HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7b. Adoption of 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency PlanCouncil- Report
Item 7b
Department: Utilities
Cost Center: 6001
For Agenda of: 6/15/2021
Placement: Public Hearing
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Utilities Director
Prepared By: Mychal Boerman, Deputy Director — Water
Nick Teague, Water Resources Program Manager
Jennifer Metz, Utilities Project Manger
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF 2020 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND
WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN
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1. Adopt a Resolution entitled, "A Resolution of the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, adopting the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan;" and
2. Adopt a Resolution entitled, "A Resolution of the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, adopting the 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan."
DISCUSSION
Background
The California Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act) is a part of California Water
Code (CWC) sections 10610-10656 and 10608. The Act requires urban water suppliers
to adopt and submit an updated plan to Department of Water Resources (DWR) every
five years. In the Act, urban water suppliers are defined as agencies that provide water
for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 customers or supply more than 3,000 acre-
feet of water annually (the City meets both criteria).
The City adopted its first Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) in November 1994 and
updated the UWMP in 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2016.E The City Council adopted the 2015
UWMP by Resolution 10726 on June 14, 2016. By adopting a technically compliant
UWMP, the City remains eligible for State grants, low interest loans, and other assistance.
2020 UWMP and WSCP Requirements
State legislation established new requirements in 2018 for 2020 UWMPs, including
standardized requirements for water shortage contingency planning and drought risk
assessments. Under the State requirements, water suppliers must now plan for a dry
period that lasts for five consecutive years, an increase from the previous requirement of
three years. Other required elements of UWMPs include:
For the 2015 UWMP, the state legislature extended the filing deadline to July 1, 2016. Per the CWC, UWMPs are to be updated at least once
every five years on or before July 1, in years ending in six and one, incorporating updated and new information from the five years preceding each
update.
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Item 7b
1. Discussion of local water supplies, with a long-term forecast for each source,
including climate change.
2. Assessment of the reliability of water supply sources over a 20-year time frame.
3. Description of demand management measures, also known as conservation
measures.
4. Demonstrated compliance with - Senate Bill X7-7 2020.2
5. Description of water reliability.
6. Incorporation of land use planning in water demand forecasting.
7. Preparation of a water energy analysis.
8. Inclusion of five previous years of system water losses.
The State -required UWMP sections and corresponding chapters in the City's 2020
UWMP are shown in Table 1. The City's 2020 UWMP is provided as Attachment A to this
report.
Table 1 - Required Sections and Corresponding City Chapters
Required Sections (by Water Code):
City's 2020 UWMP Chapter:
Introduction and Lay Description
Chapter 1, Introduction
Plan Preparation
System Description
Chapter 2, Service Area and Water System Description
Customer Water Use
Chapter 3, Past, Current, and Projected Water Use by Sector
Conservation Target Compliance
System Supplies
Chapter 4, Water Sources
Chapter 5, Recycled Water
Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk
Chapter 6, Water Supply Reliability
Assessment
Demand Management Measures
Chapter 7, Water Conservation & Demand Management Measures
Plan Adoption, Submittal, &
• Notices of Public Hearings included in an appendix
Implementation
• Checklist included in an appendix
e Electronic submittal following Council Approval
For 2020, the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan (2020 WSCP) is required to be
published separately (Attachment B) from the 2020 UWMP. The 2020 WSCP is the City's
action plan for a drought or catastrophic water supply shortage. Although the State's new
requirements are more prescriptive than previous versions, many elements have been
included in the City's prior plan.
As discussed in the April 13, 2021 Study Session (Attachment C), the 2020 WSCP
includes six progressive stages consistent with state requirements, as shown in Table 2
page 3 of this report. Each stage corresponds to an additional ten percent shortage in
available water supply.
' Senate Bill X7-7 (Water Conservation Act of 2009) is a California state law that requires the state to reduce urban water consumption by 20
percent by the year 2020. The City's 2020 reduction target of 117 GPCD was met and surpassed by the City. The City's 2020 per capita water
consumption was 94 GPCD.
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Item 7b
As suggested during the Study Session, an action has been added to the 2020 WSCP
requiring that the City cease all water sales when entering a water shortage. A section
allowing for the use of aerial imagery3-based water allotments in place of the traditional
days/per week irrigation restrictions and indoor water budgets has also been added, as
directed by Council.
Table 2: 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Water Shortage Response Stages - Quick Reference Guide
STAGE
WATER SUPPLY
STATUS'
CITY ACTIONS
5+ years of
City maintains existing water conservation staffing levels and budget that
Monitor
available water
supports meeting internal water efficiency goals and regulatory
supply
requirements for water conservation, including ongoing public outreach.
City increases programs that encourage voluntary water conservation
< 5 years of
including public outreach, rebate programs, and water efficient fixture
available water
giveaways. City examines available alternative water sources (groundwater
Watch
supply
expansion, recycled water filling stations, water purchase agreements, etc.),
(up to 10% water
City modifies internal operations to focus on decreasing water loss and
shortage)
prepares for subsequent WSCP stages. City ceases any outside -City water
sales/leases.
< 4.5 years of
available water
City implements time of use irrigation restrictions (7:00 PM — 7:00 AM). City
Warning
supply
increases staffing, budget, and outreach to achieve additional voluntary
(up to 20% water
conservation savings while preparing for Alert -Critical stages.
shortage)
< 4 years of
available water
City requires mandatory conservation measures including outdoor irrigation
Alert
supply
restrictions (four day a week watering) and considers a Water Offset
(up to 30% water
Program for new connections.
shortage)
< 3.5 years of
available water
City implements Water Allotment Program. Water Offset Program for new
Severe
supply
connections may be increased (1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio). Allowable irrigation
(up to 40% water
reduced to three days per week.
shortage)
< 3 years of
available water
City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program with reduced
supply
allotment levels. Water Offset Program for new connections may be
(up to 50% water
increased (1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio). Allowable irrigation reduced to two days
shortage)
per week with optional additional measures limiting turf and spray irrigation.
< 2.5 year of
available water
City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program at further reduced
supply
levels (minimum for public health and safety). Irrigation no longer permitted.
(>50% water
Water Offset Program to cease and no new connections permitted.
shortage)
NOTE: The City's Water Supply Status is informed by the Water Projection Model described in Section 2
of the WSCP, Annual Water Shortage Assessment.
3 Aerial imagery are high -resolution photographs taken from an aircraft or drone.
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Item 7b
Should the 2020 UWMP and 2020 WSCP be approved by the City Council via the
Resolutions provided in Attachment D and Attachment E, staff will return to Council later
this year with an update to the City's Water Conservation Ordinance (Chapter 13.07 of
the Municipal Code) to establish the regulations and procedures for implementing the
2020 WSCP and update the ordinance to comply with newer requirements under CWC
Chapter 3.3: Excessive Residential Water Use During Drought.
Current City Water Supply Status
Utilizing the City's Water Projection Model as
part of its water supply management, staff
analyzes whether a water supply shortage is
anticipated in any given year, and the severity
of a shortage based on the availability of the
City's different sources of supply and water
demand trends. The City uses the model to
study the potential impacts of various
intensities of drought conditions, including
increased temperature and evaporation rates,
along with decreased precipitation.
Table 3 - Reservoir Storage
Reservoir
Volume
(Acre -Feet)
Percent of
Capacity
Salinas
16,267
68.23%
Whale Rock
30,050
77.12%
Nacimiento
123,365
32.64%
NOTES:
1. Reservoir volumes are as of 5/13/2021.
2. City's available balance of Whale Rock Reservoir's
total storage volume is 15,295 acre-feet.
Using the Water Projection Model for 2021, the City currently has more than ten years of
water available. As of May 2021, the City has over 16,000 acre-feet of water in storage
at Salinas Reservoir and its available balance of Whale Rock Reservoir is 15,295 acre-
feet. The City requested its full contractual allocation of 5,482 acre-feet of water from
Nacimiento Reservoir for 2021.
Ongoing Public Outreach Regarding City Water Supplies
As much of California is experiencing significant drought, the City has received many
inquiries regarding water supply status and whether any specific actions are being
requested of community members. As described
above, City water supplies are secure and adequate to MONITOR STAGE
meet community needs for the foreseeable future. No
water use restrictions are in place in the City or `� Communicate the City's
necessary at this time. Water Supply Status
tus
To provide the community with ongoing information on
the City's current water supply availability and drought,
the Utilities Department established a communications
plan and calendar which outlines the methods the City
will take to inform the community of current water
supply conditions. This plan contains information on
written communication efforts such as utility bill
stuffers, the quarterly Resource Newsletter, and
utilizing updates in local newspapers.
✓ Monitor Community Water
Use
✓ Encourage Efficient Indoor
and Outdoor Water Use
(Voluntary Conservation)
✓ Identify and Notify Customers
of Possible Leaks
✓ Enforce Water Efficiency
Ordinances
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Item 7b
The plan also outlines options for radio and social media content, and a return to public
events once COVID-19 restrictions ease or are lifted. The plan focuses efforts on
community groups that may be overlooked such as incoming Cal Poly students, the
Spanish speaking community, and the City's senior citizen community.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
On June 14, 2016, Council adopted the City's 2015 UWMP by Resolution 10726.
The City Council participated in a Study Session on April 13, 2021 on the 2020 Urban
Water Management Plan and 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (Attachment 5).
Policy Context
General Plan, Water and Wastewater Management Element, Program A 5.3.3 states
"Prepare and update the Urban Water Management Plan every five years as required by
the State."
On Short-term Water Shortages, General Plan Policy A 6.2.2, states "Mandatory water
conservation measures as described in the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan,
included in the City's Urban Water Management Plan, may be implemented when the
City's water supplies are projected to last five years or less."
Public Engagement
On April 13, 2021, a Study Session was conducted to allow for community input related
to the WSCP stages and associated actions.
The City's water planning documents including the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan,
2020 Water Resources Status Report, and General Plan Water and Wastewater
Management Element are provided on the Utilities Department webpage, under
Documents and Files, at the link below:
https://www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/utilities-
department/documents-and-files
A complete draft of the City's 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and 2020 Water
Shortage Contingency Plan was made available on the City's website on May 27, 2021.
CONCURRENCE
The City's Community Development and Public Works Departments concur with the
recommendations in this report.
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Item 7b
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
No environmental review is required for this item. Per California Water Code §106524,
urban water management planning is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA).
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the on -going implementation of the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan is proposed in the 2021-23 Financial Plan in the
Water Fund, Water Administration and Water Resource Program section operating
budgets. Adoption of these plans do not create additional costs that are not already
outlined in the 2021-23 Financial Plan under consideration at the June 15, 2021 Council
meeting.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could continue this item for consideration at a future Council meeting
and provide additional direction to staff on revisions to the 2020 UWMP and 2020 WSCP.
This is not recommended as the 2020 UWMP and 2020 WSCP are required to be
submitted to the state by July 1, 2021.
ATTACHMENTS
A — 2020 Urban Water Management Plan
B — 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
C — April 13, 2021 Council Agenda Report, Study Session on 2020 Urban Water
Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan
D — Draft Resolution - Adopting 2020 Urban Water Management Plan
E — Draft Resolution - Adopting 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
4 10652. The California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) does not apply
to the preparation and adoption of plans pursuant to this part or to the implementation of actions taken pursuant to Section 10632. Nothing in this
part shall be interpreted as exempting from the California Environmental Quality Act any project that would significantly affect water supplies for
fish and wildlife, or any project for implementation of the plan, other than projects implementing Section 10632, or any project for expanded or
additional water supplies.
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2020 Urban Water
Management Plan
This plan was adopted on June , 2021
pursuant to
San Luis Obispo City Council Resolution
No. (2021 series).
San Luis Obispo City Council
Heidi Harmon, Mayor
Erica A. Stewart, Vice Mayor
Carlyn Christianson
Jan Marx
Andy Pease
Plan Prepared by:
City of San Luis Obispo, Utilities Department
879 Morro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401
The City's 2020 Urban Water Management Plan is available for public review
at the City's web page at slowater.org
For 2020, the City's Water Shortage Continency Plan is published separately from the 2020 Urban Water
Management Plan consistent with State requirements. The 2020 Water Shortage Continency Plan is also available
for public review at the City's web page at slowater.org
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2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Contents
CHAPTER 1. Introduction
1.1 Urban Water Management Planning Act
1.2 Agency Coordination ..............................
1.3 Public Participation And Plan Adoption..
1.4 Plan Implementation ..............................
1.5 Standarized Tables ................................
1.6 Compliance Checklist .............................
1.7 Abbreviations & Acronyms .....................
1.8 Required UWMP Standardized Tables..
CHAPTER 2. Service Area cmu Water System Description
2.1 Service Area Description.........................................................................
2.2 Service Area Popultion Projection and Other Demographic Information
2.3 Water System Description......................................................................
2.4 Required UWMP Standardized Tables ...................................................
CHAPTER a. Current and Projected Water Demand
3.1 Water Use By Sector...........................................................
3.2 Demand Sector Definitions .................................................
3.3 Water Loss and Unbilled Authorized Consumption Types.
3.4 Estimating Future Water Savings .......................................
3.5 Housing...............................................................................
3.6 Baseline and Target For Water Use Reduction By 2020....
3.7 Updating Calculations from 2010 UWMP ...........................
3.8 Baseline Periods.................................................................
3.9 Service Area Population......................................................
3.10 Gross Water Use.................................................................
3.11 Baseline Per Capita Water Use ..........................................
3.12 2015 and 2020 Targets.......................................................
3.13 Compliance Daily Per Capita Water Use ............................
3.14 Influence of Climate Change on Water Demand
3.15 Required UWMP Standardized Tables ...............................
CHAPTtK 4. water sources
4.1 Salinas Reservoir .................................
4.2 Whale Rock Reservoir .........................
4.3 Nacimiento Reservoir ...........................
4.4 Groundwater ........................................
4.5 Water Supply Summary .......................
4.6 Transfers And Exchanges ....................
4.7 Future Water Projects ..........................
4.8 Desalinated Water Opportunities .........
4.9 Required UWMP Standardized Tables
CHAPTER 5. Recycled Wate
5.1 Wastewater Collection, Treatment and Disposal
5.2 Current Recycled Water Use .............................
5.3 Future System Expansion ..................................
5.3 Recycled Water Program Incentives ..................
5.5 Seasonal Surplus ...............................................
5.6 Potable Reuse ....................................................
5.7 Required UWMP Standardized Tables ..............
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-3
1-3
1-3
1-4
1-5
.. 2-3
2-12
5-1
5-2
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-8
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2020 Urban Water Management Plan
;HAPTER 6. Water Supply Reliability
6.1 Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs.............................................................................................6-1
6.2 Recycled Water.............................................................................................................................6-1
6.3 Nacimiento Reservoir....................................................................................................................6-2
6.4 Groundwater.................................................................................................................................6-2
6.5 Water Quality................................................................................................................................6-3
6.6 Water Supply Reliability Analysis..................................................................................................6-3
6.7 Required UWMP Standardized Tables.........................................................................................6-5
CHAPTER 7. Water Conservation & Demand Management Measures
7.1
History ...........................................................................................................................................7-1
7.2
Conservation Program Highlights (2016 to 2020).........................................................................7-1
7.3
State and Local Emergency Drought Declaration.........................................................................7-2
7.4
Water Waste Prevention Ordinances............................................................................................7-3
7.5
Water Metering..............................................................................................................................7-3
7.6
Water Rate Structure and Cost of Service....................................................................................
7-4
7.7
Public Education and Outreach....................................................................................................7-4
7.8
Programs to Assess and Manage Distribution System Real Loss...............................................7-5
7.9
Water Conservation Program Coordination and Staffing Support................................................7-6
7.10
Other Demand Management Measures........................................................................................7-6
For 2020, the City's Water Shortage Continency Plan is published separately from the
2020 Urban Water Management Plan consistent with State requirements.
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2020 Urban Water Management Plan
List of Tables
TABLE i . San Luis Obispo Climate..........................................................................................................2-1
TABLE2: City Population..........................................................................................................................2-2
TABLE3: Top Employers..........................................................................................................................2-2
TABLE 4: Current and Projected Water Use by Sector............................................................................ 3-1
TABLE 5: Common Water Loss and Unbilled Authorized Consumption Types.......................................3-2
TABLE 6: Water Loss Audit Data and Results..........................................................................................3-3
TABLE 7: Water Demand for Future Lower Income Housing Units..........................................................3-3
TABLE 8: Target Method 3, Hydrologic Region Goals.............................................................................3-4
TABLE 9: Baseline Period Ranges...........................................................................................................3-5
TABLE 1U. Annual Gross Water Use........................................................................................................3-6
TABLE 11: Daily Per Capita Water Use....................................................................................................3-7
TABLE 12: Confirmed 2020 Targets.........................................................................................................3-8
TABLE 13: Baselines and Targets Summary ............................................................................................3-8
TABLE 14: 2020 SIB X7-7 Compliance.....................................................................................................3-8
TABLE 15: Average Gallons Per Capita Per Day (GPCD).......................................................................
3-9
TABLE 16: Monthly Water Demand........................................................................................................ 3-10
TABLE 17: Whale Rock Reservoir Downstream Entitlement....................................................................4-4
TABLE 18: Reservoir Attributes................................................................................................................4-5
TABLE 19: City Groundwater Production..................................................................................................4-8
TABLE 20: 2020 Actual Water Supplies...................................................................................................4-9
TABLE 21: Actual and Projected Water Supplies.....................................................................................4-9
TABLE 22: Transfers and Exchanges.......................................................................................................4-8
TABLE 23: 2020 Energy Usage for Potable Water Management...........................................................4-11
TABLE 24: Recycled Water Usage, 2016-2020........................................................................................5-2
TABLE 25: 2020 Influent Flow and Recycled Water Availability...............................................................
5-2
TABLE 26: Potential Future Recycled Water Use....................................................................................5-3
TABLE 27: 2015 UWMP Recycled Water Use Projection Compared to 2020 Actual Deliveries .............5-4
TABLE 28: Methods to Encourage Recycled Water Use..........................................................................5-5
TABLE 29: 2020 Energy Usage for Recycled Water Management..........................................................5-7
TABLE 30: Water Quality Current and Projected Water Supply Impacts.................................................6-3
TABLE 31: Basis of Water Year Data.......................................................................................................6-4
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2020 Urban Water Management Plan
List of Tables (continued)
TABLE 32: Supply and Demand Comparison — Normal Year..................................................................6-4
TABLE 33: Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison................................................................6-5
TABLE 34: Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison..............................................................6-5
TABLE 35: Five Year Drought Risk Assessment......................................................................................6-6
TABLE 36: Demand Management Measures / Conservation Program Implementation Schedule .......... 7-2
TABLE 37: Water Meters (2016 to 2020)..................................................................................................7-4
List of Figures
FIGURE 1: Multi -Source Water Supply.....................................................................................................2-5
FIGURE 2: 2012 to 2020 Annual Per Capita Water Demand....................................................................3-5
FIGURE 3: San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin...........................................................................4-7
FIGURE 4: Water Reuse Master Plan Area and Distribution System ....................................................... 5-3
FIGURE 5: 2016 to 2020 Annual Per Capita Water Demand Compared to 2020 Target .........................7-1
FIGURE 6: Online Toilet Retrofit Certification Mapping Tool....................................................................7-7
Appendices
Appendix I Notification to Agencies, Public Hearing & Plan Adoption.....................................................1-1
Appendix II: Water Resource Status Reports(2016-2020)......................................................................II-1
Appendix III: Department of Water Resources Checklist........................................................................III-1
Appendix IV: SBx 7-7 2020 Compliance Tables.....................................................................................IV-1
Appendix b. Technical Memorandum (Safe Annual Yield)......................................................................V-1
Appendix VI: AWWA Water Loss Audits.................................................................................................VI-1
Appendix VII: 2020 Annual Water Quality Report..................................................................................VII-1
Appendix Vill: Draft Water Rationing Ordinance....................................................................................VIII-1
iv
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2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Chapter 1: Introduction
This 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) describes and evaluates current and projected water
supply sources through the year 2040, describes the City's water treatment and distribution system, reports
current and projects future water demands, assesses current drought risk and the method used for future
drought risk assessment, and identifies water demand management measures.
The City's 2020 UWMP was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Urban Water
Management Planning Act, as amended, and includes the following chapters:
1. Introduction
2. Water Service Area and System Description
3. Water Demand and Reduction Targets
4. Water Sources
5. Recycled Water
6. Water Supply Reliability
7. Demand Management Measures
This UWMP was prepared consistent with the land uses, population projections, goals, policies, and
programs in the City's General Plan.
Per new requirements for the 2020 UWMP, the City's 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) is
published as a separate volume and may be modified separately from the 2020 UWMP.
1.1 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING ACT
The City's UWMP was prepared in accordance with the Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act). The
Act is defined by the California Water Code (CWC), Division 6, Part 2.6, and Sections 10610 through 10656.
The Act requires every urban water supplier that provides water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000
connections or supplies more than 3,000 acre-feet (AF) of water annually, to adopt and submit a plan every
five years to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
Since its passage in 1983, several amendments have been added to the Act, such as those enacted in
2009 related to Senate Bill X7-7 (SB X7-7) requiring each urban retail water supplier to develop urban water
use targets to help meet the statewide 20 percent water use reduction goal by 2020 and an interim ten
percent goal by 2015. Chapter 4 of this Plan explains the City's targets and implementation strategy used
to meet state requirements related to SBx7-7.
The Act has undergone expansion and revision reflected in the City's 2020 UWMP and WSCP to address
changing conditions in California's water resource management. These changes focus on water use
efficiency, resiliency, and impacts of climate change. New requirements include water loss reporting,
analysis of energy use, and a drought risk assessment that analyzes the impact of a drought lasting five
consecutive years on local water supplies. The City's WSCP has been modified to be consistent with the
required six progressive water shortage levels (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 percent).
The City's 2020 UWMP serves as a foundational document and source of information for a Water Supply
Assessment, (Water Code Section 10613), and a Written Verification of Water Supply, (Water Code Section
66473.7). Both statutes require detailed information regarding water supply availability to be evaluated prior
to approval of specific large development projects.
The purposes of the 2020 UWMP are to:
1. Assess current and future water use trends in the community
2. Describe the sources of water supply and the water system
3. Assess water supply reliability
4. Document the water demand management measures
5. Demonstrate compliance with SB X7-7
6. Act as a source document for the City's General Plan
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7. Act as a source document on the background and history of the water supply system
8. Comply with the state requirements to qualify for State grants and loans.
General Plan and UWMP Interface
The City's General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element (WWME) has been the guiding
policy document for the provision of water and wastewater services to the community since 1987. The City
adopted the WWME to address water and wastewater services because of the vital role these resources
play in the community and the far-reaching impacts of water -related policies on community growth and
character. The WWME translates the General Plan Land Use Element's capacity for development into
potential demand for water supply and wastewater service. Additionally, the WWME outlines how the City
plans to provide adequate water and wastewater services for its citizens, consistent with the goals and
policies of other General Plan Elements.
The Water Management Section of the WWME was adopted during a time when the City was experiencing
water supply shortages. The policies in the original section were written in a manner to address the water
scarcity issues that were facing the City in 1987. Though it has been revised and amended several times
over the years (the last update was in 2019), each revision focused on how to best allocate the City's limited
water supply for the existing residences and future growth envisioned in the General Plan.
1.2 AGENCY COORDINATION
The Act requires the City to coordinate the preparation of its Plan with other appropriate agencies, including
other water suppliers that share a common source, water management agencies, and relevant public
agencies. The following is a summary of the coordination that the City took in the preparation of this Plan.
Supporting documentation is provided in Appendix I.
Whale Rock Reservoir Commission
Whale Rock Reservoir provides water to the City, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), the
California Men's Colony, and the town of Cayucos. The Whale Rock Commission oversees the reservoir
operations and is made up of representatives from the City, California Men's Colony, and Cal Poly, as well
as a representative from the State Department of Water Resources. The City provides the staff for oversight
of daily operations and maintenance activities of Whale Rock Reservoir. City staff works closely with staff
from the Commission members relative to water planning issues.
Cayucos Area Water Organization
The Cayucos Area Water Organization (CAWO) includes the three water purveyors that serve the town of
Cayucos (Paso Robles Beach Water Association, Morro Rock Mutual Water Company, County Service
Area 10A) and the Cayucos-Morro Bay Cemetery District. The Whale Rock Commission and the CAWO
have an agreement which includes a provision to provide up to 600-acre feet of water per year from the
reservoir. The agreement dates back to the period when the dam was being planned and constructed. The
agreement has been amended since that time. The water provided to the CAWO is delivered from the
Whale Rock pipeline to the Cayucos Water Treatment Plant operated by the County of San Luis Obispo
(County). CAWO was notified that the City was updating its UWMP in March 2021.
County Water Resources Advisory Committee
The City is represented on the county -wide Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC). The WRAC is
an advisory committee to the County Board of Supervisors on issues pertaining to water resources
planning. The Committee holds monthly meetings to discuss water resource issues, planned projects or
developments, policies, or other related issues that may have county -wide water resource impacts.
Recommendations are forwarded to the County Board of Supervisors for its consideration. The Committee
discusses items ranging from new water supply projects to water conservation programs and policies. An
update regarding the City's preparation and updating of its UWMP was provided to the WRAC. Review and
comment by interested members was requested.
Nacimiento Project Commission
The County has an entitlement of 17,500-acre feet of water from Nacimiento Lake and acts as the
wholesaler of this water supply. The County oversees the project that delivers water from Nacimiento
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Reservoir to agencies participating in the Nacimiento Water Project. The current participating entities
include the cities of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, Atascadero Mutual Water Company, Templeton
Community Services District, Santa Margarita Ranch, Bella Vista Mobile home park, and County Service
Area 10A (Cayucos).
The Nacimiento Project Commission is made up of representatives from each of the four original
participating agencies' governing boards, as well as a representative from the County Flood Control and
Water Conservation District (i.e. County Board of Supervisors). The Nacimiento Project Commission
provides oversight and recommendations to the District relative to the project operations and maintenance
and the associated budget. The County, as the water supply "wholesaler", was notified that the City was
updating its UWMP in March 2021.
Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
The County has developed an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan which included involvement
and participation by the City as well as other agencies and interested individuals throughout the County.
The County was notified that the City was updating its UWMP in March 2021.
1.3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND PLAN ADOPTION
The City encouraged public involvement in the 2020 UWMP through a City Council study session in April
2021 and a City Council public hearing in June 2021 for review of the draft document. The City further
encouraged involvement of the public through correspondence and public notices. Public hearing
notifications were published in The New Times (the local area newspaper). A copy of the published Notice
of Public Hearing, correspondence, and the resolution of adoption are included in Appendix I. The hearing
process provided an opportunity for all City water users to become familiar with the Plan and ask questions
about its water resources in addition to the City's continuing plans for providing a reliable, safe, and high -
quality water supply.
1.4 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of the 2020 UWMP is the responsibility of the City's Utilities Department. Key staff
overseeing the implementation is the Utilities Director, Deputy Director of Utilities (Water), Utilities Project
Manager, and Water Resources Program Manager. Annual updates regarding UWMP implementation, as
well as other City water resources issues, are provided to the City Council as part of the City's annual Water
Resources Status Report in accordance with the General Plan, Water and Wastewater Management
Element, Policy A5.3.1. The 2016 through the 2020 Water Resources Status Reports are provided in
Appendix II.
1.5 STANDARDIZED TABLES
In response to the requirements of the CWC, standardized tables for the reporting and submittal of UWMP
data were developed and are required for use in 2020 UWMPs by the State. The standardization of data
tables allows for efficient data management, expedited review of UWMPs, and compilation of data for
regional and statewide planning. The City will submit UWMP and WSCP data electronically to DWR using
standardized tables and have included the standardized tables at the end of each chapter and Appendix
IV.
1.6 COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST
The City completed the checklist of specific 2020 UWMP requirements and included it in the Plan as
Appendix III as requested by DWR. The Checklist includes each 2020 UWMP requirement by subject,
applicable CWC section, and the page number where the required element is addressed in the Plan to
assist in the DWR review of the City's 2020 UWMP.
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1.7 ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS
AB - Assembly Bill
AF - Acre -Foot or Acre -Feet
AFY (or afy) - Acre -Feet per Year
AWWA - American Water Works Association
BMP - Best Management Practice
CII - Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional water use sectors
CIMIS - California Irrigation Management Information System
CWC - California Water Code
DDW - State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water
DMMs - Demand Management Measures
DOF - Department of Finance
DWR - California Department of Water Resources
EPA - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ETo - Reference Evapotranspiration
GIS - Geographic Information System
GPCD (or gpcd) - Gallons per Capita per Day
GPPD - Gallons per Person per Day
ILI — Infrastructure Leakage Index
IRWM - Integrated Regional Water Management
LRAA - Locational Running Annual Average
LAFCO - Local Agency Formation Commission
MGD - Million Gallons per Day
NOAA NMFS - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service
NPDES - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
PCE - Tetrachloroethylene
pH - The measure of how acidic/basic water is ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic), with 7 being neutral.
PRV - Pressure Reducing Valve
RGPCD - Residential Gallons per Capita per Day
RWQCB - Regional Water Quality Control Board
SB - Senate Bill
SB X7-7 - Senate Bill Seven of the Senate's Seventh Extraordinary Session of 2009
SDWA - Safe Drinking Water Act
SGMA - Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
SWRCB - State Water Resources Control Board
THMs - Trihalomethanes
UWMP - Urban Water Management Plan
WDR - Waste Discharge Requirement
WRRF - City of San Luis Obispo Water Resources Recovery Facility
WSCP - Water Shortage Contingency Plan
WTP - City of San Luis Obispo Water Treatment Plant
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1.8 REQUIRED UWMP STANDARDIZED TABLES:
&eta",nllv",v,-ubnc iiater
systems
Volume of
Public Water System
Public Water System
Number of Municipal
Water Supplied
Number
Name
Connections 2020
2020
City of San Luis
4010009
Obispo
15,700
4,817
TOTAL
15,700
4,817
NOTES: Table 2-1
Volume of water supplied in this table includes only potable water.
7ypeof Agency (select one or both)
aAgency
is a wholesaler
❑x
Agency is a retailer
Fiscal or Calendar Year (select one)
0
UWMP Tables Are in Calendar Years
UWMP Tables Are in Fiscal Years
If Using Fiscal Years Provide Month and Day that the Fiscal Year Begins
(dd/mm)
N/A
Units of Measure Used in UWMP (select from Drop
down)
Unit
AF
NOTES: Table 2-3
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..
The retail supplier has informed the following wholesale supplier(s) of projected
water use in accordance with CWC 10631.
Wholesale Water Supplier Name (Add additional rows as needed)
County of San Luis Obispo
NOTES: Table 2-4
Notification to
Cities and Counties
City Name
60 Day Notice
Notice of Public
Hearing
None
County Name
60 Day Notice
Notice of Public
Hearing
San Luis Obispo
0 0
County
NOTES: Table 10-1 (R).
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Chapter 2: Service Area and Water System Description
2.1 SERVICE AREA DESCRIPTION TABLE 1: San Luis Obispo Climate
The City of San Luis Obispo is located about half -way
between Los Angeles and San Francisco and has a total
area of 13.2 square miles of which 13.02 square miles is
land and 0.18 square miles (1.3 percent) is water.
Situated in a coastal valley approximately ten miles inland
from the Pacific Ocean, the City's Mediterranean climate
provides for mild and dry summers and cool winters, with
an annual average of about 20 inches of precipitation.
Summers are generally warm and sunny, often with
morning fog from the Pacific coast. Winters are generally
mild, though below freezing lows may be expected during
the winter. Temperatures vary widely, with 80° F readings
in January and February not uncommon. Table 1, San
Luis Obispo Climate, includes the 2020 monthly
evapotranspiration rate, average maximum high
temperature, and average precipitation for the City of San
Luis Obispo. As the City receives water from surface
water reservoirs located in different watersheds, climate
data specific to those surrounding the reservoirs are
utilized in water management models.
2.2 SERVICE AREA POPULATION PROJECTION
& OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Founded in 1772 and incorporated in 1856, San Luis
Obispo is one of California's oldest communities and now
serves as the County's hub for commercial and
government services. This section describes the City's
population projections, demographics information, and
employment characteristics.
The City's 2020 population totaled 45,9201. From
2011 to 2020, the City grew by 502 people which
was below the General Plan's one percent
growth maximum. The City's future growth is
projected to be located in the Margarita, Orcutt,
Airport, Avila Ranch, and Froom Ranch specific
plan areas, as well as infill and intensification of
existing developed areas, such as the City's'
downtown.
The City's total water demand has not increased
at a rate that follows the rate of population growth
(see Water Supply and Demand with Population
chart below). In the past 30 years (from 1991 to
2020), annual water demand in the City has been
as high as 6,416 acre-feet in 2007 and as low as 4,040 acre-feet in 1991, a variance of over 2,300 acre-
feet. In the past ten years (from 2011 to 2020), water demand has been as high as 5,715 acre-feet and as
low as 4,520 acre-feet, a variance of 1,195 acre-feet. This deviation in water demand is influenced by many
factors including annual rainfall, the state and local drought declaration from 2014 to 2017, plumbing
ETo (in)
Average
rainfall
in
Average
temperature
F
January
2.44
4.98
51
February
3.36
3.51
51.5
March
3.07
3.36
54.2
April
4.63
1.44
56.3
May
6.24
0.46
60.2
June
6.32
0.12
64.6
July
6.27
0.12
67.5
August
5.87
0.02
67.6
September
4.52
0.03
66.9
October
4.30
1.22
62.9
November
3.17
1.28
56.4
December
2.64
3.93
51
Annual
52.83
20.46
59.2
Source:
1. Evapotranspiration (ETo) from: California Irrigation
Management Information System (CIMIS) Station
52, January 2020 - December 2020.
2. Average rainfall data for 2005-06 through 2018-19:
https://www.slocountV.ca.gov/qetattachmenVl 540 b e
aa-ed43-4b08-92e7-fcbd 0 b394d ad/S LO-Rese rvo i r-
Preci pitation-Data-Site-749.asox
3. Average Temperature:
ham://data.org/north-america/u nited-states-of-
america/california/san-luis-obispo-144
Population estimates for the City of San Luis Obispo are available at the California Department of Finance website
at: www.dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/Estimates/e-l/
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efficiencies such as low flow toilets, shower heads, and appliances, changes in landscaping and irrigation,
economic climate, water rates, limited growth, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the City's strong water
conservation ethic.
To be conservative in its water planning, the City uses the growth rate and population projections from the
City's General Plan Land Use Element (57,200 persons in 2035) and General Plan Water and Wastewater
Management Element policy on the City's maximum per capita water use rate under SB X7-7 of 117 gpcd,
described further in Chapter 3. To comply with State requirements, the 2020 UWMP looks ahead twenty
years to project water demand through 2040. As this period extends beyond the 2035 horizon of the General
Plan Land Use Element, the City has assumed the population would continue to grow annually by one
percent for the five years to 2040 for this UWMP. This projection yields a future population of 60,118 in
2040. Table 2 provides the City's actual 2020 population and population projections to 2040. This approach
to projecting future water demand ensures the City's water needs will be accommodated.
TABLE 2: City Population
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
Land Use Element (2014), Projected Population
48,826
51,317
53,934
57,200
60,118
Actual City Population (2020)
45,920
-
-
-
-
Source:
1. City of San Luis Obispo, General Plan, Land Use Element, Table 3, 2014.
2. Population estimate for the City of San Luis Obispo is from the California Department of
Finance website at: www.dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/Estimates/e-l/
According to the US Census American Community Survey Five -Year Estimates for 2013-2017, the City's
population age demographics are 13 percent under the age of 18, 35 percent from 18 to 24, 22 percent
from 25 to 44, 18 percent from 45 to 64, and 12 percent who are 65 years of age and older.
The City is the civic, economic and cultural hub of the Central Coast. With these major regional employers
(Table 3), the City has an estimated daytime population of up to 90,000 persons. Public sector jobs account
for a sizeable portion of the job market in the City. Service and retail jobs also comprise a large percentage
of employers. The City's median household income was $56,071 (in 2019 dollars2), up from $42,461 in
2010. According to the City's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers within and
adjacent to the City are:
TABLE 3: Top Employers
#
Employer
# of
Employees
1
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)
3,000
2
County of San Luis Obispo
2,920
3
Dept. of State Hospitals - Atascadero
2,000
4
Pacific Gas and Electric
1,866
5
California Men's Colony
1,517
6
Tenet Health Care Corp.
1,305
7
Compass Health
1,200
8
Lucia Mar School District
1,000
9
Mind Body
929
10
San Luis Coastal Unified School District
760
2 https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/sanIuisobispocitycalifornia/PST045219
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As the top employer in the area, Cal Poly student enrollment is planned to grow from 21,800 students in
2018-19 academic year to 25,000 students by the 2035-36 academic year (growth of approximately 200
students per year). Cal Poly's faculty and staff population could increase from 3,266 to 3,935 during the
same time frame. While Cal Poly has its own water supply source, the City treats water for the University
which is located just outside of City limits.
The City is also a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to beaches and open space areas, historic
downtown, and its overall vitality. The City's tourism is at its peak during the summer. However, Cal Poly is
also out of session at this time, thus reducing the overall daily population served by the City during the
summer months.
2.3 WATER SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The City utilizes three surface water reservoirs to meet its potable water demand. Salinas Reservoir, located
nine miles southeast of the community of Santa Margarita, has provided water to the City since 1944. Whale
Rock Reservoir, located one-half mile east of the town of Cayucos, has been a water source for the City
since 1961. Water deliveries from Nacimiento Reservoir, located 14 miles northwest of the City of Paso
Robles, to the City began in January 2011. All surface water supplies are considered to be dependable and
of high quality.
Three distinct raw water transmission facilities deliver water to the City's Water Treatment Plant from the
Salinas, Whale Rock, and Nacimiento Reservoirs. The City does not currently rely on local groundwater to
serve the community's long-term water supply needs. However, the City has relied heavily on groundwater
during past droughts and is planning to resume the use of groundwater pumping in the future. Additional
information is provided on the City's water sources in Chapter 4.
The City is supplied recycled water from its Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF). In 2021, recycled
water was utilized for landscape irrigation and for construction water (dust suppression, compaction, etc.).
The City will be maximizing the production of recycled water with the upgrade of the WRRF, under
construction in 2021. Recycled water is discussed further in Chapter 6. Figure 1 shows the location of the
City's reservoirs and conveyance pipelines.
With the enactment of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in 1974, Congress authorized the federal
government to establish national drinking water regulations. Since that time, many amendments have been
made to the SDWA which require additional monitoring and treatment which has resulted in increased
operational costs. The following sections discuss the impacts of the current regulations on the City's water
treatment facilities and potential impacts of any foreseeable amendments to the current regulations.
Water Treatment
The City's Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is located on Stenner Creek Road, northwest of the Cal Poly
campus. The facility was constructed in 1964 to provide treatment of surface water from Salinas and Whale
Rock Reservoirs. The WTP is a conventional plant that includes ozone disinfection, coagulation,
flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration. The WTP was originally designed to treat up to eight million
gallons per day (mgd). In 1977, the plant was upgraded to provide 11.5 mgd of treatment capacity but
actually treated up to 12 mgd for limited periods during peak summertime water demands. In 1994, the
WTP was upgraded to comply with new regulations and to increase the treatment capacity to 16.0 mgd.
An upgrade completed in 2008 at the WTP added additional onsite storage facilities, replaced an existing
pump station, and replaced the sedimentation basin with a new ballasted flocculation process among other
improvements. The addition of the Actiflo process increased the sedimentation process capacity from eight
mgd to 16 mgd. This process was needed to treat the water supply from the Nacimiento Reservoir that
went online in January of 2011.
Since the WTP was constructed in 1964, the Safe Drinking Water Act was adopted and was significantly
amended. The 1986 amendments were broad in scope and required implementation of new regulations by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Safe Drinking Water Act also required the EPA to
specify criteria under which filtration is required as a treatment technique for surface supplies. On June 29,
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1989, the EPA issued the Surface Water Treatment Rule which defined the standards for surface water
treatment and had specific compliance deadlines. The purpose of the regulation is to protect the public, as
much as feasible, from waterborne diseases. Waterborne diseases, most notably Giardia lamblia,
Cryptosporidium, and Legionella, are most commonly transmitted by surface water contamination.
For the City, the most significant issue is the regulation aimed at reducing the formation of disinfection
byproducts, specifically trihalomethanes (THMs), which are a group of compounds formed during
disinfection by the reaction of chlorine with naturally occurring organics. The City upgraded the WTP in
1994 to use ozone as the primary disinfectant instead of chlorine. The use of ozone provides enhanced
disinfection capability to meet federal and state requirements while reducing the levels of THMs. The use
of ozone also helps produce water free of objectionable taste and odor associated with algae blooms at
Salinas Reservoir and meets all current, as well as anticipated regulations.
The highest levels of TTHMs typically occur where water age is the greatest, such as in large water tanks
with low turnover or poor mixing. With increased levels of water conservation, mixing, and turnover within
some of the City's water tanks was decreased during the recent drought. In 2020, to address the issue of
increasing TTHMs, mixing, aeration, and ventilation equipment was installed at two of the City's water
storage tanks (Clearwell 2 at the Water Treatment Plant and Edna Saddle Tank).
Also in 2020, the City entered into a public/private partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for the
Water Energy Efficiency Project at the WTP. Project components include upgrading the ozone generation
system, SCADA system, plant service water, and improvements to the Transfer Pump Station. It is
estimated that implementation of the Water Energy Efficiency Project will result in a reduction of energy
usage of over 33 percent annually from 2019 WTP operations. The Project is scheduled to be complete in
2021. Additional information on energy use associated with water conveyance, treatment, and distribution
to the community is provided in Chapter 4.
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Nacimiento.
Reservoir
Cambria
Whale Rock
Reservoir
Cayucos
Pacific Ocean
placi�nieato RueY
VlAmllir
San Miguel
((( C111
101
` v
46
Paso Robles
41
Templeton
Atascadero
Morro Bay
Water
Treatment
Plant
Los Osos
San Luis Obis
c
Water Resource��
Recovery
Facility
Avila Beach
Creston
Sd
G�
d4,
Santa Ph
vaarita n
Cuesta --z�, 5aiinas
Tunnel U Reservoir
FIGURE 1: Multi -Source Water Supply
j I Conveyance
Reservoir I City Limits
Pipelines
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department., 2016.
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Possible Future Regulatory Changes
As analytical techniques allow for lower levels of regulated water contaminants to be detected, and as new
contaminants are added to the regulatory list issued by the EPA and state regulatory agencies, there may
be impacts on the City's water treatment operations. While the WTP upgrade was designed to meet the
current and anticipated future water treatment standards, new regulations may require additional
modifications, depending on the action levels adopted by regulatory agencies. The following are possible
regulatory changes which may influence WTP operations:
Regulation of total organic carbon. Could require optimizing enhanced coagulation
processes, which may add a pH reduction system to the treatment process (i.e. acid feed,
carbon dioxide feed, etc.).
Regulation of THM sub -species. Chlorinated bromides would most likely be targeted, which
would not necessarily be problematic unless the action level is extremely low.
Regulation of hypochlorites. Chlorates caused by the decomposition of hypochlorite
solution may require coolers or insulation be installed on holding tanks to stabilize temperature
inside the tanks. This is a requirement now being considered by the State.
Regulation of THMs via LRAA. THMs are now regulated on a LRAA instead of a system-
wide average. This could require changing from hypochlorite to chloramines for final
disinfection and/or adding aeration systems to storage tanks and reservoirs.
The effect of any of the potential regulations on the City's treatment operations is dependent on the action
level adopted. More technical and complicated processes may require training or hiring of personnel skilled
in the maintenance of sophisticated electronic equipment and with increased knowledge in telemetry and
computer programming.
Potable Water Distribution System
The City's potable water distribution system delivers water from the WTP to approximately 15,700 metered
customers and over 2,000 fire hydrants via 190 miles of water mains, ten treated water storage tanks, and
seven pump stations.
The water delivered from the WTP is split into two main distribution networks, the high-pressure side of
town and the low-pressure side. The WTP has a large pump station (the Transfer Pump Station) that pumps
water to the high-pressure zones which provide service to the higher elevation areas in the City. The transfer
pumps take approximately half of the produced water, increase the pressure, and then provide water to
Reservoir #2, Cal Poly, and other portions of the City, generally north and east of the Union Pacific Railroad
tracks. Water flows by gravity directly into the lower pressure zones from the WTP's onsite clear well tanks.
Water storage facilities are necessary to provide water during peak demand periods and emergency
situations such as fires. The City has ten water storage facilities, seven of which are steel storage tanks
ranging in size from 0.04 to 4.0 million gallons and three concrete facilities with a capacity of 0.35 to 7.5
million gallons. In 2021, the combined storage capacity is 24.425 million gallons.
The goal is to provide uninterrupted water flow at adequate pressures (between 40 pounds per square inch
(psi) and 80 psi) to meet all fire and domestic flow requirements and to minimize system water loss due to
leakage. This pressure range will meet the needs of most irrigation sprinklers and other uses, and provide
adequate pressure for fire sprinkler systems. To accomplish this, the City's Water Distribution staff has
eight major work objectives, as follows:
1. Pump station and tank maintenance
2. Water main maintenance and repair
3. Valve exercise and repair
4. Water service repair and renewal
5. Fire hydrant maintenance and replacement
6. Cross connection control
7. Underground Service Alert (USA) markouts
8. Water quality sampling
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Because of the City's geographic setting, pressure zones are established in the distribution system to
maintain these pressure ranges. The City's water distribution system is a complex system of 15 pressure
zones and 18 pressure regulating valves (PRVs). It is unlikely this distribution pattern will change, since the
WTP will continue to be the principal source of treated water for the City.
Aging pipes must be replaced to avoid major service disruptions and leaks due to deterioration. Parts of
the City's water system are approaching, or past, their estimated lifespan with most of the pipes being made
of cast iron and ductile iron. Other pipes are made of asbestos cement, or, since the mid-1970's, polyvinyl
chloride (PVC). Water pipes serve two basic functions:
1. Larger pipes or transmission mains (ranging in size from 12 to 30 inches), move large volumes of
water from one portion of the City to another.
2. Smaller pipes or distribution mains (ranging in size from four inches in the older portions of the City
to 12 inches) distribute water within a local area and deliver it to each property in the City.
Fire protection is an important service the City provides to its residents. The fire protection system is a
network of over 2,000 public hydrants and approximately 200 private hydrants.
The engineering estimate for the life expectancy of these
facilities is 50 years or more depending on pipe type.
Pipelines are prioritized for replacement in the City's Potable
Water Distribution System Operations Master Plan.
System Operation and Maintenance
To retain a reliable water distribution system, preventative
maintenance is performed by the City's Water Distribution
operators. Preventative maintenance is necessary to
minimize water service disruption and prolong system service
life.
The City's comprehensive mainline valve exercise program
is beneficial to ensure proper operation of valves and
minimizes disruptions to water customers during an
emergency shutdown. The program assists in identifying
problem areas such as broken valves, buried gatewells, and
misaligned access sleeves. Identified problem areas are
scheduled for repair or replacement which minimizes future
water outages and ensures availability in the event of fire.
The program has a goal of exercising 1,000 of the system's
estimated 5,000 valves per year, allowing for all valves in the
system to be exercised every five years.
Since electrical and mechanical pumping equipment consists of moving parts that are subject to wear, a
comprehensive preventative maintenance program is required to prolong the useful life and avoid costly
emergency equipment breakdowns Weekly inspections of the City's pump station are performed and
preventive and corrective maintenance is performed as needed.
The City's water storage tanks are an important component of the water distribution system. As a result of
the storage facilities, the system's flow and pressures are improved and stabilized to better serve the
customers within a storage tank's service area. Additionally, these supplies serve as a reserve for
emergencies such fires, power outages, and equipment failure at the City's Water Treatment Plant. Regular
inspections and preventative maintenance are necessary to protect the City's investment in these facilities.
This includes regularly scheduled inspections and cleaning, painting and renewing protective coatings,
upkeep of facility security systems, maintenance of access roads and sites, and monitoring of cathodic
protection systems.
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The service line (from the water main to the customer water meter) repair and replacement program has
been a priority for the City due to the high likelihood of failure of previously installed polybutylene pipe. The
City's water service lines consist of mainly copper and polyethylene pipe, but small amounts of polybutylene
pipe may still exist in the system. The City removes and replaces polybutylene materials as they are
discovered through routine maintenance and CIP projects. The majority of the City's water service lines
have been upgraded to copper and polyethylene material due to the longevity and durability of these two
types of materials.
PRVs are necessary to maintain acceptable pressure levels in both low lying and higher elevation areas of
the City. These valves reduce plumbing failures and system leakage in areas that would otherwise
experience high pressure. The City has 18 PRVs that are inspected and tested annually and rebuilt as
needed as part of a PRV maintenance program.
To ensure that fire hydrants operate correctly when needed, testing, maintenance, and repair is performed
on an annual basis. It is the responsibility of the Water Distribution staff to perform all maintenance, repairs,
and hydrant replacement as needed. Hydrant exercising and flushing is performed by the City in order to
proactively identify hydrants that require maintenance and to improve water quality.
Prior to placing a newly constructed water line into service, procedures are in place for disinfection,
sampling, and testing consistent with guidelines provided by American Water Works Association and the
Division of Drinking Water (DDW). The City's Water Distribution and Water Quality Laboratory staff provide
the bacteriological sampling and testing. These procedures assure that all new water lines are free of
waterborne pathogens before they are placed in service, protecting the health and safety of the community.
All City -related Underground Service Alerts (USA) mark outs (potable water, wastewater, recycled water,
storm drains, fiber optics, and street lights) are consolidated under a single position in the Water Distribution
section of the Utilities Department. Consolidation streamlined the process and increased staffing
efficiencies. The management of the Underground Utility Locator is the responsibility of the Water
Distribution Supervisor.
The City's distribution system is a "D4" system based on rating criteria that classifies the complexity of the
system. The State has mandated certification for water distribution operators (minimum of a Grade D1).
The City requires water distribution operators to attain Grade D3 certification. Continuing education is
mandatory for periodic certification renewals.
Contract Meter Reading
In January 2015, the City executed its first water meter reading contract to address irregular billing period
lengths and dates during the City's Average Winter Water Use billing cycle. Utilizing a contract meter reading
service provider made it feasible to have all City's water meters read in one week and for billing dates to be
standardized for all ratepayers.
Other efficiencies gained include, that contract meter readers take pictures of water meter reads that are
outside a normal range of water consumption. These pictures have saved work effort and time in both the
Water Resources and Utility Billing sections. Prior to contract meter reading, Water Resources staff had to
visit a property to re -read a meter if the meter read appeared outside of a normal range. Staff are now able
to utilize the picture taken by the contract meter reader to inform of the potential for a water leak or another
cause of high consumption. The pictures have also reduced the number of billing errors related to misread
meters.
The City continues to utilize a contract meter reading service provider in 2021 and looks to expand the
efficiencies gained through use of these services, and associated technology, in the future.
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2.4 REQUIRED UWMP STANDARDIZED TABLES:
Population 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 (opt)
Served 45,920 51,317 53,934 56,686 60,118 N/A
NOTES: Table 3-1 R (Retail).
SOURCES:
1. City of San Luis Obispo, General Plan, Land Use Element, Table 3, 2014. Projections beyond 2035
utilize similar method as projections for 2025 to 2035 (1 percent annual growth).
2. Population estimate for the City of San Luis Obispo is from the California Department of Finance
website at: www.dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/Estimates/e-1/
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Chapter 3: Current and Projected Water Demand
This chapter includes information on the City's historical potable water demand, current water use, and
projections of future potable water demand. These demand projections are used in the City's Drought Risk
Assessment provided in Chapter 6 and the annual water supply and demand assessments described in the
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (annual assessments begin in 2022). This Chapter also includes
description of the City's water loss auditing program and data on water use for 2016-2019.
3.1 WATER USE BY SECTOR
Existing water use in the City includes single-family and multi -family residential water users, commercial,
institutional, and industrial water users (collectively "CII"), and dedicated landscape (irrigation) services.
Water system loss and unbilled authorized consumption are also recorded by the City and are covered in
detail in section 3.3 of this Chapter. At this time, the City does not provide potable or Title 22 recycled water
for use for agricultural purposes, groundwater recharge, conjunctive use, saline water intrusion barriers,
wetland or wildlife habitat, or sales/transfers/exchanges to other agencies.
As shown in Table 4, water demand projections for 2025-2035 are based on estimated City population per
residential growth management Policy 1.11.2 from the City's General Plan Land Use Element updated in
2014. Projections for 2036 to 2040 are based on an extension of the City's one percent population growth
factor for that five-year period. This population growth rate limit is notably higher than the actual growth rate
the City has experienced. The City has maintained a six -year average annual growth rate of 0.60 percent
per year according to the Community Development Department's residential construction permit data
reported in the City's 2020 General Plan Annual Report.'
Even the most efficiently managed water systems across the country experience unavoidable water loss
from leaks, water main breaks, meter inaccuracies, and other causes. Despite efforts to minimize water
loss, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average water system sees a difference
of about 15 percent between water produced and water sold each year. The City is working to reduce both
real and apparent water losses. Water loss for 2020 and projected future water loss for 2025 through 2040
is provided in Table 4.
TABLE 4: Current and Projected Water Use by Sector
Potable Water Use Sectors
Single-
Multi-
Commercial,
Dedicated
System
Unbilled
Total
Population
Family
family
Industrial,
Irrigation
Water
Authorized
Volume
and Institutional
922
Loss
Consumption
5
4,817
2020
Water
2,087
943
397
463
Use AFY
45,920
% of 2020 total:
43%
20%
19%
8%
10%
<1 %
100%
2025
Water
2,892
1,345
1,278
538
666
7
6,725
51,317
Use AFY
2030
Water
3,039
1,414
1,343
565
700
7
7,068
53,934
Use AFY
2035
Water
3,223
1,499
1,424
600
742
8
7,496
57,200
Use AFY
2040
Water
3,388
1,576
1,497
630
780
8
7,879
60,118
Use AFY
NOTES:
1. Department of Water Resources, Tables 4-1 and Table 4-2.
2. Water demand by sector and population reported for 2020 is actual data.
3. Population growth is projected at one percent per year, per the General Plan Land Use Element, Table 3 (57,200 people in 2035).
4. Projections of total water volume are based on a factor of 117 gpcd per the Water and Wastewater Management Element.
5. The 2020 percentage of total volume for each water use sector is for the basis of the 2025 to 2040 water use by sector projections.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
' The City's 2020 General Plan Annual Report is available at: www.slocity.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=29847
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3.2 DEMAND SECTOR DEFINITIONS
Potable water demand in the City is comprised of several sectors 2, consisting of the following:
Single-family Residential: A single-family dwelling unit. A lot with a free-standing building
containing one dwelling unit that may include a detached "accessory" dwelling unit.
Multi -family Residential: Multiple dwelling units contained within one building or several
buildings within one complex.
Landscape: Water connections supplying water solely for landscape irrigation. Such
landscapes may be associated with multi -family, commercial, industrial, or
institutional/government sites, but are considered a separate water use sector if the
connection is solely for landscape irrigation.
Commercial: A water user that provides or distributes a product or service.
Industrial: A water user that is primarily a manufacturer or processor of materials as
defined by the North American Industry Classifications System (NAICS) code sectors 31
to 33, inclusive, or an entity that is a water user primarily engaged in research and
development.
Institutional: A water user dedicated to public service. This type of user includes, among
other users, higher education institutions, schools, courts, churches, hospitals, government
facilities, and nonprofit research institutions.
Distribution System Losses: Examples of system losses are provided in Table 5.
Reporting of system losses is required by CWC Section 10631(d)(1).
Unbilled, Authorized Consumption: water used for hydrant flushing, dead end waterline
flushing, and other authorized but unbilled uses.
Unconstrained Demand: water demand absent any water supply restrictions.
3.3 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WATER LOSS & UNBILLED AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION TYPES
Senate Bill 555, approved by Governor Brown in October 2015, requires retail water suppliers in California
with 3,000 or more connections, or an annual water demand of over 3,000 acre-feet, to conduct an annual
audit of their water distribution system to quantify water loss. The standardized audit must be validated by
a certified water loss auditor to ensure data accuracy and consistency in reporting. The City submitted its
first audited water loss audit to the Department of Water Resources in October 2017 for the 2016 calendar
year and has submitted water loss audits annually since.
The City performs annual water loss audits using the methodology outlined in the Water Audits and Loss
Control Programs Manual (M36) published by the American Water Works Association (AWWA M36). The
results of the annual water loss audits are submitted to the State to meet the distribution loss standards
enacted by the SWRCB pursuant to Section 10631.1. Additionally, the City submits information identifying
steps taken in the preceding year to increase the validity of the data entered in the final audit, reduce the
volume of apparent losses, and reduce the volume of real losses.
Water losses can be the result of a variety of issues such as water line leaks, meter inaccuracies, and data
handling errors. This is not to be confused with unbilled authorized consumption which accounts for
approved uses such as mainline flushing, fire flow testing, and other authorized uses of water that are not
billed by the City. Losses which are neither billed nor metered are classified as apparent losses and include
unauthorized consumption (water theft), metering inaccuracies, and systematic data handling errors. A
sample of common water loss and unbilled authorized consumption types can be seen in Table 5.
2 The City compiles commercial, industrial, and institutional accounts in one category known as "CII" consistent with
CWC 10608.12.
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TABLE 5: Common Water Loss & Unbilled Authorized Consumption Types
Examples of Water Loss & Unbilled Authorized Consumption Causes
Water Loss
Mainline & Service Line
Meter Inaccuracies
Data Handling
Overflow of
Leakage
Errors
Storage Tanks
Unbilled
Treatment Plant and
Water Quality
Authorized
Distribution System
Mainline Flushing
Fire Flow Testing
Testing
Consumption
Process Water
The City's water loss volume has ranged from 11.5 percent to as low as 6.6 percent of volume supplied
over the five-year period from 2016 to 2020. Reductions in water loss are the result of an increased focus
on replacing aging infrastructure, including water meters which ensure accurate quantification of water use
within the community. During the 2016-2020 period the City also constructed a Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition (SCADA) system which allows for ongoing monitoring of the water distribution system in
order to quickly identify leaks and other system abnormalities.
The AWWA M36 methodology utilizes the Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) as the metric to compare the
performance of water suppliers, rather than percent of volume supplied. The ILI is a unit -less benchmarking
metric calculated as the ratio of current losses to unavoidable losses, and is a method for comparing
performance across suppliers, which accounts for the differences in how suppliers may categorize water
loss. Unavoidable losses represent the theoretical lowest level of leakage, considering the water distribution
system size, characteristics, and an estimation of background leakage expected in a distribution system. A
well -performing system generally has an ILI score less than 3.0, indicating leakage loss is less than three
times the unavoidable loss level. The City's average ILI is 1.46 for calendar years 2016 through 2020
exceeding this standard, as shown in Table 6. Full water loss audits for 2016-2020 are available in Appendix
VI.
TABLE 6: Water Loss Audit Data and Results
Billed
Unbilled
Infrastructure
Water
Year
Authorized
Authorized
Apparent
Real
Unavoidable
Leakage Index
Loss, %
Consumption
Consumption
Losses
Losses
Real Losses
(ILI)
volume
supplied
2016
3,990.46
13.60
102.76
412.92
204.37
2.02
11.4
2017
4,281.00
21.93
155.56
402.35
204.90
1.96
11.5
2018
4,380.05
7.63
112.13
199.42
206.41
0.97
6.6
2019
4,198.61
4.93
107.59
231.95
249.44
0.95
7.5
2020
4,348.87
4.93
111.72
351.29
249.44
1.41
9.7
Five -Year Average
1.46
9.34
Source: City of San Luis Obispo, Utilities Department, 2021.
3.4 ESTIMATING FUTURE WATER SAVINGS
Water savings from codes, standards, ordinances, and transportation and land use plans drive reduction in
water demand within the City. CWC 10631 (e) (4) (B) (ii) requires that it be noted in the UWMP that the
projected water use identified for 2025, 2030, 2035, and 2040 does not reflect any representation of water
savings from codes, standards, ordinances, or transportation and land use plans.
