TURNING THE TIDE ON WATER WASTE

1. TURNINGTHE TIDE ON WATER WASTE How Seattle Created a Popular Icon to Change Consumer Behavior Margaret Pageler July 2007

3. SEATTLE’S WATER SYSTEM Serves 1.3 million people Source: mountain reservoirs on two rivers Fill during winter-spring Drawdown during summer Rainfall, snowpack and inflows highly variable

4. SEATTLE’S CHALLENGES

5. Seattle’s Challenge - SUPPLY

6. Seattle’s Challenge - SEASONALITY

7. SEATTLE’S CHALLENGE - SALMON Salmon need strong flows in the rivers at just the time of year when rainfall is lowest and water demand is highest

8. Conservation as a Strategy • Developing a new water supply source is high risk, high cost and takes long lead time • Seattle chose conservation as cost-effective program to delay need for new supply • Conservation preserves in-stream flows and manages for climate uncertainty

9. Conservation as a Supply and Risk Management Strategy

10. STEP ONE - ANALYSIS • Conservation Potential Assessment • Seattle implemented 40 mgd of water savings in the first 15 years • Second phase evaluated 135 measures and identified an additional 15 mgd water savings through 2030 at annual cost of $1.4 million • Programs can be ramped up or down

11. Step Two – New Values -Giving Water Efficiency a Face • The salmon life cycle helps focus water savings at critical times of year • Heroic journey of the salmon links citizens to sea, rivers and streams • Appeal to “save salmon” has become an effective demand management tool Salmon as an Icon

12. Conservation Motivators • Low-cost way for customers to reduce their water bills • Low-cost insurance for climate change and other uncertainties • Saves energy and reduces wastewater and drainage flows • Manages water resources responsibly • Keeps water in rivers for salmon

13. Source of Savings –Non-Revenue Water Savings Non-revenue water reduced from 15% to 5% • Aggressive leak management • Changing flushing and washing practices • Covering and re-lining in-city reservoirs

14. Source of Savings –Salmon-Friendly Rate Structure • Set marginal rate equal to marginal cost of water (avoided cost of new supply) • Seasonal rates – higher in summer “peak” • Inclined block for residential customers • “Third tier” rate for wasteful summer use • “Saving salmon” makes tiered rates politically possible

15. Source of Savings –Conservation Programs • Provide rebates for hardware and plumbing code upgrades • Target high-use and single-pass systems • Partner with energy companies for hot-water savings • Secure participation by appeal to “save salmon”

16. Source of Savings – Changed Outdoor Landscaping • Partner with garden stores, landscapers • Low-water-use plants • Use less fertilizer and pesticides • Results – “Salmon-Friendly Gardening” reduces summer peak water use Center for Urban Horticulture: Soest Herbaceous Display GardenDisplays perennials and bulbs in eight different common urban conditions, with variable soil textures, watering regimes, and sun/shade environments so visitors will be able to determine which plants are most appropriate for particular home garden conditions.

17. “Behavior Maintenance” –Media Campaigns

18. Community Activities Festivals Stream restoration work parties Native American celebrations Adopt-a-stream

19. Educational Activities Field trips Computer games Science lessons Unique watershed education center Salmon as an Icon

20. Youth Education Links People and Salmon

21. Reinforcing the Icon -Public Art Sound Transit Salmon Art near Eastgate Park and Ride

22. Conservation Results • Water supply extended 50 years • Critics now supporters • Citizen satisfaction • Insurance for uncertain future • Politicians recognized for sustainable leadership • PROTECTION FOR ENDANGERED SALMON

23. Cumulative Water Savings Since 1990

24. Results

25. Results

26. Annual Seattle Water Demand 1930-1990

27. Annual Seattle Water Demand 1930-2006

28. Results