WATER CONSERVATION AWARENESS
Kevin Murray
Chartered Engineer
March 2011
KEVIN MURRAY
Chartered Engineer
Civil & Structural
Ex-Chairman - Cork Region Engineers Ireland
Chairman - Transport & Infrastructure Cork Chamber
Principal - Kevin J Murray & Co Ltd
20+ years experience as a Consulting Engineer
10+ years experience in Water Pricing in Ireland
Non-Domestic Water Metering Programme
Implementation & Guidance Notes
SCHEDULE
Part One:
10:00 Introductions
10:15 Future of Water Services in Ireland
11:00 Open Discussion (Tea & Coffee)
Part Two:
11:20 Manage the Water Bill
11:40 Water Conservation Projects
12:00 Wastewater
12:20 Individual Action Plans
12:30 Finish
THE FUTURE OF WATER SERVICES IN
IRELAND
- Based on a presentation to the Urban Forum (Jan 2011)
BACKGROUND
EU Water Framework Directive
National Water Pricing Policy
Water Services Act 2007
River Basin Management Plans
Water Services Investment Program
Local Government Fund
Non-Domestic Water Charges
Development Levies (RIP)
Borrowings
CONTEXT
Assessment of Water & Waste Water Services for
Enterprise - Forfás (Sept 2008)
Capacity
Cost
Quality
Water Conservation ~ Unaccounted-for-water (ufw)
Climate Change
EU Directives & ECJ Judgements
Financial Crisis
Domestic Water Charges (2012-13)
FUNDING THE SERVICE
WHERE IS THE FUNDING GAP?
The Three Card Trick:
How can the Water Service
Authority deliver a service when
the money is filtered through
Central Government?
To whom does the Customer
complain if the service is poor, if
the responsibility is split?
Shared responsibility is no
responsibility.
The service provider must
have control of the revenue.
€CustomerWater Service
Authority
Central
Government
WHO NEEDS THE FUNDING
Water Service Authorities
Service Delivery Needs
The Competent Authority
The Construction Sector
40 months of contraction
Projects delayed & jobs lost
The Customer
Finance water efficiency measures
The Regulators
Quality Assurance & Building Control
DOMESTIC WATER CHARGES
Water Charges without meters first?
Why not?
OFWAT => Only 10% difference in consumption.
1.2 million properties (public water)
€500 standard charge; €300 for low occupancy.
Allow 10% for Administration;
Allow 10% for Social Welfare Assistance.
=> Annual Revenue of €384m per annum
(Displacement of Exchequer Funding; But Direct.)
DOMESTIC WATER METERS
Procurement & Installation Cost = €0.5bn to €0.6bn
Change in Customer Behaviour (10%)
Saving of €15m per annum of water production costs.
Based on 70:30 Fixed:Variable cost split.
Capture of Customer-side Leakage (50%)
Saving of €75m per annum of water production costs.
Based on 70:30 Fixed:Variable cost split.
Six (6) years to recover the costs of metering.
Excludes value of deferred capital investment.
UNIVERSAL WATER CHARGES
Domestic & Non-Domestic
Average or Marginal Capital Costs
One price for water
Postalisation
Abolition of “Domestic Allowance”
No universal free allocation of water!
Streamlined revenue collection procedures
Disconnection Policy
FULL COST RECOVERY
Water charges in Ireland are relatively low.
Germany = €5.50 /m3; Ireland = €2.30 /m3
This is not because we have magically become
more efficient than the Germans!
Germany seeks full cost recovery; Ireland does not.
IMF – Memorandum of Understanding
Historic Mains Rehabilitation;
Abstraction Charges;
Stormwater Charges.
THE INSURANCE PURSE
Who Benefits from Water Meters?
Claims – Subsidence & Property Damage
Due to water loss from leaking pipes.
Solution – Water Meters & Leak Alerts
Catch & Fix the leaks quickly.
Insurance Levy to help pay for water
meter installation?
Policy discounts for customers with
meters with leak alert facility?
YOUR FUNDING GAP
The Home Owner also has a funding gap.