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3.5 HOUSING
The City's General Plan Housing Element, updated in 2020,
includes a residential land capacity analysis that shows the
City has approximately 387 acres of vacant, underutilized, or
deteriorated property that can accommodate approximately
4,140 dwelling units. The City's projected water use figures
provided in Table 4 include the projected water use for all
future housing in the City, including future lower income
households as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and
Safety Code and the City's Housing Element, as required by
CWC 10631.1. Table 7 shows the quantity and category of
lower income housing units from the Housing Element and
estimated water use for these affordable housing units.
3.6 BASELINES AND TARGETS FOR WATER USE
REDUCTION BY 2020
The Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB X7-7) was
incorporated into Division 6 of the CWC in 2009. According to
the CWC, urban retail water suppliers must include in their
urban water management plan the baseline daily per capita
water use, along with the basis for determining the estimate,
including references to the supporting data. The
legislation specifically calls for using the methodologies
and criteria developed by the DWR and contained in the
guidance document Methodologies for Calculating
Baseline and Compliance Urban Per Capita Water Use
to determine compliance as required in the years 2015
and 2020. The legislation directs urban water suppliers
to adopt one of the four outlined options or Target
Methods in the legislation to determine their urban water
use targets.
As the City has invested in and implemented water
conservation programs since 1988, the baseline periods
outlined in the SB X7-7 used to create water use targets
in 2015 and 2020 were not achievable using Target
Method 1, a flat 20 percent reduction from the baseline
period. After reviewing and analyzing the considerable
resources required to perform Target Methods 2 and 4,
the City chose Target Method 3. This method sets water
use goals based on the state hydrologic region target as
set forth in SB X7-7. This method represents the local
climate and geography, it is important to note that the
City lies completely within Central Coast Region
(Region 3). The Central Coast Region's 2020 target,
expressed in gpcd, is the lowest of any region in the
state. Central Coast region goals can be compared with
other regions in Table 8.
TABLE 7: Water Demand for Future
Lower Income Housing Units
Total
Estimated
Income
Category
Housing
Water Use
Units
(in acre feet)
Very Low
825
247.5
Income
Low
520
156
Income
Total
1,345
403.5
Note: Estimated water use was calculated using
0.3 AFY per housing unit following conservative
water demand rates.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo, General Plan
Housing Element, Table 4, Sixth Cycle Regional
Housing Needs Allocation, 1/1/2019 to
12/31 /2028.
TABLE 8: Target Method 3
Hydrologic Region Goals
Hydrologic Region
"2020 Plan
Regional
Method 3
Regional
argets
Targets
(95%)
North Coast
137
130
North Lahontan
173
164
Sacramento River
176
167
San Francisco Bay
131
124
San Joaquin River
174
165
Central Coast
123
117
Tulare Lake
188
179
South Lahontan
170
162
South Coast
149
142
Colorado River
211
200
Source: Department of Water Resources.
3.7 UPDATING CALCULATIONS FROM 2010 UWMP
In accordance with CWC 10608.20 (g), and per the recommendation of DWR, the City examined its 2020
Urban Water Use Target and will continue to utilize Method 3 (Hydrologic Region Goals); the City will not
change its Target Method. Per DWR's required use of 2010 U.S. Census data, and to correct for
discrepancies between DOF's projected populations for 2010, and actual census population data for 2010,
the City updated the baseline population calculations for the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan. The
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population corrections made slight changes to the 10-year average baseline GPCD, and the five-year
average baseline gpcd, but did not change the City's 2015 Interim, or 2020 Urban Water Use Reduction
Goals as defined in Method 3 shown in Table 8.
A requirement in the 2020 UWMP is completion and submission of the SB X7-7 Standardized Tables.
These tables compile in-depth information about SB X7-7 and provide proof of compliance with the Water
Conservation Act of 2009. The SB X7-7 Standardized Tables are provided in Appendix IV.
3.8 BASELINE PERIODS
In the 2010 UWMP, the City defined both ten-year
(Baseline GPCD) and five-year (Target Confirmation)
baseline periods; these periods remain unchanged from
the 2010 UWMP and are used to establish the 2020
Target Goal, along with baseline period per capita figures
for water use reduction. Table 9 defines the ten-year
baseline period from 1997-2006 and the five-year baseline
period from 2004-2008. The methodology used to
establish ten-year and five-year baseline periods is
included below.
Through analysis of the quantity of total water deliveries
made up of recycled water in 2008, it was discovered that
the City did not meet the ten percent threshold required to
use a 15-year baseline period, leading the City to follow
CWC 10608.12 (b) (1) guidance to use a ten-year baseline
period. The City's ten-year baseline period of 1997 to 2006
and corresponding populations, annual gross water use,
and daily per capita water use (gpcd) calculations
provided by DWR can be viewed in SB X7-7 Table 1 in
Appendix IV.
As defined by CWC 10608.12 (b), "base daily
per capita water use" is defined as:
(1) The urban retail water supplier's estimate of
its average gross water use, reported in gallons
per capita per day and calculated over a
continuous 10-year period ending no earlier than
December, 31 2004, and no later than
December 31, 2010.
�l
(2) For an urban water supplier that meets at
least 10 percent of its 2008 measured retail
water demand through recycled water that is
delivered within the service area of urban water
supplier or its urban wholesale water supplier,
the urban water supplier may extend the
calculation described in paragraph (1) up to an
additional five years to a maximum continuous
period ending no earlier than December 31,
2004, and no later than December 31, 2010.
In accordance with CWC 10608.12 (b) the City calculated its five-year baseline average period water use.
Ranging from 2004-2008, the five-year time frame was selected in accordance with Methodology 3: Base
Daily Per Capita Water Use.
TABLE 9: Baseline Period Ranges
Baseline
Parameter
Value
Units
2008 total water deliveries
6,359
Acre Feet
10- to 15-
2008 total volume of delivered recycled water
90
Acre Feet
year
2008 recycled water as a percent of total deliveries
1.41
Percent
baseline
Number of years in baseline period'
10
Years
period
Year beginning baseline period range
1997
Year ending baseline period range 2
2006
5-year
Number of years in baseline period
5
Years
baseline
Year beginning baseline period range
2004
period
Year ending baseline period range 3
2008
1 If the 2008 recycled water percent is less than ten percent, the first baseline period is a continuous ten-
year period. If the amount of recycled water delivered in 2008 is ten percent or greater, the first baseline
period is a continuous ten- to 15-year period.
2The ending year must be between December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2010.
1The ending year must be between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2010.
NOTE: SB X7-7 Table 1, see Appendix IV.
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3.9 SERVICE AREA POPULATION
For the 2020 UWMP, the City's service area boundaries have been found to correspond by 95 percent or
more with the city limits. This correspondence allows the City to use Department of Finance population
estimates as defined in DWR's Urban Water Management Guidebook. These population estimates were
updated from the 2015 UWMP to reflect differences in population between the Department of Finance
projections and the 2010 Census. Population data for each of the baseline years can be found in Table 11.
3.10 GROSS WATER USE
As defined by CWC 10608.12 (g), "Gross Water Use" means the total volume of water, whether treated or
untreated, entering the distribution system of an urban water supplier, excluding all of the following:
(1) Recycled water that is delivered within the service area of an urban water supplier or its urban
water wholesale water supplier
(2) The net volume of water the urban retail water supplier places into long term storage
(3) The volume of water the urban retail water supplier conveys for use by another urban water supplier
(4) The volume of water delivered for agricultural use, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (f)
of Section 10608.24.
The City's gross water use is exclusively comprised of water entering the distribution system from four
sources: Salinas Reservoir, Whale Rock Reservoir, Nacimiento Reservoir, and groundwater. Per
Methodology 1: Gross Water of the methodologies document, recycled water delivered within the service
area is excluded from the calculation of gross water. Water suppliers are not required to report their recycled
water use, nor demonstrate any reduction in recycled water use for the purposes of SB X7-7. For detailed
information on volume of water that entered the distribution during the baseline periods and in 2020, please
refer to Table 10.
TABLE 10: Annual Gross Water Use
Baseline Year
Volume Into
Distribution
System
Deductions
Annual
Gross
Water
Use
Exported
Water
Change
in Dist.
System
Storage
+/-
Indirect
Recycled
Water
Water
Delivered
for
Agricultural
Use
Process
Water
Year 1
1997
6219.76
0
0
0
0
0
6,220
Year 2
1998
5852.94
0
0
0
0
0
5,853
Year 3
1999
6172.13
0
0
0
0
0
6,172
Year 4
2000
6121.19
0
0
0
0
0
6,121
Year 5
2001
5885.52
0
0
0
0
0
5,886
Year 6
2002
6031.44
0
0
0
0
0
6,031
Year 7
2003
5968.75
0
0
0
0
0
5,969
Year 8
2004
6238.95
0
0
0
0
0
6,239
Year 9
2005
6098.43
1 0
1 0
1 0
0
1 0
6,098
Year 10
1 2006
5990.47
0
0
1 0
1 0
0
5,990
10 - 15 year baseline average gro s water us;�t
6,058
5 Year Baseline - Gross Water Use
Year 1
2004
6,239
0
0
0
0
0
6,239
Year 2
2005
6,098
0
0
0
0
0
6,098
Year 3
2006
5,990
0
0
0
0
0
5,990
Year 4
2007
6,416
0
0
0
0
0
6,416
Year 5
2008
6,269
0
0
0
0
0
6,269
5-year baseline average gross water use:
6,203
2020 Compliance Year - Gross Water Use
2020 1 4,817 1 0 0 0 0 0 4,817
NOTE: Volume into distribution from Salinas, Whale Rock, and Nacimiento Reservoirs, and groundwater.
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3.11 BASELINE PER CAPITA WATER USE
Daily Per Capita Water Use was calculated for the ten-year, five-year, and 2020 compliance year periods
(see Table 11). The ten-year average baseline per capita water use was calculated at 123 gpcd while the
five-year average baseline per capita water use totaled 124 gpcd. The 2020 compliance year figure of 94
gpcd is low due to continued conservation efforts by the community and decreases in system water losses.
3.12 2015 AND 2020 URBAN WATER USE TARGET
Per CWC 10608.20 (e), water retailers were
directed to calculate a 2020 urban water use
target, and an interim urban water use target in
their 2015 Urban Water Management Plan.
This target is referred to as the 2020 target.
As detailed in section 3.6, the City used Target
Method 3 to comply with SB X7-7. As noted in
Table 8, the Central Coast Hydrologic Region
was required to reduce the regional goal of 123
gpcd by five percent, effectively establishing a
117 gpcd goal for the City.
As a requirement of CWC 10608.22, an urban
water supplier's per capita daily water use
reduction shall be no less than five percent
base per capita water use as defined in the five-
year baseline average. This calculation, and
compliance is confirmed Table 12. The Central
Coast Region target goal of 117 gpcd requires
a six percent reduction in per capita water use,
thus satisfying the requirement for at least a five
percent reduction.
All information and DWR tables used to
develop baselines and the resulting 2020 target
can be viewed in Appendix IV. The summarized
information in Table 14 is provided at the
recommendation of DWR for quick verification
of compliance with the Water Conservation Act
of 2009.
TABLE 11: Daily Per Capita Water Use
Baseline Year
Service
Area
Population
Annual
Gross
Water
Use
Daily
Per
Capita
Water
Use
(GPCD)
10- to 15-Year Baseline GPCD:
Year 1
1997
42,983
6,220
129
Year 2
1998
43,421
5,853
120
Year 3
1999
43,766
6,172
126
Year 4
2000
44,179
6,121
124
Year 5
2001
44,293
5,886
119
Year 6
2002
44,406
6,031
121
Year 7
2003
44,293
5,969
120
Year 8
2004
44,271
6,239
126
Year 9
2005
44,630
6,098
122
Year 10
2006
44,483
5,990
120
10- to 15-Year Average Baseline GPCD:
123
5-Year Baseline GPCD:
Baseline Year
Service
Area
Population
Gross
Water
Use
Daily
Per
Capita
Water
Use
Year 1
2004
44,271
6,239
126
Year 2
2005
44,630
6,098
122
Year 3
2006
44,483
5,990
120
Year 4
2007
44,438
6,416
129
Year 5
2008
44,650
6,269
125
5-Year Average Baseline GPCD:
124
2020 Compliance Year GPCD:
2020
45,920
4,817
94
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TABLE 12: Confirmed 2020 Targets
5-Year
Maximum
Calculated
Confirmed
Baseline
2020
2020 Target
2020
GPCD
Target
Target
124
118
117
117
Notes:
1. Maximum 2020 Target is 95% of the 5 Year Baseline GPCD
2. All values are in Gallons per Capita per Day (GPCD)
3. 117 GPCD is from Target Method 3
TABLE 13: Baselines and Targets Summary
Baseline Period
Start Year
End Year
Average Baseline
GPCD"
Confirmed 2020
Target"
10-year
1997
2006
123
117
5-Year
2004
2008
124
'Values are in Gallons per Capita per Day (GPCD)
3.13 COMPLIANCE DAILY PER CAPITA WATER USE (GPCD)
In 2020, the SB X7-7 reduction target of 117 GPCD was met and surpassed by the City. Low potable water
usage and gallons per capita per day figures in 2020 are a result of a continued focus on efficient water
use, largely from measures implemented in during the 2012-2015 drought. Beginning in 2015, potable water
usage and gallons per capita per day figures were significantly reduced due to conservation efforts,
prolonged drought, and Governor Brown's April, 2015 drought declaration, requiring a statewide 25 percent
reduction in potable water use.
TABLE 14: 2020 SB X7-7 Compliance
Optional Adjustments to 2020
GPCD
Did
Actual
2020
Supplier
2020
Target
Extraordinary
Economic
Weather
TOTAL
Adjusted
2020
Achieve
GPCD
GPCD
Events
Adjustment
Normalization
Adjustments
2020 GPCD
GPCD
Targeted
Reduction
for 2020?
94
117
0
0
0
0
94
94
Yes
NOTE: All values are in Gallons per Capita per Day (GPCD)
In accordance with statewide reduction efforts and Executive Order B-29-15, the City was required to
reduce residential gallons per capita daily (RGPCD) consumption by 12 percent from 2013 usage levels.
Due to a long history of successful conservation strategies, along with strong community support, the City
surpassed both its drought reduction goals and its SB X7-7 water use reduction goals.
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Actual 2020 per capita water demand is provided in
Figure 4, along with per capita water demand from 2005
to 2020, which ranged from a high of 129 gpcd in 2007
to a low of 88 gpcd in 2016. Staff believes water demand
will remain in line with the average use rate for the past
five-year period (2016-2020). Table 15 provides five-
year, ten-year, and pre -drought daily per capita
averages.
TABLE 15: Average
Gallons Per Capita Per Day (GPCD)
Timeframe
GPCD
10-Year Average (2011-2020)
98
5-Year Average (2016-2020)
92
Pre -drought Average (2006-2011)
117
FIGURE 4: 2005-2020 Water Use in Gallons per Capital Per Day
Compared to 2020 Target
140 129
0 122 120 125 119 117
a 120 113
106 101 107 105
97
> 100 92 88 91 90 94
a 80
ea
QR- 60
V
a. 40
c
20
0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020
Target
Year
NOTE: Includes all water use (potable and recycled water).
Source: City of San Luis Obispo, Utilites Department, 2021.
3.14 INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WATER DEMAND
The potential influence of climate change on water demand is one of the factors that the City considers
when using making its water demand projections, such as the potential for greater landscape irrigation
demand due to a reduction in rainfall. The City recognizes the impact of rainfall variability on water demand.
During years where the City receives less than average rainfall, irrigation can continue into late in the year
(November and December) or resume early in the year (March and April). Table 16 provides the City's
Calendar Year 2020 monthly potable and recycled water demand, illustrating the variability of monthly water
demand due to landscape irrigation.
Climate change research suggest that water demand for agriculture will be affected more heavily than will
demands in other sectors. However, the City does not supply any water for agricultural irrigation.
Although the City has seen increased water demand for landscape irrigation during years with less rainfall,
the City has also seen a shift in the types of landscapes being installed as part of new development and
landscape retrofits since the 2012-2015 drought. The use of drought -tolerant landscaping and more efficient
landscape design should reduce year-to-year variations in water use that are driven by variations in
weather.
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Reference Chapter 6 for a detailed discussion of
climate change considerations related to the City's
water sources and the City's Drought Risk
Assessment.
3-10
TABLE 16: Monthly Water Demand
Month
2020 Water Demand
%
Potable
Recycled
January
300
5
7%
February
333
14
8%
March
270
5
6%
April
292
14
7%
May
382
29
9%
June
410
30
10%
July
410
30
10%
August
431
37
10%
September
424
26
10%
October
421
26
10%
November
346
17
8%
December
329
12
7%
Total:
4,349
245
Total 2020 Water
Demand:
4,594
Notes:
1. Water demand values are in acre-feet.
2. Water demand in this table is based on
metered water deliveries.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo, Utilities
Department, 2021.
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3.15 REQUIRED UWMP STANDARDIZED TABLES:
Demands for
Potable
2020 Actual
Use Type
Additional Description
Level of
Treatment
When Delivered
Volume
Single Family
Drinking Water
2,087
Multi -Family
Drinking Water
943
Landscape
Does not include recycled water
Drinking Water
397
Other
CII
Drinking Water
922
Losses
Drinking Water
469
Other
Unbilled Authorized
Drinking Water
0
TOTAL
4,817
NOTES: Other "CII" contains commercial, industrial, and institutional account types
UWMP Table 4-1 R (Retail).
Potable and
Use Type
Non -Potable Water - Projected
Additional Description
Projected Water Use
2025
2030
2035
2040
Single Family
2,892
3,039
3,223
3,388
Multi -Family
1,345
1,414
1,499
1,576
Landscape
Includes all separately metered
landscape / irrigation
538
565
600
630
Other
CII
1,278
1,343
1,424
1,497
Losses
666
700
742
780
Other
Unbilled Authorized
7
7
8
8
TOTAL
6,725
7,068
7,496
7,879
NOTES: UWMP Table 4-2 R (Retail).
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Total Water Demands DWI
AhL
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
Potable and Raw Water
From Tables 4-1 and 4-2
4,817
6,725
7,068
7,496
7,879
Recycled Water Demand
245
445
645
695
745
From Table 6-4
TOTAL WATER DEMAND
1 5,062
1 7,171
7,713
8,191
8,624
NOTES: UWMP Table 4-3 R (Retail).
Last Five Years of Water
Loss AuditReporting
Reporting Period
Volume of Water Loss
Start Date (mm/yyyy)
(AF) 1
01/2016
515.683
01/2017
557.908
01/2018
515.683
01/2019
339.544
01/2020
463.009
1 Taken from the field "Water Losses" (a combination of
apparent losses and real losses) from the AWWA
worksheet.
NOTES: UWMP Table 4-4 R (Retail). Values for 2020 are
estimated, the 2020 Water Loss Audit is not yet
complete/validated.
Inclusion in Water Use Projections 0���
Are Future Water Savings Included in Projections? No
Are Lower Income Residential Demands Included In Projections? Yes
NOTE: UWMP Table 4-5 R (Retail).
Baselines • Targets Summary From•Formj Ad
Baseline Period Start Year End Year Average Baseline Confirmed 2020
G PCD Target
10-15 Year 1997 2006 123
117
5-Year 2004 2008 124
NOTE: UWMP Table 5-1 R (Retail).
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Chapter 4: Water Sources
As the sole water purveyor within the City limits,
the City maintains control over water quality,
distribution, and service to the community, as
well as ensuring consistency with the General
Plan policies and goals.
The City's General Plan Water and Wastewater
Management Element (WWME) was originally
adopted in 1987. Policy A2.2.1 states "The City
shall utilize multiple water resources to meet its
water supply needs." Having several sources of
water avoids dependence on any one source
that may not be available during a drought or
other water supply reduction or emergency.
There is generally greater reliability and
flexibility if sources are of different types (such
as surface water, recycled water, and Whale Rock Reservoir, August 2019.
groundwater) and if the sources of one type are
in different locations (such as reservoirs in
different watersheds). Consistent with the WWME, the City obtains water from Salinas Reservoir (Santa
Margarita Lake), Whale Rock Reservoir, Nacimiento Reservoir, and recycled water from the City's Water
Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF). Groundwater was utilized in the past and is considered an available
supplemental water supply. The following sections discuss each of the City's water sources; the reliability
of each water source is discussed in Chapter 6.
4.1 SALINAS RESERVOIR
The Salinas Reservoir (also known as Santa Margarita Lake) is located on the upper Salinas River,
approximately nine miles southeast of the community of Santa Margarita. The project was originally built
by the War Department to ensure an adequate water supply for Camp San Luis Obispo, as well as the City
of San Luis Obispo. The dam and appurtenances were declared surplus by the War Department on April
14, 1947 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assumed responsibility for the facilities. On July 11, 1947,
the Corps entered into an agreement with the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District (District) for the operation and maintenance of the dam and related facilities. The City
has an agreement with the Corps for use of the reservoir, as well as a water rights permit to divert water
from the Salinas River for storage within the reservoir.
Operation and Distribution
Salinas Reservoir is formed by a concrete arched dam. Immediately following construction, the reservoir
had an estimated storage capacity of 24,000 acre-feet, surface area of 793 acres, and a drainage area of
112 square miles. As a result of siltation since the original construction, the reservoir capacity has been
reduced. A 1990 analysis conducted by the County of San Luis Obispo indicates that the siltation rate is on
the order of 40 acre-feet per year. The estimated loss in storage capacity for Salinas Reservoir between
1990 and 2010 was 800 acre-feet.
Water is conveyed from Salinas Reservoir through 48,700 feet (9.2 miles) of 24-inch diameter reinforced
concrete pipe to a three million gallon regulating reservoir at the Santa Margarita booster pump station near
the northerly base of Cuesta Grade adjacent to Highway 101. The pipeline is designed to flow by gravity
from the Reservoir to the regulating reservoir when the lake level is above the elevation of 1,267 feet. A
booster pump station at the base of the dam, consisting of two horizontal centrifugal pumps, is capable of
maintaining the rated flow of 12.4 cubic feet per second (cfs) when the water surface elevation falls below
1,267 feet. Three electrically driven, horizontal centrifugal pumps at the Santa Margarita booster station
pump water through 6,810 feet of 24-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe to the entrance portal of the
Cuesta Tunnel, which runs 5,327 feet through the mountains near Cuesta Grade. From the outlet portal of
the tunnel, water is conveyed through an 18-inch diameter steel pipeline a distance of 5,133 feet to the
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City's turnout point. From the turnout, an 18-
inch diameter pipe runs 4,180 feet to the site
of Reservoir #2 on Stenner Creek Road. From
there, a pipeline that varies from 24-inches to
30-inches in diameter conveys the water by
gravity to the water treatment plant 5,930 feet
downstream.
The operation and maintenance of the dam
and water conveyance system (to the City's
turnout) are the responsibility of San Luis
Obispo County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District. The City pays all
operating, maintenance, and capital costs
associated with the reservoir and transmission
system (excluding costs associated with
recreational activities at the Lake).
4.2 WHALE ROCK RESERVOIR
Whale Rock Reservoir is located on Old Creek Salinas Dam spillway, February 2019.
approximately one-half mile east of the
community of Cayucos. The project was
planned, designed, and constructed under the supervision of the State Department of Water Resources.
Construction took place between October 1958 and April 1961. The reservoir is jointly owned by the City,
the California Men's Colony, and the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly).
These three agencies form the Whale Rock Commission which is responsible for operation and
administration of the reservoir and associated water deliveries. Day-to-day operation is provided by the
City. The City owns 55.05 percent of the water storage rights at the reservoir. The remaining water storage
rights are apportioned between the two State agencies with Cal Poly owning 33.71 percent and the
California Men's Colony owning 11.24 percent.
Operation and Distribution
Whale Rock Reservoir is formed by an earthen dam and was able to store an estimated 40,662 acre-feet
of water at the time of construction. The dam is 266 feet tall with a crest length of 850 feet and crest width
of 30 feet. The top of dam elevation is 232.2 feet. The Reservoir covers an area of 600 acres. In 2021, the
maximum storage capacity is 38,967 acre-feet. Over the life of the Whale Rock Reservoir and dam, the
lake has filled to capacity and the spillway has been used 12 times, last spilling in 2005.
The project facilities consist of a 30-inch pipeline, two pumping stations, over two miles of trails and a fishing
access facility, a maintenance facility and office, and a structure used as a private residence.
City staff is responsible for ongoing maintenance and operation of the reservoir, including the inlet and
outlet structures, reservoir structural instrumentation, access roads, daily reservoir level readings and
climatological data, reservoir patrol and security, pipelines and pumping stations, water meters, cathodic
protection systems, and other associated duties. Staff also monitors public access to the lake.
The conveyance system delivers water from the reservoir to the Whale Rock Commission member
agencies located between the reservoir and the City. Outlets from the pipeline exist for water deliveries to
Chorro Reservoir and water treatment plant (operated by the California Men's Colony), Cal Poly State
University, the Cayucos water treatment facility and the City's Water Treatment Plant. In addition, water
can be delivered to the Dairy Creek Golf Course under terms of an agreement between the California Men's
Colony and the County of San Luis Obispo.
The Whale Rock pipeline is approximately 17 miles long, connecting the reservoir to the member agencies,
and terminating at the City's Water Treatment Plant. The design capacity of the pipeline is 18.94 cubic feet
per second (approximately 8,500 gallons per minute). The line consists of modified pre -stressed concrete
cylinder pipe at most locations. Cement mortar lined steel pipe is used at creek crossings and junctions.
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The pipeline has surge protection consisting of eight -inch, globe type, diaphragm -actuated pressure relief
valves which protect the line from excessive pressures. The cathodic protection system consists of
sacrificial anodes and test stations located in areas subject to galvanic corrosion. Previous inspections
made during routine maintenance and repairs indicate the pipeline to be in good condition.
Two pump stations transmit the water along the pipeline to member agencies. The first pump station is
located in Cayucos at Chaney Way (elevation 44 feet). The second station is located near Camp San Luis
Obispo, approximately six miles southeast of Morro Bay (elevation 181 feet). Each station has five-200
horsepower pumps capable of delivering various flow rates requested by member agencies. Upgrades to
both pump stations, which included the addition of two pumps at each station, were completed in August
1993.
In 2018, the City contracted with HDR Engineering, Inc. for inspection and assessment of the 850-foot long
Whale Rock Dam spillway. The investgation included:
1. Review of design, construction, inspection,
analysis, operation and maintenance, and geologic
information, as provided by City.
2. Detailed visual, non-destructive inspection of the
spillway slabs and walls from upstream of the
spillway crest to downstream of the stilling basin.
3. Video/camera inspection of accessible outfall
drains and heel drains.
4. Geologic inspection of foundation material adjacent
to the spillway.
5. Evaluation of original spillway design versus a
modern spillway design.
6. Evaluation of operations, inspection, and
surveillance practices.
7. Evaluation of performance of previous repairs.
Whale Rock Dam Spillway.
A report was completed in March 2019 with recommendations including maintenance and repair activities
for the drainage system and further engineering investigations. The City and its Whale Rock partners, Cal
Poly and the California Men's Colony, will implement corrections as recommended by the California
Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
Whale Rock trail.
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Operating Agreements
Several agreements establish policies for the
operation of the Whale Rock system and actions of
the member agencies. A brief description of the
existing agreements follows:
A) Agreement for the construction and operation of
the Whale Rock Project, 1957, set forth the
project's capital cost distribution to the member
agencies.
B) A supplemental operating agreement, 1960,
established the Whale Rock Commission and
apportioned the operating costs.
C) Downstream water rights agreement (original
1958 agreement was amended and replaced
with a new agreement in April 1996) established
water entitlements for adjacent and downstream
water users. The downstream water users
(Cayucos Area Water Organization or CAWO)
affected by this agreement consist of three
public water purveyors and the cemetery. In
addition to the agencies, water entitlements
were identified for separate downstream
landowners; see Table 17.
D) A decision and order by the Fish and Game
Commission of the State of California, October
24, 1964, required the Whale Rock Commission
to stock the reservoir with 17,500 rainbow trout
(between six and eight inches long) each year.
The State Department of Fish and Game has
directed that no fish be planted in the reservoir
to protect the existing fish population in the
reservoir (landlocked steelhead).
30-inch Whale Rock Pipeline Repair Conducted in
June 2017
TABLE 17: Whale Rock Reservoir
Downstream Entitlement
Downstream Water Users
Allocation
Ca ucos Area Water Organization
600
Paso Robles Beach Water Association
222
Morro Rock Mutual Water Company
170
County Water District #10A
190
Cayucos-Morro Bay Cemetery District
18
Mainini
50
Ogle
14
Total Downstream Entitlement:
664
NOTE: Allocations are in acre-feet per year.
E) Superior Court decision #36101, 1977, required Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Dept., 2021.
the Whale Rock Commission to allow public
entry to the reservoir for fishing. In 1981, construction was completed on access trails and sanitary
facilities at the reservoir, and public fishing began at the lake.
F) An agreement for water allocation and operational policy between the agencies forming the Whale
Rock Commission. The agreement established the accounting procedures to allow each agency to
carry over excess or deficit water each year. The operating policies were most recently amended in
2014 to allow agencies to utilize their water supplies in the reservoir as needed by their agency.
G) An agreement between the Whale Rock Commission and the California Men's Colony, 1990, to
establish maintenance and operation criteria for the Chorro Booster pumps. The Chorro Booster pumps
were installed by the Commission on the California Men's Colony turnout from the Whale Rock line to
reduce system pressures required to provide full flow to the California Men's Colony water treatment
plant. Pump station maintenance, per the agreement, is the responsibility of the California Men's
Colony.
H) An agreement between the Whale Rock Commission and the County of San Luis Obispo for connection
to the Whale Rock pipeline, 1995, allowed a pipeline connection to deliver water to the Dairy Creek
Golf Course. Typically, the golf course uses reclaimed water from the California Men's Colony
Wastewater Treatment Plant. Water from Whale Rock Reservoir can be delivered when reclaimed
water is not available under the terms of the agreement.
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1) A consent to common use agreement, 1996, between the Whale Rock Commission and the County of
San Luis Obispo. The agreement allowed the installation of the State Water pipeline at seven locations
within the existing Whale Rock pipeline easement.
J) An agreement, updated in 2018, for exchange of water between the City of San Luis Obispo and the
San Luis Obispo County Service Area No. 10A. The agreement allows for the exchange of up to 50
acre-feet per year of Nacimiento water for water from Whale Rock Reservoir.
TABLE 18: Reservoir Attributes
Reservoir
Watershed
Size
S uare Miles
Storage
Capacity
Acre -Feet
Average Annual
Precipitation
inches
Average Annual
Evaporation
Inches
Salinas
112.0
23,843
22.1
85.4
Whale Rock
20.3
38,967
18.7
61.6
Nacimiento
361.5
377,900
35-55
-
Notes
1. Average annual precipitation and evaporation depths are based on the verified
hydrologic data from the City's Safe Annual Yield Model, 2018. See Appendix IV.
2. Due to the size of Nacimiento Reservoir watershed area, average precipitation varies.
Evaporation averages for Nacimiento Reservoir are not currently identified.
SOURCE: Nacimiento Water Project Initial Watershed Sanitary Survey, 2014.
Pipeline Condition Assessments
During 2019, pipeline condition assessments were completed for the Whale Rock Reservoir and Salinas
Reservoir (Santa Margarita Lake) water transmission pipelines. The condition assessments used free-
swimming electromagnetic inspection technology, shown in the image below, to locate and identify
segments of the pipeline in need of repair. Over 16 miles of 30-inch transmission pipeline from Whale Rock
Reservoir was analyzed. The assessment found that 2,610 segments had no abnormalities, and 25
segments had varying deficiencies (broken bar wraps or cylinder wall loss). The Salinas pipeline condition
assessment analyzed 1.25 miles of pipeline originally installed in 1940s. Results of the assessment were
described in a May 2019 report revealing 222 of the total 236 segments had no abnormalities, and 14
segments had varying deficiencies. Funding is programmed to address the identified pipeline deficiencies
in the next few years.
Conceptual image of Electromagnetic Inspection Technology used to assess the
Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoir transmission pipelines.
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4.3 NACIMIENTO RESERVOIR
In 1959, the San Luis Obispo Flood Control and
Watershed Protection District entered into an
agreement with Monterey County Flood Control and
Water Conservation District (now Monterey County
Water Resources Agency) to secure rights to 17,500
acre-feet of water per year from Nacimiento Reservoir.
Nacimiento Reservoir is located entirely within San Luis
Obispo County, California (County), and was built by
Monterey County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District who continues to control reservoir
ownership and operations. Nacimiento Reservoir has a
storage capacity of 377,900 acre-feet and serves the
purpose of abating seawater intrusion in the
groundwater aquifers of the Salinas River Valley. The
Nacimiento Reservoir also provides flood protection
and is a source of water supply for groundwater
recharge for the Salinas Valley. 1,750 AFY of the
County's entitlement have been designated for uses
around the lake, leaving 15,750 AFY for allocation to
other areas within the County of San Luis Obispo.
The "dependable yield" from Nacimiento Reservoir is
the contractual amount of water that the City has rights
Nadmiento Reserwoir
Top of Dam (Eler- 825 fee(]
8W feel
is
spar Gale
377-900 AF —
Flood Pool
jEfev-8W teat]
787.75 feel — EM 587 AF)
311-313 AF Canmrvabw
SPAY
P�d
IE1er-787-751mo
{289.013 AF
HLOW �E _ 755 feel]
73011— — — — —— — ——
Mtr&. R Uo
o�
687.8 feel
22-400 AF
80 kel
LLOW lSev. 670 Well
10,300AF
to from Nacimiento Reservoir. The original amount
contracted for was 3,380 acre-feet per year. Source: Monterey County Water Resources
Agency, Nacimiento Dam Operations Policy, 2018.
Engineering studies, environmental impact reports,
dependable yield analyses, and preliminary design
reports were undertaken in an effort to meet the various water needs within the County. In 2004, the County
requested interested agencies to approve the contractual agreements for participation in the Nacimiento
Project. The four initial project participants included the cities of San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, the
Atascadero Mutual Water Company, and the Templeton Community Services District. All of these agencies
executed participation agreements with San Luis Obispo County for entitlements of water which totaled
9,630 acre feet. On June 29, 2004, the City Council authorized participation in the Nacimiento Water Project
for the delivery of the original 3,380 acre-feet of water. In 2004, the County Service Area 10A in Cayucos
became a project participant (25 AFY).
The County began construction in 2007 on a 45-mile pipeline project to deliver water from the Nacimiento
Reservoir to participating agencies and cities. The facilities consist of a multi -port intake structure, three
pump stations, three storage tanks, 45 miles of pipeline, four turnouts, a control center, and a Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Project control system. The Project budget was $176-million,
including design, construction, construction management, environmental permitting, and right-of-way.
Pipeline construction and related water delivery facilities were completed in the fall of 2010 with water
deliveries to the City beginning in January of 2011.
In March 2016, the City Council approved the addition of 2,102 AFY from Nacimiento Reservoir to the City's
secondary water supply. This addition brought the City's total Nacimiento Reservoir Allocation to 5,482
AFY. Secondary water supplies are used to meet short-term losses to the City's water supply due to events
such as drought, pipeline maintenance, and repair of infrastructure. With uncertainty of future climatic
conditions, regulation and aging infrastructure, the additional supply of Nacimiento water to the City's
portfolio reduces pressure on use of water supplies in the Whale Rock and Salinas reservoirs. It would
serve to extend these stored supplies during future critical water shortage periods.
San Luis Obispo County operates, maintains, and administers capital improvement projects for the water
delivery system from Nacimiento Reservoir to participating agencies (currently the cities of Paso Robles
and San Luis Obispo, Atascadero Mutual Water Company, Templeton Community Services District, County
Service Area 10A [Cayucos], Santa Margarita Ranch, and Bella Vista Mobile Home Park). The Nacimiento
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Project Commission provides oversight to project operations, maintenance, and the project budget. The
Commission is made up of representatives from each of the four founding agencies' governing boards and
a County Representative who is a member of the County Board of Supervisors who also sits on the Board
of Directors for the Flood Control District.
4.4 GROUNDWATER
The principal source of groundwater for the City is the San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin (Basin).
The Basin is oriented in a northwest -southeast direction and is composed of unconsolidated or loosely
consolidated sedimentary deposits. It is approximately 14 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. It covers a surface
area of about 12,700 acres (19.9 square miles). The Basin is bounded on the northeast by the relatively
impermeable bedrock formations of the Santa Lucia Range, and on the southwest by the formations of the
San Luis Range and the Edna fault system. The bottom of the SLO Basin is defined by the contact of
permeable sediments with the impermeable bedrock Miocene -aged and Franciscan Assemblage rocks.
The Basin is commonly referenced as being composed of two distinct valleys, with the San Luis Valley in
the northwest, providing water to the City of San Luis Obispo, and the Edna Valley in the southeast providing
water to unincorporated areas of the county and large agricultural operations.
FIGURE 5: San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin
Creek r•� .� 'rw. t4"� f r �0� ..�3ya<y l .I:: i��.li
C alifo rn is 1
echnic
Univ
i�
G �5
U S fir, S a
C' a
ee,�
- Mrilil.
0 '11
{fir•• -
�'rr
L `�A �
+ I+..
Avila
Beech G,?IF '1 �9 ,>'.3 �.7 �~
L.,ila B:a•:h _
i
The City's major source of water was groundwater and surface water local creeks until 1944 when the City
began to use water from Salinas Reservoir. In 1943, the City pumped 1,380 acre-feet of groundwater.
Groundwater was used again during the summer of 1948, when 440 acre-feet was pumped. From that point
on until 1989, most groundwater in the City was used by agriculture and very little was used for domestic
consumption.
With the onset of the drought in 1986, resulting in decreasing surface water supplies, the City activated
groundwater wells in 1989 to meet the City's water demand. In November 1992, nitrate levels in the Auto
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Park Way Well exceeded State standards, so the well was taken out of service. In April 2015, the City
stopped utilizing the Pacific Beach Well on Los Osos Valley Road for potable water purposes due to more
stringent regulations for hexavalent chromium. The Fire Station #4 Well had been offline due to remediation
of soil contamination at the adjacent Shell service station and is also currently offline due to hexavalent
chromium.
Like surface water, groundwater must meet the standards set in the Safe Drinking Water Act. Water quality
analysis in 1989 indicated that advanced treatment was needed on the now decommissioned Dalidio and
Auto Park Way Wells due to unacceptable levels of tetrachloroethylene (PCE). Carbon adsorption units
were placed on each well to provide necessary treatment and were granted approval for domestic
consumption by the State of California, Department of Public Health (now the State Water Resources
Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW)).
The 1996 Amendments to the SDWA required the EPA to develop regulations that require disinfection of
ground water systems to protect the public health. In 2006, the Groundwater Rule was adopted to further
protect against waterborne illness due to fecal and E. Coli contamination in public water systems that use
groundwater supplies.
In the 2010 update of the WWME, the City eliminated groundwater from the water supply calculation as a
basis for meeting long-term water demands. The decision was based on the water quality and availability
issues which deemed groundwater as a potentially unreliable source. Consistent with Policy A 3.2.3 from
the City's WWME, the City does not rely on groundwater to meet long-term water demand. The City will
utilize groundwater in the future, as the resource is needed, and plans to use well -head treatment to ensure
the water quality is appropriate for potable purposes.
Current groundwater use includes one non -potable well located within the City's Corporation yard and two
irrigation wells used at the City's Laguna Golf Course. The City's drinking water wells are offline and not
used to meet any of the City's water needs. The Corp Yard well was established during the drought of 1987-
91 to serve as an alternative source of water for construction -related activities prior to the City's recycled
water program. The City placed limitations on the use of the Corp Yard well in 2015 and it is only available
for municipal purposes, such as street sweeping and of City -owned trees. Table 19 shows the City's
groundwater production for 2016 through 2020. These production amounts do not include agricultural and
private groundwater pumping by non -City entities. Table 19 does not identify any City groundwater
production in the term examined as part of this UWMP.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
In the future, the City plans to use groundwater to balance of its overall water supply portfolio as the use of
groundwater would contribute to resiliency in the City's water supply portfolio. The Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act (SGMA) is a statewide law that requires Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) to
adopt groundwater management plans that outline actions needed to return groundwater basins to
sustainable levels of pumping and recharge.
In May 2017, the City Council approved Resolution 10796 authorizing the City to become a Groundwater
Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the San Luis Valley Groundwater Basin for the area that lies beneath and
within the City's jurisdictional boundaries. In February 2019, the City Council, acting as the San Luis Valley
Basin — City of San Luis Obispo Groundwater Sustainability Agency, approved the Notification of Intent to
initiate development of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the San Luis Obispo Valley
Groundwater Basin.
While the Basin as a whole has been identified to be in overdraft and is listed as a high priority basin under
SGMA, the basin has two distinct, largely hydrologically disconnected sub areas that are experiencing
drastically different conditions from one another. The area underlying the City of San Luis Obispo, from
which the City historically pumped groundwater, has experienced no ongoing groundwater level decline
and is estimated to have a groundwater surplus of 700 AFY. The area to the southeast of the City, generally
within the Edna Valley area, has experienced ongoing groundwater level decline and is estimated to have
more than 1,000 AFY in over -pumping of groundwater resources. The San Luis Valley Groundwater Basin
is not an adjudicated basin.
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The City is working in collaboration with the County
of San Luis Obispo GSA to create a single
Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) that
provides full coverage of the San Luis Valley
Groundwater Basin where each GSA is responsible
for ensuring compliance with SGMA for their
respective portions of the groundwater basin. To get
additional information, to sign up for the interested
stakeholder email list, or to see materials for past or
upcoming meetings related to the GSP
development, interested parties are encouraged to
visit www.slowaterbasin.com. The San Luis Valley
GSP must be submitted to California Department of
Water Resources (DWR) by January 31, 2022.
TABLE 19: City Groundwater Production
Basin Name
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
San Luis Obispo
Valley (Basin 3-9)
0
0
0
0
0
NOTES:
1. Water volumes are in acre-feet per year.
2. Department of Water Resources, Table 6-1.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
4.5 FUTURE WATER PROJECTS AND DESALINATED WATER OPPORTUNITIES
The City has not identified the need for additional water supplies to meet potable water demand for the term
of this UWMP. However, as described further in Chapter 5, construction of the upgrade of the WRRF is
underway in 2021 to accommodate General Plan buildout and maximize recycled water production. The
upgrade will enable the City to pursue potable reuse opportunities in the future, including opportunities to
augment groundwater supplies with recycled water.
In July of 2020, the City received a nearly $2 million planning -phase grant, funded through Proposition 1,
to study PCE contamination of the groundwater basin. A detailed understanding of the extent of PCE
contamination and remediation options are necessary steps in fully utilizing the City's groundwater pumping
opportunities. The planning phase work will continue into 2022. The City is planning to apply for an
implementation -phase grant to fund necessary capital improvements to put an additional groundwater well
into service. This work enhances the City's ability to extract, treat, and utilize groundwater to meet a portion
of the City's potable water demand.
Desalination is a viable technology which is not rainfall dependent. Desalination activities can have
significant negative environmental impacts and significant energy requirements which drive up the cost of
desalinized water. The major disadvantages of desalination are the cost, potential for environmental
impacts, and significant energy demand. Desalination is currently being used or considered for use by
multiple agencies in California and could potentially be a water supply consideration in the future if the
City's current supplies prove to be inadequate or insufficiently resilient. Advances in desalination technology
and cost reductions may create opportunities to utilize this resource in the future.
4.6 WATER SUPPLY SUMMARY
Tables 20 and 21 provide information for each source of water utilized by the City in 2020. The City utilized
water from its multi -source supply in a conjunctive manner. The City intends use its contractual water supply
from Nacimiento Reservoir first, with Whale Rock and Salinas used as needed to meet the City's overall
potable water demand. In the twenty years projected by this UWMP through 2040, the City assumes it will
continue to use these water supplies in this coordinated manner. Recycled water was used at over 50
metered locations for landscape irrigation and construction water uses in 2020.
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TABLE 20: 2020 Actual Water Supplies
Water Supply Sources
Water purchased from:
2020
SLO County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (Nacimiento Reservoir)
2,065
Supplier -produced groundwater
0
Supplier -produced surface water (Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs)
2,752
Total (Potable Water):
4,817
Recycled Water
245
Total (Potable and Recycled Water):
5,062
NOTES:
1. Water volumes are in acre-feet per year and rounded to the nearest acre-foot.
2. Department of Water Resources, Table 6-8.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
TABLE 21: Actual and Projected Water Supplies
Water Supply Sources
2025
2030
2035
2040
Water purchased from:
Wholesaler supplied
volume (yes)
SLO County Flood Control and
Water Conservation District
All
5,482
5,482
5,482
5,482
Supplier -produced groundwater
0
0
0
0
Supplier -produced surface water (not desalinated)
939
1,265
1,614
1,947
Recycled Water (City of SLO WRRF)
445
645
695
745
Total
6,866
7,392
7,791
8,174
Projected Population:
51,317
53,934
57,200
60,118
NOTES
1. Water volumes are projected using population projections from Table 2.
2. Water volumes are in acre-feet per year.
3. Department of Water Resources, Table 6-8 and 6-9.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
4.7 TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES
The City of Morro Bay and the Whale Rock Commission
(which the City of San Luis Obispo is a member agency)
executed an agreement in June of 2000 which provides
for Mutual Aid between the agencies during disruption
of water deliveries or lack of available water supplies.
The agreement provides a general framework for
exchanging water between agencies in the event of
emergencies or other water disruptions. The agreement
is voluntary based on each agency's ability to assist at
any point in the future. The City is also a member of the
California Water/Wastewater Agency Response
Network (CalWARN). This organization functions in
coordination with the State Office of Emergency
Services (OES) to support and promote statewide
emergency preparedness, disaster response, and
mutual assistance matters for public and private water
and wastewater utilities.
Nacimiento/Whale Rock
Exchange Agreement
180
160
140
120
N
LL 100
80
a
60
40
20
0
2006 Exchange 2018 Updated
Agreement Exchange Agreement
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The San Luis Obispo County Service Area No. 10
(Cayucos) and the City have a water exchange
agreement which was originally executed in
October of 2006. In 2018, Following the full
allocation of Nacimiento Reservoir, City and
County staff recognized the need to update the
Exchange Agreement to align with the
entitlements in the provisions of the full allocation
of Nacimiento. The updated agreement reduces
the amount of water that could potentially be
delivered to CSA 10 from 160 acre-feet, identified
in the 2006 agreement, to 50-acre feet per year,
coinciding with the total County Service Area No.
10A and Bella Vista Mobile Home Park
entitlement.
TABLE 22: Transfers and Exchanges
Transfer
Short-
Proposed
Transfer Agency
or
term or
Volume
Exchange
long-term
City of Morro Bay
(emergency
Transfer
Short -Term
Not Identified
supply)
San Luis Obispo
County Service
Exchange
Long -Term
50
Area No.10
Total
50
NOTE: Water volumes are in acre-feet per year.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
The updated Exchange Agreement, finalized in July 2018, facilitates a successful partnership between the
City and County to meet regional water needs and minimizing cost and potential environmental issues.
4.8 ENERGY USE
The 2020 UWMP is required to include energy information. For purposes of analyzing the energy used by
the City to deliver potable water to the community in 2020, potable water management is divided into raw
water conveyance, water treatment, and water distribution. Because the City conveys, treats, and
distributes water as a retail provider to Cal Poly by agreement, the energy consumed for each water
management process is calculated as a percentage of the total energy use for the process, equal to the
City's portion of the water. The energy used to provide potable water to the community is summarized in
Table 23. The energy used to provide recycled water to the community is described in Chapter 5 and
summarized in Table 29.
Raw Water Conveyance
As described earlier in this Chapter, the City utilizes raw water from three surface water reservoirs (Salinas,
Whale Rock, and Nacimiento) to meet the community water demand. Water is conveyed from Salinas
Reservoir through 9.2 miles of 24-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe to a three -million gallon regulating
reservoir at Santa Margarita booster pump station near the northerly base of Cuesta Grade adjacent to
Highway 101. The pipeline is designed to flow by gravity from the Reservoir to the regulating reservoir when
the lake level is above the elevation of 1,267 feet. A booster pump station at the base of the dam, consisting
of two horizontal centrifugal pumps, is capable of maintaining the rated flow of 12.4 cubic feet per second
(cfs) when the water surface elevation falls below 1,267 feet. Three electrically driven horizontal centrifugal
pumps at the Santa Margarita booster station pump water through 6,810 feet of 24-inch diameter reinforced
concrete pipe to the entrance portal of the Cuesta Tunnel, which runs 5,327 feet through the mountains
near Cuesta Grade. From the outlet portal of the tunnel, water is conveyed through an 18-inch diameter
steel pipeline a distance of 5,133 feet to the City's turnout point. In 2020, 676,580 kWh of energy were used
to move 1,718 acre-feet (559.96 MG) from Salinas Reservoir to the WTP.
Conveyance of untreated, or "raw" water from Whale Rock Reservoir requires energy to power two pump
stations. Each pump station has five-200 horsepower pumps capable of delivering water at various flow
rates. The Whale Rock pipeline extends approximately 17 miles from the reservoir to the WTP. The design
capacity of the pipeline is 18.94 cubic feet per second (approximately 8,500 gallons per minute). In 2020,
758,208 kWh of energy were used to move 1,305 acre-feet (425.12 MG) from Whale Rock Reservoir to the
WTP.
Water is conveyed from Nacimiento Reservoir through 45 miles of pipeline using three pump stations. San
Luis Obispo County operates and maintains the water delivery system from Nacimiento Reservoir to
participating agencies (currently the cities of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, Atascadero Mutual Water
Company, Templeton Community Services District, County Service Area 10A [Cayucos], Santa Margarita
Ranch, and Bella Vista Mobile Home Park). The City pays a proportion of the costs, equal to the volume of
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water allocated as a percent of the total volume released. In 2020, 1,893,991 kWh of energy were used to
move 1,958 acre-feet (637.98 MG) from Nacimiento Reservoir to the WTP.
Potable Water Treatment
Raw water from Salinas, Whale Rock, and Nacimiento Reservoirs is treated at the WTP via a process
including ozone treatment for disinfection and oxidation, mixing and settling, filtration, chlorination,
fluoridation, and THM removal using an in -tank aeration system. Energy included under that WTP also
includes the Transfer Pump Station that pumps water to Reservoir 2.
Potable Water Distribution
The City's water distribution system utilizes pump stations to move water through over 190 miles of water
mains for distribution to the community. The majority of the City's water distribution system is fed by gravity
from Reservoir 2.
TABLE 23: 2020 Energy Usage for Potable Water Management
Water Management Process
Water
Conveyance
Water
Treatment
Water
Distribution
Total
Volume of Water Entering Process (acre-feet)
4,981
4,981
4,981
4,981
Energy Consumed (kWh)
3,328,779
1,096,117
70,563
4,495,459
% of total Energy Consumed
74%
24%
2%
100%
Energy Intensity (kWh/vol.)
668
220
14
903
NOTES
1. The energy required for conveyance of water from Nacimiento Reservoir to the City is not individually
metered and was calculated as a percentage of the total energy required to convey water to the San
Luis Obispo County Flood and Water Conservation District member agencies.
2. Some meters report the energy consumption of equipment used in more than one water management
process. To provide the most accurate data, the energy use was allocated to the process which required
the greatest energy demand.
3. For 2020, community potable water demand was met using Nacimiento (39%), Salinas (34%), and
Whale Rock (26%). Water quality, operations and maintenance, and climate influence the City's
coordinated operation of the three water supplies.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo, Utilities Department, 2021.
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4.9 REQUIRED UWMP STANDARDIZED TABLES:
PumpedRetail: Groundwater Volume
Groundwater Type 7
Location or Basin Name
2016
2017
2018 2019
2020
Alluvial Basin
San Luis Obispo Valley
0
0
0 0
0
TOTAL
NOTES: Table 6-1 R.
wh : Water Su Amctual
Additional Detail on
Water Supply
Water Supply
2020
Actual Volume
Water Quality
Surface water
Nacimiento Reservoir
2,065
Drinking Water
Surface water
Whale Rock Reservoir
940
Drinking Water
Surface water
Salinas Reservoir
1,812
Drinking Water
Groundwater
San Luis Obispo Valley Basin
0
Drinking Water
Recycled Water
City of San Luis Obispo WRRF
245
Recycled Water
Total
5,062
NOTES: Table 6-8 R.
SuppliesWater
Projected Water Supply
Additional
Water Supply
Detail on
2025
2030
2035
2040
Reasonably
Reasonably
Reasonably
Reasonably
Water Supply
Available
Available
Available
Available
Volume
Volume
Volume
Volume
Surface water
Nacimiento
5,482
5,482
5,482
5,482
Reservoir
Salinas
Reservoir and
Surface water
4,910
4,910
4,910
4,910
Whale Rock
Reservoir
City of San Luis
Recycled Water
445
645
695
745
Obispo WRRF
Other (siltation)
-500
-500
-500
-500
Total
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
NOTES: Table 6-9 R (Retail).
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Chapter 5: Recycled Water
This chapter was prepared to fulfill the requirements of Section 10633 (a-g) of California Water Code
Division 6, Article 2, Part 2.6 regarding the City's recycled water supply. As defined in Water Code Section
13050(n),
"Recycled Water" means water which as, a result of treatment of waste, is suitable for a
direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur and is therefor
considered a valuable resource.
The City produces and distributes recycled water consistent with the regulatory requirements described
below and therefore meets the minimum requirements to be classified as recycled water in this UWMP.
These regulations, as set forth in Title 22, Division 4 of the California Code of Regulations, Wastewater
Recycling Criteria (Title 22) and the conditions and requirements contained in the City's National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Number R3-2003-081 prescribed by the Regional Water
Quality Control Board (RWQCB), establish specific criteria for treatment, distribution, and application of
recycled water within the state. The RWQCB and Division of Drinking Water (DDW) have a memorandum
of understanding in which DDW agrees the RWQCB will be the implementing agency responsible for
permitting recycled water programs. The RWQCB Master Permit for Recycled Water is the guiding
document for most of the City's requirements. In accordance with the Master Permit (WDR Order No. 03-
2003-081, October 24, 2003), the City complies with the following:
1. Meter the total quantity of reclaimed water distributed daily,
2. Monitor and record chlorine residual concentration at a point after the final chlorine contact
basin,
3. Provide guidance to recycled water users including a user manual and other guidance as
needed,
4. Provide instruction to all City field staff to report incidents of unauthorized daytime irrigation
activity or runoff,
5. Cooperate with County Environmental Department of Health Services to ensure backflow
devices are present, tested and repaired or replaced if found defective,
6. Inspect the operation of reuse sites,
7. Perform cross connection testing,
8. Conduct site supervisor training and quarterly interviews to verify system operation, and
9. Quarterly review of monthly meter readings with follow-up on change in patterns of use.
The City also complies with minimum daily average discharge requirements from the Water Resource
Recovery Facility (WRRF) to San Luis Obispo Creek for protection of downstream fish habitat as required
by National Oceanic Atmospheric Association, National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA NMFS).
5.4 WASTEWATER COLLECTION, TREATMENT, AND DISPOSAL
The City's wastewater collection system serves residential, commercial and industrial customers within the
city limits. The City also provides service to Cal Poly State University and the County of San Luis Obispo
Airport. The City's WRRF is located on Prado Road, adjacent to U.S. 101 in the southern portion of the
City. The design flow rate at the WRRF is 5.1 million gallons per day (MGD), with a 2020 average daily flow
of 2.9 MGD. The WRRF discharges to San Luis Obispo Creek. An upgrade is underway at the WRRF to
expand the design flow rate to 5.4 MGD. That project is scheduled to be complete in 2023.
The City's Water Reuse Project, which included improvements at the WRRF and the construction of eight
miles of recycled water distribution system, was completed in October of 2006. The recycled water pump
station was designed to provide up to 1,750 gallons per minute (gpm) of recycled water at a pressure of
approximately 130 pounds per square inch (psi). Maximum design capacity is approximately 2.5 MGD. The
distribution system was designed to serve the City through one pressure zone. Recycled water storage is
provided by one-600,000 gallon underground storage tank located at the WRRF. The existing recycled water
pump station was designed to accommodate future expansion with space for two additional pumps at the
WRRF. The upgrade will enable the City to consider potable reuse in the future. Potable reuse is discussed
more in section 5.7 of this Chapter.
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The City's recycled water distribution system extends to the east and west from
the WRRF in the southern portion of the City. The distribution system was
designed to supply irrigation water to several existing City parks, the City's Laguna
Lake Golf Course, a middle school, and future development areas. Recycled water
is provided to Caltrans from a metered connection near the WRRF, which is
adjacent to U.S. Highway 101. Caltrans utilizes recycled water to irrigate
landscape areas along the entire highway corridor through the City, which was
previously supplied with potable water. Annual usage for 2016 through 2020 is
provided in Table 23.
The City's WRRF produced over 3,000 acre-feet of disinfected tertiary -treated
effluent in 2020. The City is required to maintain a minimum average daily release,
year-round, of treated effluent to San Luis Obispo Creek at a rate of 2.5 cubic feet
per second (cfs), or approximately 1.6 mgd, to provide a flow volume adequate to
support habitat for anadromous fish species within San Luis Obispo Creek. This
rate totals a minimum of 1,807 acre-feet per year of creek discharge. The City
monitors the release of effluent through an effluent meter at the WRRF. The
balance, approximately 1,250 acre-feet in 2020, makes up the City's available
recycled water resource (See Table 24).
5.2 CURRENT RECYCLED WATER USE
TABLE 24: Recycled
Water Usage,
2016-2020
Year
Usage
(in acre-feet)
2016
193.24
2017
239.60
2018
219.44
2019
215.26
2020
244.85
Source: City of San
Luis Obispo Utilities
Department, 2021.
In 2020, recycled water was delivered to over 50 metered locations in the City for landscape irrigation.
Additional sites will continue to be connected to the recycled water distribution system with new
development in the City. Other notable recycled water demand figures:
• Average Daily Demand in July, August, and September 2020 was over 342,000 gallons.
• Peak Daily Demand was over 619,833 gallons on August 25, 2020.
• Peak Monthly Demand was over 11.5 million gallons during August 2020.
The City began issuing annual construction water permits in July 2009. During the 2019-20 fiscal year over
20 construction water permits were sold. Permit holders have access to an unlimited supply of recycled
water for dust control and compaction on construction sites in the City. The City has metered wharf head
hydrant filling stations on the recycled water distribution system, at the City's Corporation Yard, and within
the WRRF.
TABLE 25: 2020 Influent Flow and Recycled Water Availability
Average Influent Flow to
Treated
Effluent
Minimum
Average Daily
Minimum
Average Daily
Annual Recycled
WRF
Produced
Creek Release
Annual Creek
Recycled Water
Water Availability
(AFY)
(MGD)'
Release (AFY)
Availability (MGD)
(AFY)'
2020 Average Flow
2.9 mgd
3,248
1.6129
1,807
1.28
1,411
Future Flow at
WRRF Design
5.4 mgd
5,966
1.6129
1,807
3.79
4,159
Capacity
NOTES:
1. 2020 data was derived from WRRF average monthly influent data. Future annual recycled water volume is based on the design
capacity of the WRRF of 5.4 mgd and is not an indication of actual volumes of available recycled water. The City's WRRF upgrade
project is currently under construction in 2021.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
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5.3 FUTURE SYSTEM EXPANSION
This section discusses the City's 2017 Recycled Water Master Plan (2017 Master Plan) including the
potential for future expansion of the City's recycled water system, and projected recycled water usage in
2025, 2030, 2035, and 2040. The 2017 Master Plan is part of a comprehensive strategy to efficiently
manage the City's water resources. The scope included the following:
1. Plan for the strategic and beneficial use of recycled water,
including the potential for future potable reuse.
2. Analyze recycled water production capability in the short- and
long-term, ensuring the Master Plan reflects current wastewater
generation rates.
3. Understand the City's expected growth patterns and recycled uauresDapa, anl.
water demand. W.W Di-i-
4. Develop a hydraulic model for the recycled water distribution
2017
system that can be utilized for future infrastructure analysis. Recycled
5. Analyze the available recycled water supply, including surplus water
supply. Master Plan
6. Confirm the long-term extent of the Master Plan area.
7. Provide a plan for incremental expansion of the recycled water
distribution system.
8. Prioritize future retrofit opportunities based on defined criteria.
9. Identify future storage needs based on future peak day
demand.
