HomeMy WebLinkAboutC-7095-1 - Water Loss Control Shared Services AgreementWATER LOSS CONTROL SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Water Loss Control Shared Services Agreement ("Agreement") is made and
entered into as of ewnn 2� _ 2019, by and between the Municipal Water
District of Orange Co my ("MWDOC") and the City of Newport Beach, a California
municipal corporation and charter city ("Participating Agency"). MWDOC and
Participating Agency may be collectively referred to as "Parties" and individually as a
"Party."
RECITALS
A. MWDOC offers its member agencies ("Member Agencies") the benefits of certain
programs called choice services, which are services that MWDOC makes
available to Member Agencies that they may elect to participate in or not
("Choice Services").
B. If Member Agencies elect to receive certain Choice Services, they execute an
agreement with MWDOC that sets forth the terms and conditions for such Choice
Services.
C. Through these agreements MWDOC offers cost sharing and shared services
components that allow Member Agencies to obtain economies of scale and save
money on such Choice Services.
D. With input from its Member Agencies, MWDOC prepared a Water Loss Control
Shared Services Business Plan, which proposed five water loss control shared
services that would be provided to Member Agencies by MWDOC staff and, as
necessary and as determined by MWDOC, third party vendors/contractors
("Contractor or Contractors").
E. Participating Member Agencies may elect which of the shared services, if any,
they wish to receive from MWDOC by completing an initial election form with this
Agreement. The initial election form is attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement.
F. At the end of each year, the Participating Agency may change the shared
services that it elects to receive for the following year by completing an annual
election addendum to this Agreement.
G. Annual election addendums may also be used to tailor the types and amounts of
shared services that each participating Member Agency will receive, as well as
the costs.
H. The Parties desire to enter into this Agreement whereby MWDOC will provide the
water loss control shared services that the Participating Agency elects to receive
on the terms and conditions described in this Agreement.
TERMS
1. Scope of Services. MWDOC will provide to Participating Agency the water loss
control services that are identified in the initial election form attached as Exhibit A and,
unless otherwise provided in Exhibit A, that are consistent with the description in the
Water Loss Control Shared Services Business Plan attached as Exhibit B ("Services").
The actual scheduling of Services shall be done only upon request of the Participating
Agency. The Parties agree that MWDOC may provide the Services by utilizing MWDOC
staff or Contractors as determined by MWDOC.
2. Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall be from July 1, 2019 to
June 30, 2024. The term will automatically renew for another five years unless either of
the Parties terminate the Agreement pursuant to Section 6.
3. Annual Election Addendums. Prior to July 1 of each year of the Agreement and
consistent with the requirements of this Section, Participating Agency may change the
shared services that it elects to receive for the following fiscal year (July 1 — June 30) by
completing an annual election addendum, which will replace and become a new Exhibit
A to this Agreement ("Election Addendum"). The Election Addendum with the elections
for the following fiscal year must be submitted to MWDOC prior to the end of the third
quarter of the previous fiscal year. The Election Addendum must be executed by the
Parties prior to the start of the next fiscal year for it to take effect. The Election
Addendum may contain terms that are different than those in the initial election form,
including adjustments to the types of services and the addition of new shared services
as they become available.
4. Pricinq and Payment. Participating Agency shall pay MWDOC for the Services
performed pursuant to this Agreement in the unit cost amounts for each type of elected
shared service as set forth in Exhibit A, in an amount that shall not exceed Seventy
Five Thousand Dollars and 00/100 ($75,000.00). The unit cost amounts in Exhibit A
may be adjusted each year by MWDOC in MWDOC's discretion. MWDOC will provide
notice to Participating Agency of any changes to the unit cost amounts for the next fiscal
year by March 1 of the previous fiscal year, and such adjusted costs shall be reflected in
the Election Addendum. With respect to Services that are provided by Contractors who
are under contract with MWDOC, MWDOC reserves the right to change the unit cost for
such Services if there is a change in unit cost by the Contractor, provided, however, that
MWDOC gives the Participating Agency no less than sixty (60) days notice of such
change, during which period the Participating Agency may elect to terminate such
Services from the Election Addendum. In addition, Participating Agency is not obligated
to request any Services and is only required to pay for Services performed by MWDOC
at the request of Participating Agency.
5. Billing Procedure and Payment. Within thirty (30) days of receiving the Exhibit A,
MWDOC shall invoice Participating Agency for the full unit cost of the Services that
have been chosen by the Participating Agency for the upcoming fiscal year.
Participating Agency shall pay MWDOC within thirty (30) days of receipt of the invoice.
In the event that there is a subsequent change in the scope of the Services that were
elected in Exhibit A, MWDOC will provide a revised invoice for such change and in the
event that the change results in a credit to the Participating Agency, then the
Participating Agency will have the option to apply the credit to the annual invoice for the
next fiscal year or to be issued a refund.
6. Termination. Either Party may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days
written notice to the other. In such an event, the Parties shall be responsible to each
other for any obligations that have already been incurred prior to the termination date.
7. Qualifications. MWDOC represents and warrants to Participating Agency that
MWDOC and its Contractors have the qualifications, experience, equipment, and
licenses, necessary to properly perform the Services in a competent and professional
manner. MWDOC will cooperate with each Participating Agency to enforce any
warranty or other contractual claims arising out of the failure of a Contractor to perform
Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
8. Standard of Care. MWDOC's services will be performed in accordance with
generally accepted professional practices and principles and in a manner consistent
with the level of care and skill ordinarily exercised to perform the Services. MWDOC
will require that all Contractors provide the same level of professional qualification and
skill.
10. Accounting. MWDOC shall, for a reasonable time, keep accurate and detailed
records of the Services performed and the financial details in connection with such
Services, including all accounting books and records related to any payments to
Contractors (collectively, the "Records"). Any and all Records must be maintained in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that are applicable to local
government agencies in the State of California and must be sufficiently complete and
detailed so as to permit an accurate evaluation of the Services provided by MWDOC
under this Agreement. MWDOC shall give Participating Agency, during normal
business hours, reasonable access to such Records.
11. Indemnification. MWDOC agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Participating
Agency, its City Council, members of the City Council, employees, and authorized
volunteers from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses,
liability, loss, damage or injury of any kind, in law or equity, to property or persons,
including wrongful death (collectively, "Claims"), in any manner arising out of any
negligent acts or willful misconduct of MWDOC, its agents and employees in connection
with the provision of Services. MWDOC further agrees that it will cause all Contractors
to indemnify and hold harmless Participating Agency from any and all Claims arising out
of the negligent acts or willful misconduct of the Contractor, its agents and employees,
and Participating Agency agrees that it will look solely to the Contractor for such Claims,
provided, however, that MWDOC will act as the agent of the Participating Agency to
enforce the terms of the indemnity with Contractor and make any related insurance
claims with respect to the insurance coverage provided by Contractor. If MWDOC fails
to obtain a contractual indemnity and insurance coverage from a Contractor, then
MWDOC will be responsible to indemnify and hold harmless the Participating Agency
for any Claims. Participating Agency agrees and acknowledges that MWDOC is not
responsible for the maintenance and quality of any of Participating Agency's facilities,
and Participating Agency is responsible for any costs, expenses, liability, loss, damage
or injury of any kind, in law or equity, to property or persons, including wrongful death,
arising from such.
12. Insurance. MWDOC agrees to procure and maintain, at MWDOC's expense,
insurance in amounts as described in Exhibit C. MWDOC shall require any third party
Contractors to carry the same policies and limits of insurance that MWDOC is required
to maintain pursuant to this Agreement, unless otherwise approved in writing by
Participating Agency.
13. Independent Contractor. MWDOC shall act as an independent contractor in the
performance of the Services provided for in this Agreement and shall furnish such
Services in MWDOC's own manner and method, and in no respect shall MWDOC or
any of its agents be considered an agent or employee of Participating Agency. No
provisions of this Agreement shall be intended to create a partnership or joint venture
between MWDOC or any of its agents and Participating Agency, and neither Party shall
have the power to bind or obligate the other Party, except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement.
14. Notices. All notices permitted or required under this Agreement shall be given to
the respective parties at the following address, or at such other address as the
respective parties may provide in writing for this purpose.
MWDOC:
Robert J. Hunter, General Manager
Municipal Water District of Orange County
18700 Ward St.
P.O. Box 20895
Fountain Valley, CA 92728
Participating Agency:
Mark Vukojevic
Utilities Director
City of Newport Beach
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92658
Such notice shall be deemed made when personally delivered or sent via
commerical overnight courier and shall be effective upon receipt. Actual notice shall be
deemed adequate notice on the date actual notice occurred, regardless of the method
of service.
15. Jurisdiction and Venue. In all matters concerning the validity, interpretation,
performance, or effect of this Agreement, the laws of the State of California shall govern
and be applicable. The Parties hereby agree and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the courts of the State of California and that venue of any action brought hereunder
shall be in Orange County, California.
16. Counterparts and Facsimile. This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in
counterparts, which counterparts shall be construed together and have the same effect
as if all the Parties had executed the same instrument. Counterpart signatures may be
transmitted by facsimile, email, or other electronic means and have the same force and
effect as if they were original signatures. All parties have participated in the drafting of
this Agreement.
17. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable, in whole or in part, the legality, validity, and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.
18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the Parties
relating to the subject matter hereof; and the Parties have made no agreements,
representations, or warranties, either written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof
that are not set forth herein. Except as provided herein, this Agreement may not be
modified or altered without prior written approval from both parties.
19. Authority to Execute. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that
all necessary action has been taken by such Party to authorize the undersigned to
execute this Agreement and to bind it to the performance of its obligations hereunder.
20. Incorporation of Recitals. The Recitals and section titles set forth herein are
incorporated herein and are an operative part of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have hereunto affixed their names as of
the day and year thereinafter written, which shall be and is the effective date of This
Agreement.
MWDOC:
By:
Robert J. Hunter, General Manager
Munici al Water District of Orange County
Date: 4 -011-.101
Approved as to Form
By:
Jos ph Byrne, Gen ral Counsel
Date:
10
/ q 1 I
Participating Agency:
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH,
a California municipal corporation
Date: Cj -/y-/ q
B !,s � '
By:
Mark Vukc evic 01
Utilities Director
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Date: b ZOI
By: at« �.
por,Aaron C. Harp �q
City Attorney ��
EXHIBIT A
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Water Loss Control Shared Services
Initial Election Fora
Fiscal Year 2019-20
Year
Water Loss Control Shared Services
Agency:
City of Newport Beach
Contact Person:
Mike Curry
Contact E-mail:
mcurry@newportbeachca.gov
Contact Phone:
(949) 718-3417
Task 1: 1 Water Audit Validation
Water audit validation will be conducted at Level 1, according to the methodology
established in Water Research Foundation project 4369: Level 1 Water Audit
Validation Guidance Manual.
Water audit validation aims to identify and appropriately correct for inaccuracies in
water audit data and application of methodology. Furthermore, validation also
evaluates and communicates the uncertainty inherent in water audit data. To
accomplish these goals, MWDOC's validation shared service will follow the steps
published in the Water Research Foundation Level 1 Water Audit Validation Guidance
Manual. The process will include:
• Review the water audit and supporting documentation.
• Review performance indicators for evidence of inaccuracy.
• Review audit inputs and data validity grades and confirm correct application of
methodology in a Level 1 validation interview. Adjust inputs and data validity
grades, if necessary.
• Review performance indicators again for evidence of persisting inaccuracy.
• Document results.
MWDOC's validation shared service will also employ the California -specific additional
guidance developed by the California Water Loss Technical Assistance Program and
subsequently taught in the Water Audit Validator (WAV) certificate course.
Validation results will be documented in a format acceptable to the Department of
Water Resources. Templates for this format have been published by the California -
Nevada section of the American Water Works Association on their WAV Certification
Deliverables include:
• Level 1 Validation Summary Notes
• Certified Validation Report (signed by validator)
Water Balance Validation is a Core service provided by MWDOC to
_X_ Yes
its member agencies at no cost. MWDOC member agencies are
No
requested to check the box to the left indicating their choice to have
MWDOC validate their annual water balance.
$_0.00_
The Cities of Anaheim, Fullerton, and Santa Ana may access
MWDOC's Water Audit Validation service for a fee of $991 per
validation.
Task 2: Meter Accuracy Testing
Customer meter accuracy testing enables an agency to measure a retail meter's
performance and, consequently, the throughput that the meter fails to register. By
measuring a meter's inaccuracy, an agency can understand financial loss due to
meter inaccuracy and can develop a plan to manage the meter performance within
their system.
Customer meter tests will be conducted in accordance with the methodology set forth
in American Water Works Association manual M6, Water Meters — Selection,
Installation, Testing, and Maintenance. The stipulations in manual M6 include:
• Specific low, medium, and high flow rates for each meter type and size
• Minimum test volume by flow rate and meter size
• Generally acceptable accuracy limits for new and repaired meters
M6 also enumerates test procedures for laboratory tests and field tests that MWDOC
staff and/or contractors will be required to follow.
Agencies can choose between two customer meter accuracy testing service
providers: McCall's Meters, Inc. or Westerly Meter Service Company. These meter
accuracy testing firms were selected through a Request for Proposals process
conducted by MWDOC. This RFP process utilized a review panel, including member
agency staff, who recommended that both meter accuracy service providers be
available for agencies to choose from. The review panel concluded that both
companies were capable of providing the desired services, had similar proposed
costs and, together, could complete the work in a timelier manner. The Meter
Accuracy Testing (MAT) Worksheet at the end of this document summarizes the fees
for each meter accuracy testing service provider. Note that the fees are slightly
different between providers. As a result, each service provider has its own MAT
Worksheet. Agencies will need to:
• Select the meter accuracy testing company of their choice,
• Identify the number and sizes of meters to be tested (green data entry cells),
and
the number of
for
selected company.
This worksheet should be used to calculate the total cost for meter accuracy testing
services for your agency. The cost estimate calculated in the MAT Worksheet should
be entered into the shaded cell immediately below. Water Systems Optimization, Inc.
(WSO) is available to assist agencies in quantifying the number and sizes of meters
to be tested as part of Task 3: Component Analysis of Apparent Losses.
Small meter (5/8 — 2 inch) testing will require agencies to pull the meters from the field
and deliver them to the selected meter testing company. Meter testing company
locations are provided below. Large meters (3 inch and larger) will be tested in-situ.
McCall's Meters, Inc.
1498 Mesa View Street
Hemet, CA. 92543
(951)654-3799
Deliverables include:
Meter accuracy testing results
Warehousing of test results data
Westerly Meter Company
403 East Carlin Street
Compton, CA. 90222
(310)637-9000
$346 MWDOC Administrative Fee = $346
$14,654 Input the total dollar amount calculated in the MAT Worksheet.
$15,000 Task 2 Total
Task 3a: I Distribution System Leak Detection
Leak detection will be conducted using a comprehensive acoustic survey, meaning
that leak detection technicians will sound all available appurtenances regardless of
spacing distances. The following protocols will be adopted for leak detection:
• Sounding points: Physical contact and sonic leak sound amplification will
occur for each hydrant, available valve, and customer service connection.
• Sonic ground listening (hard cover): When normal contact points are not
available or cannot be created within a reasonable distance, sonic ground
listening devices will be used by making ground contact directly over the pipe
at intervals no greater than six (6) feet when ground cover is pavement,
concrete, or a similar hard surface. If excessive ambient noise precludes the
effectiveness of the ground listening device in an area during daytime hours,
then survey will be considered during nighttime hours. Such situations will be
pre -approved with retail agency staff before any night surveying is undertaken.
• Sonic ground listening (soft cover): When normal ground contact points are
not available'and ground cover is not a hard surface, probe rods will be used at
10 -foot intervals. A sound amplifier will be used on probe rods. Probe rods will
be driven into the ground a minimum of six (6) inches directly over the pipe
where ground conditions allow.
• Verification: All indications of leaks found during initial survey will be verified a
second time, after which the leak will be pinpointed with a computer-based leak
sound correlator whenever possible. Pinpointing leak locations through
interpretation of sound intensity, whether by ear, decibel metering, or
comparable methods, will not be used when contact points are available for
access with a computer-based leak sound correlator.
MWDOC staff will perform distribution system leak detection at a cost of $278 per
mile of distribution main surveyed. Deliverables include:
• Distribution System Leak Detection Plan
• Weekly progress reporting and leak verification
$0.00 1 Task 3a total = _0_ miles X $278
Task 3b: I Suspected Leak Survey
MWDOC staff will perform a suspected leak survey at a cost of $347 per leak
investigation. The methodology to detect suspected leaks will employ the same
process described in Task 3a. Deliverables include:
• Suspected leak consultation
• Field leak investigation
• Written report and pinpointed leak location
$0.00 1 Task 3b Total = _0_ number of suspected leaks X $347
Task 4: 1 Distribution System Pressure Survey
The methodology used for pressure surveying depends on the survey goal of: 1)
Average zonal and system pressure survey, or 2) Pressure transient survey using
high frequency logger. Methodology must be agreed upon with each agency before
surveying begins. The methodology to be determined includes:
• Logger settings (e.g. sampling and recording frequencies)
• Logger deployment locations
• Logger deployment durations
• Analysis of data after logger retrieval
1) Average Zonal and System Pressure Survey
Pressure loggers can be deployed to evaluate the range of pressures in a system or
zone, which can then be used to estimate average system or zonal pressure. The
survey methodology outlined below provides a template with which to begin planning
a pressure survey that evaluates pressure ranges and averages (a "standard
survey"). Please note that this methodology serves as a starting point that must be
customized to the specific infrastructure being studied.
Logger Settings
Logger settings for a standard survey must balance data collection and storage
frequency with the duration of the desired logging period. Since there is a trade -off
between survey length and recording interval, longer pressure surveys must be
programmed with a less-frequent recording interval.
Because near-instantaneous pressure fluctuations are not the primary focus of a
standard survey, pressure loggers can be programmed to sample and record less
frequently than in a transient survey. The Global Water PL200-H Hydrant Loggers
that MWDOC owns can record more than 81,000 pressure readings. Therefore, for a
survey length of one week, a maximum of 8 readings per minute can be recorded
without exceeding the logger's capacity.
As a conservative starting point, pressure loggers will be programmed according to
the specifications below. If survey requirements dictate a different sampling and
recording frequency, it can easily be accommodated by adjusting these settings.
• Sampling frequency: 0.5 seconds
• Recording frequency: 10.0 seconds
Logger Deployment Locations
In a standard survey, loggers must be deployed across the full range of elevations in
the zone being studied, to the extent possible given hydrant locations and the number
of loggers available for the survey. Pressure loggers should be deployed at the
following sites, in this order of preference:
• As close to the downstream outlets of pressure sources as possible (e.g., after
a pressure-reducing valves outlet)
• As close to the upstream inlets of pressure-altering infrastructure as possible
(e.g., before a pump intake at the bottom of a zone)
• Distributed across the zonal elevation profile, as equally spaced across the
anticipated HGL as possible given possible hydrant locations
Loggers must be installed on standard 2 '/2-inch NST (NH) fire hydrant ports. If 2 ''/z-
inch ports are not available, adaptive connectors must be purchased.
Loggers must also be locked to hydrants using the provided security equipment.
Logger Deployment Durations
Loggers should be deployed for at least 24 hours to capture a full diurnal pressure
cycle. As a starting point for planning, logger deployment should be planned to
capture a full seven days, in case weekend use patterns and alternating-day irrigation
schedules affect pressure dynamics.
Analysis of Pressure Data
Pressure loggers record time series data. Standard time series analyses could be
considered, depending on survey goals. Pressure patterns should be assessed first
by logging location and then across the full logged zone. Possible treatments and
analyses include:
By logging location
• Data cleaning to identify unusual values (e.g. outliers, negative pressures)
• Minimum, maximum, and average pressures
• Diurnal and/or weekly pressure patterns
• Pressure regulating infrastructure functionality
By zone
• Pressure change propagation across a zone
• Pressure patterns compared to leak records
• Average zonal pressure (the average of each location average, assuming
loggers are reasonably distributed across the full elevation and corresponding
pressure profile)
• Potential excess and/or inadequate pressure
• Hydraulic model verification
2) Pressure Transient Survey
A pressure transient survey identifies instantaneous, damaging swings in pressure
introduced by infrastructure malfunction, sudden and significant changes in demand,
or rapid hydrant operation. Pressure transients move quickly and can only be
identified with a high sampling frequency.
Logger Settings
To identify transients, loggers must sample a data point at least every 0.25 seconds.
The Global Water PL200-H Hydrant Loggers that MWDOC owns can sample every
0.1 seconds. As a starting point, pressure loggers used for transient identification will
be programmed according to the specifications below.
