HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/1992, C-7 - WATER SUPPLY STATUS UPDATE/EXITING MANDATORY CONSERVATION IIII MEETING DATE:
► pi�� City Of San «.IIS OBISPO March 3, 1992
mango COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MN NUMBER/I I
FROM: William T. Hetland,,`' PREPARED BY: Ron Munds
Utilities Director Water Conservation Coordinator
SUBJECT: WATER SUPPLY STATUS UPDATE/EXITING MANDATORY
CONSERVATION
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution rescinding the allocation and surcharge components of the 15%
mandatory conservation program, to be effective for all water billing dates after
March 3, 1992.
DISCUSSION
At the August 20, 1991 City Council meeting, the Council adopted Water Operation
Plan Action Levels to guide entering and exiting mandatory water conservation. The
total storage required to end mandatory water conservation was identified as 28,100
acre feet. With the February rains and subsequent available water supply, the total
reservoir storage is over 29,000 acre feet, exceeding the amount specified to end the
mandatory program.
Adoption of the attached resolution would end the allocation and surcharge
components of the 15% mandatory water conservation program.
Because of the complex impacts of dismantling the entire program, staff will be
coming to Council with a two-phase approach. Phase 1 includes the actions identified
with this report, in which Council has the opportunity to end the water allocation and
surcharge components of the mandatory program. Phase 2 will be presented later this
month. That report will address the steps needed to systematically dismantle the
remaining components of the mandatory program, and will outline recommendations
for the continuing program, the future direction of the water conservation program,
and staffing requirements to achieve these goals.
This report focuses on two major topics: (1) the City's current and projected water
supply; and (2) a brief identification of the future issues to consider in eliminating
mandatory water conservation.
CURRENT AND PROJECTED WATER SUPPLY
The City's reservoir storage as of February 20, 1992, was 29,481 acre feet, exceeding
the action level of 28,100 acre feet for departing mandatory conservation. Total
reservoir storage for the City is 45,630 acre feet; storage is currently at 65% of that
figure. The rainy season which ends in April could add to the current storage, but
since Salinas can only add approximately 2,000 acre feet before it spills and Whale
Rock is very slow to add to storage, it is not likely that storage will change by more
than an additional 3,000 to 4,000 acre feet this year.
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MY Of San LAS OBISPO
MNN&WMA� COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
40
Exiting Mandatory Conservation
Page 2
The Reservoir Storage Curve (Attachment A) is part of the City's Annual Water Plan
analysis. It is a model to estimate the City's reservoir storage .based on historical
water use, reservoir data and available groundwater supplies. The model is used to
forecast the City's water supply position and to make certain water policy
recommendations. The curve has been updated to reflect the City's current storage.
The model predicts current water storage to last until the late spring of 1996, under a
set of worst case conditions. Total storage is approximately at the same level that the
City was in early 1987, but the storage at Salinas reservoir accounts for a much higher
percentage of the total current storage than was the case in 1987. This is significant
as evaporation affects Salinas storage more dramatically, impacting the steepness of
the projected storage curve.
If drought conditions return next winter, the curve predicts that the City may again
enter mandatory conservation in April, 1993. However, a return to normal rainfall
patterns next year would increase reservoir storage, especially at Whale Rock. This
would continue to pull the City out of the drought and would decrease the necessity
of again implementing mandatory water conservation program.
The current increase in reservoir storage �e not influence the City's safe annual
yield. Therefore, the City's building moratorium will continue to be in effect. New
building permits will only be issued under the retrofit program. New sources of
supply must be developed to lift the existing building moratorium.
EXITING MANDATORY CONSERVATION PROGRAM-ISSUES TO CONSIDER
Elimination of mandatory water rationing and the associated allocations and
surcharges creates a number of other issues that need to be addressed. These issues
are briefly summarized below and will be presented for Council action later this
month.
1. Water Rates - In April of each year, staff reviews the rate structure and the
amount of revenue that it generates to meet current budget requirements. Any
recommended changes to the mandatory water conservation program ("MWCP")
will be reflected in the rate analysis. These changes or modifications to the rate
structure will be consistent with current Council policy for establishing utility rates.
2. Phase Out of Hotline Staff - The water conservation hotline answers the phone
and responds to customer questions regarding allocations, surcharges, and water
bills. It is anticipated that it will be necessary to maintain this capability for a
period of time as people will have questions regarding their billing and termination
of the MWCP. Staff will return to Council with a recommendation on how long
this phase out will take.
