HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/16/1993, 8 - SAN LUIS OBISPO WATER RECLAMATION PROJECT I����II�IIIIIuIIIIII�III�IIUI�I � r MEETING DATE:
Cio San '. �S OBISpO March 16 1993
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
FROM: John Moss Prepared By: David Zweig
Acting Ugfhties Director Water Projects hkanager
SUBJECT: San Luis Obispo Water Reclamation Project
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file report regarding Water Reclamation Project.
BACKGROUND
The City has been pursuing the development of a water reclamation program aimed at
reusing reclaimed municipal wastewater for non-potable purposes throughout the City. A
draft EIR for the reclamation program has been completed and is to be released within the
next few days. The purpose of this report is to summarize the key findings and issues being
presented in the Draft EIR for Council information prior to distribution of the Draft EIR.
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City of San Luis Obispo (City) is developing a project that will provide 4000 acre-feet
per year (af/y) of reclaimed municipal wastewater. Approximately 1830 of/y will be made
available for irrigation, industrial use and residential use. The remainder will remain
available for stream enhancement purposes. The City's Water Reclamation Project has the
following goals: to provide a drought tolerant water supply that will meet a portion of the
non-potable demand of the City, increase the water quality of San Luis Obispo Creek by
reducing the contaminants discharged, comply with the Federal Clean Waters Act and the
California Inland Surface Waters Plan, and efficiently manage the water resources of the
City.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the Water Reclamation Project has the potential
for significant-negative environmental impact. Potential negative impacts include traffic
disruption and air pollution caused by construction activity, loss of wildlife habitat in the
lower San Luis Obispo Creek, and negative impacts associated with urban growth which may
be partially enabled by the availability of reclaimed water.
The water made available for reuse by the Water Reclamation Project will come from the
City's Water Reclamation Facility (Wastewater Treatment Plant). The Water Reclamation
Facility (WRF) takes raw municipal.wastewater from the City, Cal Poly and the San Luis
Obispo County Airport and treats it to a secondary level. An upgrade to the WRF is
presently underway that will allow treatment to a tertiary level, making the water suitable for
a wide range of non-potable uses. Construction of the plant upgrade is scheduled to be
complete in November 1993.
As part of the proposed project, a network of pipelines will be constructed to distribute
reclaimed water to selected customers. The reclaimed water distribution system will include
approximately 8-1/2 miles of new distribution piping and approximately 2-1/2 miles of
abandoned oil pipeline.
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Due to the limited supply of reclaimed water available, the City has adopted a policy
regarding the priority for its use. The policy establishes two categories of reclaimed water
customers. The first category includes any use that will offset existing potable water
consumption within the City, or will serve to maintain San Luis Obispo Creek habitat. The
second category includes new users within the City-and any users outside the City.
Customers falling into the first category will be given preference over customers in the
second category in obtaining reclaimed water service.
The water delivered to reclaimed water customers will be deducted from what is presently
discharged to San Luis Obispo Creek. The planned reduction in effluent historically
discharged to the creek raises several water rights and ecological concerns. To address water
rights concerns, the City filed a petition for the Change in Place of Use of Treated
Wastewater Effluent with the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB). Several
interested parties have protested the petition based on water rights, environmental, and public
.trust issues. All protests based on prior water rights have been dismissed by the SWRCB,
however, the protests based on other issues are still pending. The City has performed
studies and gathered information regarding the impacts of the proposed project on the San
Luis Obispo Creek habitat. The SWRCB will evaluate the EIR for the Water Reclamation
Project before making a final determination on the petition.
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The cost of constructing the recommended reclaimed water distribution system is estimated to
be $8 million. Other alternatives have project costs ranging from $4 million to $8 million
depending on the scope of the project and amount of outside developer participation. The
Reclaimed Water Project can be funded through a variety of mechanisms. Funding could be
accomplished through the existing water and sewer funds, by private investment, ie.
developers constructing a portion of the distribution system, or through State low interest
loans and conventional debt financing.
After a one year Water Reclamation Facility "start-up" period and construction of the
reclaimed water distribution system, reclaimed water will be available to customers. This is
expected to occur by March of 1995.