• Sampling frequency: 0.1 seconds
• Recording frequency: 5.0 seconds
These specifications allow for approximately 4.5 days of recording.
Logger Deployment Locations
At minimum, loggers should be deployed immediately upstream and downstream of
pressure regulating infrastructure suspected of transient production. Loggers may
also be deployed at a distance from the downstream outlet of pressure regulating
infrastructure to assess the distance of transient propagation.
If a leak cluster has been observed, loggers may be deployed near the leak cluster
epicenter and encircling the leak cluster to study whether pressure transients are
contributing to infrastructure failure.
Logger Deployment Durations
Loggers must be deployed for a period that captures the full range of pressure
regulating infrastructure operation. For example, if a tank is filled once a week, then
pressure loggers should be deployed for at least a week. For surveys lasting longer
than 4.5 days, the logger recording interval will need to be longer than 5.0 seconds to
ensure adequate storage throughout the recording period.
Analysis of Pressure Data
Pressure data loggers record time series data. Standard time series analyses could
be considered, depending on survey goals. Possible treatments and analyses include
all the treatments and analyses suggested previously for a standard survey.
Additional transient-specific analyses are:
• Transient identification using a relative or absolute amplitude threshold
o Absolute: transient amplitude
o Relative: ratio of transient amplitude to average location pressure
Temporal transient alignment to study the direction and speed of transient
propagation
MWDOC staff will perform a distribution system pressure survey at a cost of $4,141
per 8 l000er survev.
$0.00 I Task 4 Total = _0_ number of 8 logger surveys X $4,141.
Task 5: Distribution System Flushing (NO -DES)
Flushing with a Neutral Output Discharge Elimination System (NO -DES) unit will
consist of the following steps:
• Deploy: Mobilize and set-up NO -DES truck at flushing location, between two
fire hydrants.
• Connect: Connect a hose from the filtering system's inlet point to one hydrant;
then, connect a second hose from the filtering system's outlet point to the other
hydrant.
• Create a loop: Open both Fre hydrants, allowing the hoses and filters to be
filled. This will create a temporary above -ground loop in the water distribution
system.
• Circulate: A large pump on the NO -DES unit circulates water through the loop
at the desired flushing velocity, scouring the water main to remove debris.
• Filter and purify: Contaminants and biofilms are removed by the NO -DES
filters. If needed, a small amount of chlorine may be added to increase chlorine
residual during the process.
• Shut down: When the entire section of water main in the targeted flush zone
has been filtered and all turbidity meters are below 1 NTU, shut down the
system, close hydrants, and remove hoses.
For more detailed information regarding NO -DES Standard Operating Procedures,
follow this link: https://www.mwdoc.com/wi)-content/uploads/2019/04/NO-DES-SOP-
2019.pdf
Agencies can choose between two Distribution System Flushing service providers:
Reliable Water Solutions, LLC. or ValveTek Utility Services, Inc. These service
providers were selected through a Request for Proposal Process conducted by
MWDOC. This RFP process utilized a review panel, including member agency staff,
who recommended that both flushing service providers be available for agencies to
choose from. Both contractors are offering identical pricing for flushing services as
shown in the worksheet.
The Distribution System Flushing (DSF) Worksheet provided at the end of this
document summarizes the fees for each flushing service provider. Agencies will need
to select the flushing service provider of their choice and identify the number of days
of flushing services they need (green data entry cells).
This Worksheet should be used to calculate the total cost for distribution flushing
services for your agency. The cost estimate calculated in DSF Worksheet should be
entered into the shaded cell immediately below.
Reliable Water Solutions, LLC, ValveTek Utility Services, Inc.
Ohm Kongtang, Managing Director Jeff Favina, President
22421 Barton Road, No. 526 16 Interhaven, Avenue
Grand Terrace, CA. 92313 North Plainfield, NJ. 07060
(909)645-6441 (347)739-4674
Deliverables will include:
• Flush Plan and Schedule
• System Flushing
• Weekly water quality and progress reporting
$1,373 MWDOC Administrative Fee = $1,373
$ Flushing Services
$0.00 Total
Summary of Shared Services Elections:
(transfer total for each Shared Service above to this summary table)
Date:
By.
By.
Task 1:
Water Audit Validation
_X—Yes
No
$ 3 -Cities only)
Task 2:
Meter Accuracy Testing
$15,000.00
Task 3a:
Distribution System Leak Detection
$
Task 3b:
Suspected Leak Survey
Task 4:
Distribution System Pressure Survey
$
Task 5:
Distribution System Flushing (NO -DES)
$
Grand Total:
$15,000.00
Date:
Date:
By.
By.
General Manager
Titie: Utilities Manage
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Agency: City of Newport Beach
Meter Accuracy Testing (MAT) Worksheet
McCall's Meters, Inc.
McCall's Meters, Inc.
Meter Accuracy Testing Fee Worksheet
Participating Agency
Contact Person:
Phone & E-mail:
(1) McCall's Requires a minimum of 4 meter large tests per day; If less than 4 tests, a
portal to portal fee of $125 will be charged.
(2) McCall's will charge a flat rate of $100 per day for attending meetings.
McCall's Meters, Inc.
Rate Quantity Total
Small Meter Testing
5/8 - 1 inch Meters
11/2 - 2 inch Non -Turbine Meters
11/2 - 2 inch Turbine Meters
3 in. Turbine Meters
$
$
$
$
35.00$
50.00
55.00
70.00
$ -
$
$
Large Meter Testing (1)
3 inch and Larger Meters
$
250.00
$
Rates for Pick or Delivery of Meters
$500
$
Rates for attending meetings (2)
$
100.00
$
Total:
$
(1) McCall's Requires a minimum of 4 meter large tests per day; If less than 4 tests, a
portal to portal fee of $125 will be charged.
(2) McCall's will charge a flat rate of $100 per day for attending meetings.
Meter Accuracy Testing (MAT) Worksheet
Westerly Meter Service Company
Westerly Meter Service Company
Meter Accuracy Testing Fee Worksheet
Participating Agency:_City of Newport Beach
Contact Person:_Mike Curry
Phone & E-mail:_ 949-718-3417 & mcurry@newportbeachca.gov_
(1) Westerly will charge $125 per hour plus mileage.
Westerly Meter Service Company
Rate Quantity Total
Small Meter Testing
5/8 - 1 in.
11/2 to 2 inch Non -Turbine Meters
11/2 to 2 inch Turbine Meters
$
$
$
30.00
65.00
65.00
Large Meter Testing
3 to 10 inch
$
175.00
Rates for attending meetings (1)
Mileage
$
$
125.00
0.54
$15,000.00
Tota I:
(1) Westerly will charge $125 per hour plus mileage.
Distribution System Flushing (DSF) Worksheet
Distribution System Flushing Fee Worksheet
Participating Agency:
Contact
Phone & E-mail:
Selected Flushing Service Provider: Reliable Water Solutions, LLC.
ValveTek Utility Services, Inc.
Components of Flushing Service:
Rate: Quantity: Total:
Notes:
Equipment Mobilization:
$500 X 1 = $500
One-time fee per agency.
Flushing Rate per day:
$3,700 X =
Based on an 8 hour work day; includes
equipment and labor.
Filter Bags (each):
$15.00 X =
Quantity is dependent on volume of
materials flushed from the system.
Flushing System Disinfection:
$1,500 X =
One-time fee to disinfect flushing system
before flushing is initiated. (Optional)
Total:
Note: Reliable Water Solutions, LLC. and ValveTek Utility Services, Inc. are offering identical fee structures.
5N.9T-.ltii
Water Loss Control Shared Services Business Plan
XC11:111:3
LATER DISTRICT
)LINTY
Water Loss Control
Shared Services Business Plan
Staff Contact: Joseph M. Berg
Director of Water Use Efficiency
bI erg@mwdoc.com
(714)593-5008
Contents
ExecutiveSummary .......................................................................................................................................6
Background...............................................................................................................................................6
RetailAgency Support ...............................................................................................................................6
ProposedServices and Pricing......................................................................................:::.........................6
ProposedStaffing......................................................................................................................................8
Partnerships..............................................................................................................................................
9
Contracting................................................................................................................................................
9
Water Loss Control Shared Services Opportunity......................................................................................11
Shared Services Introduction..................................................................................................................11
Factors Driving MWDOC's Water Loss Control Shared Services.............................................................11
MWDOC's Current Technical Assistance Program......................................................................................11
WaterLoss Control Work Group.............................................................................................................12
One -on -One Technical Assistance..........................................................................................................12
Development of a Water Loss Control Shared Services Business Plan...................................................13
Needs Assessment (Gap Analysis)...............................................................................................................14
Annual Water Balance Validation........................................................ ................................................... 14
Customer Meter Accuracy Testing..........................................................................................................15
Distribution System Leak Detection........................................................................................................16
Distribution System Pressure Surveys....................................................................................................18
DistributionSystem Flushing..................................................................................................................18
Summary.................................................................................................................................................19
Solution — Shared Water Loss Control Services..........................................................................................21
Opportunity No. 1: Water Balance Validation........................................................................................21
Description.......................................................................................................................................... 21
Context................................................................................................................................................ 21
Methodology....................................................................................................................................... 22
EquipmentRequirements..........................................................................................._......................22
StaffRequirements.............................................................................................................................22
Opportunity No. 2: Meter Accuracy Testing...........................................................................................23
Description.......................................................................................................................................... 23
3
Context................................................................................................................................................
23
Methodology.......................................................................................................................................
25
EquipmentRequirements...................................................................................................................25
StaffRequirements.............................................................................................................................
26
FundingMechanism............................................................................................................................27
Opportunity No. 3: Distribution System Leak Detection........................................................................27
Description..........................................................................................................................................
27
Context................................................................................................................................................
27
Methodology.......................................................................................................................................
28
EquipmentRequirements...................................................................................................................29
StaffRequirements.............................................................................................................................
30
FundingMechanism............................................................................................................................30
Opportunity No. 4: Distribution System Pressure Surveys.....................................................................30
Description..........................................................................................................................................
30
Context................................................................................................................................................
31
Methodology.......................................................................................................................................
31
EquipmentRequirements...................................................................................................................32
StaffRequirements.............................................................................................................................32
FundingMechanism............................................................................................................................33
Opportunity No. 5: Distribution System Flushing......................................_..........................................33
Description..........................................................................................................................................
33
Context................................................................................................................................................
33
Methodology.......................................................................................................................................
34
EquipmentRequirements...................................................................................................................34
StaffRequirements.............................................................................................................................35
Summaryof Solutions.............................................................................................................................36
Private Sector and MWDOC Cost Comparisons..........................................................................................36
WaterBalance Validation.......................................................................................................................37
Distribution System Leak Detection........................................................................................................37
Distribution System Pressure Survey......................................................................................................38
Conclusions.............................................................................................................................................
39
Execution and Implementation...................................................................................................................39
TargetMarket.........................................................................................................................................
39
4
Core and Choice Funded Shared Services...............................................................................................40
In-House Staff and Contractor-Provided Shared Services......................................................................40
Staffing Plan and Organizational Structure.............................................................................................41
StaffingPlan.......................................................................................................................................41
Organizational Structure.....................................................................................................................43
PhysicalLocation.....................................................................................................................................43
Equipmentand Training..........................................................................................................................43
InitialEquipment Needs......................................................................................................................43
Ongoing Equipment or Staff-Related Costs........................................................................................44
SharedServices Pricing...................................................::......................................................................44
Promotion...............................................................................................................................................45
Water Loss Control Shared Services Agreement....................................................................................45
Timeline...................................................................................................................................................46
TechnicalAdvisory Committee...................................................................................................................46
StrategicAlliances.......................................................................................................................................47
State Agencies and Policy Development.................................................................................................47
Water Systems Optimization..................................................................................................................47
Private Sector Service Providers.............................................................................................................47
NeighboringAgencies..............................................................................................................................48
GrantFunding.......................................::................................................................................................49
ExitStrategy................................................................................................................................................
49
Appendix 1: Retail Agency Shared Services Survey....................................................................................50
Appendix 2: Shared Services Survey Responses.........................................................................................56
Appendix3: Job Descriptions......................................................................................................................73
Appendix 4: Shared Services Agreement.......................................................
Error! Bookmark not defined.
5
Executive Summary
Background
In February 2018, the MWDOC Board authorized staff to explore offering water loss control shared
services directly from MWDOC to Orange County retail agencies. MWDOC staff have developed this
Water Loss Control Shared Services Business Plan for review by both the retail agencies and the Board.
MWDOC's shared services would provide retail agencies flexible and cost effective access to specific water
loss control technologies and expertise to improve water loss within their systems under a partnership
with MWDOC, the retail agencies, and the Water Loss Control Work Group. Demand for services beyond
what MWDOC is able to provide could be supplied by the private sector with MWDOC's facilitation to
reduce costs through an economy of scale. MWDOC could tailor shared services to specifically meet the
needs of retail agencies both large and small, with sharing of services and equipment to minimize the
potential for stranded assets.
Water loss control shared services are particularly timely and appropriate because:
• Senate Bill 555 (2015) requires annual validated water loss reporting and the enforcement of
water loss targets that will be established in 2020.
• Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668 require that agencies live within an annual water supply
budget that includes distribution system water loss.
• MWDOC has facilitated a Water Loss Control Work Group since 2015, and the Work Group has
requested the provision of water loss control shared services.
• Through grant funding, MWDOC has recently acquired leak detection and pressure surveying
equipment, and having water loss control staff would improve the effectiveness of this
equipment's application.
• The Water Loss Control Work Group has provided valuable information for MWDOC staff to utilize
in providing feedback to the State Water Resources Control Board to help guide compliance
requirements.
Retail Agency Support
To gauge retail agency support for water loss control shared services, MWDOC staff distributed a survey
asking for anticipated participation. The survey captured broad support for a variety of water loss control
shared services. At least half of MWDOC's retail agencies reported that they would be "likely' or "highly
likely" to access each of the proposed shared services.
Proposed Services and Pricing
MWDOC staff propose five shared services, initially priced as listed in the Table 1. Each of these costs is
between half to two-thirds of the cost of the same service provided by the private sector.
C,
Table 1: Initial shared services pricing
Shared Service Provider Unit Cost
Water audit validation
MWDOC staff
$840
per validation
Customer meter testing
Outside vendor
$168
administrative fee *
Distribution system leak detection
MWDOC staff
$207
per mile
Suspected leak survey
MWDOC staff
$259
per suspected leak
Pressure survey
MWDOC staff
$3,360
per survey
NO -DES flushing
Outside vendor
$840
administrative fee *
* Unit costs for meter testing and system flushing only include administrative costs for MWDOC
staff to facilitate contractor -provided shared services.
MWDOC staff also propose that shared services be implemented in two phases to ensure that the volume
of services and investment are proportional to retail agency demand. The implementation plan is mapped
out in Table 2. Depending on demand for the service, MWDOC staff may evaluate the potential for
customer meter testing and NO -DES distribution system flushing to be brought in-house. Should staff
determine that bringing these services in-house is feasible, a full analysis will be completed and presented
to the Board for consideration.
Table 2: Five-year shared services implementation plan
Shared Service Year I Year 11 Year III Year IV Year V
FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24
Water Audit
Validation
Customer Meter
Accuracy Testing
Distribution System
Leak Detection
Distribution System
Pressure Surveying
Distribution System
Flushing
MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff
Outside Outside Outside Outside Vendor -
Outside Vendor
Vendor Vendor Vendor Consider or MWDOC Staff
MWOOC Staff
MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff MWDOC Staff
RFP Process to Outside Outside Outside Vendor -
Outside Vendor
Select Vendor Vendor Vendor Consider or MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
7
Proposed Staffing
To provide these five shared services to meet demand reported by retail agencies in the shared services
survey, MWDOC staff propose to hire two additional staff members as defined in Table 3. Staff
responsibilities and estimated time allocations are highlighted in the table on the following page. When
policy support and overhead are considered, 1.81 to 2.26 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees are
supported.
Table 3: Proposed water loss control shared services staffing
Position and Responsibilities
Funding
Mechanism
Staffing Need
(Low)
Staffing Need
(High)
Water Loss Control Programs Supervisor
0.97
1.03
1.19
Level 1 water audit validation
Core
0.10
0.14
Customer meter accuracy testing
Choice
0.09
0.09
Distribution system pressure surveys
Choice
0.32
0.44
Distribution system flushing
Choice
0.22
0.22
Water loss policy development
Core
0.20
0.20
Overhead (holiday, sick & vacation time)
Core
0.10
0.10
Leak Detection Technician *
0.78
1.07
Distribution system leak detection
Choice 0.68
0.97
Overhead (holiday, sick & vacation)
Core 0.10
0.10
Total
1.81
2.26
* excludes suspected leak investigations
The proposed Water Loss Control Program Supervisor and Leak Detection Technician would report to the
Director of Water Use Efficiency, as shown in Figure 1.
A
Figure 1: Water loss control shared services organizational structure
Partnerships
To support MWDOC's water loss control shared services program, partnerships with subject matter
experts, state agencies, and potential funders would be developed, including:
• California Department of Water Resources
• California State Water Resources Control Board
• United States Bureau of Reclamation
• Water Systems Optimization, Inc.
• Private sector service providers
• Neighboring agencies
Contracting
Agencies choosing to access MWDOC's water loss control shared services will be required to sign a master
shared services agreement and annual shared services election exhibits. This agreement will initially have
a ten-year term. Annual exhibits to the shared services agreement will be used to define what shared
services will be accessed each year for each agency. Exhibits will allow for annual adjustments to the types
of services to be accessed, fees to be charged for services, and the addition of new shared services as they
become available. This same agreement and exhibit structure have been used effectively for the last three
years for MWDOC's water loss control technical assistance program.
Agencies will be asked to make their annual shared services elections in the third quarter of each fiscal
year. This will allow agencies time to budget for the services within their normal budget cycle and will
7
allow MWDOC staff time to schedule and manage workloads in the coming year. Agencies may need to
supplement their election of services partway through the year, which can be accommodated by
submitting an additional exhibit defining the additional services. Supplemental exhibits will be accepted
as staffing and contract services availability permit.
10
Water Loss Control Shared Services Opportunity
Shared Services Introduction
A shared service is the provision of a service by one part of an organization or group, where that service
has previously been provided, by more than one part of the organization or group. The funding and
resourcing of the service are shared, and the original supplying department effectively becomes an
internal service provider. The key here is the idea of 'sharing' within an organization or group.
Shared services are more than just centralization or consolidation of similar activities in one location.
Shared services can mean running these service activities like a business and delivering services to internal
or external customers at a cost, quality, and timeliness that is competitive with alternatives.
The Water Loss Control Shared Services being considered by the Municipal Water District of Orange
County would be a joint initiative model for shared services between MWDOC and our agencies to set up
and operate shared services.
The focus of this Water Loss Control Shared Services Business Plan is for MWDOC to provide shared
services to retail water agencies throughout Orange County. Retail agencies would have easy and timely
access to shared services to improve water loss within their systems under a shared services partnership
with MWDOC. Shared services would be scaled to the needs of both large and small agencies. The sharing
of services and equipment will minimize the potential for stranded assets. Demand for services beyond
what MWDOC could provide would be facilitated by MWDOC from the private sector.
Factors Driving MWDCC's Water Loss Control Shared Services
Water loss requirements for urban water suppliers began in 2014 when the Governor signed Senate Bill
1420. The bill required urban water suppliers to quantify and report on distribution system water loss in
urban water management plans, beginning in 2015. Distribution system water loss must be quantified
for the most recent 12 -month period available, and the water loss report must be based on the water
balance methodology endorsed by the American Water Works Association.
In 2015, the Governor signed Senate Bill 555, increasing the requirements for annual water loss reporting
and establishing a standard for water loss. This bill requires each urban retail water supplier, beginning
October 1, 2017, to submit a completed and validated water loss audit report annually to the California
Department of Water Resources (DWR). The bill also requires DWR to past all validated water loss audit
reports on its website in a manner that allows for public access to water loss audits and performance
comparison across water suppliers. The bill further requires the State Water Resources Control Board to
adopt rules no later than July 1, 2020 that require urban retail water suppliers to meet performance
standards for the volume of water losses.
MWDOC's Current Technical Assistance Program
In October 2015, the MWDOC Board authorized staff to begin a water loss control technical assistance
program. The program included two components: a standing water loss control work group and one-on-
one technical assistance provided by a consultant, Water Systems Optimization, Inc. (WSO). This effort
11
grew out of the legislative requirements of Senate Bill 1420 (2014) and Senate Bill 555 (2015) described
above.
