Park Water Company recognizes that conserving water is an integral component of the current and future water strategy for its service area. Park is committed to providing education, tools, and incentives to help the homeowners, apartment owners, and business owners reduce the amount of water used on their property.

The California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC)  was created to increase efficient water use statewide through partnerships among urban water agencies, public interest organizations, and private entities. The Council's goal is to integrate urban water conservation Best Management Practices (BMP's) into the planning and management of California's water resources. The CUWCC developed a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Urban Water Conservation in California (MOU). Those signing the MOU pledge to develop and implement fourteen comprehensive conservation BMP's. These BMP's are used to provide a reliable reduction in water demand. They are technically and economically feasible and not environmentally or socially unacceptable for most water suppliers to carry out.

In December 2006, Park became a signatory to the CUWCC MOU. In order to meet the requirements of the MOU and leverage the conservation resources available through the Central Basin Municipal Water District, Water Replenishment District and the Metropolitian Water District of Southern California, Park developed a Conservation Action Plan. The Plan has five major goals:

1. Develop a conservation program that fulfills Park's requirements as a signatory to the CUWCC MOU.
2. Promote programs that enable residential customers to improve water use efficiency in a cost-effective manner.
3. Promote programs that encourage commercial, industrial, and institutional water users to implement water efficiency improvement programs in a cost-effective manner.
4. Promote efficient use of water through appropriate incentive/disincentive programs.
5. Provide appropriate educational and information programs to encourage conservation among all water uses within Park's service area.

Each of these goals is supported by specific objectives with measurable outcomes through which progress can be evaluated. This plan is a living document and will be updated regularily to reflect changes to Park's service area, BMP's, conservation programs, and available rebates.

Park's current level of activities for each BMP is described below.

BMP 1 - Water Survey Programs for Single-Family Residential and Multi-Family Residential Customers

Park offers free residential water use surveys to single-family customers. Single-family surveys take about two hours and are conducted by two-member teams. During the interior portion of the survey, the team measures flow rates of existing plumbing fixtures and tests for toilet leakage with dye tablets; offers showerheads and faucet aerators (if necessary); and provides materials on Park's ultra-low flush toilet replacement programs

The team then conducts the landscape survey; shows the customer the location of the water meter and how to read it; measures the landscaped areas; tests the sprinkler system for irrigation efficiency and distribution uniformity; teaches the customer how to set the irrigation controller; develops a three-season irrigation schedule; recommends sprinkler system repairs or improvements; and provides brochures on water efficient landscaping, design, and plants. 

BMP 2 - Residential Plumbing Retrofits

Through CBMWD, Park participates in the distribution of showerheads, aerators, and toilet tank leak detection tablets at community events, including local fairs and during Water Awareness Month. At these events, Park also emphasizes water use surveys and toilet replacement programs. Park offers free water conservation kits with toilet displacement devices. For a nominal fee, Park also provides indoor conservation kits with low flow showerheads, aerators, and leak detection tablets, as well as outdoor water savings kits with shut-off nozzles.

BMP 3 - System Water Audits, Leak Detectors, and Repair

Leak Detection
Park continues regular surveillance of its water systems to detect leaks as part of its on-going operations. Park recognizes the urgency of repairing leaks and responds to any leak in an expedient manner. Field employees have received special training in detection of leaks and signs of unauthorized use of water. They are also instructed to notify customers observed wasting water. In addition, the customer billing system flags high or unusual water bills, which are then investigated for possible leaks in consumer piping. Customers are aided in identifying possible leaks so repairs can be made.

Water Main Replacement
Park actively pursues a water main replacement program. When a leak is first noticed, the pipeline is inspected and promptly repaired. A record of the location of the leak is kept. When it is evident, either from the number of leaks or the pipeline inspection, that a pipeline has badly deteriorated, the line is replaced. The program continues to reduce water losses due to leakage.

Meter Replacement
As required by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Park monitors the age of all small meters (2 inches and under) and replaces meters every 10 years (1-1/2" to 2"), every 15 years (1") or every 20 years (5/8" to ¾"). Also, Park has contracted to have all large meters (3" or more) tested at least every five years. Any large meters that are not registering accurately are identified on a timely basis. The meter replacement program has a large effect on reducing the unaccounted-for water.

Valve Inspection
Since 1995, Park has implemented a valve-exercising program that calls for the operation and inspection of all valves once every two years. This program enables Park to make emergency shutdowns due to leaks in a timely manner and to ensure that interconnections with adjacent utilities are operational.

BMP 4 - Metering with Commodity Rates for All New Connections and Retrofit of Existing Connections

Since 1950, when Park's metering program began, all customer sectors within Park's service area are fully metered. The amount of the customer's bill is based on a monthly service charge and a commodity charge based on the quantity of water used.

BMP 5 - Large Landscape Conservation Programs and Incentives

Park, an investor owned utility subject to CPUC regulation, does not have the legal authority to implement a landscape ordinance. Park does, however, continues to work in partnership with CBMWD, as well as local nurseries, landscape designers, and contractors to help educate landowners in regards to water efficient landscapes.

Park has installed a conservation demonstration garden at its main office in the Downey CA. Park's conservation garden was developed with assistance from local master gardeners, who are knowledgeable about the plants that are commonly grown in the area. This popular garden shows how water efficient landscaping can be both practical and attractive. The garden has been growing for 14 years, and drought tolerant landscaping can be seen in mature form.

