Melinda Silva NFBWA

1. North Fort Bend Water Authority
Direct Reuse and Conservation Considerations
February 2011

2. Multi-Pronged Approach
• GRP is based on surface water conversion only
• Board is developing incentives and other programs to encourage
Water Conservation
Water Wise Program-NFBWA directly sponsors students annually and purchases from
their MUDS credits for their support of the program.
Early delivery of surface water -At Developer or MUD request, Authority pays 100% of
engineering costs, Developer pays 50% of construction cost of his share of capacity in
pipe. All easements required by Authority will be donated by Developer. Timing and
location are key.
Water Reuse for irrigation
NFBWA provides a $0.39 per 1000 gallon credit for metered reuse. The board is
considering raising that credit to $0.75 per gallon.
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc. 2

3. Current conservation efforts:
Classroom materials
(TEXAS WATER; WATER IS LIFE)
•Sponsor Water Wise program
•New mobile teaching lab
•Water bill inserts
•Newsletters
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

4. Credits toward Conversion
• To date the Authority has acquired 754,824,000 gals of credit
(about 70 days)
• MUDs served for 2011 and 2010 will generate 7 billion additional
early conversion credits (about 730 days)
• Equivalent to about 800 total days or little over 2 years
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc. 4

5. Other Conservation Efforts
• Sponsoring Texas A&M Turf Irrigation Study to determine how
much water is really needed to keep grass healthy
• Implementing a Comparative Study in a new residential
development to measure the effects of separate irrigation meters
and water efficient upgrades to irrigation systems
• Evaluating subsidizing residential irrigation evaluations to educate
homeowners about water conservation while irrigating
• Purchasing low-flow spray nozzles for school cafeterias
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

6. FBSD Policy Proposal
• NFBWA Water Use Reduction Credit Policy Proposal
– Earn credits for actual reduction in use on a per capita basis over the initial
30% conversion requirement
– Any credits earned by NFBWA would be used to incentivize MUDs to
implement meaningful conservation
– Under consideration now, NFBWA is hopeful decision will be made soon
– Any incentive to conserve water diminishes with each bond sale that fixes
long term debt service. During the life of the bonds, conservation will only
increase the cost of water to current rate payers.
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

7. Wastewater Reuse
• The Authority encourages wastewater reuse and recognizes its
potential benefits
• Wastewater reuse can be used instead of potable water to
conserve valuable groundwater resources
• As a focal point of the efforts by the Authority to engage itself in
wastewater reuse, several goals have been identified
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

8. Authority Goals for Wastewater Reuse
• Encourage Direct Reuse by GRP participants
– Encourage changes for future development
– Increase the use of incentives
• Determine feasibility of reuse projects
– Utilize a cost template to evaluate projects on a case by case basis
– Understand the long term implications for the Authority
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

9. Reuse Strategy (Policy)
• The Authority has the ability to create policy to increase WW
reuse
• Acting now maximizes the potential to increase reuse in
Authority
• Various stages of development within the Authority
– Existing Development – Much of the northeastern part of the Authority (Cinco Ranch)
has been almost fully developed. It will be more difficult to instill reuse efforts within
these areas. (approximately 27%)
– New Development –Many of these developments are including reuse piping systems
within the development. (approximately 23%)
– Future (Unplanned) – Rules and regulations that are put in place by the Authority will
ensure that wastewater reuse will be part of the future developments. (approx. 50%)
– The Authority can impact 73% of development by acting now
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

10. Reuse for Existing vs. Future Development
• Reuse for Existing Development
– Higher installation costs
– Minimal access, lack of planned routes
– Retrofitting existing WWTP facilities can be difficult
• Reuse for Future Development
– Lower installation costs
– Installation part of planned development
– Plan WWTP facilities for future reuse
• Reuse policy should focus on future development
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

11. Water Reuse Opportunities
• Irrigation
– Golf Course Irrigation – Currently, there are 4 golf courses within the Authority.
– Green Space Irrigation (Esplanades, Green Belts, and Parks)
– Irrigation of School District Facilities
• Amenity Lakes
– Many developments have amenity lakes that are fed by separate wells
– Providing reuse water to these lakes will reduce/minimize GW pumpage
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

12. Irrigation of Public Green Space
Increasing Impact for New Development
6. No Irrigated Public Green Space
5. Irrigate w/Reuse Only
4. Irrigate w/GW 2 yrs (up to X amt
per SF), then w/Reuse
3. Irrigate w/GW 2 yrs (up to X amt per
SF), then Surcharge for GW Use
2. Water-Efficient Irrigation Plan
w/Reuse or Other
1. Today – “Anything Goes”
Increasing Restriction
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

