HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-3.1. Acceptance of Co-Funding for Irrigation Efficiency Retrofit Prog from USGMWDCONSENT CALENDAR E-3
TO: HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE AZUSA UTILITY
BOARD
FROM: TIKAN SINGH, GENERAL MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 26, 2023
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF CO-FUNDING FOR IRRIGATION EFFECIENCY
RETROFIT PROGRAM FROM THE UPPER SAN GABRIEL VALLEY
MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
BACKGROUND:
On September 26, 2022, the Utility Board approved an irrigation efficiency retrofit program to
qualified residential customers for all Azusa Light & Water customers. The San Gabriel Valley
Municipal Water District (SGVMWD) provides funding for customers under its service territory
within Azusa city limits. In order to provide similar program opportunity to all its customers, all
other residential water customers are funded by Azusa Light & Water (ALW). Staff secured co-
funding from Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (USGVMWD) for customers
under its service territory, majority of which are outside the city limits, in order to minimize the
impact on ALW budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Utility Board approve the following actions:
1) Accept co-funding from the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
(Upper District) for irrigation efficiency retrofit program for ALW customers within
the Upper District service territory in amount not-to-exceed $60,000; and
2) Authorize the General Manager to execute the Cooperative Agreement between
USGVMWD and ALW in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
ANALYSIS:
Azusa Light & Water is essentially divided into two areas based on corresponding wholesale
“replacement water” district. Customers located within Azusa city limits are under the
SGVMWD service territory, with a few exceptions. Customers outside Azusa City limits are
Approved
Utility Board
06/26/2023
Approval of Irrigation Efficiency Retrofit Program
June 26, 2023
Page 2
within the Upper District. Due to funding appropriations by each district, ALW customers must
apply for rebates offered by the corresponding water district. Customers under the SGVMWD
apply for rebates through ALW while customers outside Azusa City limits apply for rebate
programs online through www.socalwatersmart.com.
In 2022, SGVMWD approved an irrigation efficiency retrofit program to qualified customers in
Azusa, Alhambra, Monterey Park, and Sierra Madre. This program provides free irrigation
inspection, replacement of existing irrigation controllers, sprinkler nozzle retrofit/replacement on
existing spray heads of up to $1000 in equipment and service. Program services are performed
by its contractor EcoTech Services and applicants must have a working irrigation system with a
controller to be eligible. At its meeting on September 26, 2022, the Utility Board approved the
same program for qualified customers not in SGVMWD service territory to be funded from
ALW budget.
To minimize the impact on its conservation budget, Staff requested co-funding from Upper
District to pay for ALW customers under its service territory and was approved by the
Metropolitan Water District (MWD) as part of its member agency water conservation programs.
ALW will invoice Upper District of amount paid to contractor in amount not-to-exceed $60,000
and will be reimbursed after Upper District receives credit from MWD.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Water Conservation Fund has budgeted $100,000 for the retrofit program in account number 32-
40-721-791-6633. Co-funding from Upper District will offset the water conservation budget up
to $60,000 in reimbursement.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved:
Liza Sagun Tikan Singh
Environmental Programs Specialist General Manager
Reviewed and Approved: Reviewed and Approved:
Melissa Barbosa Sergio Gonzalez
Assistant General Manager, Water Operations City Manager
Attachment:
1) ALW - Upper San Gabriel MWD Cooperative Agreement