10. Evaluate infrastructure improvements needed to reach new customers and a prioritized Capital
Improvement Project (CIP).
The 2017 Master Plan covers the planning period to the year 2035 consistent with development projections
in the City's General Plan. In Table 4 of the 2017 Master Plan, the City estimated that demand existed for
approximately 791 acre-feet of recycled water annually. This estimate includes serving approximately 400
AFY of recycled water for landscape irrigation to the Orcutt, Margarita, and Airport, San Luis Ranch, Avila
Ranch, and Froom Ranch areas (some sites are actively using or under construction in 2021), as well as
medium- and high -priority retrofits (63 AFY and 89 AFY, respectively) of existing irrigation systems to use
recycled water.
Projected recycled water use for 2025 through 2040 is provided in Table 23. Table 24 revisits estimates
made in the 2015 UWMP for 2020 and actual 2020 recycled water deliveries.
TABLE 26: Potential Future Recycled Water Use
Beneficial Use Type
General Description of 2020 Uses
Level of
Treatment
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
Landscape irrigation
Irrigation at parks, school, medians,
Tertiary
208
410
610
660
710
(excludes golf courses)
multi -family housing sites, etc.
Golf course irrigation
Laguna Lake Golf Course
Tertiary
9
10
10
10
10
Commercial use
Irrigation at commercial sites
Tertiary
0
0
0
0
0
Other: Construction Water
Construction Water Permit program
Tertiary
28
25
25
25
25
Total:
245
445
645
695
745
NOTES:
1. Water volumes are in acre-feet per year.
2. Department of Water Resources, Table 6-4.
3. Projected recycled water usage for 2025 to 2040 is based on the City's knowledge of planned projects identified in the City's General
Plan Land Use Element to be served with recycled water (including the Margarita, Orcutt, Airport, Avila Ranch, San Luis Ranch,
and Froom Ranch areas).
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
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5.4 RECYCLED WATER PROGRAM INCENTIVES
In 2021, the City's metered rate charged for recycled water is 90 percent of the potable water rate. An
annual Construction Water Permit is available to contractors for $1,260 for use on construction projects
within the City.
TABLE 27: 2015 UWMP Recycled Water Use Projection
Compared to 2020 Actual Deliveries
Use Type
2015 Projection
for 20201
2020 Actual
Use
Agricultural irrigation
0
0
Landscape irrigation
(excludes golf courses)2
135
208
Golf course irrigation
15
9
Commercial use3
30
0
Other: Construction Water
20
28
Total
200
245
NOTES:
1. Projection for 2020 identified in the City's 2015 UWMP.
2. "Landscape irrigation" includes irrigation at commercial plazas and parking
lot areas, parks, schools, medians and streetscape, and common area
landscape with residential homeowners associations.
3. For the 2020 UWMP, "commercial use" is interpreted as recycled water
use interior to a dual plumbed commercial building.
4. Water volumes are in acre-feet per year.
5. Department of Water Resources, Table 6-5 (R).
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021
The City adopted a mandatory use ordinance for recycled water in 2004. The policy, codified in the
Municipal Code as Chapter 13.24, allows the City to require the use of recycled water on parcels when
considered feasible. The code language is as follows:
13.24.010 Statement of Policy
When in the judgment of the city, reclaimed water service can be feasibly provided to a
particular parcel for particular uses, the utilities director shall require the use of reclaimed
water in lieu of potable water for those uses. As used herein, the term `feasible" means
reclaimed water is available for delivery to the property in compliance with all applicable
federal, state, and local laws, ordinances and regulations and such reclaimed water can
be delivered to the property at an overall cost to the user which does not exceed the overall
cost of potable water service (Ord. 1403 § 1,2001).
For areas within the recycled water expansion area that are not subject to the mandatory use ordinance
defined above, funding mechanisms or incentives may be required to achieve user site retrofits.
5.5 SEASONAL SURPLUS
The City has identified a "seasonal surplus" of recycled water available in excess of required discharge to
San Luis Obispo Creek (1.6129 million gallons per day or mgd as required by the National Oceanic and
Atmosopheric Association, National Marine Fisheries Service in 2005) and recycled water for landscape
irrigation. The primary use of recycled water in the City is for landsacpe irrigation with 73 percent of the
City's recycled water demand occuring from May through October. During 2020, 245 acre feet of recycled
water was used for landscape irrigation and construction water. As only a limited amount of landscape
irrigation takes place from November to April (seasonal off-peak period), more than 2 mgd of recycled water
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is available during the seasonal off-peak period. Related to this seasonal surplus, the following goal and
program was added to the General Plan, Water and Wastewater Management Element in 2010:
Goal A7.1.2 Maximize the use of the City's available recycled water supply for approved uses.
Program A 7.3.4 Consider the potential to deliver available recycled water supplies to customers outside
the city limits, including analysis of policy issues, technical concerns, and cost recovery,
provided it is found to be consistent with the General Plan.
With the update to the General Plan, Land Use Element in 2014, Policy 1.13.2 was added. This policy was
broadened in 2020 to also include non -potable water:
1.13.2. Recycled Water
Provision of non -potable or recycled water outside of City limits may only be considered in compliance with
Water and Wastewater Element Policy A 7.3.4 and the following findings:
A. Non-potable/recycled water is necessary to support continued agricultural operations.
B. Provision of non-potable/recycled water will not be used to increase development potential
of property being served.
C. Non-potable/recycled water will not be further treated to make it potable.
D. Prior to provision of non-potable/recycled water, the property to be served will record a
conservation, open space, Williamson Act, or other easement instrument to maintain the
area being served in agriculture and open space while non-potable/recycled water is being
provided.
E. Provision of non -potable and recycled water will not impair the City's ability to maintain an
adequate water supply that meets projected water demand at buildout under the General
Plan including the required reliability reserve.
TABLE 28: Methods to Expand Recycled Water Use
Name of Action
Description
Planned
Expected Increase in
Implementation Year
Recycled Water Use
Mandatory Use
Ordinance adopted
2004
450 acre-feet
Sale of Seasonal Surplus
Under study
Unknown
Unknown
Recycled Water Rate
Not currently under
Not currently under
Unknown
Restructuring
consideration
consideration
Potable Reuse
Under study
Unknown
Unknown
Total
450 acre-feet
NOTES:
1. Department of Water Resources, Table 6-6.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
5.6 POTABLE REUSE
The construction phase for the upgrade of the WRRF is underway in 2021 to accommodate the City's
buildout and maximize recycled water production. The upgrade will enable the City to consider either direct
or indirect potable reuse in the future.
Direct potable reuse is the planned introduction of recycled water either directly into a public water system
(treated drinking water augmentation), as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, or into
a raw water supply immediately upstream of a water treatment plant (raw water augmentation). Direct
potable reuse is a practice which is not currently occurring in California; however, Assembly Bill (AB) 574
(Water Code, Division 7, Chapter 7.3) requires the State Water Board to adopt uniform water recycling
criteria for direct potable reuse through raw water augmentation on or before December 31, 2023.
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Additionally, the State Water Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW) published a Proposed Framework of
Regulating Direct Potable Reuse in California in 2018 and updated the Framework in 2019.
Indirect potable reuse occurs when tertiary or advanced treated wastewater augments drinking water
resources. The two types of indirect potable reuse are:
Indirect potable reuse for groundwater recharge - where recycled water recharges a
groundwater basin and groundwater is later extracted from the basin.
Reservoir water augmentation — where recycled water is added into a surface water
reservoir used as a source of domestic drinking water supply.
Indirect potable reuse does not actually occur until the water is subsequently pumped from the ground or
withdrawn from the reservoir, treated, and added to the drinking water distribution system. Indirect potable
reuse through groundwater recharge has occurred in California since 1962. Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 3,
Article 5.1 (CCR §60320 et seq) describes the permitting and monitoring process required to obtain a
RWQCB permit for groundwater recharge.
Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 3, Article 5.3 (CCR §60320 et seq) describes the regulations governing
reservoir augmentation. These regulations set requirements for the quality of treated recycled water that
can be added to an augmented reservoir, the percentage of recycled water that can be added, and the
required residence time before treatment at a drinking water facility. Like groundwater recharge with
recycled water, reservoir water augmentation would only occur with a permit and monitoring requirements
from the RWQCB.
5.7 ENERGY USE
This section describes the City's energy usage to produce and deliver recycled water to the community.
Energy consumption data was acquired from PG&E for the meters associated with the recycled water
process. As shown in Table 29, the process includes energy use for each of the following:
Wastewater collection conveyance,
Wastewater treatment,
Discharge and recycled water distribution.
The City's wastewater collection system includes 138 miles of gravity sewer line ranging from six-inch to
48-inch pipe. The system includes 2.4 miles of force main ranging from four- to 16-inch pipe. Wastewater
generally flows by gravity to the City's WRRF for treatment. Seven sewer lift stations (Airport, Laguna,
Margarita, Prefumo, Silver City, Tank Farm) serve areas in the southern portion of the City down gradient
from the WRRF. One lift station (Foothill) is located in the northern portion of the City serving approximately
70 parcels. All lift stations are monitored/controlled with a SCADA system.
For 2020, influent flow is established from both metered flow and an estimation of unmetered internal
recycled flow. Effluent flow is a calculation of multiple flow meters. The City's WRRF is undergoing a
comprehensive facility upgrade to address regulatory compliance and replace aging infrastructure. More
accurate data will be available in the future when the upgrade is complete.
The City's recycled water pump station was designed to provide up to 1,750 gallons per minute (gpm) of
recycled water at a pressure of approximately 130 pounds per square inch (psi). Maximum design capacity
is approximately 2.5 MGD. The distribution system was designed to serve the City through one pressure
zone. Recycled water storage is provided by one- 600,000 gallon underground storage tank located at the
WRRF. The existing recycled water pump station was designed to accommodate future expansion with space
for two additional pumps at the WRRF.
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TABLE 29: 2020 Energy Usage for Recycled Water Management
Recycled Water Management Process
Discharge /
Wastewater
Wastewater
Recycled
Total
Collection
Treatment
Water
Distribution
Volume of Wastewater Entering Process (acre-feet)
31272
3,272
3,449
3,272
Wastewater Energy Consumed (kWh)
0
3,932,217
0
3,932,217
Wastewater Energy Intensity (kWh/volume)
0.0
1,202
0.0
1,202
Volume of Recycled Water Entering Process
237
237
250
250
volume units selected above
Recycled Water Energy Consumed (kWh)
0
0
301,649
301,649
Recycled Water Energy Intensity (kWh/volume)
0.0
0.0
1,206
1,206
SOURCE: City of San Luis Obispo, Utilities Department, 2021.
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5.7 Required UWMP Standardized Tables:
Wastewater Collected Within Service Area
in 020
100 Percentage of 2020 service area covered by wastewater collection system (optional)
100
Percentage of 2020 service area population covered by wastewater collection system (optional)
Wastewater Collection
Recipient of Collected Wastewater
Name of
Volume of
Wastewater
Is WWTP
Is WWTP
Name of
Wastewater
Located
Wastewater
Volume Metered
Wastewater
Treatment
Treatment
Within
Operation
Collected in
Agency Receiving
Plant Name
Contracted to a
Collection Agency
or Estimated?
LIWMP
2020
Collected
Third Party?
Wastewater
Area?
City of
City of San Luis
City of San Luis
Metered
3,248
Yes
No
San Luis Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Total Wastewater Collected from
3,248
Service Area in 2020:
NOTES: Table 6-2 R.
Wastewater
Treatment
and Discharge
Within Service
Area in 2020
2020 volumes
Does This
Recycled
Wastewater
Discharge
Discharge
Wastewater
Method of
Plant Treat
Treatment
Treatment
Location
Name or
Location
Discharge ID
Disposal
Wastewater
Generated
Level
Wastewater
Discharged
Recycled
Within
Outside
Plant Name
Identifier
Description
Number
Outside the
Treated
Treated
Service
of
Service Area?
Wastewater
Area
Service
Area
City of
San Luis
San
San Luis
Obispo
River or
Luis
Obispo
Water
Obispo
Creek
R3-2014-0033
creek
Yes
Tertiary
3,248
3,003
245
0
Resource
Creek
outfall
outfall
Recovery
Facility
Total
3,248
3,003
245
0
NOTES: Table 6-3 R.
Wastewater Treatment and Discharge Within Service
Area in tt
General
Level of
Beneficial Use Type
Description of
Treatment 2020 2025
2030
2035
2040
2015 Uses
Agricultural irrigation
None
0
0
0
0
0
Irrigation at parks,
Landscape irrigation (excludes golf courses)
school, medians,
Tertiary
208
410
610
660
710
etc.
Golf course irrigation
Laguna Lake Golf
Tertiary
9
10
10
10
10
Course
Commercial use
Irrigation at
Tertiary
0
0
0
0
0
commercial sites
Other: Construction Water
Construction Water
Tertiary
28
25
25
25
25
Permit program
Total:
245
445
645
695
745
NOTES: Table 6-4 R.
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EP"WMP Recycled Water Use Projection
Compared to 020
2015
Actual
2020
Use Type
Projection
Actual Use
for 2020
Agricultural irrigation
0
0
Landscape irrigation (excludes golf
135
208
courses
Golf course irrigation
15
9
Commercial use
30
0
Other: Construction Water
20
28
Total
200
245
NOTES: Table 6-5 R.
Methods.. . Water Use
Page 5-3, 5-4, 5-5,
Provide page location of narrative in UWMP
5-6
Planned
Expected Increase in
Name of Action
Description
Implementation
Recycled Water Use
Year
Mandatory Use
Ordinance
2004
500 acre-feet
adopted
Sale of Seasonal
Under study
Unknown
Unknown
Surplus
Recycled Water
Not currently
Not currently
Rate Restructuring
under
under
Unknown
consideration
consideration
Potable Reuse
Under study
Unknown
Unknown
Total
500
NOTES: Table 6-6 R.
SupplyExpected Future Water ..
❑ No expected future water supply projects or programs that provide a quantifiable
increase to the agency's water supply. Supplier will not complete the table below.
❑` Some or all of the supplier's future water supply projects or programs are not
compatible with this table and are described in a narrative format.
Page 5-6 Provide page location of narrative in the UWMP
NOTES: Table 6-7 R.
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Chapter 6: Water Supply Reliability & Drought Risk Assessment
Chapter 4 discussed how the City uses multiple water sources to meet projected short- and long-term
potable water demands. This chapter focuses on the reliability of those sources. This chapter also
discusses the projected supplies available during a single dry water year and during multiple -dry water
years to assess overall drought risk. As required by Water Code Section 10635 for the 2020 UWMP, this
chapter provides an assessment of water supplies and water uses under an assumed drought period that
lasts five consecutive years.
Chapter 7 will discuss the water efficiency and demand management measures implemented by the City
to maintain long-term water supply reliability. Actions that would be undertaken during a short-term water
supply emergency, such as drought or a catastrophic supply interruption, are addressed in the City's 2020
Water Shortage Contingency Plan (available under separate cover).
6.1 SALINAS AND WHALE ROCK RESERVOIRS
For Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, the City uses a Salinas and
computer model to simulate the combined operation of these two Whale Rock Reservoirs
water supply sources over a historical period to determine the ✓ Potable Water Supplies
"safe annual yield" or the quantity of water which can be safely
withdrawn every year without causing impacts to long- or short- ✓ Located in Different Watersheds
term water availability, to accommodate City water demand.
✓ Coordinated Operation
Salinas Reservoir and Whale Rock Reservoir are in
geographically and climatologically distinct watersheds. Salinas ✓ 4,910 acre-feet Annually
Reservoir has a higher evaporation rate and larger watershed
than Whale Rock Reservoir, but smaller storage capacity -- ✓ Reliable during 5-Year Drought
about 60 percent of the storage capacity of Whale Rock
Reservoir. Whale Rock Reservoir has a smaller watershed, as
compared to Salinas Reservoir, but greater storage capacity. Whale Rock experiences a lower evaporation
rate as it is close to ocean. Coordinated operation of the two reservoirs results in maximization of safe
annual yield. This approach increases the long-term water supply from these two sources when compared
to operation of the two reservoirs independently.
General Plan, Water and Wastewater Management Element, policy A3.3.2 states:
The City will update the safe annual yield computer model for Salinas and Whale Rock
Reservoirs following severe drought periods to determine if any changes are necessary to
the safe annual yield amount.
In 2018 to understand the impacts of climate change, the City updated to the safe annual yield model
following the addition of data from the most recent drought that ended in 2016 and analysis of three
independent climate change models by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), San Luis Obispo
Council of Governments (SLOCOG) as part of the 2014 Regional Transportation Plan, and Nature
Communications.
The EPA climate assessment tool (Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness or "CREAT") was created
by the federal agency monitoring climate change. Changes identified in CREAT were derived from an
evaluation of 38 global climate models recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC). The SLOCOG model was recommended by City Council as it reflected a summary of work
previously performed to examine impacts in the local area and is focused on three IPCC global climate
models. The work by Nature Communications was selected as it is a preeminent peer -reviewed scientific
publication.
Each climate projection was applied to the City's historical dataset for Whale Rock and Salinas reservoir's
inflow, precipitation, and evaporation. The City's 2018 model was then used to calculate a revised safe
annual yield assuming these conditions had prevailed during the historical period of record. Complete
information on the analysis is included in the Technical Memo provided in Appendix V.
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On May 15, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution 10893 amending the General Plan, Water and
Wastewater Management Element to reflect a 2,030-acre-foot reduction in the safe annual yield, reducing
the available volume from 6,940 acre-feet annually to 4,910 acre-feet annually from the coordinated
operation of Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs. This reduction in safe annual yield results in a reduction
of 2,030 acre-feet of water availability to the community annually.
6.2 RECYCLED WATER
With a 2020 average influent flow of 2.9 million gallons per day, the City's WRRF produces over 3,200 acre-
feet of disinfected tertiary -treated effluent per year. A minimum of 1,807 acre-feet is discharged to San Luis
Obispo Creek annually to provide satisfactory habitat and flow volume for fish species (steelhead trout)
within the Creek environment. The balance makes up the City's available recycled water resource which is
available for approved uses.
A consistent flow of wastewater to the WRRF enables the City to
produce a volume of recycled water that exceeds identified Recycled Water Supply
seasonal demand for landscape irrigation. The distribution/delivery
of recycled water is via a pump station located within the WRRF. ✓ Tertiary Treated Wastewater
The pump station does not have backup power during a power ✓ Over 1,000 acre-feet Annually
outage. Power outage events have been infrequent. Therefore, the
City's recycled water supply is considered a reliable water supply. ✓ Reliable during 5-Year Drought
Additional information on the City's recycled water supply is
provided in Chapter 5.
6.3 NACIMIENTO RESERVOIR
In 2002, the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) retained the
services of Boyle Engineering Corporation to assess the ability of the Nacimiento Reservoir to reliably
provide the District's entitlement of 17,500 AFY to the District contractors. As part of the analysis, the study
took into account the agreement with the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA), which
owns and operates the Nacimiento Reservoir facilities, that stipulates that the District entitlement through
operational procedures will be "preserved" in the reservoir due to MCWRA being contractually obligated to
maintain a "minimum pool" for the benefit of the District. This enables the District to maintain deliveries to
the participating agencies even when reservoir levels are low, meaning that unless the water storage
capacity drops below the "dead pool" of the reservoir, the District's entitlement will always be available. The
2002 study took into account the following factors:
• Short-term power outages
• Delivery facility failure Nacimiento Reservoir
• Energy costs ✓ Potable Water Supply
• Drought
• Contamination of supply ✓ 5,482 acre-feet Annually
• Environmental restrictions
Upon completion of the analysis relating to drought conditions, the ✓ Contractual Supply
2002 study summarized that even though there have been several ✓ Reliable during 5-Year Drought
periods of drought, both short-term and long-term, the total annual
entitlement for the District could be delivered consistently, even in
periods of extended drought.
During the worst -case drought on record in the region (2011 to 2015), Nacimiento Reservoir remained a
resilient water supply capable of providing a consistent and reliable source of water for San Luis Obispo
County, which includes the City's contractual amount of 5,482 acre-feet per year. To confirm the prior
analysis with more recent data, the City reviewed rainfall and inflow data from 2013 which was the driest
year on record. Over that year, Nacimiento Reservoir received 35,000 acre-feet of inflow. Though this is
significantly below the average inflow into the reservoir, the District's entitlement could still be met if inflow
remained at this level.
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Interlake Tunnel Project
An Interlake Tunnel Project has been proposed by
Monterey County to create a connection between
Nacimiento Reservoir and Lake San Antonio. The goalLake ,
w.
of the project is to redirect water from Nacimiento
Reservoir into San Antonio Lake to fill the excess
capacity typically available in the lake. While the
Interlake Tunnel Project has the potential to increase Lake Nadmiento
water storage up to 60,000 acre-feet per year in Lake
San Antonio, it is unclear if the diversion from Lake
Nacimiento would result in any positive or negative .
changes in reliability to water availability of the
County's 17,500 ace -feet per year entitlement. Lake , _ '
San Antonio and Nacimiento Reservoir both discharge
water to the Nacimiento River to support agriculture within the Salinas Valley, increasing storage within
Lake San Antonio by diverting excess water from Nacimiento Reservoir during periods in which it was at
full capacity could offer the opportunity to reduce downstream discharges from Nacimiento Reservoir during
dry periods. Increased operational flexibility of the two reservoirs, if strategically implemented, could benefit
all involved parties. The City will be closely monitoring the project to ensure its water rights are protected.
According to the Monterey County Water Resource Agency website in 2021, the Interlake Tunnel "requires
a detailed engineering analysis; but is generally planned to consist of an 11, 000 foot gravity flow tunnel with
an intake structure in Nacimiento Reservoir and an exit structure in San Antonio."
6.4 GROUNDWATER
Consistent with Policy A 3.2.3 from the City's General Plan, Water
and Wastewater Management Element, the City will continue to Groundwater
use groundwater for domestic purposes when available. As
described in Chapter 4, groundwater may also be utilized by the ✓ Potable Water Supply
City as a supplemental supply during a water shortage ✓ Wells offline in 2020
emergency. The City has utilized a number of wells in the past,
with most in the southern portion of the City, especially during the ✓ Available during 5-Year Drought
drought period in the late 1980's and early 1990's when up to 50
percent of the City's water demand was met utilizing groundwater.
A study completed for the City in 2004 determined that up to 1,390 acre-feet of groundwater could be
utilized annually. However, by the 2000 to 2009 period, the City's ten-year average reduced to 156 acre-
feet of groundwater use annually as the groundwater in the area of higher production wells was
contaminated with nitrates and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). Though the City suspended using groundwater
for potable purposes in April 2015, groundwater wells remain in an operable, stand-by position should the
use of groundwater be needed.
In July of 2020, the City received a nearly $2 million
planning -phase grant, funded through Proposition 1, to
study PCE contamination of the groundwater basin. A
detailed understanding of the extent of PCE contamination
and remediation options are necessary steps in fully
utilizing the City's groundwater pumping opportunities.
The planning phase work will continue into 2022. The City
is planning to apply for an implementation -phase grant to
fund necessary capital improvements to put an additional
groundwater well into service. This work enhances the
City's ability to extract, treat, and utilize groundwater to
meet a portion of the City's potable water demand.
TABLE 30: Water Quality Current and
Projected Water Supply Impacts
Water Source
Water Quality
Nacimiento Reservoir
Drinking Water
Salinas Reservoir
Drinking Water
Whale Rock Reservoir
Drinking Water
Groundwater
Drinking Water
Recycled Water
Title 22, Tertiary Treated
Recycled Water
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department,
2021.
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6.5 WATER QUALITY
A summary of the water quality from the City's various water sources is provided in Table 29. The City has
no known water quality constraints that would make a water source unavailable for potable water use. The
City's 2020 Annual Water Quality Report is provided in Appendix V.
6.6 WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY ANALYSIS / DROUGHT RISK ASSESSMENT
A regulatory requirement of the UWMP is to perform a water supply reliability analysis applying different
worst -case drought years according to stringent guidelines set forth in the UWMP plan documentation. The
following tables provide data on the reliability of the City's water supply during normal, single -dry, and a
severe drought period lasting five consecutive years. The City remains confident in the reliability of its multi -
source water supply portfolio.
Table 30 lists the years which correlate to the guidelines for the specific water year type and are based on
rainfall information. The City's average water year was determined to be 2020 based on review and update
of the City's average rainfall total. The City's single dry water year was determined to be 2013 as the rainfall
total that year was the lowest on record. The City's multiple dry year scenario was determined to be 2011
to 2015 as the combined rainfall total for those five years was the lowest on record.
The City makes projections of future water demand using a conservative per capita potable water use rate
of 117 gpcd which is the City's SB X7-7 target, actual water use within the community is currently 94 gpcd
and not anticipated to increase beyond minor year-to-year variations over time. Table 31 summarizes the
results of that analysis which, based on the City's available water supplies and estimates of future water
demand, indicates the City's water resources are reliable during extended drought periods.
TABLE 31: Basis of Water Year Data
Year Type
Base Year(s)
Volume Available
(in AFY)
Average Year
2020
10,143
Single -Dry Year
2013
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, 1st year
2011
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, 2nd year
2012
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, 3rd year
2013
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, 4th year
2014
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, 5th year
2015
10,143
NOTES
1. Department of Water Resources, Table 7-1.
2. Volume available includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento
Reservoir, Safe Annual Yield from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs,
and recycled water.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Depa
A11Multi-I+
Conservative Future
Water UseWater+10V
Efficiency RecyclingWater Projections Recharge
Formula for Water Resiliency
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TABLE 32: Supply and Demand Comparison - Normal Year
2020
actual
2025
2030
2035
2040
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Demand totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
NOTES
1. Department of Water Resources, Table 7-2.
2. Units are in acre-feet per year.
3. Water demand projections for 2025 through 2040 were derived using 117 gpcd and
population growth levels identified in the City's General Plan Land Use Element. Both
factors are higher than the City's 2020 population and gpcd (92 gpcd).
4. Supply total includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento Reservoir, Safe Annual
Yield from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, and the projected increase in recycled
water deliveries.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
Table 32 and Table 33 summarize the
City's water supplies in a single dry year
and a multiple dry year scenario. To
address Water Code Section 10635 (b),
Table 34 includes available water supply
and demand estimate for 2021 through
2025. The water demand projections
were derived using 117 gpcd and on
population growth to levels identified in
the City's General Plan. Both of these
factors are higher than current gpcd and
the City's current population. As the City
does not project a supply shortfall due to
conservative water planning, the City
does not anticipate a water shortage
necessitating any water supply
augmentation or requiring water use
restrictions.
TABLE 33: Single Dry Year
Supply and Demand Comparison
2020
(actual)
2025
2030
2035
2040
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Demand totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
NOTES
1. Department of Water Resources, Table 7-3.
2. Units are in acre-feet per year.
3. Water demand projections for 2025 through 2040 were derived
using 117 gpcd and population growth levels identified in the
City's General Plan Land Use Element. Both factors are higher
than the City's 2020 population and gpcd (92 gpcd).
4. Supply total includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento
Reservoir, Safe Annual Yield from Salinas and Whale Rock
Reservoirs, and the projected increase in recycled water
Accounting for Siltation deliveries.
Siltation at reservoirs is a natural Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
occurrence that can reduce the storage
capacity over long periods. The reduction of available storage reduces the safe annual yield of the
reservoirs. Siltation at reservoirs varies depending on factors such as rainfall intensity and watershed
management practices. Climate change could have an impact on future water availability in the form of
increased siltation in reservoirs resulting from wildland fires which could affect the safe annual yield of the
City's reservoirs.
Numerous studies and reports addressing siltation at Salinas Reservoir have been completed. The Whale
Rock Reservoir Bathymetric Survey and Volumetric Study was completed in May 2013.
The City has policies and programs in the WWME to anticipate the loss of storage at Whale Rock and
Salinas Reservoirs. WWME Policy A 4.2.2 relates to Accounting for Future Siltation. The policy states:
The City will account for estimated safe annual yield losses at Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs through
2060 by deducting 500 acre-feet of available water supplies to account for these future losses. The siltation
rate will be updated as information becomes available from subsequent siltation analyses.
Accounting for siltation of reservoirs contributes to the overall reliability of the City's water supply portfolio
as it ensures that the City is planning for this occurrence.
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TABLE 34: Multiple Dry Year
Supply and Demand Comparison
2020
actual
2025
2030
2035
2040
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
First year
Demand
totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Second year
Demand
totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Third year
Demand
totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Fourth year
Demand
totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Fifth year
Demand
totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
NOTES
1. Department of Water Resources, Table 7-4.
2. The urban water targets determined in this UWMP were considered when developing the 2020
water demands included in this table.
3. Water demand projections for 2025 through 2040 were derived using 117 gpcd and population growth levels
identified in the City's General Plan Land Use Element. Both factors are higher than the City's 2020
population and gpcd (92 gpcd).
4. Supply total includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento Reservoir, Safe Annual Yield from Salinas
and Whale Rock Reservoirs, and the projected increase in recycled water deliveries.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021
Reliability Reserve and Secondary Water Supply
The City's WWME, includes policies to maintain a "Reliability
Reserve" and "Secondary Water Supply" in an effort to reduce
the impacts of a water shortage on the community. The
"Reliability Reserve", identified in the City's Charter, provides
a twenty percent buffer beyond the City's projected water
demand at build out to account for future unforeseen or
unpredictable long-term impacts to the City's available water
resources such as loss of yield from an existing water supply
source and impacts due to climate change. The City's
Secondary Water Supply is the amount needed to meet peak
water demand periods or short-term loss of City water supply
sources. The City's "Secondary Water Supply" is identified as
any water supply resources above those needed to meet the
Primary Water Supply and Reliability Reserve.
Water and Wastewater Management
Element Policies
Policy A 5.2.3 Reliability Reserve.
The City will establish a reliability reserve
that is 20-percent of the water use rate
established in Policy A 5.2.1 multiplied by
the current population. The water supply
designated as the reliability reserve may
not be used to serve future development.
Policy A 5.2.4 Secondary Water Supply.
After accounting for primary water supply
and a reliability reserve, any remaining
water supplies shall be utilized for meeting
short-term water supply shortages or peak
water demands.
M
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TABLE 35: Five Year Drought Risk Assessment (2021-2025)
2021 M
Total
Total Water Use
6,276
Total Supplies
10,177
Surplus/shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,901
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall
3,901
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2022
Total
Total Water Use
6,528
Total Supplies
10,217
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,689
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall
3,689
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2023
Total
Total Water Use
6,593
Total Supplies
10,257
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,664
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,664
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2024
Total
Total Water Use
6,659
Total Supplies
10,297
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,638
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,638
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2025
Total
Total Water Use
6,725
Total Supplies
10,337
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,612
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,612
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
NOTES
1. Department of Water Resources, Table 7-5.
2. Water demand projections for 2025 through 2040 were derived using 117 gpcd and
population growth levels identified in the City's General Plan Land Use Element. Both factors
are higher than the City's 2020 population and gpcd (92 gpcd).
3. Supply total includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento Reservoir, Safe Annual
Yield from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, and the projected increase in recycled water
deliveries.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
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6., PRECAUTIONARY POWER OUTAGES
In an effort to protect communities from wildfire, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) notified its municipal and
private customers in 2019 of its plans to implement precautionary measures during fire season. If extreme
fire danger conditions threaten a portion of the PG&E electrical system, high -risk transmission lines may
be turned off, resulting in widespread power outages to San Luis Obispo County. PG&E refers to this as a
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). According to PG&E, a PSPS may be necessitated by strong winds, low
humidity levels, and critically dry vegetation. These outages will not be localized; and regional solutions will be
limited (one city may not be able to borrow from another neighboring city needed equipment and/or resources).
In the past, the City has been able to continue to provide uninterrupted water service during short -duration
power outages and when limited areas of the City are affected by outages utilizing the existing storage in the
water system along with limited back-up power generation. With the potential for a PSPS, the City is working
to prepare for the potential for power outages lasting up to seven days or more. The City provides water service
to critical facilities such as the City's Emergency Operations Center, area hospitals, as well as the SLO County
Emergency Operations Center, the Cal Poly campus, and the SLO County airport.
As the driver for the PSPS is climatic conditions which could result in the higher likelihood of catastrophic fire
in the County, it is imperative that the City's water system remain operable in the event that such a fire starts.
The City has four portable generators that are mobilized as needed to various locations in the City's water
conveyance system, including Pump Station A and B on the Whale Rock pipeline, and water distribution system
pump stations. A permanent back-up generator is planned to be in service in 2021 at the Salinas Booster
Station. A temporary back-up generator is in place at the City's Water Treatment Plant as a permanent on -site
water treatment plant generator currently being designed. Back-up power is not currently planned for the
Nacimiento Water Project pump stations. However, with generators available to provide water from both Whale
Rock and Salinas reservoirs, staff is confident it can maintain water service during a PSPS event.
REQUIRED UWMP STANDARDIZED TABLES:
Basis of Water Year Data
Year Type
Base Year
Available Supplies if
Year Type Repeats
Agency may provide volume only, percent only, or both
Volume Available
% of Average Supply
Average Year
2020
10,143
100%
Single -Dry Year
2013
10,143
100%
Multiple -Dry Years 1st Year
2011
10,143
100%
Multiple -Dry Years 2nd Year
2012
10,143
100%
Multiple -Dry Years 3rd Year
2013
10,143
100%
Multiple -Dry Years 4th Year
2014
10,143
100%
Multiple -Dry Years 5th Year
2015
10,143
100%
NOTES: Table 7-1(R)
SupplyNormal Year
..
2025
2030
2035
2040
Supply totals
10,337
(autofill from Table 6-9)
10,537
10,587
10,637
Demand totals
7,272
(autofill from Table 4-3)
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference 3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
NOTES: Table 7-2(R)
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Dry Year
SupplySingle and
2025
Demand
2030
Comparison
2035
2040
Supply totals
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Demand totals
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
NOTES: Table 7-3(R)
SupplyMultiple Dry Years Demand
Comparison
2025 2030 2035
2040
Supply totals
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
First year
Demand totals
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Second year
Demand totals
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Third year
Demand totals
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Fourth year
Demand totals
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Fifth year
Demand totals
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
3,166
2,824
1 2,396
1 2,013
NOTES: Table 7-4(R)
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Five Year Drought Risk Assessment
Total
Total Water Use
6,463
Total Supplies
10,147
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,684
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,684
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2022
Total
Total Water Use
6,528
Total Supplies
10,157
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,629
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,629
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2023
Total
Total Water Use
6,593
Total Supplies
10,167
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,574
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,574
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2024
Total
Total Water Use
6,659
Total Supplies
10,177
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,518
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,518
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2025
Total
Total Water Use
6,725
Total Supplies
10,187
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,462
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply augmentation)
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,462
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
NOTES: Table 7-5(R)
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Chapter 7: Water Conservation & Demand Management Measures
7.1 HISTORY
Water conservation is an integral part of the City's overall water management strategy and was first
referenced as a part of the water management policies in 1973. In 1985, the City adopted the Annual Water
Operational Plan policy that established water conservation as a means of extending water supplies during
projected water shortages. Many technological and philosophical changes have occurred since that time,
proving that water conservation can be used for both a short-term corrective measure to address immediate
water supply shortages, and as a long-term solution to water supply reliability.
Demand management measures are those water conservation measures, programs, and incentives that
prevent the waste of water and promote the reasonable and efficient use and reuse of available supplies.
Brief summaries of the City's demand management measures are provided below to provide additional
detail about the City's water conservation program.
7.2 WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (2016-2020)
The Utilities Department's Water Resources section implemented the City's core water conservation
programs from 2016 to 2020. Examples of successful program activities during this timeframe were:
1. Enforcement of all water conservation related municipal codes
2. Monthly site inspections of properties with suspected leaks and inefficient uses of
water
3. Enforcement of the toilet retrofit upon sale program
4. Proactive enforcement of water waste prohibitions
5. Facilitation of the Utilities Department's school education contract
6. Implementation of the Utilities Department's water conservation -related public
outreach and communication programs, including a quarterly newsletter, public
events, and social media
7. Implementation of high -efficiency fixture giveaway program
8. No -cost residential and non-residential water use surveys, audits, and inspections
9. Implementation of conservation rebate programs (toilets & washing machines)
10. Management of the City's recycled water program
11. Use of consumption -based water rates
12. Monthly billing audits to identify and contact high water use account holders
13. Enforcement of Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)
Through the City's water conservation
programs and policies, water demand
over the five-year period ranged from a
high of 97 gpcd in 2017 to a low of 88
gpcd in 2016, as shown in Figure 5.
Annual per capita water use for that
period was well below the City's SBX7-7
compliance year goal of 117 gpcd. With
the continuation of the demand
management measures listed above,
the City anticipates ongoing compliance
with state conservation mandates into
the future.
FIGURE 5: 2016 to 2020 Annual Per Capita Water
Demand Compared to 2020 Target
140 117
120 97
100 88 91 90 94
C. 80
60
m 40
20
a 0
c 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020
° Target
�a
Year
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TABLE 36: Demand Management Measures/Conservation Program Implementation Schedule
Weekly / Ongoing
Monthly
Annually
Other Frequency
Enforcement of all water
Monthly billing audits to
Water Resource Status
Social media use (Facebook,
conservation related municipal
identify and contact high water
Report
p
Twitter, Instagram) and
codes
use account holders
streaming videos
Site inspections of properties
High water use account
Billing inserts /
with suspected leaks and
holders outreach
Water loss audit
Direct mail
inefficient uses of water
Update reservoir level data on
Monthly urban water supplier
Booth at annual public
Use of acoustic correlation
the City's web a e
reporting to the State
events
equipment to detect water leaks
Review of planning submittals
Booth at Thursday downtown
Funding for SLO
Communication with local news
for compliance with water
Farmers Market (26 times a
Waterwise Landscaping
and print media for featured
efficient landscape ordinance
ear)
website
stories and articles
No -cost residential and non
School education
Meetings with local
residential water use surveys,
programs (K-12)
homeowners' associations
audits, and inspections
and local businesses
Water supply and demand
Quarterly
Water meter
Enforcement of the toilet retrofit
modellingperformance
testing
upon sale program
Implementation of
Communication with Site
Calibrate meters at the
Maintenance of Drought/water
volumetric/consumption-based
Supervisors and Recycled
Water Treatment Plant
conservation portal on City
water rates
Water Reporting
website
Management of the City's
Publication of Resource
recycled water program
Newsletter
7.3 STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY DROUGHT DECLARATION
In response to the State's emergency drought declaration and restrictions on water use, on September 16,
2014 the City Council adopted a resolution limiting outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscape or turf with
potable water to three days a week. On June 2, 2015, the City Council adopted resolutions declaring a local
drought emergency and requiring the deferral of new landscape installation or the use of modified
landscape plans during the drought emergency. On June 16, 2015, the City Council adopted a resolution
further limiting outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscaping or turf with potable water to two days a week.
These measures remained in place through 2016.
A 2016 Executive Order (B-37-16),
approved by Governor Brown on May 9,
2016, bolstered California's drought
resilience and preparedness by establishing
longer -term water conservation measures
that include permanent monthly water use
reporting, new urban water use targets,
reducing system water loss, eliminating
clearly wasteful practices, and
strengthening urban drought contingency
plans. These measures aim to not only
reduce immediate water use but to establish
a long-term change in the way Californians
think about water.
This conservation measure that originated with the drought became a
permanent requirement under the 2016 Executive Order
Following abundant rainfall, on April 7, 2017 Governor Brown issued an Executive Order ending the state
of emergency in California and eliminating statewide water use reduction requirements, including the City's
12 percent water use reduction requirement. The City Council rescinded the local emergency drought
declaration and restrictions on water use on June 20, 2017.
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7.4 WATER WASTE PREVENTION ORDINANCES
According to the DWR 2020 UWMP Guidebook, a water waste ordinance that explicitly states the waste of
water is to be prohibited must be adopted. To promote responsible use of water and minimize water waste,
the City's water waste prohibitions are included in Chapter 13.07 of the City's Municipal Code, which defines
water waste as follow:
13.07.020 — Water runoff prohibited.
A. No person shall cause any water delivered by the city water system to flow away from property
owned, occupied or controlled by such person in any gutter, ditch or in any other manner over the
surface of the ground, so as to constitute water waste runoff.
B. "Water waste runoff' means water flowing away from property and which is caused by excessive
application(s) of water beyond reasonable or practical flow rates, water volumes or duration of
application. (Ord. 1089 § 1 (part), 1987)
In accordance with City Municipal Code 13.07.030, when deemed necessary in the judgment of the City
Council to conserve water during critical water periods, the City Council may also by resolution declare an
emergency condition and do any or all of the following which in its judgment is deemed advisable after
publication of notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation distributed in the City or after reasonable
notice thereof is otherwise given by the City to users:
1. Limit irrigation within the City water service area to specified hours, or prohibit irrigation entirely
within the service area or any portion or portions thereof;
2. Limit all customers inside the City water service area to specified maximum usages of water
for each category of users;
3. Implement other water conservation measures as deemed appropriate.
7.5 WATER METERING
In accordance with the 2020 UWMP guidebook and CWC 527 (a) (1), the City has metered all of its service
connections. Having all service connections metered encourages water conservation by effectively billing
customers for the quantity of water consumed, forming a relationship between water consumed and total
cost of the water bill. The City also continues to implement effective metering requirements for new
development requiring separate water meters for residential, non-residential, and landscape uses.
There are approximately 450 dedicated landscape water meters in the
City, which represents approximately three percent of the total number
water meters. In 2020, 8.3 percent of potable water consumption was to
dedicated landscape meters. An additional 4.4 percent of total water
consumption was recycled water for landscape irrigation.
In the City, separate landscape water meters are required for new
commercial, institutional, and multi -unit residential development projects
that have greater than 1,000 square feet of landscaping. The City does not
allow submeters in place of a dedicated landscape meter for landscape
irrigation. As the sewer charges are based on a customer's water usage
in the City, commercial, institutional, and multi -unit residential customers
often opt to install a separate water meter to avoid paying sewer charges
on water used for landscape irrigation.
City Municipal Code Section
17.70.220 (B)
Water Efficient Landscape
Standards states:
For the efficient use of water,
a landscape shall be designed
and planned for the intended
function of the project.
Use of recycled water for landscape irrigation is required for customers in the City's Recycled Water Master
Plan area. Recycled water is discussed in Chapter 6.
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The City's water meter replacement program is
implemented by the Water Distribution section of the
Utilities Department. Under the program, water
meters are replaced based on age of meter and as
defective or under -registering meter are identified.
Water meter replacement ensures accurate
consumption data is provided to both the customer
and the utility.
The City offers a downloadable tool on its website
(Microsoft Excel file) to calculate a project's Estimated
Total Water Use (ETWU) and Maximum Applied
Water Allowance (MAWA). The calculator is pre -
populated with the City's reference evapotranspiration
for consistency.
Table 37: Water Meters (2016 to 2020)
Year
Total Water
Meters in the City
Total Water Meters
Replaced
2016
15,222
236
2017
15,353
156
2018
15,430
458
2019
15,651
311
2020
15,846
907
Five -Year Average of
Water Meters Replaced
414
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
Annually, the Utilities Department calibrates the effluent meters at the City's Water Treatment Plant to
ensure accurate accounting of the water going to the water distribution system. Additionally, the City tests
approximately 1 to 2 percent of its retired water meter inventory annually for a baseline of performance of
the existing metering infrastructure.
The City is currently piloting a cellular based automatic metering infrastructure (AMI) system in partnership
with Cal Poly. The pilot is designed to monitor all water used by Cal Poly both on campus and at offsite
facilities in 15-minute increments, to better understand the impact of the University's demand on the City's
potable water system.
7.6 WATER RATE STRUCTURE AND COST OF SERVICE
According to the DWR 2020 UWMP Guidebook, retail water agencies
City Council 2018 Water Rate
need to describe the pricing structure that is used by the water agency.
Structure Goals
The City's water rates were developed as part of a comprehensive cost -
of -service methodology that fairly apportions costs to all customers
✓ Revenue Stability and
prepared by HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) in 2017. HDR developed the
Predictability
City's water rates based on the American Water Works Association M1
✓ Discourage Wasteful Use
Manual methodology to meet the requirements of California constitution
✓ Stability and Predictability
article XI II D, section 6, commonly referred to as Proposition 218 (Prop
of the Rates
218).
✓ Fair Allocation of Total
Cost of Service Among
The City's Cost of Service Study describes customer class
Customer Classes
characteristics, identifies unit costs, and equitably allocates costs
✓ Reflect all Present and
among the City's customer classes to establish the cost -basis of the
Future Costs
water rates. This analysis looked at water consumption, seasonal usage
patterns, water meter sizes, and other factors to determine service -
related cost factors.
Subsequent water rate confirmation studies were completed by HDR for the City in 2019 and 2021 to
support proposed rate increases.
7.7 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
The City has used public education and outreach as a mechanism for decreasing water use in the City and
for promoting water conservation since the 1970s. The City's public outreach and education programs
currently include the following:
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Annual Water Resource Status Report
Publication of the quarterly Resource
Newsletter
Social media use (Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram)
Billing inserts
Streaming "how-to" videos
Direct mail
High water use outreach
Water conservation portal on City
website
Weekly reservoir level updates on the
City's webpage
Funding for SLO Waterwise
Landscaping website
Various newspaper articles
Booth at public events such as Earth Day and the SLO Preparedness Expo
Booth at Thursday downtown Farmers Market (26 times a year)
School education programs (K-12)
Meetings with local homeowners associations
Meetings with local business groups
The City is committed to reviewing and modifying the public education and outreach program to ensure that
messaging stays effective and relevant.
7.8 PROGRAMS TO ASSESS AND MANAGE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM REAL LOSS
The City has been conducting annual AWWA water loss audits since 2009. Water loss statistics identified
from the AWWA water audits can be viewed in detail in Chapter 3 and Appendix IV.
To continue to reduce water loss, the City conducts service line replacement projects based on service line
age and condition, along with extensive programs to replace defective polybutylene service lines that have
been identified to have a high likelihood of failure. Water meter replacement programs exist to replace
meters based on age, consequence of failure, and likelihood of failure. Along with these maintenance
programs, the City also implements a valve exercising program that ensures water mains can be isolated
during repairs to minimize the amount of water lost during water main breaks and repairs.
In 2015, the City completed its Potable Water Distribution System Operations Master Plan which identifies
and prioritizes future maintenance and capital improvement projects which will reduce future water loss due
to infrastructure failure. That work effort included development of a comprehensive hydraulic model of the
City's water distribution system. The hydraulic model is used to determine available service pressure and
is maintained annually to keep it current with waterline replacement project, new water main installations,
zone consolidations, etc.
In 2019, the City began using acoustic correlation equipment
where acoustic sensors are attached to water valves to measure
the speed at which sounds waves travel along the pipe. These
sensors effectively listen to water flowing through the pipe and
can detect when water is escaping through a leak. The location
can then be pinpointed within about two feet, which helps reduce
excavation costs. Using this tool regularly the City can:
• More accurately locate small leaks, resulting in less
damage to surrounding infrastructure
• Further optimize its capital spending
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• Minimize water main breaks, water loss, and damage from leaks
• Better manage aging water infrastructure
The City will continue to work to reduce real and apparent water losses by:
✓ Replacing aging infrastructure to prevent pipe breaks and leaks.
✓ Implementing a comprehensive meter testing and calibration program to ensure water meters are
functioning per manufacturers' specifications.
✓ Continuing with its comprehensive meter replacement strategy to ensure water used at homes and
businesses is correctly recorded.
✓ Performing routine billing audits to reduce data handling errors.
Real Water Loss Apparent Water Loss Total
Leaks in distribution system Unauthorized consumption (water _
infrastructure, pipeline breaks, + theft), water metering inaccuracies, — Water
Loss
and water tank overflows. and data handling errors.
7.9 WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM COORDINATION AND STAFFING SUPPORT
The Water Resources section of the Utilities Department manages and implements water conservation
programs for the City. This section consists of a manager who coordinates the conservation programs, two
full time Water Resource Technicians, and temporary staffing as needed. Many support services such as
the school education program and elements of the public outreach program are provided by professional
services contract to ensure the City meets its conservation goals and promotes responsible water use.
7.10 OTHER DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES
For over twenty years, the City has implemented cost-effective
programs to increase water efficiency citywide. The City
implemented the following demand management measures and
plans to continue implementing these measures into the future. The
following is a description of these additional programs.
Customer Water Audits
The Utilities Department's Water Resources section offers no -cost
indoor and outdoor water audits to customers who have high water
use or would like to reduce their water consumption. Water resource
technicians examine the property with the customer to identify
potential water saving opportunities and provide information about
irrigation reduction methods, proper property maintenance, low flow
fixtures installation, and general information on methods for reducing
water use. This service is often offered proactively to customers who
have unexplained high use, water waste violations, or other
instances where audits could provide potential water savings.
Customers can also request a water audit on the City's website.
"
Rebate Programs
During the past drought in 2015, the City Council authorized $100,000 in support of effective rebate
programs. $100 dollar rebates were provided for qualified toilet and washing machine replacements. Going
forward, staff will be examining effective rebate programs to offer the community in the future.
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Retrofit Upon Sale Program
The City's Retrofit Upon Sale Program requires the replacement of high flow indoor water fixtures when a
home has a change of ownership or had a major remodel. This program has been in place since the early
1990's and, along with several other fixture replacement programs, has reduced the City's long-term water
demand by an estimated 1,500 acre-feet per year. All properties that have been certified to have low -flow
fixtures are shown via a user-friendly online mapping tool at slowater.org, shown below in Figure 6. This
tool also provides the City with a database that can be used to help project the effectiveness of future indoor
water fixture rebate, offset, and replacement programs.
FIGURE 6: Online Toilet Retrofit Certification Mapping Tool
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department website, 2021.
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Appendix I: Notification to Agencies, Public Hearing Notice, and
Plan Adoption
Page 261 of 422
�I r Public Utilities
879 Morro Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-2710
y 805.781 7215
March 31, 2021
Mr. John Diodati
Department Administrator
Department of Public Works
County of San Luis Obispo
County Government Center, Room 207
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
RE: City of San Luis Obispo, 2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Dear Mr. Diodati:
The City of San Luis Obispo is in the process of updating its Urban Water Management Plan as required
by California state law. There are two provisions in the law which requires the City to 1) notify the County
at least 60 days prior to the public hearing to adopt the plan and 2) provide a wholesale agency which
supplies water to the City with water use projections from that water supply for at least 20 year period. The
County of San Luis Obispo is considered a wholesale agency based on the contractual agreements between
the City of San Luis Obispo and the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
relative to deliveries of Nacimiento water supplies.
Per section 10642 of the Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act), a public hearing to adopt the Urban
Water Management Plan has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council
chamber located 990 Palm Street. The text from the Act related to this requirement is as follows:
Every urban water supplier required to prepare a plan pursuant to this part shall, at least
60 days prior to the public hearing on the plan required by Section 10642, notify any city or
county within which the supplier provides water supplies that the urban water supplier will
be reviewing the plan and considering amendments or changes to the plan. The urban water
supplier may consult with, and obtain comments from, any city or county that receives notice
pursuant to this subdivision (10621(b)),
The second provision of the law requires that the City provide to a wholesale water agency the projected
amount of water the City will use from the wholesaler's water supply in five year increments for at least 20
year period. The following table is the projected amount of water that the City will request from the County
to the year 2040.
Wholesale
Contracted
Source
Volume
2025
2030
2035
2040
Nacimiento
Reservoir
5,482 AF
5,482 AF
5,482 AF
5,482 AF
5,482 AF
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2020 Urban Water Management Plan Update
Page 2
The text from the Act related to this requirement is as follows:
Urban water suppliers that rely upon a wholesale agency for a source of water shall provide
the wholesale agency with water use projections from that agency for that source of water
in five year increments to 20 years or as far as data is available. The wholesale agency shall
provide information to the urban water supplier for inclusion in the urban water supplier's
plan that identifies and quantifies, to the extentpracticable, the existing and planned sources
of water as required by subdivision (b), available from the wholesale agency to the urban
water supplier over the same five year increments, and during various water year types in
accordance with subdivision (c). An urban water supplier may rely upon water supply
information provided by the wholesale agency in fulfilling the plan informational
requirements of subdivisions (b) and (c) (10631(k)).
As indicated in this subsection, the County will need to respond to the City with information that verifies
the County's intent to deliver the identified quantity of water in the table over the same planning period.
Please send the County's response to this request to:
City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department
Attn: Mychal Boerman
879 Morro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401
Or via email at: mboerman@slocity.org
A reply by April 15, 2021 would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or would like to
discuss further, please contact me at 805-781-7237.
Sincerely,
�rryRa4�ell
Mychal Boerman
Utilities Deputy Director - Water
Cc: File
Jennifer Metz
Via email to: jdiodati@co.slo.ca.us
kballantyne@co.slo.ca.us
Page 263 of 422
,COUNTY I COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
• = Department of Public Works
John Diodati, Interim Director
April 15, 2021
City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department
Attn: Mychal Boerman, Utilities Deputy Director Water
879 Morro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Email: mboerman@slocity.org
Subject: The City of San Luis Obispo, 2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Dear Mychal Boerman:
The purpose of this letter is to address the District's requirement to respond to the wholesale
supplier's water supply demand request, in accordance with the Urban Water Management
Planning Act.
The District is in receipt of City of San Luis' projected Nacimiento Water Project demand through
the year 2040. In accordance with the Urban Water Management Planning Act and the District's
contractually obligation to the City, the District intends to deliver the identified quantity of water
in the table below, consistent with the attached letter from the City dated March 31, 2021.
Wholesale
Contracted
2025
2030
2035
2040
Source
Volume
Nacimiento
5,482 AFY
5,482 AFY
5,482 AFY
5,482 AFY
5,482 AFY
Reservoir
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
LAURA HOLDER
Utilities Division Program Manager
File: 622.300.01
L:\Utilities\2021\April\City of SLO 2020 UWMP Water Demand Response Itr.docxLH.ec
County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Works
County Govt Center, Room 206 1 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 1 (P) 805-781-5252 1 (F) 805-781-1229
pwd@co.slo.ca.us I slocounty.ca.gov Page 264 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Appendix II: Water Resource Status Reports (2016-2020)
Page 265 of 422
Whale Rock Reservoir. 2016
Photo credit: City of San Luis Obispo
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
2016
Water Resources
Status Report
This Report Covers October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016
PREPARED BY:
Jennifer Metz, Utilities Projects Manager
Aaron Floyd, Utilities Deputy Director -Water
Mychal Boerman, Water Resources Program Manager
Page 266 of 422
City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
The City of San Luis Obispo 2016 Water Resources Status Report includes water production and water
consumption data for October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016 and was prepared in accordance with
the General Plan, Water and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A5.3.1. The reporting period
corresponds to the Water Year (October 1 through September 30), the 12-month period for which
precipitation totals are measured. The water year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends. This
report covers Water Year 2016. The Report is organized as follows:
I. Drought Update
II. Water Policy Update
III. Water Supply
IV. Water Demand
V. Water Resource Availability
VI. Water Supply Accounting
VI I. Water Demand Management
11 'el`I_all a II
The statewide drought emergency continued during the 2016 Water Year, with the drought now into its
fifth year during 2016. State drought regulations that began in 2014, were expanded in 2015, and
continued through the 2016 Water Year. On May 9, 2016, the Governor issued an Executive Order that
directed the State Water Resources Control Board to adjust and extend its emergency water conservation
regulations through the end of January 2017 in recognition of the differing water supply conditions for
many communities, and to develop proposed emergency water restrictions for 2017 if the drought
persists.
The Governor's latest drought -related Executive Order (B-37-16) established a new water use efficiency
framework for California by aiming to "Make Conservation a California Way of Life."
2011 R 2012 2013
2
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
The 2016 Executive Order bolsters the state's drought resilience and preparedness by establishing longer -
term water conservation measures that include:
• Permanent monthly water use reporting,
• New urban water use targets,
• Reducing system water loss,
• Eliminating clearly wasteful practices, and
• Strengthening urban drought contingency plans.
These updated measures aim to not only reduce immediate water use but to establish a long-term change
in the way Californians think about water.
LOCAL RESPONSE
The drought brought about unprecedented regulatory action from the State of California which required
a mandatory 12 percent reduction in City water use when compared with 2013 water use. To comply with
this mandate, the City Council adopted a drought response strategy in June 2015. This strategy is still in
place and includes the following:
• Adoption of a resolution declaring a drought emergency;
• Adoption of a resolution to defer new landscape installation or the use of modified landscape
plans during the drought emergency;
• Adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 13.07 of the City's Municipal Code to include two-
day -a -week and time -of -day restrictions for outdoor watering;
• Approval of an incentive program for high efficiency toilets and washing machines; and
• Adoption of a resolution establishing a permit fee for the use of the Corporation Yard
groundwater well.
The community continues to do an outstanding job in reducing water consumption in response to the
regulations. The City is on target to meet State requirements, as shown in the table below, achieving an
average 21 percent reduction in the 2016 Water Year over 2013 water usage.
2015 Water Year
2016 Water Year
Reduction
Reduction
Total Water Year Reduction
16%
21%
from 2013 Usage
Note: The reduction represents the total water reduction achieved in the Water Year from water
usage in 2013. The City's mandatory 12 percent reduction went into effect in June 2015, so were
not in place during the full 2015 Water Year. Data does not include recycled water.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo, 2016.
3
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
The City's enforcement strategy has relied on
active enforcement of water waste prohibitions,
with a focus on providing information and
resources to the public in order to encourage the
correction of existing violations and to encourage
voluntary compliance.
During Water Year 2016, City staff issued 528
formal and informal violation notifications. Of the
528 violations recorded, only 55 were repeat
violations with only 12 total properties being
contacted more than two times throughout the
course of the year. Violations throughout the year
were predominantly related to issues with
irrigation systems. 281 of the violations recorded
were related to water runoff from irrigation
systems while another 228 violations were due to
irrigating on a prohibited day or during prohibited
hours. The remaining 20 violations were related to
issues such as watering within 48-hours of
measurable rainfall, washing a vehicle without a
shutoff nozzle, and using a hose to wash down a
driveway or sidewalk.
Given the strong relationship between irrigation
and water waste violations, most violations occur
during peak irrigation season (from May through
October) and become nearly non-existent during
winter months. As shown in the Violations Heat
Map, there are several areas of town where
violations occur most frequently. Given advanced
reporting and tracking efforts, efforts are focused
on areas of town with high likelihood of violations.
When violations occur they are geocoded and
permanently recorded with information such as
type of violation, customer contact method, and
outcome of contact. This recording of data helps
track frequency of violation and if response to
violations needs to be escalated due to repeated
violations.
Violation Response
Methods
Violation
Types
E
s
Water Runoff
281
Prohibited
Day/Time
228
4
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
Water Waste Violations Heat Map
Source: City of San Luis Obispo, 2016.
The Water Waste Violations Heat Map shows locations in the City that experienced the
highest number of water waste violations during the 2016 Water Year. These violations
include watering within 48-hours of measurable rainfall, washing a vehicle without a
shutoff nozzle, and using a hose to wash down a driveway or sidewalk.
5
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
II. WATER POLICY UPDATE
The City's guiding water policy document for water resource planning is the General Plan Water and
Wastewater Management Element (WWME). The WWME was updated on June 16, 2016 along with the
2015 Urban Water Management Plan. As part of the 2016 update, the City changed the factor used in
water supply accounting and demand projections to use the per capita potable water use rate allowed
under Senate Bill X7-7 (Water Conservation Act of 2009) of 117 gallons per capita per day (gpcd).
The updated policy language reads as follows:
The City will utilize the per capita water use rate allowed by SB X7-7 for projecting future
potable water demand established as 117 gallons per capita per day.
Prior to this update, the City used a water use rate based on a 10-year running average of gpcd. Using 117
gpcd is a more conservative approach as a 10-year average can be influenced by drought years where the
City can experience a significant reduction in potable water demand.
In June of 2016, the City updated its Urban Water Management Plan. This update is required by the State
of California Urban Water Management Planning Act to occur every five years. The preparation of the
2015 Urban Water Management Plan (2015 Plan) was unique in that it took place during unprecedented
drought conditions statewide. As part of the 2015 Plan, changes were made to the City's Water Shortage
Contingency Plan. Water shortage contingency planning allows for the City to be prepared for and respond
to water shortages such as a drought or a catastrophic supply interruption such as a break in a
transmission pipeline. To provide more time to respond to water shortages, a six -staged demand
management response was included in the plan with a "Monitoring' stage in place at all times.