DISCUSSION
Project Description
The City proposes to construct the Water Reclamation Project in order to supply reclaimed
water for irrigation, industrial use, residential use, and stream enhancement purposes. The
project will involve the construction of pipelines, pump stations and water storage facilities
necessary to distribute reclaimed water to customers in the San Luis Obispo area. The
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
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reclaimed water supplied by this project will provide a reliable non-potable water supply
which will be virtually unaffected by drought. By supplying reclaimed water for existing
irrigation and industrial uses, an equal amount of drinking water will also become available
by displacement. The displaced drinking water will then be available to the community.
Reclaimed water will enter the proposed distribution system at the.City's Water Reclamation
Facility (WRF). The WRF.discharges an average of 3.6 million gallons per day of treated
municipal wastewater effluent to the San Luis Obispo Creek. An upgrade of WRF is
currently underway that will raise the level of treatment to meet the requirements of the
Regional Water Quality Control Board. . This upgrade, including a one-year start up, is
scheduled to be completed by October 1994.
The Water Reclamation Project will consist of a distribution system with the capability of
delivering reclaimed water to selected large volume customers throughout the San Luis
Obispo area. The system will have the capacity to be expanded to serve small volume users
in the future, when it becomes economically feasible to do so. Components of the
distribution system will include pump stations, water storage facilities, treatment equipment,
pipelines, and valves.
Reclaimed water will exit the WRF at the southern end of the City's property at 35 Prado
Road. A portion of the flow will continue to be discharged to the San Luis Creek, a portion
will enter the reclaimed water distribution system, and the remainder of the water will be
diverted to a storage pond adjacent to Highway 101 (Figure 1). Reclaimed eater may also
be stored in the now abandoned Reservoir 1A, which is located off of Fox Hollow Road, to
the north-east of the City. Reservoir lA is a 5 million gallon concrete lined, covered storage
basin that was built in 1910. The reservoir will need repairs and improvements before it can
be put back into service.
A pump station located near the storage pond will pump reclaimed water from the pond into
a network of pipelines. The pipelines will lead to reclaimed water customers throughout the
San Luis Obispo area. Approximately 8-1/2 miles of pipeline will be installed as part of the
proposed project. Additionally, the City will convert approximately 2-1/2 miles of
abandoned petroleum pipelines to reclaimed water use. The pipeline network will consist of
three main branches, the Laguna branch, the Poly branch, and the Airport Area branch. All
of the branch lines will start at or near the WRF, and will terminate in the area described by
their names. In route to their destinations, the branch lines will divide further to deliver
reclaimed water to various customers in their respective areas. Reclaimed water pipeline
routes are shown in Figure 1.
In order to deliver reclaimed water to customers at the proper pressure, booster pump
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stations will be required at several locations. Pump stations are tentatively planned to be
located near the intersection of Industrial Way and Sacramento Drive, and at the Emerson
School site.
Of the 4000 of/y currently discharged from the WRF, it is anticipated that between 500 and
1000 of/y can be used to offset potable water consumption. It is projected that the reclaimed
water distribution system will be expanded to meet future non-potable demands of the City of
San Luis Obispo as those demands develop.
Project Objectives
The objectives of the San Luis Obispo Water Reclamation Project are as follows:
1. Develop a dependable, locally produced-water supply that will meet the non-potable
demand of the City.
2. Improve the water quality of the San Luis Obispo Creek by reducing the quantity of
effluent discharged by the Water Reclamation Facility and hence the pollutant load
discharged.
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3. Comply with the Federal Clean Water Act and the California Inland Surface Water
Plan.
4. Efficiently manage the water resources of the City of San Luis Obispo.
The San Luis Obispo City Council has adopted a policy, Council Resolution 7024 (1991
series), regarding the priority of water reuse. The policy sets two levels of priority for the
various types of potential customers. The first category includes offsetting existing potable
water use and maintaining creek habitat. The second category of priority for use of
reclaimed water is for new uses within the City and any uses outside the City.
CEQA Requirements
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, an Initial Study was prepared
by the City. The Initial Study identified known and possible environmental impacts of the
proposed project and solicited comments from the public, government agencies, and
concerned organizations. A determination that the proposed project may have a significant
effect on the environment and that an environmental impact report is required was made by
the Director of the City of San Luis Obispo Community Development Department on
February 26, 1992.
