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STERLING WATER CONSERVATION PLAN MAY 28, 1996 and their water usage patterns, in addition to the type of water-using fixtures and appliances. It would also include the identification of any leaks, and the calculation of the flow rale of showerheads and faucets and the loilel flush volumes. A comprehensive audit would also include a fairly detailed analysis of the landscape irrigation system, if existing. Residential water audits are offered as a free service by dozens of utilities, particularly in California. This could be very time-consuming and therefore expensive. It could be better to include this with public infonnation and provide a self-audit for customers. Measunt 6d - Offer landscape water-use audits to commercial customers: The satisfactory completion of a thorough commercial/industrial audit requires a technical understanding of that particular industry. For that reason, these audits are usually pelfonned by consulting engineers, as opposed to being done by utility staffs. Furthennore, a business may be more receptive to working directly with a consulting engineer, rather than "the City". Businesses will typically require, at least, a two or three year payback before they would pay for the implementation of a water conservation measure. A several thousand dollar fee for a consulting engineer to complete an audit only adds to the cost that must be paid off by whatever measures are instituted. If the City were to offset some of the consultanfs fee, it would offer an incentive to have the audit perfonned, and the recommended strategies implemented. This would be very time-consuming and therefore expensive. It could be better to include this with public infonnation and provide a self-audit for customers. Measure 6e - Offer commercial and residential leak detection DroGrams: The City currently offers a limited leak detection by recording changes in water meter measurements while all water apparatuses in the building are shut off. A more in depth leak detection program would be very time-consuming and therefore a costly measure. Measure 6f . DeveloD a voluntary water use el'fIc/encv ratina for homes: A water-use efficiency rating program would consist of certified raters being paid by the builder or homeowner to certify their home. The rating that they receive is a potential marf<eting point for that builder or homeowner. The cost of administering a program for water-use efficiency should not be taken lightly. Although there is at least one existing water-use efficiency rating program being offered -by a municipality elsewhere in the country, it is it novel enough of an idea that it has the potential to receive some grant money for its development._un -__ _- un_u______~_________ __ _ _ u - - -- However, one large, potential hurdle would be water use for landscape irrigation. There are two aspects to this. First, landscaping is otten insta/leclaftet' the sale of a new home, at least beyond a portion of turf area. Second, landscape irrigation practices are quite variable, depending upon the skill and inclination of the homeowner. This is true even given a specific landscaping with an inherent water requirement; the amount of water required does not necessarily translate into the amount of water applied. Time would be better spent on other measures with more impact. Calculating a water-efficiency rating for landscape components of a home would be difficult. It is doubtful how useful this would be for someone buying a home. Measure 6a - Activelv Dublicize voluntary lawn waterinG restrictions: A time-of-day lawn watering restriction has been imposed at other times in other cities, including Greeley. This type of restriction can have one or both of the following objectives; (1) Page48