conservation measures: “achieving water conservation while maintaining sound financial...
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Fernando Aranda - Presentation at Texas Water Foundation, Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium February 26, 2013TRANSCRIPT
“Achieving water conservation while maintaining sound financial performance”
Fernando Aranda
Conservation Measures:
Conservation & Finance THE ISSUES
• Drought • Scarce & Expensive Water Resources Environmental
• Revenue Losses • Aging Infrastructure • Population Growth • Water Storage & Water Rights
Economic
• Rate Increase Aversion • Short-term View • Affordability • Debt Finance
Political
You are not alone
The Cost of Water 20
00
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Water/Sewer Bill Inflation
Inflation CPI
Water Utilities Are Among the Most Capital Intensive in the World*
$0.11 $0.25 $0.26 $0.77
*based on most recent 12 months reported on SEC 10K report
$ invested in physical assets for every $1.00 in revenue
$5-$9 AVERAGE WATER UTILITY INVESTMENT IN ASSETS FOR EACH $1.00 IN REVENUE iS BETWEEN
City of Santa Fe, NM
Oldest Capital in the US
Population 79,627
CIP $113M Next 10Years
Water Production 10,406 AFY Accounts 33,440
Why? Is Santa Fe’s conservation story worth telling
Consumption per Capita Vs. Population
168
139
115 104 105
60
62
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78
80
82
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Popu
latio
n (T
hous
ands
)
Cons
umpt
ion
(GPC
D)
Population GPCD
Since 1995 from 168 to 105 GPCD
Reduced GPCD Usage by 37%
The City Conservation Efforts
Does this Compare with Other Western Cities.
How?
GPCD Comparison Western Cities
86 105
111 121
139 145 146
152 160
165 170 173 177
185 204
222 242
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
San Francisco, CA Santa Fe, NM
Flagtaff, AZ Aurora, CO El Paso, TX
Los Angeles, CA San Antonio, TX
San Diego, CA Albuquerque, NM
Denver, CO Austin, TX
Colorado Springs, CO Tucson, AZ
Phoenix, AZ Reno, NV
Las Vegas, NV Salt Lake, UT
152 Gallons* Santa Fe is 30% lower than the US Average Usage
The Average per-capita usage in the US is:
*per United Nations Development Program – Human Development Report 2006
Was this conservation achieved. How?
Conservation Policies Financial Incentives System Improvements Multiple Strategies….
That’s How
Public Education
Water Restriction
Fixtures
Combination of Conservation Strategies
Water Losses
Renewable Water
Rebates
Rate Structure
Water Restriction Fee
Financial Stability
The City had to implement several rate adjustments to meet their revenue requirements
Which Hasn’t been easy
Conservation can not be achieved without
Financial History
• Service charges are adjusted by 76% to restore bond covenant compliance
• Recommended steps for further study • Started work on first 10-year financial plan
2001 2000 • Revenues fail to meet rate requirements
in bond covenants
2003 • Revenues meet rate requirements and bond covenants
2007-09
• Construction stars on Buckman Diversion project
• City approves a 7-year 8.2% annual rate increases
Financial History
2010-12
• City Goes Back to the Bond Market • Fitch Rate the City’s Outstanding Debt at AAA • City Finished Construction of Buckman Diversion Project 01/2011 • City meets all bond and fund balance requirement
But… How can the City maintain financial stability and promote conservation?
Conservation Rate Structure
That’s how
Available Rate Structures
Simplicity
Conservation
Fixe
d Ch
arge
Fixe
d Vo
lum
e Ch
arge
Incl
inin
g Bl
ocks
Sea
sona
l
Wat
er B
udge
t Rat
es
Revenue Risk
The Unmentioned Side of Conservation
The Unmentioned Side of Conservation
The Unmentioned Side of Conservation
How can you design rates that will incentivize conservation and will maintain financial stability ….
It’s Not Rocket Science
Elasticity Measures the responsiveness of the demand to changes in prices
Allows you to anticipate the reduction in consumption for any increase in price
0.1 to 0.5 Increases in price produce lower decreases in usage
Water is Inelastic
What About Droughts A drought is the most stressful situation a utility can have.
Options During a Drought
• Rate Stabilization Fund • Rate Surcharges Design – Enhance Conservation – Maintain revenue stability
Questions
Public Education
Water Restriction
Fixtures
• Conservation Website • Landscaping Classes • Radio Show • Children conservation programs
• Over 8,000 high flush toilets were replaced for Ultra-low flush toilets
• Automated Meter Reading Program
• May 1 – October 31 No outdoor irrigation from 10 am to 6 pm
Conservation Policies & Programs
System Improvements
Water Losses
Renewable Water
§ Distribution System Leak Repair & Detection
§ Buckman Diversion Project § Storage of San Juan
Chama Water
• 1st Violation $20 • 2nd Violation $50 • 3rd Violation $100 • 4th and each additional Violation $200
• High-efficiency washing machine ($150 - $350)
• High-efficiency toilet ($125 - $500) • Water free urinals ($500) • Water Harvesting ($12 - $50)
• Inclining block rate structure
Financial Incentives
Rebates
Water Restriction Fee
Rate Structure