GETTING NIMBLE
CONSERVATION APPROACHES THAT WORK DURING
NON-DROUGHT AND DROUGHT CONDITIONS
Jeff Tejral – Denver Water

Nimble
• Quick in movement
• Moving with ease
• Adaptable
• Agile
• Active
• Rapid

Issues facing Denver Water supply
• Warming climate
• Growth
• Colorado River
Strontia Springs Reservoir
Strontia Springs Reservoir

The Colorado River
No one is more invested in
the future of the river than
Denver Water.
o Water supply
o Drought on the river
o Hydropower and
environmental issues
“Bathtub ring” at Lake Powell

Warming climate

Growth
Infrastructure must be included in future growth planning

Demand patterns Change
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What will the next drought look like?
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Drought:
Opportunity
Disguised
As Work
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Goals
Programs
Messaging
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Strong
Message
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Example

Know
Your
Business
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Get
Specific
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Residential drivers of use
Indoor
• Number of people
• Fixtures
• Appliances
• Behavior
Outdoor
• Area
• Landscape type
• Soil
• Irrigation method
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Define
Efficient
Use
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Measuring matters
Inputs Outputs Outcomes
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Staff
Budget
Count of
customers at
efficient levels
Count of
Rebates or
Audits

Moving to efficiency
By measuring efficiency, we recognize customers
and our past results.
• Many customers may already be at efficient use
levels
Efficiency can be measured and can adapt over
time.
• We know that per person water use in a home with
current State standard water fixtures is around 40
gallons per day.
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Multi Family
GPSF Range
Number of
Properties % of Total
<5 3,823 31%
5-12 3,549 29%
12-18 1,944 16%
18-30 1,651 13%
>30 1,276 10%
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Indoor Water
Usage
Efficient Outdoor
Usage
Inefficient
Outdoor Usage

Focused
Effort
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Single Family
GPSF Range Number of Homes % of Total
<5 51,500 28%
5-12 66,995 36%
12-18 37,662 20%
18-30 23,134 12%
>30 5,819 3%
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Targeted programs
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ActionSort GPSF
Total
customers
185K
<5 Assess Risk
5 to 12 Public Faming
12 to 18 Classify Landscape
> 18 Communicate
Drought
No Change
No Change
Reduce by 4 gpsf
Reduce by 6 gpsf

Action
Landscape
typology
12 to 18
Classify
All rock Communicate
1/3 Turf
Audit
Clock settings
All turf Landscape change
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Develop
Partners
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Prepare for opportunity
• Know you business
• Know your message
• Get Specific
• Partner up
• Focus
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49
Questions?