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Subsequently, City staff has prepared a Draft EIR in compliance with CEQA guidelines.
The purpose of the EIR is to provide information to the public, regulatory agencies, and
decision makers so that they may understand the consequences of the proposed actions and
consider alternatives.
The Draft EIR examines the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project and
describes mitigation measures that address the negative impacts. Upon distribution of the
Draft EIR, a 45-day review period will allow responsible agencies, concerned citizens, and
organizations to voice their opinions about the project and comment on the report. All
written comments received during this period will be incorporated into the Final EIR, which
will then be considered by the City Council for certification.
Discretionary Actions
Completion of the proposed project will require approval by ten separate discretionary
actions on the part of four decision making bodies and agencies. The actions to be
completed are identified below.
City Council, San Luis Obispg
• Certification of Final EIR
• Approval of plans and specifications for project
• Approval of funding mechanism and rate structure
• Approval of customer selection procedures
State of California Department of Health Services
• Engineering Report Recommendation
Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
• Approval of Report of Waste Discharge
• Issuance of Water Reclamation Requirements
• Engineering Report recommendation
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State Water Resource Control Board
• Approval of Water Reclamation loan or Clean Water Act SRF loan
• Approval of Change in Place of Use of Treated Wastewater Effluent petition
Project Schedule
The anticipated completion date for the current Water Reclamation Facility upgrade is
November 1993. After a one year plant "start-up" period and the construction of the
distribution system, reclaimed water should be available for distribution by March 1995.
Before reclaimed water can be made available to customers, the planning, design and
construction of a distribution system must be completed. A preliminary schedule for the
Water Reclamation Project is as follows:
Adift Date
*Complete Project CEQA Review May 1993
•Complete Project Engineering Report August 1993
*Complete Project Design March 1994
•Complete Project Construction March 1995
By meeting the above schedule reclaimed water will be available to users shortly after the
WRF upgrade is complete and fully operational.
Project Design and Construction
The design of the reclaimed water distribution system is not unlike the design of a potable
water distribution system. The water users must first be identified and their average demand
determined. This flow must then be evaluated at the users peak demand to correctly size the
piping and pumping facilities. A design team consisting of City Utilities Department staff
will work in conjunction with outside consultants to prepare the construction documents
(plans and specifications) for the various components of the Water Reclamation Project.
After plans and specifications are finalized and all necessary approvals and permits are
obtained, a construction contract for the Water Reclamation Project will be advertised for
bidding. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.
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Reclaimed Water Customers
The City conducted a survey in August 1991 to determine the level of interest in the use of
reclaimed water. One hundred surveys were sent out to potential reclaimed water end users
and local engineering firms. The survey asked about water sources and quantities of water
used at existing sites and planned projects. The survey responses identified several large
volume irrigation users that are potential reclaimed water customers. These include Caltrans,
Cal Poly, City parks and golf course, local schools, and planned golf courses and
developments. Ninety rive percent of those responding to the survey were supportive of
the use of reclaimed water and the construction of a reclaimed water distribution
system.
In the future, reclaimed water may be utilized by residences with dual reclaimed
water/potable water plumbing for toilet flushing and yard watering. It is not recommended
that reclaimed water be delivered to residential and other small users at this time because of
the high cost of infrastructure required to serve a relatively small volume of water.
Reclaimed water may also be used by industrial and commercial users for cooling and rinse
water, car washing, concrete mixing, boiler water, and any of the other uses identified in the
"Disinfected Tertiary Reclaimed Water" column of Table 1.
The General Plan Draft Land Use Element identifies the principal expansion areas for the
City. It is projected that these expansion areas will contain a mixture of residential and
commercial development, and open space. Although annexation and development in the
planned expansion area may not occur for many years, the Reclaimed Water Project has
been configured such that it will be capable of serving these areas when demand develops.
In particular, the Airport Area branch of the reclaimed water pipeline has been included in
preliminary designs to serve future customers in the expansion areas.