13. Amenity Lakes for New Development
Increasing Impact
4. No Amenity
Lakes
3. Lakes Filled w/
Reuse Water Only
2. Lakes Filled w/GW 2
yrs, Reuse Water After
1. Lakes Filled
w/GW & SW Runoff
Increasing Restriction
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

14. Amenity Lakes in Future Development
• Install purple pipe from the WWTP to the lakes for future use
• Design amenity lakes to maximize collection of storm water
• Amenity lakes shall be recharged by reuse water at a future point
in time
• Encourage irrigation out of amenity lakes (if recharged by reuse
and groundwater)
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

15. Wastewater Reuse vs. Demand
Projections
Year Authority Available
Irrigation Wastewater
Demand Reuse Supply
2010 6.5 mgd 4.9 mgd
2015 8.6 mgd** 6.4 mgd
2020 10.3 mgd** 7.7 mgd
2025 12.0 mgd** 9.0 mgd
2030 13.4 mgd** 10.1 mgd
**Through continued use of existing irrigation methods
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

16. Wastewater Reuse vs. Demand
Projections
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

17. Wastewater Reuse vs. Demand
Projections
Year Authority Available
Irrigation Wastewater
Demand Reuse Supply
2010 6.5 mgd 4.9 mgd
2015 6.0 mgd** 6.4 mgd
2020 7.2 mgd** 7.7 mgd
2025 8.4 mgd** 9.0 mgd
2030 9.4 mgd** 10.1 mgd
**Through more efficient irrigation practices
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

18. Wastewater Reuse vs. Demand
Projections
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

19. Current Reuse Efforts
• New developments installing purple pipe (color designated for
water reuse) for irrigation purposes
– Cinco Southwest (MUD 1 - 4)
– Cross Creek Ranch (MUD 169 - 173)
– Avalon (FBCMUD 34)
• Several projects identified and preliminary engineering studies
and/or design has been performed
– Meadowbrook Farms Golf Course with FBCMUD 34
– Grand Lakes MUDs
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

20. Current Reuse Efforts (cont.)
• FBCMUD 34
– Reuse water for the Meadowbrook Farms Golf Course, potentially others
– Initial Reuse = 350,000 gpd (golf course), potential = 1 mgd
• Cinco MUD 1 Reuse District
– Design will be completed mid-2011, construction to follow
– Potential Reuse = 1.64 mgd ( $8.6M)
• Grand Lakes MUD 4
– For Grand Lakes Districts (MUD 1-4)
– Reuse water for the amenity lake system for replenishment and public area
irrigation
– Potential Reuse = 0.6 mgd
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

21. Cost Analysis
• GOAL: User’s cost to implement reuse project less than or equal
to “do-nothing” alternative (i.e. continue to pay GW pumpage fee)
• Costs
Do-Nothing Reuse Project
- GW Pumpage Fees - Capital Costs
- Permit Fees - WWTP & Pipe
- Engineering
- Other - Debt Service
- O & M Costs
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

22. Cost Analysis
(MUD, User, Authority Perspectives)
Capital Costs Quantity Unit Cost Cost
Interceptor Structure 350 $10,000
Pump Station 350 $125,000
Filters (if Type I effluent
required) 350 $237,500
Storage Tank N/A
Pump Station N/A
Force Main
4" 0 $0
6" 0 $0
8" 0 $198,000
10" 0 $0
12" 0 $0
Pond liner (if existing pond is unlined) 0.00 $0
Total Construction Cost $570,500
Soft Costs (survey, geotech,
engineering, etc.) $0
Contingencies (applied to Soft
Costs, also)
WWTP modifications, PS
construction $0
Pond and FM construction $0
Total Project Capital Cost $949,000
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

23. Cost Analysis
O&M Costs Quantity Unit Cost Cost
Debt Service $79,411.68
Cost of treated effluent
WWTP Power to produce
effluent $/1000 gpd/yr $27.49 $9,621.25
WWTP Chemicals to produce
effluent $/1000 gal. $0.50 $63,875.00
Other O&M costs
Pump Station power
Required Pump Head feet 150
Pump Efficiency % 75%
Pump Station power $9,621.25
Filter, Interceptor, PS, FM O&M
costs (% const'n)
Interceptor 1.0% $100.00
Pump Station 2.0% $2,500.00
Filter 1.5% $3,562.50
Force Main 0.5% $990.00
Estimated Annual O&M Cost for
Reuse Alone $169,681.69
Cost of Treated Effluent $/1000 gallons $1.33
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

