Water Preservation and AuditingInstructor: Dan Duran

Water: The Gift of Life

“Anyone who solves the problem of water deserves not one Nobel Prize but two – one for science and the other for peace.

President John F. Kennedy

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Water: Sources, Uses, and Conservation Tools For

Southern California Businesses

Daniel F. Duran, PhD.Eddie Chavez, Certified Water Auditor

Energized Solutions, LLCRHCC “GREEN” Program

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“…Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting…”(Mark Twain)

Water transformed the S. California desert into the economic generator of the West.

We can not sustain our communities and economic growth unless we:

Maintain Water Quality Enhance Environmental Restoration Increase Water Supply Reliability Use Water More Efficiently (Conservation), and Balanced Needs With Requirements

Water Topics

• How Much Water Is There?• How Much Do We Use and Need?• Where Do We Get Our Water?• How Can We Conserve Water?

– Internal– External

• What Next?

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Two thirds of our planet is covered by water.

97.5% of the water is saltwater.

The majority of freshwater is beyond our reach, locked into polar snow and ice.

Two thirds of our planet is covered by water.

97.5% of the water is saltwater.

The majority of freshwater is beyond our reach, locked into polar snow and ice.

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What Kinds of Water Are There?

• 97% of the water is salt water, and is found in the oceans of the world.

• 3% of the water is fresh water on which we depend.3% of the water is fresh water on which we depend.

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Facts About Water

One acre foot=326,000 gallons. This covers an acre of land with a one-foot depth of water.

Fresh water makes up only 2.8% of the water on the planet. The remaining 97.2% of

the earth’s water is salt water.

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• Includes all water on earth.

• 1.35 million cubic kilometers of water on earth.

• Not a single drop of water can be found anywhere else in the solar system.

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How Much Water Does It Take To?

Survive a Day/Drink? 1/2 gallon per person, per day

Shower? with a low-flow showerhead, 9-12 gallons per person, per day

Fill the bathtub? About 36 gallons

Cook? 5-10 gallons per person, per day

Wash clothes or the car,? 50 gallons per wash

Water the lawn/yard: 300 gallons per watering Flush the toilet,? 3.5 - 7 gallons, or 1.5 gallons with a water saving toilet

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How Much Water Does One Person Need?

Every day, the average American uses from 100-150 gallons of water.

Residential Water Use

6.80%

58.70%

8.70%

10.80%

5.50%

6.30%

1.00%

0.60%

0.70%

0.90%

Toilet

ClotheswasherShower

Faucet

OtherdomesticBath

Dishwasher

Leak

Unknown

Outdoor

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Activity Gallons Used Per Day Percent of Total

Toilets 19.3 26

Clothes Washer 16.8 22.7

Showers 13.2 17.8

Faucets 11.4 15.4

Leaks 9.4 12.7

Other Domestic Use 1.6 2.1

Baths 1.3 1.8

Dish Washer 1.0 1.4

Personal Water Usage

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California’s Water

•California receives an average of 193 million acre feet of precipitation each year

•Of this total, more than 100 million acre feet evaporates or seeps into ground water.

•The state’s yearly average is 71 million acre-feet useable surface water

•Current water demand for industrial and agricultural use is about 6 million acre feet per year

•Agriculture uses approximately 31 million acre feet of water each year.

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...at the turn of the last century,

• Early settlements near surface water streams

• Later development depended on groundwater

• By turn of the century, settlers were outpacing nature’s ability to replenish

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…LA turns to Owens Valley

• Development of L.A. Aqueduct

• Access for others came at the price of annexation to Los Angeles

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Others turn to the Colorado...

• Metropolitan Water District formed in 1928 to provide imported water to Southern California– Los Angeles, Pasadena, Anaheim, Santa Ana,

Fullerton were original members– Coastal MWD formed in 1941

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Eventually, we all look north

• SWP authorized by voters in 1960

• First water delivered in early ‘70s

• Contractually agreed to 2 MAF/year to Southern California

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Sources ofSources ofWater forWater for

Southern CaliforniaSouthern California

Federal Projects

State Projects

Local Projects

North - 75% Rainfall

South – 75% Usage

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Local Supplies Local Supplies Groundwater & RecyclingGroundwater & Recycling

Where Southern CaliforniaWhere Southern CaliforniaGets its Water TodayGets its Water Today

Local SuppliesLocal SuppliesLA AqueductLA Aqueduct

Conservation Conservation

Colorado River Colorado River AqueductAqueductSWP SWP

Entitlement Entitlement

Transfers & StorageTransfers & Storage

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Where does this leave us?

