Sterling 1996 WC Plan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: City of Sterling Water Conservation Plan
• Title: Water Conservation Plan
• Date: 6/21/1996
• County: Logan
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

STERLING WATER CONSERVATION PLAN

MAY 28, 1996

excess use surcharges. One reason for not changing the rates, for the next several
years anyway, is that the constancy would allow us to, (1) draw conclusions about the
effectiveness of the rates for motivating meter volunteers, and (2) establish an
accurate database for water-use and revenue associated with a particular rate.

Seasonal or increasing block rate structures encourage customers to use less water
during the peak season and reduce peak water demands. With these rates, customers
who cause the utility's costs to increase are charged higher rates. Increasing block and
seasonal rates establish a higher price for higher water consumption. Seasonal rates
set a higher price during the peak-use season. These rates reflect the increased costs
of providing service during those periods. Sterting's peak period occurs during the
summer due to increased evaporation and lawn watering. This measure will evaluate
various rate structures that encourage conservation. Currently, water rates are
uniform.

8-Regulatory measures, including ordinances and codes

Measure 8a - Ordinances in the MuniciDal Code: Sterting Municipal Code could
include the following regulatory measures: (1) An ordinance prohibiting unnecessary
water waste. (2) Maximum flow rates for toilets, faucets and showemeads. (3)
Requirement for new developments to proVide water rights (or cash) to the city to
compensate for the increased need for water supply. (Number (3) above is an existing
requirement).

Measure 8b - Site DeveloDment Standards to encouraae xeriscape: The City of
Sterling could develop site development performance standards and guidelines to
enhance the attractiveness of the community. The document could be used to review
current development applications for parking, landscaping, buffering, lighting and other
site improvements. This measure would also include guidelines for developing
water-efficient landscapes for new development. The guidelines would include
xeriscape principles and a low water use plant list.

Xeriscape is easier to install at the time of construction, rather than trying to retrofit an
existing landscape. The goal is for xeriscape to be the standard for new landscapes.
Xeriscape can save 25 - 50 percent of water use compared to traditional landscapes.

Measure Be - Drouahj; Emeraency response continaency Dlan: The City could
deyelop a plan to reduce water demand during severe droughts and other water
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _ _ ~ _ _ shortage emergencies. Certain water conservation measures would go into effect ~l1ly
in case of drought or emergency. Measures may include increasing block rates or lawn
watering. restrictions.

Water savings would vary depending on measures adopted and type of emergency.
Potential savings will be calculated as the plan develops.

J't'Ieasure 8d - Reaulre sDrinkler contractors to be certifted. and licensed by the
~ Sprinkler contractors are currenUy required to be annually licensed by the City,
with the only qualifications being the payment of $25. The adequate design and
installation of an irrigation system is critical to the efficient use of water. A poorty
designed and/or installed system can be cause for the wasting of a great volume of
water, and it is not easily remedied. The customer's potential for efficiently irrigating his
landscape is dependent upon the quality of the sprinkler contractor's work. That is true
for the life of the system, even as it passes on with property transactions.

Page50