Or. Admin. R. 690-086-0150

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 8, August 1, 2024

Section 690-086-0150 - Municipal Water Conservation Element for a Municipal WMCP

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.

Or. Admin. R. 690-086-0150

WRD 11-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-21-94; WRD 4 2002, f. & cert. ef. 11-1-02, Renumbered from 690-086-0140(2); WRD 7-2018, amend filed 12/21/2018, effective 12/21/2018

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 536.027, 537.211 & 540.572

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 537.230, 537.630 & 539.010