Water Management Plan

Southeast Watershed Laboratory (SEWRL)

USDA-ARS, Tifton, GA

Implementation

Develop or update facility water management plans to include at a
minimum the following:

1)  Operation and Maintenance (O&M) recommendations. Include appropriate
    O&M recommendations from the FEMP Best Management Practices in
    facility operating plans or procedure manuals.

> BMP \# 1 - Public Information and Education Programs:

-   Keep employees informed about SEWRL's commitment to water
    conservation.

-   Start a suggestion system to recognize and encourage water saving at
    SEWRL.

-   Keep maintenance personnel up to date on operational changes and
    maintenance procedures.

> BMP \# 2 - Distribution System Audits, Leak Detection & Repair:

-   Reduced operating costs by repairing leaks.

> BMP \# 3 - Water Efficient Landscaping:

-   Alternate turf mowing height between low and high levels.

-   No landscaping irrigation during periods of water shortage.

> BMP \# 4 - Toilets and Urinals:

-   When repairs are needed, replace 3.5 to 7 gpf toilets, to maximize
    water savings, with valves and porcelain specifically designed to
    use 1.6 gpf.

BMP \# 5 - Faucets and Showerheads (When replacements are needed):

-   Install aerators or laminar flow devices that achieve the 2.2 gpm
    requirement.

-   Install temporary shut-off valves in faucets.

BMP \# 6 - Boiler/Steam Systems:

-   Not applicable to SEWRL

BMP \# 7 - Single-Pass Cooling Systems:

-   Conduct energy audit for SEWRL Pesticide Lab seeking lower-cost
    alternatives.

BMP \# 8 - Cooling Tower Systems:

-   Not applicable to SEWRL

BMP \# 9 - Miscellaneous High Water-Using Processes:

-   Not applicable to SEWRL

BMP #10 - Water Reuse and Recycling:

-   Recycled water options not available to SEWRL without considerable
    construction costs.

2)  Utility Information. Appropriate utility information should include
    the following:

    a.  Contact information for all water and wastewater utilities.

> Mr. Bruce Shiver
>
> Facilities and Operations Manager
>
> FMO Building, Rainwater Road
>
> University of Georgia, Tifton Campus
>
> Tifton, GA 31794
>
> Phone: (229) 386-3963

b.  Current rate schedules and alternative schedules appropriate for
    your usage or facility type.

> SEWRL is housed in federal buildings on land leased from the
> University of Georgia. All water and sewage are provided by the
> university. Costs are rolled into our RSA agreement and are not
> separated by utility type. We pay a general fee for all utilities that
> equals approximately one month of the UGA Tifton Campus burden.

c.  Copies of water/sewer bills for the past 2 years. This will help you
    identify inaccuracies and determine that you are using the
    appropriate rate structure.

-   Not Applicable to SEWRL.

    a.  Information on financial or technical assistance available from
        the utilities to help with facility water planning and
        implementing water efficiency programs. Sometimes energy
        utilities offer assistance on water efficiency.

-   The City of Tifton does not offer assistance programs. The
    University of Georgia does assist as needed in providing repairs if
    leaks are discovered. However, most repairs are completed using
    SEWRL resources.

    a.  Contact information for the agency or office that pays the
        water/sewer bills.

-   Not Applicable to SEWRL.

    a.  Production information, if the facility produces its water
        and/or treats its own wastewater.

-   Not applicable to SEWRL.

3)  Facility information. At a minimum, perform a walk-through audit of
    the facilities to identify all major water using processes; location
    and accuracy of water measurement devices; main shut off-valves;
    verify operating schedules and occupancy of buildings. Because of
    reporting requirements in Executive Order 13123, facilities should
    include a description of actions necessary to improve the accuracy
    of their water usage data. This can include a metering (or other
    measurement) plan for the facility.

> Major Water Using Processes:

-   Bathrooms: toilets, sinks, urinals

-   Laboratories: sinks, de-ionized water, autoclaves, dishwasher

-   Misc.: ice machine, rainfall simulator

4)  Emergency response information. Develop water emergency and/or
    drought contingency plans that will describe how your facility will
    meet minimum water needs in an emergency or reduce water consumption
    in a drought or other water shortage. This should be done in
    conjunction with your local water supplier.

-   We will follow all direction from the City of Tifton and the State
    of Georgia in response to water management planning.

5)  Comprehensive Planning. Inform staff contractors and the public of
    the priority your agency or facility places on water and energy
    efficiency. Ensure that they take water supply, wastewater, storm
    water issues and water efficiency BMPs into account at the earliest
    stages of planning and design for renovation and new construction.

-   We will use water efficient fixtures in any remodeling or updates to
    the facilities.