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I��w►► ��IIIIIII�p�N°�9IUIN city Of San L.aIS OBISPO
Norms COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Exiting Mandatory Conservation
Page 3
3. Water Conservation
Program Debriefing - It is HISTORY OF WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
suggested that staff take
some time to debrief our The Mandatory Water Conservation Program has been
current MWCP with the extremely successful in achieving the City's goal of
water conservation staff. reducing water consumption. Overall consumption has
The purpose of the averaged 43% to 46% of 1987 consumption levels for the
debriefing is to evaluate last 24 months.
the effectiveness of the past
program and identify 25% Mandatory Program - April, 1989
problem areas and Mandatory water conservation was first implemented in
potential revisions. 1989 at the level 25% reduction from 1987 base year
Realizing that the City may consumption. At that time, average consumption per
experience MWCP within a single family household was 25 units per billing period.
short period of time, if the The ceiling was set at 40 units.
drought continues, it may
be beneficial to rewrite the 35% Mandatory Program - July, 1990
current water conservation Mandatory conservation at the 35% level was approved to
system. be implemented in June 1990. The program included
enforcement of certain water waste actions and a system
4. Assumed Responsibilities of of surcharges for excessive water use. The ceiling was
the Water Conservation set at 25 units.
Staff - Over the past two
years, the water 15% Mandatory Prooram - April, 1991
conservation staff workload The 35% mandatory program was relaxed to a 15%
has varied and staffing mandatory program following the March, 1991, rains. City
levels have been adjusted Council adopted the program on April 15, 1991, keeping i
accordingly. In addition, place surcharges and the Water Waste Municipal Codes.
the water conservation staff The ceiling was set at 35 units.
has assisted other
departments with some of
their workload Fr9� 1 HISTORY OF MANDATORY WATER
requirements. Those CONSERVATION
include:
a) Finance Department - answering questions regarding utility billing and utility
bills;
b) Planning/Building Divisions - assisting in zoning code enforcement and retrofit
inspection program;
c) Water Division - assisting in compliance with the new copper and lead
regulations.
A decision will have to be made how these additional workload responsibilities will
be handled in the future.
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°1���H►�illlllllll���ui►���U city of San Lacs OBISPO
i0MGm COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Exiting Mandatory Conservation
Page 4
5. Landscape Deferrals - Over the past two and one-half years, landscape projects
have been deferred due to the drought. It will now be necessary to follow up on
those deferrals to make sure that the landscape projects are implemented in
accordance with the City's landscape requirements.
6. Dalidio Wells - The City's agreement for use of the Dalidio Wells has a
termination clause that goes into effect when our reservoirs reach 66% capacity.
Since storage is at that level, it will now be necessary to remove our well
equipment, including the large carbon treatment tanks, from that site, or to
renegotiate our contract with the Dalidio family.
7. Records Retention - The water conservation staff has accumulated a significant
amount of census data and water use records under this program and a decision
needs to be made as to their value and what our long-term records retention
policy should be.
8. Repeal of Mandatory Water Conservation Ordinance - The ordinance includes
water waste codes which Council may elect to keep as part of the ongoing
program.
9. Long Term Sustained Water Conservation Program - While the present mandatory
water conservation program will end, the community's emphasis on long term
water conservation will continue. We need to decide the content and process of
such a program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of eliminating mandatory water conservation needs further review.
Water Fund revenues should be enhanced by increased water sales but proposed
changes to the water rate structure could offset these revenues. Staff will return in
April with a more detailed analysis and recommendation regarding water rates.
SUMMARY
As is indicated by the storage curve, the City is still in a very guarded situation in
regards to available water supply. In the worst case scenario of continued drought
conditions, the City could be back into mandatory water conservation at the beginning
of next year. It will take the voluntary cooperation of our water customers and the
next year's rainy season to eliminate the need for a mandatory program. It is evident
from the curve that the City needs to continue an aggressive water conservation
program to extend and maximize existing water supplies. Since no new water supply
projects will be completed in the near future, it is possible, lacking adequate rainfall,
that the City will be faced with the prospect of water rationing for several years.
