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2 <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that RSWA's budget is built on water flow, and 42% of <br />their budget is debt service, so they will have a large deficit which will result in a water <br />rate increase. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Ms. Scott said that even with the <br />surcharge, the City's water rates are lower than many in the state. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he has been told that two golf courses are using water upstream of <br />the reservoir. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tropea said he has asked the Department of Environmental Quality who is <br />extracting water, and has been told that the two golf course s are not extracting water from <br />those sources. Mr. Tropea said he wants to ask DEQ to stop any withdrawal upstream <br />during the drought. He said that Lake Albemarle and Beaver Creek are being considered <br />as emergency water sources. <br /> <br /> Responding to a questio n from Ms. Richards, Ms. Mueller said that water is being <br />pumped from swimming pools and stored in propone tanks. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that apartments that are master metered are a major concern <br />and she would like to proceed quickly to try to solve this pro blem. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that the dilemma is how you do it. Mr. O'Connell said one <br />recommendation is to eliminate the surcharge and bill from gallon one at an increased <br />cost. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she has always supported a reverse rate structure for the long <br />term, and said we need a strategy for incentivizing less water use. <br /> <br /> Responding to a comment from Ms. Richards, Mr. Tropea said that the state <br />requires that treated wastewater flow through five miles of natural stream before it can be <br />used. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sc hilling asked if it is possible to use treated wastewater for other uses, and <br />Ms. Muller said it is being used restrictively to water flowers in the medians and <br />discussions are ongoing about using it privately. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling noted that there is a dispari ty in the toilet rebate amount, with the <br />City offering $100 per toilet and the County offering $150 per toilet. <br /> <br /> Ms. Scott noted that the City's toilet rebate program began in July and the <br />st <br />County's has just begun and ends December 31 . <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling sa id he would like to look at allowing an additional $50 for toilet <br />installation if not self installed. Mr. Schilling asked about having a special pickup for <br />toilets so people do not have to schedule a special large item pickup. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he agrees wi th extending the toilet rebate program to apartments, <br />and said he would like the City to help facilitate apartment owners coming together and <br />working on their own plan for water conservation as the restaurant owners have. <br /> <br /> Ms. Scott noted that 2,600 low flow shower kits have been given to apartments. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he would favor raising the toilet rebate to $150, not just for <br />installation. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he does not like requiring that restaurants not serve fountain <br />drinks. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he woul d rather restaurants just cut their consumption by 20% and <br />let them choose how to do it. <br /> <br />