The update to the Water Shortage Contingency Plan in the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan includes
implementation of mandatory water conservation measures when the City's water supplies are projected
to last five years or less. This change from the prior plan's three year or less plan allows for more time to
incrementally implement water shortage response strategies. The policy language is as follows:
Mandatory water conservation measures as described in the City's Water Shortage Contingency
Plan will be implemented when the City's water supplies are projected to last five years or less.
III. WATER SUPPLY
Per WWME Policy A2.2.1, the City uses multiple water sources to City of San Luis Obispo
meet its water supply needs. The city has four primary water supply Water Supply Sources
sources including Whale Rock Reservoir, Salinas Reservoir, ✓ Nacimiento Reservoir
Nacimiento Reservoir, and recycled water (for landscape irrigation V Whale Rock Reservoir
and construction water), with groundwater serving as a fifth ✓ Recycled Water
supplemental source. The supply per source for Water Year 2016 ✓ Salinas Reservoir
(October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016) is summarized below. ✓ Groundwater
6
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
2016 City Water Supply by Source (Acre Feet)
Nacimiento
Whale Rock
Recycled
Salinas
Groundwater 3
Total City Water
Reservoir
Reservoir 2
Water
Reservoir
Demand
3,834.5
685.92
201.92
8.19
0
4,730.53
81.06%
14.50%
4.27%
0.17%
0 %
100%
Notes:
1. All Values are rounded.
2. Water delivered to Cal Poly State University is excluded from the City's water demand.
3. Groundwater was not used for potable purposes during the 2016 Water Year.
NACIMIENTO RESERVOIR
Water deliveries to the City of San Luis Obispo from Nacimiento Reservoir began in January
2011. San Luis Obispo County operates and maintains the delivery of water from Nacimiento
Reservoir to participating agencies (currently the cities of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo,
Atascadero Mutual Water Company, Templeton Community Services District, County Service
Area 10A [Cayucos], Santa Margarita Ranch, and Bella Vista Mobile Home Park). The Nacimiento
Project Commission provides oversight to project operations, maintenance, and the project
budget. The Commission is made up of representatives from each of the four agencies'
governing boards and a County Representative who is a member of the County Board of
Supervisors which also sits as the Board of Directors for the Flood Control District.
In March 2016, the City Council approved the addition of 2,102 afy from Nacimiento Reservoir to
the City's secondary water supply, referred to as the "full allocation" of Nacimiento. This addition
brought the City's contractual right to Nacimiento Reservoir from 3380 afy to 5,482 afy. The City
uses secondary water supplies to meet short-term water supply losses due to events such as
drought, pipeline maintenance, and repair of infrastructure. With uncertainty of future climatic
conditions, regulation and aging infrastructure, the additional supply of water from Nacimiento
Reservoir to the City's portfolio reduces pressure on use of water supplies in Whale Rock and
Salinas reservoirs serving to extend these stored supplies during future critical water shortage
periods.
Nacimiento Reservoir, 2016.
Photo credit: City of San Luis Obispo.
7
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
Since the full allocation was approved in March 2016 and the budget amendment to cover the
expense associated with the additional pumping costs was approved in June, the City has
significantly increased the volume of water it utilized from Nacimiento to serve the community's
water demand. During the 2016 Water Year, over 81 percent of the City's total water demand
was met by Nacimiento Reservoir. The City utilized twice as much water from Nacimiento
Reservoir during the 2016 Water Year than the prior year.
Utilization of Water Supply
from Nacimiento Reservoir
7,000
6,000 5,285
5,541 5,892
4,988 4,731
5,000 —
3,835
4,000 —
3,000 2,181 —
1,502 1,891
2,000 1,247 —
1,000 —
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Total City Water Demand (in acre feet) Acre Feet utilized from Nacimiento Reservoir
SALINAS & WHALE ROCK RESERVOIRS
Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs served as the City's primary water supplies for over 50 years.
The City pays the County of San Luis Obispo Flood Control and Water Conservation District
(County) to provide oversight, operations, and maintenance of the Salinas Dam and related water
delivery facilities. The City provides the oversight, operations, and maintenance of the Whale
Rock Reservoir for the benefit of the Whale Rock Commission, a joint powers agency made up of
Cal Poly State University, California Men's Colony, and the City.
During the 2016 Water Year, the City utilized a total of 694.11 acre feet from Salinas and Whale
Rock reservoirs.
RECYCLED WATER
For the 2016 Water Year, the City delivered 202 acre feet of recycled water, up from 168 acre
feet for the 2015 Water Year. The biggest increase in recycled water use during the 2016 Water
Year was construction water. Total construction water use in the 2016 Water Year was 20 acre
feet, up from 10 acre feet during the 2015 water year. The City has had a Construction Water
Permit Program since 2010.
8
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The design phase for the City's Water Resource Recovery
Facility (WRRF) Project is underway in 2016 which is planned
to maximize recycled water production. The upgrade will
enable the City to consider potable reuse, part of a One
Water concept, in the future.
The City is currently updating to the 2004 Water Reuse
Master Plan which is scheduled to be complete in 2017. The
City is also reviewing the rate it charges for recycled water,
which has been set at 90 percent of the City's potable rate
since the program's inception.
GROUNDWATER
The City transitioned from utilizing groundwater for potable
purposes with the last withdrawal occurring in April 2015.
The City's groundwater wells remain in an operable, stand-
by position should the use of groundwater be required.
Other existing well casings are being revitalized to provide
greater drought resiliency. The City is also working with a
hydrogeologist to site a future well field for a potential
groundwater program expansion and for siting of the
withdrawal of highly treated wastewater for an indirect
potable reuse system.
City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
oft
The upgrade of the Water Resource
Recovery Facility will enable the City to
consider potable reuse in the future, part
of a One Water concept.
With the emergency drought declaration in 2015, the City established a permit fee and
procedures for use of the Corporation Yard groundwater well. The program was started in
recognition of the drought and the importance of the groundwater resources and the management of this
resource to community and others within the San Luis Groundwater Basin. During the 2016 water year,
that permit program entered its second year and has 40 participants.
Non -potable well water is also used at the Laguna Lake Golf Course for landscape irrigation.
WATER MODELING
The City performs water planning through the use of different models. The Water Projection
Model, or Wet Water Model, is used to inform the amount of water the City has available during
the water year. This model inputs include an annual one percent population increases, current
total water demand (in gallons per capita per day), current levels of Salinas and Whale Rock
Reservoir, contractual water received from Nacimiento Reservoir, and climate data associated
with each reservoir in terms of lack of precipitation and increase in evaporation for the worst
years of the drought (2012-14). These drought -year climate impacts are assumed for every year
moving forward, even in more "normal" years such as 2015 and 2016. With this model, the City
is able to analyze the effects of more severe climatic conditions, such as increased evaporation
and decreased precipitation, in our stored water reservoirs.
9
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
In March 2016, the model was updated to include the additional water supply from the full
allocation of Nacimiento Reservoir. While the last model run shows the City having more than
five years of available water, the uncertainty of when the drought will end and what impact
future climate change may have still remain.
IV. WATER DEMAND
During Water Year 2016, over 63
percent of total water use in the City
was to support single and multi -family
residential uses. Historical water use is
summarized below, as well as
corresponding population, per capita
use rate, and precipitation. The 2016 per
capita water use was 91.6 gallons per
capita per day (gpcd). Based on WWME
policies, the City uses 117 gpcd to
project water required to serve build -
out population.
Water Consumption by land Use
Type
(;71% n'2,of nanon
■ Single Family
■ Non -Residential
■ Irrigation (Recycled)
Population, Water Use & Rainfall
■ Multi Family
■ Irrigation (Potable)
■ Construction Water (Recycled)
Year
Population
Total Water Use
(acre feet)
Per Capita
(gpcd)
Rainfall',','
(inches)
2007
44,433
6,493
130.5
12.7
2008
44,579
6,359
127.3
18.1
2009
44,829
6,134
122.2
18.9
2010
44,948
5,489
109.0
36.0
2011
45,418
5,285
103.9
18.9
2012
45,308
5,541
109.2
21.5
2013
45,541
5,892
115.5
3.8
2014
45,473
5,524
108.5
14.2
Notes:
1. Rainfall amounts for 2005-2012 calendar year source: Cal Poly CIMIS Weather Station.
2. Rainfall amount for calendar year 2013-2015: SLO Reservoir.
3. Data for 2007 through 2014 presents calendar year rainfall data. 2015 and 2016 rainfall data covers the Water
Year (October through September).
4. http://www.dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/Estimates/e-l/
10
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
With the City's multi -source water supply, its reservoirs are in different watersheds, therefore
rainfall throughout San Luis Obispo County can benefit the City. Average rainfall at various sites
within San Luis Obispo is described below.
Location
Annual Average
Rainfall
(in inches)
2016 Water Year
Total Rainfall
(in inches)
Rock Butte
39
26.89
Hwy 46 and W 7 Mile Road in Cambria, CA
30
19.93
SLO Reservoir
25
17.80
Salinas Dam
23
13.46
Source: http://www.slocountywater.org/site/Water%20Resources/Data/maps/precipitation-real-time.htm
V. WATER RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
The following table summarizes the Water Resource Availability based on WWME Section 3.
Water availability for 2016 is 12,109 acre feet, an increase of 2,124 acre feet over 2015 due to
the full allocation of Nacimiento Reservoir and increased recycled water usage.
2016 Water Resource Availability
Water Resource
Acre Feet
Description
2016 Increase
Salinas & Whale Rock Reservoirs
6,940
Safe Annual Yield 1
-
Nacimiento Reservoir
5,482
Dependable Yield Z
2,102 acre feet
Recycled Water
187
2015 Annual Usage 3
22 acre feet
Siltation from 2010 to 2060
(500)
WWME Policy A 4.2.24
-
•
2016 Annual Availability
2,124 acre feet
NOTES:
1. Safe Annual Yield determined from computer model, which accounts for siltation loss through 2010 (per WWME
Policy A 4.2.1).
2. Dependable Yield is the contractual amount of water the City has rights to from Nacimiento Reservoir.
3. The quantity of recycled water included is the actual prior year's recycled water usage (calendar year 2015) per
WWME Policy A 7.2.2.
4. Reservoir siltation is a natural occurrence that reduces storage capacity over long periods, resulting in the
reduction of safe annual yield.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo, 2015. View of San Luis Obispo from Tossajora Peak.
11
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
VI. WATER SUPPLY ACCOUNTING
Per WWME Section 5, the City accounts for water supplies necessary to meet three specific
community needs:
• Primary water supply
• Reliability reserve
• Secondary water supply
The City's primary water supply is defined as the
amount of water needed to serve the build -out
population identified in the General Plan, Land Use
Element (2014). Table 3 in the Land Use Element
identifies an urban reserve capacity of 57,200 people.
The quantity of water needed for the primary water
supply is calculated per WWME Policy A 5.2.2, using
117 gallons per capita per day (gpcd).
The reliability reserve provides a buffer for future
unforeseen or unpredictable long-term impacts to the
City's water supply. The quantity of water for the
reliability reserve is established using 20 percent of
the existing City population (46,117, 2016 population)
at 117 gpcd, thus the reliability reserve will increase
over time as population increases. The reliability
reserve concept is included in the City's Charter
(Section 909) which identifies that the water may not
be used to serve future development, and is defined
per WWME Policy A 5.2.3.
Primary Water Supply
= 117 gpcd x City Build -out Population
= 117 gpcd x 57,200 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,853 gal
7,496 Acre-Ft/year
Reliability Reserve
= 117 gpcd x 2015 City Population x 20%
= 117 gpcd x 46,117 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,853 gal x 20%
1,499 Acre-Ft/year
Secondary Water Supply
= Current Annual Availability — Primary
Water Supply — Reliability Reserve
= 12,109 Acre-Ft/year A — 7,496 Acre-
Ft/year —1,499 Acre-Ft/year
3,114 Acre-Ft/year
A 2016 Annual Availability
The secondary water supply is the amount of water remaining from the City's available water
resources above those needed to meet the primary water supply and reliability reserve. The
secondary supply is identified to meet peak water demand periods or short-term loss of City
water supply sources, per WWME Policy A 5.2.4.
Water supply accounting is summarized in the table below.
2016 Water Supply Accounting (acre feet)
Total
Primary Water Supply
Reliability Reserve
Secondary Water Supply
12,109
7,496
1,499
3,114
12
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
VII. WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT
The City's water conservation program is an integral part of its overall water management
strategy. In the late 1980's, the City implemented effective water efficiency programs and
policies that allowed for continued community growth and economic development during water -
constrained periods. Through strong conservation efforts, the community has reduced its annual
average per capita water use from over 180 gallons in 1987 to 91.6 for the 2016 Water Year.
With the lack of local drought relief from El Nino, the City continued its message related to water
conservation while much of the media was declaring the drought "over" due to high quantities
of rainfall in the northern half of the state. Along with its continued face-to-face contact with
customers, the City continued to implement water conservation rebate programs, school
education programs, and increased public outreach related to the ongoing drought. The
outreach program currently consists of messaging on the City's social media platforms and
website along with traditional printed media such as the quarterly Resource Newsletter.
In order to reach all local demographics, City staff diversified outreach efforts by attending local
events such as Farmers Market, the SLO Home Expo, the Disaster Preparedness Expo, and the
Community Water Forum. Adding to traditional media outlets, staff was interviewed on local
radio, advertised on broadcast media, and created a video explaining the history of the City's
water resource and conservation programs.
Community Water Forum
Thursday, April 21 - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Ludwick Community Center - 864 Santa Rosa, SLO
13
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City of San Luis Obispo
2016 Water Resources Status Report
REGIONAL WATER RESOURCE PLANNING
Beyond the involvement in the Nacimiento Water Project, the City continues to participate as a
member of the Water Resources Advisory Council and Regional Water Management Group,
which promotes collaborative, integrated management of water resources within San Luis
Obispo County and provides policy recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors. In
addition, the City participates in the regional water conservation group Partners in Water
Conservation.
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is a statewide policy that empowers local
agencies to adopt groundwater management plans that relate to the needs and resources of their
communities. In the future, the City sees groundwater continuing to playa n important and useful
role in the balancing of its overall water supply portfolio. Associated with SGMA is the
requirement to form a Groundwater Sustainability Agency by mid-2017 and create a
Groundwater Sustainability Plan by 2022.
14
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2017
Water Resources
Status Report
For the Time Period October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017
Salinas Reservoir (2015)
Photo Credit: City of San Luis Obispo.
Salinas Reservoir (2017)
PREPARED BY:
Jennifer Metz, Utilities Projects Manager
Aaron Floyd, Utilities Deputy Director - Water
Mychal Boerman, Water Resources Program Manager
Page 280 of 422
City of San Luis Obispo
2017 Water Resources Status Report
Page 2
The City's 2017 Water Resources Status Report includes water production and water consumption data
for October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 and was prepared in accordance with the General Plan,
Water and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A5.3.1. The reporting period corresponds to the
Water Year (October 1 through September 30), the 12-month period for which precipitation totals are
measured designated by the calendar year in which it ends. This report for Water Year 2017 is organized as
follows:
I. Drought Declaration Rescinded and Water Policy Update
II. Water Supply
III. Water Demand
IV. Water Resource Availability
V. Water Supply Accounting
VI. Water Demand Management
I. DROUGHT DECLARATION RESCINDED AND WATER POLICY UPDATE
Following abundant rainfall this past winter, on April 7, 2017 Governor Brown issued Executive Order B-
40-17 ending the drought state of emergency in California and eliminating the City's mandated 12 percent
water use reduction. The City Council adopted resolutions to rescind the drought emergency locally on
June 20, 2017.
A 2016 Executive Order (B-37-16)
approved by Governor Brown on May 9, I 1 ITHINTERNG ' i I
UR
2016, bolsters California's drought MEASURABILERAINFALL"'.
resilience and preparedness by establishing
longer -term water conservation measures
that include permanent monthly water use
reporting, new urban water use targets,
reducing system water loss, eliminating
Clearly Wasteful practices, and This conservation measure that originated with the drought became a
strengthening urban drought contingency permanent requirement under the 2016 Executive Order
plans. These measures aim to not only
reduce immediate water use but to establish a long-term change in the way Californians think about
water.
What a Difference a Year Makes — For California and San Luis Obispo
The California Department of Water Resources Water Year 2017 report, subtitled "What a Difference a
Year Makes," noted that the water year "dramatically illustrated the variability in California's annual
precipitation, ending the state's 5-year drought and coming in at second place for statewide runoff, behind
the wettest year of 1983." On the hydrologic impacts of a wet 2017, the statewide report states:
Many of the hydrologic impacts of California's prior five-year drought were remedied by the wet
conditions. For the first time since 2011, runoff in major river basins exceeded 150 percent of
average, in some cases exceeding 200 percent of average. The abundant runoff replenished
depleted soil moisture. Depleted surface water storage in most of the state's major reservoirs was
refilled (excepting Lake Oroville, due to emergency repairs and reconstruction of its spillways).
Locally, the City saw its surface water reservoirs recover between January and June of 2017. Since the end
of the drought the City has seen a slight increase in overall consumption from 2016 to 2017, from 92
gallons per capita day (gpcd) in Water Year 2016 to 95 gpcd in Water Year 2017. For potable water only,
the increase was from 88 gpcd in Water Year 2016 to 91 gpcd in Water Year 2017.
Page 281 of 422
LOCAL RESERVOIR LEVELS
■ Jan-17 ■ Jun-17
100% 79%
10% . 32% ■
City of San Luis Obispo
2017 Water Resources Status Report
Page 3
78%
25% ■
SALINAS RESERVOIR WHALE ROCK RESERVOIR NACIMIENTO RESERVOIR
Water Resiliency Planning
The City declared Climate Action a top priority during its January 2017 major city goal -setting workshop
and identified objectives focused on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions within City facilities,
such as the City's Water Treatment Plant. The City is in the study phase of an energy efficiency project at
the Water Treatment Plant to utilize photovoltaic panels and install a hydropower turbine that would
convert the energy in the high-pressure water line from Nacimiento Reservoir into electricity. The
electricity generated on -site would offset the Water Treatment Plant's overall power demand.
Concurrently, the energy efficiency project will assess several projects identified in the adopted 2015
Potable Water Master Plan such as: pump efficiencies within plant, the primary disinfection system, water
quality in storage tanks, distribution main inter -ties between service zones, and settings of related
controls needed for control system (SCADA-Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) integration. The
assessment will make recommendations to replace aging infrastructure in a holistic manner from the
surface water source, to the treatment plant, and within the distribution system.
Although it is not clear exactly how San Luis Obispo and its watersheds will be affected, climate change
will impact future water supplies. To ensure water supply resiliency under worse -case scenarios, the City
utilizes a multi -source water supply discussed further in this report, makes conservative water demand
projections, and continues to pursue increased water use efficiency, increased water recycling, and
groundwater recharge.
Multi- Conservative Future
Source Water Water Use Water Ground Water
Water Demand Efficiency Rerycling Water Resiliency
Supply Projections Recharge
Formula for Water Resiliency
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Water Loss Audit Regulation
Even the most efficiently managed water systems across the country experience unavoidable water loss
from leaks, water main breaks, meter inaccuracies, and a variety of other causes. Despite efforts to
minimize water loss, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average water system
sees a difference of about 15 percent between water produced and water sold each year. The City is
working to reduce both real and apparent water losses. Senate Bill 555, approved by Governor Brown in
October 2015, requires retail water suppliers in California with 3,000 or more connections, or an annual
water demand of over 3,000 acre-feet, to conduct an annual audit of their distribution system to quantify
water loss. The standardized audit must be validated by a certified third party to ensure data accuracy
and consistency in reporting. The City submitted its first annual water loss audit to the Department of
Water Resources in October 2017
Calendar Year 2016 Water Loss
Apparent Losses
102.8 AF
Real Losses
412.9 AF
Water Losses
515.7 AF
Non -revenue water as percent by volume of water supplied
11.7%
Non -revenue water as percent by cost of operating system
2.8%
By "benchmarking" this data and setting water loss efficiency goals, the City will continue to work to
reduce real and apparent water losses by:
✓ Installing a computer system to monitor water system data such as pressure, flow, and tank levels
for early detection of abnormalities in the water distribution system.
✓ Replacing aging infrastructure to prevent pipe breaks and leaks.
✓ Implementing a comprehensive meter testing and calibration program to ensure water meters
are functioning per manufacturers' specifications.
✓ Implementing a comprehensive meter replacement strategy to ensure water used at homes and
businesses is correctly recorded.
✓ Performing routine billing audits to reduce data handling errors.
Real Water Loss Apparent Water Loss Total
Leaks in distribution system Unauthorized consumption (water Wate_
infrastructure, pipeline breaks, + theft), water metering inaccuracies, Loss
r
and water tank overflows. and data handling errors.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and Formation of a Groundwater Sustainability Agency
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is a statewide law that empowers local agencies
to adopt groundwater management plans that relate to the needs and resources of their communities.
Although currently banking its groundwater resources, the City envisions groundwater playing an
important role in ensuring continued resiliency in its water supply portfolio.
During the 2017 Water Year, the City became a Groundwater Sustainability Agency over the area of the
San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin that lies beneath and within its jurisdictional boundaries. The
San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin "eligible entities" (City, County, Golden State Water Company,
Edna Ranch Mutual Water Company -East, Varian Ranch Mutual Water Company, and Edna Valley Growers
Mutual Water Company) are all working collaboratively to comply with SGMA requirements for the entire
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groundwater basin. The GSA structure includes a Groundwater Sustainability Commission which is an
advisory body to the City Council and the Board of Supervisors. The Commission consists of one member
from the City Council, one County Supervisor and a representative of each of the identified water
companies. The City, County, and eligible entities are required by SGMA to work together to create
Groundwater Sustainability Plans by January 31, 2022.
II. WATER SUPPLY
City of San Luis Obispo
Per the General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element,
Water Supply Sources
Policy A2.2.1, the City uses multiple water sources to meet its water
supply needs. The City has four primary water supply sources including
Nacimiento Reservoir
Whale Rock Reservoir, Salinas Reservoir, Nacimiento Reservoir, and
Whale Rock Reservoir
supplies recycled water for landscape irrigation and construction water.
Recycled Water
Groundwater serves as a fifth supplemental source. The supply per
Salinas Reservoir
source for Water Year 2017 (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017) is
Groundwater
summarized below.
2017 City Water Supply by Source (Acre Feet)
Nacimiento
Whale Rock
Recycled
Salinas
Groundwater 3
Total City Water
Reservoir
Reservoir Z
Water
Reservoir
Demand
3,383
1,150
229
213
0
4,975
68%
23%
5%
4%
0 %
100%
Notes:
1. All values are rounded.
2. Water delivered to Cal Poly State University is excluded from the City's water demand.
3. Groundwater was not used for potable purposes during the 2017 Water Year.
NACIMIENTO RESERVOIR
Water deliveries to the City from Nacimiento Reservoir began in January 2011. During the 2017 Water
Year, 68 percent of the City's total water demand was met by Nacimiento Reservoir. San Luis Obispo
County operates and maintains the water delivery system from Nacimiento Reservoir to participating
agencies (currently the cities of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, Atascadero Mutual Water Company,
Templeton Community Services District, County Service Area 10A [Cayucos], Santa Margarita Ranch, and
Bella Vista Mobile Home Park). The Nacimiento Project Commission provides oversight to project
operations, maintenance, and the project budget. The Commission is made up of representatives from
each of the four agencies' governing boards and a County Representative who is a member of the County
Board of Supervisors which also sits as the Board of Directors for the Flood Control District.
Since 2010, San Luis Obispo County Flood Control
District, the Nacimiento Regional Water
Management Advisory Committee, Monterey
County Parks, and Monterey County Water
Resources Agency have worked together to plan,
advise, and organize a Mussel Prevention
Program at Lake Nacimiento. On July 29, 2017, an
inspector noticed hundreds of invasive mussels
attached to a boat and prevented the owner
from launching at the Heritage Ranch boat ramp.
ie CLEAN
® DRAIN
bOO C AIL ]LAKES DRY
*DON'T MOVE A MUSSEL SLOCountyWater.org
Inspections are conducted as part of the on -going
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program. Invasive mussels have not been found in any local San Luis Obispo County lakes to -date, due in
part to inspection program efforts, along with responsible boat owners' prevention efforts.
SALINAS & WHALE ROCK RESERVOIRS
Priorto receiving water from Nacimiento Reservoir, Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs served as the City's
primary water supplies for over 50 years. The City pays the County of San Luis Obispo Flood Control and
Water Conservation District (County) to provide oversight, operations, and maintenance of the Salinas
Reservoir and related water delivery facilities. The City provides the oversight, operations, and
maintenance of the Whale Rock Reservoir for the benefit of the Whale Rock Commission, a joint powers
agency made up of Cal Poly State University, California Men's Colony, and the City. During the 2017 Water
Year, the City utilized 1,373-acre feet from Salinas and Whale Rock reservoirs, meeting 27 percent of total
City water demand.
Safe Annual Yield Update
Safe annual yield analyses of available water supply
sources are based on rainfall, evaporation, and
stream flow experienced during a historical period.
Although future conditions are unlikely to occur in
the precise sequence and magnitudes as have
occurred historically, this technique provides a
conservative estimate of the future water supply
capability of the existing sources, and provides a
tool for observing the impacts of increased
temperature, evaporation, and decreased
precipitation.
In 1988, the City contracted with engineering firm
Leedshill-Herkenhoff, Inc., to prepare a detailed
analysis of the coordinated operation of Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoir Level Gauge
Whale Rock Reservoirs and create a model to
determine the safe annual yield. The report was completed in 1989 and utilized data from 1943 through
1991 including drought periods in 1946-51, 1959-61, and 1976-77. Key assumptions used in the model
were that the "controlling drought period" was from 1946 to 1951, that the City only used Whale Rock
Reservoir when Salinas Reservoir was below minimum pool or could not meet the City's monthly demand,
and that minimum pool at Salinas and Whale Rock of 400 and 500 acre-feet, respectively. The minimum
pool at each lake is the amount of water that must be left in the lake for fishery and habitat resources (in
2017, minimum pool for each lake is 2,000-acre feet). Under those assumptions, the study estimated the
City's total safe annual yield from the two reservoirs to be 9,080 acre-feet per year.
In 1991, staff updated the safe annual yield model to examine the impact of the 1986-91 drought and
revise the assumptions on the amount of water used from Whale Rock Reservoir each year to more
accurately reflect the way the City used that resource. The analysis determined that the 1986-91 drought
was the critical drought of record for the two reservoirs. When siltation is included, these revised
assumptions resulted in a reduction in the safe annual yield estimate to the 6,940-acre feet recognized
today.
The most recent drought data is currently being analyzed and peer -reviewed to determine if reductions
to the City's current safe annual yield will be necessary going forward. Reductions are anticipated as the
recent drought is now the critical drought of record. Revisiting the safe annual yield model will also
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Page 7
consider revision to the assumptions on the amount of water used from Salinas and Whale Rock
Reservoirs each year to accurately reflect the way the City uses its available water resources.
Spillway Assessment
As a result of the spillway failure at Oroville Dam, the
Department of Water Resources (DWR) is requiring
detailed analyses of dams that have large spillways
at high hazard dams. Though there are no known
deficiencies in the Whale Rock spillway, in May 2017,
the City received a letter from the DWR requesting
preparation of a work plan for a comprehensive
spillway condition assessment by August 1, 2017. By
conducting an analysis of design, current conditions,
and underlying or adjacent geology, any deficiencies
in the spillway will be identified. If required,
corrective action will be planned and projects
implemented to ensure the ability of Whale Rock
Reservoir's spillway to function as designed.
Whale Rock Reservoir Spillway
The Work Plan for Whale Rock Reservoir's Comprehensive Spillway Condition Assessment was approved
in September. The intent of the assessment is to evaluate the ability of the spillwayto function as intended
during normal operations as well as during a flood event. The tasks listed in the work plan include:
• Review of the spillway's design features using available as -built drawings, design and
construction records
• Evaluation of the existing conditions of the spillway
• Geologic inspection
• Evaluation of all inspection and repair records
The City's Utilities Department staff is developing a scope of work for the comprehensive spillway analysis
based on the approved Work Plan. The scope of work will be the basis for a request for proposals to
identify qualified consultants to perform the spillway analysis.
Pipeline Reliability Analysis
The 18-mile long Whale Rock pipeline was
constructed in the late 1950s and has served the City
well since 1960, requiring minimal maintenance and
repairs. A pipeline reliability analysis was prioritized
as part of the Whale Rock Reservoir capital
improvement program for 2017-19. The analysis is
expected to be completed during the 2018 Water
Year. By determining the true condition of the
pipeline utilizing modern technology, it is expected
the Commission will be able to focus resources on
needed point repairs to the pipeline and avoid full-
scale replacement based on pipe age.
,.ate 4 � �.•a
30-inch Whale Rock Pipeline Repair Conducted in June 2017
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RECYCLED WATER
For the 2017 Water Year, the City delivered 229-acre
feet of recycled water, up from 202-acre feet for the
2016 Water Year. The City Council adopted a
resolution approving the 2017 Recycled Water
Master Plan on March 21, 2017 and authorized staff
to negotiate an agreement for delivery of recycled
water outside the city limits consistent with policies
and findings identified in the City's General Plan.
The design phase for the City's Water Resource
Recovery Facility (WRRF) Project continued through
Water Year 2017. Construction is planned to begin in
October 2018 and continue through 2021. When
complete, the WRRF Project will maximize recycled
water production. The project will also enable the City
to consider potable reuse, part of a One Water
concept, in the future.
As part of a larger property upgrade, the Irish Hills
Hamlet, a 146-unit apartment complex on Los Osos
Valley Road originally constructed in the 1970s,
retrofitted its landscape and irrigation system to
utilize recycled water. The property has almost
76,000 square feet of landscaped area and is
estimated to offset five -acre feet of potable water use
with the retrofit.
Irish Hills Hamlet became the City's latest recycled water
customer in August 2017
GROUNDWATER
The City stopped using groundwater for potable purposes in April 2015. The City's groundwater wells
remain in an operable, stand-by position should the use of groundwater be required. During the 2017
Water Year, the City continued its work with a hydrogeologist to site a future well field for a potential
groundwater program expansion.
III. WATER DEMAND
During Water Year 2017, 67 percent of total water use in the City was to support single and multi -family
residential uses, 25 percent was to support commercial and other non-residential development, and eight
percent was to support landscape irrigation (separately metered). Historical water use is summarized
below, as well as corresponding population, per capita use rate, and precipitation. The 2017 per capita
water use was 95 gallons per capita per day (gpcd). Based on the City's General Plan Water and
Wastewater Management Element policies, the City uses 117 gpcd to project water required to serve
build -out population.
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Page 9
Population, Water Use & Rainfall
Year
Population
Total Water Use
(acre feet)
Per Capita
Water Use
(gpcd)
127
i z 3
Rainfall
(inches)
18.1
18.9
36.0
18.9
21.5
3.8
2008
44,579
6,359
2009
44,829
6,134
122
2010
44,948
5,489
109
2011
45,418
5,285
104
2012
45,308
5,541
109
2013
45,541
5,892
116
2014
45,473
5,524
109
14.2
Notes:
1. Rainfall amounts for 2005-2012 calendar year source: Cal Poly CIMIS Weather Station.
2. Rainfall amount for calendar year 2013-2015: SLO Reservoir.
3. Data for 2008 through 2014 presents calendar year rainfall data. 2015 and 2016 rainfall data covers the Water Year
(October through September).
4.http://www.dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/Estimates/e-1
As the City's reservoirs are located in different watersheds,
described below, rainfall at various sites within San Luis
Obispo County benefits us. All locations exceeded the annual
average during the 2017 water year.
2017 Water Year Rainfall Totals
Annual
2017 Water
Rainfall
Average
Year Total
Measurement
Watershed
Rainfall
Rainfall
Location
(in inches)
(in inches)
Nacimiento
Rocky Butte
39
87.1
Reservoir
Hwy 46 and W
Whale
7 Mile Road in
Rock
30
38.0
Cambria, CA
Reservoir
SLO Reservoir
City
25
35.1
Salinas
Salinas Dam
23
33.6
Reservoir
Source: http://www.slocountywater.org/site/Water%20Resources/Data/
maps/precipitation-real-time.htm
San Luis Obispo and surrounding watersheds
experienced impressive rainfall totals during the
2017 Water Year
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Page 10
IV. WATER RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
The following table summarizes the Water Resource Availability based on Water and Wastewater
Management Element, Section 3. Water availability for 2017 is 12,115-acre feet, an increase of six -acre
feet over 2016 due to increased recycled water usage.
2017 Water Resource Availability
Water Resource
Acre Feet
Description
Salinas & Whale Rock Reservoirs
6,940
Safe Annual Yield 1
Nacimiento Reservoir
5,482
Dependable Yield Z
Recycled Water
193
2016 Annual Usage 3
Siltation from 2010 to 2060
(500)
WWME Policy A 4.2.24
2017 Annual Availability
NOTES:
1. Safe Annual Yield determined from computer model, which accounts for siltation loss
through 2010 (per WWME Policy A 4.2.1).
2. Dependable Yield is the contractual amount of water the City has rights to from
Nacimiento Reservoir.
3. The quantity of recycled water included is the actual prior year's recycled water usage
(calendar year 2016) per General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element
Policy A 7.2.2.
4. Reservoir siltation is a natural occurrence that reduces storage capacity over long periods,
resulting in the reduction of safe annual yield.
V. WATER SUPPLY ACCOUNTING
Per General Plan Water and Wastewater Management
Element, Section 5, the City accounts for water supplies
necessary to meet three specific community needs:
• Primary water supply
• Reliability reserve
• Secondary water supply
The City's primary water supply is defined as the amount
of water needed to serve the build -out population
identified in the General Plan, Land Use Element (2014).
Table 3 in the Land Use Element identifies an urban reserve
capacity of 57,200 people. The quantity of water needed
for the primary water supply is calculated per WWME
Policy A 5.2.2, using 117 gallons per capita per day (gpcd).
The reliability reserve provides a buffer for future
unforeseen or unpredictable long-term impacts to the
City's water supply. The quantity of water for the reliability
reserve is established using 20 percent of the existing City
population (46,724, 2017 population) at 117 gpcd, thus the
reliability reserve will increase over time as population
increases. The reliability reserve concept is included in the
Primary Water Supply
= 117 gpcd x City Build -out Population
= 117 gpcd x 57,200 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,851 gal
7,496 Acre-Ft/year
Reliability Reserve
= 117 gpcd x City Population x 20%
= 117 gpcd x 46,724 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,851 gal x 20%
1,225 Acre-Ft/year
Secondary Water Supply
= Current Annual Availability — Primary
Water Supply — Reliability Reserve
= 12,115 Acre-Ft/year A — 7,496 Acre-
Ft/year —1,225 Acre-Ft/year
3,394 Acre-Ft/year
A 2017 Annual Availability
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Page 11
City's Charter (Section 909) which identifies that the water may not be used to serve future development,
and is defined per WWME Policy A 5.2.3.
The City's secondary water supply is the amount of water remaining from available water resources above
those needed to meet the primary water supply and reliability reserve. The secondary supply is identified
to meet peak water demand periods or short-term loss of City water supply sources, per General Plan
Water and Wastewater Management Element, Policy 5.2.4. Water supply accounting is summarized in
the table below.
2017 Water Supply Accounting (acre feet)
Total
Primary Water Supply
Reliability Reserve
Secondary Water Supply
12,115
7,496
1,225
3,394
VI. WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT
The water conservation program is an integral part of the City's overall water management strategy. In
the late 1980's, the City implemented effective water efficiency programs and policies that allowed for
continued community growth and economic development during water -constrained periods. It is
estimated that 90 percent of residential toilets in the City have been retrofitted to 1.6 gallons per flush or
more efficient. The City's Toilet Retrofit Program is still active, requiring replacement of inefficient toilets
upon change of ownership of a home. Through strong conservation efforts, the community has reduced
its annual average per capita water use from over 180 gallons in 1987 to 95 for the 2017 Water Year.
To reach all local demographics, outreach efforts
were expanded by attending local events such as
Farmers Market, Earth Day, and the Disaster
Preparedness Expo. Conservation messaging also
continued through traditional media sources as well
as new avenues such as on-line "How To" videos
available at the City's website (slowater.org)
explaining common areas around the house where
leaks occur and unnecessarily consume water.
During the 2017 Water Year, the City's Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance was updated with new climate
data which reduced the acceptable amount of
irrigation demand at newly constructed and
landscaped properties.
REGIONAL WATER RESOURCE PLANNING
r,„......
.�.
I,
I
I
Utilities Department information booth at 2017 Disaster
Preparedness Expo.
The City continues to participate as a member of the Water Resources Advisory Committee and Regional
Water Management Group, which promotes collaborative, integrated management of water resources
within San Luis Obispo County and provides policy recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors.
In addition, the City participates in the regional Partners in Water Conservation group which is made up
of water conservation professionals from local agencies. The group meets every other month to discuss
trends in the industry, upcoming changes to regulations, and to work together on regional messaging
related to water conservation and water use efficiency.
Page 290 of 422
2 x 0
2018 Water Resources Status Report
For the Time Period October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018
Prepared by the Water Division of the City of San Luis Obispo, Utilities Department
Page 291 of 422
City of San Luis Obispo
2018 Water Resources Status Report
Page 2
The City's 2018 Water Resources Status Report was prepared in accordance with the General Plan, Water
and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A5.3.1. The reporting period corresponds to the Water
Year (October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018), the 12-month period for which precipitation totals
are measured designated by the calendar year in which it ends. This report for Water Year 2018 is organized
as follows:
I. Water Projects and Policy Update
II. Water Supply
III. Water Demand
IV. Water Resource Availability
V. Water Supply Accounting
I. WATER PROJECTS AND POLICY UPDATE
2018 Update to General Plan, Water and Wastewater Management Element
In May 2018, the City Council approved text amendments to the City's Water and Wastewater
Management Element (WWME) of the General Plan. The primary focus of the amendment was to provide
updated water supply information from the City's safe annual yield model. No policy changes were made
as part of the amendment.
The City defines the terminology "safe annual yield" as the amount of water which can be reliably
withdrawn annually from coordinated operation of Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs. A previous key
assumption used in the model was the "controlling drought period" from 1986-1991. The 2018 update to
the safe annual yield model added data from the most recent drought that ended in 2016 consistent with
WWME program A 3.3.2 and analyzed three climate change scenarios. Based on the updated modeling
and analysis of climate change scenarios, safe annual yield from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs was
reduced from 6,940-acre feet to 4,910-acre feet as part of the amendment.
Change in Annual Water Supply Availability
2017 Annual
Availability
2018 Annual
Availability
Salinas Reservoir and
Whale Rock Reservoir
6,940 AF
4,910 AF'
Nacimiento Reservoir
5,482 AF
5,482 AF
Recycled Water
193 AF
238 AF
Siltation to 2060
(500 AF)
(500 AF)
TOTAL
12,115 AF
10,130 AF
NOTES:
1. Reflects reduction in Safe Annual Yield as determined by the City's model.
2. Water supply accounting data is in "AF" or acre feet.
Although this is a significant reduction in the safe annual yield from these reservoirs, the City has a multi -
source water supply to meet the City's future water demand. Data provided in Section IV of this report on
Water Resource Availability, reflects the updated WWME.
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2018 Water Resources Status Report
Page 3
Water Resiliency Planning — Water Energy Efficiency Project
The City declared Climate Action a Major City Goal in the 2017-19 Financial Plan and identified objectives
focused on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions within City facilities, such as the City's Water
Treatment Plant. In April, the City Council approved Resolution 10878 authorizing participation in Pacific
Gas and Electric's Sustainable Solutions Turnkey Program for the Water Energy Efficiency Project. The
Project is analyzing both the use of photovoltaic panels and a hydropower turbine that would convert the
energy in the high-pressure water line from Nacimiento Reservoir into electricity. The electricity
generated would offset the Water Treatment Plant's overall power demand (Water = Energy). The Project
is also assessing pump efficiencies within the Water Treatment Plant, the primary disinfection system,
water quality in storage tanks, water distribution main inter -ties between service zones, and settings of
related controls needed for control system (SCADA-Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) integration.
Recommendations will be presented to the City Council in 2019 on alternative energy generation
opportunities as well as replacing aging infrastructure in a holistic manner from the surface water source,
to the treatment plant, and within the distribution system.
Water = Energy
Water Energy Efficiency Project, 2018.
Page 293 of 422
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2018 Water Resources Status Report
Page 4
2018 State Legislation on Water Conservation and Drought Planning
The California State Legislature (Legislature) enacted two
policy bills in 2018 — Senate Bill (SB) 606 and Assembly
Bill (AB) 1668 — to establish a new foundation for long-
term improvements in water conservation and drought
planning to adapt to climate change and the resulting
longer and more intense droughts in California. These
two bills amend existing law to provide expanded and
new authorities and requirements to enable permanent
changes and actions for those purposes, improving the
state's water future for generations to come.
In August 2018, the State made the Public Review Draft
of Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life
available addressing the four primary goals in Executive
Order B-37-16 and the 2017 Framework:
(1) use water more wisely,
(2) eliminate water waste,
(3) strengthen local drought resilience, and
(4) improve agricultural water use efficiency
and drought planning.
Goals 1 through 3 will apply to the City's water planning.
The bills include changes in Urban Water Management
Plan (UWMP) preparation requirements as well as
schedule and content provisions for the most critical
reporting requirement — the annual water use report.
Under the new authorities and requirements, the City
would be required to prepare, adopt, and submit a Water
Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) and conduct a
Drought Risk Assessment (DRA) every five years in
addition to conducting an annual water supply and
demand assessment. The City already has adopted a
WSCP and prepares this WRSR annually. However, these
documents will need to align with new State
requirements with the 2020 update to the City's UWMP.
Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life is
available at the following link:
https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-
Pages/Program s/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/Make-Water-
Conservation-A-California-Way-of- Life/ Files/PDFs/Prime r-of-
2018-Legislation-on-Water-Conservation-and-Drought-
Planning.pdf
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R.61ic Review D,.fi
W_
MAKING WATER CONSERVATION
A CALIFORNIA WAY OF LIFE
Page 294 of 422
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Page 5
II. WATER SUPPLY
Per the General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element,
Policy A2.2.1, the City uses multiple water sources to meet its water
supply needs. The City has four primary water supply sources including
Whale Rock Reservoir, Salinas Reservoir, Nacimiento Reservoir, and
supplies recycled water for landscape irrigation and construction water.
Groundwater serves as a fifth supplemental source. The supply per
source for Water Year 2018 (from October 1, 2017 to September 30,
2018) is summarized below.
2018 City Water Supply by Source (Acre Feet)
City of San Luis Obispo
Water Supply Sources
✓ Nacimiento Reservoir
✓ Whale Rock Reservoir
✓ Recycled Water
✓ Salinas Reservoir
✓ Groundwater
Nacimiento
Whale Rock
Recycled
Salinas
Groundwater 3
Total City Water
Reservoir
Reservoir Z
Water
Reservoir
Demand
3,848
410
244
723
0
5,225
73%
8%
5%
14%
0%
100%
Notes:
1. Values are rounded.
2. Water delivered to Cal Poly State University is excluded from the City's water demand.
3. Groundwater was not used for potable purposes during Water Year 2018.
During Water Year 2018, 73 percent of the City's total water demand was met by Nacimiento Reservoir.
San Luis Obispo County operates and maintains the water delivery system from Nacimiento Reservoir to
participating agencies (currently the cities of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, Atascadero Mutual Water
Company, Templeton Community Services District, County Service Area 10A [Cayucos], Santa Margarita
Ranch, and Bella Vista Mobile Home Park). The Nacimiento Project Commission provides oversight to
project operations, maintenance, and the project budget. The Commission is made up of representatives
from each of the four agencies' governing boards and a County Representative who is a member of the
County Board of Supervisors which also sits as the Board of Directors for the Flood Control District.
During Water Year 2018, the City utilized a total of 1,133-acre feet from Salinas and Whale Rock reservoirs,
meeting 22 percent of total City water demand. The City pays the County of San Luis Obispo Flood Control
and Water Conservation District (County) to provide oversight, operations, and maintenance of the Salinas
Reservoir and related water delivery facilities. The City provides the oversight, operations, and
maintenance of the Whale Rock Reservoir for the benefit of the Whale Rock Commission, a joint powers
agency made up of Cal Poly State University, California Men's Colony, and the City.
For Water Year 2018, the City delivered 244-acre feet of recycled water for
Recycled Water
landscape irrigation and construction water, up from 229-acre feet in Water
for Construction
Year 2017 and five percent of total City water demand. New recycled water
(in acre feet)
customers include the Homeless Services Center located on Prado Road and
the new Park and Ride located on Calle Joaquin. Construction water use 2017 2018
increased from 19-acre feet in Water Year 2017 to 36-acre feet in Water 19 36
Year 2018. Note: Values are rounded.
The design phase for the City's Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Project continued through Water
Year 2018. Construction of the Project is planned to begin in 2019 and will take approximately three years.
When complete, the new technology used at the WRRF will reduce overall treatment time from
approximately 28 hours to eight hours.
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2018 Water Resources Status Report
Page 6
With increasing demand for recycled water, the City has developed a recycled water production model to
simulate future recycled water supply and demand. This model will assist in developing parameters for
how much recycled water is available for in -City customers and excess recycled water that may be
available for outside -City deliveries.
Although the City stopped using groundwater for potable purposes in April 2015, groundwater wells
remain in an operable, stand-by position should the use of groundwater be required. During Water Year
2018, the City continued its work with a hydrogeologist to site a future well field for a potential
groundwater program expansion. The City submitted a Concept Proposal in August 2018, to be
considered for the Proposition 1 Groundwater Grant Program. The City received notice from the State
Water Resources Control Board inviting the City to submit a full proposal for consideration in 2019.
The City's permit program for the use of the Corporation Yard well expired December 31, 2018 and the
well will be closed to the public starting January 1, 2019. After several years of close coordination with
County of San Luis Obispo Public Works staff, a County -owned potable water filling station is scheduled
to open to the public on January 1, 2019. This filling station is intended to supply the needs of those
currently utilizing the City's Corporation Yard well.
III. WATER DEMAND
During Water Year 2018, 62 percent of total water use in the City was to support single and multi -family
residential uses, 24 percent was to support commercial and other non-residential development, and 14
percent was to support landscape irrigation that is separately metered. Historical water use is summarized
below, as well as corresponding population, per capita use rate, and rainfall. The 2018 per capita water
use was 100 gallons per capita per day (gpcd). Per capita water use is calculated by dividing total water
use in the City by the City's population. Total water use includes residential and daytime population needs
for all uses such as restaurants, hotels, industrial/manufacturing, government/schools, and irrigation.
Based on the City's General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element policies, the City uses a
factor of 117 gpcd to project water required to serve the General Plan's estimated population in 2035.
Population, Water Use, and Rainfall
Year
Population'
Total Water Use (acre
feet)
Per Capita Water Use
(gpcd)
Rainfall" (inches)
2009
44,829
6,134
122
18.9
2010
44,948
5,489
109
36.0
2011
45,418
5,285
104
18.9
2012
45,308
5,541
109
21.5
2013
45,541
5,892
116
3.8
2014
45,473
5,524
109
14.2
2015
45,802
4,990
97
11.8
2016
46,117
4,731
92
17.8
2 117
2018
46,424
46,548
4,975
5,225
95
100
35.1
12.9
NOTES:
1. Rainfall for 2009 through 2012 calendar year source was from Cal Poly CIMIS Weather Station. Rainfall for calendar year
2013 through 2018 was from SLO Reservoir.
2. Rainfall data for 2009 through 2014 is for the calendar year; 2015 through 2018 data covers the Water Year (October through
September).
3. Population data is available at: http://www.dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/Estimates/e-1/
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The City's water supply reservoirs are in different watersheds, therefore rainfall at various locations within
San Luis Obispo County benefits the City. During Water Year 2018, the majority of area rainfall occurred
in March. All reservoir locations received less than the annual average during Water Year 2018.
Water Year 2018 Rainfall Totals
Annual Average
Water Year 2018
Rainfall Measurement
Rainfall
Watershed
Total Rainfall
Location
(in inches)
(in inches)
Rocky Butte
Nacimiento Reservoir
40
29.4
Hwy 46 and W 7 Mile Road,
Whale Rock Reservoir
30
16.9
Cambria, CA
SLO Reservoir
City
24
12.9
Salinas Dam
Salinas Reservoir
22
12.3
Source: https://wr.slocountywater.org/list. php?sensor_class=11&mode=sensor&cache=l&refresh=off
IV. WATER RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
The following table summarizes the Water Resource Availability based on Water and Wastewater
Management Element, Section 3. Water availability for 2018 is 10,130-acre feet.
2018 Water Resource Availability
Water Resource
Acre Feet
Description
Salinas & Whale Rock Reservoirs
4,910
Safe Annual Yield 1
Nacimiento Reservoir
5,482
Dependable Yield Z
Recycled Water
238
2017 Annual Usage 3
Siltation from 2010 to 2060
(500)
WWME Policy A 4.2.2 4
1 1
2018 Annual Availability
NOTES:
1. The City's Safe Annual Yield model was updated in 2018.
2. Dependable Yield is the contractual amount of water the City has rights to from
Nacimiento Reservoir.
3. The quantity of recycled water included is the actual prior year's recycled water usage
(calendar year 2017) per General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element
Policy A 7.2.2.
4. Reservoir siltation is a natural occurrence that reduces storage capacity over long periods,
resulting in the reduction of safe annual yield.
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V. WATER SUPPLY ACCOUNTING
Per General Plan Water and Wastewater Management
Element, Section 5, the City accounts for water supplies
necessary to meet three specific community needs:
• Primary water supply
• Reliability reserve
• Secondary water supply
The City's primary water supply is defined as the amount of
water needed to serve the build -out population identified
in the General Plan, Land Use Element (2014). Table 3 in the
Land Use Element identifies an urban reserve capacity of
57,200 people. The quantity of water needed for the
primary water supply is calculated per WWME Policy A
5.2.2, using 117 gallons per capita per day (gpcd).
The City's reliability reserve provides a buffer for future
unforeseen or unpredictable long-term water supply
impacts. The quantity of water for the reliability reserve is
defined in WWME Policy A 5.2.3, using 20 percent of the
existing City population (46,548, 2018 population) at 117
gpcd. The reliability reserve will change over time as the
City's population changes. The reliability reserve concept is
included in the City's Charter (Section 909) which identifies
that the water may not be used to serve future
development.
Primary Water Supply
= 117 gpcd x City Build -out Population
= 117 gpcd x 57,200 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,851 gal
7,496 Acre-Ft/year
Reliability Reserve
= 117 gpcd x City Population x 20 percent
= 117 gpcd x 46,548 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,851 gal x 20 percent
1,220 Acre-Ft/year
Secondary Water Supply
= Current Annual Availability — Primary
Water Supply — Reliability Reserve
= 10,130 Acre-Ft/yearA — 7,496 Acre-
Ft/year —1,220 Acre-Ft/year
1,414 Acre-Ft/year
A 2018 Annual Availability
The City's secondary water supply is the amount of water remaining from available water resources above
those needed to meet the primary water supply and reliability reserve. The secondary supply is identified
to meet peak water demand periods or short-term loss of City water supply sources, per General Plan
Water and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A 5.2.4. The amendment to the City's WWME to
reflect the update to the City's Safe Annual Yield model, discussed in Section I of this report, led to the
reduction in the City's available secondary water supply for Water Year 2018.
Water supply accounting is summarized in the table below.
2018 Water Supply Accounting (acre feet)
Total
Primary Water Supply
Reliability Reserve
Secondary Water Supply
10,130
7,496
1,220
1,414
In summary, despite a significant reduction in safe annual yield from the combined operation of Whale
Rock and Salinas Reservoirs, the City maintains a robust water supply portfolio with greater than five years
of water available. Per capita water use (obtained from adding up all water used by visitors, residents,
commercial uses, etc.) has increased to 100 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) from 95 gpcd the prior year.
Recycled water use continues to rise over time.
Page 298 of 422
2019 Water Resources Status Report
For the Time Period October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019
Whole Rock Reservoir, August 2019.
Prepared by the Water Division of the City of San Luis Obispo, Utilities Department
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City of San Luis Obispo
2019 Water Resources Status Report
Page 2
The City's 2019 Water Resources Status Report was prepared in accordance with the General Plan, Water
and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A5.3.1. The reporting period corresponds to the Water
Year (October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019), the twelve-month period for which precipitation
totals are measured designated by the calendar year in which it ends. This report for Water Year 2019 is
organized as follows:
I. Regulatory and Water Projects Update
II. Water Supply
III. Water Demand
IV. Water Resource Availability
V. Water Supply Accounting
I. REGULATORY AND WATER PROJECTS UPDATE
America's Water Infrastructure Act
America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA) was signed
on October 23, 2018. AWIA is an update to the Bioterrorism Act
of 2002 of the Safe Drinking Water Act. AWIA outlines that
community water systems serving 3,300 persons must:
• Conduct a Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA),
• Revise Emergency Response Plans (ERP),
• Submit a certification letter to EPA,
• Review and update at least every five years.
The Act requires the City to certify the RRA by June 30, 2021 and the ERP December 30, 2021.
Preparation for PSPS Events
To protect communities from wildfire, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
notified its customers of its plans to implement precautionary
measures during fire season. If extreme fire danger conditions Electrical power n the
threaten a portion of the PG&E electrical system, high -risk greatest dependency of
transmission lines may be turned off, resulting in potentially water systems, with heavy
widespread power outages to San Luis Obispo County. PG&E refers reliance on electricity to run
to this as a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS event. According to pumps and other system
PG&E, a PSPS event may be necessitated by strong winds, low components.
humidity levels, and critically dry vegetation. PG&E advises these
outages will not be localized; regional solutions will be limited
because resources are likely going to be scarce on a local, regional and possibly a statewide scale. Nearby
communities have already experienced similar PSPS events from their power supplier.
Since being informed by PG&E of the potential for PSPS events, the City has worked to prepare for power
outages lasting up to seven days or more. In the past, the City has been able to continue to provide
uninterrupted water and wastewater service during short -duration power outages and when limited areas
were affected by utilizing existing water storage tanks with limited emergency power generation - some
of the City's water and wastewater facilities have permanent emergency generators in place, while others
utilized a limited number of mobile generators. With the PSPS notification from PG&E and the changing
climate, staff identified additional emergency power resources for the City's water and wastewater
systems to meet this increased duration.
Page 300 of 422
With the support of the City Council in August, the
Utilities Department worked to quickly acquire
additional temporary emergency generators and
make necessary electrical improvements for the
Water Treatment Plant, Whale Rock Reservoir, and
other water pump stations and sewer lift stations.
The City has also been working closely with the
County of San Luis Obispo to acquire a generator for
the Salinas Booster station that provides water from
Salinas reservoir to the City. Installation of
permanent generators are planned for 2020. These
efforts will bolster the resiliency of the City's water
and wastewater services from any event that could
result in loss of electricity.
City of San Luis Obispo
2019 Water Resources Status Report
Page 3
Temporary Generator and the City's Stenner Canyon
Water Treatment Plant.
Whale Rock Dam Spillway Assessment
The Whale Rock Reservoir and dam are located in San Luis Obispo County at the east boundary of the
town of Cayucos. The dam is 266 feet tall with a crest length of 850 feet and crest width of 30 feet
impounding Whale Rock Reservoir. The top of dam elevation is 232.2 feet. The Reservoir covers an area
of 600 acres and has a maximum storage capacity of 38,967 acre-feet. Dam construction was completed
in 1961. Whale Rock was constructed to provide municipal and agricultural water supplies, and fish and
wildlife preservation. Over the 58-year life of the Whale Rock Reservoir and dam, the lake has filled to
capacity and the spillway has been used 12 times, last spilling in 2005.
In 2018, the City contracted with HDR Engineering, Inc. for
inspection and assessment of the Whale Rock Dam 850-
foot long spillway. The investgation included:
1. Review of design, construction, inspection, analysis,
operation and maintenance, and geologic
information, as provided by City.
2. Detailed visual inspection of the spillway slabs and
walls from upstream of the spillway crest to
downstream of the stilling basin.
3. Video/camera inspection of accessible outfall drains
and heel drains.
4. Geologic inspection of foundation material adjacent Whale Rock Dam Spillway
to the spillway.
5. Evaluation of original spillway design versus a modern spillway design.
6. Evaluation of operations, inspection, and surveillance practices.
7. Evaluation of performance of previous repairs.
A report was completed in March 2019 with recommendations including maintenance and repair activities
for the drainage system and further engineering investigations. The City and its Whale Rock partners, Cal
Poly and the California Men's Colony, will implement corrections as recommended by the California
Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
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Page 4
Pipeline Condition Assessments
During the 2019 Water Year, pipeline condition assessments were completed for the Whale Rock
Reservoir and Salinas Reservoir (Santa Margarita Lake) water transmission pipelines. The condition
assessments used free-swimming electromagnetic inspection technology, shown in the image below, to
locate and identify segments of the pipeline in need of repair. Over 16 miles of 30-inch transmission
pipeline from Whale Rock Reservoir was analyzed. The assessment found that 2,610 segments had no
abnormalities, and 25 segments had varying deficiencies (broken bar wraps or cylinder wall loss). The
Salinas pipeline condition assessment analyzed 1.25 miles of pipeline originally installed in 1940s. Results
of the assessment were described in a May 2019 report revealing 222 of the total 236 segments had no
abnormalities, and 14 segments had varying deficiencies. Funding is programmed to address these
pipeline deficiencies in the 2020-21 fiscal year.
Conceptual image of'Electromagnetic Inspection Technology used to assess the
Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoir transmission pipelines.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
The use of groundwater contributes to resiliency in the City's water supply portfolio by offering a potable
water source to complement the City's three surface water supplies. The Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act (SGMA) is a statewide law that requires Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) to
adopt groundwater management plans that outline actions needed to return groundwater basins to
sustainable levels of pumping and recharge. In May 2017, the City Council approved Resolution 10796
authorizing the City to become a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the San Luis Valley
Groundwater Basin for the area that lies beneath and within the City's jurisdictional boundaries. In
February 2019, the City Council, acting as the San Luis Valley Basin — City of San Luis Obispo Groundwater
Sustainability Agency, approved the Notification of Intent to initiate development of a Groundwater
Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin.
The City is working in collaboration with the County of San Luis Obispo GSA to create a single Groundwater
Sustainability Plan (GSP) that provides full coverage of the San Luis Valley Groundwater Basin. To get
additional information, to sign up for the interested stakeholder email list, or to see materials for past or
upcoming meetings related to the GSP development, interested parties are encouraged to visit
www.slowaterbasin.com. The San Luis Valley GSP must be submitted to California Department of Water
Resources (DWR) by January 31, 2022.
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Page 5
Leak Detection
In September 2019, staff from the City's Water Distribution
section field tested acoustic correlation equipment by
Echologics on an existing cast iron water main on Bebee Street.
Acoustic sensors were attached to water valves to measure the
speed at which sounds waves travel along the pipe. These
sensors effectively listen to water flowing through the pipe and
can hear when water is escaping through a leak. The location
can then be identified. Using this tool regularly the City will be
able to:
• More accurately locate small leaks, resulting in less
damage to surrounding infrastructure
• Further optimize its capital spending
• Minimize water main breaks, water loss, and damage from leaks
• Better manage aging water infrastructure
The City's correlator can identify leaks that have not come to the surface yet, and pinpoint leak location
within about two feet. The City's Water Distribution team is looking forward to utilizing this device to
reduce water loss, find leaks before they create damage, reduce road repair work, and enhance proactive
maintenance of the water distribution system.
Waterline Replacement Projects
Replacement of water distribution pipes and related facilities is an ongoing program aimed to address
aging, substandard, and deteriorating infrastructure, with the added benefit of reducing customer impacts
associated with emergency repairs. Waterline breaks occur with more frequency with aging waterlines,
and the resulting repairs are disruptive to the public and expensive to repair. The main objectives of this
program are to ensure reliable water service, reduce the need for emergency repairs, and to enhance
available fire flows.
