage other governmental entities to implement these requirements. In addition, for response to emergency or drought situations, mandatory measures may need to be employed to protect public health and safety. Colorado experiences a wide range of climatic conditions from year-to-year as well as from season to season. Climatological records and research conducted by the