Invite to TWDB webinar on model or questions
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like1,200 views
The Texas Water Development Board invites participants to a webinar on a modeling tool designed to analyze the cost-benefit and demand savings of municipal water conservation efforts. The tool evaluates 32 best management practices (BMPs) for water conservation, focusing on economic analyses including benefit-cost ratios to assess the viability of programs. It highlights the importance of considering both quantitative economic results and qualitative benefits in decision-making regarding water conservation investments.
Invite to TWDB webinar on model or questions
- 1. Invite to TWDB Webinar on Model or Questions • Jennifer J. Walker, P.E., D.WRE, CFM o President, Watearth, Inc. o jwalker@watearth.com o 832.444.0663 o www.watearth.com
- 2. Project Team • Texas Water Development Board o John Sutton • Watearth, Inc. – Prime o Jennifer J. Walker, P.E., D.WRE, CFM • NewGen Strategies & Solutions, LLC (Formerly J. Stowe & Co.) o Chris Ekrut • RPS Espey o Michael Pinckney, P.E.
- 3. Research Project • Determining Cost Benefit and Demand Savings of Municipal Water Conservation Efforts
- 5. TWDB Water Conservation BMPs Modeling Tool • Water Conservation Benefits of BMP Implementation by Customer Class • 32 BMPs in Model • Analyze 1 or Multiple BMPs • Cost-Benefit Analysis • Avoided Costs for Water/Wastewater Facilities
- 6. TWDB Water Conservation BMPs Modeling Tool • Indoor Fixtures – SF, MF • Surveys – SF, MF, and ICI • Outdoor BMPs o Irrigation Nozzles and Controllers o Irrigation Efficiency Evaluations o Landscape Water Budgets o Water Efficient Landscape Design
- 7. Economic Calculations • Economic calculations are optional and not essential to overall model function • Examples presented herein are samples based on placeholder data and are not reflective of a particular program or experience • The model’s quantitative results are useful for decision-making, but other non-economic qualitative factors may direct ultimate course of action
- 8. Economic Calculations • Model produces two key metrics o Benefit-Cost Ratio (“BCR”) ― Designed to quantify economic efficiency of BMPs ― Assists decision makers in program implementation to achieve the “biggest bang for your buck” o Lost Water and Wastewater Revenue ― Reduced water use = less revenue
- 9. Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) • Compares cost of implementation with benefits of program BCR > 1 = Benefits outweigh cost (Economically Viable Alternative) BCR < 1 = Costs outweigh benefits (Not Economically Viable) • BCR value can assist in ranking and making decisions based on economic efficiency However qualitative benefits may override quantitative results • Calculated in Real Dollars and Present Value
- 10. Benefits Considered • Avoided Variable Costs ― Wholesale Water Supply (Variable Portion) ― Groundwater Production Fees ― Variable Water Operations and Maintenance (“O&M”) ― Wholesale Wastewater Treatment (Variable Portion) ― Variable Wastewater O&M • Costs adjusted annually for inflationary impact
- 11. Benefits Considered • Delayed Capital Investment and O&M ― Model allows for input of future water supply projects including cost and capacity ― Using inputs as a baseline, model calculates annual capital and O&M costs with and without Conservation impact ― Calculations are then compared and variances due to delayed investment are considered a benefit of the program • Model currently only considers benefits in delayed water investment – future updates could consider wastewater investment
- 12. Costs Considered • Cost of BMP Implementation ― Direct Labor and Materials ― Indirect Administration and Overhead – Includes Program Marketing and Outreach ― Cost of Customer Rebates
- 13. Sample BCR Result BMP not economically viable, Costs outweigh Benefits BMP is economically viable, Benefits outweigh Costs Higher BCR indicates greater economic viability
- 14. Lost Revenue Calculations • Model calculates reduction in water and wastewater volumes • Annual reductions are then multiplied by the current effective rate for water and wastewater service to determine lost revenue o No adjustment made at this time for future rate increases • Does not reflect fixed or variable cost reductions at this time o As cost reductions occur, needed revenue will decrease o Future updates could consider revenue loss on a net basis
- 15. Sample Lost Revenue Calculation • Program will result in estimated lost revenue of over $37,000 • Utility’s variable costs will be decreased by approximately $12,000 • Rates will need to be increased/fixed costs decreased by $25,000 to account for the utility’s remaining, unrecovered fixed cost
- 16. Decision Support / Impact Planning • Primary benefit of economic quantification is decision support and assessment of program impact Overall Program is economically viable Assuming no reduction in current Fixed Costs, revenue impact of conservation is significant “It’s tough to tell the consumer that ‘Yeah, well, you guys did a great job out there conserving water, but lo and behold, we got hurt financially, so we’ve got to raise your rates,’” – Jim Dockery, Asst. CM, Wichita Falls – Texas Tribune; February 10, 2014