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11%1111111111111 � l�d�ll City Of San LaiS OBISpO
ffilmrme COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Exiting Mandatory Conservation
Page 5
Attachments: Attachment A - Reservoir Storage Curve
Attachment B - Action Levels - 1991/92 Water Operation Plan
Appendix A - Resolution No. Rescinding Resolution No. 6961
Appendix B - Resolution No. 6961
I
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO Exhibit
August 1991 1991/92 Water
Operational Plan
ACTION LEVELS
Action Level Definition Storage
Entering Exiting
Action Levels Action Levels
MAX STORAGE Total City's storage in both 45,630
Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs
STAGE I 3.0 years of supply less annual 21,900 28,100
well capacity plus minimum pool.
(15%conservation)
STAGE II 20 years of supply less annual 13,200 18,200
well capacity plus minimum pool.
(35%conservation) '
STAGE III 1.0 years of supply less annual 6,500 10,000
well capacity plus minimum pool.
(50%conservation)
Minimum Pool 3,100
The storage levels are based on a base year consumption of 8,050 AFY,and then reduced consumption based
on the appropriate conservation goal for each action level,1,800 AFY of well production and minimum pool
of 3,100 AF.
Entering Action Levels
In April of each year,staff will evaluate water supply. If City storage will hit action level
within the next nine months,the new conservation level will be implemented in May.
C.� r1- r7
APPENDIX A
•
RESOLUTION NO. (1992 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 6961
REGARDING MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION
WHEREAS, on August 20, 1991, the City Council adopted the 1991/92
Annual Water Operational Plan as policy to establish action levels
for, mandatory water conservation, and
WHEREAS, said policy states when total reservoir water storage
reaches 28, 100 acre feet, mandatory water conservation will end,
and
WHEREAS, as of March, 1991, reservoir storage has exceeded the
stated storage level to end mandatory water conservation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of San
Luis Obispo does hereby rescind Resolution No. 6961, except that
with respect to requests for water allocation adjustments under the
Mandatory Water Conservation Program, Section 1, sub-section(s) 10
and 11 of Resolution No. 6961 will remain in effect, as follows:
. 10. The City, pursuant to Chapter 13 . 07 of San Luis
Obispo Municipal Code which prohibits wasting of
water, will impose the following penalties to
consumers in violation. The City may:
* Issue a written "warning" for the first offense;
* Issue a written citation or complaint for the second
offense;
* Install a flow-restrictor at the cost of the
customer for the third offense, and;
* Terminate water service for a fourth offense. Prior
to the termination of water service, the City will
provide a due process hearing before the Water
Conservation Adjustment Board. . The charge for water
service termination and restoration shall be 100
dollars.
11. The City shall establish a Water Conservation
Adjustment Board, which may grant exceptions for
uses of water otherwise prohibited by Section
13 . 07. 070. The procedure for filing a request for
exception is:
* Completely fill out an application form which will
be evaluated in accordance with established criteria
as approved by the City Administrative Officer.
* The first review will be by the Director of
C - rT • S
Resolution (1992 series)
Page 2
Utilities or designees. The customer will be
notified of the decision by letter.
* If the water customer is not satisfied with the
decision, it may be appealed to the Water
Conservation Adjustment Board.
* If the customer is not satisfied with the decision
of the Water Conservation Adjustment Board, it may
be appealed to the City Administrative Officer whose
decision shall be final.
SECTION 2 . Effective Date.
This Resolution will become effective for all water billing dates
after March 3 , 1992 .
Upon motion of , seconded by ,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted the day of
1992
Mayor Ron Dunin
ATTEST:
Pam Voges, City Clerk
APPROVED:
*Cit istrative Officer
r
Finance Director
C � � _ 9
Appendix B
• RESOLUTION NO.6961 (1991 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO ADOPTING THE MANDATORY WATER
CONSERVATION IMPLEMENTATION POLICY STATEMENT
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has experienced consecutive
years with lower than normal rainfall which resulted in lower
than normal reservoir storage levels. Using historic water
hydrology and demand information, the City developed and adopted
its Annual Water Operational Plan of 1985 under which reductions
in demand are required when predetermined reservoir storage
levels are reached.
WHEREAS, The City Council acknowledges that water is a limited
resource and therefore desires to improve the effectiveness of
water use within the City's service area and encourages citizens
to use water wisely. To accomplish this, the City will introduce
a mandatory water conservation program using the following
elements:
SECTION 1. This Council finds that:
1. Water use classifications are determined and established by .
. the Director of Finance.
