Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024
The water conservation element of a Municipal WMCP shall
include at least the following:
(1) A
progress report on the conservation measures scheduled for implementation in a
water management and conservation plan previously approved by the Department,
if any;
(2) A description of the
water supplier's water use measurement and reporting program and a statement
that the program complies with the measurement standards in OAR Chapter 690,
Division 85, that a time extension or waiver has been granted, or that the
standards are not applicable;
(3) A
description of other conservation measures, if any, currently implemented by
the water supplier, including any measures required under water supply
contracts;
(4) A description of the
specific activities, along with a schedule that establishes five-year
Benchmarks, for implementation of each of the following conservation measures
that are required of all Municipal Water Suppliers:
(a) An annual Water Audit that includes a
systematic and documented methodology for estimating any un-metered authorized
and unauthorized uses, and an analysis of the water supplier's own water use to
identify alternatives to increase efficiency;
(b) If the system is not fully metered, a
program to install meters on all un-metered Water Service Connections. The
program shall start immediately after the plan is approved and shall identify
the number of meters to be installed each year with full Metering completed
within five years of approval of the water management and conservation
plan;
(c) A meter testing and
maintenance program;
(d) A rate
structure under which customers' bills are based, at least in part, on the
quantity of water metered at the service connections;
(e) If the annual Water Audit indicates that
the system's Water Losses exceed 10 percent:
(A) Within two years of approval of the water
management and conservation plan, the water supplier shall provide a
description and analysis identifying potential factors for the loss and
selected actions for remedy;
(B) If
actions identified under subsection (A) do not result in the reduction of Water
Losses to 10 percent or less, within five years of approval of the water
management and conservation plan, the water supplier shall:
(i) Develop and implement a regularly
scheduled and systematic program to detect and repair leaks in the transmission
and distribution system using methods and technology appropriate to the size
and capabilities of the Municipal Water Supplier or a line replacement program
detailing the size and length of pipe to be replaced each year; or,
(ii) Develop and implement a water loss
control program consistent with American Water Works Association's
standards.
(f) A public education program commensurate
to the size of the Municipal Water Supplier to encourage efficient indoor and
outdoor water use that includes regular communication of the supplier's water
conservation activities and schedule to customers;
(5) If the Municipal Water Supplier serves a
population greater than 1,000 and proposes to expand or initiate diversion of
water under an Extended Permit for which resource issues have been identified
under OAR 690-086-0140(5)(i), or if the Municipal Water Supplier serves a
population greater than 7,500, a description of the specific activities, along
with a schedule that establishes five-year Benchmarks, for implementation of
each of the following measures; or documentation showing that implementation of
the measures is neither feasible nor appropriate for ensuring the efficient use
of water and the prevention of waste:
(a)
Technical and financial assistance programs commensurate to the size of the
Municipal Water Supplier to encourage and aid residential, commercial and
industrial customers in implementation of conservation measures;
(b) Supplier financed retrofitting or
replacement of existing inefficient water using fixtures, including
distribution of residential conservation kits and rebates for customer
investments in water conservation;
(c) Adoption of rate structures, billing
schedules, and other associated programs that support and encourage water
conservation;
(d) Water reuse,
recycling, and non-potable water opportunities; and
(e) Any other conservation measures
identified by the water supplier that would improve water use
efficiency.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS
536.027,
537.211 & 540.572
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS
537.230,
537.630 & 539.010