Reclaimed water use is ideally suited for new construction and development because the
special infrastructure it requires can be built as an integral part of that development, rather
than as a retrofit. The most cost effective delivery of reclaimed water will be to new
customers who incorporate irrigation sprinkler systems and dual reclaimed water/potable
water plumbing into their original project designs. Construction of pipelines in heavily
developed area and conversion of existing irrigation to reclaimed water use will be more
costly than serving new users.
Reclaimed Water Supply
The WRF produces treated effluent at a fairly reliable rate of 5.5 cubic feet per second
(equal to 3.6 million gallons per day or 4000 acre-feet per year). There are times when the
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WRF has produced more or less than 5.5 cubic feet per second (cfs), however based :on a
historical analysis of effluent discharge, an output of 5.5 cfs has been chosen as the basis for
the design and evaluation of the Water Reclamation Project.
Of the total 5.5 cfs WRF output, 1 cfs will be dedicated to maintaining wildlife habitat in the
San Luis Obispo Creek. The City will continue to discharge a minimum of 1 cfs to the
Creek unless water quality regulations prevent the City from doing so. The quantity of 1 cfs
is considered sufficient to maintain the existing downstream wildlife habitat.
The remaining balance of 4.5 cfs (equal to 2.9 million gallons per day or 3250 acre-feet per
year) will be available for reclaimed water customers. Although 3250 acre-feet per year will
be available for use, it is estimated that only 56% of that amount (about 1830 acre-feet) can
actually be used. The problem anticipated in utilizing all of the available reclaimed water is
caused by lack of demand in the winter months and peak demand in the summer months.
The supply of reclaimed water will be essentially steady throughout the year. The demand
for the water, however, will be very high in the summer, particularly August, because most
customers will be using reclaimed water for irrigation. During the winter, the demand for
reclaimed water will be practically non-existent. Since the City does not have a reservoir
large enough for seasonal reclaimed water storage, reclaimed water that cannot be utilized
during the winter months will have to be released to the Creek. During the summer months
when demand is at its peak, a limited supply of reclaimed water will prevent the City from
contracting with all the customers that may desire service. Of the total 4000 of/y WRF
output, 1830 of/y will go to reclaimed water customers, 720 of/y will be dedicated to Creek
habitat, and remainder of 1450 of/y will be also discharged to the Creek, but notformally
dedicated for habitat maintenance. Figure 2 graphically illustrates the concept of peak
demands in the summer limiting total yearly water use. Table 2 presents an analysis of the
total supply of treated wastewater effluent and the potential demands from large customers.
Decisions regarding which specific customers will be offered reclaimed water have not yet
been made by the City, and the mention of particular potential customers in this report or the
EIR is not intended as a guarantee of reclaimed water delivery.
City Water Supply
It is estimated that 50% of the City's water demand consists of potable water being used in
applications where non-potable water would be adequate. It is proposed that reclaimed water
be used to meet aportion of the non-potable water demand. There is now no distribution
system in place for reclaimed water.
For public health reasons, the proposed reclaimed water distribution system must be
completely separate from the potable water system. The most practical and cost effective
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approach to constructing a completely new reclaimed water distribution system is to target a
few large users of water, and then build reclaimed water pipelines to their locations. The
pipelines to these large users will then become the backbone of a reclaimed water distribution
system that can be expanded and modified as new customers come on line.
The targeted large volume users of reclaimed water are Cal Poly, City and County parks, the
City golf course, local schools, and Caltrans. Other potential users outside the City service
area are the planned Los Nomadas development, the planned Margarita Area development,
and several agricultural operations in the Avila Valley.
San Luis Obispo Creek
The City now discharges approximately 4000 acre-feet per year of treated wastewater into
the San Luis Obispo Creek (Creek) at a point downstream of the WRF, (Figure 1). As part
of the Water Reclamation Project, the City proposes to reduce the yearly discharge to the
creek by approximately 46% to 2170 acre feet. The proposed flow reduction will be up to
82% in August, but smaller reductions in other months will lead to the yearly average 46%
reduction. Immediately downstream of the discharge point, the WRF effluent now comprises
about 70 percent of surface water flow during typical dry seasons, and the entire flow of the
Creek during late summer and fall of drought years.