24. Cost Analysis
O&M Costs Unit Cost Cost
Other Costs
On-going GW production gpd 0
GW well power cost
Required Pump Head feet 400
Pump Efficiency % 75%
GW well power cost $0.00
GW well chemical cost $0.00
GW pumpage fees $0.00
Estimated Annual Cost for GW $0.00
Cost of GW $/1000 gallons $0.00
Required SW use gpd 0
Cost of SW $/1000 gallons $1.85 $0.00
Total Annual Cost for Reuse, GW, and SW (WITHOUT REUSE CREDIT)
$/year $169,681.69
$/1000 gallons $1.33
Credit for Reuse $/1000 gallons $0.39 $49,822.50
Total Annual Cost for Reuse, GW, and SW (WITH REUSE CREDIT)
$/year $119,859.19
$/1000 gallons $0.94
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

25. Cost Analysis
Costs if Reuse NOT
Implemented ('Do-Nothing') Cost
GW well O&M costs
On-going GW production gpd 350,000
GW well power cost
Required Pump Head feet 400
Pump Efficiency % 75%
GW well power cost $25,656.67
GW well chemical cost
GW pumpage fees $191,625.00
Estimated Annual Cost for GW $217,281.67
Cost of GW $/1000 gallons $1.70
ANNUAL Costs to the
Authority to Implement
Reuse Unit Cost Cost
Credit for Reuse $/1000 gallons $0.39 $49,822.50
Lost GW Pumpage Fee
Revenue $/1000 gallons $1.50 $191,625.00
Lost SW Revenue $/1000 gallons $1.85 $0.00
Total $241,447.50
$/1000 gallons $1.89
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

26. How this might work….
• Authority funds reuse project
• Participants enter multi-party agreement
– MUD or producer of effluent
– The Authority
– The User of Effluent
• MUD operates and maintains the plant
• User pays at rate to cover Debt and O&M
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

27. Traditional vs. Alternative Approach
• Traditional Approach– Purchase Surface Water from City of
Houston
– 7.5 mgd to be reserved in 2015
• Alternative Approach– Develop Reuse Sources
– 1.5 gallon credit = 5.25 mgd
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

28. Where should the Authority spend its money?
• 7.5 MGD required to meet conversion requirements from 2020
through 2024
– Luce Bayou Project @$0.75/gal
– NEWPP Expansion @$1.56/gal
– 2nd Source Line @ $3.08/gal
– Internal Lines @ $2.29/gal
• Authority will pay in capital costs $7.68/gal for 7.5 MGD of COH
treated surface water
• If reuse project is less, including lost revenue, it should move
forward
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

29. Cost Implications of Reuse
• Authority sees a loss in revenue (groundwater pumpage fees)
• Authority pays reuse incentives (5 years)
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

30. Cost Implications of Reuse (cont.)
• MUD charges less than GW Pumpage Fee for producing reuse
water
• GW Pumpage Fee increases over time
• Therefore the reuse fee will likely increase over time (but is always
less than GW pumpage fee)
• Reuse fee should cover debt service and O&M cost for producing
reuse water
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

31. Cost Implications of Reuse (cont.)
• At future point, debt service is paid and MUD makes profit on
providing reuse water
• Potentially the Authority should receive a portion of the profit made
by the MUD, to offset lost revenue
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

32. Timing Considerations
• Capacity decisions will have to be made for the 2nd Source Line by
2012, shortly thereafter for the NEWPP expansion
• Debt will be issued and debt service payments will be determined
• Any capacity reduction after the debt is issued will increase the
rate for those who continue to use water
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

33. Action Now affects…
• $200M Debt has been issued for 2013 system, another $50M
coming
• Any conservation/reuse we implement today will at best affect the
2015 and 2020 reservations for the 2025 system
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

34. Risk Considerations
• Option 1-Assume no conservation/reuse and maintain estimated
capacity needs
– Most conservative & costly
– Most flexible for unknowns
• Option 2-Assume some level of conservation/reuse and reduce
capacity
– More risk with some cost savings
– Requires commitment to achieve reductions
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc.

35. NFBWA
Website address: www.nfbwa.com
Contact:
Melinda Silva, PE
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc
281-558-8700
Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc. 35