During the 2019 Water Year, the City completed replacement of approximately 5,000 lineal feet of
waterline on Pacific (from Nipomo to Walker), Boysen (from Chorro to Hwy. 1), Chorro (from Pismo to
Pacific) and Sierra (from Ella to Bishop) streets at a cost of approximately $2.3 million.
The Casa/Stenner/Murray Waterline Replacement Project proposes replacement of over 3,100 lineal feet
of aged waterline on Casa, Stenner, Murray (from Hathway to Santa Rosa) and the intersections of
Chorro/Meinecke and Chorro/Murray. The construction cost of the project is approximately $2 million.
The waterlines replaced with this project are undersized and deteriorated. Their replacement will
eliminate capacity limitations for Sierra Vista Hospital, reduce the likelihood of service interruptions due
to leaks, and improve water flow for fire protection.
Short -Term Water Sales
At a March 2019 study session, City Council provided direction to staff related to short-term water sales.
A potential recipient of this program may be Cal Poly while the university secures a permanent water
supply specifically related to housing production. Council supported broadening existing policy language
for the City to supply non -potable water (raw water or recycled water) through a short-term agreement
for agricultural purposes. Short-term agreements would be crafted to include provisions for service
interruption or reduction, due to operational issues or climatic events, low reservoir levels, increased
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Page 6
water demand forecasting, or water quality deterioration. Meaning, during a water shortage emergency,
City water deliveries would be prioritized above those included in a short-term sales agreement.
The City is uniquely positioned to assist Cal Poly in meeting its 2035 Master Plan goals as both a regional
water partner and in support of City goals, particularly as it relates to additional on -campus housing. Cal
Poly currently only has one source of potable water, which is raw water from Whale Rock Reservoir that
is treated at the City's water treatment plant and delivered to the campus as part of a contract between
the City and Cal Poly. Any contracts for short-term water sales would be brought to the City Council for
consideration.
II. WATER SUPPLY
Per the General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A2.2.1, the City uses multiple
water sources to meet its water supply needs. The City has four primary water supply sources including
Whale Rock Reservoir, Salinas Reservoir, Nacimiento Reservoir, and recycled water. Groundwater serves
as a fifth supplemental source. The supply per source for Water Year 2019 (from October 1, 2018 to
September 30, 2019) is summarized below.
2019 City Water Supply by Source
(in acre feet)
Nacimiento
Whale Rock
Recycled
Salinas
Total City Water
Groundwater 3
Reservoir
Reservoir Z
Water
Reservoir
Demand
3,406
350
201
805
0
4,762
71.5%
7.4%
4.2%
16.9%
0%
100%
Notes:
1. Values are rounded.
2. Water delivered to Cal Poly State University is excluded from the City's water demand.
3. Groundwater was not used for potable purposes during Water Year 2019.
During Water Year 2019, 71.5 percent of the City's total water demand was met by Nacimiento Reservoir.
San Luis Obispo County operates and maintains the water delivery system from Nacimiento Reservoir to
participating agencies (currently the cities of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, Atascadero Mutual Water
Company, Templeton Community Services District, County Service Area 10A [Cayucos], Santa Margarita
Ranch, and Bella Vista Mobile Home Park). The Nacimiento Project Commission provides oversight to
project operations, maintenance, and the project budget. The Commission is made up of representatives
from each of the four agencies' governing boards and a County Representative who is a member of the
County Board of Supervisors who also sits on the Board of Directors for the Flood Control District.
During Water Year 2019, the City utilized a total of 1,155-acre feet from Salinas and Whale Rock reservoirs,
meeting 24.3 percent of total City water demand. The City pays the County of San Luis Obispo Flood
Control and Water Conservation District (County) to provide oversight, operations, and maintenance of
Salinas Reservoir and related water delivery facilities. The City provides oversight, operations, and
maintenance of the Whale Rock Reservoir for the benefit of the Whale Rock
Commission, a joint powers agency made up of Cal Poly State University,
California Men's Colony, and the City.
For Water Year 2019, the City delivered 201-acre feet of recycled water for
landscape irrigation and construction water. This equates to 4.21 percent
of total City water demand. New recycled water customers include Coast
BMW, HASLO for the Iron Works housing project, and Prado Day Center.
Recycled Water
for Construction
(in acre feet)
2017
2018
2019
19
36
20
Note: Values are rounded.
Page 304 of 422
City of San Luis Obispo
2019 Water Resources Status Report
Page 7
Construction water use decreased from 36-acre feet in Water Year 2018 to 20-acre feet in Water Year
2019.
Construction of the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Project began in 2019 and will take
approximately three years to complete. When complete, the new technology used at the WRRF will reduce
overall wastewater treatment time by approximately 20 hours, from approximately 28 hours to eight
hours, providing a shortened timeframe for when wastewater comes into the plant and when it can be
sent out into the recycled water system for irrigation use.
Although the City suspended using groundwater for potable purposes in April 2015, groundwater wells
remain in an operable, stand-by position should the use of groundwater be needed. During Water Year
2019, the City continued its work with a hydrogeologist to site a future well field for a potential
groundwater program expansion. The City received notice from the State Water Resources Control
Board inviting the City to submit a full proposal for the Proposition 1 Groundwater Grant Program for
consideration in 2019. The City was notified in October 2019 that pending negotiation with the State
Board, it will be receiving the $2 million planning -phase grant for installation of monitoring wells and
for monitoring groundwater quality. These are necessary steps in reestablishing the City's groundwater
program. The planning phase will continue through 2020 with implementation planned for 2021.
Salinas Dam spillway, February 2019.
III. WATER DEMAND
During Water Year 2019, 60.48 percent of total water use in the City was to support single and multi-
family residential uses, 28.36 percent was to support commercial and other non-residential development,
and 11.16 percent was to support landscape irrigation that is separately metered. Historical water use is
summarized below, as well as corresponding population, per capita use rate, and rainfall. The 2019 per
capita water use was 91 gallons per capita per day (gpcd). Per capita water use is calculated by dividing
total water use in the City by the City's population. Total water use includes residential and daytime
population needs for all uses such as restaurants, hotels, industrial/manufacturing, government/schools,
Page 305 of 422
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2019 Water Resources Status Report
Page 8
and irrigation. Based on the City's General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element policies,
the City uses a factor of 117 gpcd to project water required to serve the General Plan's estimated
population in 2035.
Population, Water Use, and Rainfall
Year
Population
Total Water Use
(acre feet)
Per Capita Water Use
(gpcd)
Rainfalll,z (inches)
2010
44,948
5,489
109
36.0
2011
45,418
5,285
104
18.9
2012
45,308
5,541
109
21.5
2013
45,541
5,892
116
3.8
2014
45,473
5,524
109
14.2
2015
45,802
4,990
97
11.8
2016
46,117
4,731
92
17.8
2017
46,424
4,975
95
35.1
2018
2019
46,548
:0
5,225
100
12.9
NOTES:
1. Rainfall for 2010 through 2012 calendar yea rsou rce was from Cal Poly CIMIS Weather Station. Rainfall for calendar year
2013 through 2019 was from SLO Reservoir.
2. Rainfall data for 2000-2014 is for the calendar year; 2015-2019 data covers the Water Year (October 1 to September 30).
3. Population data is available at: http://www.dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/Estimates/e-1/
The City's water supply reservoirs are in different watersheds, therefore rainfall at various locations within
San Luis Obispo County benefits the City. During Water Year 2019, three reservoir locations (Rocky Butte,
SLO Reservoir, and Salinas Dam) received more than the annual average. The remaining location, Hwy 46
and W 7 Mile Road, Cambria, CA, received 92 percent of average rainfall.
Water Year 2019 Rainfall Totals
Annual
Water Year
Water
Rainfall Measurement
Average
2019
Year 2019
Location
Watershed
Rainfall
Total Rainfall
Percent of
(in inches)
(in inches)
Average
Rocky Butte
Nacimiento Reservoir
40
52.40
131%
Hwy 46 and W 7 Mile
Whale Rock Reservoir
30
27.65
92%
Road, Cambria, CA
SLO Reservoir
City
24
27.10
113%
Salinas Dam
Salinas Reservoir
22
33.25
151%
Source: https://wr.slocountywater.org/list.php?sensor_class=II&mode=sensor&cache=l&refresh=off
Page 306 of 422
u
a
uti
4
Water Supply and Demand with Population
12,000
10,000
4,000
2,000
City of San Luis Obispo
2019 Water Resources Status Report
Page 9
50,000
49,000
48,000
47,000
46,000
e
a
45,000 L
O
4
a
Li
44,000
43,000
42,000
41,000
0 — — — — � 1 40,000
2008 2009 20_0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Years
Supply lllllllllllllDemarkd —Population
IV. WATER RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
The following table summarizes the Water Resource Availability based on Water and Wastewater
Management Element, Section 3. Water availability for 2019 is 10,136-acre feet.
2019 Water Resource Availability
Water Resource
Acre Feet
Description
Salinas & Whale Rock Reservoirs
4,910
Safe Annual Yield 1
Nacimiento Reservoir
5,482
Dependable Yield 2
Recycled Water
244
2018 Annual Usage 3
Siltation from 2010 to 2060
(500)
WWME Policy A 4.2.24
0
2019 Annual Availability
NOTES:
1. The City's Safe Annual Yield model was updated in 2018.
2. Dependable Yield is the contractual amount of water the City has rights to from
Nacimiento Reservoir.
3. The quantity of recycled water included is the actual prior year's usage (calendar year
2018) per General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element Policy A 7.2.2.
4. Reservoir siltation is a natural occurrence that reduces storage capacity over long periods,
resulting in the reduction of safe annual yield.
Page 307 of 422
City of San Luis Obispo
2019 Water Resources Status Report
Page 10
V. WATER SUPPLY ACCOUNTING
Per General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element, Section 5, the City accounts for water
supplies necessary to meet three specific community needs:
• Primary water supply
• Reliability reserve
• Secondary water supply
The City's primary water supply is defined as the amount
of water needed to serve the build -out population
identified in the General Plan, Land Use Element (2014).
Table 3 in the Land Use Element identifies an urban reserve
capacity of 57,200 people. The quantity of water needed
for the primary water supply is calculated per WWME
Policy A 5.2.2, using 117 gallons per capita per day (gpcd).
The City's reliability reserve provides a buffer for future
unforeseen or unpredictable long-term water supply
impacts. The quantity of water for the reliability reserve is
defined in WWME Policy A 5.2.3, using 20 percent of the
existing City population (46,802, 2019 population) at 117
gpcd. The reliability reserve will change over time as the
City's population changes. The reliability reserve concept
is included in the City's Charter (Section 909) which
identifies that the water may not be used to serve future
development.
The City's secondary water supply is the amount of water
remaining from available water resources above those
needed to meet the primary water supply and reliability
reserve. The secondary supply is identified to meet peak
water demand periods or short-term loss of City water
supply sources, per General Plan Water and Wastewater
Management Element, Policy A 5.2.4.
Primary Water Supply
= 117 gpcd x City Build -out Population
= 117 gpcd x 57,200 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,851 gal
7,496 Acre-Ft/year
Reliability Reserve
= 117 gpcd x 2019 City Population x
20 percent
= 117 gpcd x 46,802 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,851 gal x 20 percent
1,227 Acre-Ft/year
Secondary Water Supply
= Current Annual Availability — Primary
Water Supply — Reliability Reserve
= 10,130 Acre-Ft/year" — 7,496 Acre-
Ft/year —1,220 Acre-Ft/year
1,413 Acre-Ft/year
A 2018 Annual Availability
Water supply accounting is summarized in the table below and shown in Appendix A.
2019 Water Supply Accounting (acre feet)
Total
Primary Water Supply
Reliability Reserve
Secondary Water Supply
10,136
7,496
1,227
1,413
In summary, the City maintains a robust water supply portfolio with greater than five years of water
available. Per capita water use (obtained from adding up all water used by visitors, residents, commercial
uses, etc.) decreased during the 2019 Water Year to 91 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) from 100 gpcd
during the 2018 Water Year.
Page 308 of 422
Appendix A.
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Page 309 of 422
Zit
2020 Water Resources Status Report
For the Time Period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020
Stenner Canyon Water Treatment Plant.
Page 310 of 422
City of San Luis Obispo
2020 Water Resources Status Report
Page 2
The City's 2020 Water Resources Status Report was prepared in accordance with the General Plan, Water
and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A5.3.1. The reporting period corresponds to the 2020
Water Year (October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020), the twelve-month period for which
precipitation totals are measured designated by the calendar year in which it ends. This report provides a
summary of the following for the 2020 Water Year:
I. Regulatory and Water Capital Projects Update
II. Water Supply
III. Water Demand
IV. Water Resource Availability
V. Water Supply Accounting
I. CAPITAL PROJECTS AND REGULATORY UPDATE
The City completed two large water infrastructure projects during the 2020 Water Year and began the
implementation of a third project with capital improvements totaling over $18.7 million. These projects
are summarized below along with key regulatory updates related to the Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act and the upcoming update to the City's Urban Water Management Plan.
Disinfection Byproduct Reduction & Water Treatment Plant Pipe Gallery Improvement Project
In August, the City completed the approximately $2.6 million Disinfection Byproduct Reduction and
Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Pipe Gallery Improvements Project. The Project included modifications at
two potable water storage tanks (Clearwell #2 at the WTP and Edna Saddle Tank) for the installation of
specialty equipment (mixers, aerators, and ventilators) to effectively reduce disinfection byproducts to
improve water quality and meet regulatory requirements. The Project also included replacement of
corroded pipe within the pipe gallery at the WTP, and the replacement of a sections of effluent line and
additional valving to provide a means for improved maintenance flexibility within the pipe gallery.
Water Energy Efficiency Project
In November 2019, the City Council approved the Water
Energy Efficiency project that includes $14.3 million of
improvements to the City's Water Treatment Plant. The
benefits of the project include:
1. Contribute to the City's sustainability goals and
advancement toward Zero Net Energy.
2. Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions.
3. Replace obsolete equipment and components.
4. Improve ability to perform maintenance.
5. Improve reliability of achieving permit compliance.
6. Increase operational reliability, flexibility, and
redundancy.
7. Reduced staff requirements for manual operation.
It is estimated that implementation of the Water Energy
Efficiency Project will result in a reduction of energy usage of
over 33 percent annually from 2019 WTP operations. The
project is approximately 50 percent complete, with Phase 1
Installation of new Ozone Generators.
Installation of new Dilution Air Dryers.
Page 311 of 422
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2020 Water Resources Status Report
Page 3
Commissioning planned for early 2021. The Project is scheduled to be complete in mid-2021.
Waterline Replacement Projects
During the 2020 Water Year, the City completed replacement of over 3,000 lineal feet of waterline on
Casa, Stenner, and Murray Streets surrounding Sierra Vista Hospital at a cost of approximately $1.7
million. Replacement of water distribution pipes and related facilities is an ongoing program aimed to
address aging, substandard, and deteriorating infrastructure, with the added benefit of reducing
customer impacts associated with emergency repairs. Waterline breaks occur with more frequency with
aging waterlines, and the resulting repairs are disruptive to the public and expensive to repair. The main
objectives of this program are to ensure reliable water service, reduce the need for emergency repairs,
and to enhance available fire flows.
Capital Improvements at Whale Rock Reservoir
At the request of the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams, the City
began preparing plans and specifications for a Spillway Underdrain Repair project at the Whale Rock
dam, as well as the first draft of the Emergency Action Plan update, during the 2020 Water Year. The Plan
is under review internally by staff. The City performs this work with its Whale Rock Commission partners,
Cal Poly State University and the California Men's Colony.
Ongoing capital improvements aimed at maintaining infrastructure safety and reliability include
replacement of pressure relief valves for Whale Rock Pump Station B, replacement of 2,000 feet of fence -
line around Whale Rock Reservoir, and replacement of the Reservoir's boathouse structure.
Sunset bike ride at Whale Rock Reservoir.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
The use of groundwater will increase resiliency in the City's water supply portfolio by offering a local
water source to complement the City's three surface water supplies. The Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act (SGMA) is a statewide law that requires Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) to
adopt groundwater management plans that outline actions needed to return groundwater basins to
sustainable levels of pumping and recharge.
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City of San Luis Obispo
2020 Water Resources Status Report
Page 4
The City is working with the County of San Luis Obispo GSA to create a single Groundwater Sustainability
Plan (GSP) that provides full coverage of the San Luis Valley Groundwater Basin. To -date, the first seven
chapters of the GSP have been drafted and released to the public for review. To get additional
information, to sign up for the interested stakeholder email list, or to see materials for past or upcoming
meetings related to the GSP development, interested parties are encouraged to visit
www.slowaterbasin.com. The San Luis Valley GSP must be submitted to California Department of Water
Resources (DWR) by January 31, 2022.
2020 Urban Water Management Plan Guidelines
California's Department of Water Resources issued its draft 2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Guidelines in August 2020. The State's new requirements include:
1. Water loss audit results that characterize distribution system losses.
2. Procedures for conducting annual water supply and demand assessment.
3. Five-year drought risk asssessment.
4. Energy analysis.
5. A six -phase water shortage contingency plan.
Many of these new State requirements are already part of the City's water planning, including the
preparation of this Water Resource Status Report annually. Staff will present more information to the
City Council on the new requirements at a March 2021 Study Session, with consideration of the City's
2020 Urban Water Management Plan in June of 2021.
II. WATER SUPPLY
Per the General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A2.2.1, the City uses multiple
water sources to meet its water supply needs. The City has four primary water supply sources including
Whale Rock Reservoir, Salinas Reservoir, Nacimiento Reservoir, and recycled water. Groundwater serves
as the City's fifth supplemental water source. Substantial work efforts are being made to better
understand the City's groundwater supplies and how they may be fully utilized in the future. The quantity
of water supplied by each water source for Water Year 2020 (from October 1, 2019 to September 30,
2020) is summarized in Table 1.
Table 1: City Water Supply by Source during the 2020 Water Year
(in acre-feet)
Nacimiento
Whale Rock
Recycled
Salinas
Groundwater'
Total City Water
Reservoir
Reservoir Z
Water
Reservoir
Demand
1,562
777
237
2,154
0
4,730
33%
16%
5%
46%
0%
100%
Notes:
1. Values are rounded.
2. Water delivered to Cal Poly State University is excluded from the City's water demand.
3. Groundwater was not used for potable purposes during Water Year 2020.
During Water Year 2020, 33 percent of the City's total water demand was met by Nacimiento Reservoir.
San Luis Obispo County operates and maintains the water delivery system from Nacimiento Reservoir to
participating agencies (currently the cities of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, Atascadero Mutual Water
Company, Templeton Community Services District, County Service Area 10A [Cayucos], Santa Margarita
Ranch, and Bella Vista Mobile Home Park). The Nacimiento Project Commission provides oversight to
project operations, maintenance, and the project budget. The Commission is made up of representatives
Page 313 of 422
City of San Luis Obispo
2020 Water Resources Status Report
Page 5
from each of the four agencies' governing boards and a County Representative who is a member of the
County Board of Supervisors who also sits on the Board of Directors for the Flood Control District.
During Water Year 2020, water demand totaled 4,730 acre-feet, below the ten-year average of 5,004
acre-feet (for 2011 to 2020), and the lowest total water demand since 2015. This is likely due to the
impacts of COVID-19. The City utilized a total of 2,931 acre-feet from Salinas and Whale Rock reservoirs,
meeting 62 percent of total City water demand. The City pays the County of San Luis Obispo Flood Control
and Water Conservation District (County) to provide oversight, operations, and maintenance of Salinas
Reservoir and related water delivery facilities. The City provides oversight, operations, and maintenance
of the Whale Rock Reservoir for the benefit of the Whale Rock Commission, a joint powers agency made
up of Cal Poly State University, California Men's Colony, and the City.
For Water Year 2020, the City delivered 237acre-feet of recycled water for landscape irrigation and
construction water. This equates to five percent of total City water demand. New recycled water
customers during the 2020 Water Year include several properties in the Orcutt Specific Plan Area.
Although the City suspended using groundwater for potable purposes in April 2015, groundwater wells
remain in an operable, stand-by position should the use of groundwater be needed. In July of 2020,
the City received a nearly $2 million planning -phase grant, funded through Proposition 1, to study
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination of the groundwater basin. A detailed understanding of the
extent of PCE contamination and remediation options are necessary steps in fully utilizing the City's
groundwater pumping opportunities. The planning phase will continue through 2021 with
implementation planned for 2022.
III. WATER DEMAND
During Water Year 2020, the breakdown of water use in the City by sector is as follows:
• 65.8 percent of water use supported single and multi -family residential uses, or
3,112 acre-feet,
• 20.8 percent of water use supported commercial and other non-residential uses,
or 984 acre-feet,
• 8.3 percent of water use supported separately metered landscape irrigation
(potable water), or 393 acre-feet,
• 4.4 percent of water use supported separately metered landscape irrigation
(recycled water), or 208 acre-feet, and
• 0.7 percent of water use supported construction (recycled water), or 33 acre-feet.
Compared to the prior water year, total City water demand for single and multi -family residential uses
increased from 60.5 percent in Water Year 2019 to 65.8 percent in Water Year 2020, likely due to both
remote work and remote learning during COVID-19. During the same timeframe, water demand for
commercial uses decreased from 28.4 percent in Water Year 2019 to 20.8 percent in Water Year 2020.
Historical water use is summarized in Table 2, as well as corresponding population, per capita use rate,
and rainfall. The 2020 per capita water use was 92 gallons per capita per day (gpcd). Per capita water use
is calculated by dividing total water use (including recycled water) in the City by the City's population.
Total water use includes residential and daytime population needs for all uses such as restaurants, hotels,
industrial/manufacturing, government/schools, and irrigation. Based on the City's General Plan Water
Page 314 of 422
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2020 Water Resources Status Report
Page 6
and Wastewater Management Element policies, the City uses a factor of 117 gpcd to project water
required to serve the General Plan's estimated population in 2035.
The City's water supply reservoirs are in different watersheds, therefore rainfall at various locations
within San Luis Obispo County benefits the City. As shown in Table 3, during Water Year 2020, two
reservoir locations (Rocky Butte and Salinas Dam) received more than the annual average. The remaining
location, Hwy 46 and W 7 Mile Road, Cambria, CA, received less than average rainfall.
Table 2: Population, Water Use, and Rainfall, 2011-2020
Year
Population'
Total Water Use
(acre-feet)
Per Capita Water Use
(gpcd)
Rainfalll•Z (inches)
2011
45,418
5,285
104
18.9
2012
45,308
5,541
109
21.5
2013
45,541
5,892
116
3.8
2014
45,473
5,524
109
14.2
2015
45,802
4,990
97
11.8
2016
46,117
4,731
92
17.8
2017
46,424
4,975
95
35.1
2018
46,548
5,225
100
12.9
2019
45,9374
920
4,762
4,730 -imm
93
27.1
NOTES:
1. Rai nfall for 2011 through 2012calendaryea rsource was from the Cal Poly CIMIS Weather Station. Rainfall for calendar
year 2013 through 2020 was from data for SLO Reservoir available from SLO County at:
https:Hwr.slocountywater.org/list/?sensor class=ll&mode=sensor&cache=l&refresh=off
2. Rainfall data for 20011-2014 is for the calendar year; 2015-2020 data covers the Water Year (October 1 to September 30).
3. City population data is available at the CA Department of Finance website at:
http://www.dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/Estimates/e-l/
4. The City's 2019 population figure reflects the revised estimate available from the CA Department of Finance in 2020 since
the 2019 Water Resource Status Report.
Table 3: Water Year 2020 Rainfall Totals
Annual
Water Year
Water
Rainfall Measurement
Average
2020
Year 2020
Location
Watershed
Rainfall
Total Rainfall
Percent of
(in inches)
(in inches)
Average
Rocky Butte
Nacimiento Reservoir
40
43.38
108%
Hwy 46 and W 7 Mile
Whale Rock Reservoir
30
17.49
o
58/0
Road, Cambria, CA
SLO Reservoir
San Luis Obispo Creek
24
21.59
90%
Salinas Dam
Salinas Reservoir
22
23.71
107%
Source: https://wr.slocountywater.org/list/?sensor class=11&mode=sensor&cache=l&ref resh=off
Page 315 of 422
City of San Luis Obispo
2020 Water Resources Status Report
Page 7
FIGURE 1: WATER SUPPLY AND DEMAND WITH POPULATION
2011 -2020
I ]z,tzsl
9,900 9,985 9,997I 10,W6 I0,007 10,110, 10,111 10, 131, .9,IV '
f 46 a92 �� 4bp15 afilt6
l� 45,875 --."V 45,094 ""� 45,937 ----* 45,920
rt 45,505 �� 45,659-
45.132 45,320
a5.ihm
S,715
5,375 5,339 u
5.t25 5.919 -- o.mo
� 4,721 16,520 1 4,738 4,762 4,730
mn
imo
S,pply Demand �Popolatlon
NOTE: In 2016, the City recognized the full allocation of Nacimiento Reservoir increasing the City's
contractual water supply from 3,380 acre-feet to 5,482 acre-feet annually (+2,102 acre-feet). Following the
end of the drought in 2016, the City updated the Safe Annual Yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas
Reservoirs incorporating rainfall data and three climate change scenarios. In 2018, the City recognized the
reduction from 6,940 acre-feet to 4,910 acre-feet in Safe Annual Yield (-2,030 acre-feet).
IV. WATER RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
The following table summarizes the Water Resource Availability based on Water and Wastewater
Management Element, Section 3. Water availability for Water Year 2020 is 10,107 acre-feet.
Table 4: Water Year 2020 Water Resource Availability
Water Resource
Acre -Feet
Description
Salinas & Whale Rock Reservoirs
4,910
Safe Annual Yield 1
Nacimiento Reservoir
5,482
Dependable Yield Z
Recycled Water
215
2019 Annual Usage 3
Siltation from 2010 to 2060
(500)
WWME Policy A 4.2.24
2020 Availability
NOTES:
1. The City's Safe Annual Yield model was updated in 2018.
2. Dependable Yield is the contractual amount of water the City has rights to from
Nacimiento Reservoir.
3. The quantity of recycled water included (215 acre-feet) is the actual prior year's usage
(calendar year 2019) per General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element
Policy A 7.2.2.
4. Reservoir siltation is a natural occurrence that reduces storage capacity over long
periods, resulting in the reduction of safe annual yield.
Page 316 of 422
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2020 Water Resources Status Report
Page 8
V. WATER SUPPLY ACCOUNTING
Per General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element (WWME), Section 5, the City accounts
for water supplies necessary to meet three specific community needs:
• Primary water supply
• Reliability reserve
• Secondary water supply
Primary water supply is defined as the amount of water needed to serve the City's future residential and
non-residential water demand, based on the population identified in the General Plan, Land Use Element
(2014). Table 3 in the Land Use Element identifies an urban reserve capacity of 57,200 people'. The
quantity of water needed for the primary water supply is calculated per WWME Policy A 5.2.2, using 117
gallons per capita per day (gpcd).
The City's reliability reserve is defined as the buffer for future unforeseen or unpredictable long-term
water supply impacts. The quantity of water for the reliability reserve is defined in WWME Policy A 5.2.3,
using 20 percent of the existing City population (45,920, 2020 population) at 117 gpcd. Based on this
policy, the reliability reserve will change over time as the City's actual population changes. The reliability
reserve concept is included in the City's Charter (Section 909) which identifies that the water may not be
used to serve future development.
The City's secondary water supply is defined as the amount of water remaining from available water
resources above those needed to meet the primary water supply and reliability reserve. The secondary
supply is identified to meet peak water demand periods or short-term loss of City water supply sources,
per WWME Policy A 5.2.4.
2020 Water Supply Accounting
Primary Water Supply = 117 gpcd x City Build -out Population, in acre-feet per year
117 gpcd x 57,200 x 365 day/year x acre-ft/325,851 gallons = 7,496 acre-ft per year
Reliability Reserve = 117 gpcd x 2020 City Population x 20 percent, in acre-feet per year
117 gpcd x 45,920 x 365 day/year x acre-ft/325,851 gallons x 20 percent = 1,204 acre-ft per year
Secondary Water Supply = Current Annual Availability — Primary Water Supply — Reliability Reserve
10,107 acre-ft/year A — 7,496 acre-ft/year — 1,204 Acre-Ft/year = 1,407 acre-ft per year
A 2020 Annual Water Resource Availability from table above.
Water supply accounting for the 2020 Water Year is summarized in the table below and shown in
Appendix A.
' The City's population projection of 57,200 persons, from the General Plan Land Use Element, is based one percent
growth annually between 2014 and 2035. By policy, certain housing types and areas are excluded from this growth
rate and projection (affordable housing, etc.). The City's estimated Primary Water Supply need is based on
projected population but encompasses all water demand in the City (residential, non-residential, and irrigation). In
WY 2020, single-family and multi -family residential water demand was 65.8 percent of total City water demand.
Page 317 of 422
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2020 Water Resources Status Report
Page 9
Table 5: 2020 Water Supply Accounting (in acre-feet)
Primary Water Supply
Reliability Reserve
Secondary Water
Total
Supply
7,496
1,204
1,407
10,107
SOURCE: Policies related to Water Supply Accounting are found in the City's General Plan Water and Wastewater Management
Element (Policies A 5.2.2 through A 5.2.4).
In summary, the City maintains a robust water supply portfolio with greater than five years of water
available. Per capita water use (obtained from adding up all water used by visitors, residents, commercial
uses, etc.) decreased during the 2020 Water Year to 92 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) from 93 gpcd
during the 2019 Water Year. City population figures, and associated gallons per capita per day, reported
in the 2019 Water Resource Status Report were updated from Department of Finance data.
Page 318 of 422
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2020 Water Resources Status Report
Page 10
Appendix A.
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Page 319 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
APPENDIX III: Compliance Checklist
The City completed the following checklist of specific UWMP requirements as requested by DWR. The Checklist
includes each UWMP requirement by subject, applicable CWC section, and the page number where the required
element is addressed in the City's Plan to assist in the DWR review of the City's UWMP.
CWC
2020 UWMP Requirement
Subject
Guidebook
2020 UWMP
Section
Location
Location
A plan shall describe and evaluate sources of supply,
10615
reasonable and practical efficient uses, reclamation
Introduction and
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
and demand management activities.
Overview
Each plan shall include a simple description of the
supplier's plan including water availability, future
Chapter 1 and
requirements, a strategy for meeting needs, and other
introduction to
10630.5
pertinent information. A supplier may also choose to
Summary
Chapter 1
Chapters 2
through
include a simple description at the beginning of each
Chapter 7
chapter.
Every person that becomes an urban water supplier
10620(b)
shall adopt an urban water management plan within
Plan Preparation
Section 2.1
Page 1-1
one year after it has become an urban water supplier.
Coordinate the preparation of its plan with other
appropriate agencies in the area, including other water
Pages 1-2 &
10620(d)(2)
suppliers that share a common source, water
Plan Preparation
Section 2.5.2
1-3
management agencies, and relevant public agencies,
to the extent practicable.
Provide supporting documentation that the water
supplier has encouraged active involvement of diverse
10642
social, cultural, and economic elements of the
Plan Preparation
Section 2.5.2
Page 1-3
population within the service area prior to and during
the preparation of the plan.
Retail suppliers will include documentation that they
Section 2.6,
10631(h)
have provided their wholesale supplier(s) — if any —
System Supplies
Section 6.1
Appendix I
with water projections from that source.
10631(a)
Describe the water supplier service area.
System
Description
Section 3.1
Page 2-1
10631(a)
Describe the climate of the service area of the
System
Section 3.3
Page 2-1
supplier.
Description
10631(a)
Provide population projections for 2025, 2030, 2035,
System
Section 3.4
Pages 2-2 &
and 2040.
Description
2-3. Table 2
10631(a)
Describe other demographic factors affecting the
System
Section 3.4
Pages 2-1 &
supplier's water management planning.
Description
2-2
System
10631(a)
Indicate the current population of the service area.
Description and
Sections 3.4
Page 2-2
Baselines and
and 5.4
Table 2
Targets
10631(a)
Describe the land uses within the service area.
System
Description
Section 3.5
Page 3-1
10631(d)(1)
Quantify past, current, and projected water use,
System Water
Section 4.2
Page 3-1
identifying the uses among water use sectors.
Use
Table 4
10631(d)(3)
Retail suppliers shall provide data to show the
System Water
Section 4.2.4
Page 3-2 to 3-3
(C)
distribution loss standards were met.
Use
Page 320 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
2020 UWMP Requirement
Subject
Guidebook
2020 UWMP
Location
Location
10631(d)(4)
In projected water use, include estimates of water
System Water
(A)
savings from adopted codes, plans, and other policies
savings
Use
Section 4.2.6
Page 3-3
laws.
10631(d)(4)
Provide citations of codes, standards, ordinances, or
System Water
Section 4.2.6
Page 3-10
(B)
plans used to make water use projections.
Use
10635(b)
Demands under climate change considerations must
System Water
Section 4.5
Chapter 6
be included as part of the drought risk assessment.
Use
10631.1(a
Include projected water use needed for lower income
System Water
Section 4.4
Pages 3-4
housing projected in the service area of the supplier.
Use
Table 7
Retail suppliers shall provide baseline daily per capita
Pages 3-4, 3-5,
water use, urban water use target, interim urban water
3-6, & 3.7
10608.20(e)
use target, and compliance daily per capita water use,
Baselines and Targets
Chapter 5
along with the bases for determining those estimates,
Tables 8, 9, 10,
including references to supporting data.
11, 12,13
10608.24(a)
Retail suppliers shall meet their water use target by
Baselines and
Chapter 5
Page 3-8 &
December 31, 2020.
Targets
Table 14
If the retail supplier adjusts its compliance GPCD
10608.24(d)
using weather normalization, economic adjustment, or
Baselines and
Section 5.2
NA
(2)
extraordinary events, it shall provide the basis for, and
Targets
data supporting the adjustment.
Retail suppliers' per capita daily water use reduction
10608.22
shall be no less than 5 percent of base daily per capita
Baselines and
Section 5.5
Page 3-8
water use of the 5-year baseline. This does not apply
Targets
if the suppliers base GPCD is at or below 100.
Retail suppliers shall report on their compliance in
10608.40
meeting their water use targets. The data shall be
Baselines and
Section 5.8
Page 3-8
reported using a standardized form in the SBX7-7
Targets
and App E
2020 Compliance Form.
Provide a discussion of anticipated supply availability
under a normal, single dry year, and a drought lasting
Section 6.1
10631(b)(1)
five years, as wel as more frequent and severe
System Supplies
and 6.2
Pges 6-1 to 6-3
periods of drought, including changes in supply due to
climate change.
When multiple sources of wate supply are identified,
10631(b)(2)
describe the management of each supply in relation to
System Supplies
Section 6.1
Pges 6-1 to 6-3
other identified supplies
10631(b)(3)
Describe measures taken to acquire and develop
System Supplies
Section 6.1.1
Page 4-8
planned sources of water.
Identify and quantify the existing and planned sources
Page 4-10,
10631(b)
of water available for 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035, and
System Supplies
Chapter 6.2.8
Table 20 and
2040.
Table 21
10631(b)
Indicate whether groundwater is an existing or
System Supplies
Section 6.2
Pages 4-7 to
planned source of water available to the supplier.
4 9
Indicate whether a groundwater management plan has
10631(b)(4)
been adopted by the water supplier or if there is any
(A)
other specific authorization for groundwater
System Supplies
Section 6.2.2
Page 4-9
management. Include a copy of the plan or
authorization.
106 (1B() )(4)
Describe the groundwater basin.
System Supplies
Section 6.2.2
Pages 4 9-7 to
Indicate if the basin has been adjudicated and include
10631(b)(4)
a copy of the court order or decree and a description
System Supplies
Section 6.2.2
Page 4-8
(B)
of the amount of water the supplier has the legal right
to pump.
Page 321 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
CWC
2020 UWMP Requirement
Subject
Guidebook
2020 UWMP
Section
Location
Location
For unadjudicated basins, indicate whether or not the
10631(b)(4)
department has identified the basin as overdrafted, or
Section
(B)
projected to become overdrafted. Describe efforts by
System Supplies
6.2.2.1
Page 4-8
the supplier to eliminate the long-term overdraft
condition.
Provide a detailed description and analysis of the
10631(b)(4)
location, amount, and sufficiency of groundwater
System Supplies
Section
Page 4-8, Table
M
pumped by the urban water supplier for the past five
6.2.2.4
19
years.
10631(b)(4)
Provide a detailed description and analysis of the
(D)
amount and location of groundwater that is projected
System Supplies
Sections 6.2.2
N/A
to be pumped.
10631(c)
Describe the opportunities for exchanges or transfers
System Supplies
Section 6.2.7
Page 4-10,
of water on a short-term or long-term basis.
Table 22
For wastewater and recycled water, coordinate with
Wastewater
treatment is
10633
local water, wastewater, groundwater, and planning
System Supplies
Section 6.5.1
also by the City
agencies that operate within the supplier's service
(Recycled Water)
of San Luis
area.
Obispo
Describe the quantity of treated wastewater that meets
System Supplies
Section
10633(b)
recycled water standards, is being discharged, and is
(Recycled Water)
6.5.2.2
Page 5-2
otherwise available for use in a recycled water project.
10633(c)
Describe the recycled water currently being used in
System Supplies
Section 6.5.3
Page 5-4
the supplier's service area.
(Recycled Water)
and 6.5.4
Describe and quantify the potential uses of recycled
System Supplies
10633(d)
water and provide a determination of the technical and
(Recycled Water)
Section 6.5.4
Page 5-4
economic feasibility of those uses.
Describe the projected use of recycled water within
10633(e)
the supplier's service area at the end of 5, 10, 15, and
System Supplies
Section 6.5.4
Page 5-3
20 years, and a description of the actual use of
(Recycled Water)
recycled water compared to uses previously projected.
Describe the actions which may be taken to
10633(f)
encourage the use of recycled water and the projected
System Supplies
Section 6.5.5
Page 5-4
results of these actions in terms of acre-feet of
(Recycled Water)
recycled water used per year.
10633(g)
Provide a plan for optimizing the use of recycled water
System Supplies
Section 6.5.5
Page 5-4 and
in the supplier's service area.
(Recycled Water)
5-7
10631(g)
Describe desalinated water project opportunities for
System Supplies
Section 6.6
Page 4-9
long-term supply.
Describe the wastewater collection and treatment
10633(a)
systems in the supplier's service area. Include
System Supplies
Section 6.5.2
Page 5-1 and
quantification of the amount of wastewater collected
(Recycled Water)
5 2
and treated and the methods of wastewater disposal.
Describe the expected future water supply projects
10631(g)
and programs that may be undertaken by the water
System Supplies
Section 6.2.8
Page 4-9
supplier to address water supply reliability in average,
single -dry, and multiple -dry years.
10631.2(a)
The UWMP must include energy information, as
System Supplies,
Section 6.4
and Appendix
Page 4-11,
Table 23, Page
stated in the code that a supplier can readily obtain.
Energy Intensity
O
5-7, Table 29
Describe water management tools and options to
Water Supply
Page 6-1 and
10620(f)
maximize resources and minimize the need to import
Reliability
Section 7.4
6 2
water from other regions.i
Assessment
Page 322 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
CWC
2020 UWMP Requirement
Subject
Guidebook
2020 UWMP
Section
Location
Location
10631(c)(1)
Describe the reliability of the water supply and
Water Supply
Reliability
Section 7.1
Page 6-3
vulnerability to seasonal or climatic shortage.
Assessment
10631(c)(1)
Provide data for an average water year, a single dry
Water Supply
Reliability
Section 7.2
Tables 32-34
water year, and multiple dry water years
Assessment
For any water source that may not be available at a
Water Supply
10631(c)(2)
consistent level of use, describe plans to supplement
Reliability
Section 7.1
N/A
or replace that source.
Assessment
Provide information on the quality of existing sources
Water Supply
10634
of water available to the supplier and the manner in
Reliability
Section 7.2
Page 6-3
which water quality affects water management
Assessment
strategies and supply reliability
Service Reliability Assessment: Assess the water
supply reliability during normal, dry, and multiple dry
Water Supply
Page 6-4 and
10635(a)
water years by comparing the total water supply
Reliability
Section 7.3
6-5, Tables 32-
sources available to the water supplier with the total
Assessment
34
projected water use over the next 20 years.
Provide a drought risk assessment as part of
Water Supply
10635(a)
information considered in developing the demand
Reliability
Section 7.3
Page 6-4
management measures and water supply projects.
Assessment
Include a description of the data, methodology, and
Water Supply
10635(b)(1)
basis for one or more supply shortage conditions that
Reliability
Section 7.3
Page 6-1 to 6-6
are necessary to conduct a drought risk assessment
Assessment
for a drought period that lasts 5 consecutive years.
10635(b)(2)
Include a determination of the reliability of each source
Water Supply
Reliability
Section 7.3
Page 6-1 to 6-6
of supply under a variety of water shortage conditions.
Assessment
Include a comparison of the total water supply sources
Water Supply
10635(b)(3)
available to the water supplier with the total projected
Reliability
Section 7.3
Page 6-5 to 6-6
water use for the drought period.
Assessment
Include considerations of the historical drought
hydrology, plausible changes on projected supplies
Water Supply
10635(b)(4)
and demands under climate change conditions,
Reliability
Section 7.3
Page 6-1 to 6-7
anticipated regulatory changes, and other locally
Assessment
applicable criteria.
Retail suppliers shall provide a description of the
nature and extent of each demand management
Demand
Sections 9.2
10631(e)(1)
measure implemented over the past five years. The
Management
and 9.3
Page 7-1
description will address specific measures listed in
Measures
code.
Retail suppliers shall conduct a public hearing to
Plan Adoption,
10608.26(a)
discuss adoption, implementation, and economic
Submittal, and
Section 10.3
Appendix I
impact of water use targets.
Implementation
Notify, at least 60 days prior to the public hearing, any
Plan Adoption,
10621(b)
city or county within which the supplier provides water
Submittal, and
Section 10.2.1
Appendix I
that the urban water supplier will be reviewing the plan
Implementation
and considering amendments or changes to the plan.
10621(d)
Each urban water supplier shall update and submit its
Plan Adoption,
Submittal, and
Sections
10.3.1 and
Available
Following
2015 plan to the department by July 1, 2016.
Implementation
10.4
Adoption by
City Council
Provide supporting documentation that the urban
Plan Adoption,
Sections
10642
water supplier made the plan available for public
Submittal, and
10.2.2, 10.3,
Appendix I
inspection, published notice of the public hearing, and
Implementation
and 10.5 and
Page 323 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
CWC
2020 UWMP Requirement
Subject
Guidebook
2020 UWMP
Section
Location
Location
held a public hearing about the plan.
WSCP
The water supplier is to provide the time and place of
Plan Adoption,
Sections
10642
the hearing to any city or county within which the
Submittal, and
10 2 2
Appendix I
supplier provides water.
Implementation
Plan Adoption,
Available
10642
Provide supporting documentation that the UWMP and
Submittal, and
Section 10.3.2
Following
WSCP has been adopted as prepared or modified.
Implementation
and WSCP
Adoption by
City Council
Provide supporting documentation that the urban
Plan Adoption,
Following
10644(a)
water supplier has submitted this UWMP to the
Submittal, and
Section 10.4
Adoption by
California State Library.
Implementation
City Council
Provide supporting documentation that the urban
Plan Adoption,
Available
10644(a)(1)
water supplier has submitted this UWMP to any city or
Submittal, and
Section 10.4
Following
county within which the supplier provides water no
Implementation
Adoption by
later than 30 days after adoption.
City Council
10644(a)(2)
The UWMP, or amendments to the UWMP, submitted
Plan Adoption,
Submittal, and
Sections
10.4.1 and
Available
Following
to the department shall be submitted electronically.
Implementation
10.4.2
Adoption by
City Council
Provide supporting documentation that, not later than
Available
30 days after filing a copy of its UWMP with the
Plan Adoption,
Following
10645(a)
department, the supplier has or will make the UWMP
Submittal, and
Section 10.5
Adoption by
available for public review during normal business
Implementation
City Council
hours.
Page 324 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP)
Compliance Checklist
The City completed the following checklist of specific WSCP requirements as requested by DWR. The Checklist
includes each WSCP requirement by subject, applicable CWC section, and the page number where the required
element is addressed in the City's Plan to assist in the DWR review of the City's 2020 WSCP.
cWC
2020 WSCP Requirement
Subject
Guidebook
2020 WSCP
Section
Location
Location
10632(a)
Provide a water shortage contingency plan (WSCP)
Water Shortage
Contingency
Chapter 8
WSCP-1
through WSCP-
with specified elements below.
Planning
12
10632(a)(1)
Provide the analysis of water supply reliability (from
Water Shortage
Contingency
Section 8
Page WSCP-1
to
Chapter 7 of the Guidebook) in the WSCP.
Planning
WSCP-3
Describe reevaluation process and improvement
Water Shortage
10632(a)(10)
procedures for monitoring and evaluation of the WSCP
Contingency
Section 8.10
WSCP-2
to ensure risk tolerance is adequate and appropriate
Planning
water shortage mitigation strategies are implemented.
10632(a)(2)
Provide the written decision -making process and other
Water Shortage
(A)
methods that the supplier will use each year to
Contingency
Section 8.2
WSCP-14
determine its water reliability.
Planning
10632(a)(2)
Provide data and methodology to evaluate the
Water Shortage
WSCP-1 to
(B)
supplier's water reliability for the current year and one
Contingency
Section 8.2
WSCP-2
dry year pursuant to factors in the code.
Planning
Define six standard water shortage levels of 10, 20, 30,
40, 50 percent shortage and >50 percent shortage.
10632(a)(3)(
These levels shall be based on supply conditions,
Water Shortage
WSCP-8 to
A)
including percent reductions in supply, changes in
Contingency
Section 8.3
WSCP-12
groundwater levels, changes in surface elevation, or
Planning
other conditions. The shortage levels shall also apply to
a catastrophic interruption of supply.
Suppliers with an existing water shortage contingency
Water Shortage
10632(a)(3)
plan that uses different water shortage levels must
Contingency
Section 8.3
NA
(B)
cross reference their categories with the six standard
Planning
categories.
10632(a)(4)
Suppliers with water shortage contingency plans that
Water Shortage
(A)
align with the defined shortage levels must specify
Contingency
Section 8.4
NA
locally appropriate supply augmentation actions.
Planning
10632(a)(4)
Specify locally appropriate demand reduction actions to
Water Shortage Contingency
Section 8.4
WSCP-8 to
(B)
adequately respond to shortages.
Planning
WSCP-12
10632(a)(4)
Water Shortage
WSCP-8 to
(c)
Specify locally appropriate operational changes.
Contingency
Section 8.4
WSCP-12
Planning
Specify additional mandatory prohibitions against
Water Shortage
10632(a)(4)
specific water use practices that are in addition to state-
Contingency
Section 8.4
WSCP-8 to
(D)
mandated prohibitions are appropriate to local
Planning
WSCP-12
conditions.
10632(a)(4)
Estimate the extent to which the gap between supplies
Water Shortage
WSCP-8 to
(E)
and demand will be reduced by implementation of the
Contingency
Section 8.4
WSCP-12
action.
Planning
10632.5
The plan shall include a seismic risk assessment and
Water Shortage
Contingency
Section 8.4.6
WSCP-15
mitigation plan.
Planning
Page 325 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
10632(a)(5)
Suppliers must describe that they will inform customers,
Water Shortage
WSCP-8 to
(A)
the public and others regarding any current or predicted
Contingency
Section 8.5
WSCP-12
water shortages.
Planning
10632(a)(5)
Suppliers must describe that they will inform customers,
Water Shortage
(B)
the public and others regarding any shortage response
Contingency
Section 8.5
WSCP-8 to
10632(a)(5)
actions triggered or anticipated to be triggered and
Planning
and 8.6
WSCP-12
C
other relevant communications.
10632(a)(7)
Describe the legal authority that empowers the supplier
Water Shortage
Contingency
Section 8.7
WSCP-1
(A)
to enforce shortage response actions.
Planning
10632(a)(7)
Provide a statement that the supplier will declare a
Water Shortage
Contingency
Section 8.7
WSCP-8 to
(B)
water shortage emergency per Water Code Chapter 3.
Planning
WSCP-12
10632(a)(7)
Provide a statement that the supplier will coordinate
Water Shortage
(C)
with any city or county within which it provides water for
Contingency
Section 8.7
NA
the possible proclamation of a local emergency.
Planning
10632(a)(8)
Describe the potential revenue reductions and expense
Water Shortage
(A)
increases associated with activated shortage response
Contingency
Section 8.8
WSCP-13
actions.
Planning
10632(a)(8)
Provide a description of mitigation actions needed to
Water Shortage
(B)
address revenue reductions and expense increases
Contingency
Section 8.8
WSCP-13
associated with activated shortage response actions.
Planning
10632(a)(8)
Retail suppliers must describe the cost of compliance
Water Shortage
(C)
with Water Code Chapter 3.3: Excessive Residential
Contingency
Section 8.8
WSCP-13
Water Use During Drought.
Planning
Retail suppliers must describe the monitoring and
Water Shortage
10632(a)(9)
reporting requirements and procedures that ensure
Contingency
Section 8.9
WSCP-14
appropriate data is collected, tracked, and analyzed for
Planning
purposes of monitoringcustomer compliance.
Analyze and define water features that are artificially
Water Shortage
10635(b)
supplied with water, including ponds, lakes, waterfalls,
Contingency
Section 8.11
WSCP-13
and fountains, separately from swimming pools and
Planning
spas.
Provide supporting documentation that Water Shortage
Water Shortage
Section 8.12
Available
10635(c)
Contingency Plan has been, or will be, provided to any
Contingency
and Section
Following
city or county within which it provides water, no later
Planning
10.4.
Adoption by
than 60 days after the submission of the plan to DWR.
City Council
Provide supporting documentation that, not later than
Available
30 days after filing a copy of its WSCP with the
Water Shortage
Following
10645(b)
department, the supplier has or will make the plan
Contingency
Section 10.5
Adoption by
available for public review during normal business
Planning
City Council
hours.
Provide supporting documentation that the urban water
Plan Adoption,
Sections
10642
supplier made the plan available for public inspection,
Submittal, and
10.2.2, 10.3,
WSCP
published notice of the public hearing, and held a public
Implementation
and 10.5 and
Appendix I
hearing about the plan.
WSCP
Plan Adoption,
Available
10642
Provide supporting documentation that the UWMP and
Submittal, and
Section 10.3.2
Following
WSCP has been adopted as prepared or modified.
Implementation
and WSCP
Adoption by
City Council
Page 326 of 422
7020 Urban Water Management Plan
Appendix IV SBx 7-7 2020 Compliance Tables
Page 327 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
SENATE BILL X7-7 Standardized Tables:
SB X7-7 Table 0: Units of Measure Used in UWMP*
Acre Feet
*The unit of measure must be consistent with Table 2-3
Period Ranges
Baseline Parameter
Value
Units
2008 total water deliveries
6,359
Acre Feet
10- to 15-
2008 total volume of delivered recycled water
90
Acre Feet
year
2008 recycled water as a percent of total deliveries
1.42%
Percent
baseline
Number of years in baseline periods, 2
10
Years
period
Year beginning baseline period range
1997
Year ending baseline period range
2006
5-year
Number of years in baseline period
5
Years
baseline
Year beginning baseline period range
2004
period
Year ending baseline period range'
2008
'If the 2008 recycled water percent is less than 10 percent, then the first baseline period is a continuous 10-year period. If the
amount of recycled water delivered in 2008 is 10 percent or greater, the first baseline period is a continuous 10- to 15-year
period.
2 The Water Code requires that the baseline period is between 10 and 15 years. However, DWR recognizes that some water
suppliers may not have the minimum 10 years of baseline data.
'The ending year must be between December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2010.
'The ending year must be between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2010.
SB X7-7 Table 2: •• for Population
Method Used to Determine Population
❑
1. Department of Finance (DOF)
DOF Table E-8 (1990 - 2000) and (2000-2010) and
DOF Table E-5 (2011 - 2015) when available
2. Persons -per -Connection Method
3. DWR Population Tool
4. Other
DWR recommends pre -review
Page 328 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
TableSB X7-7 Population
Year Population
Year Baseline Population
Year 1
1997
42,983
Year 2
1998
43,421
Year 3
1999
43,766
Year4
2000
44,179
Year 5
2001
44,293
Year 6
2002
44,406
Year 7
2003
44,293
Year 8
2004
44,271
Year 9
2005
44,630
Year 10
2006
44,483
5 Year Baseline Population
Year 1
2004
44,271
Year 2
2005
44,630
Year 3
2006
44,483
Year 4
2007
44,438
Year 5
2008
44,650
ce Year Population
2015 1 45,802
TableSIB X7-7
Gross
Deductions
Volume Into
Indirect
Distribution
Recycled
Process Water
System
Water
This column
Annual
Baseline Year
This column
Change in
This column
Water
will remain
Gross
Fm SB X7-7 Table 3
will remain
Exported
Dist. System
will remain
Delivered for
blank until SB
Water
blank until SB
Water
Storage
blank until SB
Agricultural
X7-7 Table 4-
Use
X7-7 Table 4-A
(+�
X7-7 Table 4-
Use
D is
is completed.
B is
completed.
completed.
10 to 15 Year Baseline - Gross Water Use
Year 1
1997
6,220
6,220
Year 2
1998
5,853
5,853
Year 3
1999
6,172
6,172
Year4
2000
6,121
6,121
Years
2001
5,886
5,886
Year 6
2002
6,031
6,031
Year 7
2003
5,969
5,969
Year 8
2004
6,239
6,239
Year 9
2005
6,098
6,098
Year 10
2006
5,990
5,990
10 - 15 year baseline average
gross water use
6,058
5 Year Baseline - Gross Water Use
Year 1
2004
6,239
6,239
Year 2
2005
6,098
6,098
Year 3
2006
5,990
5,990
Year4
2007
6,416
6,416
Year 5 2008 6,269
6,269
5 year baseline average gross water use
6,203
2015 Compliance Year - Gross Water Use
2015 1 4,721
4,721
* NOTE that the units of measure must remain consistent throughout the UWMP, as reported in Table 2-3
Page 329 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Table
Name of Source Salinas Reservoir
This water source is:
❑�
The supplier's own water source
A purchased or imported source
Baseline Year
Fm SB X7-7 Table 3
Volume
Entering
Distribution
System
Meter Error
Adjustment*
Optional
(+/-)
Corrected Volume
Entering Distribution
System
10 to 15 Year Baseline - Water into Distribution System
Year 1
1997
4186.75
4,187
Year 2
1998
5038.24
5,038
Year 3
1999
4951.54
4,952
Year 4
2000
4863.9
4,864
Year 5
2001
3255.14
3,255
Year 6
2002
3169.55
3,170
Year 7
2003
3730.5
3,731
Year 8
2004
3063.1
3,063
Year 9
2005
1083.37
1,083
Year 10
2006
1659.35
1,659
5 Year Baseline - Water into Distribution System
Year 1
2004
3063.1
3,063
Year 2
2005
1083.37
1,083
Year 3
2006
1659.35
1,659
Year 4
2007
1638.78
1,639
Year 5
2008
2437.43
2,437
2015 Compliance Year - Water into Distribution System
2015 1 492 1 1 492
*Meter Error Adjustment -See guidance in Methodology 1, Step 3 of Methodologies Document
Table•Distribution System(s)
Name of Source Whale Rock Reservoir
This water source is:
❑�
The supplier's own water source
A purchased or imported source
Baseline Year
Fm SB X7-7 Table 3
Volume
Entering
Distribution
System
Meter Error
Adjustment*
Optional
(+�)
Corrected Volume
Entering Distribution
System
10 to 15 Year Baseline - Water into Distribution System
Year 1
1997
1732.84
1,733
Year 2
1998
525.48
525
Year 3
1999
1061.13
1,061
Year 4
2000
991.47
991
Year 5
2001
2383.39
2,383
Year 6
2002
2693.78
2,694
Year 7
2003
2097.79
2,098
Year 8
2004
3036.21
3,036
Year 9
2005
4867.53
4,868
Year 10
2006
4198.09
4,198
5 Year Baseline - Water into Distribution System
Year 1
2004
3036.21
3,036
Year 2
2005
4867.53
4,868
Year 3
2006
4198.09
4,198
Year 4
2007
4676.77
4,677
Year 5
2008
3744.27
3,744
2015 Compliance Year - Water into Distribution System
2015 1 1,743 1 1 1,743
*Meter Error Adjustment -See guidance in Methodology 1, Step 3 of Methodologies Document
Page 330 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
TableSB X7-7
Name of Source Groundwater
This water source is:
❑�
The supplier's own water source
A purchased or imported source
Baseline Year
Fm SB X7-7 Table 3
Volume
Entering
Distribution
System
Meter Error
Adjustment*
Optional
(+�)
Corrected Volume
Entering Distribution
System
10 to 15 Year Baseline - Water into Distribution System
Year 1
1997
300.17
300
Year 2
1998
289.21
289
Year 3
1999
159.46
159
Year 4
2000
265.83
266
Year 5
2001
246.98
247
Year 6
2002
168.11
168
Year 7
2003
140.46
140
Year 8
2004
139.63
140
Year 9
2005
147.52
148
Year 10
2006
133.04
133
5 Year Baseline - Water into Distribution System
Year 1
2004
139.63
1
140
Year 2
2005
147.52
148
Year 3
2006
133.04
133
Year 4
2007
100.75
101
Year 5
2008
86.88
87
2015 Compliance Year - Water into Distribution System
2015 1 43 1 1 43
* Meter Error Adjustment - See guidance in Methodology 1, Step 3 of Methodologies Document
TableSB X7-7 •Distribution System(s)
Name of Source Nacimiento Reservoir
This water source is:
The supplier's own water source
❑�
A purchased or imported source
Baseline Year
Fm SB X7-7 Table 3
Volume
Entering
Distribution
System
Meter Error
Adjustment*
Optional
(+/-)
Corrected Volume Entering
Distribution System
10 to 15 Year Baseline - Water into Distribution System
Year
1997
0
Year
1998
0
Year
1999
0
Year
2000
0
Years
2001
0
Year
2002
0
Year
2003
0
Year
2004
0
Year
2005
0
Year 10
2006
1
0
5 Year Baseline - Water into Distribution System
Year
1 2004
0
Year
2005
0
Year
2006
0
Year
2007
0
Years
2008
0
2015 Compliance Year - Water into Distribution System
2015 1 2,442 1
2,442
* Meter ErrorAdjustment - See guidance in Methodology 1, Step 3 of Methodologies Document
Page 331 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
TableSB X7-7
Baseline Year
Fm SB X7-7 Table 3
Service Area Annual Gross Water
Population Use Daily Per Capita
Water Use
Fm SB X7-7 Table Fm SB X7-7
3 Table 4 (GPCD)
10 to 15 Year Baseline GPCD
Year 1
1997
42,983
6,220
129
Year 2
1998
43,421
5,853
120
Year
1999
43,766
6,172
126
Year
2000
44,179
6,121
124
Year 5
2001
44,293
5,886
119
Year 6
2002
44,406
6,031
121
Year 7
2003
44,293
5,969
120
Year 8
2004
44,271
6,239
126
Year 9
2005
44,630
6,098
122
Year 10
2006
44,483
5,990
120
10-15 Year Average Baseline GPCD
123
5 Year Baseline GPCD
Baseline Year
Fm SB X7-7 Table 3
Service Area
Population
Fm SB X7-7
Table 3
Gross Water Use
Fm SB X7-7
Table 4
Daily Per Capita
Water Use
Year 1
2004
44,271
6,239
126
Year 2
2005
44,630
6,098
122
Year 3
2006
44,483
5,990
1 120
Year 4
2007
44,438
6,416
129
Year 5
2008
44,650
6,269
125
5 Year Average Baseline GPCD
124
2015 Compliance Year GPCD
2015 1 45,802 4,721 92
SB X7-7 Table 6: Gallons per Capita per Day
10-15 Year Baseline GPCD 123
5 Year Baseline GPCD 124
2015 Compliance Year GPCD 92
X7-7 Table 7:
Target Method
MethodSB
2020 Target
Supporting Documentation
Method 1
SB X7-7 Table 7A
Method 2
SB X7-7 Tables 7B, 7C, and 7D
1
Method 3
SB X7-7 Table 7-E
Method 4
Method 4 Calculator
NOTES: Central Coast Hydrologic Region
MethodSB X7-7 Table 7-A: Target
10-15 Year Baseline GPCD 2020 Target GPCD
123 98
Page 332 of 422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
X7-7 Table
Agency May Select
More Than One as
Applicable
7-E: Target
MethodSB
Percentage of
Service Area in Hydrologic Region
This Hydrological
Region
"2020 Plan"
Regional
Targets
Method 3
Regional
Targets (95%)
North Coast
137
130
North Lahontan
173
164
Sacramento River
176
167
San Francisco Bay
131
124
San Joaquin River
174
165
0
100%
Central Coast
123
117
Tulare Lake
188
179
South Lahontan
170
162
South Coast
149
142
Colorado River
211
200
Target (If more than one region is selected, this value is calculated.)
