water efficiency + tunnels talking points, research, and q+a

7/28/2019 Water Efficiency + Tunnels Talking Points, Research, And Q+A

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Talking Points on the Tunnels Project:

Brendan Leonard

FWW 2013 Summer Intern

Water Efficiency + Tunnels Talking Points, Research, and Q+A

Water Efficiency Talking Points

1. Water efficiency projects create more jobs for every dollar invested than construction

projects

2. Water efficiency projects keep 99% of every dollar invested in the LA economy unlike

projects meant to build new water supplies

3. Water efficiency projects can save 1/3 of CA water supply (Pacific Institute)

4. Los Angeles has one-of-the-lowest lowest per capita water consumption rates in nation

5. Water Consumption at its lowest levels since 1979

6. Many cities in and around LA need better water efficiency projects

7. Water efficiency leads to lower water bills

8. LA water conservation helped solved water crisis in 80s / 90s

Delta Project Talking Points

1. The most efficient consumers (LA) are being given the biggest bill (taxes)

a. See 3: Delta Plan assumes increased water demand per family for CA not as

applicable to LA which has the lowest consumption levels since 1979

2. Their water demand projection is bullish their own author says so1

3. Deltas water demand projections (i.e. water demand crisis incoming) assume CA

doesnt try efficiency projects like LA yet the most responsible consumers (LA) are

1 The author of the Delta Conservation Plan, Professor Lunding of UC Berkeley, acknowledges

that their economic projection are likely to overstate employment they arent using the

caution their own author asks for when publicizing their employment claims


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footing the bill andprojections show similar state-wide projects could reduce demand by

a third.

How did I get these talking points?

For the talking points on the above water efficiency and Delta Conservation Project I used a

number of reports and studies from public policy think tanks, public agencies, and advocacy

groups.

For the numbers of water-efficiency and employment, the LA UWMP provided a reference for

past projects LA has undertaken; a report by The Economic Roundtable supported the jobs claims

made (13-16 per $1 million). For claims made on the possibilities of future investments, I

referenced the 2010 Californias Next Million Acre-Feet report by the Pacific Institute, which

claims that we can save 1/3 of water demand through efficiency. In addition, I looked at an

assessment of present water conservation projects in LA, Water Conservation Measures Enacted

by Cities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, which was commissioned by The Sierra Club; the

report shows that the LA area has variable water conservation programs.

For the Delta Conservation talking points, I referenced the Bay Delta Conservation Plan,

authored by Professor Biddle of UC Berkeley and economic consulting group The Brattle Group.

Water Efficiency Research Summary

The Economic Roundtable Water Use Efficiency and Jobs, 2011

Background on the Study:

o This group studied over $1.2 billion of [CA] investments in recent water use


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efficiency projects in the Los Angeles area, including a sample of 53 recent local

Stormwater, Water Conservation, Graywater, Groundwater Management /Remediation and Recycled Water projects

Their conclusions:

o The sales result of existing investments in water efficiency:

$534 million in indirectsales2

$718 million in inducedsales3

$2.4 billion in total sales4

o The employment result of those 53 projects:

8,654 directperson-years of employment5 in Los Angeles

4,909 inducedperson-years of employment6

16,579 total person-years of employment7

o Los Angeles water use efficiency projects (12.6-16.6) stimulate more jobs per $1million invested than theMotion Picture and Video Production (8.35 person-

2Economic Roundtable, Water Use Efficiency and Jobs, 2011Page 3: $2.4billion in total sales Sum of the direct, indirect and induced sales stimulatedby investments in these water use efficiency projects.3 Ibid, Page 3: The downstream demand stimulated by household spending of workersinvolved directly and indirectly in water conservation projects.4Ibid, Page 3: Sum of the direct, indirect and induced sales stimulated byinvestments in these water use efficiency projects.5 Ibid, Page 119: The term person-years of employment in IMPLAN input-output

analysis includes all types of jobs, whether they are full-time or part-time, regular orintermittent, paid based on hourly wages or salary basis. It includes the types ofemployment that normally occur in a given industry.

6Ibid, Page 3: Jobs added downstream in the local economy throughinduced spending by worker households. 7 Ibid, Page 3: Sum of the direct, indirect and induced employmentstimulated by investments in these water use efficiency projects.