Needs financial help to make the home more water
efficient; and benefit from cheaper bills.
Water efficiency is a proxy for Energy efficiency
Extend the Home Energy Efficiency grants to include
water efficient fittings.
Water Conservation Schemes
Find a way of including the service pipe to the first tap.
The Toilet Scrappage Scheme 2011
PRIVATE INVESTMENT
PPP Schemes for Treatment Plants
Typically DBO, without the private finance.
Performance assured; but so is the fee.
Is there scope for further private investment?
DBFO might be considered; but the larger schemes
have been completed;
Sell public water and waste water treatment assets to
the private sector and purchase the service;
National Water Company
The value of the Customer Database
WATER SERVICE INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
The Construction Sector has suffered from the
funding gap more than any other part of society.
The continued contraction of the construction sector
demonstrates that the funding gap remains.
WSIP promises €3.8bn of contracts to start by
2012; but progress has been very slow.
The co-funding issues between Central
Government and Local Government must be
resolved quickly.
NEW STRUCTURES
WATER SERVICES STRUCTURES
No lack of ideas for new structures
Some are ideologically motivated;
National Water Authority?
National Water Company?
National Roads & Water Authority? (NRA+)
Commission for Utility Regulation? (CER+)
Regionalised Water Service Authorities?
Shared Service Centres?
National Billing Agency?
Regional Water Management Units?
ABSENT FRIENDS
Economic Regulator
Who audits the price of water?
Customer Representative
Who speaks on behalf of the Customer?
Customer Care Centre
Where does the customer go for information?
Custodian of the Source Water
Who is the custodian of the source water?
ISSUES TO CONSIDER
If it ain’t broke (too badly) don’t fix it (worse).
Don’t bring water services into an existing organisation
as a solution to problems elsewhere.
Scale
If a local authority is too small to dedicate staff to
network management, then a larger scale is required.
Should billing be managed nationally;
and customer queries handled locally?
Separation of Powers
Who is the Regulator? [Price & Quality]
Who is the Service Provider?
THE FUTURE OF WATER
To provide a professional and sustainable national
drinking water service with outstanding customer
service and well-managed infrastructure.
WATER IRELAND
National Water Company
State Owned; Commercial Remit; Regulated Monopoly
Developed out of a National Water Metering Operator
Phased adoption of water services assets
Non-regulated international operations
Customer Service Centre
Utility Regulator
Economic Regulator
Service Levels
Single national price for water
Separate Environmental Regulator (EPA)
KEY ATTRIBUTES
Semi-National Water Grid
Top Supply (Shannon) matched to Top Demand (Dublin)
Consolidation of plethora of small town schemes
Unaccounted for water less than 15%
Zero carbon; Zero (non-renewable) energy
Smart Metering; Smart Grid
Local Provision
Chlorinated public water not wasted
Rainwater Harvesting & Greywater Systems
Water efficiency maintains water availability
OTHER PLAYERS
Transformed role of Local Authorities
No longer water service delivery
Custodians of the Source Water
River Basin Management Plan Structures
Data Protection Commissioner
The value of the customer data to be protected
Customer Representation
Consumer Council for ALL utilities
MANAGE THE WATER BILL
MANAGE THE WATER BILL
Understand the Water Bill
Conduct a Water Audit
Water In & Water Out
Automatic Meter Reading
Web Displays
THE WATER BILL - POLICY
In accordance with the Governments Water Pricing Policy, all “non domestic” supplies are to be charged on a metered basis to recover operational costs of water provided and to achieve metering of all non-domestic customers. This is in accordance with the “polluter pays” principle and the requirements of Article 9 of the EU Water Framework Directive.
Water invoices are calculated by means of a metered charge based on the volume of water used.The charge for customers who have a water and sewage connection is based on the basis of the “water in/water out” principle.
www.limerickcoco.ie
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL (2011)
In respect of connections to the Council Water Network and Sewerage System:- €200 per annum meter charge plus €2.60 per cubic meter of water supplied.
In respect of connections to the Council Water Network only:- €200 per annum meter charge plus €1.15 per cubic meter of water supplied.