Water Loss Control Work Group
The Water Loss Control Work Group (Work Group) component of the MW DOC water loss control technical
assistance program includes all retail water agencies in the county and meets every other month. The
Work Group provides a forum for knowledge and capacity building among water agency staff on water
loss control for retail water agency distribution systems. The every -other -month Work Group meeting
agendas typically include:
• Regulatory updates
• Member agency information sharing
o Meter accuracy testing and results
o Advanced metering infrastructure
o Leak detection
o Revenue loss and theft recovery
• Guest speakers, including SWRCB staff
• Seminar topics
• Technical assistance updates
• Networking
Work Group meetings are well attended by all retail agencies in the county. The average participation at
each meeting over the last year was 25 to 30 staff members representing 18 to 25 agencies, and a
representative from all agencies has attended at least one meeting during the duration of the program to
date.
One -on -One Technical Assistance
Over the last three years, MWDOC established a comprehensive water loss control technical assistance
program for water agencies throughout Orange County. The one-on-one technical assistance links retail
water agency staff to a consultant, Water Systems Optimization, Inc. (WSO), specializing in water loss
control. The technical assistance includes water balance compilation, component analysis of water loss
volumes, distribution system leak detection, and reporting that contains recommendations for further
actions to improve an agency's understanding of water loss control opportunities within their system. This
program has evolved over time with the addition of sales and production meter accuracy testing in 2016,
water audit validation in 2017, and the establishment of a distribution system leak detection equipment
lending library in 2018. With the exception of the equipment lending library, these services are accessed
by retail agencies through the "choice" program framework; on an approximately annual basis, agencies
choose the services they desire and then pay for access to those services.
Since these efforts started in 2015, the level of interest from water agencies throughout Orange County
for these and other water loss control services has grown. Because of its success, the MWDOC water loss
control program model is being replicated bythe Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency on behalf
of their 24 member agencies.
12
Development of a Water Loss Control Shared Services Business Plan
In February 2018 the MWDOC Board authorized staff to explore offering water loss control shared services
directly from MWDOC to retail agencies. MWDOC staff have developed this Water Loss Control Shared
Services Business Plan for review by both the Orange County retail agencies and the Board. Before any
shared services are provided (beyond MWDOC's current offering), the Business Plan must be approved
by the MWDOC Board. Staff are planning to present the draft Business Plan to the Board in late 2018 and
will continue to engage with agencies along the way to ensure that shared services planning attends to
actual agency needs. In support of this goal, MWDOC staff developed a survey to gauge retail agency
interest in shared services and expectations of funding structures. The survey results are the basis of the
services and staffing plan presented in this business plan.
The water loss control shared services to be explored in this survey and possibly in the business plan
include the following:
• Annual level 1 water audit validation
• Sales water meter accuracy testing (large and small sales meters)
• Distribution system leak detection
• Distribution system pressure surveys
• Distribution system flushing
The following are basic tenets of MWDOC's water loss control shared services:
• Offer shared services at a competitive or lower cost than the same services provided by the
private sector
• Provide quality shared services on par with or better than the same services provided by the
private sector
• Realize economies of scale for these services by providing services at a regional level that cannot
be justified at many local levels
• Continue collaboration and shared learning among all agencies throughout this process
• Phase implementation of new shared services over time, starting with the services that have the
highest level of interest or demand by water agencies
• Integrate program administration and data management to share results and customize program
offerings to the unique conditions of each member agency
The shared services will be offered using MWDOC's established "core" and "choice' funding framework,
with "core" activities funded through the MWDOC general fund and available to all agencies and "choice"
activities funded by retail agencies at the level of service of their choosing. These services will be accessed
through an extended -term shared services agreement. The agreement would outline the basic roles and
responsibilities of MWDOC and the retail agencies. Annually, each agency would complete a shared
services participation exhibit. The exhibit would identify which shared services an agency would like to
access and at what level of service (e.g., the number of meters to be tested or miles of main to be surveyed
for leaks). Agencies will have the choice to opt in or out of shared services annually.
13
Needs Assessment (Gap Analysis)
To better understand retail agency needs for water loss control shared services, staff surveyed agencies
to see what shared services they would consider accessing if offered by MWDOC.' The survey asked
agencies if they were highly likely, likely, or unlikely to access potential shared services, including:
• Annual level 1 water audit validation
• Sales water meter accuracy testing (large and small sales meters)
• Distribution system leak detection
• Distribution system pressure surveys
• Distribution system flushing
The survey also asked agencies if each of these services should be funded as a core or choice -based activity
and gave agencies an opportunity to pose questions and express any specific support for or concern about
these services.
The survey was released to retail agencies on May 24, 2018 and was scheduled to close on June 7, 2018.
Due to conference and vacation schedules, the survey was held open for two additional weeks to allow
for broader agency participation. The final tally of survey participants totaled 28, including MWDOC
member agencies and the cities of Anaheim, Fullerton and Santa Ana. The results of the survey are
provided below.
Note that the survey results below regarding how shared services should be funded exclude the cities of
Anaheim, Fullerton and Santa Ana, as they are not subject to MWDOC's core/choice framework and would
be charged directly for access to all shared services.
The water loss control shared services business plan member agency survey is provided as Appendix 1.
Annual Water Balance Validation
Survey Question
If MWDOC provided annual Water Audit Validation Services, as required by SB 555, would your agency
participate?
If MWDOC provided annual water audit validation services, as
required by S8 555, would your agency participate?
■ highly likely
■ likely
0% 20% 40% 6000/ 80% l00% a unlikely
Figure 2: Survey response to water audit validation shared service
' Survey responses from agencies regarding Choice or Core services and Questions or concerns regarding each
shared service is provided in Appendix 2.
14
Figure 2 shows that 71% of agencies responded that they are highly likely to participate, and the remaining
29% of agencies indicated that they are likely to participate, indicating broad support for water audit
validation as a shared service. No agencies indicated that they are unlikely to access this shared service.
Furthermore, survey results in Figure 3 show 36% of agencies indicating water audit validation should be
core -funded and 64% of agencies indicating it should be choice -funded.
Should water audit validation be core- or choice funded?
■ core
■ choice
0% 20% 40% 60% 8000/ 100%
Figure 3: Survey response to funding water audit validation
Because Senate Bill 555 requires all agencies to submit a level 1 validated water audit to the California
Department of Water Recourses annually, MWDOC staff recommend that water balance validation be
offered as a core MWDOC shared service utilizing in-house staff. Annually, staff will evaluate this core
or choice service. When appropriate, it will be shifted to a Choice service. If an agency requests a level 2
or level 3 validation that requires more staff time than a level 1 validation, MWDOC staff recommend that
additional time be a choice activity funded by the agency.
Customer Meter Accuracy Testing
Survey Question
If MWDOC provided customer meter testing services for the following purpose, would your agency
participate?
• Independent verification in response to a customer claim of inaccuracy
• Testing for new meters
• Statistically -based testing across all meter sizes
The survey results suggested broad support for MWDOC to provide customer water meter testing for the
trio of purposes, with statistically -based testing across all meter sizes garnering the most support (see
below).
15
If MWDOC provided customermeter testing services for the following purpose,
would your agency participate?
independent verification in response to a 46%
customer claim of inaccuracy
testingfor new meters 57%
statistically -based testing across all meter sizes 29%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
■ highly likely ■ likely a unlikely
Figure 4: Survey response to meter accuracy testing shared service
In terms of funding, survey results showed 7% of agencies indicating it should be core -funded and 93% of
agencies indicating it should be choice -funded.
Should customermeter accuracy testing be core -or choice -
funded?
■ core
■ choice
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Figure 5: Survey response to funding meter accuracy testing
The survey then queried agencies about how many meters they would have tested per year on average if
MWDOC provided meter accuracy testing. A total of 18 agencies provided an annual count of meters to
be tested that collectively ranged from 3,100 meters per year to 4,300 meters per year.
There is support for meter accuracy testing among many of M WDOC's retail agencies. Because of the high
capital cost of purchasing and warehousing small meter test equipment, MWDOC staff recommend
customer metertesting services be provided as an out -sourced, contracted shared service as is currently
being done with McCall's Meters and Westerly Meter Service Company. MWDOC staff also recommend
that meter accuracy testing be funded as a choice activity by agencies choosing to have meters tested.
Distribution System Leak Detection
Survey Question
If MWDOC provided distribution system leak detection services for the following purpose, would your
agency participate?
• Partial -system or full -system leak detection services for distribution infrastructure (proactive)
16
• Distribution system leak detection to check for a suspected leak (reactive)
If MWDOC provided distribution system leak detection services for the following
purpose, would your agency participate?
proactive leak detection
reactive leak detection
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
■ highly likely ■ likely A unlikely
Figure 6: Survey response to leak detection shared service
The survey captured broad support for MWDOC to provide distribution system leak detection shared
services, with 21% of the agencies indicating they are highly likely to participate, 32% of the agencies
indicating that they are likely to participate and the remaining 46% of agencies indicating they are unlikely
to participate. Agencies indicated slightly higher interest for leak detection for suspected leaks in their
distribution systems than for partial -system or full -system proactive leak detection.
Most agencies (89%) prefer that distribution system leak detection be choice -funded.
Should distribution system leak detection be core- or choice -
funded?
■ core
■ choice
0% 20% 40% 60°/a 809/0 100%
Figure 7: Survey response to funding meter accuracy testing
The survey also asked agencies for the miles of distribution system main they anticipate surveying if
MWDOC were to provide the service. Total annual leak detection anticipated by the 15 responding
agencies ranged from 510 to 560 miles per year.
There is support for distribution system leak detection among many water agencies. Because of the high
mileage of distribution main to be surveyed and the fact that the required equipment has already been
purchased, MWDOC staff recommend that leak detection be provided as an in-house shared service.
MWDOC staff also recommend that distribution system leak detection be funded as a choice activity by
agencies choosing to have their systems surveyed.
17
Distribution System Pressure Surveys
Survey Question
If MWDOC provided distribution system pressure surveys (either system -wide or for a pressure zone),
would your agency participate?
If MWDOC provided distribution sytem pressure surveys (either
system -wide or for a pressure zone), would your agency
participate?
■ highly likely
■ likely
0% 20% 40.00 60% 800A 100% a unlikely
Figure 8: Survey response to distribution system pressure survey shared service
There is support for MWDOC to provide distribution system pressure survey shared services with 4% of
the agencies indicating that they are highly likely to participate, 43% of the agencies indicating that they
are likely to participate, and the remaining 53% of agencies indicating they are unlikely to participate.
In terms of funding, results showed 7% of agencies indicating pressure surveying should be core -funded
and 93% of agencies indicating pressure surveying should be choice -funded.
Should distribution system pressure surveying be core- or
choice funded?
■ core
■ choice
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Figure 9: Survey response to funding distribution system pressure survey
There is support for distribution system pressure surveys among many water agencies. Because of the
limited number of surveys and the fact that the required equipment has already been purchased, MWDOC
staff recommend that pressure surveys be provided as an in-house shared service. MWDOC staff also
recommend that distribution system pressure surveys be funded as a choice activity by agencies
choosing to have their systems surveyed.
Distribution System Flushing
Survey Question
If MWDOC provided distribution system flushing shared services, would your agency participate?
IN
If MWDOC provided distribution sytem flushing shared
services, would your agency participate?
■ highly likely
■ likely
■ unlikely
0% 20% 40% 60Y 80% 100%
Figure 10: Survey response to distribution system pressure survey shared service
The survey reported support for MWDOC to provide distribution system flushing shared services, with
14% of the agencies indicating that they are highly likely to participate, 39% of the agencies indicating that
they are likely to participate, and the remaining 47% of agencies indicating they are unlikely to participate.
Should distribution system flushing be core- or choice funded?
■ core
■ choice
0% 20% 40V. 60% 80% 100%
Figure 11: Survey response to funding distribution system flushing
In terms of funding, survey results showed 7% of agencies indicated it should be core -funded and 93% of
agencies indicated it should be choice -funded.
The survey then queried agencies about how many miles of distribution main they would flush per year
on average if MWDOC provided distribution system flushing services. A total of 13 agencies indicated
they would likely use shared services for flushing a total of 1,900 miles per year.
There is support for distribution system flushing among many water agencies. Because of the high capital
cost of purchasing and warehousing flushing equipment, MWDOC staff recommend that this service be
provide as a contract shared service using a third party. MWDOC staff also recommend that system
flushing be funded as a choice activity by agencies choosing to access this service.
Summary
In summary, the survey captured broad support for a variety of water loss control -related shared services.
Most services would be funded through choice elections by participating agencies. It is important to note
that participation by all agencies is not necessary to justify offering a particular shared service.
Furthermore, MWDOC's retail agencies would have the opportunity to cost-effectively reduce water loss
through the shared services program. To date, most MWDOC retail agencies have compiled three
19
consecutive water audits to estimate and value distribution system water loss. Three years of water audit
results are displayed in Tables 4 and 5 below. Though some agencies' audits present unrealistic results
and not all water loss is recoverable, as a group, the audits capture significant volumes of water loss that
could be recovered through proactive intervention.
At approximately $1,200 per acre-foot, the current cost of imported water is sufficiently high to justify
investments to evaluate and possibly implement systematic and economically viable water loss control
programs, beginning with shared services.
Table 4: Three years of apparent loss estimation*
Year 1 Apparent Loss Year 2 Apparent Loss Year 3 Apparent Loss
(AF) (AF) (AF)
Total 7,314 7,416 8,056
* Apparent loss are the nonphysical losses that occur when water is successfully delivered to the
customer but, for various reasons, is not measured or recorded accurately. Types of apparent loss are
meter inaccuracy and billing errors.
Table 5: Three years of real loss estimation *
Year 1 Real Loss Year 2 Real Loss Year 3 Real Loss
(AF) (AF) (AF)
Total 20,814 20,362 14,790
* Real losses are the physical losses from the distribution system, most often leakage and tank
overflows.
20
Solution — Shared Water Loss Control Services
The following provides a description of the methodology to be used to provide each shared service, as
well as the equipment and staff necessary for successful shared service execution.
Opportunity No. 1: Water Balance Validation
Description
Level 1 water audit validation is the third -party review of a water audit through an interview and
supporting documentation review. Level 1 validation aims to:
• Confirm the correct application of general American Water Works Association water audit
methodology to a utility's unique distribution system
• Identify errors in water audit compilation and data validity grade selection and correct errors
when possible
Additional information on the process and outcomes of level 1 water audit validation can be found in
Water Research Foundation project 4639A, Level Water Audit Validation Guidance Manual (2017).
Context
Potential
Annual water audit compilation and validation is a best practice for all water utilities. As a result, there is
the potential for all MWDOC member agencies and the three cities to annually validate their individual
water audits through shared services.
Regulatory Requirements
Level 1 water audit validation is an annual requirement for all California retail urban water suppliers.'
Senate Bill 555, passed in October of 2015, directed the Department of Water Resources to collect level 1
validated water audits annually and publish a database of level 1 validated water audits online. Level 1
validated water audits are due by October 1 each year, and validation must be performed by a
professional who was uninvolved in the compilation of the water audit and holds a level 1 water audit
validation certificate issued by the California -Nevada section of the American Water Works Association.
Value Beyond Compliance
Level 1 water audit validation meets the requirements of Senate Bill 555, but beyond supporting
compliance, level 1 water audit validation can improve the accuracy and reliability of a water audit. By
engaging with a qualified level 1 validator to confirm the data sources, analysis, and methods used to
compile their water audits, M WDOC's retail agencies can more confidently use the water audits' estimates
of water loss to build water loss control programs. Furthermore, the level 1 validator may objectively
' Retail urban water suppliers are defined as systems that supply more than 3,000 acre-feet of potable water a year
or serve more than 3,000 service connections. Most MWDOC member agencies qualify as retail urban water
suppliers, with the current exception of Serrano Water District and Emerald Bay Community Services District.
21
suggest practices for improved data management and instrument maintenance to support MWDOC retail
agencies in employing best practices.
Methodology
Water audit validation will be conducted at level 1, according to the methodology established in Water
Research Foundation project 4369: Level 1 Water Audit Validation Guidance Manual.
Water audit validation aims to identify and appropriately correct for inaccuracies in water audit data and
application of methodology. Furthermore, validation also evaluates and communicates the uncertainty
inherent in water audit data. To accomplish these goals, MWDOC's validation shared service will follow
the steps published in the Water Research Foundation Level Water Audit Validation Guidance Manual.
1. Receive and review the water audit and supporting documentation.
2. Review performance indicators for evidence of inaccuracy.
3. Review audit inputs and data validity grades and confirm correct application of methodology in a
level 1 validation interview. Adjust inputs and data validity grades if necessary.
4. Review performance indicators again for evidence of persisting inaccuracy.
5. Document results.
MWDOC's validation shared service will also employ the California -specific additional guidance developed
by the California Water Loss Technical Assistance Program and subsequently taught in the Water Audit
Validator (WAV) certificate course.
Validation results will be documented in a format acceptable to the Department of Water Resources.
Templates for this format have been published by the California -Nevada section of the American Water
Works Association on their WAV Certification webpage.
Equipment Requirements
Level 1 water audit validation does not require any specialized equipment. Staff will need:
• Computers equipped with Microsoft Office Suite software
• Email access
• Phone access
• Work stations from which to review supporting documentation and conduct level 1 water audit
validation
Staff Requirements
Up to 30 level 1 water audit validations will be conducted annually, in perpetuity. The time needed to
accomplish a level 1 water audit validation for a utility depends on the preparation and consistency of the
water audit and supporting documentation. At minimum, coordination and scheduling requires an hour,
supporting document review requires two hours, the validation interview requires two hours, and
validation documentation compilation after the interview requires two hours, for a total of seven hours.
For agencies whose supporting documentation and water audits require significant analysis, correction,
or revision, the process may take up to ten hours per agency. Therefore, to forecast staff time demands,
Table 6 shows an average level 1 validation is assumed to take seven to ten hours or 196 to 290 hours for
all agencies.
22
Table 4: Staff time required for annual level 1 water audit validation
Annual Validations Time per Validation Total Time per Year
28 to 29 7 - 10 hours 196 to 290 hours (0.10 to 0.14 FTE)
The staff member(s) who performs level 1 water audit validation must hold a level 1 water audit validation
certificate issued by the California -Nevada section of the American Water Works Association. To earn a
certificate, the MWDOC staff member(s) must attend the California -Nevada section's two-day level 1
water audit validation class and pass the test proctored at the end of the course. Course registration is
currently $2,000 per participant. The course is taught at an advanced level and assumes fluency in water
audit compilation methodology as a pre -requisite.
In summary, to be qualified to level 1 validate water audits, the MWDOC staff that perform level 1 water
audit validation must be fluent in water audit compilation methods and pass the level 1 water audit
validation certificate test proctored by the California -Nevada section of the American Water Works
Association.
Opportunity No. 2: Meter Accuracy Testing
Description
Customer meter accuracy testing enables an agency to measure a retail meter's performance and
consequently the throughput that the meter fails to register. By measuring a meter's inaccuracy, an
agency can understand financial loss due to meter inaccuracy and can develop a plan to manage the meter
performance within their system.
Small customer meters, typically defined as meters two inches and smaller, are usually sampled from a
population for testing. Test results are then extrapolated using statistical methods to represent the
accuracy of the entire small customer meter stock.
Large customer meters are treated as individual assets. Large customer meters are typically tested on a
fixed schedule that an agency determines based on the financial consequences of meter inaccuracy. In
such a large customer metertesting program, the meters responsible for generating the most income will
be tested most frequently.
Context
Potential
At the most recent count, Table 7 shows MWDOC retail agencies maintain 728,074 small customer meters
(5/8 inches to 2'/: inches) and 8,117 large customer meters (3 inches to 12 inches). It is recommended
that most large meters that see significant volumes of throughput be tested on a regular schedule. Small
customer meter testing schedules depend on an agency's meter accuracy statistics, meter age, revenue
analysis and other factors described further below.