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years of employment) andHousing Construction (11.3) industries, but less than

the Grocery Stores (18.5) and Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors (24.5) industries.

o Close to 99% of the capital invested in water efficiency projects is spent within

the community (namely LA / Orange County (56)

Page 56: Approximately $1.6 million of the recycled water projectbudgets were spent outside of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, mostlyon specialized electronics components for an ultraviolet water disinfectionsystem. This amounted to less than one percent of the combined budgetfor recycled water projects.

Government Policy Recommendations:

o Funding: (1)comprehensive watershed management planning and projects (2)

support for state bond measures earmarked for local [efficiency] projects.

o Workforce development: Invest intargeted workforce training in community

colleges and establish uniform certification programs for emerging water

occupations. Develop apprenticeships for young adults, specialized job opening

lists, and employer forums in the water use efficiency field to identify essential

skills for key occupations and plan training curricula.

o Research: Investigate growth needs of water sector businesses through survey

outreach. Collect and disseminate information about new categories of water use

efficiency investments, water sector businesses, occupations, and career ladders in

the City of Los Angeles. Track the impacts of water use efficiency policies and

campaigns on local water consumptions rates.

The Pacific Institute - Californias Next Million Acre-Feet, 2010

o Their methodology:

o The Pacific Institute has completed a series of independent reports on urban and

agricultural water efficiency that provide a comprehensive statewide analysis ofthe conservation potential (Gleick et al. 2003, 2005; Cooley et al. 2006, 2008,

2009; Christian-Smith et al. 2010). Our findings have been confirmed by other

independent assessments and adopted by the California Department of Water

Resources in the California Water Plan (CALFED 2006; DWR 2005).


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o Their conclusions: These studies find that existing, cost- effective technologies and

practices can reduce current state demand for water by six-to-eight million acre-feet peryear, or around 20% statewide.

o Water efficiency projects pay for themselves

Saving include (but not limited to):

reductions in wastewater and energy bills and improvements in

crop quality and yield

Reducing water demand also delays or eliminates the need to

develop expensive water and wastewater treatment and energy

infrastructure, thereby producing additional long-term financial

savings for future generations.

o Water efficiency projects can reduce demand in CA by up to a third

The annual electricity savings are equivalent to the electricity use of

309,000 average households in California

Experience in Australia, Colorado, and California in recent years shows

that changing water use behavior can also provide very fast and

inexpensive savings in emergencies, with long-term benefits.

Nearly 60% of all crop acreage in California still uses inefficient flood

irrigation systems (Orang et al., 2005).

o Their recommendations:

o California could reduce water use by more than 160,000 acre- feet each year by

(1) replacing 3.5 million toilets with high-efficiency models,

(2) installing faucet aerators and showerheads in 3.5 million homes,

(3) putting in 425,000 high-efficiency clothes washers.

o California businesses could save an additional 123,000 acre-feet each year by

installing efficient devices in commercial and industrial kitchens, bathrooms, and

laundries, and upgrading cooling tower


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o Nearly 35,000 acre-feet of water could be saved outdoors by usingpressurized

water brooms instead of hoses to wash sidewalks and by replacing just 2,000acres of lawn with low-water-use plants in each of six counties: San Diego,

Orange, Riverside, Ventura, Fresno, and Sacramento

Delta Conservation Plan Research

Guide to engaging the water crisis debate:

o State-funded claim by the Delta Conservation Plan:The Delta

plan assumesthat increased population / household income /employment -> higher household consumption;8 this amounts to ademand increase of 20% for agencies and 26% for households.

o Answers to projections of increased water demand:

o Demand projections havent been historically applicable for LA (which is footing

the bill): LA has maintained (even decreased) household water demand levels

since early 1980s

o Their projections CA will not implement water conservation projects these

projects have worked for LA and, according to the Pacific Institute, similar

projects could save up a third of CAs water supply annually

General Q+A

8The Brattle Group.Revised Administrative Draft: Bay Delta Conservation Plan. May,

2013.Forecasting Demand, 9A-13: Empirically, the elasticity of income is positive: an

increase in household income translates into an increase in water demand. The intuition for this

relation is that wealthier individuals have a less restrictive budget, which allows the to use water

more intensively in each of its uses, and water can be used within the household in new ways

(e.g., installation of lawn sprinkler system). As incomes grow, holding other factors constant,

household water consumption will likely increase.


