Title
Agreements for 2019 Lower Colorado Region Water Conservation Field Services Grant, in Conjunction with Arizona State University (Ordinance S-45568)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for and, if awarded, accept and enter into agreements for the 2019 Lower Colorado Region Water Conservation Field Services Program in an amount up to $100,000. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, any grant monies awarded.
Report
Summary
Water Services Department (WSD) staff are seeking City Council authorization to submit an application to the "Lower Colorado Region Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) Financial Assistance for Fiscal Year 2019" funding opportunity.
The WCFSP grant, which is funded through the United States Interior Department Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), could provide up to $100,000 and requires a dollar-for-dollar match from a non-federal source. The application deadline is April 26, 2019. Staff’s intention is to use the funds for a pilot project to determine the efficacy of water-absorbing polymers (known as “hydrogel”) in conserving potable water used for irrigation and in reducing turf watering costs.
Manufactured and installed by a Fresno, CA firm known as Aqua Cents Water Management, LLC, (ACWM) the emulsified polymers are injected underground and one study reported a roughly 45 percent water savings (Bennett, G. & Downs, J. [2015]. Quantifying water savings and sustained results using Aqua Cents® hydrogels injected below the root zone of existing turf).
WSD would conduct the $200,000 pilot by obtaining a $100,000 USBR grant (federal portion) and sourcing the remainder (non-federal match) from $50,000 in department CIP funds and $50,000 from partner Arizona State University (ASU). The total project cost is based upon an installation cost of 38 cents/square foot for 522,720 square feet (12 acres) of turf.
The pilot will be performed on 12 acres of existing soccer fields near ASU-West in Phoenix. The City owns almost seven of these acres while ASU owns the rest; combined, they currently consume roughly 11 million gallons (34 acre-feet) of water/year at a cost of approximately $63,500. At a 40 percent reduction, 4.4 million gallons (13.5 acre-feet) of water and $25,400, per year, will be saved. Moreover, the hydrogel lasts for five to seven years based on a conservative 5-year life cycle, which can result in saving 22 million gallons (67.5 acre-feet) of water at a value of $127,000.
To date, the polymers have primarily been studied at several public universities in California. WSD and ASU seek to understand the benefits of deploying the hydrogel in the context of our local ambient temperatures, soil conditions and water quality. If the pilot produces positive results, WSD and ASU will encourage additional water conservation though the use of this technology. Watering of large turf areas in Phoenix consumes a significant portion of our water supplies each year: savings in this water-use sector has the potential to increase stored water volumes and reduce operating costs.
Contract Term
The grant application is due on April 26, 2019 and awards are anticipated in September of this year. The grant allows two years to complete the installation. A contract with ACWM will be for two years and an agreement with ASU will be for five years. This authorization is only for the grant application. WSD staff will seek Council authorization for any subsequent contracts if the grant application is successful.
Financial Impact
If awarded the grant, a one-time expense of $50,000 would be incurred in FY 2019-20. Funding is available in the Water Services Department's Capital Improvement Program budget.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Water Services Department.