Conservation - Water Performance Report 2008

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• How much water we produce.
• Leakage in our distribution system and steps taken to minimize that leakage.
• The goals of our Water Conservation Program and our progress toward achieving them.

Water System Performance

McAllister Springs, located in northern Thurston County near the Nisqually Delta, is the primary surface water source used for City of Olympia drinking water. From May through October, water demand can more than double due to outdoor water use. During this time, we utilize up to six groundwater wells located throughout the City to supplement McAllister Springs.

The City produced a total of 2,985 million gallons (MG) of water in 2008. McAllister Springs supplied 84% of that, and the additional six wells about 16%. The 2,985 million gallons (MG) produced by the City water sources are broken down as follows:

• 72% (2149 MG) to City metered customers.
• 19% (567 MG) to wholesale customers (City of Lacey and Thurston County PUD#1).
• 3% (90 MG) used for authorized but unmetered uses (firefighting, street sweeping, new construction and water quality sampling).

Regulations require the City to meter all service connections and water sources. All services have been metered since at least 1976 and all drinking water sources have been metered since they were installed.

Distribution System Leakage

The DOH defines distribution system leakage as any water leaving the distribution system that is not authorized consumption. In 2008, Olympia's distribution system leakage was about 6% (179 MG) of water produced; well below Washington State's limit of 10%. The City's water loss can be attributed to water main breaks, small leaks, theft of water, unmetered use for construction, service meter inaccuracy and other unknown water losses.

The City has several systems in place to reduce water that is unaccounted for:

• A water loss tracking program
• A leak detection program
• Eliminating water theft
• Working toward a more accurate and efficient meter reading program

In 2008, leaks found and fixed through leak detection programs and repairs of main, line, and service breaks reduced water loss by 1,025,600 gallons or 0.03%.

Water Conservation Goals

In the 2004 Water System Plan, the City Council adopted a Water Conservation Program goal to reduce water consumption by an average of 1% per connection each year through 2008. Our goal was exceeded in every year except 2006. In 2008, Olympia reduced its overall consumption per connection by 3.01%. This means that between 2004 and 2008 water use per connection decreased an average of 4.80% annually.

The Drinking Water Utility is currently finalizing the 2009-2014 Water System Plan. The water savings goal included in this Plan is to reduce water use by 5% per connection between 2009 and 2014.

The Water Conservation Program offers many tools to help our customers to use water more efficiently. In addition to free water saving kits, rain gauges and hose repair kits, other programs/rebates are available, including:

• Rain Barrel Rebates
• Free Rain Sensors
• Free Irrigation Assessments
• Washwise Rebates (for approved washing machines)
• Composting Toilet Rebates
• Residential High-Efficiency Toilet Replacement Program

Commercial customers are also eligible for the following:

• Up to 75% in rebates for water-efficient upgrades
• Free Irrigation Assessments (including rebates on consultant's recommended water efficient devices)
• Free state-of-the-art high efficiency toilets with professional installation.

Contact Public Works

• Mailing Address: PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507
• Physical Address: 924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A (directions)
• Hours: M - F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for City-recognized holidays)
• 360.753.8588, TTY 360.753.8270
• publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us
• Visit Public Works home page