Pasco officials review water‑use efficiency update, target 10% demand cut over decade

Ryan Withers, the RH2 Engineering consultant leading Pasco’s water use efficiency (WUE) update, told the City Council workshop that the city’s potable system has seen major seasonal peaks — about 800 million gallons in summer months versus about 200 million in winter — and that sustained conservation has kept long‑term demand growth below population growth.

“The water use efficiency rule was implemented in 2003,” Withers said, explaining the state framework that requires community water systems to meter connections and track distribution leakage. He said Pasco’s three‑year rolling leakage average is about 7.9% (below the state’s 10% threshold) and highlighted a decline in average household water use from roughly 470 gallons per day in 2008 to about 330 gpd today.

The consultant outlined recommended measures for the next 10‑year plan, focused on potable water: continue school and community conservation education; keep showing customers consumption history on bills; proactively notify customers of suspected leaks or abnormal use; maintain free low‑flow fixture distribution; and adopt a voluntary lawn‑watering calendar rather than a mandatory schedule. Withers said those steps are typically cost‑effective ways to prolong treatment‑plant capacity and avoid expensive expansions.

Council members pressed for specifics. Council member Conner asked whether aquifer storage recovery or seasonal storage is feasible; Withers said ASR is possible but adds pumping and treatment costs because water would need treatment when stored and again when recovered. When asked about tiered rates and mandatory watering rules, Withers and Director Sarah warned of enforcement burdens and equity concerns: tiered rates can disproportionately affect households without alternative irrigation supplies, and mandatory watering can generate neighbor complaints and require staff to enforce compliance.

The presentation set two numeric goals for council discussion: reduce average per‑household potable demand from about 330 gpd to 300 gpd over the next decade (a roughly 10% drop), and hold distribution system leakage at 10% or below. Withers said achieving the 300‑gpd goal would save roughly 2 million gallons per day citywide a decade from now. Staff and the consultant said the WUE element will return for further public outreach and a later formal adoption process; they also announced a separate public forum planned for the summer.

Public commenters backed continued conservation and local education: Colin Hastings of the Pasco Chamber suggested examining large institutional irrigation (he cited Chiawana High School as an example of potable irrigation use), and a Franklin Conservation District representative described school programs and heritage‑garden initiatives that support water savings. Staff invited written feedback and indicated the item will return later in the year for adoption after additional outreach.