Water Conservation in Pullman

Source meters are a critical conservation tool since accurate water production and usage data provides information for developing conservation priorities, goals and programs. Pullman has source meters at all of the wells; test and calibrations are performed annually on all source meters.

Similarly, service meters are a key component of providing accurate water use information for implementation in conservation planning. Pullman has service meters on all service connections and performs a comprehensive service meter calibration and replacement program. Each year, select meters that are two inches and larger are tested, repaired if needed, and calibrated to ensure accuracy. Additionally, all City of Pullman owned buildings and parks are metered and each department is charged for their water use, thus encouraging conservation within City departments.

Water utilities that operate efficient systems that minimize leaks demonstrate a strong commitment to sound financial and resource management. The City of Pullman has an aggressive supply side leak detection and repair program. The City surveys the entire water distribution system every four years. Identified leaks are promptly repaired. Pullman’s 2015 distribution system leakage was 3.2% of production or 34.5 million gallons. The previous three-year average is 3.3% of the annual average production or 34.6 million gallons per year. This compares very favorably to the national average of 16% and is well below the 10% or less requirement of the Rule, and demonstrates that Pullman is successfully managing water leaks.

The City’s conservation program is primarily driven by the desire to minimize the impacts on water resources, namely the regional aquifer, and to meet regulatory requirements. The goal of the current program, initiated in 2015, is to reduce water use by 29,365 gallons per day on an annual basis (as opposed to peak season) by the end of 2019. This goal was established using a public process that included conducting a public meeting on November 19, 2013 and a subsequent discussion regarding the draft goal during a City Council meeting. Public input was encouraged and was also provided. To help achieve this goal the measures listed below have been selected based on a combination of factors including applicability to the City of Pullman service area, customer acceptance, cost effectiveness and/or savings potential.

Consumption Based Pricing
Bills Showing Consumptive History
Landscape Management Practices on City Property
Education
Providing Free Toilet Leak Detection Dye Tablets
Providing Free Bathroom Faucet Aerators
Providing Free Showerheads
Toilet Rebate Program
Washing Machine Rebates for Multifamily Shared Laundry Facilities
Conducting Water User Surveys on Public Buildings
Providing Lawn Removal Credits
Providing Free Watering Hose Timers

Since the program's inception in the spring of 2015 thru December 31, 2015 the City provided 181 toilet rebates and one irrigated lawn removal rebate. In addition, 1454 bathroom faucet aerators, 395 toilet leak detection tablets and 615 showerheads were distributed. The total estimated water savings in 2015 was 4555 gallons per day (1.7 million gallons per year), roughly 16% of the 2019 goal of 29,365 gallons per day (10.7 million gallons per year)