23
Table T 2017 orange county retail meter counts by size
Awor
5/3'
3/4'
S/8'&3/4'
1'
1-1/2'
2-
Z -l/2'
3-
4-
6'
8'
30"
12"
Sub Total
Brea
3,051
126
8,297
126
813
70
140
200
154
30
2
13.015
Buena Park
14,788
2,461
506
764
149
49
7
4
2
18,730
El Toro WD
2,379
4,871
447
691
1,26D
0
0
0
0
0
9,648
EOCWD
10
865
293
30
11
3
0
0
0
0
1,212
Fountain Valley
6,136
9,454
724
256
449
44
42
B
10
2
17,123
Garden Grove
28635
3,250
847
656
55
115
44
0
0
0
33,602
Golden State WC
32,870
1,090
6,920
685
1,607
395
54
38
7
0
43,746
Huntington Beach
1
40,817
8,443
1,492
2,053
136
83
24
I)
4
53,070
Irvine Ranch WD
74,779
11,901
14,594
5,642
8,319
333
216
42
24
8
115,858
le Habra
8,297
368
3,195
327
507
278
11
11
5
0
12,999
W Palma
4,155
24
48
31
78
10
0
1
0
0
4,347
Wguna Beach CWD
0
6,835
1,000
254
159
50
49
28
5
2
8,382
Mesa WD
17,095
2,156
2,164
930
1,163
55
35
16
8
0
23,622
Moulton Niguel WD
36,166
114
11,861
809
3,634
50
60
7
5
1
52,)0)
Newport Beach
16,751
4
7,251
531
1,442
42
76
32
14
1
2
26,146
Orange
0
27,529
5,922
622
11969
fit
48
16
9
2
36,178
San Clemente
o
0
16,118
354
943
32
20
12
1
17,490
San Juan Capistrano
0
6,768
3,184
568
697
7
20
9
0
0
11,253
Santa Margarita WD
0
41,047
8,098
786
2,117
42
is
2
6
0
52,113
Seal Beach
460
3,789
804
116
199
17
39
21
19
17
2
SA83
Serrano WO
1.734
329
147
6
50
0
0
1
0
0
2,267
South Coast WD
0
9,095
2,846
631
198
2]0
18
5
0
0
12,063
Trabucp Canyon WD
2,650
873
29
39
132
6
3
2
0
0
3,96E
Tustin
0
10,111
2,979
365
594
0
51
W
0
0
14,160
Westminster
15,448
2,398
1,346
322
574
72
123
114
41
5
1
20,444
Yorba Linda WD
1 28
5,611
17,404
576
1,074
1 6
4
1
0
0
2d,JW
MMoXTdtal
250,645
171,546
31,667
127,650
17,351
30,941
0
2,251
1,200
655
329
74
)
634.316
Mahan
39,406
15,841
2,663
3,158
170
197
726
794
469
IIBA
Fullerton
14806
1
19.998
887
1052
112
223
141
229
63
Smn Arts
31606
5486
4413
1422
1771
329
156
42
3 Cities Total
"A11
5A8)
0
35ASZ
4,972
5,901
1)0
638
1,105
9J)
698
181Orange
County Total
29),45)
1)),033
31,661
161901
22,323
36,922
1)0
2,889
2,305
1,632
1,02)
255
Regulatory Requirements
There are no regulations that currently mandate customer meter testing. However, the water loss
regulations that will be developed through the Senate Bill 555 process assume that retail water agencies
have insight into apparent loss performance, which typically requires customer meter testing.
Value Beyond Compliance
Customer meter testing equips a utility to manage its customer meter stock. By understanding the
accuracy of its customer meters, a water utility will be better positioned to:
• Evaluate meter replacement cycles and study the factors affecting meter accuracy for effective
meter management
• Maintain revenue generation efficiency, particularly for key large meters that register significant
consumption
• Determine whether a meter technology upgrade could result in increased revenue in order to
determine appropriate investment in new metering technology
• Verify the performance of newly purchased meters
Customer meter test results can also inform the estimate of apparent losses in an agency's annual water
audit. By understanding customer meter performance, a utility is able determine the portion of water loss
attributable to apparent loss and, therefore, the portion of water loss attributable to leakage. As a result,
customer meter tests enable a utility to more accurately measure and, therefore manage, both apparent
loss and real loss.
W
Methodology
Customer meter tests will be conducted in accordance with the methodology set forth in American Water
Works Association manual M6, Water Meters — Selection, Installation, Testing, and Maintenance. The
stipulations in manual M6 include:
• Specific low, medium, and high flow rates for each meter type and size
• Minimum test volume by flow rate and meter size
• Generally acceptable accuracy limits for new and repaired meters
M6 also enumerates test procedures for laboratory tests and field tests that MWDOC staff and/or
contractors will be required to follow.
Equipment Requirements
Comprehensive customer meter testing is capital intensive. Meters two inches and smaller are often
removed from service and tested on a test bench. Small meter test benches are typically stationary and
housed in permanent facilities. In contrast, meters three inches and larger are tested in situ with mobile
testing rigs. As a result, each size group (small or large) requires specific testing equipment.
To confirm demand for customer meter testingservices and acquire the most suitable equipment to serve
retail agencies, customer meter testing will be conducted in two phases: first by local private companies
and then by MWDOC staff using MWDOC-owned equipment, if determined to be reasonable after
additional feasibility analysis.
Phase One: Contracting with Private Companies
MWDOC currently contracts with McCall's Meters (Hemet) and Westerly Meter Service (Compton) to test
customer meters. Both companies were selected through a competitive bid with input by members of
MWDOC's water loss control working group and approved by the MWDOC Board of Directors. Over the
past three years, ten MWDOC retail agencies have tested a substantial number of customer meters. Eight
retail agencies have contracted with McCall's or Westerly, while the other two agencies have tested
customer meters in-house. McCall's and Westerly have met the needs of the eight retail agencies they
have served, but appear to be nearing capacity. Should additional agencies choose to have meters tested,
it may be necessary to contract with a third meter testing company.
Phase Two: In -House Testing
Should more MWDOC retail agencies wish to continue with periodic testing of customer meters, during
the second phase of customer meter testing, MWDOC could invest in:
• A small customer meter test bench
• A portable large customer meter tester
• A facility to house testing equipment, including the small customer meter test bench
Staff will monitor demand for customer meter testing over the next few years. If demand for meter testing
increases, staff will evaluate other options for this shared service including bringing meter testing in-
house.
25
Staff Requirements
Customer meter testing will be offered in two phases, as explained previously. In phase one, testing will
be contracted with outside companies. In phase two, the costs and benefits of bringing customer meter
testing in-house will be evaluated to determine whether doing so is attractive and feasible.
Phase One: Contracting with Private Companies
During the first phase, MWDOC will continue its contract with two local private meter testing companies.
Retail agencies can contract a specified number of meter tests from the companies MWDOC has retained
(to date, McCall's Meters and Westerly Meter Service). Each MWDOC retail agency will then individually
coordinate testing, including meter delivery and the testing timeline, with the contracted testing provider.
MWDOC staff will be involved in ensuring ease of contracting and tracking overall participation and
results. MWDOC staff will also warehouse results to build a database and periodically analyze results to
track performance and identify any observable trends.
During phase one (contracted testing service), it is estimated that MWDOC staff will spend 2 hours per
retail agency promoting customer meter testing and processing the funding exhibit and 8 hours facilitating
meter testing, obtaining test data, building a test database, and interpreting test results. Therefore, as
shown in Table 7, a total of 10 hours of MWDOC staff time per agency has been assumed for phase one
or 190 hours for 19 participating agencies.
Table 5: Staff time required for phase 1 of customer meter testing
Participating Agencies Time per Agency Total Time per Year
19 10 hours 190 hours (0.09 FTE)
Phase Two: In -House Testing
During the second phase, MWDOC can weigh the costs and benefits of building the capacity to test
customer meters in-house. Testing customer meters in-house would allow MWDOC retail agencies to
receive tailored service and collaborate with regional peers on customer meter test data analysis and
application. Furthermore, as the focus on customer meter testing intensifies over the next five years,
demand for customer meter testing expertise is expected to greatly outpace service availability in both
Orange County and the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. MWDOC retail agencies' compliance with
regulatory requirements and ability to manage customer meters would be supported by access to high-
quality, convenient customer meter testing.
To address MWDOC retail agency needs for customer meter testing in phase 2, MWDOC could hire staff
to conduct customer meter testing. Staff could retrieve small customer meters from retail agencies, test
customer meters on a test bench, and record and transmit test results. Customer meter testing staff
should be able to:
• Comfortably lift at least 50 lbs
• Possess a driver's license
9.0
• Easily record data in Microsoft Excel
• Accurately attend to details like meter serial numbers and meter test bench conditions
• Operate simple mechanical equipment, like a mobile large customer meter testing rig
However, developing customer meter testing capacity in-house would require initial capital investment
to obtain testing equipment, including a customer meter test bench and/or mobile large customer meter
testing rig. MWDOC staff will monitor customer meter testing to determine whether bringing customer
meter testing in-house is attractive, in which case a comprehensive analysis will be completed and
presented to the Board for consideration.
Funding Mechanism
Customer meter accuracy testing would be funded by each agency per test. Test prices would align with
meter sizes, with tests of larger meter costing more than smaller meter tests. Testing funding would
therefore be choice -funded based on the number and sizes of meters an agency elects to test.
The acquisition of test equipment could be funded in part or in whole through grant funds. Possible grant
funding sources include:
• The United States Bureau of Reclamation
• The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
• The Department of Water Resources Integrated Water Management Program
Opportunity No. 3: Distribution System Leak Detection
Description
To identify and repair leaks, a utility must conduct distribution system leak detection. Distribution system
leak detection can be performed in response to a specific suspected leak or as a proactive measure to
discover hidden leaks. A range of technologies can be harnessed for leak detection, ranging from
established acoustic equipment to experimental satellite monitoring. Most utilities are familiar with
acoustic leak detection in which a microphone and amplification device are touched to accessible
infrastructure so that a technician can listen for leak noise.
Effective leak detection depends on the skill of the leak detection technicians and the applicability of the
leak detection technology to infrastructure and local conditions. Acoustic methods are generally cost-
effective and successful for utilities who survey infrequently or have never performed proactive leak
detection before. However, acoustic leak detection is more effective on metallic pipe than plastic pipe.
Utilities with rigorous, frequent proactive leak detection programs may benefit from more advanced
interventions, though cost-effectiveness varies and the rates of success of advanced technologies are not
agreed upon.
Context
Potential
According to the water audit data validated in 2017, retail water agencies in Orange County maintain more
than 10,000 miles of distribution main in their systems. All main pipe is susceptible to leakage, and
27
proactive leak detection may enable distribution system managers to reduce water loss and extend asset
life.
Regulatory Requirements
Retail urban water suppliers will be required to demonstrate water loss improvement and achieve water
loss performance objectives by 2027. Senate Bill 555 water loss performance standards will contribute to
the water supply budget framework designed pursuant to Executive Order B-37-16.
Most MWDOC retail agencies do not currently perform proactive leak detection. Proactive leak detection
will support agencies in demonstrating improvement in reducing their leakage volumes. By achieving
sustainable, compliant leakage volumes, MWDOC retail agencies will meet the standards of Senate Bill
555 and more easily live within their water budgets.
Value Beyond Compliance
In addition to complying with water loss targets, proactive leak detection and repair can also reduce a
utility's expenditures. Leak identification and repair avoids continued water lost to leakage, thereby saving
on water purchase, treatment, pumping costs, embedded energy, and emissions. Additionally, proactively
pursuing leakage can uncover leaks early in their development. Early leak discovery reduces the risk of
catastrophic failure and corresponding repair costs that tend to increase with time.
Leak detection, whether reactive or proactive, also informs asset management. By engaging with
infrastructure through acoustic surveying, leak noise logger deployment, or other leak detection
technologies, a utility can confirm the accuracy of recorded infrastructure information. Furthermore, a
leak detection survey empowers a utility to map the distribution of leakage, study leak patterns, and more
effectively prioritize pipeline replacement.
Lastly, proactive leak detection demonstrates stewardship to ratepayers and stakeholders and engenders
positive public perception. By showing care for supply-side infrastructure and distribution efficiency, a
utility can more confidently request customer conservation during times of supply scarcity and solicit
approval for capitally intensive projects.
Methodology
Leak detection will be conducted using a comprehensive acoustic survey, meaning that leak detection
technicians will sound all available appurtenances regardless of spacing distances. The following protocols
will be adopted for leak detection:
• Sounding points: physical contact and sonic leak sound amplification will occur for each hydrant,
available valve, and customer service connection.
• Sonic ground listening (hard cover): when normal contact points are not available or cannot be
created within a reasonable distance, sonic ground listening devices will be used by making
ground contact directly over the pipe at intervals no greater than 6 feet when ground cover is
pavement, concrete, or a similar hard surface. If excessive ambient noise precludes the
effectiveness of the ground listening device in an area during daytime hours, then survey will be
considered during nighttime hours. Such situations will be pre -approved with retail agency staff
before any night surveying is undertaken.
92
• Sonic ground listening (soft cover): when normal ground contact points are not available and
ground cover is not a hard surface, probe rods will be used at 10 -foot intervals. A sound amplifier
will be used on probe rods. Probe rods will be driven into the ground a minimum of 6 inches
directly over the pipe where ground conditions allow.
• Verification: all indications of leaks found during initial survey will be verified a second time, after
which the leak will be pinpointed with a computer-based leak sound correlator whenever
possible. Pinpointing leak locations through interpretation of sound intensity, whether by ear,
decibel metering, or comparable methods, will not be used when contact points are available for
access with a computer-based leak sound correlator.
• Situations requiring valve or appurtenance operation: the survey equipment that will be used
typically does not require valve operation during surveying and pinpointing. However, on
occasion, services or valves may require operation to eliminate service connection draw noise or
to change velocity noise for the purposes of leak verification. If required, any valve or
appurtenance operation will need to be performed by retail agency personnel only, not by
MWDOC staff.
• Procedure for valve or appurtenance operation: on a weekly basis, MWDOC staff will prepare a
list of appurtenances that need to be operated by retail agency staff for leak verification or
pinpointing. The following week, retail agency staff and MWDOC leak detection specialists will
arrange for and operate valves or appurtenances for leak validation.
• Correlator equipment: the correlator equipment will prompt the operator to input relevant data
when different pipe sizes and/or materials are encountered during a survey segment. Correlators
will be capable of correlating up to at least four pipe sizes and types at once in a given span.
Equipment Requirements
At minimum, each acoustic leak detection technician will require:
• A sounding rod
• Aground microphone
Each crew will need:
• A vehicle to access leak detection sites and routes
• Safety and traffic control equipment (e.g. cones and reflective, brightly colored clothing)
Additional equipment that would allow for more comprehensive and accurate leak detection includes:
• Leak noise correlators
• Leak noise loggers
• Pipe locator
MWDOC has already acquired standard leak detection equipment with financial support from the Bureau
of Reclamation. The equipment MWDOC purchased is listed in Table 8. MWDOC has not yet purchased a
vehicle for leak detection, traffic control equipment, or a pipe locator.
29
Table 8: MWDOC leak detection equipment
Item
No. Device
1 Subsurface LD -18 Digital Water Leak Detector 4 $ 5,355.00
Sensor w/ Magnet & Cable 4 $ 745.00
40 in. Extension Rod 2 $ 69.30
60 In. Extension Rod 2 $ 87.30
2 Zcorr Digital Correlating Logger w/8 Pods 3 $15,500.00
Staff Requirements
$ 21,420.00
$ 2,980.00
$ 138.60
$ 174.60
1 $ 46,500.00 15 -year Manufacturer Warranty
A leak detection technician can typically accomplish 2.5 miles of leak detection per day in a residential
setting. In high traffic settings, leak detection is often most successful when two technicians operate in
parallel to support one another for safety and accessing infrastructure and confirming leak noise. Two
technicians working together can conservatively accomplish 5.0 miles per day, though faster paces may
be possible. As shown in Table 9, accomplishing 336 to 486 miles of leak detection survey would require
1,410 to 2,010 hours.
Table 9: Staff time required for acoustic leak detection
Annual Miles Miles per Day (one person) Total Time per Year
336 to 486 miles 10 miles per week 1,410 to 2,010 hours (0.68 to 0.97 FTE)
Funding Mechanism
Leak detection would be contracted as a choice service at a per -mile rate. Equipment has already been
purchased using MWDOC and Bureau of Reclamation grant funds.
Opportunity No. 4: Distribution System Pressure Surveys
Description
Pressure is necessary to provide high-quality service and react to emergencies, but over -pressurization
can result in unnecessary leakage. Managing pressure for optimal service and minimal leakage requires
thorough knowledge of the distribution system's pressure profile, but many utilities only have incomplete
or dated pressure data. Typically, pressure data is available only at critical points like pressure -regulating
infrastructure and the highest elevation in the distribution system. This form of pressure data, though
useful for identifying service failures, does not provide complete insight into pressure dynamics across a
system.
To remedy this incomplete insight, it is recommended that utilities log pressure at fire hydrants
throughoutthe distribution system. Dispersed pressure logging is particularly useful when high -frequency
instruments are deployed, since high -frequency logging can identify pressure transients propagating
through the distribution system.
30
Context
Potential
The number of pressure zones in Orange County has not been determined. However, many agencies serve
between 3 and 10 pressure zones (if not more), each of which has unique pressure dynamics.
Furthermore, all MWDOC retail agencies operate pressure -regulating infrastructure, including pumps and
pressure regulating valves. Each piece of pressure -regulating infrastructure has the potential to
malfunction, and not all malfunctions are easy to detect without pressure monitoring equipment.
Therefore, logging system pressures to determine normal operations and deviations from normal can
benefit all retail agencies.
Regulatory Requirements
Senate Bill 555 mandates periodic improvements to water audit data and water loss management, and
Senate Bill 555 and Executive Order B-37-16 both require the achievement of specific performance.
Pressure logging supports compliance with both regulations through the acquisition of more specific
insight into the factors affecting water loss and water loss remediation strategies.
Value Beyond Compliance
Beyond enabling MWDOC retail agencies to comply with water audit and water loss regulations, pressure
logging allows a utility to more accurately quantify average zonal and system pressures. When a utility
refines its average pressure estimate using field data, water loss performance indicators that involve
system pressure become more reliable. Additionally, adding pressure data to zonal management plans
(for example, district metered area management) can highlight opportunities for pressure reduction or
modulation that maintain service, but reduce leak frequencies and flow rates. Targeted pressure
reduction not only saves water, but also saves energy consumption and corresponding emissions.
Furthermore, by logging pressure at a high frequency (four or more pressure samples per second), a utility
can identify pressure transients. Pressure transients, instantaneous and damaging swings in pressure that
propagate through a pipe network, can cause infrastructure damage, but are difficult to identify in the
absence of high -frequency pressure data. When a utility notices frequent infrastructure failure in a certain
area or installs new pressure -regulating infrastructure, high -frequency pressure logging can highlight
transients that a utility may be able to eliminate with operational changes.
Methodology
The methodology used for pressure surveying depends on the survey goal. Methodology must be agreed
upon with each agency before surveying begins. The methodology to be determined includes:
• Logger settings (e.g. sampling and recording frequencies)
• Logger deployment locations
• Logger deployment durations
• Analysis of data after logger retrieval
31
Equipment Requirements
Pressure data is typically collected with loggers attached to fire hydrants. Loggers can be categorized as
standard (fewer than one pressure read every 250 milliseconds) or high -frequency (more than one
pressure read every 250 milliseconds). Recording pressure in multiple locations simultaneously can allow
pressure patterns and transient propagation to be observed, so a set of loggers than include high -
frequency instruments provides more useful information than a single rotating logger. As a result, high -
frequency loggers are more expensive.
Therefore, it is recommended that MWDOC acquires:
a 4 or more high -frequency pressure loggers
• 4 or more standard pressure loggers
• 8 or more lockboxes to prevent pressure logger theft
Staff Requirements
To conduct a pressure survey, six steps must be accomplished:
1. Choose survey locations based on planning and coordination with agency
2. Deploy loggers
3. Allow the logging period to pass
4. Retrieve loggers
5. Harvest data
6. Analyze data and communicate results
Planning and data retrieval and analysis vary in the time required, depending on survey complexity and
analytic rigor. Planning and analysis can happen concurrently with logging at the next round of sites to
maintain efficiency (see Figure 12). Deploying loggers typically takes one day, assuming that logger
locations are close enough that total driving time does not stretch longer than a half a day. Similarly,
retrieving loggers also takes a day.
Planning Deployment Retrieval Analysis
Planning Deployment � Logging Retrlehl Analysis
Figure 12: Pressure survey phases of work
Therefore, Table 10 shows 15 to 21 surveys will be performed. Each survey will require 44 hours for a total
of 660 to 924 hours.
Table 10: Staff time required for pressure logging and analysis
Annual Surveys Time per Survey Total Time per Year
15 to 21 44 hours 660 to 924 hours (0.32 to 0.44 FTE)
32
Funding Mechanism
MWDOC has acquired pressure loggers through a Bureau of Reclamation grant and match funds from
MWDOC. Additional investment in a vehicle for pressure logger deployment and retrieval will be
necessary, and it's likely that the vehicle would be used for other water loss control services too (for
example, large customer meter testing site visits).
