Background
El Dorado County (EDC) has over 746,000 square feet of owned facilities under its direct operational control. The facilities are comprised of numerous administrative offices, senior centers, community centers, libraries, animal shelters, jails and juvenile halls, psychiatric and health facilities, as well as workshops and storage facilities. The County owns over 70 buildings and structures that range from a relatively new South Lake Tahoe Animal Shelter, built in 2008, to the Chamber of Commerce building in Placerville, built in 1923. The average age of all owned buildings is approaching 40 years old.
Problem
Buildings and facilities within the EDC Government Center complex were constructed over numerous years, most of which were built before 1992 and therefore, not compliant with 1992 or later federal plumbing code requirements. As a result, pre-1992 constructed facilities (EDC Government Center buildings, Jail and Library) are fitted with high-volume, inefficient toilets, urinals, sinks, showers and showerheads.
Solution
This project will replace inefficient fixtures including toilets, urinals, sinks, showers and shower-heads throughout the EDC Government Center buildings, Jail and Library and with modern, low or ultra low fixtures and high-efficiency models. The project will also design a Water Use Efficiency Program to help educate customers and schoolchildren on the value of water, how to use it efficiently and the need to conserve water.
Current Status (December 2016)
Planning and design stages are nearly complete for this project, and construction has been initiated. Both the government center buildings and the jail retrofits are ongoing, as are the Great Water Mystery Assemblies at local schools to provide education and community outreach about water conservation.
Lead Agency: El Dorado County
Contact: Tami Scowcroft, Financial Analyst, 530-621-6678 tami.scowcroft@edcgov.us
Measurable Physical Benefits: Water Supply
Watershed: American
County: El Dorado