MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

N161
Polk County Utilities Rain Sensor Rebate
Project Type Cooperative Funding
AOR(s)
Water Supply
Basin(s) General Fund (District), Alafia River, Hillsborough River, Peace River
Cooperator(s)
Polk County Utilities
Project Manager BADER, TAMMY
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
This project provides financial incentives to encourage Polk County Utilities (PCU) customers to install rain sensors on
automatic irrigation systems installed prior to 1991. Eligible customers will receive up to a $50 rebate per sensor. It is
estimated that in this first phase 1,295 rain sensors will be installed, which is based on approximately five percent of
the eligible accounts throughout PCU's service area. The rebates will be offered to single-family, multi-family, and
commercial customers throughout PCU's service area. Customers will contact PCU's Customer Service Department
for the rebate request. The Permitting Section will verify that the property is eligible (built prior to 1991). Eligible
customers will then receive a rebate application and instructions for purchasing and installing the rain sensor. One
year of pre- and post-rain sensor installation water use data will be collected in order to analyze the water savings. An
inspection company contracted by PCU will verify correct installation of the rain sensors and issue the rebate checks.
Multi-family and commercial customers may receive up to two rebates per account. Addressing outdoor water use will
assist PCU in meeting future demands by using conservation as an alternative water supply measure.
Benefits
Based on a savings rate of 100 gallons per day (gpd) per sensor, the project is estimated to save 129,500 gpd.
Costs
The total cost of this project is estimated to be $116,550 and the District is requested to fund $58,275.
Funding budgeted in FY2010 includes $7,470 from the Green Swamp Basin (General Fund), $12,825 from the
Hillsborough River Basin Board, $20,565 from the Alafia River Basin Board, and $17,415 from the Peace River Basin
Board, for a total of $58,275. Additional funding may be requested in future fiscal years for subsequent phases. The
cost benefit amortized at 8 percent over 5 years is $0.60 per thousand gallons saved.
Additional Information
This is PCU's first rain sensor rebate program with the District. Project participants will also receive a packet of
information on water conservation, covering topics such as indoor and outdoor conservation, retrofitting,
Florida-friendly landscaping, irrigation system tips and detecting water leaks. Additionally, participants will be asked if
they would like an irrigation system evaluation for an additional charge, since this is outside the scope of the rain
sensor rebate program. PCU staff understands that if a customer elects to have an evaluation performed, those
savings will have to be reported separately.
Prior
Funding
Cumulative FY 2009 FY2010
Transfers Funding Funding
District Budgeted - Ad Valorem Based
Revenue
010 General Fund (Districtwide) 0 0 0 7,470
0 7,470
011 Alafia River Basin 0 0 0 20,565
0 20,565
013 Hillsborough River Basin 0 0 0 12,825
0 12,825
020 Peace River Basin 0 0 0 23,182
0 23,182
Project Funds Not Budgeted by the
District
Polk County Utilities 0 0 0 58,275
0 58,275
020 - Peace River Basin 348
Total:
Future
Funding
Total
Funding
$122,317