Pressure surveying would be funded through choice election by agencies who contract this service. The
scope of each survey, including the rigor of analysis required, would dictate an appropriate survey budget.
Opportunity No. 5: Distribution System Flushing
Description
Distribution system flushing is sometimes necessary to maintain water quality and exercise system
infrastructure. Traditionally, distribution system flushing has been conducted unidirectional by opening a
fire hydrant near the area of the system to be flushed and directing hydrant discharge into a storm drain.
However, this method of system flushing wastes water treated to potable standards and tends to invite
public criticism.
To mitigate water waste and poor public perception resulting from system flushing, a utility can flush
distribution pipe using a neutral output discharge elimination system (NO -DES). A NO -DES unit connects
to two fire hydrants to create a loop. Water is then pumped from one fire hydrant to the other through
the NO -DES unit, which filters sediment and biofilm stirred up during flushing to remove these
contaminants from the water before the water is reintroduced to the distribution system. If needed, a
NO -DES unit can also add disinfectant during the filtration process to further improve water quality.
Context
Potential
According to the water audit data validated in 2017, retail water agencies in Orange County maintain more
than 10,000 miles of distribution main in their systems.
Regulatory Requirements
The Safe Drinking Water Act and California Health and Safety Code require compliance with drinking water
quality standards to ensure a reliable and safe drinking water supply. often, to comply with standards set
by the EPA and the state, utilities make regular, planned discharges (flushing) from their distribution
system.
These discharges are regulated by Section 402 of the Clean Water Act that requires that a discharge of
any pollutant or combination of pollutants to surface waters be regulated by a National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
33
Value Beyond Compliance
In addition to complying with federal and state regulations, a NO -DES unit allows a utility to more
efficiently use its water. NO -DES decreases the volume of water going to waste during the flushing
process, resulting in cost savings for purchasing, treating, and power to distribute or pump the water.
Further, hydrant flushing to waste is not perceived favorably by customers. Using a NO -DES unit would
decrease public scrutiny, especially during drought periods when the utility is asking customers to use less
water. By efficiently maintaining and operating their distribution system, the utility would demonstrate
stewardship of this limited resource, gaining positive public perception.
Methodology
Flushing with a NO -DES unit will consist of the following steps, whether conducted by a third -party
contractor (phase one) or in-house staff (potential phase two):
1. Deploy: Mobilize and set-up NO -DES truck at flushing location, between two fire hydrants.
2. Connect: Connect a hose from the filtering system's inlet point to one hydrant; then, connect a
second hose from the filtering system's outlet point to the other hydrant.
3. Create a loop: Open both fire hydrants, allowing the hoses and filters to be filled. This will create
a temporary above -ground loop in the water distribution system.
4. Circulate: A large pump on the NO -DES unit circulates water through the loop at the desired
flushing velocity, scouring the water main to remove debris.
5. Filterand purify: Contaminants and biofilms are removed bythe NO -DES filters. If needed, a small
amount of chlorine may be added to increase chlorine residual during the process.
6. Shut down: When the entire section of water main in the targeted flush zone has been filtered
and all turbidity meters are below 1 NTU, shut down the system, close hydrants, and remove
hoses.
To ensure that this flushing methodology is compliant and reduce the administrative burden on retail
agencies, MWDOC would pursue regional flushing permits from the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality
Board and the San Diego Regional Water Quality Board. A regional permit has not been pursued and
secured before. However, streamlined operation of a standard flushing methodology across the county is
attractive for ease of permitting for MWDOC, MWDOC's retail agencies, and the regional water quality
boards.
Equipment Requirements
NO -DES flushing will initially be offered as a shared service contracted with a third party. Depending on
interest and cost viability, MWDOC can consider a second phase in which NO -DES flushing is operated in-
house.
Phase 1: Contracting with Private Companies
For the first phase of NO -DES flushing, MWDOC will contract with a third party. A competitive bid process
will allow MWDOC to select the service provider that best meets retail agency needs.
34
Phase 2: Offering NO -DES Flushing In -House
Staff will monitor demand for NO -DES flushing over the next few years. If demand for NO -DES flushing
increases, staff will evaluate other options forthis shared service, including bringing the flushing in-house.
If MWDOC determines that offering NO -DES flushing using MWDOC staff and equipment is cost -justified,
MWDOC will have to purchase a NO -DES unit. A NO -DES unit (truck or trailer) is required to flush mains
between 2" and 12". For mains larger than 12", two NO -DES units may be used in parallel. The NO -DES
has two separate filter housings that must be replaced regularly. The first filter has an approximate life of
1 to 3 weeks, while the second filter has an approximate life of 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the condition
of the distribution system.
Staff Requirements
Phase One: Contracting with Private Companies
In phase one, MWDOC will contract with a third party to accomplish system flushing. MWDOC staff time
will be spent in developing and running the bid process, ensuring ease of contracting, and tracking
program results. To accomplish these administrative tasks, Table 11 shows a total of 450 hours would be
required for 15 agencies at 30 hours per agency.
Table 11: Staff time required for phase 1 of distribution system flushing
Agencies Participating Time per Agency Total Time per Year
15 30 hours 450 hours (0.22 FTE)
Phase Two: Offering NO -DES Flushing In -House
Should staff determine that bringing NO -DES Flushing in-house is feasible, a complete analysis will be
completed and presented to the Board for consideration.
A NO -DES unit requires at least two technicians to operate, but three technicians are typically
recommended. A two -person crew would consist of a lead worker and a maintenance worker with the
following responsibilities:
Lead Worker:
• Is responsible for overall NO -DES operation
• Plans flushing routes and maps
• Calculates flow rates, pressures, and chlorine dosing
• Logs data
• Retrieves water quality samples
Maintenance Worker A:
• Operates hose burro
• Operates hydrants and valves
35
Maintenance Work B (optional):
• Sets up hose ramps to allow traffic to pass over hose, if necessary
• Controls traffic
Two trained technicians working together can conservatively accomplish approximately 0.75 miles per
day, though faster paces may be possible. At each location, it takes approximately 1 hour to deploy the
truck and 1 hour to break down the truck, with flush times ranging from 10 minutes to 2 hours. The
economics of operating NO -DES flushing in-house, including staffing, will be evaluated at a later date if
MWDOC staff and board choose to do so.
Summary of Solutions
In summary, it is proposed that MWDOC will offer five shared services to its retail agencies:
• Level 1 water audit validation (MWDOC staff)
• Customer meter testing (third -party contractor for initial phase)
• Distribution system leak detection (MWDOC staff)
• Distribution system pressure surveying (MWDOC staff)
• NO -DES flushing (third -party contractor for initial phase)
These services will enable MWDOC retail agencies to comply with new water loss regulations and employ
best management practices in ensuring infrastructure longevity and system efficiency.
Private Sector and MWDCC Cost Comparisons
To evaluate the efficiency of shared services provision, MWDOC staff have surveyed the price points of
private -sector service providers for each of the shared services that MWDOC staff recommend be
operated in-house by MWDOC staff. These include Level I Water Balance Validation, Distribution System
Leak Detection, and Distribution System Pressure Surveys. These services require minimal capital
expenditures, of which some have already been purchased including the leak detection equipment and
distribution system pressure loggers.
MWDOC staff recommends that customer meter accuracy testing and distribution system flushing be
contracted externally with the private sector because of the significant expenses to purchase, warehouse,
operate, and maintain required equipment. To get started at a minimal level, meter accuracy testing and
distribution system flushing equipment combined could cost more than $1.5 million. As such, no cost
comparisons between MWDOC and private sector providers for these two services are necessary at this
time. However, MWDOC staff will monitor retail agency subscription to these services. When feasible and
valuable, MWDOC staff will return to the Board to discuss the costs and benefits of bringing these services
in-house.
MWDOC's costs are based on limited administrative time to coordinate and plan shared services and the
estimated amount of time necessary to perform the shared service. An overhead factor of 1.693 is
multiplied by the hourly rate of staff members performing the work. This factor includes expenses such
as employee benefits, insurance, office maintenance, office supplies, telecommunications, computers and
computer maintenance, software and software support, staff training, conference expenses, travel, and
accommodations.
c%�
Water Balance Validation
MWDOC obtained cost estimates, as shown in Table 12, from five companies to provide the level 1
validation services required by Senate Bill 555. Employees of these companies have been certified by the
California -Nevada section of the American Water Works Association to conduct level 1 water audit
validations that meet the requirements of Senate Bill 555. The cost range across private sector providers
was $2,000 to $3,000 per level 1 validation, summarized in the table below.
MWDOC's cost estimate assumes this service would be performed by the Water Loss Control Programs
Supervisor and the complete validation would require a total of 10 hours to complete. The time to
complete level 1 validation includes administration, data review, two-hour agency consultation, and
reporting. Based on this, MWDOC's cost estimate is $840 per validation.
Table 12: Level 1 water audit validation pricing
Company Cost of Service
M W DOC $840
Water Systems Optimization, Inc. $2,000 to $2,500
Woodard & Curran $3,000
M.E. Simpson Company, Inc. $2,200 to $2,500
CivilTEC Engineering $3,000
Distribution System Leak Detection
Two levels of distribution system leak detection are under consideration: a systematic survey of large
portions of the distribution system (up to the entire system) and/or a localized survey for a suspected
leak. Leak detection shared services would be structured to allow agencies to access either approach.
Cost estimates for distribution system leak surveying were obtained from three companies. To allow for
cost comparisons, prices were normalized to a survey mile, with technical approach and leak detection
methodology specified. The technical approach involves acoustic listening using ground microphones and
sounding rods, while the methodology is to "sound" the distribution system at all possible locations
including services, meters, valves, and hydrants. Some companies provided pricing based on pipe material
(metallic vs. PVC), while others provided pricing for a standard range of pipe materials. These costs also
include documentation, leak validation, and reporting. Costs ranged from $275 to $400 per mile.
MWDOC's cost estimate is $207 per mile. A summary of these price points is provided in Table 13.
37
Table 13: Leak detection pricing
Company
Cost of Service
Notes
MWDOC
$207
Per mile
Irvine Ranch Water District
$170
Per mile
$400
Per mile for miles 1-50
Water Systems Optimization, Inc.
$350
Per mile for miles 51-100
$300
Per mile for miles 101+
$280
Per mile for 75% PVC and 25% metallic +
$149/day mobilization
Utility Services Associates
$203
Per mile for metallic pipe + $149/day for
mobilization
$305
Per mile for PVC pipe + $149/day for mobilization
MatchPoint Water Asset
$275
Per mile for 75% PVC and 25% metallic
Management, Inc.
$1500
Per day (two -person crew, 2 to 5 miles per day)
One company, Utility Services Associates (USA), also provided a cost estimate for a suspected leak
investigation. A suspected leak investigation is a localized survey for a suspected leak. This investigation
will utilize the same technical approach and methodology used in the system survey. Table 14 summarizes
the USA and MWDOC cost estimate for a suspected leak investigation.
Table 14: Suspected leak investigation pricing
Company Cost of Service Notes
MWDOC $259 Per investigation plus mileage
Utility Services Associates $500 Per investigation plus mileage
Distribution System Pressure Survey
Cost estimates for a distribution system pressure survey were obtained from one company. The pressure
survey includes planning the survey with the retail agency, deploying and retrieving data loggers, and
analyzing and reporting results. Table 15 summarizes the private sector and MWDOC cost estimate for a
system pressure survey.
Table 15: Pressure survey pricing
Company Cost of Service Notes
MWDOC $3,360 For an 8 -logger survey
Water Systems Optimization, Inc. $6,600 For an 8 -logger survey
m
Conclusions
Based on this analysis, MWDOC can provide all three shared services at a lower cost than the private
sector and ease the administrative burden for our agencies in securing these services. MWDOC can
provide water balance validation and pressure survey shared services at about half the cost of the private
sector and leak detection shared services at about two-thirds the cost of the private sector.
Should retail agencies request more services than can be provided by MWDOC staff, private sector
consultants and contractors will be made available to the agencies when necessary. These consultants
and contractors will act as an overflow work force to meet the demands in a timely manner.
Execution and Implementation
Target Market
As shown in Figure 13, the target market for water loss control shared services includes all 32 retail water
agencies within Orange County, including all MWDOC member agencies and the cities of Anaheim,
Fullerton, and Santa Ana. MWDOC has a well-established working relationship with all 32 retail water
agencies.
Figure 13: Shared services target market
39
Core and Choice Funded Shared Services
MWDOC staff are proposing to implements ha red services using a combination of core and choice funding
as summarized in Table 6. Core shared services would be provided to all retail agencies and would be
funded by MWDOC through the general fund. Choice shared services would be funded by participating
retail agencies who choose to access the shared service.
Because Senate Bill 555 requires all urban water suppliers to submit validated water audits annually to
the California Department of Water Resources by October 1, staff is proposing that water audit validation
be a core shared service. However, it should be noted that the time available to complete 30 validations
the first year will be compressed to three months from July 1, 2019, when shared services are initiated,
to October 1, 2019, when validations are submitted to DWR. As a result, contractor assistance may be
needed the first year for validations to be completed on time.
It is anticipated that staff at some agencies will pursue Water Audit Validator (WAV) certification through
the American Water Works Association, which will enable them to validate the water balance for their
agency. However, water audit validation must be performed by a certified validator who is not involved
in compiling the water balance. Currently, few agencies have the staff necessary to both compile and
validate a water audit. Should enough agencies establish sufficient resources to both complete a water
audit and then independently validate it, staff will reevaluate providing validation as a core service.
The remaining shared services are not mandated and would therefore be choice funded by agencies
choosing to access the shared service. This ensures that agencies only pay for the shared services they
choose to access.
Table 16: Shared service implementation funding and contracting structure
Shared Service
Funding Mechanism
Water audit validation
Core
Customer meter testing
Choice
Leak detection
Choice
Pressure surveying
Choice
NO -DES flushing
Choice
In -House Staff and Contractor -Provided Shared Services
Staff propose to use a combination of in-house staff and outside contractors to provide shared services
as shown in Table 17. Water audit validation, leak detection and system pressure surveying will be
implemented utilizing in-house staff. These shared services do not require significant capital investments
for equipment and require minimal office space for staff and equipment storage. Leak detection and
pressure surveying equipment has already been purchased using MWDOC and USBR grant funds. This
equipment is stored in MWDOC's on-site storage vault and is secured nightly.
40
Customer Meter Accuracy Testing and Distribution System Flushing services require significant capital
investment in equipment and warehousing. As a result, these shared services will be implemented with
outside contractors. McCall's Meters, Inc. and Westerly Meter Service Company have been providing
customer meter accuracy testing for the past three years. This arrangement will be continued for another
two years before another competitive selection process is completed to maintain adherence to MWDOC's
Administrative Code. In order to provide distribution system flushing services, staff will conduct a Request
for Proposals (RFP) process to select a contractor(s). The RFP will clearly define the scope of work desired
by retail agencies planning to access this shared service and specify best practices that the contractor(s)
must employ. It is anticipated the RFP process, including Board authorization, will be initiated at the
beginning of the 2019-20 fiscal year and conclude by fall 2019.
During the first 12 to 24 months of shared service implementation, staff will evaluate the feasibility of
transitioning contractor -provided services for meter testing and system flushing to in-house provided
services. The biggest challenge to overcome in making this transition is the significant capital investment
for equipment, alongside with warehouse and utility yard -style facilities to house equipment.
Phased implementation will allow for an evolving understanding of retail agency demand for these
services without making significant capital expenditures that could be stranded if not utilized.
Table 17: Shared service provision in phase one
Shared Service Phase One Provider
Water audit validation
In-house(MWDOC)
Customer meter testing
Contractor(s)
Leak detection
In-house (MWDOC)
Pressure surveying
In-house (MWDOC)
NO -DES flushing
Contractor(s)
Staffing Plan and Organizational Structure
Staffing Plan
Water loss control shared services will be offered through a combination of in-house staff and contracted
services. Shared services implemented with in-house staff will initially be level 1 water audit validation,
distribution system leak detection, and distribution system pressure surveying. Due to the significant
capital investment needed to purchase and warehouse meter accuracy testing and system flushing
equipment, these services will be contracted in the first phase of shared service implementation. If at a
later date MWDOC determines that customer meter testing and/or NO -DES system flushing would be
appropriate to offer as an in-house service, staff will return to the Board to request authorization.
Staff completed an analysis of in-house staff needs to provide water audit validation, distribution system
leak detection, and distribution system pressure surveys. Additional time is included to capture the
administrative time necessary to facilitate both in-house and contractor -provided shared services. Table
18 shows that 1.81 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff are needed for a "low" level of shared services and 2.26
41
FTE staff are needed for a "high" level of shared services. Using the results of the Shared Services Survey,
the "low" level of participation assumes that 100% of agencies designating "highly likely" and 50% of
agencies designating "likely" will participate. The "high" level of participation assumes that 100% of
"highly likely" and "likely' agencies will participate.
This staffing analysis also includes time for the Supervisor to assist the Director of Water Use Efficiency
with technical support for water loss control policy development and competitive selection processes
necessary for contractor -provided shared services (meter accuracy testing and distribution system
flushing). Knowing that the State Water Resources Control Board has a deadline to establish a water loss
standard by July of 2020, the amount of time needed for policy support will be significant. Together, these
activities are estimated to require an additional 0.20 FTE for the Supervisor position.
And finally, this analysis includes 0.10 FTE (per FTE) for holiday, vacation and sick time
Table 18: Proposed water loss control shared services staffing
Position and Responsibilities Funding Staffing Need Staffing Need
Mechanism (Low) (High)
Water Loss Control Programs Supervisor
0.78
1.03
1.19
Level water audit validation
Core
0.10
0.14
Customer meter accuracy testing
Choice
0.09
0.09
Distribution system pressure surveys
Choice
0.32
0.44
Distribution system flushing
Choice
0.22
0.22
Water loss policy development
Core
0.20
0.20
Overhead (holiday, sick & vacation time)
Core
0.10
0.10
Leak Detection Technician *
0.78
1.07
Distribution system leak detection
Choice 0.68
0.97
Overhead (holiday, sick & vacation)
Core 0.10
0.10
Total
1.81
2.26
* excludes suspected leak investigations
Staff is recommending two full-time equivalent employees be hired to provide water loss control shared
services — one Water Loss Control Program Supervisor and one Leak Detection Technician. The primary
responsibilities of the Water Loss Control Program Supervisor would be overall program supervision and
administration, scheduling of services, policy development, water audit validation, pressure surveys, and
water loss control work group planning, coordination, and implementation
The primary responsibilities of the Leak Detection Technician would be leak detection and assistance with
pressure survey equipment deployment and recovery (when available).
Draft job descriptions for both positions are provided as Appendix 3.
42
Organizational Structure
The proposed Water Loss Control Shared Services will be housed within MWDOC's Water Use Efficiency
Department and would be the responsibility of the Director of Water Use Efficiency as shown in Figure
14. The Water Loss Control Programs Supervisor will report to and be supervised by the Director of Water
Use Efficiency and would be located at the vacant work station in the accounting department. The Water
Loss Control Programs Supervisor would manage the day-to-day operations of water loss control shared
services, including the Leak Detection Technician. The Leak Detection Technician is primarily a field-based
employee however, any time spent working in the office would be floating at any open work station.
Figure 14: Water Loss Control shared Services Organizational structure
Physical Location
Both staff and water loss control equipment will be located at MWDOC's current Fountain Valley offices.
There is currently one vacant work station in the MWDOC Accounting office area. The Water Loss Control
Programs Supervisor will be assigned to this work station. The Leak Detection Technician is primarily a
field-based position; therefore, limited office space would be needed, usually on Fridays. Leak detection
equipment will continue to be stored in the secure vault location adjacent to the copy room.
Equipment and Training
Initial Equipment Needs
The equipment needs for shared services staff include vehicles, vehicle accessories, and safety equipment.
In the past few months, Yorba Linda Water District and Irvine Ranch Water District obtained bids for the
43
purchase of vehicles designed to meet the needs of MWDOC's field staff. These bids ranged from $29,000
to $29,500 per truck from Chevrolet and Ford, respectively. Vehicle accessories such as cab guards, corner
strobes, traffic directors, and tool boxes ranged from $1,700 to $2,000 per vehicle. Therefore, the cost
for purchasing two vehicles including accessories is approximately $62,400.
Safety equipment for staff includes work gloves, rubber gloves, safety glasses, spray paint, pipe locators,
traffic cones, hard hats, and ANSI Class III safety vests. In addition, two computer work stations and one
laptop for field work will be needed. The initial cost for this equipment is approximately $10,400, with the
pipe locators composing the majority of this expense.
