Report of the FCA Water Conservation CommitteeApril 14, 2010

WCC Members: Marion Clark, David Collyer, Garnet Hunt, Bill Larner, Giselle Roeder, Pam May-Straka (chair)

Additional representation from the RDN, Team WaterSmart, andFairwinds Resort

The FCA Water Conservation Committee was established in January, 2007 to address the higher-than-average water consumption rates within the Fairwinds community

Objectives:

•raise awareness of residential water use within the community,

develop programs that will provide support, information, and education to encourage reduction in water consumption

•Work with existing agencies and organizations to foster water conservation indoors and in the garden

How are we doing and what are we doing?

Where are we? Leading the pack in water consumption

2009 Summer range in Fairwinds was 0 to 7.6 m3/d (0 to 1672 gallons/day)with an average of 2 m3/d (440 gallons/day)

Water Consumption Comparison

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Fairwinds Avg. Daily Use

All Systems Avg. Daily Use

FW exceeds All Systems avg by thisamount

Summer Water Use May – September 2009Comparison of Fairwinds with total Nanoose Bay water system

Nanoose Bay FairwindsTotal number of homes 1933 458Avg use (m3/day) 1.4 2 (gallons/day) 308 440

# low water users 765 154# medium 1096 189# high 72 115

% Low 40 34% medium 57 41% high 3 25

Low 0 -1.4 m3/day OR 0 - 308 gallons/dayMedium 1.4 - 2.8 m3/day 308 - 616 gallons/dayHigh >2.8 m3/day >616 gallons/day

1 m3 = 220 gallons

Top ten users in Fairwinds 2009 summer billing cycle May through September, 119 days

Daily consumption ranges from 5.1 to 7.6 m3/d avg = 5.84 m3/day or 1285 gallons/day

Total consumption by the top ten 5.84 m3/d X119 days X 10 users = 6,950 m3 = 1,528,912 gallons = 6,941,260 litres

Current water prices escalate with amount of water used:Up to 0.7 m3/d $0.880.701 to 1.4 $1.021.401 to 2.1 $1.282.101 to 2.8 $1.532.801 to 3.5 $2.04>3.5 $3.06

5.84 m3/d = $11.86/day for water = $1411.34 for the 119 days

RDN Toilet Rebate Program

•Financial incentive to replace old toilets (13 litres/flush) with new low-flow or dual flush models

•Two rebates per property

•$50 rebate for new 6 litre toilet•$75 rebate for new dual flush toilet

•Download application form from www.rdnrebates.ca

RDN toilet rebate program commenced in November, 2009Approximately 50% of the $35K in funding has been used to date

Fairwinds is inElectoral Area E

FCA Water Conservation Committee Activities Update•Monthly meetings to set programs, develop new initiatives

• Earth Day Celebration April 22nd, 2010 from 1-4 pm at Fairwinds Centre•Exhibitors and experts will be on hand to help you with gardening problems, give you new

ideas, and raise awareness of our unique natural setting •Team WaterSmart conservation-related workshops

•Healthy gardens, irrigation systems, native plants, etc. Some will be held at Fairwinds Centre for your convenience

•2010 calendar featuring local photos with conservation tips •1500 calendars printed, all costs covered by advertising

•photo contest now running for 2011 calendar – info on website

•Brochures and booklets available at Fairwinds Centre•Topics include low flow toilets, healthy lawn care, identifying leaks, using rain barrels,

efficient irrigation. Provided by Team WaterSmart

•Website conservation page – full of tips and ideas, download brochures www.fairwindscommunityassociation.org

•Gardening questionnaire –fill out at AGM or download from website•Help us focus WCC efforts on programs/events that are of interest to you

•Fairwinds Resort is the only corporate sponsor of Team WaterSmart*. This enables us to bring programs to Fairwinds Centre and access financial and educational resources to help our community (*other partners are the RDN, City of Nanaimo, and Town of Qualicum Beach)

Fairwinds Earth Day CelebrationThursday, April 22nd, 1-4 pmNeil Scott Room, Fairwinds Centre

Free admission – everyone welcomeDoor prizes, complimentary coffee & treats

Join friends and neighbours for an afternoon of conservation conversation•Get tips on improving the health of your garden and our natural areas•Lots of information handouts to help you conserve water & save money•Chat with experts and exhibitors, view displays, see what’s new

Coastal Invasive Plant Committee Easy Living LandscapingHartman Land DesignNanoose NaturalistsNorthwest Bay NurseryOrganic master gardenerSea SoilTeam WaterSmart

Presented by FCA Water Conservation Committee and Team WaterSmart. Hosted by Fairwinds Resort