HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.126375 Fremont Road Tel (650) 948 1217
Los Altos Hili., CA 94022 Fax (650) 946-0961
Purissima Hills
Water District
October 2, 2007
Ms. Debbie Pedro, Planning Director
Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California 94022
Dear Debbie:
Subject: Water Meter installation for Landscape Irrigation
Thank you for your letter of August 24 regarding the Planning Commission's
proposal that the District allow the installation of a second water meter as a method to
monitor and control landscape water usage. The District also shares the Commission's
concern about the water usage in the Town and, as you may be aware, the District has
been evaluating alternatives to encourage water conservation for many years
Wevery much appreciate the Commission's consideration of ways to promote
water conservation. At first blush, the Commission's suggestion seems like an innovative
way to conserve water. However, given the limitations on the District to restrict the use
of water absent a water shortage emergency, the Board does not feel that this alternative
is the best method for monitoring or controlling water usage. The installation of a second
meter would be an unnecessary expense to the customer, would enable a customer to
circumvent the tiered rate structure, and would provide only a minimal benefit to the
District in monitoring a customer's water usage.
As far as monitoring is concerned, the District uses a widely accepted method for
calculating landscape usage with reasonable accuracy. Specifically, landscape irrigation
can be derived by subtracting the lowest monthly usage from the summer usage in a year
or several years. The difference would be the landscape irrigation usage. For a meter to
be truly effective and accurate as a monitoring device, the irrigation water would have to
be separated from indoor plumbing. For an existing house, this may not be possible or
may be prohibitively expensive.
In addition, installing a separate irrigation meter does not give the District the
right to shut it off under normal conditions. Of course, in a water shortage emergency, the
District has broad powers to curtail water usage and to implement a water connection
moratorium if necessary.
RECEIVED
OCT 02200,
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
Service To The Hills Since 1955
Ms. Debbie Pedro
October 2, 2007
Page 2
Once again, we value the Plamting Commission's attention and effort in working
with the District to conserve water. It is my understanding that at a recent meeting, a
resident described and promoted a programmable irrigation controller as an effective
means of conserving water. We are very interested in learning about this controller and
look forward to working with the Commission in the future in connection with this very
important issue.
Sincerely,
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General Manager
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