Staff training will be required for level 1 water audit validation and general field operations safety. The
California -Nevada section of the American Water Works Association administers the Level 1 Water Audit
Validation (WAV) certificate program. Trainings are offered a few times each year. In 2018, the training
and certification exam fee was $2,000 per individual. In addition, general field staff safetytraining will also
be an important requirement for MWDOC field staff. The cost for safety training is estimated to be $2,000.
The total training expense is therefore estimated to be $4,000.
Ongoing Equipment or Staff -Related Costs
Ongoing costs are anticipated to include cell phone service, auto insurance, boot allowances, uniforms,
vehicle fuel, and maintenance. Some of these costs will be incurred monthly while others will be incurred
annually. The annual cost for these expenses is approximately $8,600 per year.
In summary, initial vehicle, equipment, and safety costs are estimated to be $76,800, and ongoing costs
are estimated to be $8,600 per year.
Shared Services Pricing
In the private sector cost comparison section above, staff estimated the cost for MWDOC to provide each
in-house shared service. These fixed unit cost estimates, provided in Table 9, will be charged by MWDOC
to agencies accessing shared services. Cost estimates for level 1 water audit validation, distribution system
leak detection, and distribution system pressure surveys include both administrative time to facilitate the
service and time to perform the service. Cost estimates for customer meter accuracy testing and
distribution system flushing only include administrative time for MWDOC staff to facilitate the contractor -
provided shared services. These costs will be refined annually based on actual costs incurred. This
approach will provide agencies with certainty of costs to be incurred and allow agencies to budget in
advance of accessing the shared service. MWDOC will fund remaining costs not covered by participating
agencies, and these costs will not be included in the OCWD groundwater customer charge.
44
Table 19: MWOOC shared services pricing
Shared Service Unit Cost
Water audit validation $840 per validation
Customer meter testing
Distribution system leak detection
Suspected leak survey
Pressure survey
NO -DES flushing
$168 administrative fee*
$207
per mile
$259
per suspected leak
$3,360
per survey
$840
administrative fee
* Unit costs for meter testing and system flushing only include administrative
costs for MWDOC staff to facilitate contractor -provided shared services.
Promotion
MWDOC's Water Loss Control Shared Services will be promoted on an ongoing basis through a
combination of core and choice services. Core services will be funded by MWDOC and will be available to
all agencies. Choice services will be funded by participating retail agencies and will only be charged to
those who elect to use those services at a rate proportional to the service quantity accessed.
Agencies will be asked to identify the services they plan to use during the coming fiscal year. This will be
conducted in coordination with the annual budgeting process to allow time for MWDOC to plan staffing
and scheduling of services and for agencies to budget for the services they plan to access. Annual shared
services exhibits added to the master water loss control shared services agreement will formalize each
agency's participation.
Should an agency not complete an annual shared services exhibit but decide mid -year to access shared
services, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis as shared services resources are available. If
shared services resources are not available that year, this agency will be scheduled for services on a first
come -first served basis at the beginning of the following year.
Water Loss Control Shared Services Agreement
Agencies choosing to access MWDOC water loss control shared services will be required to sign a shared
services agreement. A draft of this agreement is provided as Appendix 4. This agreement will initially have
a five-year term. Annual addendums to the shared services agreement will be used to define what shared
services will be accessed each year for each agency. Addendums will allow for annual adjustments to the
types of services to be accessed, fees to be charged for services, and the addition of new shared services
as they become available. This same agreement and addendum structures have been used effectively for
the last three years for MWDOC's water loss control technical assistance program.
Agencies will be asked to make their annual shared services elections in the third quarter of each fiscal
year. This will allow agencies time to budget for the services within their normal budget cycle and will
allow MWDOC staff time to schedule and manage workloads in the coming year. Agencies may need to
supplement their election of services partway through the year, which can be accommodated by
submitting an additional addendum defining the additional services. Supplemental addendums will be
accepted as staffing and contract services availability permit.
45
Timeline
Should the Board authorize implementation of the Water Loss Control Shared Services Business Plan, staff
will initiate a five-year implementation plan as scheduled in Table 20. This process will begin by
incorporating costs into the fiscal year 2019-20 (FY19-20) budget. As the new fiscal year draws near, staff
will begin the recruitment process for the two new positions, with the goal of having the new staff start
in July or August of 2019. This will allow staff to begin offering shared services at the beginning of FY19-
20 with level 1 water audit validation, leak detection, customer meter accuracy testing, and pressure
surveys offered first. NO -DES distribution system flushing will require a Request for Proposals process to
select contractors to provide the service. MWDOC staff anticipate this process will be complete by the
end of the calendar year to allow flushing services to begin in early 2020.
Overtime, staff will monitorthe type and volumes of shared services accessed by each agency. Monitoring
will include documentation of actual costs so that the shared services charges to agencies are refined each
year. In year -three (or sooner, as possible), staff will evaluate the feasibility of transitioning the meter
accuracy testing and system flushing to in-house provided services. Ultimately, if this transition is found
to be feasible, Board authorization will be required.
Table 20: Five-year shared services implementation plan
Technical Advisory Committee
The Water Loss Control Work Group (Work Group), comprised of MWDOC and retail water agency staff,
has been actively engaged in water loss control activities since 2015. The Work Group meets every other
month and has an extensive knowledge of water loss control practices and retail water agency needs. The
Work Group has been instrumental in shaping the direction of water loss control, both in Orange County
and across California. Moving forward, staff will utilize the Work Group as a technical advisory committee
to identify, develop, and recommend water loss control shared services. Recommendations will be
presented to the MWDOC Board for consideration.
m
Year I
Year II
Year III
Year IV
Year V
Shared Service
FY 2019-20
FY 2020-21
FY 2021-22
FY 2022-23
FY 2023-24
Water Audit
Validation
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
Customer Meter
Outside
Outside
Outside Vendor -
Outside Vendor
Accuracy Testing
Outside Vendor
Vendor
Vendor
consider MWDOC
or MWDOC Staff
aff
Distribution System
Leak Detection
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
Distribution System
Pressure Surveying
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
MWDOC Staff
Distribution System
RFP Process to
Outside
Outside
Outside Vendor -
Outside Vendor
Flushing
Select Vendor
Vendor
Vendor
consider MWDOC
or MWDOC Staff
Technical Advisory Committee
The Water Loss Control Work Group (Work Group), comprised of MWDOC and retail water agency staff,
has been actively engaged in water loss control activities since 2015. The Work Group meets every other
month and has an extensive knowledge of water loss control practices and retail water agency needs. The
Work Group has been instrumental in shaping the direction of water loss control, both in Orange County
and across California. Moving forward, staff will utilize the Work Group as a technical advisory committee
to identify, develop, and recommend water loss control shared services. Recommendations will be
presented to the MWDOC Board for consideration.
m
Strategic Alliances
MWDOC's water loss control shared services can foster strategic partnerships with state agencies,
neighboring retailers, and private -sector experts. These partnerships could inform state and regional
policy, regional collaboration and research, and funding acquisition.
State Agencies and Policy Development
The California State Water Resources Control Board is currently establishing water loss standards that will
meet Senate Bill 555 requirements. The water loss standards will then be folded into the water budget
framework under development in accordance with Executive Order B-37-16, "Making Water Conservation
a California Way of Life."
State Water Resources Control Board staff have solicited MWDOC's water loss analysis results to date to
inform the standards setting process. However, a lack of data on the relationship between investment in
water loss control and the return on that investment is hampering efforts to develop a cost -justified
regulatory framework. Therefore, MWDOC is well-positioned to support retail agencies in cost-effective
water loss recovery and then use the results of its program to drive the statewide conversation on water
loss objectives.
Water Systems Optimization
Since 2016, Water Systems Optimization (WSO) has provided water loss technical assistance to MWDOC
retail agencies. WSO has also supported MWDOC in developing shared services and equipment for its
retail agencies, including contracted customer meter testing, a leak detection and pressure monitoring
equipment lending library, and the possible future water loss control services described in this business
plan.
WSO could be kept under contract to support MWDOC's water loss control shared services
implementation by:
• Analyzing and tracking key performance indicators and return on investment
• Communicating shared services results to other key stakeholders (e.g. the Department of Water
Resources and State Water Resources Control Board)
• Evaluating the technical merits of expended shared services
• Integrating MWDOC's water loss control shared services with other water loss control analysis
and intervention (e.g. water audit compilation, source meter testing)
• Providing technical expertise in water loss control best practices
Private Sector Service Providers
MWDOC can partner with private sector service providers to meet short-term gaps in shared service
availability, particularly if demand exceeds MWDOC staff's initial conservative forecasts. Additionally,
private sector service providers can be contracted to provide capitally -intensive services like NO -DES
flushing and customer meter testing, as previously described. Such partnerships would serve the dual
purposes of supporting local private sector service providers while enabling MWDOC agencies to more
quickly engage with water loss analysis and reduction.
FVA
Private sector service providers that MWDOC has worked with on water loss control to date include:
• Westerly Meter Testing (Compton)
• McCall's Meter Service (Hemet)
Neighboring Agencies
The MWDOC work group has facilitated knowledge transfer between Orange County agencies and
neighboring agencies like the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the San Diego County
Water Authority, and the City of Long Beach Water Department. Working relationships with neighboring
agencies have allowed MWDOC to access additional data (e.g. customer meter test results) and service
and product recommendations (e.g. Advanced Metering Infrastructure service providers).
Financial Plan
Staff propose that MWDOC fund all initial and ongoing equipment costs using MWDOC's general fund as
a core contribution and that agencies pay for staff time associated with the shared services they access
as choice services. Staff also recommend that MWDOC's core contribution be excluded from the OCWD
Groundwater Customer Charge, since OCWD is not a candidate for water loss control shared services.
Initial costs (for example, vehicles, equipment, and training) are required to initiate shared services. These
costs include $62,400 for vehicles and accessories, $10,400 for office and safety equipment, and $4,000
for staff training. On-going costs of $10,400 per year are anticipated for cell phones, uniforms, footwear
allowances, auto insurance, and vehicle fuel.
Participating agencies will then fund shared services they access on a per-unit basis, as proposed in Table
21. These unit costs include salary and wages, employee benefits and other overhead costs such as office
supplies, computer maintenance, software and support, telecommunication, etc.
Table 21: MWDOC shared services pricing
Shared Service
Unit Cost
Water audit validation
$840
per validation
Customer meter testing
$168
administrative fee *
Distribution system leak detection
$207
per mile
Suspected leak survey
$259
per suspected leak
Pressure survey
$3,360
per survey
NO -DES flushing
$840
administrative fee *
* Unit costs for meter testing and system flushing only include administrative
costs for MWDOC staff to facilitate contractor -provided shared services.
Should the initial retail agency subscriptions for shared services not fully fund the two proposed staff
members, MWDOC will fund remaining costs as core activities. During this time, staff will actively promote
shared services to minimize the draw of staff time on the general fund.
!i%
Grant Funding
As is done with MWDOC's Water Use Efficiency Program, every effort will be made to access grant funding
to assist with implementation of water loss control shared services. Grant funds could be used for a variety
of activities, including the purchase of equipment, funding shared services, and/or conducting water loss
related research. Funding opportunities include local, state and federal sources such as Metropolitan
Water District of Southern California, California Department of Water Resources, California State Water
Resources Control Board, and the US Bureau of Reclamation Field Services or Water Smart opportunities.
To date, MWDOC staff have acquired funding for water loss control from the Bureau of Reclamation and
the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for leak detection equipment and leak detection
research, respectively. The cohesion and reach of MWDOC's water loss control offerings to its retail
agencies make funding more attractive to funders looking for impact, efficacy, and industry leadership.
Exit Strategy
If MWDOC embarked on offering shared services as described above and any of these services were no
longer desired by retail agencies, staff would implement an exit strategy. The exit strategy will limit losses
and will consider the following:
• It is more likely that an individual shared service will be discontinued rather than all shared
services.
• Every effort will be made to transition in-house staff to another agency needing that individual's
expertise.
• Shared services equipment will be sold, if appropriate, especially to MWDOC retail agencies.
• MWDOC will include a termination clause in professional services agreements between MWDOC
and the contract service provider(s).
49
Appendix 1: Retail Agency Shared Services Survey
Water Loss Control Shared Services Business Plan
Member Agency Survey
Survey Background
Over the last three years, MWDOC established a comprehensive water loss control
technical assistance program for water agencies throughout Orange County. This effort
grew out of the legislative requirements of Senate Bill 1420 (2014) and Senate Bill 555
(2015). The program began with technical assistance, provided by Water Systems
Optimization, Inc. (WSO), and included water balance compilation, component analysis,
distribution system leak detection, and reporting that contains recommendations for
further actions to improve an agency's understanding of water loss control opportunities
within their system. This program has evolved over time with the addition of sales and
production meter accuracy testing in 2016, water audit validation in 2017, and the
establishment of a distribution system leak detection equipment lending library in 2018.
With the exception of the equipment lending library, these services are accessed by
member agencies through the "Choice" program framework; on an annual basis,
agencies choose the services they desire and then pay for access to those services.
During this same time, MWDOC also facilitated bi-monthly Water Loss Control Work
Group meetings, open to all agencies, with the intent of furthering collaboration and
understanding of broader water loss control opportunities. Since these efforts started in
2015, the level of interest from water agencies throughout Orange County for these and
other water loss control services has grown.
As a result, in February 2018 the MWDOC Board authorized staff to explore offering
Water Loss Control Shared Services directly from MWDOC to member agencies.
MWDOC staff will be developing a Water Loss Control Shared Services Business Plan
(Business Plan) for review by both the member agencies and the Board. Before any
shared services are provided (beyond our current offering), the Business Plan must be
approved by the MWDOC Board. Staff is planning to present the draft Business Plan to
the Board later this year and will continue to engage with agencies along the way. The
purpose of this survey is to help MWDOC staff understand what shared services
member agencies are interested in and how they should be funded. The results of this
survey will be used to establish preliminary participation assumptions that will be used
in developing the Business Plan, though responses to the survey are not binding.
The potential water loss control shared services to be explored in this survey and
possibly in the Business Plan include the following:
• Annual Water Balance Validation
• Water Meter Accuracy Testing (large and small sales meters)
50
• Distribution System Leak Detection
• Distribution System Pressure Surveys
• Distribution System Flushing
The shared services could be offered using our well established "Core" and "Choice"
funding framework, with "Core" activities available to all agencies funded through the
MWDOC general fund and "Choice" activities funded by member agencies at the level
of service of their choosing. These services could be accessed through an extended
term Shared Services Agreement. The Agreement would outline the basic roles and
responsibilities of MWDOC and the member agencies. Annually, each agency would
complete a Shared Services Participation Exhibit. This Exhibit would identify which
shared services they would like to access and at what level of service (e.g., the number
of meters to be tested or miles of main to be surveyed for leaks). Agencies will have the
choice to opt in or out of shared services annually/periodically.
The following are basic tenets of MWDOC's Water Loss Control Shared Services:
• Offer shared services at a competitive or lower cost than the same services
provided by the private sector
• Provide quality shared services on par with or better than the same services
provided by the private sector
• Realize economies of scale for these services by providing services at a regional
level that cannot be justified at many local levels
• Continue collaboration and shared learning among all agencies throughout this
process
• Phase implementation of new shared services over time, starting with the
services that have the highest level of interest or demand by water agencies
• Integrate program administration and data management to share results and
customize program offerings to the unique conditions of each member agency
As you are completing the survey, keep in mind that we do not have answers to all the
questions that may come to mind at this time. We believe you will want to know the
cost of these services prior to committing to such a program. The Business Plan will
have estimated costs, but we do not have the costs outlined at this time. It is important
that we fully understand all concerns you may have; therefore, we have provided space
in the survey for you to ask questions or to express concerns. Please use these
sections of the survey to bring this information to our attention.
Participating in this survey is completely voluntary. However, we strongly encourage all
agencies to participate in order to provide us the clearest understanding of your
collective views. Additionally, taking the survey does not commit your agency to any
shared service.
51
The following provides a brief description of each shared service we are exploring within
the Business Plan, along with specific questions for each shared service.
Water Audit Validation Shared Service
Senate Bill 555 (2015) requires urban water suppliers to conduct an annual water loss
audit in accordance with the method adopted by the American Water Works Association
Water Audit and Loss Control Program Manual M36 using the Free Water Audit
Software. The Bill also requires those audits to be independently validated by a
company or individual that did not contribute to compiling the audit. Furthermore, the
validator must hold a Level 1 Water Audit Validator certificate issued by the California -
Nevada section of the American Water Works Association. MWDOC could provide
annual Level 1 Water Audit Validation services by a certified validator for water
suppliers throughout Orange County.
1. If MWDOC provided annual Water Audit Validation services, as required by SB 555,
would your agency participate?
a. Highly Likely
b. Likely
c. Unlikely
2. Should annual Water Audit Validation be a Core or Choice funded activity?
a. Core
b. Choice
c. Please share why you prefer this as a Core or Choice activity.
3. Please share any questions or concerns you may have regarding proposed annual
Water Audit Validation shared services:
Sales Meter Accuracy Testing Shared Service
Sales meter accuracy testing can assess the accuracy of an agency's customer meters
in order to distinguish between apparent loss and real loss in the annual water audit.
Sales meter testing can also be harnessed to refine customer meter replacement
schedules and confirm the performance of newly purchased meters. Large customer
meter tests, particularly on high -consumption accounts, can verify accurate revenue
generation on key accounts. Furthermore, some customer meter testing may be
required in the future if Assembly Bill 3206 passes, though the details of such required
testing have not yet solidified.
If MWDOC provided statistically -based Water Meter Accuracy Testing services
across all customer meter sizes, would your agency access these services?
a. Highly Likely
b. Likely
c. Unlikely
52
2. If MWDOC provided Water Meter Accuracy Testing services for new meters, would
your agency access these services?
a. Highly Likely
b. Likely
c. Unlikely
3. If MWDOC provided independent verification of meter accuracy in response to a
customer claim of inaccuracy, would your agency access these services?
a. Highly Likely
b. Likely
c. Unlikely
4. If MWDOC provided meter accuracy testing services, how many meters do you
anticipate testing per year, on average?
5. Should Meter Accuracy Testing be a Core or Choice funded activity?
a. Core
b. Choice
c. Please share why you prefer this as a Core or Choice activity.
6. Please share any questions or concerns you may have regarding proposed meter
accuracy testing shared services:
Distribution System Leak Detection Shared Service
Acoustic leak detection identifies unsurfaced leaks using listening equipment and leak
correlations. By proactively finding and repairing unsurfaced leaks, an agency can
reduce real loss, avoid catastrophic infrastructure failure, minimize contaminant
potential, and extend asset life. Additionally, proactive leak detection will be recognized
by state regulatory agencies as a form of water loss management improvement required
by Senate Bill 555. Lastly, all agencies will be required to meet water loss standards
that will be published in July 2020, so proactive leak detection may be necessary to
maintain compliance with impending water loss regulation.
1. If MWDOC provided partial- or full -system leak detection services for distribution
infrastructure, would your agency participate?
a. Highly Likely
b. Likely
c. Unlikely
2. If MWDOC provided partial- or full -system leak detection services, how many miles
of distribution main do you anticipate surveying per year, on average?
53
3. If MWDOC provided distribution system leak detection services to check for a
suspected leak, would your agency participate?
a. Highly Likely
b. Likely
c. Unlikely
4. Should distribution system leak detection be a Core or Choice funded activity?
a. Core
b. Choice
c. Please share why you prefer this as a Core or Choice activity.
5. Please share any questions or concerns you may have regarding proposed
distribution system leak detection shared services:
Distribution System Pressure Survey Shared Service
Distribution system pressures can be logged for a variety of reasons: transient
identification and mitigation, district metered area design, data collection that informs
pressure optimization, and water audit pressure estimation, to name a few. Pressures
are recorded at fire hydrants using high -frequency loggers that log data over a period of
days to weeks and can identify pressure transients (also known as water hammers or
pressure surges).
If MWDOC provided distribution system pressure surveys (system -wide or pressure
zone), would your agency participate?
a. Highly Likely
b. Likely
c. Unlikely
2. Should distribution system pressure surveys be a Core or Choice funded activity?
a. Core
b. Choice
c. Please share why you prefer this as a Core or Choice activity.
3. Please share any questions or concerns you may have regarding proposed
distribution system pressure survey shared services:
Distribution System Flushing Shared Service
Distribution system flushing is required to maintain water quality within the distribution
system. System flushing is generally accomplished by attaching a diffuser to a fire
hydrant and flushing water out of the system to convey sediment that impacts water
quality. A new method of system flushing has emerged using a No -DES flushing
vehicle. This vehicle not only flushes the distribution system effectively, but flush water
S4
is filtered and recovered back into the distribution system, resulting in saved water and
avoiding negative public perception by flushing into the street. To learn more about this
system, go to: httos://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3KHPg6vmzk The City of
Huntington Beach recently purchase a No -DES Truck that went operational on May 15'
and the City of La Habra contracted to have their system flushed in 2017 using this
technology.
