Mutual 2 (SWCM) Water Conservation Committee

Since 2021, the Water Conservation Committee has taken the lead in water conservation efforts in the Second Mutual. After researching with EBMUD and the Rossmoor, they discovered that there are 11 water meters for the mutual’s 1,387 units each with a unique numbers of units associated with each meter. Matching billings to entries, buildings, and landscape areas was a formidable task that they undertook to understand the design along with the support of Eric Howard, SWCM Building Maintenance Manager, to understand the MOD system and had extensive discussions with EBMUD. Water use can now be compared month to month per water meter and year to year. Once the extensive documentation (spreadsheeting) was accomplished, the committee could see that there were wildly different amounts of water being logged by the 11 water meters even when accounting for the number of units on each meter which led to the discovery of the water-cooled A/C usage.

• Part of the investigation showed a faulty meter and EBMUD refunded $73,133.
• Comparing usage totals per month, per year can identify potential leak breaks that need to be researched by maintenance.
• Water costs are the 4th highest budget item for SWCM, costing $75 per month per unit or $433 per year. When the irrigation system is turned off for the winter, it allows for a deeper analysis of water use, leaks, and breaks. Because water is not separated for landscaping in the Mutual, it is difficult to determine percentages looking at a typical bill. However, during winter months of December and January there is typically no landscaping water being used, so that measure is used to determine average inside use for each meter. Using this figure and comparing the water usage during warmest summer months, landscaping water use, accounts for up to 50% of water usage during this period.

Key Initiatives

1. The water pipes break. They are 60 years old, tree roots continue to grow, sprinklers malfunction, etc. Mutuals are responsible for nearly all pipes, except the large EBMUD pipes on Tice Creek Drive. They involve significant costs: street repairs, pipe replacements, water, and disrupted lives. The longer a break goes unreported, the more money and time incurred. One real-time investigation, showed a water break gushing at 22,000 gallons in less than an hour. Tracking down the water leaks is a more difficult task as water usually flows underground for a distance sometimes pooling in an odd area. The message to residents is that any water flowing down entries or bubbling out of the grass needs to be reported immediately to 925-988-7650 or email the work order desk at workorder@rossmoor.com ideally with a photo for clarification. Note: there is a small constant stream of water down Canyonwood, that is part of a natural spring.

2. Replacement of water-cooled AC units must be completed.

3. The Landscaping Committee, and Rossmoor Landscaping are reducing water consumption by replacing lawns and using satellite moisture sensors. More lawn areas need to be evaluated to find those that can be replaced with low-water plants. Residents need to be educated on the many options for low-water plantings and the costs associated with non-functional lawns.

4. Continuous leaks are a major concern. There is a need to raise residents' awareness of sink and toilet, water waste, due to running sinks and toilets and encouraging repairs or replacement of outdated, high-usage toilets (over 2 gallons per flush) through fliers and articles in the Rossmoor News with links to sources for leaky toilets. Distribution of blue disclosure tablets will allow residents to determine if their toilet is leaking and is in need of a new toilet flap. Running toilet water is a major issue according to EBMUD, as they have water reports that show water in meters being used non stop 24 hours a day.

5. When a unit is on the market but not selling, water may be running as sellers sometimes test water pressure by flushing toilets or turning on taps. If you live nearby, report any running water you hear. Some water meters show water running 24 hours a day on the EBMUD web site.

6. Consider discussions with people connected to high water use meters for possible causes of the high-water volume.

7. Working in close communication with the RWC and MPR to coordinate water conservation efforts.

8. Directing residents to the Mutual webpage for water conservation information that reports and percent changes in water use by entry groups. https://www.m2rossmoor.com/water/

9. Through the end of the year 2025, Water Conservation efforts in the mutual have resulted in a savings of 17.7 million gallons or 19% for 2025 over 2024 and a $113,157 savings of 10% even as EBMUD costs have risen 8% per year for the last several years. The comparison in usage savings for the year 2022 (prior to the Water Conservation Committee’s efforts) and 2025 is 25.9 million gallons or a 26% reduction in usage and an amazing $76, 950 drop in billing, considering that billing rates have increased 24% since then.