Or. Admin. R. 690-086-0350

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

Section 690-086-0350 - Alternate Municipal WMCP: Water Supplier Conservation Element for Small Municipal Water Suppliers

The water conservation element of an Alternate Municipal WMCP shall include at least the following:

(1) A progress report on the conservation measures or other actions scheduled for implementation in a water management and conservation plan previously approved by the Department, if any;

(2) A statement that the Small Municipal Water Supplier's water use measurement and reporting 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 Small Municipal Water Supplier, including any measures required under water supply contracts; and

(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 Small Municipal Water Suppliers:

(a) An annual Water Audit that compares the quantity of water that enters and exits the system;

(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 ten 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 Water Losses exceed 15 percent and the Small Municipal Water Supplier serves a population greater than 300 people or has more than 100 service connections:

(A) Within two years of approval of the water management and conservation plan, the water supplier shall provide a description identifying potential factors for the loss and possible actions for remedy;

(B) If actions identified under subsection (A) do not result in the reduction of water loss to less than 15 percent, within five years of approval of the water management and conservation plan, the water supplier shall develop and implement a program to detect and repair leaks in the transmission and distribution system using methods and technology appropriate to the size and capabilities of the Small Municipal Water Supplier, a line replacement program detailing the size and length of pipe to be replaced each year, or a similar program that will result in a reduction of Water Losses.

(f) If the annual Water Audit indicates that Water Losses exceed 15 percent and the Small Municipal Water Supplier does not meet either the population or service connection criteria listed in OAR 690-086-0350(4)(e), the water supplier shall provide a description of how the supplier will identify potential factors for the loss and decrease Water Losses over time by implementing a leak detection program, a line replacement program, or other methodology that will result in a reduction of Water Losses; and

(g) A public education program to encourage efficient water use that, at a minimum, distributes conservation materials prepared by the Department or other existing sources to all customers prior to July 1st of each year.

Or. Admin. R. 690-086-0350

WRD 7-2018, adopt 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