4.1. ERMUSR 09-13-2011~-.1
Elk River~~
Municipal Utilities
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission David Berg -Water Superintendent
John Dietz, Chair
Daryl Thompson, Vice Chair
Al Nadeau, Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
Se tember 13th, 2011 4.1
SUBJECT:
Review and Consider Water Rate Analysis
I. Conservation & Incentive Ideas
A. SMART Controller Rebate Program (currently active)
1. $250 -Average summer irrigation use less than 250 units
2. $500 -Average summer irrigation use more than 250 units
a) Water Credit -Payback period 10 months (summer
months)
B. Sprinkler Head Rebate
1. Buy 2 Eco-Heads Get 1 Free
a) Cost of head "Free" head paid for with water credit (1
year -summer)
b) Max rebate of $250/year
c) Must already have SMART controller
C. Rain Garden/ Xeriscape Rebate/ Eco-Grass/ 4" Black dirt
1. Minimum of 100 square foot area for rain garden
2. Rebate on materials (woodchips, rock, eco-grass, black
dirt)
3. Other square footage minimums for Eco-grass/black dirt
rebates (TBD)
D. Audit & Conservation Adjustment to irrigation systems
1. Customers can have irrigation audit and "quick fix"
performed on their system to ensure water saving methods
are functioning
2. $100 water rebate ($20/month, one summer payback)
3. Same thing as SMART Controller rebate, minus the
controller
E. Project Conserve Participation
1. Be an active member with Project Conserve
2. Attend two additional water conservation meetings
throughout the year
3. $100 water rebate ($20/month, one summer payback)
F. Community Education Classes (Dist. 728)
1. Conservation classes that are free to the public
a) Conservation Kid
b) Irrigation 101/Water Conservation
G. School Education
1. Continued education to kids about water conservation
a) Long lasting method of conservation that will
positively impact future generations
These are the current ideas we have for water conservation incentives and
education. Our goal is to promote conscious water saving throughout the
community. Water is vital and we want to teach and help our community to
reduce water waste. We are open to ideas and options for these items to ensure
they are marketable and long lasting in Elk River. The budget will need to be fit
to the incentive programs that are approved for the coming year.