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Current total demand on Metropolitan is 2.0 MAF per year

Expected to marginally increase over next 10 years

Supply reliability to So. Cal. projected to be fairly stable over next 10 years (if no surprises)

A Water Crisis ?

• Continuing growth, development and population increases in many areas are straining existing water supplies

• Local governments and adjacent states are competing for available water sources

• Indoor and outdoor water conservation is not widely practiced in California

• Conserved water is the cheapest supply!

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Focusing on Water: Where to Start?

Identify and evaluate specific water management alternatives for improved water use efficiency:

– Conduct a water audit (see attached water audit tool)

– Understand why and how water is used in the various processes and equipment in the facility; know the different thermal and chemical requirements of these water uses.

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Focusing on Water: Where to Start?

– Identify conservation measures that will reduce water use while sustaining production.

– Conserve water and energy together, particularly when the energy is heat; recycling warm water saves energy.

– Reduce wastewater and toxic waste disposal. Efficient water management will decrease wastewater volume and require fewer chemicals that may produce toxic by-products. When considered together, conservation becomes more cost effective.

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Steps for a Successful Water Conservation Program

Step 1 Line Up Support and Resources

Step 2 Take Immediate Action: Do the Obvious First

Step 3 Conduct a Water Audit to Assess Current Water Uses and Costs

Step 4 Identify Water Management Opportunities in Plant and Equipment

Step 5 Prepare an Action Plan

Step 6 Implement Water Management Measures

Step 7 Publicize Success

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Sample Water Action Plan Preparation 1. Identify People Familiar with Operations

2. Gather Records: • Utility Records • Plumbing Diagrams

3. Understand the Site: • Alternate Water Supply Sources – Number of Employees and Work Shift Schedules – Preliminary List of Water Using Equipment & Processes– Sanitary Facilities– Outdoor Water Use

4. Gather Prior Energy & Water Use Surveys

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Survey the Facility

1. Identify All Water-Using Equipment & Processes

2. Find Leaks

3. Confirm Operations

4. Confirm Water Plumbing Diagrams

5. Quantify Water Flow & Quality Needs

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Survey the Facility (Continued)

6. Key Target Areas

• Cooling & Heating Systems, • Boilers, Hot Water & Steam

• Evaporative Cooling Systems• Single-Pass Cooling

• Equipment Cooling• Process & Equipment Use

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Survey the Facility (Continued)

6. Other Key Target Areas

• Rinsing & Cleaning, • Plating and Metal Finishing

• Photo and X-ray Processing, • Painting, • Dyeing

• Applying Degraded Water, • Sanitary, Kitchen & Domestic Use

• Medical Care Facilities, • Maintenance Operations

• Landscaping Irrigation

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Survey Outcome: True Cost of Water

1. Identify Other Expenses of Using Water

2. Calculate Dollar Savings Resulting from Reduced Water Use Based on:– Water Purchased from Utilities and Preparing Water for

Use – Energy – Savings for Pretreating Effluent– Reduction in Wastewater Discharge Fees

3. Calculate Unit Costs of Using Water

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Water Based Initiatives

Consider use of recycled water on-site

Match the quality of water with the quality required by the use: Example: Industrial wastewater may be recycled in the same process or treated and applied to other processes at the same site

Use treated municipal and industrial wastewater instead of potable supplies for landscape irrigation, dust control, and cooling water.

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Leaking Water and Profits

• How much water is lost to leaks?

• Answer: A detailed water audit and leak detection program of 47 California water utilities found an average loss of 10 percent and a range of 30 percent to less than 5 percent of the total water supplied by the utilities.

• Do leaks get bigger with age? • Answer: Yes. Leaks get larger with time. A small leak this

year will grow to become a large leak next year resulting in more water loss, damage to infrastructure and property.

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Leaking Water and Profits

• Does water from leaks always rise to the surface? • Answer: No, leaks are often unseen at the surface.

DWR estimates that up to 700,000 acre-feet of leakage occurs in California each year from non-visible leaks

• So, what should we do?• Answer: Repair leaks with via regularly scheduled

maintenance as leaks can cause damage to infrastructure and buildings. Contact your local water agency if you suspect a leak as they can use leak detection and repair help repair leaks

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Finding Leaks

• How can I determine if there are leaks at my home or business?