In respect of connections to the Council Sewerage Network only:-
€200 per annum meter charge plus €1.45 per cubic meter of water supplied to or used on the premises
READ THE METER
An average water meter will look like the picture to the left.On top, you will see the serial number, 07M244508.
There will be 5 digits in black on a white background, and 2 (or 3) in white on red background. The black digits are cubic meters (m³). You are charged based on reading of these 5 digits.
In the middle is one red dial, which will rotate if water is running through the meter. The faster this spins, the more water is being used.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD BE PAYING?
Typical Business uses 50 litres of water per
employee per day
If you have 10 employees, and you are on both
public water mains and sewers, then you would be
using:
50 x 10 = 500 litres/day = 0.5 m3/day
If you work a 5-day week, then the quarterly bill
should be:
0.5 m3 x 13 x 5 x €2.60 = €84.50 (by volume)
plus €50.00 (standing)
Total = €134.50 (/Qtr)
SIMPLE WATER AUDIT
What if the bill is (a lot) higher than you expect?
Turn off all the taps
(early in the morning or late at night)
Check the Meter
If the “spinner” is spinning, then water is going through
the meter, i.e. probably a leak;
If it is not a leak?
You may be donating water to a neighbour!
DIG A LITTLE DEEPER …..
Check for dripping taps
A dripping tap can lose almost as much water as one
employee;
Check for faulty fittings
Overflow and pressure-release valves;
Sometimes they empty directly to the drains;
Call a plumber
Call specialist leak detection firms, e.g. LowFlo
CASE STUDY
0.000
2000.000
4000.000
6000.000
8000.000
10000.000
12000.000
14000.000
04 J
une 2
008
04 J
uly
2008
04 A
ugust
2008
04 S
epte
mber
2008
04 O
cto
ber
2008
04 N
ovem
ber
2008
04 D
ecem
ber
2008
04 J
anuary
2009
04 F
ebru
ary
2009
04 M
arc
h 2
009
04 A
pril 2009
04 M
ay 2
009
04 J
une 2
009
04 J
uly
2009
04 A
ugust
2009
04 S
epte
mber
2009
04 O
cto
ber
2009
04 N
ovem
ber
2009
04 D
ecem
ber
2009
04 J
anuary
2010
04 F
ebru
ary
2010
04 M
arc
h 2
010
04 A
pril 2010
04 M
ay 2
010
04 J
une 2
010
04 J
uly
2010
04 A
ugust
2010
04 S
epte
mber
2010
04 O
cto
ber
2010
Reading
Reading
HOW TO TURN €20,000 INTO €4,000?
WATER “IN” MAY NOT BE WATER “OUT”
The volume of Water coming in ……..
…….. equals the volume of water going out.
Not necessarily so.
And then there may be a Domestic Allowance?
Could be worth €500-€600 of discounts each year.
BENCHMARK & MONITOR
Automatic Meter Reading
Leak Alarm
Web-Based Displays
Temetra; HomeRider; Watersave; Meter Technology Ireland
ANECDOTE:
A small UK local authority had requested a proposalfor a water conservation project to cover all theirbuildings, schools, offices sports centres etc.
While they were impressed by the environmentaland cost benefits they were concerned about theestimated capex charge - £35,000 to cover AMRand the installation of water saving devices.
On the morning of the meeting to discuss nextsteps the Authority received a water bill for £32,000for one school where a leak had gone undetectedfor 5 months.
The order was placed immediately.
WATER CONSERVATION PROJECTS
WATER CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Rainwater Harvesting
Water Efficiency Fittings
Frost Protection
Lead Pipe Replacement
Behavioural Change
RAINWATER HARVESTING
Basic Principles:-
Collect rainwater from the roof gutters and downpipes;
Filter & Store in a tank;
Use in toilets, but not for drinking or washing.
Commercial Installations:-
Installations at €3,000 to €5,000
Payback in 5 – 10 years
Market competition
Kingspan; RainCatchers; etc.