117
Table•
- • • for 1 1 Target
5 Year Baseline GPCD
Maximum 2020
Calculated Confirmed 2020
From SBX7-7
Target'
2020 Target2 Target
Table 5
124 118
117
117
'Maximum 2020 Target is 95% of the 5 Year Baseline GPCD except for suppliers at or below 100
GPCD.
'2020 Target is calculated based on the selected Target
Method, see SB X7-7 Table 7 and
corresponding tables for agency's calculated target.
NOTES: 117 gpcd is from Target Method 3
SB X7-7 Table 8:
2015 Interim Target GPCD
Confirmed
10-15 year Baseline
2020 Target
GPCD 2015 Interim Target
Fm SB X7-7
Fm SB X7-7 GPCD
Table 7-F
Table 5
117
123 120
Page 333 of 422
7020 Urban Water Management Plan
Appendix V: Technical Memorandum (Safe Annual Yield)
Page 334 of 422
Technical Memorandum
Date: 1/8/2018
To: Mr. Aaron Floyd
City of San Luis Obispo — Public Utilities
San Luis Obispo, California
Prepared by: Adam Rianda, P.E.
Reviewed by: Jeroen Olthof, P.E.
Project: Safe Annual Yield Analysis Update
SUBJECT: SALINAS AND WHALE ROCK RESERVOIRS SAFE ANNUAL YIELD
�WS C
WATER SYSTEMS CONSULTING, INC.
Section 1: Background
The City of San Luis Obispo (City) maintains a diversified portfolio of water supply sources that it can use to meet
potable water demand. Two of these sources are Salinas Reservoir, also known as Santa Margarita Lake, and
Whale Rock Reservoir, located near the town of Cayucos. Whale Rock Reservoir is a shared -use reservoir serving
the City, the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), the California Men's Colony (CMC), and the town
of Cayucos. The City, Cal Poly, and CMC comprise the Whale Rock Commission, which governs reservoir
operation. Some characteristics of the two reservoirs are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Reservoir Attributes
Salinas Reservoir and Whale Rock Reservoir are located in different climate regions and have differing
characteristics. Whale Rock Reservoir has a larger storage volume than Salinas, but it has a smaller watershed to
provide natural recharge. Salinas Reservoir receives more runoff each year, but it also experiences higher
temperatures and higher evaporation rates, and it spills more frequently. To maximize the available supply from
these two reservoirs, the City has developed operational strategies that recognize the differences between the
reservoirs. In general, the strategies involve withdrawing water from Salinas Reservoir when it is available, and
using Whale Rock Reservoir as -needed to supplement the supply from Salinas.
To assist with the management of the City's water resources and understand the available supply from Salinas
and Whale Rock Reservoirs, the City maintains an Excel -based model that estimates a safe annual yield (SAY)
based on historical climatic conditions and reservoir operations. For each reservoir, the model sums the inputs
and outputs to calculate the reservoir volume on a monthly time step. As inputs, the model uses the historical
City SAY Model Update TM
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record of inflows, evaporation, precipitation, and downstream releases. The model then calculates, over the
period of record, the maximum amount that could be withdrawn each year without drawing the reservoir below
its minimum pool constraint. This maximum allowable annual withdrawal is considered to be the SAY.
The City's Excel -based model of the two reservoirs was first developed in 1988. At that time, the critical drought
period that controlled the SAY was the 1946-1951 drought. In 1991 the model was updated to incorporate the
hydrologic conditions experienced during the 1986-1991 drought. That drought was the most severe in the
historical record to that point and became the new controlling condition for estimating SAY. The City estimated
the combined SAY from the two reservoirs as 6,940 acre-feet per year (AFY). This estimate included the
anticipated loss of storage volume due to siltation through the year 2010. This estimate has been reported in
previous City planning documents, including the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and the 2016
update to the General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element. The 2015 UWMP, published in June
of 2016, was prepared during a period of extended drought, and it noted that the City planned to re -calculate
the SAY when the on -going drought came to an end.
During the winter of 2016-2017, California received enough precipitation to provide some drought relief, and
the Department of Water Resources phased out its mandatory conservation guidelines. However, the state is
still in a period of below -average precipitation. Figure 1 shows historical precipitation recorded at Salinas and
Whale Rock Reservoirs. For each month, the graph shows the average precipitation for the previous five-year
period. This rolling five-year average can be compared to the long-term average, in this case the period from
1962 to 2016. The 1986-1991 drought was preceded by a period of above -average rainfall, and when the
drought ended the subsequent years had above -average rainfall. By contrast, the current dry period has had a
much longer duration. Since 2003, the rolling average has been at or below the long-term average, and at the
end of 2016 the rolling average reached the lowest value ever at Whale Rock. It remains to be seen whether
future years will bring enough precipitation to bring the rolling five-year average back to its historical levels.
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�WS C
WATER SYST EM5 CONSULTO NG, INC.
to
ca
30.0
M Ln4.
�a
c
20.0
O
v
v 10.0
c
M
c
a 0.0
30.0
U
O
N
20.0
c
10.0 ID
0
v
s
0.0 U
Ta
c
c
a
9 o° _Ati °
N ti° 1° 1° do ti° 1° ti° T,
Salinas Rolling Five -Year Average -----Salinas Average 1962 - 2016
Whale Rock Rolling Five -Year Average ----- Whale Rock Average 1962 - 2016
Figure 1. Rolling Five -Year Average Precipitation at Salinas and Whale Rock
In early 2017, the City contracted with Water Systems Consulting, Inc. (WSC) to update the SAY model. The
update was intended to verify the historical input data, validate and document the calculations in the model,
incorporate the full extent of the 2006-2016 drought, and generate scenarios that accounted for potential
climate change impacts.
Section 2: Model Updates
In January 2017, the City and Cal Poly began an update of the SAY model. Two major objectives of the project
were to update and verify the hydrologic input data and to develop scenarios that accounted for climate change
impacts. The SAY model was last updated in early 2015; therefore, the model that was used as the starting point
for this project is referred to as the 2015 model.
Verification of Input Data and Extension of Input Data Through January 2017
The 2015 model contained hydrologic input data for Whale Rock Reservoir and Salinas Reservoir through
February of 2015. While this data set contained values beginning in October of 1943, the source of the data had
not been documented. Furthermore, the construction of Whale Rock Reservoir was not completed until April of
1961, so there was nearly 18 years of data that predated the reservoir. According to the City's records, the
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WATER SYST EM5 CONSULTO NG, INC.
hydrologic data predating the reservoir was generated through correlations between Salinas and Whale Rock
Reservoir lake levels and precipitation.
In order to load the model with verified historical hydrologic data, the City compiled the information that could
be traced to verified sources. Table 2 presents the data sets collected for this update as well as the start date of
each data series. All data sets were compiled through January of 2017, when the drought of 2006-2016 had
subsided.
Table 2. Verified Hydrologic Data Start Date
The inflow data for Whale Rock Reservoir came from two sources: Damsaver and paper records. Damsaver is
an Excel -based tool that the City began to use in June 1987 to record and report Whale Rock Reservoir
hydrologic data, including the computation of monthly inflow. Prior to 1987, the City utilized a paper form to
record monthly precipitation, evaporation, reservoir elevation, reservoir storage, and water releases. To
generate a complete data set extending back to 1962, WSC performed mass balance' calculations using data
from the paper records. The calculated inflows were validated using a 2.5-year overlap period, 1987 to 1989,
when the City utilized both Damsaver and the paper forms. While there was variation from month to month, the
total calculated inflows over the 2.5-year period were within 10 percent of the total produced using the
Damsaver software. Therefore, the pre-1987 inflows calculated from the paper forms were considered
acceptable for use in this evaluation.
In general, the verified historical data compiled for this update was not significantly different than the input data
in the 2015 model. The exception was in recorded evaporation rates. For this update, historical evaporation
data was available for the period beginning July 1, 1970. The historical data in the previous model and the data
compiled for this study are shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3.
1 The mass balance calculation was based on the fact that monthly change in storage volume will be determined by the
inputs (precipitation and inflow) and outputs (evaporation and downstream releases) during that month. Historical data for
reservoir levels were used to calculate change in storage, and historical data was available for precipitation, evaporation,
and downstream releases. The team then solved for the only unknown variable, monthly inflow.
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�WS C
WATER SYST EM5 CONSULTO NG, INC.
4,500
t 4,000
c 3,500
0 3,000
— 2,500
L
Q 2,000
w 1,500
1,000
a 500
E
t� 1970
3,000
v
u 2,500
c
0 2,000
a 1,500
Lz
w 1,000
v
500
E
U
1975 1981 1986 1992 1997 2003 2008
Salinas Cumulative Evaporation, Previous Model (inches)
Salinas Cumulative Evaporation, Verified Historical Data (inches)
Figure 2. Cumulative Evaporation Data for Salinas Reservoir, 1970-2015
1970 1975 1981 1986 1992 1997 2003
Whale Rock Cumulative Evaporation, Previous Model (inches)
Whale Rock Cumulative Evaporation, Verified Historical Data (inches)
2014
2008 2014
Figure 3. Cumulative Evaporation Data for Whale Rock Reservoir, 1970-2015
For both reservoirs, the updated historical data show consistently higher evaporation rates than the data used in
the 2015 model. The difference results in evaporation losses approximately 30 percent higher than the 2015
model, leading to a reduction in the calculated SAY.
Climate Change Impacts
Although previous versions of the model included several scenarios with adjusted climatic patterns, they were
based on simple modifications to relatively short data sets. As part of this model update, a range of new
scenarios was added based on varying climate change projections identified by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG). The estimated changes in
climate associated with these scenarios were applied to the historical data set for inflows, precipitation, and
evaporation. The model was then used to calculate a revised SAY assuming that these conditions had prevailed
during the historical period of record.
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�WS C
WATER SYST EM5 CONSULTO NG, INC.
Section 3: Scenario Modeling
Scenario 1: 2015 Model
Scenario 1 runs the model using the hydrologic input data used in the 2015 model. As discussed previously, the
source of this hydrologic input data was not documented.
Scenario 2: Verified Historical Data
Scenario 2 utilizes the historical hydrological data set compiled for this update. Because this input data has been
verified against historical records, Scenario 2 is considered to be the baseline estimate for future conditions.
Scenarios 3 through 8: EPA CREAT Climate Change Projections
Scenarios 3 through 8 are based on climate change projections identified in the EPA's Climate Resilience
Evaluation and Awareness (CREAT) Projection Map. CREAT was prepared by the EPA, specifically for drinking
water, wastewater and stormwater utility owners and operators, as an informational tool to assist in
understanding and addressing climate change risks. Projected changes in CREAT were derived from the
evaluation of thirty-eight Global Climate Models recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC). Results from each model were recorded on a 0.5- by 0.5-degree (approximately 34- by 34-mile) grid basis
and compared to three statistical targets based on the distribution of the models. The five models closest to
each target were averaged to generate each projected temperature and precipitation change. The three targets
are defined as:
• Hot/dry future conditions — Nearest to the 5th percentile of precipitation and 95th percentile of
temperature projections;
• Central future conditions — Nearest to the 50th percentile of both precipitation and temperature
projections; and
• Warm/wet conditions — Nearest to the 95th percentile of precipitation and 5th percentile of temperature
projections.
Projections are presented for two planning horizons: 2035, the midpoint of a range from 2024 to 2045, and
2060, the midpoint of a range from 2050 to 2070.
For the SAY model, it is assumed that the change in inflow is directly proportional to the change in precipitation.
Because of the uncertainty about the exact relationship between higher temperatures and increased
evaporation, future evaporation rates were assumed to be five percent higher than the verified historical data.
Projected changes are applied to the entire verified historical data set in Scenario 2.
Scenarios 9 through 12: SLOCOG Climate Change Projections
Scenarios 9 through 12 are based on climate change projections identified in the San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments (SLOCOG) 2014 Regional Transportation Plan. SLOCOG climate change projections reflect the
continuation of current energy -subsidy policies, implying relatively high energy consumption and high
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Per the SLOCOG report, this scenario closely followed the global emissions
path of the late 1990s. The SLOCOG report states that given a sharp rise in emissions since 2000, the climate
projections reflected may underestimate actual climate change.
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Like EPA's CREAT tool, the SLOCOG projections are based on IPCC recognized Global Climate Models. However,
the SLOCOG study focuses specifically on three models: CSIRO (from Australia), MIROC (from Japan), and
HadCM (from the UK). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Mapped Atmosphere -
Plant -Soil System (MAPSS) team at the Pacific Northwest Research Station then converted the model output to a
locally -relevant scale of 8 kilometers (km) using local temperature and precipitation pattern data.
As with the EPA CREAT projections, SLOCOG projections are presented as a percent difference in precipitation
and degree difference in temperature, and are assigned to two planning horizons, 2035 to 2045 and 2075 to
2085. The SLOCOG projections, however, are presented as a range for each window of time. Therefore, a
scenario was created for the climatic lower bound and upper bound for each planning horizon.
As with Scenarios 3 through 8, Scenarios 9 through 12 apply the respective climate change projections to the
verified historical data set (Scenario 2) and adjust the inflow proportionally to the change in precipitation, while
evaporation rates were assumed to be five percent higher than historical values.
Scenario 13: Nature Climate Change Evaluation
Nature Communications, a peer -reviewed open access scientific journal published by the Nature Publishing
Group, published an article in in July of 2017 that presented an overview of various climate models and their
predictions for future precipitation in California. This work found that under future conditions, California could
receive more precipitation in response to global warming. It found that the anticipated changes in air circulation
patterns were reminiscent of an El Nino event, which can lead to an increase in storm track activity in the east
Pacific.
The article concluded that central California could expect on the order of three inches per year in additional
rainfall attributable to global warming. The historical average annual rainfall at Salinas Dam is approximately 23
inches, while the annual average at Whale Rock Reservoir is approximately 19 inches. As a conservative
estimate, it was assumed that under this scenario, precipitation and runoff values would increase 15 percent
over their historical values. Evaporation rates were assumed to be 5 percent higher than historical values.
Section 4: Model Results
The updated spreadsheet model is intended to be a tool that the City can use to evaluate SAY under potential
future conditions. Several simulations were run during the development of the spreadsheet, and the results are
summarized in the following tables. These preliminary results are intended to show the range of potential
values under differing input assumptions. As discussed further in the Appendix, the model is set up to account
for loss of reservoir capacity due to siltation up to, and including, the designated simulation year. The model
results presented in Tables 3 through 5 account for the estimated siltation through 2017.
The model was first used to determine the impact of using verified historical data as inputs. The results are
summarized in Table 3. For consistency with previous estimates, these results do not include the 2006 - 2016
drought. These results are presented for comparison with previously reported values of SAY. Using the raw
input data from the 2015 model, the updated model showed that an annual withdrawal of 6,940 AFY could be
sustained. With the incorporation of the updated evaporation data, the corresponding value is 6,590 AFY.
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�WS C
WATER SYST EM5 CONSULTO NG, INC.
Table 3. Safe Annual Yield Model Outputs with Verified Historical Data
The model was then used to calculate an updated SAY for the entire period of record, including the 2006 — 2016
drought. These results are shown in Table 4. This drought was more severe than the 1986-1991 drought, and it
has become the new controlling condition for the estimation of SAY. The estimated SAY is 4,910 AFY,
approximately 2,000 AFY less than the previously used estimate of 6,940 AFY.
Table 4. Safe Annual Yield Model Outputs Incorporating 2006 — 2016 Drought
Finally, the model was used to simulate a range of potential climate change scenarios. These estimates are
summarized in Table 5. There is considerable uncertainty about how climate change will impact the
precipitation and evaporation patterns on the Central Coast. The range of values provides an indication of
potential future conditions that might occur, but it is not yet feasible to identify an expected value for future
SAY.
Table 5. Safe Annual Yield Model Outputs for Climate Change Scenarios
4,690 — 5,050 4,050 — 5,070
10�
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�WS C
WATER SYST EM5 CONSULTO NG, INC.
Section 5: Conclusion
The City's spreadsheet model for estimating SAY from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs was updated to
incorporate verified historical data and the full extent of the most recent drought (2006 — 2016). The revised
estimate for the SAY from these reservoirs is 4,910 AFY, approximately 2,000 AFY less than the value of 6,940
AFY used in previous planning documents. Two factors contributed to this decline. First, the historic
evaporation data in the model were revised to match currently available records. Second, the updated model
includes the full extent of the 2006-2016 drought. This dry period was more severe than the 1986-1991
drought, and it is the new controlling period for estimating SAY.
The updated spreadsheet model can be used to estimate the SAY under a variety of scenarios. The spreadsheet
can also be used to demonstrate the advantages of coordinating the use of the City's water supply sources,
rather than analyzing each source in isolation. It is recommended that the City and Cal Poly continue to
coordinate their analyses of the expected supply from Whale Rock. The model should also be kept up-to-date
with additional hydrological data, as it becomes available.
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�WS C
WATER SYSTEMS CONSULTING, INC.
Appendix A: Model Layout
The updated model has been restructured to provide a more user-friendly and transparent interface. This
appendix briefly describes key tabs in the spreadsheet model.
Dashboard Tab
The primary components of the Dashboard tab, circled in blue in Figure A-1, are the Modeled Scenario
dropdown list, the City Withdrawal Mode selection, and the Solve buttons. The Modeled Scenario dropdown list
allows the user to select the scenario of interest. The City Withdrawal Mode allows the user to calculate
separate SAY's for Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoir, or to model them as joint, or coordinated, use. When Joint
Use is selected, the model prioritizes withdrawal from Salinas Reservoir and provides a single SAY for the two
reservoirs. The Solve buttons allow the user to run the model without having to manually iterate to the desired
solution. The Solve buttons count down the SAY from 100,000 AFY until the total unmet demand is equal to zero
over the entire time series.
Just above the Modeled Scenario dropdown list is a summary of assumptions and input data. These assumptions
and inputs have been discussed with the City and Cal Poly, and therefore likely will not change on a regular
basis, but they should always be reviewed prior to a model run.
A
Salinas Pipeline Capacity [AF7day]
WR Cayucos Deliveries [AFY]
Model Year
Salinas Minimum To[AF]
Salinas Record Star[
Salinas Bathymetry Year
Salinas Bathymetry Year Max Storage
Salinas Siltation Rate [AF1YR]
Salinas Full Capacity Storage in Model Year [AF]
Whale Rock Min Storage [AF]
Whale Rock Record Start
Whale Rock Bathymetry Year
Whale Rock Max Storage in Bathymetry Year
Whale Rock Siltation Rate [AF?YR]
Whale Rock Full Capacity Storage in Model Year [AF]
Whale Rock Storage Capacity at Model Start Date �%'
Whale Rock Storage Capacity a[ Model S[ar[ Dale GAF]
Cal Poll Adaptive Demand Management
Storage Capacity Threshold 1 full]
Reduction Factor 1(%reduction in monthly demand]
Storage Capacity Threshold 2 ['/. full]
Reduction Factor 2 ['/.reduction in monthly demand]
Storage Capacity Threshold 3 ['/. full]
Reduction Factor 3 (1.. reduction in monthly demand)
B C D E F G H
23.87
679 679 AF to Cayucos agencies downstream of Whale Rock; can be higher with Nacimiento exchange
2017
2.000
211IL9621 Must beequal or prior to the Whale Rock Record Start for the City Joir
1990
23.843
40 Based on 1990 Study
22.763
2.000
21111962
2013
38.967
32.6 Based on 2013 Study
38.836
100%
38.836
All Values should be set to zero when not running an adaptive demand management scenario
0% Storage Capacity Threshold 1 should be the highest %full Value and Storage Capacitg Threshold 3 should be the lowest %full Value
Cit, Vithdraral Mode Join[
When joint withdrawals are selected. unmet city demands at
Salinas and Whale Rock are not accurate [use joint results
Salinas
City Whale Rock
Cal Poly Whale Rock
CMC Whale Rock
Storage Portion
100.00'/.
55.051..
33.7P/.
11.24,..
Maximum Usable Storage [AF]
20.278
12.418
4.140
Maximum Total Storage [AF]
21.379
13.092
4.365
Natural Inflow Portion
55.05'/.
33.71'/.
11.24'/.
Cayucos Deliveries Portion
55..5%
33.7P/%
11.2 %
Estimated Safe Annual Yield [AFY]
1 1.118
1.942
1.191
398
Calculated Average Annual Withdrawal [AFY]
1,024
1,942
1,191
398
Calculated Demand Portion
55%
34%
11%
Total Unmet Demand [AFY]
[185,347.6]
83.738
0
0
Number of Months with Unmet Demand
56
603
0
0
Solve City Salinas
Solve City RRI
Solve Cal I
Solve Q3CI
Poly WR
AR
Solve Each 5 Times
Figure A-1. Dashboard Tab Screenshot
MIM
Sol— city
Joint
am
City SAY Model Update TM
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�WSC
WATER SYST E N15 CONSULTING, INC.
Scenario Tab
As discussed in Section 2, a suite of new scenarios has been incorporated into the updated model. All scenarios
are defined on the Scenarios tab, including the scenario number and respective percent change in inflow,
precipitation, and evaporation. While a temperature change in degrees Fahrenheit is listed, it is not currently
being included in the calculations. All future scenarios are expected to have higher temperatures, which will lead
to increased evaporation, but there is uncertainty about how much evaporation will increase. In addition to
defining the scenario criteria, this tab is used to manually record the calculated SAY for each scenario.
Bathymetry Tab
The Bathymetry tab houses the stage -storage -area relationships for the two reservoirs. For Salinas Reservoir,
the relationship is based on the Salinas Reservoir Bathymetric survey conducted in 1990. The annual siltation
was estimated to reduce available storage in Salinas Reservoir by 40 AFY, based on the 1990 bathymetric survey.
For Whale Rock Reservoir, the relationship is based on the Whale Rock Reservoir Bathymetry survey conducted
in 2013. As part of the 2013 bathymetric survey, the annual siltation was estimated to reduce available storage
by 32.6 AFY. These siltation rates can be found on the Dashboard tab along with the year of the associated
bathymetric survey.
The user can select a year to run the simulation, and the model will reduce the full capacity of each reservoir to
account for the expected siltation between the date of the respective bathymetric survey and the simulation
year. The City's water supply planning policy already includes an expected reduction in future water supply of
500 AFY to account for reservoir siltation. Therefore, the model simulations run for this project used a
simulation year of 2017 to estimate the SAY under current conditions.
Demand Patterns Tab
The Demand Patterns tab defines the monthly demand multipliers for the City, Cal Poly, CIVIC, and Cayucos
water deliveries. For the updated model, the City demand pattern has remained the same as in the previous
model. The State demand pattern has been split into two new Cal Poly demand patterns, domestic and
agricultural, and an evenly distributed demand pattern for the CIVIC. Cal Poly provided domestic and agricultural
usage data from 1992 through 2016, which was used to refine the Cal Poly demand patterns. The demand
patterns are shown in Figure A-2.
1/8/2018
Page A-2
City SAY Model Update TM
Page 345 of 422
Safe Annual Yield Analysis Update
Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs Safe Annual Yield
�WS C
WATER SYST EM5 CONSULTO NG, INC.
18.00%
16.00%
14.00%
v_ 12.00%
a
10.00%
8.00%
M
E
Q 6.00%
T
4.00%
0
2 2.00%
0.00% -
1 2 3 4 5
--*—City Monthly Demand Multiplier
Cal Poly AG Monthly Demand Multiplier
f CIVIC Monthly Demand Multiplier
6 7 8 9 10 11
Month
—i— Cayucos Deliveries Monthly Demand Multiplier
--*—Cal Poly Domestic Monthly Demand Multiplier
Figure A-2. Demand Patterns
12
Calculations Tab
The Calculations tab has inputs and formulas organized in a progression from left to right, with one row for
every month. Row 7 on the Calculations tab defines whether a column is an input value or a formula. Input
values are historical monthly hydrologic inputs including natural inflow volume, precipitation depth, and
evaporation depth. Input values should be added to the model as new data is collected over time. As input
values are added, the remainder of the cells in that row should be populated by dragging down the formulas
from the cell above.
Column Descriptions Tab
This tab contains descriptions for each column on the Calculations tab. Column descriptions include a written
description and a display of the respective formula. This tab provides more detailed information about the
calculations embedded in the spreadsheet.
1/8/2018 Page A-3
City SAY Model Update TM
Page 346 of 422
7020 Urban Water Management Plan
Appendix VI AWWA Water Loss Audits
Page 347 of 422
Click to access definition Water Audit Report for: City of San Luis Obispo (4010009)
Click to add a comment Reporting Year: 2016 1/2016 - 12/2016
Please enter data in the white cells below. Where available, metered values should be used; if metered values are unavailable please estimate a value. Indicate your confidence in the accuracy of the
input data by grading each component (n/a or 1-10) using the drop -down list to the left of the input cell. Hover the mouse over the cell to obtain a description of the grades
All volumes to be entered as: ACRE-FEET PER YEAR
To select the correct data grading for each input, determine the highest grade where
the utility meets or exceeds all criteria for that grade and all grades below it. Master Meter and Supply Error Adjustments
WATER SUPPLIED <----------- Enter grading in column 'E' and 'J-----------> Pcnt: Value:
Volume from own sources: 0 M 3 4,990.930 acre-ft/yr 0� 3 ® O acre-ft/yr
Water imported:= n/a acre-ft/yr 0� ® _[� acre-ft/yr
Water exported: 3 471.180 acre-ft/yr 0 _ ® O �] acre-ft/yr
Enter negative % or value for under -registration
WATER SUPPLIED: 1 4,519.750 acre-ft/yr Enter positive % or value for over -registration
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION Click here:
Billed metered: 0 3 3,990.463 acre-ft/yr for help using option
Billed unmetered: !m a n/a acre-ft/yr buttons below
Unbilled metered: 0 a 4 2.305 acre-ft/yr Pcnt: Value:
Unbilled unmetered: q 5 11.299 acre-ft/yr O ® II 11.299 acre-ft/yr
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION: 4,004.067 acre-ft/yr Use buttons to select
percentage of water
supplied
OR
WATER LOSSES (Water Supplied - Authorized Consumption) 515.683 acre-ft/yr value
Apparent Losses Pcnt: v Value:
Unauthorized consumption: 0 11.299I acre-ft/yr I 0.25% ® O 11 acre-ft/yr
Default option selected for unauthorized consumption - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Customer metering inaccuracies:0MF 81.485 acre-ft/yr
Systematic data handling errors: 0 W 9.976 acre-ft/yr
Default option selected for Systematic data handling errors - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Apparent Losses: A 102.761 acre-ft/yr
Real Losses (Current Annual Real Losses or CARL)
Real Losses = Water Losses - Apparent Losses: a
NON -REVENUE WATER
WATER LOSSES:
412.923 acre-ft/yr
515.683 acre-ft/yr
NON -REVENUE WATER: AI acre-ft/yr
= Water Losses + Unbilled Metered + Unbilled Unmetered
SYSTEM DATA
Length of mains: 0 = s 176.8 miles
Number of active AND inactive service connections: 0 11,000
Service connection density: 62 conn./mile main
2.00%
O
0.25%1
®
O
Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop or property line? L Yes (length of service line, beyond the property
Average length of customer service line: 0 a boundary, that is the responsibility of the utility)
Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading score of 10 has been applied
Average operating pressure: 00E-21, 70.0 psi
COST DATA
Total annual cost of operating water system: 0
Customer retail unit cost (applied to Apparent Losses): 0
Variable production cost (applied to Real Losses): 0
WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY SCORE:
�o
$17,959,132
s
$8.84
a
$265.14
*** YOUR SCORE IS: 43 out of 100 ***
$/Year
$/100 cubic feet (ccf)
$/acre-ft ❑ Use Customer Retail Unit Cost to value real losses
A weighted scale for the components of consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION:
Based on the information provided, audit accuracy can be improved by addressing the following components:
1: Volume from own sources
2: Billed metered
3: Customer metering inaccuracies
acre-ft/yr
acre-ft/yr
AWWA Free Water Audit Software v5.0 Reporting Worksftbe 148 Of 422
Click to access definition Water Audit Report for: City of San Luis Obispo (4010009)
Click to add a comment Reporting Year: 2017 1/2017 - 1212017
Please enter data in the white cells below. Where available, metered values should be used; if metered values are unavailable please estimate a value. Indicate your confidence in the accuracy of the
input data by grading each component (n/a or 1-10) using the drop -down list to the left of the input cell. Hover the mouse over the cell to obtain a description of the grades
All volumes to be entered as: ACRE-FEET PER YEAR
To select the correct data grading for each input, determine the highest grade where
the utility meets or exceeds all criteria for that grade and all grades below it. Master Meter and Supply Error Adjustments
WATER SUPPLIED <----------- Enter grading in column 'E' and 'J-----------> Pcnt: Value:
Volume from own sources: 0 3 5,296.150 acre-ft/yr 0 3 ® O acre-ft/yr
Water imported: n/a acre-ft/yr o a ® O acre-ft/yr
Water exported: 0 3 435.310 acre-ft/yr 0 ® O acre-ft/yr
Enter negative % or value for under -registration
WATER SUPPLIED: 4,860.840 acre-ft/yr Enter positive % or value for over -registration
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION
Billed metered: 0 0 3 4,281.000 acre-ft/yr
Billed unmetered: 0 n/a acre-ft/yr
Unbilled metered: 0 5 9.780 acre-ft/yr
Unbilled unmetered: 0 5 12.152 acre-ft/yr
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION: 4,302.932 acre-ft/yr
WATER LOSSES (Water Supplied - Authorized Consumption) 557.908 acre-ft/yr
Apparent Losses
Unauthorized consumption: 12.1521 acre-ft/yr
Default option selected for unauthorized consumption - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Customer metering inaccuracies: 0 A F3] 132.705 acre-ft/yr
Systematic data handling errors: 0= 1 10.703 acre-ft/yr
Default option selected for Systematic data handling errors - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Apparent Losses: W F_155.559 acre-ft/yr
Real Losses (Current Annual Real Losses or CARL)
Real Losses = Water Losses - Apparent Losses: a
NON -REVENUE WATER
WATER LOSSES:
402.349 acre-ft/yr
557.908 acre-ft/yr
NON -REVENUE WATER: 0 579.8401 acre-ft/yr
= Water Losses + Unbilled Metered + Unbilled Unmetered
SYSTEM DATA
Length of mains: o a s 178.0 miles
Number of active AND inactive service connections: t 11,000
Service connection density: 62 conn./mile main
Click here: lik
for help using option
buttons below
Pcnt: Value:
O l�I12.152 acre-ft/yr
Use buttons to select
percentage of water
supplied
OR
vTe
Pcnt: V Value:
0.25% ® O 11 acre-ft/yr
3.00%
®
O
0.25%1
®
O
Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop or property line? Yes (length of service line, beyond the property
Average length of customer service line: 0 boundary, that is the responsibility of the utility)
Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading score of 10 has been applied
Average operating pressure: 0 M F 70.0 psi
COST DATA
Total annual cost of operating water system: 0 A
Customer retail unit cost (applied to Apparent Losses): 0 0
Variable production cost (applied to Real Losses): 0
WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY SCORE:
10
$20,152,788
s
$8.15
4
$267.36
$/Year
$/100 cubic feet (ccf)
$/acre-ft ❑ Use Customer Retail Unit Cost to value real losses
*** YOUR SCORE IS: 45 out of 100 ***
A weighted scale for the components of consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION:
Based on the information provided, audit accuracy can be improved by addressing the following components:
1: Volume from own sources
2: Billed metered
3: Customer metering inaccuracies
acre-ft/yr
acre-ft/yr
AWWA Free Water Audit Software v5.0 Reporting Worksf be 149 Of 422
Click to access definition Water Audit Report for: City of San Luis Obispo (4010009)
Click to add a comment Reporting Year: 2016 1/2016 - 12/2016
Please enter data in the white cells below. Where available, metered values should be used; if metered values are unavailable please estimate a value. Indicate your confidence in the accuracy of the
input data by grading each component (n/a or 1-10) using the drop -down list to the left of the input cell. Hover the mouse over the cell to obtain a description of the grades
All volumes to be entered as: ACRE-FEET PER YEAR
To select the correct data grading for each input, determine the highest grade where
the utility meets or exceeds all criteria for that grade and all grades below it.
WATER SUPPLIED
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION
<----------- Enter grading in column 'E' and 'J----------->
Volume from own sources: 0 M 3 4,990.930 acre-ft/yr 0�
Water imported:= n/a acre-ft/yr 0�
Water exported: 0 3 471.180 acre-ft/yr 0
Master Meter and Supply Error Adjustments
Pcnt: Value:
3 ® O acre-ft/yr
0 acre-ft/yr
1 0 O I acre-ft/yr
Enter negative % or value for under -registration
WATER SUPPLIED: 1 4,519.750 acre-ft/yr Enter positive % or value for over -registration
Billed metered: 0 3 3,990.463
Billed unmetered: !m a n/a
Unbilled metered: 0 a 4 2.305
Unbilledunmetered:Mn, 5 11.299
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION: 0
Click here:
acre-ft/yr for help using option
acre-ft/yr buttons below
acre-ft/yr Pcnt: Value:
acre-ft/yr 0 0 1I11.299 acre-ft/yr
4,004.067 acre-ft/yr
WATER LOSSES (Water Supplied - Authorized Consumption) 515.683 acre-ft/yr
Apparent Losses
Unauthorized consumption: 0 11.299I acre-ft/yr
Default option selected for unauthorized consumption - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Customer metering inaccuracies:0MF 81.485 acre-ft/yr
Systematic data handling errors: 0 W 9.976 acre-ft/yr
Default option selected for Systematic data handling errors - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Apparent Losses: A 102.761 acre-ft/yr
Real Losses (Current Annual Real Losses or CARL)
Real Losses = Water Losses - Apparent Losses: a
NON -REVENUE WATER
WATER LOSSES:
412.923 acre-ft/yr
515.683 acre-ft/yr
NON -REVENUE WATER: AI acre-ft/yr
= Water Losses + Unbilled Metered + Unbilled Unmetered
SYSTEM DATA
Length of mains: 0 = s 176.8 miles
Number of active AND inactive service connections: 0 11,000
Service connection density: 62 conn./mile main
Use buttons to select
percentage of water
supplied
OR
....... value
Pcnt: v Value:
0.25% 0 O 11 acre-ft/yr
2.00%
®
O
0.25%
®
O
Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop or property line? L Yes (length of service line, beyond the property
Average length of customer service line: 0 a boundary, that is the responsibility of the utility)
Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading score of 10 has been applied
Average operating pressure: 00E-21, 70.0 psi
COST DATA
Total annual cost of operating water system: 0
Customer retail unit cost (applied to Apparent Losses): 0
Variable production cost (applied to Real Losses): 0
WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY SCORE:
�o
$17,959,132
s
$8.84
a
$265.14
*** YOUR SCORE IS: 43 out of 100 ***
$/Year
$/100 cubic feet (ccf)
$/acre-ft ❑ Use Customer Retail Unit Cost to value real losses
A weighted scale for the components of consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION:
Based on the information provided, audit accuracy can be improved by addressing the following components:
1: Volume from own sources
2: Billed metered
3: Customer metering inaccuracies
acre-ft/yr
acre-ft/yr
AWWA Free Water Audit Software v5.0 Reporting Worksftbe 150 Of 422
A
Click to access definition Water Audit Report for: City of San Luis Obispo (CA4010009)
Click to add a comment Reporting Year: 2019 11 1/2019-12/2019 '
Please enter data in the white cells below. Where available, metered values should be used; if metered values are unavailable please estimate a value. Indicate your confidence in the accuracy of the
input data by grading each component (n/a or 1-10) using the drop -down list to the left of the input cell. Hover the mouse over the cell to obtain a description of the grades
All volumes to be entered as: ACRE-FEET PER YEAR
To select the correct data grading for each input, determine the highest grade where
the utility meets or exceeds all criteria for that grade and all grades below it. Master Meter and Supply Error Adjustments
WATER SUPPLIED <----------- Enter grading in column 'E' and 'J-----------> Pcnt: Value:
Volume from own sources: I a M 5,065.140 acre-ft/yr 0 O acre-ft/yr
Water imported: ,s acre-ft/yr i7l,
® OJacre-ft/yr
Water exported: , 522.060 acre-ft/yr 0 O 11 acre-ft/yr
Enter negative % or value for under -registration
WATER SUPPLIED: 4,543.080 acre-ft/yr Enter positive % or value for over -registration
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION
Billed metered: A
Billed unmetered: I
Unbilled metered:
Unbilled unmetered: A
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION: 0
5
4,198.605
n/a
0.000
10
2.431
2.500
Click here:
acre-ft/yr for help using option
buttons below
acre-ft/yr
acre-ft/yr Pcnt: Value:
acre-ft/yr O 0 _] 2.500]acre-ft/yr
4,203.536 acre-ft/yr
WATER LOSSES (Water Supplied - Authorized Consumption) 339.544, acre-ft/yr
Apparent Losses
Unauthorized consumption: 11.358 acre-ft/yr
Default option selected for unauthorized consumption - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Customer metering inaccuracies: 7 A F 85.735 acre-ft/yr
Systematic data handling errors: so 10.497 acre-ft/yr
Default option selected for Systematic data handling errors - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Apparent Losses: 107.590 acre-ft/yr
Real Losses (Current Annual Real Losses or CARL
Real Losses = Water Losses - Apparent Losses: a
NON -REVENUE WATER
WATER LOSSES:
231.954 acre-ft/yr
339.544 acre-ft/yr
NON -REVENUE WATER: a F_344.475 acre-ft/yr
= Water Losses + Unbilled Metered + Unbilled Unmetered
SYSTEM DATA
Length of mains: 0 a s 164.1 miles
Number of active AND inactive service connections: s 15,291
Service connection density: A 93 conn./mile main
Use buttons to select
percentage of water
supplied
OR
value
Pcnt: v Value:
0.25% ® O 11 acre-ft/yr
2.00%
®
0
0.259/61
®
O
Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop or property line? Yes (length of service line, beyond the property boundary,
Average length of customer service line: 0 A that is the responsibility of the utility)
Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading score of 10 has been applied
Average operating pressure: = 0 = 70.01 psi
COST DATA
Total annual cost of operating water system: 0
Customer retail unit cost (applied to Apparent Losses): 0
Variable production cost (applied to Real Losses):
WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY SCORE:
�o
$19,323,017
s
$7.62
4
$268.77
*** YOUR SCORE IS: 53 out of 100 ***
$/Year
$/100 cubic feet (ccf)
$/acre-ft ❑ Use Customer Retail Unit Cost to value real losses
A weighted scale for the components of consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION:
Based on the information provided, audit accuracy can be improved by addressing the following components:
1: Volume from own sources
2: Billed metered
3: Customer metering inaccuracies
acre-ft/yr
acre-ft/yr
AWWA Free Water Audit Software v5.0 Reporting WorksOgbe 151 Of 422
0 Click to access definition Water Audit Report for: City of San Luis Obispo CA4010009
Click to add a comment Reporting Year: 2020 11 1/2020-12/2020
Please enter data in the white cells below. Where available, metered values should be used; if metered values are unavailable please estimate a value. Indicate your confidence in the accuracy of the
input data by grading each component (n/a or 1-10) using the drop -down list to the left of the input cell. Hover the mouse over the cell to obtain a description of the grades
All volumes to be entered as: ACRE-FEET PER YEAR
To select the correct data grading for each input, determine the highest grade where
the utility meets or exceeds all criteria for that grade and all grades below it. Master Meter and Supply Error Adjustments
WATER SUPPLIED <----------- Enter grading in column'E' and'J-----------> Pcnt: Value:
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION
Volume from own sources: 0
Water imported: 0 A
Water exported: 0
WATER SUPPLIED:
Billed metered: 0A
Billed unmetered:
Unbilled metered:
Unbilled unmetered: 09
5,261.420
n/a
3
1 444.610
acre-ft/yr 0
acre-ft/yr 0
acre-f/yr O
4,816.810 acre-ft/yr
5
4,348.870
n/a
0.000
10
2.431
2.500
acre-ft/yr
acre-f/yr
acre-ft/yr
acre-f/yr
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION:1 4,353.801 acre-f /yr
WATER LOSSES (Water Supplied - Authorized Consumption) 463.009 acre-ft/yr
Apparent Losses
Unauthorized consumption: 0 0 12.042 acre-f /yr
3 acre-ft/yr
0 acre-fyr
9 Q Q 1 acre-f/yr
Enter negative % or value for under -registration
Enter positive % or value for over -registration
Click here: 0
for help using option
buttons below
Pcnt: Value:
:1_(0)12.500 acre-ftlyr
•••.. Use buttons to select
percentage of water
supplied
OR
""' value
Pcnt: T Value:
0.25% acre-ftlyr
Default option selected for unauthorized consumption - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Customer metering inaccuracies: 00 0 88.802 acre-f /yr 2.00% acre-f /yr
Systematic data handling errors: 00 10.872 acre-ft/yr 0.25% 4 acre-ft/yr
Default option selected for Systematic data handling errors - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed
Apparent Losses: 0 1 111.716 acre-ft/yr
Real Losses (Current Annual Real Losses or CARL)
Real Losses = Water Losses - Apparent Losses:
WATER LOSSES:
351.293 acre-f /yr
463.009 acre-f /yr
NON -REVENUE WATER
NON -REVENUE WATER: 467.940 acre-f/yr
= Water Losses + Unbilled Metered + Unbilled Unmetered
SYSTEM DATA
Length of mains: ME a 164.1 miles
Number of active AND inactive service connections: 0 P. 15,291
Service connection density: 0 93 conn./mile main
Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop or property line? Yes (length of service line, beyond the property
Average length of customer service line: 0A boundary, that is the responsibility of the utility)
Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading score of 10 has been applied
Average operating pressure: no 07 70.0 psi
LK4,1119r7_\r_7
Total annual cost of operating water system: 0 a
Customer retail unit cost (applied to Apparent Losses): 00
Variable production cost (applied to Real Losses): 0 A
10
$19,323,011
s
$7.62
4
$268.77
$/Year
$/100 cubic feet ccf
$/acre-ft ❑ Use Customer Retail Unit Cost to value real losses
WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY SCORE:
*** YOUR SCORE IS: 53 out of 100 ***
A weighted scale for the components of consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION:
Based on the information provided, audit accuracy can be improved by addressing the following components:
1: Volume from own sources
2: Billed metered
3: Customer metering inaccuracies
AWWAFree Water Audit Softwarev5.0 Rep fi Wor �2tof1422
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Appendix V. 2020 Annual Water Quality Report
Page 353 of 422
L WATER
LITY
PORT
REPORTING YEAR 2020
r
`f
i�
t
Presented BY � i
City of San Luis Obispo
G�j
Utilities Department 879 Morro Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre su agua potable. Traduzcalo o hable con alguien que to entienda bien. Page 354 Of 422
PWS ID#: 4010009
Public Meetings
ity Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday
of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 990 Palm Street,
San Luis Obispo. A public comment period is held at the
beginning of each meeting.
Emergency Public Meeting Procedure due to COVID-19
Based on the threat of COVID-19, as reflected in the Proclamations
of Emergency issued by the Governor of the State of California,
the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services Director, and
the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as well as the
Governor's Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March 17, 2020,
relating to the convening of public meetings in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San Luis Obispo will be
holding all public meetings via teleconference. There will be no
physical location for the public to attend the meeting.
Using the most rapid means of communication available at
this time, members of the public are encouraged to participate
in council meetings in the following ways: View the webinar.
Information is available on the city's website at https://www.
slocity.org/
Source Water Assessment
Assessments of the drinking water sources for the City
l-I.Of San Luis Obispo have been conducted. These
sources include Salinas Reservoir, Whale Rock Reservoir,
Nacimiento Lake, and Pacific Beach Well. These sources
are considered most vulnerable to the following activities
not associated with any detected contaminants: grazing,
managed forests, recreational areas, septic systems, sewer
collection systems, gas stations.
A copy of the complete assessment is available from the
SWRCB Division of Drinking Water, 1180 Eugenia
Place, Suite 200, Carpinteria, California, 93013 or the
City of San Luis Obispo, 879 Morro Street, San Luis
Obispo, California, 93401.
Where Does My Water Come From?
he City of San Luis Obispo is fortunate to have several
sources of water. The Salinas Reservoir (also known as
Santa Margarita Lake, eight miles east of Santa Margarita),
Whale Rock Reservoir (Cayucos), and Nacimiento Lake
(16 miles northwest of Paso Robles) are the main supplies.
The surface water from the three lakes is treated at the
Stenner Creek Water Treatment Plant. During 2020, the
treatment plant delivered 1.71 billion gallons of water to
San Luis Obispo.
The Benefits of Fluoridation
Our water system treats your water by adding fluoride to
the naturally occurring level to help prevent dental caries
in consumers. State regulations require the fluoride levels in the
treated water be maintained within a range of 0.6 to 1.2 ppm with
an optimum dose of 0.7 ppm. Our monitoring showed that the
fluoride levels in the treated water ranged from 0.0 to 0.9 ppm
with an average of 0.59 ppm. Information about fluoridation,
oral health, and current issues is available from http://wwwswrcb.
ca.gov/drinking_water/cerdic/drinkingwater/Fluoridation.shtml.
Important Health Information
Some people maybe more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking
water than the general population. Immunocompromised
persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy,
persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with
HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and
infants may be particularly at risk from infections. These people
should seek advice about drinking water from their
health care providers. The U.S. EPA/CDC
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the
risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other
microbial contaminants are available from _
the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)
426-4791 or http://water.epa.gov/drink/ -
hotline.
For more information about this report, or for any questions relating to your drinking
water, please contact Jason Meeks, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor, at (805) 781-7566 or
imeeks@slocity.org.
Page 355 of 422
Substances That Could Be in Water
Water Treatment Process
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled
water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs,
and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through
the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some
cases, radioactive material and can pick up substances resulting
from the presence of animals or from human activity.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the State
Water Resources Control Board (State Board) prescribe
regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in
water provided by public water systems. The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration regulations and California law also establish
limits for contaminants in bottled water that provide the same
protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled
water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small
amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants
does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may
come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural
livestock operations, and wildlife; Inorganic Contaminants, such
as salts and metals, that can be naturally occurring or can result
from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming; Pesticides
and Herbicides that may come from a variety of sources such
as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses;
Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile
organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes
and petroleum production and which can also come from gas
stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural applications, and
septic systems; Radioactive Contaminants that can be naturally
occurring or can be the result of oil and gas production and
mining activities.
More information about contaminants and potential health
effects can be obtained by calling the U.S. EPAs Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
a
4!
The treatment process consists of a series of steps referred to
as conventional surface water treatment. First, raw water
is drawn from our water sources and sent to an ozone contact
basin, which provides primary disinfection and oxidation of
the high iron levels that are present in the water. The water
then goes to a mixing tank, where aluminum sulfate and
cationic polymer are added. The addition of these substances
causes small particles (called floc) to adhere to one another,
making them heavy enough to settle into a basin, from which
sediment is removed. At this point, the water is filtered through
layers of anthracite and silicate sand. As smaller suspended
particles are removed, turbidity disappears and clear water
emerges. Chlorine is added as a precaution against any bacteria
that may still be present. We carefully monitor the amount
of chlorine, adding the lowest quantity necessary to protect
the safety of your water without compromising taste. Finally,
fluoride (to prevent tooth decay) and a corrosion inhibitor (to
protect distribution system pipes) are added before the water
is pumped to sanitized underground reservoirs and water tanks
and into your home or business.
Lead in Home Plumbing
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health
problems, especially for pregnant women and young
children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials
and components associated with service lines and home
plumbing. We are responsible for providing high -quality
drinking water, but we cannot control the variety of materials
used in plumbing components. When your water has been
sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for
lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two
minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. (If you
do so, you may wish to collect the flushed water and reuse
it for another beneficial purpose, such as watering plants.) If
you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to
have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water,
testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure
is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)
426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Now
Page 356 of 422
Test Results
Drinking water is monitored for many different kinds of substances on a very strict sampling schedule. The water delivered must meet specific health standards. This report only shows
substances that were detected in the city's drinking water (a complete list of all analytical results is available upon request). Remember that detecting a substance does not mean the
water is unsafe to drink; the goal is to keep all detects below respective maximum allowed levels.
The state recommends monitoring for certain substances less than once per year because the concentrations of these substances do not change frequently. In these cases, the most recent
sample data are included, along with the year in which the sample was taken.
The City of San Luis Obispo participated in the fourth stage of the U.S. EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR4) program by performing additional tests on our
drinking water. UCMR4 sampling benefits the environment and public health by providing the U.S. EPA with data on the occurrence of contaminants suspected to be in drinking water
in order to determine if U.S. EPA needs to introduce new regulatory standards to improve drinking water quality. Unregulated contaminant monitoring data are available to the public, so
please feel free to contact us if you are interested in obtaining that information. If you would like more information on the U.S. EPAs Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, please
call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
SUBSTANCE YEAR
I
(MCLG)
AMOUNT
RANGE
(UNIT OF MEASURE) SAMPLED
[MRDLG]
DETECTED
LOW -HIGH
VIOLATI
Aluminum (ppm) 2020
1
0.6
0.079
0.06-0.1
No
Chlorine (ppm) 2020
[4.0 (as C12)]
[4 (as C12)]
0.81
I 0.02-1.6
No
Control of DBP Precursors 2020
TT
NA
27
3-54
No
[TOC]' (percent removal)
Fluoride (ppm) 2020
2.0
1
0.59
ND-0.9
No
Gross Alpha Particle Activity 2011
15
(0)
0.0145
ND-0.029
No
(pCi/L)
Haloacetic Acids' (ppb) I 2020
I 60
NA
I 39
I 16-77
I No
Hexavalent Chromium (ppb) 2015
104
0.02
2.0
ND-12.0
No
TTHMs [Total 2020
80
NA
43
17-74
No
Trihalomethanes]' (ppb)
I
Turbidity' (NTU) 2020
I TT
NA
0.18
0.05-0.18
No
Turbidity (lowest monthly percent 2020
TT = 95% of samples
I NA
100
NA
No
of samples meeting limit)
meet the limit
Tap water samples were collected for lead and copper analyses from sample sites throughout the community
Erosion of natural deposits; residue from some surface water treatment processes
Drinking water disinfectant added for treatment
Various natural and human -made sources
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge
from fertilizer and aluminum factories
Erosion of natural deposits
By-product of drinking water disinfection
Discharge from electroplating factories, leather tanneries, wood preservation,
chemical synthesis, refractory production, and textile manufacturing facilities;
erosion of natural deposits
By-product of drinking water disinfection
Soil runoff
Soil runoff
SUBSTANCE
AMOUNT
SITES
(UNIT OF
YEAR
PHG
DETECTED
ABOVE AL/
MEASURE) ,
SAMPLED
AL (MCLG)
(90TH %ILE)
TOTAL SITES
VIOLATION TYPICAL SOURCE
Copper (ppm)
2019
1.3 0.3
0.188
0/30
No Internal corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives
Lead (ppb)
2019
15 0.2
ND
0/30
1 No Internal corrosion of household water plumbing systems; discharges from industrial manufacturers; erosion of natural deposits
Page 357 of 422
SECONDARY SUBSTANCES
UNREGULATED AND OTHER SUBSTANCES 6
Definitions
90th %ile: The levels reported for lead
and copper represent the 90th percentile of
the total number of sites tested. The 90th
percentile is equal to or greater than 90%
of our lead and copper detections.
AL (Regulatory Action Level): The
concentration of a contaminant which,
if exceeded, triggers treatment or other
requirements that a water system must
follow.
MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level):
The highest level of a contaminant that is
allowed in drinking water. Primary MCLs
are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs)
as is economically and technologically
feasible. Secondary MCLs (SMCLs) are set
to protect the odor, taste, and appearance
of drinking water.
MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level
Goal): The level of a contaminant in
drinking water below which there is no
known or expected risk to health. MCLGs
are set by the U.S. EPA.
MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant
Level): The highest level of a disinfectant
allowed in drinking water. There is
convincing evidence that addition of a
disinfectant is necessary for control of
microbial contaminants.
MRDLG (Maximum Residual
Disinfectant Level Goal): The level
of a drinking water disinfectant below
which there is no known or expected
risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect
the benefits of the use of disinfectants to
control microbial contaminants.
NA: Not applicable
ND (Not detected): Indicates that the
substance was not found by laboratory
analysis.
NS: No standard
NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units):
Measurement of the clarity, or turbidity, of
water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just
noticeable to the average person.
pCi/L (picocuries per liter): A measure of
radioactivity.
PDWS (Primary Drinking Water
Standard): MCLs and MRDLs for
contaminants that affect health, along
with their monitoring and reporting
requirements and water treatment
requirements.
PHG (Public Health Goal): The level of
a contaminant in drinking water below
which there is no known or expected risk
to health. PHGs are set by the California
EPA.
ppb (parts per billion): One part
substance per billion parts water (or
micrograms per liter).
ppm (parts per million): One part
substance per million parts water (or
milligrams per liter).
TT (Treatment Technique): A required
process intended to reduce the level of a
contaminant in drinking water.
µmho/cm (micromhos per centimeter):
A unit expressing the amount of electrical
conductivity of a solution.
2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Appendix V. Draft Mandatory Water Conservation Ordinance
Page 359 of 422
Draft ORDINANCE NO. (2021 Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
ESTABLISHING A MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City has experienced multiple years of below normal rainfall; and
WHEREAS, the City's reservoirs have an estimated five-year water storage capacity; and
WHEREAS, City policy requires that when there is an estimated five-year water storage
capacity remaining in the City's reservoirs that mandatory conservation measures be
implemented.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. The City has established the following water allocation method for each
customer classification.
Single-family Residential - A per capita allotment of gallons per day will be assigned to
each single-family residence based on the water shortage stage the City is entering. The per
capita allotment may be reduced in each subsequent water shortage stage. Additional water
would be allocated dependent on verification of the actual number of people in a household.
Multi family Residential - A per capita allotment of gallons per day based on a three -
person household will be assigned to each multi -family residence. If there are more than three
people in the household, additional water would be allocated dependent on verification of the
actual number of person in the household.
Commercial - Commercial customers will receive an allocation using a percent reduction
methodology based on the average of the previous three years of water use. An optional baseline
standard allocation will also be available to commercial customers.
Institutional - Institutional customers will receive an allocation using a percent reduction
methodology based on the average of the previous three years of water use.
Landscape Meters - Landscape only metered customers will receive an allocation using a
percent reduction methodology based on the average of the previous three years of water use.
Excessive Water Use Penalties - Customers exceeding their assigned allocation will pay a 100
percent surcharge of the water portion of their bill. If the customer exceeds the base allocation
assigned to their account, a 200 percent surcharge will be assessed.
SECTION 2. A summary of this ordinance, approved by the City Attorney, together
with the names of the Council members voting for and against it, shall be published at least five
days prior to its final passage, in the New Times, a newspaper published and circulated in this
City. This ordinance will go into effect at the expiration of thirty (30) days after its final
passage.
Page 360 of 422
INTRODUCED on the day of 2021 AND FINALLY ADOPTED by the
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the day of 2021, on the following roll call
vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Mayor Heidi Harmon
ATTEST:
Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
J. Christine Dietrick, City Attorney
Page 361 of 422
Page 362 of 422
2020 Water Shortage
Contingency Plan
This plan was adopted on June _, 2021
pursuant to
San Luis Obispo City Council Resolution
No. (2021 series).
San Luis Obispo City Council
Heidi Harmon, Mayor
Erica A. Stewart, Vice Mayor
Carlyn Christianson
Jan Marx
Andy Pease
Plan Prepared by:
City of San Luis Obispo, Utilities Department
879 Morro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401
The City's 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan is available for public review at the
City's web page at slowater.org
For 2020, the City's Water Shortage Continency Plan is published separately from the 2020 Urban Water
Management Plan consistent with State requirements. The 2020 Urban Water Management Plan is also available for
public review at the City's web page at slowater.org
Page 363 of 422
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Contents
1.
Water Supply Reliability Analysis...............................................................................................
WSCP-1
2.
Annual Water Shortage Assessment.........................................................................................
WSCP-4
3.
Water Shortage Response.........................................................................................................
WSCP-4
4.
Water Shortage Stages..............................................................................................................
WSCP-5
5.
Aerial Imagery Based Water Budgets......................................................................................
WSCP-13
6.
Exemptions and Appeals..........................................................................................................
WSCP-13
7.
Revenue and Expenditure Impacts..........................................................................................
WSCP-14
8.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Refinement Procedures................................................................
WSCP-14
9.
Catastrophic Water Supply Interruption...................................................................................
WSCP-14
10.
Required Standardized Tables.................................................................................................WSCP-15
List of Tables
TABLE 1: Basis of Water Year Data................................................................................................ WSCP-1
TABLE 2: Supply and Demand Comparison (Normal Year)............................................................ WSCP-2
TABLE 3: Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison......................................................... WSCP-2
TABLE 4: Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison....................................................... WSCP-2
TABLE 5: Five Year Drought Risk Assessment (2021-2025).......................................................... WSCP-3
TABLE 6: Reservoir Storage............................................................................................................ WSCP-4
TABLE 7: Water Shortage Response Stages Quick Reference Guide ........................................... WSCP-6
Page 364 of 422
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
The City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) provides the
foundation for a staged response to worsening water shortage
conditions. A water shortage could occur due to drought, The California Department of
earthquake, infrastructure failure, or other emergency. Drought may Water Resources defines
occur with unpredictable frequency, intensity, and duration. drought as:
An update to the City's Water Conservation Ordinance (Chapter "A deficiency of precipitation over
13.07 of the Municipal Code), will establish the regulations and an extended period of time
procedures for implementing this Plan and update the ordinance to resulting in a water shortage for
comply with newer requirements under Water Code Chapter 3.3: some activity, group, or
Excessive Residential Water Use During Drought. A preliminary environmental sector."
draft Water Conservation Ordinance is provided in Appendix VI.
1. WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY ANALYSIS
Water supply reliability is the City's ability to meet the water needs of its customers under varying conditions.
Chapter 6 of the City's Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) assesses water supply reliability by
analyzing the hydrological variability of the City surface water reservoirs (Salinas, Whale Rock, and
Nacimiento), regulatory variability, climate conditions, and other factors that may affect the City's water
supplies and customer water uses. The analysis applies worst -case drought conditions according to
guidelines set forth in the UWMP plan documentation. The following tables provide data on the reliability of
the City's water supply during normal, single -dry, and a severe drought period lasting five consecutive
years. The City remains confident in the reliability of its multi -source water supply portfolio.
Table 1 lists the years which correlate to the guidelines for the specific water year type and are based on
rainfall information. The City's average water year was determined to be 2020 based on review and update
of the City's average rainfall total. The City's single dry water year was determined to be 2013 as the rainfall
total that year was the lowest on record. The City's multiple dry year scenario was determined to be 2011
to 2015 as the combined rainfall total for those five years was the lowest on record.
Table 2, Table 3, and Table 4 summarize the City's water supplies in a normal year, single dry year and a
multiple dry year scenario. To address Water Code Section 10635 (b), Table 5 includes available water
supply and demand estimate for 2021 through 2025. These water demand projections were derived using
117 gpcd and population growth levels identified in the City's General Plan Land Use Element. Both factors
are higher than current gpcd and the current population. The City does not anticipate a water shortage
necessitating any water supply augmentation or requiring water use restrictions if the City entered five
consecutive years of drought.
TABLE 1: Basis of Water Year Data
Year Type
Base
Year(s)
Volume
Available
Average Year
2020
10,143
Single -Dry Year
2013
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, 1st year
2011
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, 2nd year
2012
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, V year
2013
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, 4th year
2014
10,143
Consecutive -Dry Years, 5th year
2015
10,143
NOTES
1. Volume available includes the City's contractual supply to
Nacimiento Reservoir, Safe Annual Yield from Salinas and Whale
Rock Reservoirs, and recycled water.