1. If MWDOC provided distribution system flushing services, would your agency
participate?
a. Highly Likely
b. Likely
c. Unlikely
2. If MWDOC provided distribution system flushing services, how many miles of
distribution main do you anticipate flushing per year, on average?
3. Should distribution system flushing be a Core or Choice funded activity?
a. Core
b. Choice
c. Please share why you prefer this as a Core or Choice activity.
4. Please share any questions or concerns you may have regarding proposed
distribution system flushing shared services:
55
Appendix 2: Shared Services Survey Responses
Water Audit Validation Shared Service
If MWDOC
Should
Please share why you prefer this
Please share any
provided annual
annual Water
as a Core or Choice activity.
questions or concerns
Water Audit
Audit
you may have regarding
Validation
Validation be
proposed annual Water
Services, as
a Core or
Audit Validation Shared
required by SB
Choice
Services.
555, would your
funded
agency
activity?
participate?
City of Anaheim
Likely
Choice
The Core and Choice funding do not
None.
apply to Anaheim. Anaheim funding
will be per Master Agreement between
MWDOC and Anaheim,
City of Brea
Highly Likely
Core
requirement of the state
none
City of Buena
Highly Likely
Choice
Agencyshould have the choiceto use
none
Park
this service.
City of Fountain
Highly Likely
Core
It should be a Core activity since it is
none
Valley
required of all agencies and cost
sharing through MWDOC is the most
beneficial method to all agencies.
City of Fullerton
Highly Likely
Choice
We would most likely participate, but if
Would this be done by a
something were to change, either
MWDOC employee or a third
internally here or at the state level, we
party like WSO?
would like the chance to opt out.
City of Garden
Likely
Choice
Itjust makes sense.
None
Grove
City of
Highly Likely
Choice
If an agency does not wish to
none at this time
Huntington
participate, they should not be forced
Beach
I
to subsidize other agencies who are.
City of La Habra
Highly Likely
Choice
I likethefreedom ofchoiceand am
I don't have any questions.I
willing to pay for those services that
appreciate the shared
are utilized. I understand that not all
services and view them as a
agencies have the capacity to perform
highly qualified extension of
these additional responsibilities
our workforce!
without additional personnel or
impacting current responsibilities.
City of La Palma
Highly Likely
Choice
Though some agencies may choose to
None at this time.
have an agency representative get
certified to perform in-house
validation, La Palma given its staffing
level would continue to enlist the aid of
MWDOC and WSO for the compilation
of its water loss audit and ultimate
validation.
City of Newport
Highly Likely
Choice
I think member agencies should have
No concerns
Beach
the opportunity to opt in or out of the
service depending on if they have
someone in-house to provide these
services for them. The cost of the
program should not be put on those
agencies opting out of the service.
City of Orange
Highly Likely
Choice
We would like to have the flexibility of
Cost
selecting the activities that fit our
specific needs.
City of San
Highly Likely
Core
At least for this coming year it seems
I hope to see an economy of
Clemente
almost all agencies would benefit from
scale in the pricing of
validation services and thus the cost
validation services through a
56
57
could be shared across all of MWDOC.
MWDOC staff or contracted
However, in future years, as agencies
validator -along with
invest in getting their staff validated, it
streamlined contracting, it
might be better served as a Choice
will help justify the cost
activity.
compared to us getting an
individual contractor on
board at the City to do this
for us.
City of San Juan
Likely
Choice
A central common auditor would
The auditor needs to stick to
Capistrano
streamline the process.
the strict criteria of the audit
requirements, and not make
an extended project out of
It.
City of Santa Ana
Highly Likely
Choice
It seems the best fit for Santa Ana-
This year we are using WSO
MWDOC relationship.
to perform and validate our
FY 2017/18 audit. We
anticipate using consultant
services to fill this need
moving forward.
City of Seal
Highly Likely
Core
Since every agency/distrlctmust
NA
Beach
perform this activity, it seems natural
to include this work as a part of
M W DOC's services to all
agencies/districts
City of Tustin
Likely
Choice
Allows for equitable cost sharing and
none
allows agencies to opt out of services
they do not wish to use.
City of
Highly Likely
Core
Westminster has minimal staff. With
Westminster would
Westminster
only one analyst to fill out the water
absolutely use this service
audit, there is no second person readily
and all aspects of the shared
available in-house to validate. We
service are of interest to
would be required to become
Westminster.
validators which is a large burden for a
small agency.
East Orange
Highly Likely
Choice
Better opportunities for cost control
I don't understand the scope
County W.D.
and efficiency
of the water audit services
and how or if the size of the
agency affects the cost/level
of effort.
El Toro W.D.
Highly Likely
Choice
Individual agencies are making choices
How much time would
whether or not to participate in the
MWDOC need to complete
service. The cost should not be shared
the validation? When would
by agencies not choosing to benefit
the Water Audit need to be
from the service.
submitted to MWDOC to
provide enough time to
complete the validation such
that the agencies can meet
the Water Audit submittal
deadline?
Irvine Ranch
Highly Likely
Core
There is currently a limited number of
Inclusion of this as either
W.D.
certified and experienced data
core or choice option should
validators.
be reviewed annually as the
pool and pricing for data
validators grows.
Laguna Beach
Likely
Choice
Some agencies may choose to handle
With the wide variation in
County W.D.
this audit differently.
complexity, it may be
difficult to determine the
work involved.
Mesa W. D.
Highly Likely
Choice
Some agencies may have an in-house
Oh, I think this is a great
certified validator.
idea. With MWOOC
providing the validation, OC
agencies will have
consistency in data
validation scores and our
57
58
relative scores will reflect
relative data validity.
Moulton Niguel
Likely
Core
The annual water auditvalidationis
Service must be
W.D.
now a state-wide requirement.
offered at competitive
or lower cost than
found elsewhere.
Santa Margarita
Likely
Choice
While SMWD is pursuing certification
Only concern is that SMWD
W D
for validation, we would prefer having
anticipates doing more in -
a 3rd party validation. That being said,
depth validations
some other agencies might prefer to
periodically on our own.
have the option to validate themselves
or have another vendor perform the
function.
Serrano W.D.
Likely
Choice
I thinkthatyou are more likely to get
no concerns
the program support from agencies if it
is Choice.
South Coast
Highly Likely
Core
State mandated.
WSO has clarified all
W D
concerns to date.
Trabuco Canyon
Highly Likely
Core
Required by regulations
None
W.D.
Yorba Linda
Highly Likely
Core
Core, because ofthe difficulty
If shared services for Audit
W D
becoming a certified validator.
Validation take away a lot of
money from other potential
services, we may want to
opt -out of this particular
item.
58
Sales Meter Accuracy Testing Shared Service
If MWDOC
If
If MWDOC
If MWDOC
Should
Please share why
Please share
provided
MWDOC
provided
provided
Meter
you prefer this
any questions
statistically-
provided
independent
Meter
Accuracy
as a Core or
or concerns
based
Water
verification
Accuracy
Testing
Choice activity.
you may have
Water
Meter
of meter
Testing
be a
regarding
Meter
Accuracy
accuracyin
Services,
Core or
proposed
Accuracy
Testing
response to
how many
Choice
Meter
Testing
Services
a customer
meters do
funded
Accuracy
Services
for new
claim of
you
activity?
Testing
across all
meters,
inaccuracy,
anticipate
Shared
customer
would
would your
testing per
Services.
meter sizes,
your
agency
year, on
would your
agency
access these
average?
agency
access
services?
access
these
these
services?
services?
City of
Likely
Likely
Likely
300-400
Choice
The core and
None.
Anaheim
Choice funding do
not apply to
Anaheim. Anaheim
funding will be per
Master Agreement
between MWDOC
and Anaheim.
City of Brea
Unlikely
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
we do in house
none
City of
Unlikely
Unlikely
Unlikely
Unsure
Choice
Agencies should
none
Buena Park
I
choose
City of
Likely
Unlikely
Likely
350
Choice
It should bea
none
Fountain
Choice activity
Valley
because only select
agencies would
participate in this.
City of
Likely
Unlikely
Likely
Cost
Choice
We have our own
N/A
Fullerton
dependant
metertesting
bench for smaller
meters and meter
testing truck for
larger meters. The
only reason we
don't use them as
much as we could
is because we don't
have the staff.
City of
Likely
Likely
Likely
500 to
Choice
It just makes sense.
None
Garden
1000
Grove
City of
Unlikely
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
If an agency does
None at this
Huntington
not wish to
time
Beach
participate, they
should not be
forced to subsidize
those who do.
City of La
Highly
Highly
Highly
100
Choice
Idon't have staff or
No problems.
Habra
Likely
Likely
Likely
equipment to
I've participated
conduct testing
in the past and
whereas other
benefitted from
agencies might, so I
a scale of
think it reasonable
economy rate.
that this activity is
59
offered as a choice
Happy with the
rather than a core
results.
function.
City of La
Highly
Likely
Likely
25 to 50
Choice
some agencies may
None at this
Palma
Likely
already perform
time.
this service in-
house and may not
find this necessary
as a Core M W DOC
activity. Given its
staffing level La
Palma would not
perform this
service In-house
but would benefit
from the
economies of scale
for this annual
testing service.
City of
Likely
Likely
Likely
200
Choice
same answer as
No concerns.
Newport
before. some
Beath
agencies may have
heir own
agreements in
place for this
service.
City of
Likely
Likely
Likely
Around
Choice
Our annual budget
None at this
Orange
200
may not allow us to
ll
time.
participate in all
activities.
City of San
Unlikely
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
Choice, because
Our agency has
Clemente
many agencies
along -standing
already have meter
individual
testing programs
contract with a
that they may
meter testing
prefer to maintain
company and it
rather than going
meets our
through MWDOC
needs entirely
with a new
while giving us
contractor/process.
direct access to
testing
professionals
for efficient and
quick
services..... so
we would not
be terribly
interested in
the choice
program for this
item.
City of San
Likely
Likely
Unlikely
100
Choice
To have a
None.
Juan
choice.
Capistrano
City of Santa
Likely
Unlikely
Unlikely
100
Choice
It seems the best fit
Weare
Ana
for Santa Ana -
currently more
MWDOC
likely to utilize
relationship.
meter testing
services to
focus on our
large meter
inventory rather
than trying to
establish a
statistical
61
baseline for the
City.
City of Seal
Highly
Highly
Unlikely
50
Core
Again, if all
NA
Beach
Likely
Likely
agencies must
perform this
activity per state
law, why not
consolidate these
services in one area
(M W D0c) at a
lower cost than
doing agency by
agency
City of
Likely
Unlikely
Unlikely
100
Choice
same as last?
none
Tustin
City of
Highly
Likely
Unlikely
200
Core
Economy of scale.
This could bea
Westminster
Likely
We believe all
function that is
agencies will
rolled out
eventually be
eventually. if
required to do this,
this starts as a
and a core function
choice function,
will lower cost on a
and moves to
county -wide scale.
core, we would
wait to add on
as this is not
currently
urgent.
East Orange
Likely
Likely
Likely
25-40
Choice
Better
Ithink MWDOC
County W.D.
opportunities for
should contract
cost control
out for this
service and not
hire this type of
specialized
service in-house
EI Toro W.D.
Unlikely
Unlikely
Likely
Minimal.
Choice
Individual agencies
Meter testing
are making choices
in responsed
whether or not to
to customer
participate in the
claims of
service. The cost
None
inaccuracy
should not be
are expected
shared by agencies
to be very
not choosing to
infrequent.
benefit from the
service.
Irvine Ranch
Unlikely
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
IRWD conducts its
This is a good
W D
own meter testing.
service for
agencies that do
not otherwise
have a means to
test meters. The
costs should be
covered by the
agencies that
use the service
not all MWDOC
member
agencies
Laguna
Unlikely
Unlikely
Unlikely
None
Choice
since, we would
None
Beach
not use this service
County W.D.
we would prefer it
be choice.
Mesa Water
Highly
Highly
Highly
300
Choice
Some agencies
No concerns.
District
Likely
Likely
Likely
have in house
This is a great
meter test
idea.
benches.
61
Moulton
Unlikely
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
Moulton Niguel has
N/A
Niguel W.D.
Its own meter test
bench and trained
technicians.
Santa
Highly
Unlikely
Unlikely
Unknown
Choice
Some agencies
The statistically -
Margarita
Likely
won't be interested
based portion
W.D.
and/or have their
of the water
own test benches.
meter accuracy
testing is what's
interesting to
me. Based off
the data validity
grades provided
in the AWWA
spreadsheet,
having the
testing be
statistically -
validated will be
incredibly
helpful. One of
the
requirements
that SM W D
would have is
that we want to
perform in-line
testing so that
customers are
not
inconvenienced.
Serrano
Highly
Unlikely
Highly
30
Choice
same reason as
None
W.D.
Likely
Likely
ablative
South Coast
Highly
Unlikely
Likely
50 meters
Choice
So it is an option.
None at this
W.D.
Likely
time.
Trabuco
Highly
Unlikely
Likely
45
Choice
some agencies
None
Canyon
Likely
have their own test
W.D.
benches and would
not utilize the
service
Yorba Linda
Highly
Likely
Highly
500 to
Choice
Choice, so agencies
The same
W.D.
Likely
Likely
1,000
can op -out.
concern as the
one listed in
response to
item number
five.
62
Distribution System Leak Detection Shared Service
If MWDOC
If MWDOC
If MWDOC
Should
Please share why
Please share
provided
provided
provided
Distribution
you prefer this as
any questions
partial -or full-
Distribution
partial or full
System Leak
a Core or Choice
or concerns
system Leak
System Leak
system Leak
Detection
activity.
you may have
Detection
Detection
Detection
be a Core or
regarding
Services for
Services to
Services, how
Choice
proposed
distribution
check fora
many miles of
funded
Distribution
infrastructure,
suspected
distribution
activity?
System Leak
would your
leak, would
main do you
Detection
agency
your agency
anticipate
Shared
participate?
participate?
surveying per
Services.
year, on
average?
City of
Likely
Likely
50
Choice
The Core and Choice
None.
Anaheim
funding do not
apply to Anaheim.
Anaheim funding
will be per Master
Agreement between
MWDOC and
Anaheim.
City of Brea
Likely
Likely
100
Choice
unsure if we would
none
need the service
offered
City of Buena
Likely
Likely
3-5
Choice
Agencies should
none
Park
choose
City of
Likely
Likely
20
Choice
It should be a
none
Fountain
Choice activity
Valley
because only select
agencies would
participate in this.
City Of
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
At the moment, we
Come back to us
Fullerton
have to many main
with this
breaks to take care
question in 5-10
of before we really
years. Hopefully
start leak detection.
we'll have gotten
some of the main
breaks under
control by then.
City of
Likely
Likely
At least 1 mile
Core
Because we have
None
Garden
aged distribution
Grove
system.
City of
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
If an agency does
None at this
Huntington
not wish to
time
Beach
participate, they
should not be
forced to subsidize
those who do.
City of La
Likely
Unlikely
50
Choice
Same reasons as
Good service.
Habra
previous two
Large scale of
services.
inspections
completed in a
short period of
time.
City of La
Highly Likely
Highly Likely
2 to 5
Choice
La Palma would
None at this
Palma
certainly benefit
time.
from the economies
of scale for such
services but unsure
63
64
of this as a Core
M W DOC function.
City of
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
Same as before
No concerns
Newport
Beach
City of
Unlikely
Unlikely
Not sure
Choice
Up to now, the cost
While the leak
Orange
per mile of leak
detection result
detection seems
Is definitely
pretty high.
useful to water
Hopefully with
agencies, the
higher participation
restrained budget
rate from agencies,
may prevent us
the cost would be
from completely
somewhat more
repair all the
affordable.
found leaks.
City of San
Unlikely
Unlikely
50
Choice
Our agency has
Concerns include
Clemente
somewhat
cost/cost-
distinctive leak
effectiveness,
detection needs
response time
that are better
(would still need
served by our own
to rely on own
leak detection
staff for time -
program . Payingfor
sensitive leak
a core program that
detection tasks),
has somewhat
how
different primary
comprehensive
objectives (i.e.
the service is and
water loss control
what type of leak
versus slope
detection
protection and risk
methods are
management) may
involved, and the
be helpful but may
reliability of the
also be redundant
work -performed
for some agencies in
by MWDOC staff?
our situatiob.
Contractor? with
Choice programs
what training?
give agencies the
opportunity to opt
in/out depending on
their own individual
cost/benefit
analysis and current
spending and
resources.
City of San
Likely
Likely
10
Choice
The need for the
The methodology
Juan
service is not clearly
of the leak
defined in San Juan.
detection is
Capistrano
unspecified. We
havefound
acoustic testing
lacking in clear
benefits; and
prefer correlative
leak detection
methods.
City of Santa
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
It seems the best fit
We are currently
Ana
for Santa Ana -
pursuing an AMI
MWDOC
project and
relationship.
anticipate
incorporating
leak detection
capabilities into
the future AMI
system.
64
City Of Seal
Highly Likely
Highly Likely
10
Core
Same as previous
NA
Beach
answers. Since all
agencies would
have to perform
these services, why
not consolidate into
one agency
(MWDOC)
performing this
services for all
agencies at a
probably lower cost
than performing
these services alone
City of Tustin
Likely
Likely
10
Choice
same as other?
none
City of
Unlikely
Likely
20
Choice
Our system is
Westminster is
Westminster
currently tight. Not
not entirely
a needed function
convinced of
at this point.
the technology.
Having some
interaction
with new
technology may
help.
East Orange
Highly Likely
Highley Likely
0-40
Choice
Better opportunity
Contract for this
County W.D.
for cost control
service/provide
cost savings
through
combined
purchasing power
-this is evolving
technology and
effectiveness can
be highly variable
depending upon
pipe type and
operator skill
EI Toro W.D.
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
Individual agencies
None
are making choices
whether or not to
participate in the
service. The cost
should not be
shared by agencies
not choosing to
benefit from the
service.
Irvine Ranch
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
IRWD implements
This is agood
W D
its own leak
service for
detection program.
agencies that do
not otherwise
have leak
detection
programs. The
costs should be
covered by the
agencies that use
the service not all
MWDOC member
agencies
Laguna
Unlikely
Unlikely
None
Choice
We would not
None
Beach
utilize this service.
County W.D.
65
Mesa Water
Likely
Likely
To meet SB
Choice
Some agencies may
I think its a good
District
555
already have an
choice option.
requirement
effective in house
leak detection
program. Also, I
think we would only
do leak detection if
it is required by SB
555.
Moulton
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
Moulton Niguel will
N/A
Niguel W.D.
perform this activity
in-house.
Santa
Unlikely
Unlikely
0
Choice
SMWDwouldn't
Our component
Margarita
want to
analysis shows
W.D.
participate in this
that it would
for several years.
not be cost-
effective to
perform leak
detection for
quite some
time.
Serrano W.D.
Highly Likely
Highly Likely
5
Cholce
More likely
None
support
South Coast
Highly Likely
Highly Likely
180 miles
Choice
It should be an
None at this
W.D.
option.
time.
Trabuco
Unlikely
Ukely
Unknown
Choice
Not all agencies
Expensive and
Canyon W.D.
would need this
may not be
service
funded
Yorba Linda
Highly Likely
Highly Likely
TBD
Core
Core, because YLWD
The same
W.D.
desires to complete
concern as the
leak detection
one listed in
within the entire
response to item
District within
number five.
approximately 18 -
months.
M
Distribution System Pressure Surveys
If MWDOC
Should
Please share why you prefer
Please share any
provided
Distribution
this as a Core or Choice activity.
questions or concerns
Distribution
system
you may have regarding
System Pressure
Pressure
proposed Distribution
Surveys (system-
Surveys be a
System Pressure Survey
wide or pressure
Core or Choice
Shared Services.
zone), would your
funded
agency
activity?
participate?
City of Anaheim
Likely
Choice
The Core and Choice funding do not
None.
apply to Anaheim. Anaheim funding
will be per Master Agreement
between MWDOC and Anaheim.
City of Brea
Unlikely
Choice
we manage internally
none
City of Buena
Unlikely
Choice
Agencies should choose
none
Park
City of Fountain
Likely
Choice
This should be a Choice activity
none
Valley
because only select agencies would
participate in this.