Rainwater Harvesting Grants Scheme (€8m)
Agriculture
RAINWATER HARVESTING (RAIN CATCHERS)
RAINWATER HARVESTING PILOT PROJECT 20071. Rainwater harvesting is a sustainable water conservation measure.
2. Harvested rainwater is an underused source of raw water and its use has the potential to contribute to the sustainability of raw water sources of supply and to the long term viability of water treatment plants.
3. Harvested rainwater has the potential to supplement sources of water supply for non-potable uses.
4. The design and installation of a rainwater harvesting system should be undertaken by competent/specialist trained personnel.
5. Ongoing maintenance of a rainwater harvesting system is required to ensure optimum performance.
6. Current water charging policies act as a disincentive to the installation of rainwater harvesting systems.
7. The introduction of a significant level of grant aid would, therefore, be required in order to have rainwater harvesting considered a financially viable option.
8. The provision and siting of storage for harvested rainwater will depend on site restrictions and capacity needs.
9. The utilisation of harvested rainwater for domestic hot water use could, under appropriate conditions, be considered as a safe and sustainable alternative supply to mains water, with a possible reduction in demand of up to 80%.
10. The potential benefits of rainwater harvesting are not widely appreciated by the public at large or by those involved in building design and construction.
National Rural Water Monitoring Committee
WATER EFFICIENT FITTINGS
Replace single flush toilets NOW
New dual-flush toilet set €150+ (plus labour)
Annual water saving €135+
Pay back in 1 or 2 years
Pays to invest in quality
Pressure Reducing Valves
Air Entraining Taps
Push Taps
Urinal Management Systems
Infra-Red Break Beams
Timing Systems
Pay back in less than a year
FROST PROTECTION
Business Disruption; Water Damage; Leak repair
Cost of water possibly less important;
Unless the leak is not detected.
Check that exposed pipes are lagged in cold
spaces;
Check that the boundary box is insulated;
Check that pipes are buried 750mm (30”);
Turn water off and drain system if closed for
holidays!
LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT
Many older properties still have old
lead piping between the boundary
and the building;
High risk of leakage (ongoing);
Apart from plumbosolvency health
risk;
Customer-side leakage is known to
be at least half of the overall leakage
in the system.
BEHAVIOUR
Ofwat (UK):
Water metering reduces consumption by 10% in the
medium term;
People do not recognise water as expensive;
Education is very important:
Schools (Green Flag Initiatives)
Tap Tips
Dublin Local Authorities;
WASTE WATER
WASTE WATER
Fats, Oils & Greases (FOG)
Macerators
Stormwater Separation & Infiltration
FATS, OILS & GREASES (FOGS)
FOGs are a menace for sewer
maintenance
Very costly & disruptive
Licensing & Inspection regime
Being rolled out nationally
Started in Dublin City Council
Grease Trap
Check that it is being used;
Check that it is maintained;
Check that it is suitable.
MACERATORS
Installed under the sink to “chop up” food waste for
disposal to the drains;
A way of avoiding waste charges.
But:
They increase the organic loading at wastewater
treatment plants;
This is reducing the effective capacity of the treatment
plants;
The DEHLG and local authorities would like to see them
banned from sale;
The Food Waste Regulations (2009) indirectly curtail the
use of in-sink macerators.
STORMWATER SEPARATION & INFILTRATION
Stormwater Charges
Not included in Irish Non-Domestic Water Pricing Policy
Some UK Water Companies do charge for stormwater
Infiltration
Groundwater leaking into broken drains
Leaking water pipes – Direct to sewer!
Increased costs of collection and treatment
Environmental damage
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLANS
INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLANS
SMART Objectives:
Specific
A project; Not a philosophy;
Measurable
Cut water bill by a set amount;
Achievable
Start with an easy win;
Realistic
Within available resources;
Timely
Not open ended;
FURTHER ADVICE
Kevin Murray
Kevin J Murray & Co
“Bellagio”, Glenbrook, Monkstown, Co Cork.
086 8148510
www.kevinjmurray.com
THANK YOU
www.kevinjmurray.com
@KJMurrayCEng