City of Kamloops | Tracking the Impact of a Water Meter Installation Program

A Catalyst for Change

In 2010, the City of Kamloops (the City) began the process of moving from a fixed rate water billing system to a metered rate billing system, with water meters installed at all residences and some commercial users in the community. The intention of this change was to help residents become more aware of the water they use and to encourage water conservation. Studies have shown that Canadians who live in homes that are metered use 39% less water than those who live in home that are not metered.

The City had identified water conservation as a key target area in their 2010 Sustainable Kamloops Plan, setting targets to reduce peak summer demand for water 20% by 2015 and 50% by 2050 and winter water demand 20% by 2020. These significant reduction targets were selected, in part, because Kamloops is one of the highest water users per capita in the world, using 30% more water per capita than other Interior BC communities, according to City of Kamloops Public Works and Utilities.

The Sustainable Kamloops Plan also included targets for decreasing both corporate and community energy consumption. Given the unique topography and elevation variation, a significant reduction of water demand was anticipated to also reduce strain on water treatment and distribution pumping systems – and therefore save energy. Installation of the water meters was substantially complete in 2015 and, as of 2016, the City has seen peak summer demand reduced by 29% and winter water usage reduced by 11% compared with the 2006 baseline, exceeding all near-term target for water conservation.

The Broader Impact

The City engaged Prism Engineering, sponsored by the BC Hydro Industrial Energy Manager program, to quantify energy saving from the reduction in water use achieved to date. The energy savings were calculated in accordance with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), and the methodology was reviewed and approved by BC Hydro Measurement and Verification (M&V) team. Energy savings were calculated across the Kamloops Centre for Water Quality (KCWQ) and booster pump stations. The savings were determined for each location, and were consolidated for overall results. The graph below displays the trend of reduction in energy use for water distribution at City of Kamloops:

Kamloops Water Distribution Pumping Stations’ Combined Savings

There is a repeating pattern of savings during summer months, increasing year over year. This is in-line with expected reduction in water consumption, and therefore in pumping energy, in the summer months related to reduced water use in irrigation, pools, car washing, etc. Additionally, the increase in savings year over year is in-line with the progress in water meter installations, which were substantially complete by 2015 and fully completed in 2016.

An analysis was also conducted to isolate the changes to pumping efficiency at major pump stations. Annual savings results revealed that in 2016, electrical savings was nearly 12% when compared with the 2011 baseline. Consumption choices, both water and electrical savings are expected to continue. This will help the City of Kamloops minimize its corporate and community footprint and demonstrate the City’s commitment to making sustainable choices for future generations. Download it here.