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W A T E R I E N E R G Y I l I E E RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum P U B L I C U T T l I T I F S BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: March 5, 2010 ITEM NO: 10 SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE PRECISION LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION NOZZLE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ISSUE: Approval is requested for the creation and implementation of the Precision Landscape Irrigation Nozzle Distribution pilot program and the subsequent annual Riverside Public Utilities' residential and commercial rebate program. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council: 1. Approve the Precision Landscape Irrigation Nozzle Distribution pilot program and multi-year conservation rebate program for Riverside residential and commercial customers; 2. Approve funding in the amount of $50,000 for the pilot program (July 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010) and $100,000 for the first year of the RPU rebate program (April 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011); 3. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to make any minor, non-substantive changes necessary to implement this program; and 4. Authorize staff to market the program similar to other Riverside Public Utilities' rebate programs. BACKGROUND: In November 2009, the Governor and State Legislature approved a comprehensive water package that sets an ambitious water conservation policy. Included within this package, SB 7 mandates urban water suppliers lower per capita water usage 20% by the year 2020. Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) currently offers water conservation rebate programs, including high efficiency toilets, high efficiency clothes washer, weather-based irrigation controllers, rotating sprinkler nozzles, synthetic turf and water wise landscaping. In an effort to achieve the mandated goal of 20% per capita water savings by 2020, RPU staff recommends implementation of an annual Precision Landscape Irrigation Nozzle Distribution Program (Program). The Program would enable all City of Riverside residents and businesses, regardless of water provider, to use a web-based vehicle to obtain a voucher for free Precision Irrigation Nozzles. Precision TM series spray nozzles are a patented technology and the sole property of The Toro Company, a Riverside-based international irrigation company. The Precision Series spray nozzles are proven to provide up to 20% water savings per head without adjusting controllers or run times. Nozzles will be available to Riverside residents and businesses through Toro's existing authorized distribution retail channels within the City. These locations include Ewing Irrigation, John Deere Landscapes, Bonnett Irrigation and Horizon Irrigation.