2. Units are in acre-feet per year.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
WSCP-1
Page 365 of 422
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
TABLE 2: Supply and Demand Comparison (Normal Year)
2020 (actual)
2025
2030
2035
2040
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Demand totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
NOTES
1. Units are in acre-feet per year.
2. Supply total includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento Reservoir, Safe Annual Yield
from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, and projected increases in recycled water deliveries.
3. Water demand projections for 2025 through 2040 were derived using 117 gpcd and population
growth levels identified in the City's General Plan Land Use Element. Both factors are
conservatively higher than the City's 2020 population and actual gpcd (92 gpcd).
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
TABLE 3: Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison
2020
actual
2025
2030
2035
2040
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Demand totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
NOTES
1. Units are in acre-feet per year.
2. Supply total includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento Reservoir,
Safe Annual Yield from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, and projected
increases in recycled water deliveries.
3. Water demand projections for 2025 through 2040 were derived using 117
gpcd and population growth levels identified in the City's General Plan
Land Use Element. Both factors are conservatively higher than the City's
2020 population and actual gpcd (92 gpcd).
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
TABLE 4: Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison
2020
actual
2025
2030
2035
2040
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
First year
Demand totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Second year
Demand totals
4,817
7,272
1 7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Third year
Demand totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Fourth year
Demand totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
Supply totals
10,143
10,337
10,537
10,587
10,637
Fifth year
Demand totals
4,817
7,272
7,713
8,191
8,624
Difference
5,326
3,166
2,824
2,396
2,013
NOTES
1. The urban water targets determined in this UWMP were considered when developing the 2020 water demands
included in this table.
2. Supply total includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento Reservoir, Safe Annual Yield from Salinas
and Whale Rock Reservoirs, and projected increases in recycled water deliveries.
3. Water demand projections for 2025 through 2040 were derived using 117 gpcd and population growth levels
identified in the City's General Plan Land Use Element. Both factors are conservatively higher than the City's
2020 population and actual gpcd (92 gpcd).
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021
WSCP-2
Page 366 of 422
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
TABLE 5: Five Year Drought Risk Assessment (2021-2025)
2021
Total
Total Water Use
6,276
Total Supplies
10,177
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,901
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply au mentation
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,901
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2022
Total
Total Water Use
6,528
Total Supplies
10,217
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,689
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply au mentation
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,689
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2023
Total
Total Water Use
6,593
Total Supplies
10,257
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,664
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply au mentation
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,664
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2024
Total
Total Water Use
6,659
Total Supplies
10,297
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,638
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply au mentation
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,638
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
2025
Total
Total Water Use
6,725
Total Supplies
10,337
Surplus/Shortfall w/o/ WSCP Action
3,612
Planned WSCP Actions use reduction and supply au mentation
WSCP — supply augmentation benefit
0
WSCP — use reduction savings benefit
0
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
3,612
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action
0%
Notes:
1. Units are in acre-feet per year.
2. Supply total includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento Reservoir, Safe Annual Yield from
Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, and projected increases in recycled water deliveries.
3. Water demand projections for 2021 through 2025 were derived using 117 gpcd and population growth
levels identified in the City's General Plan Land Use Element. Both factors are conservatively higher than
the City's 2020 population and actual gpcd (92 gpcd).
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2021.
WSCP-3
Page 367 of 422
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
2. ANNUAL WATER SHORTAGE ASSESSMENT
Consistent with the requirements of the 2020 UWMP, the City will perform a water shortage assessment
each year to review available water supplies and confirm its approach for the coming year. The degree of
the water supply shortage determines the necessary level of response from the City and customers, if any.
This water shortage assessment includes evaluation of the following:
a. Current year water demand across customer categories (residential, the "CI I" sector which includes
commercial, industrial, institutional uses, and irrigation)
b. Water availability at each water supply source
c. Available supplemental water supply options
d. Infrastructure considerations, including planned maintenance, repairs, and upgrades
The City utilizes a Water Projection Model to test both hypothetical and actual water demand scenarios and
to forecast how long water supplies will sustain the community under specific conditions. The Water
Projection Model accounts for the storage in the City's surface water reservoirs, in conjunction with other
available resources (i.e., groundwater and recycled water), needed to meet the City's water demand. The
model uses historical hydrologic information (rainfall, evaporation, inflow) based on the average for the
worst drought period (2012 to 2014). Other data included in the model is:
a. Water entitlement
b. Current reservoir levels/storage
c. Average gallons per capita per day community water demand
d. Rainfall
e. Temperature
f. Evaporation
g. Existing population
h. Population growth
Utilizing the Water Projection Model as part of its water supply management, the City can foresee whether
a water supply shortage is anticipated in any given year, and the severity of a shortage based on the
availability of the City's different sources of supply and water demand trends. The City uses the model to
study the potential impacts of various intensities of drought conditions, including increased temperature and
evaporation rates, along with decreased precipitation.
In accordance with 2018 UWMP requirements, each
year the City will prepare a water supply and demand
assessment, present it to the City Council for review,
and submit its annual Water Shortage Assessment
Report to DWR. The Assessment will be conducted
based on the use of the City's Water Projection Model
and the key data inputs described above to
characterize near -term water supply conditions (i.e., for
the next 12 months). Using the Water Projection Model
described above for 2021, the City has more than ten
years of water available under current water supply and
demand conditions.
TABLE 6: Reservoir Storage
Reservoir
Volume
(Acre -Feet)
Percent of
Capacity
Salinas
16,267
68.23%
Whale Rock
30,050
77.12%
Nacimiento
123,365
32.64%
Notes:
Reservoir volumes are as of 5/13/2021.
Of the total Whale Rock Reservoir volume above,
the City's available balance is 15,295 acre-feet.
Source: https://www.slocity.org/government/depa r
3. WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE tment-directory/utilities-department/water/water-
The City's water shortage response is dependent on sources
the ability to temporarily augment supply and/or reduce
water demand. The City's water shortage response would combine a variety of strategies including
outreach, indoor water efficiency regulations, and outdoor irrigation restrictions, each increasing in intensity
as the shortage persists and the City's water supplies are further restricted. Implementation of these
restrictions is necessary to conserve the City's water supply for the greatest public benefit regarding
domestic use, sanitation, and fire protection. This section describes the general strategies the City will
employ to mitigate the impacts of water shortage on the community.
WSCP-4
Page 368 of 422
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Voluntary Reduction Measures
All customers may be asked to voluntarily reduce their water usage during a water shortage. The City may
provide water conservation tips and suggestions through various public outreach methods, encourage and
distribute conservation devices such as low flow shower heads and faucet aerators, discourage excessive
outdoor watering, and encourage landscaping with drought tolerant plants. Voluntary reductions measures
are described in more detail in Section 4.
Mandatory Reduction Measures
The City may place mandatory reduction measures on certain uses, such as restricting outdoor watering to
prescribed times and number of days per week beginning in the Warning Stage, with days and times for
landscape watering further limited in later stages of the plan. Mandatory reduction measures may limit
specific inefficient methods of irrigation (i.e., overhead spray/sprinkler ban).
The seasonal increase in water demand underscores the importance of implementing outdoor irrigation -
focused reduction programs. Approximately 50 percent of residential water use in San Luis Obispo is for
landscape irrigation. Therefore, restrictions on outdoor water use are generally effective in reducing water
demand. Many outdoor uses are considered discretionary, or nonessential for health and safety purposes,
are highly visible and relatively easy to monitor, and often are a substantial component of water demand,
particularly during the summer months when drought conditions are often most severe.
Water Use Prohibitions
Water use prohibitions will vary by drought stage, with the fundamental purpose of restricting or prohibiting
non -essential uses that are not required for basic health and safety. During a declared water shortage,
specific prohibitions would be described in a Water Shortage Ordinance adopted by the City Council. In the
Critical Stage, all non -essential outdoor water use, except recycled water or grey water, may be prohibited.
The City will adopt regulations at the appropriate water shortage stage to promote water conservation, such
as posting signage at various establishments, offering water audits to maximize water conservation, and
prescribing to customer -specific water budgets (i.e., water allocations).
Supplemental Water Supply Options
During a declared water shortage emergency, the City may also utilize supplemental water supply options,
or acquire a new supply as warranted by the current situation. This may include utilizing more groundwater
and/or expanding the City's use of recycled water. These water supply options may be less desirable during
normal operations due to increased operational costs.
4. WATER SHORTAGE STAGES
The goals of the WSCP are to extend the City's available water resources long enough to gain another
winter rainfall period which could serve to add to reservoir storage. Extending available water resources
through water demand reduction provides time for the City to bring on supplemental water supplies to meet
demand. It is the City's goal to implement water demand reduction programs that will achieve measurable
water savings without requiring customers to make significant lifestyle changes. In the more advanced
water shortage stages lifestyle and water -use habit changes will be necessary.
This section identifies the measures that may be taken at each stage to achieve desired water use reduction
levels. The purpose of establishing water shortage stages is to clearly define the severity of the shortage
and establish appropriate targets for demand reductions. Defining these stages allows the City to respond
to worsening conditions, with each stage "triggering" different actions. The multi -stage approach provides
different levels of response for a water shortage event ranging from a ten percent supply deficiency up to a
50 percent or greater deficiency.
Table 7 provides a quick reference guide to the WSCP, though City Council may adopt variations of these
Water Shortage Response Actions, independent from the stage resulting from the use of the Water
Projection Model, to strategically address the current water shortage situation. Each stage describes
increasing levels of water demand reduction and water supply augmentation methods. As stated previously,
during an actual water shortage emergency, other measures may be imposed. The City Council would
formally declare a water shortage emergency, per Water Code Chapter 3.
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TABLE 7: Water Shortage Response Stages
Quick Reference Guide
STAGE
WATER SUPPLY
STATUS'
CITY ACTIONS
5+ years of
City maintains existing water conservation staffing levels and budget that
Monitor
available water
supports meeting internal water efficiency goals and regulatory
supply
requirements for water conservation, including ongoing public outreach.
City increases programs that encourage voluntary water conservation
< 5 years of
including public outreach, rebate programs, and water efficient fixture
available water
giveaways. City examines available alternative water sources (groundwater
Watch
supply
expansion, recycled water filling stations, water purchase agreements, etc.),
(up to 10% water
City modifies internal operations to focus on decreasing water loss and
shortage)
prepares for subsequent WSCP stages. City ceases any short-term outside -
City water sales/leases.
< 4.5 years of
available water
City implements time of use irrigation restrictions (7:00 PM — 7:00 AM). City
Warning
supply
increases staffing, budget, and outreach to achieve additional voluntary
(up to 20% water
conservation savings while preparing for Alert -Critical stages.
shortage)
< 4 years of
available water
City requires mandatory conservation measures including outdoor irrigation
Alert
supply
restrictions (four day a week watering) and considers a Water Offset
(up to 30% water
Program for new connections.
shortage)
< 3.5 years of
available water
City implements Water Allotment Program. Water Offset Program for new
Severe
supply
connections may be increased (1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio). Allowable irrigation
(up to 40% water
reduced to three days per week.
shortage)
< 3 years of
available water
City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program with reduced
supply
allotment levels. Water Offset Program for new connections may be
increased (1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio). Allowable irrigation reduced to two days
(up to 50% water
per week with optional additional measures limiting turf and spray irrigation.
shortage)
< 2.5 year of
available water
City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program at further reduced
supply
levels (minimum for public health and safety). Irrigation no longer permitted.
(>50% water
Water Offset Program to cease and no new connections permitted.
shortage)
NOTE:
The City's Water Supply Status is informed by the Water Projection Model described in Section 2, Annual Water
Shortage Assessment, of this WSCP.
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Water Shortage Response Stage: MONITOR
The City of San Luis Obispo has made water conservation an integral part of the community's culture and
policy context for managing its water resources. The community has demonstrated a high commitment to
reducing its water usage during water shortages. Although not an actual declaration of a water shortage,
the Water Shortage Contingency Plan's Monitor Stage remains in place at all times along with voluntary
conservation.
This stage is focused on achieving voluntary water savings, as opposed to a mandatory demand reduction
programs. To ensure the City is using water responsibly and remaining in compliance with water efficiency
goals are regulations, the City continually assesses available water supply levels, monitors customer water
demand trends, conducts water loss audits, and evaluates potential supplemental supply projects. The
following are examples of demand management measures that may be taken to maintain water use
efficiency goals:
1. Implement public outreach and communication programs (bill stuffers, social media, etc.)
2. Participate in trade shows, home shows, and special community events
3. Offer complimentary water audits
4. Identify and notify customers of possible leaks and inefficient uses of water
5. Encourage the use of drip irrigation and drought tolerant plants
6. Implement school (K-12) education programs related to water conservation
7. Enforce the water efficiency retrofit program (toilet retrofit upon sale program)
Actions at the Monitor Stage would also include active enforcement of the City's water waste prohibitions,
such as those from Chapter 13.07 of the City's Municipal Code, which defines water waste as follow:
City of San Luis Obispo, Municipal Code
13.07.020 — Water runoff prohibited.
A. No person shall cause any water delivered by the city water system to flow away
from property owned, occupied or controlled by such person in any gutter, ditch or
in any other manner over the surface of the ground, so as to constitute water waste
runoff.
B. "Water waste runoff' means water flowing away from property and which is caused
by excessive application(s) of water beyond reasonable or practical flow rates,
water volumes or duration of application. (Ord. 1089 § 1 (part), 1987)
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Water Shortage Response Stage: WATCH
When the City's available water supply would provide less than five years of water, staff could recommend
to the City Council that they adopt a resolution declaring a water shortage and to enter the Watch Stage
and urge the public to reduce water use by approximately ten percent.
During the Watch Stage, the demand management measures utilized during the Monitor Stage above will
increase along with a continued focus on voluntary water use reduction. The City will also increase public
outreach, implement system and operational changes, increase enforcement actions and patrols, and
undertake other administrative actions. These program expansion and changes may include:
1. Water Demand Reduction Programs:
A. Accelerate water audit programs for all customer classes
B. Identify largest water users in each sector and contact for complementary water audits
C. Increase water waste patrols
D. Conduct water use surveys
E. Implement rebate programs
F. Consider the use of irrigation limitations
G. Host workshops on effective irrigation practices
2. Public Outreach Programs:
A. Issue a press release following Watch Stage declaration
B. Include information in quarterly Resource Newsletter
C. Evaluate outreach effectiveness and expand outreach for non-English languages as needed
D. Update City website and create a page dedicated to information on details of WSCP Watch Stage
E. Use billing inserts to notify public of current situation and needs
F. Coordinate with regional partners on messaging and outreach
G. Increase outreach to Cuesta and Cal Poly students and at public events such as Farmers Market,
SLO Home Show, homeowners association board meetings, meetings with hospitality industry, etc.
H. Focus social media platforms on issues consistent with needed demand reductions
3. System and Operational Changes:
A. Cease any short-term water sales.
B. Reduce water usage for water main flushing and hydrant flushing
C. Reduce distribution system pressure where feasible
D. Increase leak detection, water meter testing, and water meter replacement
E. Require use of non -potable water sources for all street sweeping and hydrocleaning
F. Activate the Drought Taskforce
4. Enforcement Actions:
A. First Violation: Customer Notification and Education
Staff will notify the customer of the particular violation observed, and the demand reduction
programs currently in place. Staff will assist the customer in determining resources necessary to
comply with requirements. Examples of notification include: door tags containing educational
information, mailed letter, and/or personal phone call by staff.
B. Second Violation: Issuance of Notice of Violation
Customer will be issued a written notice of violation (NOV), notifying the customer of specific
violation, date and time the violation was observed, and consequences of subsequent violations.
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C. Subsequent Violations: Customer may be issued a penalty/fine for violation.
5. Other Administrative Actions:
A. Begin drafting ordinance revisions and code changes that would go into effect in subsequent water
shortage stages.
B. Plan for the funding and implementation of specific conservation programs launched in subsequent
water shortage stages.
C. Review potential fiscal impacts of drought (i.e., increased water supply, operational, and capital
costs); and demand reductions (reduced revenue).
D. Identify and plan for the need for additional staff. In planning for additional staff, consideration
should be given to funding, available office space, vehicles, training, and other needed supplies
and support.
E. Consider need for drought surcharge to stabilize revenue.
F. Consider deferring previously scheduled capital projects as necessary to invest in acquisition of
needed water supply sources and demand reductions.
G. Review available supplemental water supply options, such as increased use of groundwater,
utilization of potable reuse, and implementation of residential recycled water filling stations for
landscape irrigation.
Water Shortage Response Stage: WARNING
When the City's available water supply would provide less than 4.5 years of water, staff could recommend
to the City Council that they adopt a resolution to enter the Warning Stage and urge the public to reduce
water use by an additional 10 percent including mandatory conservation measures.
The water conservation measures described in the Monitor and Watch Stages above may increase during
the Warning Stage, with an increased focus on limiting outdoor water uses. System and operational
changes would remain in place. These increases and additions to programs may include:
1. Water Demand Reduction Programs:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all demand reduction programs listed in Watch
Stage.
B. Limit outdoor watering to between the hours of 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
C. Require restaurants to only serve water upon request.
D. Restrict use of decorative water features and fountains.
2. Public Outreach Programs:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all public outreach programs listed in Watch
Stage.
B. Issue a press release following Warning Stage declaration.
C. Target outreach to customers with large landscapes regarding irrigation restrictions.
D. Use of billing inserts, social media, postcards, and direct mail pieces to inform customers of new
requirements and prohibitions.
E. Coordinate with local business groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and landscaping
associations to help encourage conservation among commercial customers.
F. Coordinate with homeowners associations, property rental agencies, and other local groups to help
encourage conservation among residential customers.
3. Enforcement Actions (Same as previous stage)
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4. Other Administrative Actions:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all other administrative actions listed in Watch
Stage.
B. Begin preparing for the Alert Stage.
5. Optional Implementation of a Water Demand Offset Program:
During the Warning Stage, staff will begin updating the Water Demand Offset Program and messaging
about the program to the development community. The City may consider implementing a water
demand offset program during this stage. Water demand offset programs are designed to require new
development that causes increased water demand to offset such demand through conservation or
acquisition/development of new water supplies. The goal of an offset program is to ensure that new
development does not increase current water demands. It should be noted that offset programs simply
expedite water efficiency measures and thus create water savings in the short term. Depending on the
nature of the offset, long-term savings may not be realized.
At the Warning Stage the City may choose to implement a "net neutral" offset program, requiring that
new demands offset usage at a rate of 1:1. Future stages of the WSCP may suggest a more aggressive,
"net positive" water demand offset program. A "net positive" water demand offset program would require
a positive offset of a project's water demand. An example of this would be a project required to offset
its water demand at a ratio higher than 1:1, such as 2:1 or 3:1.
There are several types of offset programs in use across California and the United States. Examples
of potential offset programs are listed below.
A. Toilet replacements
B. Smart irrigation controllers
C. Submetering
D. In -lieu fees (fees are used to support new water supply projects)
E. Irrigation system retrofits
F. Waterless urinals
G. Rainwater capture
H. Recycled Water Retrofit Projects
Water Shortage Response Stage: ALERT
When the City's available water supply would provide less than four years of water, staff could recommend
to the City Council that they adopt a resolution to enter the Alert Stage and urge the public to reduce water
use by an additional 10 percent including mandatory conservation measures.
The water conservation measures described in the stages above may increase during the Alert Stage, with
an increased focus on limiting outdoor water uses. System and operational changes would remain in place.
These increases and additions to programs may include:
1. Water Demand Reduction Programs:
A. Limit outdoor watering to four days a week and only between the hours of 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
B. Defer landscape installations for new development or require development to install landscaping
that provides a 50 percent reduction in Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA). This would
not apply to sites irrigated with recycled water.
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2. Public Outreach Programs:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all public outreach programs listed in previous
stages.
B. Issue a press release following Alert Stage declaration
C. Utilize water use allocation software to identify inefficient water users and make direct contact with
these properties.
3. Enforcement Actions (Same as previous stage)
4. Other Administrative Actions:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all other administrative actions listed in prior
stages.
B. Prepare utility billing system and bill format forwater allocations and reductions listed in subsequent
stages.
C. Establish appeals committee for customers who exceed allotments in subsequent stages, request
health and safety variances, or receive fines from violating water waste prohibitions.
D. Increase utility billing training and support to address additional requirements of future stages.
E. Begin preparing for Severe Stage.
Implementation of a Water Demand Offset Program:
At the Alert Stage the City may implement a "net neutral" offset program or increase a previously approved
program to a "net positive" program (ex: 1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio). Future stages of the WSCP may suggest
a more aggressive, "net positive" water demand offset program.
Water Shortage Response Stage: SEVERE
When the City's available water supply would provide less than 3.5 years of water, staff could recommend
to the City Council that they adopt a resolution to enter the Severe Stage and urge the public to reduce
water use by an additional approximately 10 percent.
At this water shortage response stage, the City would continue implementation of demand reduction
measures, public outreach, enforcement, and other responses and programs described in prior stages.
System and operational changes would remain in place. At the Severe Stage, a water offset program may
increase to a "net positive" program, such as 1.5:1 or 2:1 ratio.
Previous Water Demand Reduction Programs should be increased to include:
• Limit outdoor watering to three days a week and only between the hours of 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
During the Severe, Extreme, and Critical stages of the WSCP the City may adopt a Water Allotment
Program, restricting the water use on an account -by -account basis. The following allotment method may
be used:
Customer Classification
Severe Stage Allotment
Single-family Residential and Multi -family
A per capita allotment allowing for indoor use and a
Residential
minimal outdoor irrigation budget. Verification of persons
per household may be requested
Commercial and Institutional
Baseline allocation or allocation based on percent
reduction from normal usage
Landscape Meters
Allocation based on percent reduction from normal usage
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When the City's available water supply would provide less than three years of water, staff could
recommend to the City Council that they adopt a resolution to enter the Extreme Stage and urge the public
to reduce water use by an additional 10 percent.
At this water shortage response stage, the City would continue implementation of demand reduction
measures, public outreach, enforcement, and other responses and programs described in prior stages.
System and operational changes would remain in place. At the Severe Stage, a water offset program may
increase to a "net positive" program, such as 1.5:1 or 2:1 ratio.
Previous Water Demand Reduction Programs should be increased to include:
• Limit outdoor watering to two days a week and only between the hours of 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
• Optional implementation of additional restrictions on turf and/or spray irrigation.
Customer Classification
Extreme Stage Allotment
Single-family Residential and
A per capita allotment allowing for indoor use and a reduced outdoor
Multi -family Residential
irrigation budget versus the Severe Stage. Verification of persons per
household may be requested
Commercial and Institutional
Reduced baseline allocation or allocation based on percent reduction
from normal usage
Landscape Meters
Reduced allocation based on percent reduction from normal usage
At this stage, due to the limited water supplies that remain, the City could consider removal of the "courtesy
notification."
When the City's available water supply would provide less than 2.5 years of water, staff could recommend
to the City Council that they adopt a resolution to enter the Critical Stage and urge the public to reduce
water use by an additional approximately 10 percent.
At this water shortage response stage, the City would continue implementation of demand reduction
measures, public outreach, enforcement, and other responses and programs described in prior stages.
System and operational changes would remain in place. Due to the limited water supplies that remain, the
City would consider the cessation of new connections to the City's water system.
Previous Water Demand Reduction Programs should be increased to include:
• Cessation of irrigation for all customers, minus specific exemptions.
Customer Classification
Critical Stage Allotment
Single-family Residential and
A per capita allotment allowing for indoor water use. Irrigation not
Multi -family Residential
permitted. Verification of persons per household may be requested
Commercial and Institutional
Reduced baseline allocation or allocation based on percent
reduction from normal usage. Irrigation not permitted.
Landscape Meters
Not permitted.
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5. AERIAL IMAGERY BASED WATER BUDGETS
In 2021, the City is investigating the use of software that would allow for aerial imagery to be used to
establish parcel -by -parcel water budgets during the Severe, Extreme, and Critical stages of the WSCP.
This software utilizes aerial imagery to identify the irrigated, irrigable, and non -irrigable square footage of
every parcel within the City's water service area. These measurements can then be used to establish an
outdoor irrigation budget for each property. If the City invests in this technology, day per week irrigation
restrictions outlined in the WSCP may be replaced by property -specific outdoor irrigation efficiency goals,
requiring that property owners meet increasing efficiency measures at progressive stages of the WSCP.
Additionally, many of these aerial imagery software packages allow for indoor water use budgets to be
established, generally based on the number of residents living within a home, much like the City's water
allocation program identified within the WSCP. The use of this technology in establishing water budgets
would require an update to the City's WSCP prior to implementation.
6. EXEMPTIONS AND APPEALS
As the community was impacted by the 2011-2015 drought and irrigation restrictions were put into place,
community members advocated for certain exemptions related to water use restrictions. The following
series of exemptions will help ensure the health and well-being of the community while not making a
substantial impact on available water supplies' .
Sites using Recycled Water for Irrigation
Sites utilizing recycled water are exempt from irrigation restrictions due to their reliance on recycled water
in place of potable water. These sites include major City parks, such as Damon Garcia Park, French Park,
Islay Park, Laguna Lake Park, Laguna Hills Park, De Vaul Park, the Laguna Lake Golf Course, and Laguna
Middle School, as well as many multifamily and commercial properties.
Irrigation Exceptions at Specific Facilities
During the recent drought City staff and community members provided feedback that City parks with
inadequate irrigation allotments could lead to hazardous conditions at recreation and play environments.
To address these concerns, and to provide communal spaces for recreation during times when many
homes allowed landscapes to die, in 2016 the City Council approved an amendment to Chapter 13.07.030
of the Municipal Code, allowing for daily irrigation at designated City facilities during turf renovation, and
three times per week thereafter. This exemption is recommended to be expanded to include schools within
the City's boundaries as they are used for recreation in a similar manner to City parks. This exemption
would only go into place in stages of the WSCP requiring irrigation restrictions.
Irrigation of Trees
During the 2011-2015 drought, the City heard from many residents who opted to cease irrigation of their
trees in order to reduce their water demand. Unlike turf, shrubs, and other groundcover, trees take a great
amount of time to grow and provide substantial ecological, environmental, practical, and economic value to
the community. An exemption to irrigation restrictions allowing for the use of a hose and shutoff nozzle to
hand water trees will allow the community to preserve this precious multi -benefit resource.
Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities, and other Specific Business Types
Hospitals, healthcare facilities, and other businesses requiring water for the health and safety of at -risk
people may apply for an exemption on a case by case -basis. This exemption may be granted at the
discretion of the Utilities Director or his/her/their designee.
Appeals
Appeals related to water use restrictions within the WSCP and associated penalties may be appealed to
the Utilities Director or his/her/their designee.
' The City does not supply potable water to separately metered water features, such as ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and
fountains.
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REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE IMPACTS
During a water shortage, revenues from water sales can be reduced but the City's operations and
maintenance costs would not reduce accordingly. In fact, during these periods, the City's operational and
staffing budgets can increase due to the implementation of water demand reduction measures, public
outreach, increased enforcement, groundwater exploration, and other actions taken by the City during the
shortage. The reduction in revenues resulting from decreased water use may also result in the need to
raise water rates during that period.
Under the City's existing water rate structure (updated in 2018), water rates include both a base fee and
volumetric charge based on customer usage and resulting demand on the water system. To minimize the
need to raise rates during water shortages, the City has a policy that requires a minimum reserve of twenty
percent of the Water Fund's operating budget. The City also maintains a rate stabilization fund which is ten
percent of rate revenue. This rate stabilization fund is designed to help stabilize rate increases and could
be used to achieve this purpose of costs went up during a water shortage.
City staff provides ongoing tracking of revenues and evaluates the potential impacts associated with
changes in water demand assumptions used in the Water Fund Analysis. The City Council considers the
water rates necessary to provide water service to the community on an annual basis and must approve
water rate increases in order for them to become effective.
In addition to securing water supplies, Water Fund revenue supports ongoing maintenance and operating
programs needed to ensure that the water treatment and delivery systems meet all federal and state water
treatment regulations and are operated and maintained to provide safe and reliable service.
During the 2012-2015 drought, the City utilized a drought surcharge to help with revenue shortfalls that
occurred due to the State of California's mandatory conservation measures. This drought surcharge was
subject to Proposition 218 and expired upon the end of the State of Emergency related to the drought. The
adoption of a temporary drought surcharge remains an option for meeting future drought -related revenue
shortfalls.
8. MONITORING, REPORTING, AND REFINEMENT PROCEDURES
The City reads water meters monthly to ensure water consumption data is collected for tracking, analysis,
and to meet state reporting requirements. Monitoring and reporting key water use metrics is fundamental
to water supply planning and management. Monitoring is also essential to ensure that the response actions
are achieving their intended water use reduction purposes, or if new actions need to be considered.
Compliance tracking is also necessary for an effective enforcement program.
To evaluate the functionality of the WSCP and ensure strategies are effective, staff will monitor community
response to water demand reduction measures, public outreach, enforcement, and other administrative
actions at each water shortage response stage. This will include review of monthly water consumption data
for each customer class and monitoring associated revenue and expenditure impacts. Staff will make
recommendations on program refinements to the City Council with water shortage stage progression.
9. CATASTROPHIC WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION
The City's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) was completed in 2019 as part of a countywide effort. The
LHMP was adopted by the City Council in 2020. This work included risk assessment related to seismic risk
(earthquakes, faults, and liquefaction). The LHMP will be submitted with the 2020 UWMP to satisfy the
requirements of CWC Section 10632.5.
The City has an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to cover a variety of potential disasters including
earthquakes, floods, wildland fires, etc. The ERP identifies resources available to the City from other
agencies or private companies in the area. Additionally, the City of Morro Bay and the Whale Rock
Commission (of which the City of San Luis Obispo is a member) executed an agreement in June of 2000
which provides for Mutual Aid between the agencies during disruption of water deliveries or lack of available
water supplies. The agreement provides a general framework for exchanging water between agencies in
the event of emergencies or other water disruptions. The agreement is voluntary based on each agency's
ability to assist at any point in the future.
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In relation to providing water service, the City would utilize both on -site and portable generators to minimize
water disruptions during an extended power outage. These generators are available to the City at any time
and actively maintained to ensure they are functioning adequately.
The City is a member of the Water Agency Response Network (WARN). WARN is a statewide organization
of water agencies and companies that have entered into a mutual aid agreement to assist other water
agencies during emergencies or other water related situations. The agreement provides the framework for
providing assistance and provides a key contact to initiate a multiple agency response to a water emergency
situation.
10. REQUIRED STANDARDIZED TABLES
Water Shortage
Contingency
Plan Levels
Shortage
Percentage
Level
Shortage
Shortage Response Actions
Range
City increases programs that encourage voluntary water conservation including public
outreach, rebate programs, and water efficient fixture giveaways. City examines
1
Up to 10%
available alternative water sources (groundwater expansion, recycled water filling
stations, water purchase agreements, etc.), City modifies internal operations to focus
on decreasing water loss and prepares for subsequent WSCP stages. City ceases
an outside -City water sales/leases.
City implements time of use irrigation restrictions (7:00 PM — 7:00 AM). City increases
2
Up to 20%
staffing, budget, and outreach to achieve additional voluntary conservation savings
while preparing for Alert -Critical stages (Stages 3-6 .
City requires mandatory conservation measures including outdoor irrigation
3
Up to 30%
restrictions (four day a week watering) and considers a Water Offset Program for new
connections.
City implements Water Allotment Program. Water Offset Program for new
4
Up to 40%
connections may be increased (1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio). Allowable irrigation reduced
to three da s per week.
City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program with reduced allotment levels.
5
Up to 50%
Water Offset Program for new connections may be increased (1.5:1 or 2:1 offset
ratio). Allowable irrigation reduced to two days per week with optional additional
measures limiting turf andspray irrigation.
City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program at further reduced levels
6
>50%
(minimum for public health and safety). Irrigation no longer permitted. Water Offset
Program to cease and no new connections permitted.
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Item 3
CouncilAgenda Report
PS Q�
lUm�o
Department Name:
Cost Center:
For Agenda of:
Placement:
Estimated Time:
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Utilities Director
Prepared By: Mychal Boerman, Deputy Director - Water
Nick Teague, Water Resources Program Manager
Jennifer Metz, Utilities Projects Manager
Utilities
6001
April 13, 2021
Study Session
45 Minutes
SUBJECT: 2020 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND WATER SHORTAGE
CONTINGENCY PLAN
RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive a presentation on the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage
Contingency Plan; and
2. Provide comments and direction to guide final Water Shortage Contingency Plan
development.
REPORT -IN -BRIEF
As an urban water supplier serving more than 3,000 water service connections, the City is
required to adopt and submit to the state Department of Water Resources (DWR) an Urban
Water Management Plan (UWMP) every five years. The City Council adopted the 2015 UWMP
on June 14, 2016 and is scheduled to consider the 2020 UWMP for adoption on June 15, 2021.
In this Study Session, staff will present 2020 UWMP and Water Shortage Contingency Plan
(WSCP) requirements, including a new requirement for a six -stage WSCP. Focus areas for City
Council discussion include water shortage management actions by stage, enforcement actions,
exemptions, and requirements for new development.
DISCUSSION
Current City Water Supply Status
With the recent rains, the City has over 17,000 acre-
feet of water in storage at Salinas Reservoir and its
proportional share of Whale Rock Reservoir is
15,553 acre-feet. The City has also requested its full
contractual allocation of 5,482 acre-feet of water
from Nacimiento Reservoir for 2021. Although the
region has seen below average rainfall recently, the
City has a diverse and reliable water supply with
more than ten years of water available under today's
water supply and demand conditions.
Table 1 - Reservoir Storage
Reservoir
Current
Volume
(Acre -Feet)
Percent
of
Capacity
Salinas
17,285
72.5%
Whale Rock
1 30,450
1 78.5%
Nacimiento
1 154,400
1 40.9%
NOTES: Reservoir volumes areas of 3/14/2021.
Packet Pkign 27 of 422
Item 3
Background
The California Urban Water Management Planning Act is a part of California Water Code
sections § 10610-10656 and § 10608 and requires urban water suppliers to adopt and submit an
updated plan to DWR every five years. Urban water suppliers are defined as agencies that
provide water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 customers or supply more than 3,000
acre-feet of water annually (the City meets both criteria).
The City adopted its first UWMP in November 1994 and updated the UWMP in 2000, 2005,
2010, and 2016.' The City Council adopted the 2015 UWMP by Resolution 10726 (Attachment
A) on June 14, 2016. By adopting a technically compliant UWMP, the City remains eligible for
State grants, low interest loans, and other assistance.
2020 UWMP Requirements
State legislation adopted in 2018 established new requirements for 2020 UWMPs, including
standardized requirements for water shortage contingency planning and drought risk
assessments. Under the State requirements, water suppliers must now plan for a dry period that
lasts for five consecutive years, an increase from the previous requirement of three years. Other
required elements of UWMPs include:
1. Assessment of the reliability of water supply sources over a 20-year time frame
2. A description of demand management measures, also known as conservation measures
3. A discussion of local water supplies, with a long-term forecast for each source, including
climate change
4. Demonstrated compliance with - Senate Bill X7-7 20202
5. A lay person's description of water reliability
6. Incorporation of projected land use changes in demand forecasting
7. Seismic risk assessment and mitigation
8. A water energy analysis
9. Water savings from codes/standards/etc.
10. Five previous years of system water losses
The California Water Code requires that 2020 UWMPs are consistent with Groundwater
Sustainability Plans (GSP) in areas where those plans have been completed. As the City's
Groundwater Sustainability Plan is not scheduled to be complete until 2022, and the City does
not depend on groundwater at this time, staff plans to include a schedule for GSP completion
within the 2020 UWMP, as well as the link to the City's SGMA website.
Projecting Water Demand
To comply with State requirements, the City's 2020 UWMP will look ahead twenty years to
project water demand through 2040. As this period extends beyond the 2035 horizon of the
City's General Plan, staff will use population projections from the City's Land. Use Element of
57,200 persons in 2035 and assume a one percent population growth annually for five years to
2040. This projection yields a future population of 60,118 in 2040.
' For the 2015 UWMP, the state legislature extended the filing deadline to July 1, 2016.
Senate Bill X7-7 is a California state law that requires the state to reduce urban water consumption by 20 percent
by the year 2020.
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Consideration of Climate Change
To comply with State requirements, the 2020 UWMP must consider climate change as it relates
to water use, water supply, resiliency, and drought risk. The City is well positioned to meet these
requirements by utilizing prior work efforts. The City first declared Climate Action a Major City
Goal during its 2017-19 Financial Plan.
On May 15, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution 10893 amending the General Plan
WWME to reflect a 2,030-acre-foot per year reduction in available City water supply. The
amendment was a result of the 2018 update to the City's safe annual yield computer model for
Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs which updated the model with climatic data from the
drought that ended in 2016 and local impacts of climate change3, consistent with WWME
program A 3.3.24 and program A 3.3.35.
Although this was a significant reduction in safe annual yield, the City has a multi -source water
supply capable of meeting the City's future water demand (primary water supply and reliability
reserve) under the City's General Plan. This analysis will be reflected in the 2020 UWMP as it
relates to climate change.
Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP)
As part of the 2015 UWMP, the City modified its WSCP (Attachment B) which had not been
updated since 2000. The existing WSCP includes a monitoring stage and a five -staged demand
management response with each stage requiring more stringent Water Shortage Response
Actions (i.e., escalating water demand reductions). While the City's WSCP is an important tool
to help plan for period of drought or loss of supply, it provides the flexibility for Council to take
the appropriate type and level of action needed in relation to the specifics of any type of water
shortage.
It is anticipated that as conservation programs mature, sources of supply are expanded, and the
community is engaged regarding drought, the WSCP will provide guidance on how to
appropriately respond to a water shortage. A specific scenario may require a mix of actions
contained within the plan or actions not considered within this plan.
The WSCP describes the City's use of a water projection model to test both hypothetical and
actual water demand scenarios, to analyze current water storage at each reservoir, and to predict
how long the water supplies are available. The model accounts for the storage in the three
reservoirs, in conjunction with other available resources, needed to meet the City's water
demand. The model uses historical hydrologic information based on the worst drought period
(2012 to 2014).
3 The City analyzed three climate change scenarios as part of the 2018 update to the safe annual yield model by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, and Nature Communications.
Each climate projection was applied to the historical dataset for Whale Rock and Salinas reservoir's inflow,
precipitation, and evaporation. The City's 2018 model was then used to calculate a revised safe annual yield
assuming these conditions had prevailed during the historical period of record.
a WWME program A 3.3.2 states "The City will update the safe annual yield computer model for Salinas and Whale
Rock Reservoirs following severe drought periods to determine if any changes are necessary to the safe annual yield
amount "
5 WWME program A 3.3.3 states "The City will monitor ongoing research on the potential for long-term impacts
associated with climate change to water supply resources. "
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The Water Code now includes standardized requirements for the 2020 WSCP including the
following:
1. A Water Supply Reliability Analysis
2. Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Procedures
3. Six Standard Water Shortage Stages
4. Shortage Response Actions
5. Communication Protocols
G. Legal Authority, Compliance, and Enforcement
7. Financial Consequences of WSCP
8. Monitoring and Reporting
9. WSCP Update Procedures
10. Special Water Feature Distinction
11. Plan Adoption, Submittal, and Availability
The City's existing WSCP will need to be modified to comply with. the 2020 requirements. As
shown in Table 3, staff proposes the addition of an Alert stage and the alignment with State
required reduction stages.
Table 2 - Proposed WSCP Stages in Alignment with State Requirements
WSCP Stages from
2015 UWMP
Monitor (5+ Years)
Watch (< 5 Years)
Warning (<4 Years)
Severe (< 3 Years)
Extreme (< 2 Year)
Critical (< I Year)
Proposed WSCP
State Required WSCP
Available City Water
Stages
Stages (/o Reduction in
Supplies
available water supply)
Monitor
-
5 years of water supply
remains
Watch
10°%
5 years or less'
Warning
20%
4.5 years or less
"Proposed Stage"
30%
4 years or less
Alert
Severe
40%
3.5 years or less
50%
3 years or less
>50%
2.5 years or less
FOCUS AREAS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Although many of the legal mandates found in the UWMP and WSCP are highly prescriptive in
nature, the City has control over many elements of the two plans. Below are suggested focus
areas for City Council discussion at the Study Session.
6 Like in the 2015 UWMP, the City's Monitor Stage is in place at all times to continue to monitor the City's
compliance with water conservation mandates and goals.
I General Plan, Water and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A 6.3.2 related to Short-term Water Shortages
states that "Mandatory water conservation measures as described in the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan,
included in the City's Urban Water Management Plan, may be implemented when the City's water supplies are
projected to fast five years or less. "
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Equitable Water Shortage Management Actions
When the City has less than five years of water available the WSCP requires Water Shortage
Management Actions (Management Actions) that increasingly reduce the community's water
demand as water supplies are further stressed. Management Actions can also include bringing
new water supplies online such as an expansion of the City's groundwater pumping program or
recycled water system expansion. The City has focused on Management Actions that are
equitable between residential and non-residential customer classes while ensuring that new
development being considered during drought periods does not further reduce the City's
available water supplies. A comprehensive list of Management Actions, as well as additional
details about the proposed Water Shortage Contingency Plan, can be found in (Attachment Q.
During the "Watch" and "Warning" stages, which occur when less than five and less than four
and one-half years of water supplies remain, the City focuses efforts on increased public
outreach and water conservation messaging to the community. Concurrently, the City
implements internal measures to ensure adequate staffing levels, budgets, rates, and work
programs are in place leading into the next four stages. The main differentiation between the
"Watch" and "Warning" stages is the implementation of time of use irrigation restrictions (No
irrigation between 7:40 AM and 7:00 PM) and the option to begin the Water Demand Offset
Program (Offset Program) within the "Warning" stage. The Offset Program requires
development projects that have not yet been through the entitlement process to offset their water
demand prior to connecting to the City's water system. More detail on the Offset Program can be
found within the "New Development" focus item below.
The "Alert" stage, which is designated when the City has less than four years of available water
supply, provides additional irrigation restrictions. Specifically, this stage limits outdoor
irrigation to four days per week and requires new development that has not been through the
entitlement process to either defer landscape installations or to install landscaping that provides a
50 percent or greater reduction in Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA). This stage
also includes large public outreach efforts to the community as staff prepare for more restrictive
measures in the final three stages.
The "Severe" stage occurs when the City's available water supplies provide less than three and
one-half years of water to the community. During this stage, major changes include a reduction
in allowable watering days from four days per week to three days per week, the option for
Council to require a more stringent Offset Program (1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio), and the initiation of
the City's Water Allotment Program. The Water Allotment Program sets a maximum water use
for each residential property based on the number of residents living in that home and allows
businesses to reduce water use by a percentage based on their business category or to a "baseline
consumption". The intent of the initial stage of the Water Allotment Program is to restrict the
water use of the City's most inefficient water users. It is important to understand that this
program does not give a larger volume of water to properties with larger yards or more irrigation
but rather ties the allotment to the number of people living within the home.
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The "Extreme" stage occurs when the City has less than three years of water supply available.
Notable actions in this stage include a reduction in allowable watering days from three days a
week to two days a week and a smaller per -person water allotment, A reduced per -person water
allotment would be based upon already achieved demand reduction and specific rainfall forecasts
and time of year.
The final stage of the WSCP, the "Critical Stage" occurs when the City has two and one-half
years or less of available water supply. Notable actions within this stage include the option to
cease outdoor irrigation and prohibit new connections to the City's water system, as well as a
reduction in the City's Water Allotment Program, allowing each residential property the
minimum amount of water to ensure the health and safety of the occupants.
Community Priorities and Water Shortage Action Exemptions
As the community was impacted by the 2011-2015 drought and irrigation restrictions were put
into place, community members advocated for certain exemptions related to water use
restrictions. Staff believes that a series of minor exemptions will help ensure the health and well-
being of the community while not making a substantial impact on available water supplies. Staff
supports the following water use restriction exemptions and variances:
Sites Using Recycled Water
Per the existing WSCP, sites utilizing recycled water are exempt from irrigation restrictions.
These sites include major City parks, such as Damon Garcia Park, French Park, Islay Park,
Laguna Lake Park, Laguna Hills Park, De Vaul Park, the Laguna Lake Golf Course, and Laguna
Middle School, as well as many multifamily and commercial properties. It is important to
acknowledge that all of the City's recycled water customers are located on the southern side of
the City due to delivery limitations of the City's recycled water system, thus not providing equal
opportunities for safe play and recreation across the community.
Irrigation Exceptions at Specific Facilities
During the most recent drought, Public Works Parks Maintenance staff and community members
provided feedback that City parks with inadequate irrigation allotments could lead to hazardous
conditions at recreation and play environments. To address these concerns, and to provide
communal spaces for recreation during times when many homes allowed landscapes to die, in
2016 the City Council approved an amendment to Chapter 13.07.030 of the Municipal Code,
allowing for daily irrigation at designated City facilities during turf renovation, and three times
per week thereafter (Attachment D). Staff recommends that this exemption be expanded to
include schools within the City's boundaries as they are used for recreation in a similar manner
to City parks, specifically during school hours. As proposed, this exemption would only go into
place in the stages of the WSCP when irrigation days are restricted. It is anticipated that this
exemption would constitute a net increase of under 75 acre-feet per year versus no exemption.
This constitutes approximately 1.5 percent of the City's total water use.
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Irrigation of Trees
During the 2011-2015 drought, the City heard from many customers who opted to cease
irrigation of their trees to reduce their water demand. Unlike turf, shrubs, and other groundcover,
trees take a great amount of time to grow and provide substantial ecological, environmental,
practical, and economic value to the community. Staff recommends an exemption to irrigation
restrictions to allow for the use of a hose and shutoff nozzle to hand water trees.
Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities, and other Specific Business Types
Staff proposes that hospitals, healthcare facilities, and other businesses requiring water for the
health and safety of at -risk people may apply for an exemption or allocation adjustment for
indoor water use on a case -by -case basis. This exemption may be granted at the discretion of the
Utilities Department Director or his/her/their designee.
New Development
The City utilized water demand offset programs in the past to continue to permit new
development during periods of restricted water availability. Water offset programs require new
development to conduct water savings projects within the City in order to offset the new demand
that is created by the project. An example of a highly successful water offset program was the
toilet retrofit offset program implemented by the City in the 1990s. As a result of this highly
successful program, most toilets in the City today meet low -flow requirements, thus limiting the
potential of future toilet retrofit offset programs.
While water offsets are identified in the City's existing WSCP, staff is proposing an offset
program that begins as a "net neutral" water savings program in which new water demand must
be offset at a 1:1 ratio. During later stages of the WSCP staff recommends that the City Council
retain the ability to require a 1.5:1 and 2:1 "net benefit" water offset ratio. Examples of water
offsets include an in -lieu fee to support the City's water supply expansion projects, indoor water
fixture replacements, and turf replacements. During the Critical stage of the WSCP, staff
recommends that no new connections to the City's water system be permitted since water offsets
do not technically create more water, they simply expedite water supply and water conservation
programs, essentially making them happen sooner. The City must meet Water Code Section 350
and Government Code Section 65858 requirements to trigger a cessation in new connections,
otherwise commonly referred to as a "building moratorium". While legally complex, for a
building moratorium to be legally sound, specific findings must be made to demonstrate a
"current and immediate threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, and that the approval of
additional subdivisions, use permits, variances, building permits, or any other applicable
entitlement for use which is required in order to comply with a zoning ordinance would result in
that threat to public health, safety, or welfare."
Outreach to the Community
Communication on water resources remains important both during times of adequate water
availability and during water shortages. The community will benefit equally during robust water
supply periods, and any possible water shortage periods that may be experienced. Broadened
communication will be accomplished through expanded public outreach programs aimed at
educating and informing the public about the City's water supplies and water resource
availability, planning and housing policies, and water resource and infrastructure resiliency.
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Methods staff utilize for public outreach include use of the City's website and social media
platforms, attendance at community events such as Farmers' Market, the SLQ Home Exposition,
the Disaster Preparedness Exposition, and Earth Day, and in -person meetings with community
members to help them meet their water conservation goals. Additionally, staff will include
regular outreach on video and audio streaming services, television, radio, and through other paid
advertising and direct mail pieces such as the Resource Newsletter.
When entering periods of drought or water shortage, one of the most essential roles the City
plays is to ensure that the community has an overall awareness of the current situation and the
need for voluntary conservation measures in order to avoid more strict mandatory measures.
During a water shortage, defined as the City having less than five years of water available, the
City would expand its existing outreach program and more directly focus this outreach on
customer classes and water users with the largest potential for water savings. Increased outreach
is a time intensive activity and would require additional funding associated with this expanded
work effort.
Examples of the type of measures the City would take to increase outreach to the community
include but are not limited to the following:
• Increased presence at public events (Home Expo, Farmers Market, Earth Day, etc.)
• Increased direct contact with residential advocacy groups, business advocacy groups,
and irrigation industry groups
• Increased use of printed advertising such as newspapers, billing inserts, direct mail
Loge of radio and digital audio streaming service advertising (Spotify/Pandora)
■ TV and digital video streaming advertising (YouTube)
• Use of visual cues such as banners, flyers, and signs in public spaces such as parks
and City offices
Enforcement Actions
U616es Department staff is seldom required to assess financial penalties to customers who are in
violation of the City's Municipal Code as most violations are not intentional and are easily
resolved. However, as the City learned in the 2011-2015 drought, more stringent restrictions can
result in customers choosing to not follow the City's more restrictive demand reduction measures
during a water shortage, especially in the stages that require significant reductions in outdoor
irrigation.
The current process for reaching out to customers who are in violation is as follows:
First Violation (Courtesy Notification): Customer receives a "courtesy notification" by
staff regarding the violation that was observed, and the Water Shortage Response Actions
currently in place. The customer is provided with educational material and resources to
help them comply with the requirements, if possible. Examples of a "courtesy
notification" include door tags containing educational information, educational
pamphlets, mailed letters, and/or a phone call by staff.
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Second Violation (Issuance of Notice of Violation): Customer is issued a written notice
of violation (NOV), which describes the specific violation, date, and time the violation
was observed, and consequences of subsequent violations.
Subsequent Violations (Penalty/Fine): Customer may be issued a penalty/fine for
violation in accordance with the City's Municipal Code.
As water supply declines and the community has more opportunity to understand and
implement new restrictions, staff recommends a penalty structure in which penalties for
violations double within the final two WSCP stages. Staff also recommends ceasing the use
of a "Courtesy Notification" during the final two WSCP stages.
Policy Context
The City's General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element Program A 5.3.3 requires
the City to "Prepare and update the Urban Water Management Plan every five years as
required by the State. "
The requirements for UWMPs are found in two sections of California Water Code, § 10610-
10656 and § 10608, which are available at the links below:
=WAT&di
https://leginfo.legiAl-4Wit€ WA*W2.6.&chapter=l.&article=&goUp=Y
§ //Iq aIn 3nNum=10608.&lawCo
https://Ieginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/ de=WAT
The 2020 UWMP and WSCP are consistent with the City's Charter and General Plan. Added in
1996, Section 909 ("Use of Reliability Reserve") of the City's Charter states:
As identified in the Water Management Element of the General Plan, the City shall
strive to acquire additional water supplies as a "reliability reserve" to protect the City
from future water shortages. Once the City has acquired a portion or all of the
reliability reserve, the additional water supply shall only be used to meet City needs
during unpredictable changes such as a new worst -case drought, loss of one of the
City's water sources, contamination of a source, or failure of a new source to provide
projected yield, and not to allow additional development.
The City's General Plan, Water and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A 5.2.3 provides
the methodology for determining the City's reliability reserve. The policy states "The City will
establish a reliability reserve that is 20 percent of the water use rate established in Policy A
5.2.18 multiplied by the current population. The water supply designated as the reliability
reserve may not be used to serve future development. "
a General Plan, Water and Wastewater Management Element, Policy A 5.2.1 states "The City will utilize the per
capita water use rate allowed by Serrate Bill X7-7 for projecting future potable water demand established as 117
gallons per capita per day. "
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Previous Council Action
On June 14, 2016, Council adopted the City's 2015 UWMP by Resolution 10726 (Attachment
B).
Public Engagement
The City's water planning documents including the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan, 2020
Water Resources Status Report, and General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element
are provided on the Utilities Department webpage, under Documents and Files, at the link below:
llh§//iaia�: s��lt�!dt>��1Ci�1R���igi"��ftt3t�irAtbIi1�l�-���iK��l't�ents-and-
https://www.slocity.org/government/ files
This study session intends to serve as an opportunity to receive feedback from the City Council
and the community regarding the UWMP and WSCP. The Utilities Department will place a link
to the draft WSCP and study session material on its website once the agenda material is made
publicly available. A complete draft of the City's 2020 UWMP is expected to be released in
early June 2021. The City Council is expected to consider adoption of the final plan in June
2021. The 2020 plans must be submitted to the state by July 1, 2021.
CONCURRENCES
Utilities staff have worked with Community Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public
Works Department staff on aspects of the 2020 UWMP and WSCP. Those staff concur with the
approach described in this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
No environmental review is required for this study session. Per California Water Code § 10652,
urban water management planning is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA).
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Budget Year: 2020-21
There is no fiscal impact associated with Council participation in this study session. Budget for
the preparation of the UWMP is funded by the Water Fund and, similar to the City's prior
UWMPs, the 2020 UWMP is being prepared by in-house Utilities Department staff.
Funding for the on -going implementation of the UWMP was approved as part of the 2019-2021
Financial Plan in the Water Fund, Water Administration and Water Resource Program section
operating budgets. Any project or program that would stem from the information contained in
the City's 2020 UWMP would be brought back to the City Council for approval as appropriate.
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ALTERNATIVES
Council could provide feedback in areas other than the focus areas listed above.
Attachments:
a - Resolution No. 10726 (2016 Series) - Approving the 2015 Urban Water Management
Plan
b - 2015 Urban Water Management Plan - Water Shortage Contingency Plan
c - 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
httPVVWI VgT,skEAMr (fthLLnkaWQPmw-AptO0 Rlef U46idT-M-FPMF ,RuQw1h"I
Municipal Code 13.07.030
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RESOLUTION NO. 10726 (2016 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE REVISED URBAN WATER
MANAGEMENT PLAN
WHEREAS, the California Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 797 during the 1983-1984
Regular Session, and as amended subsequently, which mandates that every supplier providing
water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 customers or supplying more than 3,000 acre
feet of water annually, prepare an Urban Water Management Plan (the "Plan"); and
WHEREAS, the City is an urban supplier of water providing water to approximately
15,000 customers; and
WHEREAS, the Plan shall be periodically reviewed at least once every five years, and
that the City shall make any amendments or changes to its plan which are indicated by the
review; and
WHEREAS, the Plan must be adopted, after public review and hearing, and filed with
the California Department of Water Resources within thirty days of adoption; and
WHEREAS, the City has therefore prepared for public review a draft Urban Water
Management Plan, and a properly noticed public hearing regarding the Plan was held by the City
Council on June 14, 2016.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo that the Urban Water Management Plan, consisting of text with tables, figures and
appendices presented to the Council on June 14, 2016, on file in the City Clerk's Office, is
hereby adopted and staff is hereby authorized to make any necessary changes to make the Urban
Water Management Plan internally consistent with changes to Table 1.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Utilities Director is hereby directed to
distribute the Urban Water Management Plan to the California State Library, the County of San
Luis Obispo and make available for public review as prescribed by state law.
Upon motion of Council Member Ashbaugh, seconded by Council Member Rivoire, and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Ashbaugh, Christianson and Rivoire,
Vice Mayor Carpenter and Mayor Marx
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
R 10726
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Resolution No. 10726 (2016 Series) Page 2
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 14`h day of June 2016.
/1 4" q"
Mayor Ja arx
Interim City Clerk
APPROVED AS TQ FORM:
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, 1 have hereunto set my d and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, this C3�1 day of
Lee Price, MMC
Interim City Cleric
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2015 Urban Water Management Plan
Chapter S: Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Developing and maintaining a multi -source water supply portfolio to increase resiliency against water
shortages has been a City priority for many years. A water shortage occurs when water supplies are
insufficient to support demand. A water shortage could occur due to drought, earthquake, infrastructure
failure, or other emergency. Droughts occur with unpredictable frequency, intensity, and duration. The
Department of Water Resources defines drought as "A deficiency of precipitation over an extended period
of time resulting in a wafer shortage for some activity, group, or environmental sector. "
This Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) provides the foundation for a staged response to
worsening water shortage conditions. A draft Water Conservation Ordinance, to update Chapter 13.07 of
the City's Municipal Code, is proposed to establish the regulations and procedures for implementing this
Plan. The draft Water Conservation Ordinance is provided in Appendix V1.
8.1 WATER SHORTAGE DETERMINATION
The degree of the water supply shortage determines the necessary level of response from the City and
customers. When determining a water shortage stage the City evaluates the following:
• Water demand across customer categories
• Water availability at each supply source
• Available water supply options including supplemental water supplies
The City utilizes a water projection model, testing both hypothetical and actual water demand scenarios,
to analyze current water storage at each reservoir and to predict how long the water supplies are
available. The model accounts for the total storage in the three reservoirs, in conjunction with other
available resources, needed to meet the City's
water demand. The model uses historical hydrologic
information based on the average for the worst
drought period (2012 to 2014). Other data included
in the model are:
■ Water Entitlement (contractual or
percentage)
• Current reservoir level
• Gallons per capita per day water demand
■ Rainfall
• Temperature
• Evaporation
• Existing population
• Future population growth
Utilizing a water projection model as part of its
water supply management enables the City to
foresee whether a water supply shortage is
anticipated in any given year, and the severity of a
shortage based an the availability of the City's
different sources of supply and water demand
trends. The City uses the model to study the
potential impacts of climate change using increased
temperature and evaporation rates, along with
decreased precipitation.
Whale Rock Reservoir.
8-1
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2015 Urban Water Management Plan
8.2 WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE
A water shortage response relies on the City's ability to temporarily augment supply and/or reduce water
demand. The City's water shortage response would combine a variety of elements from outreach to
enforcement, each increasing in intensity as the shortage persists. The City's demand reduction targets
focus on water use limits and prohibitions that will reduce non -essential use, such as imposition of
restrictions on outdoor irrigation. Implementation of these restrictions is necessary to conserve the City's
water supply for the greatest public benefit regarding domestic use, sanitation and fire protection. This
section reviews the general strategies the City will employ to mitigate the impacts of water shortage on
the community.
Voluntary Reduction Measures
All customers may be asked to voluntarily reduce their water usage during a water shortage. The City
may provide water conservation tips and suggestions through various public outreach methods,
encourage and distribute conservation devices such as low flow shower heads and faucet aerators,
discourage excessive outdoor watering, and encourage landscaping with drought tolerant plants.
Voluntary reductions measures are described in more detail in Section 8.3
Mandatory Reduction Measures
The City may place mandatory reduction measures on certain uses, such as restricting outdoor watering
to prescribed times and number of days per week beginning in the Watch Stage, with days and times for
landscape watering further limited in later stages. Mandatory reduction measures may limit specific
methods of irrigation (i.e., sprinkler ban).
The seasonal increase in water demand underscores the importance of implementing outdoor landscape -
focused reduction programs. An average of approximately 50 percent of residential water use in San Luis
Obispo is for landscape irrigation. Therefore, restrictions on outdoor water use are generally highly
effective in reducing water demand. Outdoor uses are typically considered to be discretionary or
nonessential for health and safety purposes, are highly visible and relatively easy to monitor, and often
are a substantial component of water demand, particularly during the summer months when drought
conditions are often most severe.
Prohibitions
Prohibitions will vary by drought stage, with the fundamental purpose of prohibiting non -essential uses not
required for basic health and safety. During a declared water shortage, specific prohibitions would be
described in a Water Shortage Ordinance adopted by the City Council. In the Critical Stage, all non-
essential outdoor water use, except recycled water or grey water, may be prohibited.
The City will adopt regulations at the appropriate water shortage stage that require customers to take
certain measures to promote water conservation, such as posting signage at various establishments,
undergoing a water audit to maximize or demonstrate water conservation, and prescribing to customer -
specific water budgets.