City of Fullerton
Unlikely
Choice
I'm not sure what this is. Is this like
N/A
Surge Detection? If yes, then we
would like to participate in it.
City of Garden
Likely
Core
Because we have aged distribution
None
Grove
system.
City of
Unlikely
Choice
If an agency does not wish to
None at this time
Huntington
participate, they should not be
Beach
forced to subsidize those who do.
City of La Habra
Likely
Choice
For the same reasons as noted with
I don't know enough on this
previous activities.
topic and the scope of the
services. We are deploying
battery-powered loggers in
our system that provide
real-time data to a cloud
based server.
City of La Palma
Likely
Choice
La Palma would certainly benefit
None at this time.
from the economies of scale for
such services but unsure of this as a
Core MWDOC function.
City Of Newport
Unlikely
Choice
Same as before.
No concerns
Beach
City of Orange
Likely
Choice
Flexibility
None
City of San
Unlikely
Choice
Similar to our opinion on other
Cost, and possible
Clemente
shared services, the unique
redundancy with what
challenges (topography) of our
agency's service area means we
we already manage
would prefer to be able to opt out
and monitor.
of a shared services that works for
many agencies, but does not add as
much value for us. We already
monitor pressure at many turnouts
and pump stations throughout our
hilly service area so we might be
better off using the potential cost of
this shared service to work with a
consultant to refine our pressure
management through modeling.
City of San Juan
Unlikely
Choice
We do not see an immediate value
None.
Capistrano
in this in that we know what our
pressures are, and cannot lower
67
[i3
them without loosing service in the
higher elevations of any particular
pressure zone.
City of Santa Ana
Unlikely
Choice
It seems the best fit for Santa Ana-
City is considering AMI
MWDOC relationship.
systems which may be able
to incorporate pressure
monitoring/survey.
City of Seal
Highly Likely
Core
same answers as before. If it is a
My City has only one
Beach
new requirement of the state as a
pressure zone, so I am not
part of the water loss control audit,
completely sure how this
then perform it for all agencies as a
service will affect/help my
part of the Core program.
city. However, if it is a core
program, then we will be a
part of it.
City of Tustin
Unlikely
Choice
same as other?
none
City Of
Unlikely
Choice
Not needed at this point in time.
Westminster does not
Westminster
believe it has pressure
problems.
East Orange
Unlikely
Choice
Better cost control opportunity
We do this in-house
County W.D.
EI Toro W.D.
Unlikely
Choice
Individual agencies are making
None
choices whether or not to
participate in the service. The cost
should not be shared by agencies
not choosing to benefit from the
service.
Irvine Ranch
Unlikely
Choice
IRWD currently monitors system
The costs should be covered
W D
pressure.
by the agencies that use the
service not all MWDOC
member agencies
Laguna Beach
Unlikely
Choice
Thiswouldnotbehelpfulforour
None.
County W.D.
system.
Mesa Water
Likely
Choice
Some agencies have established
It would need to be done to
District
pressure monitoring.
a standard that we could
the pressure data to
calibrate our hydraulic
model, and maybe even
provide the data to
developers for fire sprinkler
calcs.
Moulton Niguel
Likely
Choice
Ability to opt in or out is desired.
Does this shared service
W.D.
only provide the
equipment, or would
technical support also be
Included? What would be
the frequency of testing?
What would be the next
steps if and when transients
are identified?
Santa Margarita
Likely
Choice
Some utilities may not want to
This is an intriguing option
W D
participate.
that SMWD would be
interested in. We don't
have the available
bandwidth to go install the
loggers, collect the loggers,
and combine the data. In
addition, we have too many
pressure zones to get an
accurate picture with our
available pressure loggers.
Serrano W.D.
Likely
Choice
More likely support
None
South Coast
Likely
Choice
Like options.
None.
W.D.
[i3
Trabuco Canyon
Likely
Choice
Not needed by all Agencies
This is a valuable service if It
W o
can be funded by the
Agency.
Yorba Linda
Unlikely
Choice
Choice, because we only
The same concern as the
W D
occasionally need to monitor
one listed in response to
pressures and we have an in-house
item number five.
monitoring program.
M
Distribution System Flushing Shared Services
If MWDOC
If MWDOC
Should
Please share why
Please share any
provided
provided
Distribution
you prefer this as a
questions or
Distribution
Distribution System
System Flushing
Core or Choice
concerns you
System
Flushing Services,
Services be a Core
activity.
may have
Flushing
how many miles of
or Choice funded
regarding
Services,
distribution main
activity?
proposed
would your
do you anticipate
Distribution
agency
flushing per year,
System Flushing
participate?
on average?
Shared Services.
City of
Likely
20
Choice
The Core and Choice
None.
Anaheim
funding do not apply
to Anaheim. Anaheim
funding will be per
Master Agreement
between MWDOC
and Anaheim.
City of Brea
Likely
30
Choice
wehave aloop
none
system
City of Buena
Likely
Unknown
Choice
Agencies should
none
Park
choose
City of
Likely
202
Choice
It should be a Choice
none
Fountain Valley
activity because only
select agencies would
participate in this.
City of
Unlikely
0
Choice
Our maintenance
N/A
Fullerton
crews currently
perform their own
hydrant flushing
program.
City of Garden
Unlikely
Don't know
Choice
It lust makes sense.
None
Grove
City of
Unlikely
0
Choice
If an agency does not
None at this
Huntington
wish to participate,
time
Beath
they should not be
forced to subsidize
those who do.
City of La
Highly Likely
25
Choice
Prefer as a choice
Great ideal I would
Habra
activity considering
like to get on
current staffing levels
regular cycle of
and the time
flushing and
constraints for this
outsourcing this
type of work.
type of work is a
viable way to get it
done.
City of La
Highly Likely
42 dead ends and
Choice
La Palma would
Nome at this
Palma
approximately 10
certainly benefit from
time.
miles of mains to
the economies of
scale for such services
begin with
but unsure of this as a
Core MWDOC
function.
City of
Unlikely
0
Choice
Same as before
NO Concerns
Newport Beach
City of Orange
Likely
Unsure
Choice
Flexibility
Will It be uni-
directional
flushing?
City of San
Unlikely
100
Choice
the level of service
Cost, level of
Clemente
may not be enough to
service, training to
cover our entire
use the equipment
system at the rate at
(assuming we
70
71
which we need to
would provide the
flush, so this activity
operator?). We
would best serve us
also have 303 dead
as a supplement to
ends in addition to
traditional flushing
all of our hydrants
that we could opt in
that we already
to on an annual basis,
invest a lot of time
but be able to opt out
and money into
of in years when
managing with
coordinating between
traditional flushing,
two types of flushing
so using this service
activities is too
would require
cumbersome and/or
some operational
costly.
adjustments in
staffing,
scheduling, etc.
City of San
Likely
50
Choice
We have a contract
None.
Juan
flushing program in
Capistrano
place.
City of Santa
Likely
Not yet
Choice
It seems the best fit
None.
Ana
determined
for Santa Ana -
MWDOC relationship.
City of Seal
Likely
10
Core
Same answers as
Seal Beach provides
Beach
before
only about 1 mile
of flushing every
couple of years
(not counting dead
ends we flush
City of Tustin
Likely
1
Choice
we would only use
none
this service as
needed.
City of
Likely
63
Core
It's a needed function
This also depends
Westminster
that we haven't done
on drought
because of the
conditions.
drought. If we could
incorporate the NO-
DES truck, we'd be
interested.
East Orange
Highly Likely
20
Choice
Better opportunity for
Do this via contract
County W.D.
cost control
service or assist
with grant
purchase
opportunity- don't
hire in-house
EI Toro W.D.
Unlikely
0
Choice
Individual agencies
None
are making choices
whether or not to
participate in the
service. The cost
should not be shared
by agencies not
choosing to benefit
from the service.
Irvine Ranch
Unlikely
0
Choice
IRWD implements its
The costs should be
W D
own programs.
covered by the
agencies that use
the service not all
MWDOC member
agencies
Laguna Beach
Unlikely
None
Choice
We would not utilize
None
County W.D.
this service.
Mesa Water
Likely
10?
Choice
COSI
No-Dez may be
District
I
I
cost prohibitive
71
72
compared to
traditional flushing.
Moulton
Unlikely
0
Choice
Ability to opt in or out
It is our
Niguel W.D.
Is desired,
understanding that
this type of flushing
is mainly used to
remove sediment,
which our
distribution system
does not typically
have to deal with.
Our system does
not have large
particulates,
turbidity, or
residual problems.
When our system
requires flushing,
we don't want to
put the water back
into the system.
Santa
Unlikely
0
Choice
Choice given that this
Unless the cost was
Margarita W.D.
has been significantly
significantly lower
more expensive than
than what we've
just flushing
seen, SMWD would
traditionally.
probably not be
interested.
Serrano W.D.
Unlikely
0
Choice
Likely support
none
South Coast
Unlikely
N/A
Choice
Should be an
None.
W.D.
option.
Trabuco
Unlikely
Unknown
Choice
TCWD internal staff
I believe there is
Canyon W.D.
would perform this
more value to the
Agency to perform
this service
themselves.
Yofba Linda
Highly Likely
Approx. 75 -miles.
Choice
Choice, so other
The same concern
W.D.
agencies can
as the one listed in
participate or opt-
response to item
out,
number five.
72
Appendix 3: Job Descriptions
MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT OF ORANGE COUNTY
JOB TITLE: WATER Loss CONTROL PROGRAMS SUPERVISOR
DEPARTMENT: WATER USE EFFICIENCY SUPERVISOR: DIRECTOR OF WUE
STATUS: NON-EXEMPT
SALARYGRADE: TBD
Position Summary:
Under general supervision, the Water Loss Control Programs Supervisor is responsible for
overseeing implementation of Water Loss Control Services including Water Audit Validation,
Distribution System Leak Detection, Distribution System Pressure Surveys, and Distribution System
Flushing. These services will be provided by the District to its retail water agencies throughout
Orange County.
Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):
• Supervise the overall implementation of Water Loss Control Services Program including
supervision and evaluation of subordinate staff, consultants and other service providers.
• Schedule and coordinate shared services with up to 32 retail water agencies.
• Conduct Water Balance Validations for up to 32 retail water agencies in accordance with
SB 555 requirements.
• Present progress, findings, and available services at bi-monthly District water loss control
work group meetings.
• Ensure compliance with all District policies.
• Conduct performance management review of employees.
• Provide reports or updates on implementation and impact of services to management,
accounting and retail agency staff.
• Prepare Request for Proposals and make recommendations to management and the Board
for contract services as needed to perform shared services.
• Ensure that proper use and maintenance of District vehicles are adhered to while performing
job duties and any District related duties.
Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):
Knowledge of:
Water loss control strategies and implementation plans, including:
• water audit compilation and validation methodology
• pressure management
• proactive leak detection
• customer meter accuracy testing and management
73
• distribution system flushing
• progress tracking mechanisms
• water loss and conservation regulations in California
Ability to:
• Effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Operate in a Microsoft Office Suite software environment, with specific proficiency in Microsoft
Excel.
• Communicate effectively with all levels including management, office/field employees, member
agencies and retail customers, and outside contractors/vendors.
• Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with member agencies and retail
customers, outside contractors and agency officials.
• Advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards
to specific situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course
of work.
• Use good personal judgement and discretion in performing all job functions.
• Exercise independent judgement when making decisions involving specific job functions,
shutdowns and most efficient utilization of staff and equipment in absence of Supervisor.
• Calculate water formulas and interpret application tables and charts; knowledge of algebra and
basic statistics.
• Practice safe work methods in the course of work.
Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent. An Associate degree in water and/or wastewater
treatment environmental studies, mechanical or electrical engineering is preferred. Five (5) years of
increasingly responsible experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of operation of
underground water utilities. The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and
ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any
combination of education, experience and training that would provide the required knowledge,
skills and abilities will be considered.
Other Requirements:
1) Possess and maintain or ability to acquire a valid Cal-Nev American Water Works Association
Water Audit Validator Certification, 2) possess and maintain a California State Water Resources
Control Board Grade 2 Water Distribution Certificate, or the ability to obtain within one year of hire
date and 3) possess and maintain a valid California driver's license
74
All District employees are Disaster Service Workers by CA state law and are expected to participate
in emergency response initiatives. This could include contributing to the emergency planning
process, participating in disaster exercises and training, as well as potentially responding to support
actual emergency events.
Working Conditions and Physical Activities:
Environment: The employee works in a shop and field environment where the noise level is typically
moderate. The employee works in outdoor weather conditions; extreme heat or cold; wet humid
conditions; precarious places; on uneven or slippery surfaces; near moving mechanical parts; near
moving equipment; and near heavy traffic. The employee is occasionally exposed to loud or prolonged
noise and equipment with heavy vibrations. The employee may be exposed to environmental factors.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk
and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; balance
on ladders or stairs; stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl; and smell. The employee will be
required to lift up to 50 pounds and may be required to lift up to 100 pounds with assistance. The
employee must walk frequently.
Visual ability (which may be corrected) to read handheld meter reading device screens, small print,
including good peripheral vision and depth perception. Specific vision abilities required by this job
include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral.
MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT OF ORANGE COUNTY
JOB TITLE: WATER LOSS CONTROL PROGRAMS TECHNICIAN — LEAK DETECTION
DEPARTMENT: WATER USE EFFICIENCY SUPERVISOR: WATER Loss CONTROL PROGRAMS SUPERVISOR
STATUS: NON-EXEMPT
SALARY GRADE: TBD
Position Summary:
Under direct supervision, provide Distribution System Leak Detection services to up to 32 retail
water agencies throughout Orange County. Assists the Water Loss Control Programs Supervisor in
day-to-day operations of meter accuracy testing activities. Candidate will also periodically
participate in distribution system pressure surveys of retail systems. Operate a District vehicle and
utilize and operate required machinery essential to perform the job.
Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be
performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if
the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.
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• Ability to walk frequently during the course of the work day locating underground water leaks
using a variety of tools, including but not limited to acoustic leak sounding rods, ground
microphones, and leak correlators.
• Determine the source of leak and who is responsible for repair (retail agency or other agency.)
• Document suspected leaks and confirmed leaks thoroughly, according to District documentation
standards and using District documentation forms.
• Drive, operate and maintain equipment, tools, and vehicles.
• Routinely required to work in the roadway and provide traffic control, according to District
safety standards.
• Read and interpret blueprints, maps, atlases, and specifications.
• Deploy and recover distribution system pressure loggers on retail water agency distribution
systems throughout Orange County.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with District and member agency staff and
members of the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively with retail water agency staff and all individuals who the
position interacts with while representing the District.
• Provide equipment and maintenance support to member agency/retail staff.
• Comply with applicable retail agency procedures.
• Ensure job site is left safe and clean.
• Responsible for keeping accurate journals and work assignments.
• Comply with safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
Qualifications:
• High school graduation or equivalent.
• 1-3 years of experience in water maintenance work or related field.
• Familiarity with hand and power tools.
• Familiarity with Windows based computerized environment and Preventive Maintenance database
programs is highly desirable.
• Knowledgeable in the maintenance and operation of water distributions systems.
Knowledge of:
• Methods and procedures used in pulling and repairing large water meters and other equipment.
• Traffic control practices and requirements.
• Safety policies, procedures and safe work practices applicable to assignment including OSHA
regulations.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including
spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Records management, recordkeeping, filing and basic purchasing practices and procedures.
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• Use and operation of computers, and preventive maintenance database programs.
Ability to:
• Effectively communicate both orally and in writing, with all levels of staff, including retail water
agency staff, customers, office/field employees, management and vendors.
• Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with retail water agency staff,
customers, outside contractors and agency officials.
• Advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards
to specific situations.
• Calculate water formulas and interpret applicable tables and chart; knowledge of algebra.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course
of work.
• Use good personal judgement and discretion in performing all job functions.
• Exercise independent judgment when making decisions involving specific job functions,
shutdowns and most efficient utilization of staff and equipment in absence of Supervisor.
• Fully and accurately document suspected and confirmed leaks, including location and degree of
certainty.
• Practice safe work methods in the course of work.
Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and 1-3 years of experience reading meters and
testing or replacing/repairing or calibrating meters (5/8" through 36") in either the field or shop
settings.
Other Requirements:
1) Possess and maintain or ability to acquire a valid Cal-Nev American Water Works Association
Water Audit Validator Certification, 2) possess and maintain a California State Water Resources
Control Board Grade 2 Water Distribution Certificate, or the ability to obtain within one year of hire
date and 3) possess and maintain a valid California driver's license and automobile insurance under
the terms of the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
All District employees are Disaster Service Workers by CA state law and are expected to participate
in emergency response initiatives. This could include contributing to the emergency planning
process, participating in disaster exercises and training, as well as potentially responding to support
actual emergency events.
Working Conditions and Physical Activities:
Environment: The employee works in a shop and field environment where the noise level is typically
moderate. The employee works in outdoor weather conditions; extreme heat or cold; wet humid
conditions; precarious places; on uneven or slippery surfaces; near moving mechanical parts; near
77
moving equipment; and near heavy traffic. The employee is occasionally exposed to loud or prolonged
noise and equipment with heavy vibrations. The employee may be exposed to environmental factors.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk
and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; balance
on ladders or stairs; stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl; and smell. The employee may be
required to lift up to 50 pounds; and may be required to lift up to 100 pounds with assistance. The
employee must walk frequently.
Visual ability (which may be corrected) to read handheld meter reading device screens, small print,
including good peripheral vision and depth perception. Specific vision abilities required by this job
include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral.
&i]
EXHIBIT C
Insurance Requirements
MWDOC shall obtain prior to commencing work and maintain in force and effect
throughout the term of this AGREEMENT, all insurance set forth below. MWDOC
insurance is provided through the Association of California Water Agencies Joint
Powers Insurance Authority and such other insurers as MWDOC may determine from
time to time. The coverage provided shall apply to the obligations assumed by
MWDOC under the indemnity provisions of this Agreement.
A. Workers' Compensation Insurance
MWDOC will maintain workers' compensation insurance, statutory limits, and
Employer's Liability with limits of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000), for its
employees in effect during all work covered by this AGREEMENT in accordance with
the laws of the State of California, Section 3700 of the Labor Code. MWDOC will
provide an ACORD certificate of insurance or other certificate of insurance satisfactory
to PARTICIPATING AGENCY, evidencing such coverage.
B. Liability and Other Insurance
MWDOC will maintain during the term of this AGREEMENT general liability coverage of
not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. The policy shall cover liability arising from
premises, operations, products -completed operations, personal and advertising injury,
and liability assumed under an insured contract (including the tort liability of another
assumed in a business contract); automobile liability (owned, scheduled, non -owned or
hired) of at least $1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage each accident limit; ;
requiring 30 days (10 days for non payment of premium) notice of cancellation to
PARTICIPATING AGENCY.
MWDOC shall maintain professional liability insurance that covers the Services to be
performed in connection with this Agreement, in the minimum amount of two million
dollars ($2,000,000) per claim and four million dollars ($4,000,000) in the aggregate.
Any policy inception date, continuity date, or retroactive date must be before the
Effective Date of this Agreement and MWDOC agrees to maintain continuous coverage
through a period no less than three years after completion of the Services required by
this Agreement.
All liability policies including general liability, excess liability, pollution liability, and
automobile liability, if required, but not including professional liability, shall provide or be
endorsed to provide that Participating Agency, its City Council, boards and
commissions, officers, agents, volunteers, employees shall be insured as additional
insureds under such policies.
MWDOC's insurance coverage shall be primary insurance as respects Participating
Agency, its City Council, boards and commissions, officers, agents, volunteers,
employees for all liability arising out of the activities performed by or on behalf of the
PARTICIPATING AGENCY. Any insurance pool coverage, or self-insurance
maintained by PARTICIPATING AGENCY, and its directors, officers, agents,
employees, attorneys, or authorized volunteers shall be excess of MWDOC's insurance
and shall not contribute to it.
C. Contractor Insurance Coverage.
In the event that the MWDOC employs Contractors as part of the work covered by the
AGREEMENT, it shall be the MWDOC's responsibility to require and confirm that each
Contractor meets the minimum insurance requirements specified herein. All Contractor
insurance shall be placed with a carrier with an A.M. Best rating of no less than A: VII,
or equivalent. Contractor will provide a certificate of insurance to MWDOC which
names MWDOC and all PARTICIPATING AGENCIES as additional insureds.
D. Expiration of Coverage
If any of the required coverages expire during the term of the AGREEMENT, MWDOC
and its Contractors, as applicable, shall deliver the renewal certificate(s) including the
general liability additional insured endorsement to DISTRICT at least ten (10) days prior
to the expiration date.