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How much do energy efficiency / conservation jobs pay?

Average annual wages for these projects range from $33,286 - $52,828. Annual hourly wages

for storm water treatment are about $20.90.

For every million invested in water conservation and efficiency projects, a community can

expect an economic return or investment of $2 million in sales and 16.6 annually paying jobs.

For context, that jobs-to-investment-rate is higher than two other major industries in LA: the

Motion Picture industry (8.35) and Housing Construction (11.3). Additionally, the long-term

necessity of these jobs allows for expansion (rather than layoffs) in a recession.9

Are the conservation plans in Los Angeles comparable? What are some of the best and worst?

According to an independent report commissioned by the Sierra Club (Water Conservation

Measures Enacted by Cities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties), water efficiency /

conservation programs are comparable. However, it is important to keep in mind that according

toEconomic Roundtable, any deficits in a citys water program are opportunities for jobs growth.

Below is a (small) sample of the rankings supplied by The Sierra Club:

Best: Los Angeles, La Verne, Mission Viejo, Burbank

Worst: South El Monte, Palos Verdes Estates, La Puente, Baldwin Park Poor: Beverly Hills, Calabasas, South Pasadena, San Fernando, Palmdale ( see report for

full list)

Industries that produce the largest amount of employment?

Engineering, Plumbing, Piping and heating / A.C., and Landscaping Services (16.6 annual

jobs for every million dollars invested)

How much money does the water efficiency industry make?

9 Ibid, Page 28: Los Angeles water sector has the potential to be a growth engine and to expand

even in recessionary conditions because of the long-term necessity to create more reliable local

water sources and greatly reduce our reliance on increasingly scarce and more expensive

imported water.


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Nationally, the top energy conservation service gross over a billion dollars annually.10 Even in

Los Angeles, the energy conservation service providers gross near that number. 11

Water efficiency industry seems pretty successful, how important are public investments?

Public investment is critical to jobs growth according toEconomic Roundtable over 64% of

employment I these sectors are guaranteed by public funding.

What are some existing water conservation and efficiency projects in LA?

The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Urban Water Management Plan (pages 215-

218) lists these projects:

o Southeast Water Reliability Project (Cities ofPico Rivera and Vernon)

o Conservation goal: complete the Central Basin Municipal Water Districts

recycled water transmission system

o Plan: utilize a 11.4 mile recycled water transmission pipeline that connects the

City of Pico and the City of Vernon. Recycled water will be provided by LACounty via the San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant.

o Joint Water Pollution Control Plant Marshland Enhancement (City of Carson)

o Conservation goal: improve plant and wildlife habitat at the seventeen-acre

freshwater marshland around the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) in

Carson. The plant is operated by the County Sanitation Districts of LA County.

o Proposal: upgrading the JWPCP to full secondary water treatment identified as a

10 List of top grossing national water efficiency companies provided byEconomic Roundtable:Guidance Instrument Manufacturing ($9,235,618,132), Engineering Services ($4,725,643,712),

Physical Sciences Research and Development ($2,815,897,838), Electrical Contractors

($2,641,989,484) and Plumbing, Piping and HVAC Contractors ($2,317,219,673).11 List of top grossing water efficiency companies in Los Angeles provided byEconomic

Roundtable: Electrical Contractors ($915,133,362),Engineering Services ($880,205,529),

Guidance Instrument Manufacturing ($784,368,953), Plumbing, Piping and HVAC Contractors

($778,133,211), andLandscaping Services ($309,798,719).


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mitigation measure.

o Large Landscape Water Conservation, Runoff Reduction, and Educational Program

(Central Basin)

o Conservation goals: (1) reduce runoff and address water/ energy management

associated with large landscapes, residential land uses, and street medians within

the Central Basin Municipal Water Districts service area

o Plan: Implement weather-based irrigation controllers together with Geographic

Information Systems (GIS) form a two-way communications technologies to

provide actionable information to address emergency, drought, and end-use

management challenges.