Suppiemental Water Supply Options
During a water shortage emergency, the City may also utilize supplemental water supply options, or
acquiring a new supply as warranted by the current situation. Currently, this might include requesting all
5,482 afy of the City's Nacimiento Reservoir allocation. In the future, this may include utilizing more
groundwater and/or utilizing highly treated wastewater in a potable reuse system. These water supply
options may be less desirable during normal operations due to increased operation costs.
8.3 WATER SHORTAGE STAGES
The goals of the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan are to extend the City's available water
resources long enough to gain another winter rainfall period which could serve to add to reservoir
storage. Extending available water resources through water demand reduction provides time for the City
to bring on supplemental water supplies to meet demand. It is the City's goal to implement water demand
reduction programs that will achieve measurable water savings without affecting customers' lifestyles. In
the higher water shortage stages lifestyle and habit changes will be necessary.
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This section identifies the measures that may be taken at each stage to achieve desired water use
reduction levels. The purpose of establishing water shortage stages is to clearly define the severity of the
shortage and establish appropriate targets for demand reductions. Defining these stages allows the City
to respond to worsening conditions, with each stage "triggering" different actions. The multi -stage
approach provides different levels of response for a water shortage event ranging from a ten percent
supply deficiency up to a 50 percent or greater deficiency.
Table 32 provides a quick reference guide to the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan, though City
Council may adopt variations of these stages, independent from the stage resulting from the use of the
Water Projection Model, to strategically address the current water shortage situation. Each stage
describes increasing levels of water demand reduction and water supply augmentation methods. As
stated previously, during an actual water shortage emergency, other measures may be imposed.
Water Shortage Response Stage: MONITOR
San Luis Obispo has made water conservation an integral part of the community's culture and policy
context for managing its water resources. The community has demonstrated a high commitment to
reducing its water usage during water shortages. Although not a true declaration of a water shortage, the
Water Shortage Contingency Plan's Monitor Stage remains in place at all times along with voluntary
conservation and implementation of the California Urban Water Conservation Council's Best
Management Practices. A complete description of the City's water conservation program is included in
Chapter 7.
This stage is focused on achieving voluntary compliance, as opposed to a mandatory demand reduction
programs. To ensure the City is using water responsibly and remains in compliance with the SB X7-7
requirement to not exceed 117 gpcd, the City continually assesses available water supply levels, monitors
customer water demand trends, conducts water loss audits, and evaluates potential supplemental
supplies. The following are examples of measures that may be taken to facilitate water conservation
consistent with CUWCC best management practices:
• Implement public outreach and communication programs (bill stuffers, social media, etc.)
• Participate in trade shows, home shows, and special community events
• Identify largest water users in each sector and offer complementary water audits
• Identify and notify customers of possible leaks and inefficient uses of water
• Encourage the use of drip irrigation and drought tolerant plants
• Implement school (K-12) education programs related to water conservation
• Enforce the toilet retrofit upon sale program
Actions at the Monitor Stage would also include active enforcement of the City's water waste prohibitions,
such as those adopted by the Governor in 2016, from Chapter 13.07 of the City's Municipal Code, which
defines water waste as follow (See also Table 32):
13.07.020 - Water runoff prohibited.
A. No person shall cause any water delivered by the city water system to flow away from property owned,
occupied or controlled by such person in any gutter, ditch or in any other manner over the surface of the
ground, so as to constitute wafer waste runoff.
B. "Water waste runoff' means water flowing away from property and which is caused by excessive
application(s) of water beyond reasonable or practical flow rates, water volumes or duration of application.
(Ord. 1089 § 1 (part), 1987)
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TABLE 32: Water Shortage Response Stages
Quick Reference Guide
PER CAPITA
STAGE
WATER SUPPLY
CITY ACTIONS
GOAL
STATUS
(GPCA)
Monitor
5+ years of
available water
City maintains conservation messaging at levels that
11
supply
ensure compliance with SB X7-7 maximum of 117 gpcd.
City increases conservation messaging. City examines
< 5 years of
available alternative water sources (groundwater,
WatcPi
available water
rvacimiento full allocation, etc.) and takes action based
107
supply
on current circumstances to meet demand. City may
implement mandatory conservation measures to meet
per capita reduction target.
City implements mandatory conservation measures
4 years of
including outdoor irrigation restrictions (examples: 3 or 2
Warning
available water
days a week watering and only serving water upon
9
supply
request at restaurants) and consider a Water Offset
Program for new connections.
City implements Water Allotment Program. Water Offset
< 3 years of
Program for new connections may be increased.
Severe
available water
Additional outdoor irrigation restrictions may be added
no
supply
(such as no spray irrigation). Outdoor irrigation may be
prohibited for all uses. Cessation of all new connections
may be considered.
City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program
C 2 years of
with reduced levels. Water Offset Program for new
available water
connections may be increased. Outdoor irrigation may be
85
supply
prohibited for all uses. Cessation of all new connections
may be considered.
City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program
c 1 year of
at further reduced levels (minimum for public health and
available water
safety). Outdoor irrigation prohibited for all uses. Water
75
supply
Offset Program to cease and no new connections
permitted.
NOTES:
1. The City's Water Supply Status is informed by the Water Projection Model and per Section 8.2 of Chapter 8.
2, The City's per capita goal of 117 gpcd is the City's SB X7-7 2020 Target, see Chapter 3.
3. Recycled water is not subject to demand reduction programs, water allocations or other drought response
programs. The City's recycled water program is described in further detail in Chapter 5.
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Water Shortage Response Stage: WATCH
When the City's available water supply would provide less than five years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council that a water shortage be declared. The City Council would be asked to
adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Watch Stage and urge the public to reduce water use by
approximately 8.5 percent from 117 gpcd to 107 gpcd.
During the "Watch" Stage, the demand management measures utilized during the Monitor Stage above
will increase along with a continued focus on voluntary compliance. The City will also increase public
outreach, implement system and operational changes, increase enforcement actions, and undertake
other administrative actions. These program expansions and changes may include:
Water Demand Reduction Programs:
• Accelerate water audit programs for all customer classes
• Identify largest water users in each sector and contact for complementary water audits
• Increase water waste patrols
• Conduct water use surveys
• Implement rebate programs
• Consider the use of irrigation limitations
Public outreach Programs:
• Issue a press release following Watch Stage declaration
• Include information in quarterly Resource Newsletter
• Update City website and create a page dedicated to information on details of WSCP Watch Stage
• Consider use of billing inserts to notify public of current situation and needs
• Coordinate with regional partners on messaging and outreach
• Develop outreach program for City staff to promote consistent messaging related to water supply
and water conservation
■ Increase outreach at public events such as Farmers Market, SLo Home Show, and home owners
association board meetings
• Focus social media platforms on issues consistent with needed demand reductions
System and operational Changes:
• Reduce water usage for main flushing and hydrant flushing
• Reduce distribution system pressure where feasible
• Increase leak detection, water meter testing, and water meter replacement
• Decrease allowable time for repairing leaks in distribution system
• Require use of non -potable water sources for all street sweeping and hydrocleaning
• Activate the Drought Taskforce
Enforcement Actions:
• Actively enforce water waste prohibitions
• Update online forms for reporting water waste and move forms to front page of website
• Continue to follow City's policy for code violations and issue Notices of Violation and
Administrative Citations where deemed necessary
Other Administrative Actions:
Begin drafting ordinance revisions and code
water shortage stages
Plan for the funding and implementation
subsequent water shortage stages
changes that would go into effect in subsequent
of specific conservation programs launched in
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• Review potential fiscal impacts of drought (i.e., increased water supply, operational, and capital
costs); and demand reductions (reduced revenue)
• Prepare for implementation of next water shortage stage
• Identify and plan for the need for additional staff. In planning for additional staff, consideration
should be given to funding, available office space, vehicles, training, and other needed supplies
and support
• Consider need for drought surcharge to stabilize revenue
• Consider deferring previously scheduled capital projects as necessary to invest in acquisition of
needed water supply sources and demand reductions
• Review available supplemental water supply options, such as increased use of groundwater,
utilization of potable reuse, and implementation of a recycled water filling station
Water Shortage Response Stage: WARNING
When the City's available water supply would provide less than four years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council to move to the next water shortage stage. The City Council could be
asked to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Warning Stage and urge the public to reduce
water use by an additional approximately 11 percent from 107 gpcd to 95 gpcd including mandatory
conservation measures.
The water conservation measures described in the Monitor and Watch Stages above may increase during
the Warning Stage, with an increased focus on limiting outdoor water uses. System and operational
changes would remain in place. These increases and additions to programs may include:
Water Demand Reduction Programs:
• Continue implementation of and possible increase of all demand reduction programs listed in
Watch Stage
• Limit outdoor watering to two or three days a week and only between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and
7:00 a.m.
• Defer landscape installations for new development or require development to install landscaping
that provides a significant reduction in water demand ( e.g. a minimum of 50%) as compared to a
conventional drought tolerant landscaping during normal water years
• Require hotels/motels/inns to offer the option to opt out of laundry services
• Require restaurants to only serve water upon request
• Restrict use of decorative water features and fountains
• No watering within 48 hours of measureable rainfall
■ No washing down of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots or other hardscape areas unless
necessary to protect public health and safety
• No exterior washing of buildings, dwelling and other structures, except for pre -approved uses
• No vehicles washing except at commercial car washing facilities or by use of a bucket and/or
hose equipped with a shut off nozzle
Public Outreach Programs:
• Continue implementation of and possible increase of all public outreach programs listed in Watch
Stage
• Issue a press release following Warning Stage declaration
• Target outreach to customers with large landscapes regarding irrigation restrictions
• Use of billing inserts, postcards, and direct mail pieces to inform customers of new requirements
and prohibitions
• Coordinate with local business groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and landscaping
associations to help encourage conservation among commercial customers
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■ Coordinate with home owners associations, property rental agencies, and other local groups to
help encourage conservation among residential customers
Increased Enforcement Actions:
First Violation: Customer notification and education
Customer will be notified by staff of the particular violation observed, and the demand reduction
programs currently in place. The customer will be provided with needed resources to help them
comply with requirements. Examples of notification include: door tags containing violation
information, mailed letter, and/or personal phone call by staff
Second Violation: Issuance of Notice of Violation
Customer will be issued a written notice of violation (NOV), notifying the customer of specific
violation, date and time the violation was observed, and consequences of subsequent violations
Subsequent Violations: Customer may be issued a penalty/fine for violation
Other Administrative Actions:
• Continue implementation of and possible increase of all +
other administrative actions listed in Watch Stage
• Prepare utility billing system and bill format for water
aliocations and reductions listed in subsequent stages.
hl
• Establish appeals committee for customers who
Lill r1
�� r�
exceed allotments in subsequent stages or receive
WATER
fines from violating water waste prohibitions
Increase billing training to
CR SHORTh
• utility and support address
"TER
additional requirements of Warning Stage and future
"TER WILL O �itY
stages
BE
• Begin preparing for Severe Stage
SERVED
opo !Y
Implementation of a Water Demand Offset Program:
�C
During the Warning Stage, the City may consider implementing
C 11f+Ei 1
a water demand offset program. Water demand offset
programs are designed to require new development that
causes increased water demand to offset such demand through
conservation or acquisition/development of new supplies. The
goal of an offset program is to ensure that a new development
does not increase current and future water demands.
At the Warning stage the City may choose to implement a neutral offset program, requiring that new
demands offset usage at a rate of 1:1. Future stages of the WSCP may suggest a more aggressive, "net
positive" water demand offset program. A "net positive" water demand offset program would require a
positive offset of a projects water demand. An example of this would be a project required to offset its
water demand at a ratio higher than 1:1, such as 1.5:1 or 2:1.
There are several types of offset programs in use across California and the United States. Examples of
potential offset programs are listed below.
• Toilet replacements
• Smart irrigation controllers
• Onsite reuse systems
• Submetering
■ In -lieu fee
• Irrigation system retrofits
• Waterless urinals
■ Rainwater capture
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Water Shortage Response Stage: SEVERE
When the City's available water supply would provide less than three years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council to move to the next water shortage stage. The City Council would be
asked to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Severe Stage and urge the public to reduce water
use by an additional approximately five percent from 95 aped to 90 aped.
At this water shortage response stage, the City would continue implementation of demand reduction,
public outreach, and enforcement programs described in prior stages. System and operational changes
would remain in place. At the Severe Stage, a water offset program may increase to a "net positive"
program, such as 1.5:1 or 2:1 and the City may implement a water allotment program. The following
allotment method may be used:
Customer Classification
Severe Stage Allotment
Single Family Residential and
A per capita allotment of 64 gppd,
Multi -family Residential
verification of persons per household may
be requested
Commercial and Institutional
Baseline allocation or allocation based on
percent reduction from normal usage
Allocation based on percent reduction from
Landscape Meters
normal usage; the City could consider
prohibiting outdoor irrigation
Excessive water use penalties may be imposed as outlined in the City's Municipal Code.
At this stage, due to the limited water supplies that remain, the City could consider prohibiting outdoor
irrigation and the cessation of new connections to the water distribution system.
When the City's available water supply would provide less than two years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council to move to the next water shortage stage. The City Council would be
asked to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Extreme Stage and urge the public to reduce
water use by an additional approximately five percent from 90 apcd to 85 apcd.
At this water shortage response stage, the City would continue implementation of demand reduction,
public outreach, and enforcement programs described in prior stages. System and operational changes
would remain in place. At the Extreme Stage, a "net positive" water offset program may continue to be
offered and outdoor irrigation may be prohibited. The following allotment method may be used:
Customer Classification
Extreme Stage Allotment
Single Family Residential and
A per capita allotment of 56 gppd,
Multi -family Residential
verification of persons per household
may be requested
Baseline allocation or allocation
Commercial and Institutional
based on percent reduction from
normal usage
Excessive water use penalties may continue to be imposed as outlined in the City's Municipal Code.
At this stage, due to the limited water supplies that remain, the City could consider the cessation of new
connections to the water distribution system.
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When the City's available water supply would provide less than one year of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council to move to the next water shortage stage. The City Council would be
asked to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Critical Stage and urge the public to reduce water
use by an additional approximately 12 percent from 85 apcd to 75 amd.
At this water shortage response stage, the City would continue implementation of demand reduction,
public outreach, and enforcement programs described in prior stages. System and operational changes
would remain in place. At the Critical Stage, a water offset program may no longer be offered and outdoor
irrigation may continue to be prohibited. The following allotment method may be used:
Customer Classification
Critical Stage Allotment
Single Family Residential and
A per capita allotment of 48 gppd,
Multi -family Residential
verification of persons per household
may be requested
Baseline allocation or allocation
Commercial and Institutional
based on percent reduction from
normal usage
Excessive water use penalties may continue to be imposed as outlined in the City's Municipal Code.
At this stage, due to the limited water supplies that remain, the City would consider the cessation of new
connections to the water distribution system.
8.4 REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE IMPACTS
During a water shortage, revenues from water sales can be reduced but the City's operations and
maintenance costs would not reduce accordingly. In fact, during the these periods, the City's operations
budgets can increase due to the implementation of water demand reduction measures, public outreach,
enforcement, groundwater exploration, water quality concerns, and other actions taken by the City during
the crisis. The reduction in revenues resulting from decreased water use may result in the need to raise
water rates during that period.
Under the City's water rate structure, bills are based mainly an customer usage choices and resulting
demand on the water systems. Water Fund revenue is collected from multiple sources, but approximately
90 percent of revenue is directly tied to water service charges including the base fee.
To minimize the need to raise rates during water shortages, the City has a policy that requires a minimum
reserve of twenty percent of the Water Fund's operating budget. While this is a minimum amount, the
reserve amount is typically above this minimum policy level.
City staff provides ongoing tracking of revenues and evaluates the potential impacts associated with
changes in water demand assumptions used in the Annual Water Fund Analysis. The City Council
considers the water rates necessary to provide water service to the community on an annual basis and
approves water rate changes as needed.
As part of the 2015-17 Financial Plan, the City included a base fee and tiered drought surcharge as water
demand was projected to reduce by 12 percent as a result of State water use reduction mandates. The
surcharge was proposed to offset the loss in revenue associated with the State order as the City was still
responsible for the costs of the City's multi -source water supply and debt payments. In addition to water
supply, Water Fund revenue supports ongoing maintenance and operating programs needed to ensure
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that the water treatment and delivery systems meet all federal and state water treatment regulations and
are operated and maintained to provide safe and reliable service.
8.5 CATASTROPHIC WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION
The City has an Emergency Response Pian to cover a variety of potential disasters including:
earthquakes, floods, wildland fires, etc. The Plan identifies resources available to the City from other
agencies or private companies in the area. Additionally, the City of Morro Bay and the Whale Rock
Commission (of which the City of San Luis Obispo is a member) executed an agreement in June of 2000
which provides for Mutual Aid between the agencies during disruption of water deliveries or lack of
available water supplies. The agreement provides a general framework for exchanging water between
agencies in the event of emergencies or other water disruptions. The agreement is voluntary based on
each agency's ability to assist at any point in the future.
In relation to providing water service, the City would utilize portable generators to minimize water
disruptions during an extended power outage. These generators are maintained and available to the City
at any time and are stored at the City Corporation Yard.
The City is a member of the Water Agency Response Network (WARN), WARN is a statewide
organization of water agencies and companies that have entered into a mutual aid agreement to assist
other water agencies during emergencies or other water related situations. The agreement provides the
frame work for providing assistance and provides a key contact to initiate a multiple agency response to a
water emergency situation.
8.6 MINIMUM SUPPLY NEXT THREE YEARS
Consistent with section 6.6, Water Supply Reliability Analysis, in Chapter 6, the City's multiple dry year
scenario was determined to be 2012 to 2014 as the combined rainfall total for those three years was the
lowest on record. Available water supplies during this period assume the City's safe annual yield from
Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, contractual supply from Nacimiento Reservoir, and recycled water
supply are available totaling 12,622 acre feet of available supply, as shown in Table 33.
As directed by DWR, this section was prepared based on what is known by the City at the time the
UWMP was prepared. After the current drought has a "bookend" the safe annual yield of Salinas and
Whale Rock reservoirs will be recalculated. Related changes to safe annual yield will be incorporated into
planning scenarios.
TABLE 33: Minimum Supply Next Three Years
2016
2017
2018
Available Water
Supply
12,622
12,622
12,622
NOTES:
1. Department of Water Resources, Table 8-4.
2. Units are in acre-feet per year.
3. Volume available includes the City's contractual supply to Nacimiento Reservoir,
Safe Annual Yield from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, and recycled water.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2016.
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8.7 REQUIRED UWMP STANDARDIZED TABLES -
Stages of Water
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Restrictions
and Prohibitions on End Uses
Penalty, Charge, or
Stage
Restrictions and Prohibitions on End Users
Other
Enforcement?
Landscape - Restrict or prohibit runoff from landscape
Monitor
irrigation
Yes
Other - Customers must repair leaks, breaks, and malfunctions
Monitor
in a timely manner
Yes
Other - Prohibit use of potable water for construction and
Monitor
dust control
Yes
Watch
other - Require automatic shut of hoses
Yes
Warning
Landscape - Limit landscape irrigation to specific times
Yes
Warning
Landscape - Limit landscape irrigation to specific days
Yes
Water Features - Restrict water use for decorative water
Warning
features, such as fountains
Yes
Warning
Cil - Lodging establishment must offer opt out of linen service
Yes
Warning
CII - Restaurants may only serve water upon request
Yes
Water Features - Restrict water use for decorative water
Warning
features, such as fountains
Yes
Critical
Landscape - Other landscape restriction or prohibition
Yes
NOTES: Table 8-2 (R).
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Stage
Consumption Reduction Methods by Water Supplier
All Expand Public Information Campaign
Watch offer Water Use Surveys
Watch Provide Rebates on Plumbing Fixtures and Devices
Watch Provide Rebates for Landscape Irrigation Efficiency
Watch Decrease Line Flushing
NOTES: Table 8-3 R.
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Draft 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Developing and maintaining a multi -source water supply portfolio to increase resiliency against water
shortages has been a City priority for many years. A water shortage could occur due to drought, earthquake,
infrastructure failure, or other emergency. Droughts may occur with unpredictable frequency, intensity, and
duration. The Department of Water Resources defines drought as "A deficiency of precipitation over an
extended period of time resulting in a water shortage for some activity, group, or environmental sector. "
This Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) provides the foundation for a staged response to
worsening water shortage conditions. A draft Water Conservation Ordinance, to update Chapter 13.07 of
the City's Municipal Code, will be proposed to establish the regulations and procedures for implementing
this Plan.
1. WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY ANALYSIS
Assessing water supply reliability is the fundamental purpose of the City's Urban Water Management Plan
(UWMP). Water service reliability is the City's ability to meet the water needs of its customers under varying
conditions. Chapter 6 of the City's UWMP assesses water supply reliability by analyzing plausible
hydrological variability, regulatory variability, climate conditions, and other factors that may affect the City's
water supplies and customer water uses. The analysis looks beyond the City's past experience and
considers what could be reasonably foreseeable in the future.
2. ANNUAL WATER SHORTAGE ASSESSMENT
The City performs a water shortage assessment each year, and more frequently in drought conditions, to
review available water supplies and confirm its approach for the coming year. The degree of the water
supply shortage determines the necessary level of response from the City and customers, if any. This
assessment includes evaluation of the following:
a. Current year water demand across customer categories
b. Water availability at each supply source
c. Available supplemental water supply options
d. Infrastructure considerations, including planned maintenance, repairs, and upgrades
The City utilizes a water projection model, testing both hypothetical and actual water demand scenarios to
analyze and predict how long the water supplies will be available under specific conditions. The model
accounts for the storage in the three reservoirs, in conjunction with other available resources, needed to
meet the City's water demand. The model uses historical hydrologic information based on the average for
the worst drought period (2012 to 2014). Other data included in the model is:
a. Water Entitlement (contractual or percentage)
b. Current reservoir levels
c. Average gallons per capita per day community water demand
d. Rainfall
e. Temperature
f. Evaporation
g. Existing population
h. Population growth
Utilizing a water projection model as part of its water supply management enables the City to foresee
whether a water supply shortage is anticipated in any given year, and the severity of a shortage based on
the availability of the City's different sources of supply and water demand trends. The City uses the model
to study the potential impacts of various intensities of drought conditions, including increased temperature
and evaporation rates, along with decreased precipitation.
In accordance with new UWMP requirements, each year the City will prepare a water supply and demand
assessment, present it to the City Council for review, and submit its annual Water Shortage Assessment
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Report to DWR. The Assessment will be conducted based on the use of the City's water projection model
and the key data inputs described above to characterize near -term water supply conditions (i.e., for the
next 12 months).
3. WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE
A water shortage response is dependent on the City's ability to temporarily augment supply and/or reduce
water demand. The City's water shortage response would combine a variety of elements from outreach to
enforcement, each increasing in intensity as the shortage persists. The City's demand reduction targets
focus on water use limits and prohibitions that will reduce non -essential use, such as imposition of
restrictions on outdoor irrigation. Implementation of these restrictions is necessary to conserve the City's
water supply for the greatest public benefit regarding domestic use, sanitation, and fire protection. This
section reviews the general strategies the City will employ to mitigate the impacts of water shortage on the
community.
Voluntary Reduction Measures
All customers may be asked to voluntarily reduce their water usage during a water shortage. The City may
provide water conservation tips and suggestions through various public outreach methods, encourage and
distribute conservation devices such as low flow shower heads and faucet aerators, discourage excessive
outdoor watering, and encourage landscaping with drought tolerant plants. Voluntary reductions measures
are described in more detail in Section 3.
Mandatory Reduction Measures
The City may place mandatory reduction measures on certain uses, such as restricting outdoor watering to
prescribed times and number of days per week beginning in the Warning Stage, with days and times for
landscape watering further limited in later stages. Mandatory reduction measures may limit specific
methods of irrigation (i.e., sprinkler ban).
The seasonal increase in water demand underscores the importance of implementing outdoor irrigation -
focused reduction programs. An average of approximately 50 percent of residential water use in San Luis
Obispo is for landscape irrigation. Therefore, restrictions on outdoor water use are generally highly effective
in reducing water demand. Many outdoor uses are considered discretionary, or nonessential for health and
safety purposes, are highly visible and relatively easy to monitor, and often are a substantial component of
water demand, particularly during the summer months when drought conditions are often most severe.
Water Use Prohibitions
Water use prohibitions will vary by drought stage, with the fundamental purpose of restricting or prohibiting
non -essential uses that are not required for basic health and safety. During a declared water shortage,
specific prohibitions would be described in a Water Shortage Ordinance adopted by the City Council. In the
Critical Stage, all non -essential outdoor water use, except recycled water or grey water, may be prohibited.
The City will adopt regulations at the appropriate water shortage stage to promote water conservation, such
as posting signage at various establishments, offering water audits to maximize water conservation, and
prescribing to customer -specific water budgets (i.e., water allocations).
Supplemental Water Supply Options
During a declared water shortage emergency, the City may also utilize supplemental water supply options,
or acquire a new supply as warranted by the current situation. This may include utilizing more groundwater
and/or utilizing highly treated wastewater in a potable reuse system. These water supply options may be
less desirable during normal operations due to increased operational costs.
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4. WAFER SHORTAGE STAGES
The goals of the WSCP are to extend the City's available water resources long enough to gain another
winter rainfall period which could serve to add to reservoir storage. Extending available water resources
through water demand reduction provides time for the City to bring on supplemental water supplies to meet
demand. It is the City's goal to implement water demand reduction programs that will achieve measurable
water savings without requiring customers to make significant lifestyle changes. In the more advanced
water shortage stages lifestyle and habit changes will be necessary.
This section identifies the measures that may be taken at each stage to achieve desired water use reduction
levels. The purpose of establishing water shortage stages is to clearly define the severity of the shortage
and establish appropriate targets for demand reductions. Defining these stages allows the City to respond
to worsening conditions, with each stage "triggering" different actions. The multi -stage approach provides
different levels of response for a water shortage event ranging from a ten percent supply deficiency up to a
50 percent or greater deficiency.
Table 1 provides a quick reference guide to the WSCP, though City Council may adopt variations of these
Water Shortage Response Actions, independent from the stage resulting from the use of the Water
Projection Model, to strategically address the current water shortage situation. Each stage describes
increasing levels of water demand reduction and water supply augmentation methods. As stated previously,
during an actual water shortage emergency, other measures may be imposed.
op
WSCP-3
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TABLE 1: Water Shortage Response Stages
Quick Reference Guide
STAGE
WATER SUPPLY
STATUS
CITY ACTIONS
5+ years of
City maintains existing water conservation staffing levels and budget that
Monitor
available water
supports meeting internal water efficiency goals and regulatory
supply
requirements for water conservation, including ongoing public outreach.
City increases programs that encourage voluntary water conservation
< 5 years of
including public outreach, rebate programs, and water efficient fixture
Watch
available water
giveaways. City examines available alternative water sources (groundwater
supply
expansion, recycled water filling stations, water purchase agreements, etc.),
City modifies internal operations to focus on decreasing water loss and
prepares for subsequent WSCP stages.
< 4.5 years of
City implements time of use irrigation restrictions (7:00 PM — 7:00 AM). City
Warning
available water
increases staffing, budget, and outreach to achieve additional voluntary
supply
conservation savings while preparing for Alert -Critical stages.
City requires mandatory conservation measures including outdoor irrigation
Alert
< 4 years
restrictions (four day a week watering) and considers a Water Offset
Program for new connections.
< 3.5 years of
City implements Water Allotment Program. Water Offset Program for new
Severe
available water
connections may be increased (1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio). Allowable irrigation
supply
reduced to three days per week.
City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program with reduced
3 years of
allotment levels. Water Offset Program for new connections may be
available water
increased (1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio). Allowable irrigation reduced to two days
supply
per week with optional additional measures related to turf and spray
irrigation.
2.5 year of
City continues to Implement a Water Allotment Program at further reduced
available water
levels (minimum for public health and safety). Irrigation no longer permitted.
supply
Water Offset Program to cease and no new connections permitted.
NOTES:
1. The City's Water Supply Status is Informed by the Water Projection Model described in section 2, Annual Water
Shortage Assessment, of this WSCP.
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Water Shortage Response Stage: MONITOR
San Luis Obispo has made water conservation an integral part of the community's culture and policy context
for managing its water resources. The community has demonstrated a high commitment to reducing its
water usage during water shortages. Although not a true declaration of a water shortage, the Water
Shortage Contingency Plan's Monitor Stage remains in place at all times along with voluntary conservation.
This stage is focused on achieving voluntary water savings, as opposed to a mandatory demand reduction
programs. To ensure the City is using water responsibly and remaining in compliance with water efficiency
goals are regulations, the City continually assesses available water supply levels, monitors customer water
demand trends, conducts water loss audits, and evaluates potential supplemental supply projects. The
following are examples of measures that may be taken to maintain water use efficiency goals:
1. Implement public outreach and communication programs (bill stuffers, social media, etc.)
2. Participate in trade shows, home shows, and special community events
3. Offer complimentary water audits
4. Identify and notify customers of possible leaks and inefficient uses of water
5. Encourage the use of drip irrigation and drought tolerant plants
5. Implement school (K-12) education programs related to water conservation
7. Enforce the water efficiency retrofit program (toilet retrofit upon sale program)
Actions at the Monitor Stage would also include active enforcement of the City's water waste prohibitions,
such as those from Chapter 13.07 of the City's Municipal Code, which defines water waste as follow (See
also Table 1):
City of San Luis Obispo, Municipal Code
13.07.020 — Water runoff prohibited.
A. No person shall cause any water delivered by the city water system to flow away
from property owned, occupied or controlled by such person in any gutter, ditch or
in any other manner over the surface of the ground, so as to constitute water waste
runoff.
B. "Water waste runoff" means water flowing away from property and which is caused
by excessive application(s) of wafer beyond reasonable or practical flow rates,
water volumes or duration of application. (Ord. 1089 § 1 (part), 1987)
Water Shortage Response Stage: WATCH
When the City's available water supply would provide less than five years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council that a water shortage be declared. The City Council would be
recommended to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Watch Stage and urge the public to reduce
water use by approximately ten percent.
During the "Watch" Stage, the demand management measures utilized during the Monitor Stage above will
increase along with a continued focus on voluntary water use reduction. The City will also increase public
outreach, implement system and operational changes, increase enforcement actions and patrols, and
undertake other administrative actions. These program expansions and changes may include:
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1. Water Demand Reduction Programs:
A. Accelerate water audit programs for all customer classes
B. Identify largest water users in each sector and contact for complementary water audits
C. Increase water waste patrols
D. Conduct water use surveys
E. Implement rebate programs
F. Consider the use of irrigation limitations
2. Public Outreach Programs:
A. Issue a press release following Watch Stage declaration
B. Include information in quarterly Resource Newsletter
C. Update City website and create a page dedicated to information on details of WSCP Watch Stage
D. Use billing inserts to notify public of current situation and needs
E. Coordinate with regional partners on messaging and outreach
F. Increase outreach at public events such as Farmers Market, SLO Home Show, homeowners
association board meetings, etc.
G. Focus social media platforms on issues consistent with needed demand reductions
3. System and Operational Changes:
A. Reduce water usage for water main flushing and hydrant flushing
B. Reduce distribution system pressure where feasible
C. Increase leak detection, water meter testing, and water meter replacement
D. Require use of non -potable water sources for all street sweeping and hydrocleaning
E. Activate the Drought Taskforce
4. Enforcement Actions:
A. First Violation: Customer notification and education
Customer will be notified by staff of the particular violation observed, and the demand reduction
programs currently in place. The customer will be provided with needed resources to help them
comply with requirements. Examples of notification include: door tags containing educational
information, mailed letter, and/or personal phone call by staff.
B. Second Violation: Issuance of Notice of Violation
Customer will be issued a written notice of violation (NOV), notifying the customer of specific
violation, date and time the violation was observed, and consequences of subsequent violations
C. Subsequent Violations: Customer may be issued a penalty/fine for violation
5. Other Administrative Actions:
A. Begin drafting ordinance revisions and code changes that would go into effect in subsequent water
shortage stages
B. Plan for the funding and implementation of specific conservation programs launched in subsequent
water shortage stages
C. Review potential fiscal impacts of drought (i.e., increased water supply, operational, and capital
costs); and demand reductions (reduced revenue)
D. Identify and plan for the need for additional staff. In planning for additional staff, consideration
should be given to funding, available office space, vehicles, training, and other needed supplies
and support
E. Consider need for drought surcharge to stabilize revenue
F. Consider deferring previously scheduled capital projects as necessary to invest in acquisition of
needed water supply sources and demand reductions
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G. Review available supplemental water supply options, such as increased use of groundwater,
utilization of potable reuse, and implementation of a recycled water filling station
Water Shortage Response Stage: WARNING
When the City's available water supply would provide less than 4.5 years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council to move to the Warning water shortage stage. The City Council could
be recommended to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Warning Stage and urge the public to
reduce water use by an additional 10 percent including mandatory conservation measures.
The water conservation measures described in the Monitor and Watch Stages above may increase during
the Warning Stage, with an increased focus on limiting outdoor water uses. System and operational
changes would remain in place. These increases and additions to programs may include:
1. Water Demand Reduction Programs:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all demand reduction programs listed in Watch
Stage
B. Limit outdoor watering to between the hours of 7:06 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
C. Require restaurants to only serve water upon request
D. Restrict use of decorative water features and fountains
2. Public Outreach Programs:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all public outreach programs listed in Watch
Stage
B. Issue a press release following Warning Stage declaration
C. Target outreach to customers with large landscapes regarding irrigation restrictions
D. Use of billing inserts, postcards, and direct mail pieces to inform customers of new requirements
and prohibitions
E. Coordinate with local business groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and landscaping
associations to help encourage conservation among commercial customers
F. Coordinate with homeowners associations, property rental agencies, and other local groups to help
encourage conservation among residential customers
3. Enforcement Actions (Same as previous stage)
4. Other Administrative Actions:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all other administrative actions listed in Watch
Stage
B. Begin preparing for the Alert Stage.
5. Optional Implementation of a Water Demand Offset Program:
During the Warning Stage, staff will begin updating the Water Demand Offset Program and messaging
about the program to the development community. The City may consider implementing a water
demand offset program during this stage. Water demand offset programs are designed to require new
development that causes increased water demand to offset such demand through conservation or
acquisition/development of new water supplies. The goal of an offset program is to ensure that new
development does not increase current water demands. It should be noted that offset programs simply
expedite water efficiency measures and thus create water savings in the short term. Depending on the
nature of the offset, long-term savings may not be realized.
At the Warning stage the City may choose to implement a "net neutral" offset program, requiring that
new demands offset usage at a rate of 1:1. Future stages of the WSCP may suggest a more aggressive,
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"net positive" water demand offset program. A "net positive" water demand offset program would require
a positive offset of a project's water demand. An example of this would be a project required to offset
its water demand at a ratio higher than 1:1, such as 2:1 or 3:1.
There are several types of offset programs in use across California and the United States. Examples
of potential offset programs are listed below.
A. Toilet replacements
B. Smart irrigation controllers
C. Submetering
D. In -lieu fees (fees are used to support new water supply projects)
E. Irrigation system retrofits
F. Waterless urinals
G. Rainwater capture
H. Recycled Water Retrofit Projects
Water Shortage Response Stage: ALERT
When the City's available water supply would provide less than four years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council to move to the Alert water shortage stage. The City Council could be
recommended to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Alert Stage and urge the public to reduce
water use by an additional 10 percent including mandatory conservation measures.
The water conservation measures described in the Stages above may increase during the Alert Stage, with
an increased focus on limiting outdoor water uses. System and operational changes would remain in place.
These increases and additions to programs may include:
1. Water Demand Reduction Programs:
A. Limit outdoor watering to four days a week and only between the hours of 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
B. Defer landscape installations for new development or require development to install landscaping
that provides a 50 percent reduction in Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA). This would
not apply to sites irrigated with recycled water.
2. Public Outreach Programs:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all public outreach programs listed in previous
stages
B. Issue a press release following Alert Stage declaration
C. Utilize water use allocation software to identify inefficient water users and make direct contact with
these properties.
3. Enforcement Actions (Same as previous stage)
4. Other Administrative Actions:
A. Continue implementation of and possible increase of all other administrative actions listed in prior
stages
B. Prepare utility billing system and bill format for water allocations and reductions listed in subsequent
stages.
C. Establish appeals committee for customers who exceed allotments in subsequent stages, request
health and safety variances, or receive fines from violating water waste prohibitions
D. Increase utility billing training and support to address additional requirements of future stages
E. Begin preparing for Severe Stage
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Implementation of a Water Demand Offset Program:
At the Alert stage the City may choose to implement a "net neutral" offset program or increase a
previously approved program to a "net positive" program (ex: 1.5:1 or 2:1 offset ratio). Future stages of
the WSCP may suggest a more aggressive, "net positive" water demand offset program.
Water Shortage Response Stage: SEVERE
When the City's available water supply would provide less than 3.5 years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council to move to the Severe water shortage stage. The City Council would be
recommended to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Severe Stage and urge the public to reduce
water use by an additional approximately 10 percent.
At this water shortage response stage, the City would continue implementation of demand reduction
measures, public outreach, and other responses and programs described in prior stages. System and
operational changes would remain in place. At the Severe Stage, a water offset program may increase to
a "net positive" program, such as 1.5:1 or 2:1 ratio.
Previous Water Demand Reduction Programs should be increased to include:
Limit outdoor watering to three days a week and only between the hours of 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
During the Severe, Extreme, and Critical stages of the WSCP the City may adopt a Water Allotment
Program, restricting the water use on an account -by -account basis. The following allotment method may
be used:
Customer Classification
Severe Stage Allotment
A per capita allotment allowing for indoor
Single Family Residential and
use and a minimal outdoor irrigation budget.
Multi -family Residential
Verification of persons per household may
be requested
Commercial and Institutional
Baseline allocation or allocation based on
percent reduction from normal usage
Landscape Meters
Allocation based on percent reduction from
normal usage;
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When the City's available water supply would provide less than three years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council to move to the Extreme water shortage stage. The City Council would
be recommended to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Extreme Stage and urge the public to
reduce water use by an additional 10 percent.
At this water shortage response stage, the City would continue implementation of demand reduction
measures, public outreach, and other responses and programs described in prior stages. System and
operational changes would remain in place. At the Severe Stage, a water offset program may increase to
a "net positive" program, such as 1.5:1 or 2.1 ratio.
Previous Water Demand Reduction Programs should be increased to include:
■ Limit outdoor watering to two days a week and only between the hours of 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
• Optional implementation of additional restrictions on turf and/or spray irrigation.
Customer Classification
Extreme Stage Allotment
A per capita allotment allowing for indoor
Single Family Residential and
use and a reduced outdoor irrigation budget
Multi -family Residential
versus the Severe stage. Verification of
persons per household may be requested
Reduced baseline allocation or allocation
Commercial and Institutional
based on percent reduction from normal
usage
Landscape Meters
Reduced allocation based on percent
reduction from normal usage;
At this stage, due to the limited water supplies that remain, the City could consider removal of the "courtesy
notification".
When the City's available water supply would provide less than 2.5 years of water, a recommendation
would be made to the City Council to move to the Critical water shortage stage. The City Council would be
recommended to adopt a resolution declaring the City enter the Critical Stage and urge the public to reduce
water use by an additional approximately 10 percent.
At this water shortage response stage, the City would continue implementation of demand reduction
measures, public outreach, and other responses and programs described in prior stages. System and
operational changes would remain in place. At the Severe Stage, a water offset program may increase to
a "net positive" program, such as 1.5:1 or 2.1 ratio.
Previous Water Demand Reduction Programs should be increased to include:
• Cessation irrigation for all customers, minus specific exemptions.
Customer Classification
Critical Stage Allotment
Single Family Residential and
Multi -family Residential
A per capita allotment allowing for indoor
water use. Irrigation not permitted.
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Verification of persons per household may
be requested
Reduced baseline allocation or allocation
Commercial and Institutional
based on percent reduction from normal
usage. Irrigation not permitted.
Landscape Meters
I Not Permitted
At this stage, due to the limited water supplies that remain, the City would consider the cessation of new
connections to the City's water system.
5. WSCP EXEMPTIONS AND APPEALS
As the community was impacted by the 2011-2015 drought and irrigation restrictions were put into place,
community members advocated for certain exemptions related to water use restrictions. The following
series of exemptions will help ensure the health and well-being of the community while not making a
substantial impact on available water supplies.
Sites using Recycled Water for Irrigation
Sites utilizing recycled water are exempt from irrigation restrictions due to their reliance on recycled water
in place of potable water. These sites include major City parks, such as Damon Garcia Park, French Park,
Islay Park, Laguna Lake Park, Laguna Hills Park, De Vaul Park, the Laguna Lake Golf Course, and Laguna
Middle School, as well as many multifamily and commercial properties.
Irrigation Exceptions at Specific Facilities
During the recent drought City staff and community members provided feedback that City parks with
inadequate irrigation allotments could lead to hazardous conditions at recreation and play environments.
To address these concerns, and to provide communal spaces for recreation during times when many
homes allowed landscapes to die, in 2016 the City Council approved an amendment to Chapter 13.07.030
of the Municipal Code, allowing for daily irrigation at designated City facilities during turf renovation, and
three times per week thereafter. This exemption is recommended to be expanded to include schools within
the City's boundaries as they are used for recreation in a similar manner to City parks. This exemption
would only go into place in stages of the WSCP requiring irrigation restrictions.
Irrigation of Trees
During the 2011-2015 drought, the City heard from many residents who opted to cease irrigation of their
trees in order to reduce their water demand. Unlike turf, shrubs, and other groundcover, trees take a great
amount of time to grow and provide substantial ecological, environmental, practical, and economic value to
the community. An exemption to irrigation restrictions allowing for the use of a hose and shutoff nozzle to
hand water trees will allow the community to preserve this precious multi -benefit resource.
Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities, and other Specific Business Types
Hospitals, healthcare facilities, and other businesses requiring water for the health and safety of at -risk
people may apply for an exemption on a case by case -basis. This exemption may be granted at the
discretion of the Utilities Director or his/her/their designee.
Appeals
Appeals related to water use restrictions within the WSCP and associated penalties may be appealed to
the Utilities Director or his/her/their designee.
5. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE IMPACTS
During a water shortage, revenues from water sales can be reduced but the City's operations and
maintenance costs would not reduce accordingly. In fact, during these periods, the City's operations
budgets can increase due to the implementation of water demand reduction measures, public outreach,
enforcement, groundwater exploration, water quality concerns, and other actions taken by the City during
the crisis. The reduction in revenues resulting from decreased water use may result in the need to raise
water rates during that period.
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Under the City's water rate structure, bills are based predominately on customer usage and resulting
demand on the water system.
To minimize the need to raise rates during water shortages, the City has a policy that requires a minimum
reserve of twenty percent of the Water Fund's operating budget.
City staff provides ongoing tracking of revenues and evaluates the potential impacts associated with
changes in water demand assumptions used in the Water Fund Analysis. The City Council considers the
water rates necessary to provide water service to the community on an annual basis and approves water
rate changes as needed.
In addition to securing water supplies, Water Fund revenue supports ongoing maintenance and operating
programs needed to ensure that the water treatment and delivery systems meet all federal and state water
treatment regulations and are operated and maintained to provide safe and reliable service.
7, MONITORING, REPORTING, AND REFINEMENT PROCEDURES
The City reads water meters monthly to ensure water consumption data is collected for tracking, analysis,
and to meet state reporting requirements. Monitoring and reporting key water use metrics is fundamental
to water supply planning and management. Monitoring is also essential to ensure that the response actions
are achieving their intended water use reduction purposes, or if new actions need to be considered.
Compliance tracking is also necessary for an effective enforcement program.
To evaluate the functionality of the WSCP and ensure strategies are effective, staff will monitor community
response to water demand reduction measures, public outreach, enforcement, and other administrative
actions at each water shortage response stage. This will include review of monthly water consumption data
for each customer class and monitoring associated fiscal and expenditure impacts. Staff will make
recommendations on program refinements to the City Council with water shortage stage progression.
8. CATASTROPHIC WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION
The City has an Emergency Response Plan to cover a variety of potential disasters including earthquakes,
floods, wildland fires, etc. The Pfan identifies resources available to the City from other agencies or private
companies in the area. Additionally, the City of Morro Bay and the Whale Rock Commission (of which the
City of San Luis Obispo is a member) executed an agreement in June of 2000 which provides for Mutual
Aid between the agencies during disruption of water deliveries or lack of available water supplies. The
agreement provides a general framework for exchanging water between agencies in the event of
emergencies or other water disruptions. The agreement is voluntary based on each agency's ability to
assist at any point in the future.
In relation to providing water service, the City would utilize electrical portable generators to minimize water
disruptions during an extended power outage. These generators are available to the City at any time.
The City is a member of the Water Agency Response Network (WARN). WARN is a statewide organization
of water agencies and companies that have entered into a mutual aid agreement to assist other water
agencies during emergencies or other water related situations. The agreement provides the framework for
providing assistance and provides a key contact to initiate a multiple agency response to a water emergency
situation.
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RESOLUTION NO. (2021 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE 2020 URBAN WATER
MANAGEMENT PLAN
WHEREAS, the California Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 797 during the 1983-
1984 Regular Session, and as amended subsequently, which mandates that every
supplier providing water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 customers or
supplying more than 3,000 acre-feet of water annually, prepare an Urban Water
Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City is an urban supplier of water providing water to approximately
15,700 customers; and
WHEREAS, the City's Urban Water Management Plan shall be periodically
reviewed at least once every five years, and that the City shall make any amendments or
changes to its plan which are indicated by the review; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan must be adopted, after
public review and hearing, and filed with the California Department of Water Resources
by July 1, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the City has therefore prepared for public review a draft 2020 Urban
Water Management Plan, and a properly noticed public hearing regarding the Plan was
held by the City Council on June 15, 2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. The 2020 Urban Water Management Plan for the City of San Luis
Obispo, consisting of text, tables, and appendices presented to the Council on June 15,
2021, on file in the City Clerk's Office, is hereby adopted.
SECTION 2. The Utilities Director is hereby directed to distribute the 2020 Urban
Water Management Plan to the California State Library, the County of San Luis Obispo,
and make available for public review as prescribed by state law.
IV
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Resolution No. (2021 Series)
Page 2
SECTION 3. The adoption of the City's 2020 Urban Water Management Plan is
hereby determined to be statutorily exempt from the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act pursuant to California Water Code §10652.
Upon motion
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
of , seconded by
, and on the following roll call vote:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 2021.
Mayor Heidi Harmon
ATTEST:
Teresa Purrington,
City Clerk
APPROVED:
J. Christine Dietrick,
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on
Teresa Purrington,
City Clerk
IV
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RESOLUTION NO. (2021 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE 2020 WATER SHORTAGE
CONTINGENCY PLAN
WHEREAS, the California Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 797 during the 1983-
1984 Regular Session, and as amended subsequently, which mandates that every
supplier providing water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 customers or
supplying more than 3,000 acre-feet of water annually, prepare an Urban Water
Management Plan and separate Water Shortage Contingency Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City is an urban supplier of water providing more than 3,000 acre-
feet of water annually to approximately 15,700 customers; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan includes planned
response actions during six water shortage levels to manage and mitigate potential water
supply shortages; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan includes the written
process the City will use each year to determine its water reliability; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan must be adopted, after
public review and hearing, and filed with the California Department of Water Resources
by July 1, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the City has therefore prepared for public review a draft 2020 Water
Shortage Contingency Plan, and a properly noticed public hearing regarding the Plan was
held by the City Council on June 15, 2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. The 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan for the City of San Luis
Obispo, consisting of text, tables, and appendices presented to the Council on June 15,
2021, on file in the City Clerk's Office, is hereby adopted.
SECTION 2. The Utilities Director is hereby directed to distribute the 2020 Water
Shortage Contingency Plan to the California State Library, the County of San Luis Obispo,
and make available for public review as prescribed by state law.
IV
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Resolution No. (2021 Series)
Page 2
SECTION 3. The adoption of the City's 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan is
hereby determined to be statutorily exempt from the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act pursuant to California Water Code §10652.
Upon motion
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
of , seconded by
, and on the following roll call vote:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this
ATTEST:
Teresa Purrington,
City Clerk
APPROVED:
J. Christine Dietrick,
City Attorney
day of , 2021.
Mayor Heidi Harmon
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on
Teresa Purrington,
City Clerk
IV
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I -* -,NZ
s jq
ArS
ti° CITY OF SHill DELIS OBISPO
Recommendations
• Adopt a Resolution entitled "A Resolution of the
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo Adopting
the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan"; and
• Adopt a Resolution entitled "A Resolution of the
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo Adopting
the 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan."
Why We Are Here...
Due July 1, 2021
• 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP)
• 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP)
43
What is in the City's Urban Water
Management Plan?
Required Sections and Corresponding City Chapters
Required Sections (by Water Code):
City's 2020 UWMP Chapter:
Introduction and Lay Description
Chapter 1, Introduction
Plan Preparation
System Description
Chapter 2, Service Area and Water System Description
Customer Water Use
Chapter 3, Past, Current, and Projected Water Use by Sector
Conservation Target Compliance
System Supplies
Chapter 4, Water Sources
Chapter 5, Recycled Water
Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk
Chapter 6, Water Supply Reliability
Assessment
Demand Management Measures
Chapter 71 Water Conservation & Demand Management Measures
• Notices of Public Hearings included in an appendix
Plan Adoption, Submittal, & Implementation
0 Checklist included in an appendix
• Electronic submittal following Council Approval
Energy Analysis — New Requirement
(Chapter 4, Water Sources, page 4-11)
2020 Energy Usage (Potable Water):
74%
energy was
used
for Water Conveyance
24%
energy was
used
for Water
Treatment
2% energy was used for Water Distribution
1.
N
Energy Analysis — New Requirement
(Chapter 4, Water Sources, page 4-11)
Water Conveyance:
676,580 kWh of energy to move
15718 AF (34.5%) from Salinas
Reservoir (393 kWh per AF)
758,208 kWh of energy to move
1,305 AF (26.2%) from Whale
Rock Reservoir (581 kWh per AF)
1,893,991 kWh of energy to move
15958 AF (39.3%) from Nacimiento
Reservoir (967 kWh per AF)
Water Conveyance Total = 3,328J79 kWh
N a c l miento--*. ' IeNI
ROSOr air
Whale Rock .....,
Reservoir}
,rsalinas
Reservoir
San Luis D6is
Water Rrsvurce`f����rbi
Recovery
Faclllty
cn
Important Takeaways from
the 2020 UWMP
Ability to Withstand Prolonged Drought
With its current water supply portfolio, the City can
withstand a period of consecutive dry years without
service interruptions to customers.
Water Availability for Community Growth
City has adequate water supplies to meet the needs of
the community through 2040.
SB X7-7 Compliance
The City is compliant with water conservation goals
related to SIB X7-7 (20 by 2020), exceeding GPCD goal
of 117 GPCD and reporting 94 GPCD for 2020.
Current Reservoir Conditions
Salinas MM&L.. 15,918 66.76%
Whale Rock* 291901 76.73%
Nacimiento* * 1061075 28.07%
City has water storage rights to 55 percent of Whale Rock storage/inflow. City's
current storage volume is 15,295 acre-feet (72.5 percent of Whale Rock available
storage capacity).
** City has a 5,482 acre-feet per year entitlement to water from Nacimiento Reservoir.
City currently uses around 4,700 acre-feet of water per year
What is a Water Shortage
Contingency Plan?
"A detailed proposal for how a water supplier intends
to act in case of an actual water shortage condition"
(DWR)
A water shortage condition can occur from:
• Prolonged drought/Climate change
• Seismic event
• Contamination
• Pipeline failure
• Imbalance of available water supply and
community water demand
Why is a WSCP Important?
• Describes how a water supplier intends to address a
water shortage.
• Defines projects, policies, and programs needed to
mitigate the risk of a water shortage.
• Considers financial impacts of a loss of supply, as
well as funding and staffing needs associated with
shortages.
• Identifies expectations of the community in cases
where water supply is inadequate to meet
community needs.
UWMP and WSCP Outreach
Notices to Agencies (County of San Luis Obispo,
Cayucos Area Water, and Water Resources
Advisory Committee)
Study Session with City Council on
April 13, 2021
Draft UWMP and WSCP on Utilities
Department Website
New Times Hearing Advertisements
UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
Closure Notice: Due to COVID-19, our Olgalobby Is curlenlly closed to the
public You can reach stars by falling the front desk at it05-791-7215
Click haretorift— information regarding C0VI0.19
Draft 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and Draft
2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
The drahs or the City of San Luis Obispo 2020 Urban Water Management
Plan and 2020 water Shortage Contingency Plan are ava sable at the links
below,
A public neaung wnv be Meld before the City Council on Tuesday, June 15,
2021 at 5.00 pm to consiger adoption of the,, plans. More i.N—tion on
ha, to patlicipate in the ON Cou-1 meeting please see
11:-. :. r.._ga.-nas- rA
Questions?
� � t
r !
10
�1 � �
Recommendations
Adopt a Resolution entitled "A Resolution of
the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
Adopting the 2020 Urban Water Management
Plan"; and
Adopt a Resolution entitled "A Resolution of
the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
Adopting the 2020 Water Shortage
Contingency Plan."
Water Supply Accounting
Satins & Whale Rodc
Safe Annual Yield:
Siltation: 500 AF
Primary Water Supply:
For Salinas and Whaleliock Reservers
The amount of water needed to
the term'safe annual yield is used to
meet the General Plan build -out of
define the quntlty of water which can
the The quantity water
be withdrawn every year, under critical
needeedel for the Guys primary water
drought conditions. The safe annual
supply needs iscal[ulated using the
yield available from Salinas and Whate
Crty's maximum gpcd water use as
Rode Reservoirs is estimated bysimulat-
Salinas & Whale Rock
regulated by State law 1117 gpcd)
ing theoperationofthesetwo water
Safe Annual Yield:
and the Cd s build -out ulatm
Y Pop
supply sources over a histoncal penod oo
deter mine the maximum level of
demand that could be met during the
4,910 Acre -Feet Primary Water Supply-
(City Buildoul Popuiabon a 117 good
most severe drought for which records
a %5 days)1325,851 gallons
♦ are available.
7•ACK-r
Nadmiento Reservoir
Reliability Reserve:
Dope nda bl• Yield:
The reliability reserve was devel-
The'dependableyield'from Nacmienw
oped to provide a buffer for future
Reservoir is the contractual amount of
unforeseen or unpredictable
water that the City has right to from
Total Water Supply: I
longterm impacts to the ciWs
tn NacinventoReservoir.This aountis
available water resouroessuch as
5,482 acre-feet per year
0,107 Acre -Feet
loss of yield from an existing water
R•cyded Waw Demand:
"ply source and impacts due to
dimatechange. Reliability reserve n
Annual r"led water demand,, added
calculated using gpcd limit of 117
to the City'sTotat Water Supply each
and 2016of the Crtys current
year. This number rs piojeaed to
population.
increase sgnficantly as the major Ty of
the Cityy future development will Occur
20% of Cment lr
witho the Recycled Water Master Plan
on r 11d7, a 365
Area
days)/ 325,85t gallons
Nacimiento Reservoir
Siltation:
Dependable Reliability Reserve:
p
The City will acc�ottrrt for estimated safe
Secondary Water Supply:
annual yield losses at Salinas and Whale
s.+e2 Acre�eel 1.MACre-raft
The amount of water needed to
Rock Reservoirs through 2060 by
meet peak periods or
deducting S00 acre feet of available
Ionwario citywaemand
short-term Ion ofCe supply
water supplies to account forthese
soure�The Cnyrs secondary water
secondary
future Iosses.The siltation rate wAl be
supply is rdenfif ed as any water
updated as mformation becomes
evadable from subsequent srrtathon
Secondary Water
supply resources a bone those
analyses.
Supply:
needed to meet the primary water
supply and reliability reserve.
Total Water Supply:
1AVA-4—t
Recycled Water Demand:
{Safe ArmualYield+Dependableyiekd+
215 Acre -tact
Flecyded Water Demand- Sitationl
65-996 or 3,112 acre-feet
Slogle and Multi-Famlh
Residential
20.9%or 994 acre-feet
Non-RteAdenttal
12 7%or 601 acre-fo1
S"mrately Metered
Landscape
0.74b or 33 acre-feet
Construction Water
Primary Water Supply:
7,496 Acre -Feet
*2020 Population = 45,920
203S Population= 57,200
2020 Water Usee
4,730 Akre -Feet
Futurewater use
2,734 Akre -Feet
1�
Water Supply Accounting
2020 Water Supply Accounting
Primary Water Supply = 117 gpcd x City Build -out Population, in acre-feet per year
117 gpcd x 57,200 x 365 day/year x acre-ft/325,851 gallons = 7,496 acre-ft per year
Reliability Reserve = 117 gpcd x 2020 City Population x 20 percent, in acre-feet per year
117 gpcd x 45,920 x 365 day/year x acre-ft/325,851 gallons x 20 percent =1,204 acre-ft per year
Secondary Water Supply = Current Annual Availability — Primary Water Supply — Reliability Reserve
10,107 acre-ft/year"— 7,496 acre-ft/year —1,204 Acre-Ft/year = 1,407 acre-ft per year
2020 Annual Water Resource Availability from table above.
Primary Water Supply
Reliability Reserve
Secondary Water
Total
Supply
7,496
1,204
1,407
10,107
Water Supply & Demand VS Population (1980-2017)
1986-1991
2011-2016
T�
Drought
Drought
43.2W Po ulation
\
45.484
44.271
40000
43.2C8
100D0
9,980 (ane-feet)
w
35000
1fL130(sosieel)
30D00
y 8000
m
�
o
o
&"0(aaro4ep)
O
2SD0075
Total Water Supply
not inClUding groundwater)5.715
(artxe-fee
o
n
Water Demand
�
20000
c
O
m
a
m
c-
4.040 (acre-teet
7
d
o
i�
O
�_
4)
Q
(675
ca
ILL
O
O
O
41
U
-
0)
fEj
(a
Z
Z
u
1980 1982 1984
1986 1988 1990 1992
1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004
20�.,
2008 2010
2012 2014
2016
Year
-Water Demand -Total WaterSupply -Population
Tools and Models
Water Projection Model
• Used to project available water supply based on current
conditions
• Updated to reflect worst -case drought from 2012-2014
• Model simulates very minimal inflow into reservoirs
• Allows for input of current reservoir storage levels
• Allows for input of current water demand
• Allows for input of current population and projected growth
Tools and Models
Safe Annual Yield Model
• Models how much water can "safely" be used from Salinas and
Whale Rock on an annual basis.
• Utilizes historical record of inflows, evaporation, precipitation,
and downstream releases.
• Water and Wastewater Management Element of the General
Plan requires that the City update the SAY model following
severe drought.
• Updated after the 2011-2015 drought which resulted in a Joint
SAY reduction from 6,940 AF/Y to 4,910 AF/Y
• Ensures the City does not over -allocate its water resources
Serving New Development
Water Supply Assessments
Required For:
• Commercial projects with 250,000 square feet of floor
space
• Retail centers with more than 500,000 square feet of floor
space
• Residential projects with 500 or more dwelling units
Example Projects:
• San Luis Ranch
• Avila Ranch
• Orcutt Area Specific Plan
• Froom Ranch
Table 8-1. San Luis Ranch Project Water Demand by Use Factors
AREAS
Single -Family Residences
(Traditional)
WMar Um Factor
0.3 AF. year,. unit
Ouantity
200 units
Water Demand
60.0
Single Family (Small Lot)
0.21 AF/yearlunit
102 units
21.4
Apartment (Multi -Family &
Affordable)
0.18AF/year/unit
280 units
50.4
Neighborhood Commercial
0.3 AF/year/1,000 SF
150,000 SF
45
Office Space
0.1 AF/year/1,000 SF
100,000 SF
10
Hotel
0.122 AF/year/room
200 room
24.4
Parkland
2 AF/yearlacre
2.79 acres
5.6
Total (acre-feet ear):
I
1
1 216.8
Expanding Water Supplies
• Expanding groundwater pumping program — expect to
add use of 500 to 1,000 AF/Year of groundwater
• Expanding Recycled Water delivery, specifically to
large developments on the southern portion of the City
• WRRF selected Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
treatment in
order to
position the
City for groundwater
recharge
of
recycled
water (up to
1,500
AF/Year)
• Continued conservation through indoor and outdoor
water use efficiency