2. The customer of record is responsible for the water service
and extent of water use.
3. The City will establish a life-line water usage allowance
of 22 units per billing cycle for single meter residence.
4. The City will establish a maximum allocation of 35 units
per billing cycle for single meter residence.
5. The City will establish a lifeline allocation of 16 units
per unit per billing cycle for all other users.
6. The City will establish a mAndatory water conservation
percentage reduction allotment program for each customer
class.
7. The City will establish an optional base-line standard
water allocation program adjusted by the target for
commercial accounts and a city average plus per capita
adjustment water allocation program for residential
accounts. The following conservation targets, alternative
Base Units/Standard, and Adjusted Units for billing units
.per billing cycle are established by customer class:
cow • � 10
T
Resolution 6961 (1991 Series)
Page 2 1
A. RESIDENTIAL Target Optional Allocation
Single Meter 15% 22 unit (lifeline) for 3
permanent residents + 2.0
additional permanent resident
Multi-Family 12% 16 unit (lifeline) for 3
permanent residents per Dwelling
Unit + 2.0 additional units for
each additional permanent
resident
B. COMMERCIAL 5%
Commercial accounts will reduce over-all water consumption by 5%
for-each classification.
C. INSTITUTIONAL 25%
D. LANDSCAPE 50%
8. To encourage compliance with the mandatory water conservation
program, there will be a surcharge added to the water bill if '
the customer exceeds the required reduction amount. The
surcharge will be 100 percent of the total water bill on
which the target allocation is exceeded. In the event that
the customer's consumption exceeds the established base year
usage, the surcharge will be 200 percent of the total water
bill. If the customer exceeds the allotment on two billing
cycles within a twelve month period, a . flow-restrictor may be
installed in the customer's water supply line at cost to the
customer, or the surcharge may be increased to a higher
value. If the customer exceeds the allotment three or more
billing cycles within a twelve month period, the City may
reserve the right to terminate the water service. Prior to
the termination of water service, the City will provide a due
process hearing before the Water Conservation Adjustment
Board.
9. The City, pursuant to Chapter 13.07 of the San Luis Obispo
Municipal Code which prohibitswasting of water, will impose
the following penalties to consumers in violation. The City
may:
* Issue a written "warning" for the first offense;
* Issue a written citation or complaint for the second offense;
* _ .Install a flow-restrictor at the cost of the customer for the
third offense; and,
* Terminate water service for a fourth offense. Prior to the
termination of water service, the City will provide a due
process hearing before the Water Conservation Adjustment
r Resolution 6961 (1991 Series)
Page 3
Board. The charge for water service termination and
restoration shall be 100 dollars.
10. The City shall establish a Water Conservation Adjustment
Board, which may grant exceptions for uses of water otherwise
prohibited by Section 13.07:070. The procedure for filing a
request for exception is:
* Completely fill out an application form which will be
evaluated in accordance with established criteria as approved
by the City Administrative Officer.
* The first review will be by the Utilities Director or
designees. The customer will be notified of the decision by
letter. k
* If the water customer .is not gatisfied with the decision, it
may be appealed to the Water Conservation Adjustment Board.
* If the customer is not satisfied with the decision of the
Water Conservation Adjustment Board; it may be appealed to
the City Administrative Officer whose decision shall be
final.
11. Requests for exemptions and any subsequent appeals can only
. be made by the service customer or property owner.
12. The mandatory water conservation program will be reviewed
annually by the City Council in connection with the Annual
Water Operational Plan. Current guidelines exist based upon
reservoir storage levels which dictate when restrictions will
be reduced,increased, or eliminated.
SECTION 2. Effective Date.
This program will become effective for all water billing
dates after April 15, 1991:
Resolution 6961 (1991 series)
Page 4
On motion of Councilwoman Rappa , seconded by Mayor Dunin
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilwoman Rappa, Mayor Dunin, and Councilman Reiss
NOES: Councilmembers Pinard and Roalman
ABSENT: None
the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted the 16th day of
April , 1991.
T 1'IAYOR IRON DUNIN
IT CLERK _VOGES
BY: ASSISTANT CITY CLERK Kim Condon
APPRO
CITY A NISTRATIVE OFFICER
FINANCE DIRECTOR
UTILITIES DIRECTOR