Park's conservation garden displays water efficient landscaping

BMP 6 - High-Efficiency Washing Machine Rebate Programs

Promotion of High-Efficiency Washing Machines (HEWM) is accomplished through consumer education and manufacturer incentives. CBMWD provides incentives for washers with a 6.0 Water Factor (WF) or less to residents in its service area, including in the Park service area.

BMP 7 - Public Information Programs

Park recognizes the continued need for a public information program to maintain and increase the public's awareness of water and the need to use it wisely. Park promotes water conservation and other resource efficiencies in coordination with CBMWD, American Water Works Association (AWWA), the National Association of Water Companies and the California Association of Water Companies.

Park distributes public information through bill inserts, brochures, community speakers, and special events every year. Providing current water conservation information is a key component of Park's activities. Pamphlets on water conservation are available in the lobby of the office where customers pay their bills. Consumption information for the same month from the previous year is provided on the customer's bill. This is an effective tool for customers to monitor their own monthly water use and the effectiveness of household water conservation measures.

BMP 8 - School Education Programs

Park continues to work closely with local school districts to promote water conservation and other resource efficiencies at school facilities and to educate students about these issues.   

Children at a local elementary school receive awards from Park for their water awareness posters.

CBMWD also promotes educational programs about water conservation to elementary through high school students within Park's service area, including the following educational programs:

• Planet Protector Water Explorations
• Think Earth It's Magic
• Conservation Connection
• Think Earth Curriculum Kits
• Water Awareness Month Poster Contest
• Water Wanderings: A Journey Through California's Water
• Sewer Science
• Water Squad Investigations
• Living Wise Program

Children at a local elementary school are attentive to a lively outdoor water education program provided by Park.

BMP 9 - Conservation Programs for Commercial, Industrial and Institutional (CII) Accounts

CBMWD, in partnership with Metropolitan, participates in Metropolitan's region-wide CII rebate program. CBMWD offers the rebates to its member agencies, including Park. The program offers rebates for commercial clothes washers, waterbrooms, cooling tower conductivity controllers, pre-rinse spray nozzles, x-ray machine recirculating devices and dual flush toilets and waterless urinals. CBMWD has joined a 10-year agreement with Metropolitan to help maintain the on-going regional marketing efforts of the CII rebate program.

BMP 10 - Wholesale Agency Assistance Program

As Park's wholesale water agency, CBMWD provides conservation-related technical support and information, including high-efficiency toilet replacement, system audits, washing machines, public information, school education, wholesaler incentives, residential retrofits; CII rebates and surveys; residential and large turf irrigation; and conservation-related rates and pricing.

BMP 11 - Conservation Pricing

Park is subject to the regulatory policies established by the CPUC. The California Public Utilities Commission’s 2007 Water Action Plan established several new objectives that encourage and reward utility’s conservation efforts.  Utilities like Park Water Company were required to institute conservation pricing into their approved rate structure.  As a result, Park will implement a new conservation rate that will reward your conservation efforts.

 A residential water rate design called IBR or increasing block rates in which rates increase with usage, provides a financial incentive for you to reduce your water consumption.  The proposed conservation rate design consists of reduced service charges, resulting in a higher average quantity rate, and increasing block rates of two tiers. The Tier rates are based on consumer consumption patterns and seasonality. The quantity rates for these tiers are set so that the second tier is 10% greater than the first tier.

If our current proposal is adopted, a customer that uses 28 CCF would see a bimonthly water bill decrease of $0.84 or 0.85% from $100.22 to $99.36.

We anticipate an approved rate structure by first quarter 2008. If you are a member of a Community Based Organization or block club and would like someone from our office to attend your group meeting to explain the new conservation rate please contact our Public Affairs Department at 562-923-0711 x 1205. 

BMP 12 - Conservation Coordinator

Park employs staff whoes duties include water conservation. They coordinate and oversee cnoservation programs and BMP implementation.

Additionally, CBMWD has a conservation coordinator who investigates Federal, State, and local funding to develop new programs throughout its service area, benefiting the Park service area through program implementation.

BMP 13 - Water Waste Prohibition

Park has established Rule No. 20, Water Conservation, in its CPUC-approved tariffs. Rule No. 20 (approved in 1978) discourages the wasteful use of water and promotes the use of water saving devices. The rule states, "The purpose of this rule is to ensure that water resources available to the utility are put to a reasonable beneficial use and that the benefits of the utility's water supply and service extend to the largest number of persons."

Park also has Rule No. 11.B (3) which prohibits the wasting of water. It states, "Where negligent or wasteful use of water exists on a customer's premises, the utility may discontinue the service if such practices are not remedied within five days after it has given the customer written notice to such effect." It further states, "In order to protect itself against serious and unnecessary waste or misuse of water, the utility may meter any flat rate service and apply the regularly established meter rates where the customer continues to misuse or waste water beyond five days after the utility has given the customer written notice to remedy such practices."

Park's field staff patrols for water wasters. Although Park has no enforcement authority, Park notifies the cities in which it serves of any chronic water wasters.

BMP 14 - Residential ULFT Replacement Programs

Park and its customers participate in the Metropolitan and CBMWD Ultra-Low Flush Toilet (ULFT) Replacement Program. CBMWD's ULFT program includes free one-day toilet distributions and rebates based on available funding. CBMWD also provides rebates for the purchase and installation of dual-flush toilets, which have the ability of flushing at either 0.8 of a gallon for liquids and 1.6 gallons for solids. A rebate is given to customers who purchase a new High Efficiency Toilet. The toilet uses a minimum of 20 percent less water than standard toilets.