Rincon Water Conservation Initiative Saves Customers 132 Million Gallons; Program Vital as State Battles Ongoing Water Crisis

Gallons Saved Since Program Launch Would Fill 200 Olympic-Sized Swimming Pools

ESCONDIDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District has issued a final report on its Customer-Driven Demand Management program, which was fully launched in 2015 with grant funding from the Department of Water Resources through the San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management group. It was found that the potential leak notification component of the program helped Rincon Water customers save over a stunning 132 million gallons of water. This savings equates to over $1.2 million, putting a significant amount of money back into customer pockets. This landmark conservation effort, which saved 407 Acre Feet of water, is critical as the San Diego region joins the state in a battle against the severe drought and water crisis.

Rincon Water’s Customer-Driven Demand Management program initially set out to engage customers by providing them with the tools necessary to track water use and conservation through a cloud-based WaterSmart system. This was achieved through the installation of water meters compatible with cellular endpoints which monitor hourly flow through the meter. The generated data is then used to detect customers’ potential leaks. Once a potential leak is identified, customers are notified and directed to the WaterSmart portal for assistance. “This is why it is so important for our customers to maintain current contact information through their portal. If their information is not valid, they will not be notified should a potential leak be suspected,” Rincon Water Public Information Officer Julia Escamilla said.

“Rincon Water has always taken a customer-centered approach, and this program is a perfect example of how that commitment works to benefit everyone,” said Jim Murtland, Rincon Water’s Board President. “We gave our customers the tools they need through an advanced metering infrastructure and a self-serve website, and they reduced their water consumption by a truly amazing amount. The best part is that our technology will ensure these savings continue for years to come.”

When the WaterSmart system detects abnormally high-water usage, for example from a leaking toilet or irrigation system, the customer is notified and can use Rincon’s “Troubleshoot a Leak” tool on the customer dashboard. Customers are able to access their customized WaterSmart portal, which allows them to see hourly water use information, and to customize how and when they will receive leak notifications and set leak-threshold notifications. And, if a customer needs personalized assistance, they can access one-on-one help through the LiveChat feature located in their portal, which is available during normal business hours.

“We are thrilled with the findings of this report – and with our customers who eagerly adopted this program and worked with us to reduce water use in both commercial and residential settings,” Rincon Water General Manager Clint Baze said. “Our water conservation efforts have saved an incredible amount of water which is astounding considering the number of customers connected to our system. And, as more customers take advantage of this tremendous resource, our customer savings will continue to grow. We thank our customers for their outstanding efforts to conserve and protect this precious resource.”