• Answer: Leaks from the pipes going to the building or inside the building lose water delivered through the utility meter and service.

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Finding Leaks• There is one way to test if leaks exist inside the

building:– Repair leaky faucets, showers, toilets, etc. – Turn off all the water using appliances

(including the swimming pool, ice cube maker, water softener, etc.),

– Look at the meter. On the dial of many meters is a small triangle which rotates if any water passes through the meter. If this device is turning, then water is flowing to an appliance or a leak.

– You can also listen for the sound of leaks at the meter or at a hose bib.

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Synergy: Energy and Water

The Reality/Response: Utility rates for water and wastewater service will increase so ask for projections of future rates

REBATES: Most utilities provide rebates and other financial assistance to offset part of the initial cost of implementing conservation measures: – Use your site audit analysis and water conservation plan to justify

requests for reductions in wastewater charges. The audit can also document water requirements needed for future production increases.

– Realize cost reductions due to improved water use efficiency• Be realistic about the initial payback period• Focus on the life cycle benefits of your conservation measures;

Savings will increase as utility rates for water, energy, and wastewater discharge rise

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Landscaping and Your Business: Getting Started

• Site analysis• Plot plan

– Measure the area– Locate house and other permanent features– North– Scale

• 1/8= 1” equals 8’ (standard)• 1/10=1” equals 10’ (large properties)

– Existing plants to be saved

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Plot Plan• Know the legal description of property

• Tools– Measuring tape or wheel– Compass– Graph paper/computer

• Measuring– Locate house and other permanent features

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Plot Plan

North

Courtesy: Steve Sherman, Landscape Architect

Bermed

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Why Soil Test?

A Soil Test Will Determines Optimum Plant Selection

• Work with a Nursery or Lab

• Conduct a Chemical analysis

• Ask for recommendations

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Next: Do A Soil Drainage TestWhy?

• Dig a hole 18” deep

• Fill with water

• If water remains after 8 hours drainage is considered poor

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Consider Site Features• Soil analysis• Drainage• Sunset Western Garden

Climate Zone• Utility lines• Water meter• Irrigation lines• Plants to keep• Window locations (views to

preserve)

• Prevailing wind• Necessary shade• Natural features• Existing views• Screens (noise and

view)• Locate downspouts• Slopes

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Needs Analysis • Your needs

• Style– House

– Patio’s

– Sidewalk/hardscapes

• Plant preferences

• Parking/access

• Outdoor living areas

• Special effects– Water features

– Night lighting

• Maintenance plan

• Budget

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• Pool• Spa• Patio Deck• Enclosed Patio• Barbeque• Outdoor Fireplace• Outdoor Heater• Gas Connection• Gazebo• Fountain• Waterfall• Streambed• Fish Pond• Aquatic Plantsarial

• Raised Planters• Vegetable Garden• Herb Garden• Fruit Trees• Rose Garden• Playground• Putting Green• Basketball• Volleyball• Lawn for Play• RV Parking• Carport• Dog Run• Trash Can Storage

• Utility Room• Garden Tool

Storage• Noise Screen• Visual Screen• Shade Trees• Potted Plants• Front Entry• Lighting

• ______________• ______________• ______________

Landscape Use Checklist

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Landscape Design Concepts

• Landscape lines Focal points Control movement Straight lines

encourage movement

Interconnecting lines create intersections

Curved lines invite slower movement

Develop harmony between building and landscape

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Elements of Design• Same basic principles used in art,

architecture and interior design• Landscape design

– Three-dimensional– Living– Ever changing

• Placement of plants• Ultimate size of plants• Growth habit of plants

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Irrigation Plan

• Landscape is an investment

• Should include a properly designed and installed irrigation system – Hydrozoning– Drip, Bubbler or Overhead– Pipe Sizing– Valve Placement

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Water Efficient Devices

• Smart Sprinkler Controller

Rotating Nozzles

Synthetic Turf

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Drainage Plans

• Excess rain and irrigation water

• Grass slopes - no more than 3 to 1

• Ground cover slopes - no more than 2 to 1

• Retaining walls

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Slope

2 to 1 slope

3 to 1 slope

60 Feet

60 Feet

30 F

eet

20 F

eet

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Slope

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Questions and Answers• What’s On Your Mind?• What will you do next?

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