o Large Landscape Water Conservation, Runoff Reduction, and Educational Program

(West Basin)

o Conservation goal: Increase water conservation, runoff reduction, and educational

programming in the West Basin

o Plan: Four components: (1) provides weather-based irrigation controllers to large

landscaping projects (2) 1,350 rebates for smart irrigation controllers for top

residential water users (3) offer classes on water-efficient landscaping forresidences and businesses (4) install ten Ocean-Friendly gardens as

demonstrations to watershed residents in the service area.

o Las Virgenes Creek Restoration Project (City of Calabasas)

o Conservation goal: restoration of the Las Virgenes Creek in Calabasas.

o Plan: restore 450 feet of concrete lining around the Las Virgenes Creek to natural

function by planting native vegetation, connecting the north and south habitats

o Malibu Creek Watershed Urban Water Conservation and Runoff Reduction Project(City of Westlake Village)

o Conservation goal: conserve water and reduce runoff in the City of Westlake

Village and within the Las Virgenes Municipal Water Districts (LVMWD)

service area.


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o Plan: (1) to replace irrigation controllers on city land with weather-based

irrigation controllers (2) extend rebates for water-saving equipment and free on-site assistance targeted at customers with irrigation runoff nearby storm drains

o Morris Dam Water Supply Enhancement Project (City of Pasadena)

o Conservation goal: increase runoff capture (5,720 Acre Feet) of the Morris Dam

for (a) groundwater recharge and (b) extraction in the San Gabriel River

watershed.

o Plan: (1) reduction of the minimum pool required by the LA County Flood

Control District (LAFCD) (2) prevent sediment damage to the outlets works of

the dam by modifying the dam valves and control systems

o Pacoima Wash Greenway Project (City of San Fernando)

o Conservation goal: treatment of storm runoff from neighborhoods adjacent to the

Pacoima Wash.

o Plan: Storm runoff treatment, using BMPs, would be offered in a series of nearby

parks along the wash. Project development will be a joint program between the

City of San Fernando and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority

o San Gabriel Valley Riparian Habitat Arundo Removal Project (City of San Gabriel)

o Conservation goal: (a) increase surface water flows to the Rio Hondo percolation

basins and (b) improve native habitat

o Plan: removal of 30 acres of the noxious non-native weed (Arundo donax) from

the San Gabriel Watershed.

o Solstice Creek Restoration Project (City of Santa Monica)

o Conservation goal: part of a larger project to restore Solstice Creek.

o Plan: restore side drainages around Solstice Creek and areas that are negatively

affecting it through sediments and invasive species introduction

o South Los Angeles Wetlands Park (Avalon Boulevard extends through Carson, Compton,

Willowbrook, and Wilmington)


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o Conservation goal: treat urban runoff and decrease water use from irrigation

o Plan: purchase of a 9-acre parcel of land on Avalon Boulevard. This land would

be converted into a wetlands park that would treat urban runoff in a 520-acre

radius.

o Whittier Narrows Water Reclamation Plant Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection (City of

Whittier)

o Conservation goal: increasing water quality and reclamation

o Plan: convert disinfection process with a UV disinfection process at the Whittier

water plant

o Wilmington Drain Restoration Multiuse (Wilmington Neighborhood / South LA)

o Conservation Goal: restoration of the Wilmington Drain

o Proposal: creation of a public park, storm-water treatment, native re-vegetation,

and educational signage.

o North Atwater Creek Restoration (Atwater Village)

o Conservation goals: revitalization of the LA River, restore North Atwater Park

o Plan: (1) provide storm water runoff capture and treatment at North Atwater Park

(2) habitat linkage to the Los Angeles River (3) educational component (4) Best

management Practices implementation at adjacent horse stables and riding trails

What do water efficiency projects look like? Are they all the same?

Below is an outline of the five categories of water efficiency projects provided byEconomic

Roundtable.

1. Water Conservation:

a. meter installations/ sub-metering, indoor appliance/fixture retrofits, irrigation,


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landscape conversions, education campaigns

2. Graywater Systems:

a. indoor installation and retrofits, installation, filtration tank storage, treatment,

outdoor drip irrigation

3. Goundwater Management:

a. treatment equipment, de-salting plants, recharge facilities

4. Recycled Water (remove impurities and solids so that water can be used again)

a. collection, detention, treatment, storage, distribution

5. Stormwater:

a. detention, storage, treatment, recharge, use and ecosystem restoration

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