When evaluating the flow in the Creek at any given moment, the flow units "cubic feet per
second" (cfs) are used rather than acre-feet per year (af/y). The City currently discharges
approximately 5.5 cfs (4000 of/y) of treated waste water into the San Luis Obispo Creek.
After utilization of a maximum of 4.5 cfs of the treated waste water by the Water
Reclamation Project, a flow of 1 cfs discharge to the creek will remain. The environmental
impact of the proposed project on the Creek will consist of the effects of reducing the water
discharged to the Creek by a maximum 4.5 cfs.
Since the primary use for reclaimed water will be irrigation, the demand from customers will
be highest in the summer, and close to zero in the winter. Therefore, the bulk of the WRF
effluent will continue to be discharged to the Creek in the winter, and up to 4.5 cfs will be
used by customers in the summer. The 1 cfs summer discharge and the 5.5 cfs winter
discharge will continue to recharge the groundwater basin in the vicinity of the Creek and
serve as a source of water for riparian habitat.
The reduction in effluent flow during the summer may have the effect of changing the nature
of the wildlife habitat in and around the creek. To find out to what extent the habitat will be
changed, the City commissioned Thomas R. Payne & As Fisheries Consultants, to
perform an instream flow study. The study quantified the relationship between stream flow
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and creek habitat. The results of the study indicate that a reduction in flow from 5.5
(average daily flow from the WRF) to one cfs results in only a marginal reduction in wetted
usable surface area of the creek bed. Reductions in effluent discharge to below 1 cfs cause a
sharper drop in wetted usable area. Wetted usable area is the surface area of the creek
channel that is submerged. The wetted usable area is important because it correlates to that
portion of the creek where fisheries food production occurs. The greater the wetted usable
area, the more naturally occurring food is available for fish and the more water available for
riparian plants and animals.
In order to comply with requirements issued by the California Regional Water Quality
Control Board, the City is presently upgrading the WRF at a cost of approximately 30
million dollars. When completed, the quality of the facility's effluent will be improved, the
effluent temperature will be lower, and the large hourly fluctuations in flow will be
significantly stabilized. The upgraded WRF will produce an effluent that meets all water
quality standards in effect at the time of design. Since that time, however, new tougher
water quality standards have been adopted by regulatory agencies which when implemented
may make even the upgraded plant's effluent non-conforming.
The lower portion of the Creek, approximately from Highway 101 to the ocean, passes
through the Avila Valley. Historically, the Avila Valley has been used as farm and ranch
land. More recently, residential development that has occurred in and around the Avila
Valley has created an additional demand on the area's ground water basin. Many farmers
and ranchers in the Avila Valley draw water directly from the Creek and from shallow wells
near the Creek. On a recent field survey, 29 suction pipes were observed directly in the San
Luis Obispo Creek bed. There is currently no coordination or regulation of withdrawals of
water from the lower San Luis Obispo Creek or the Avila Valley groundwater basin. The
unchecked pumping of water in and near the Creek is undoubtedly having a detrimental
effect on the Creek habitat.
Several mitigation measures are planned that will lessen the impacts to the Creek from the
planned reduction in WRF discharge. These mitigation measures include a continued
reduced Creek release, stabilizing the large fluctuations in flow volume discharged into the
creek, improving the quality of the water discharged to the Creek, and reducing the pollutant
loading to the Creek.
Water Quality
The City is committed to producing the highest quality reclaimed water. After completion of
the upgrade to the plant the effluent will meet the requirements set forth in Chapter 3 of
Division 4 of Tule 22, California Code of Regulations for tertiary disinfected reclaimed
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water. An extensive monitoring program of regulated and unregulated constituents will be
conducted as a part of this project and will complement the extensive monitoring already
being conducted at the plant.
The quality of water discharged from the WRF, either to the Creek or to the proposed
reclaimed water distribution system, is regulated by the California Regional Water Quality
Control Board (Regional Board). The Regional Board issues Waste Discharge Requirements
under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The Waste Discharge
Requirements consist of maximum contaminant levels for various constituents. Regulated
constituents include BOD, suspended solids, turbidity, arsenic, lead, zinc, benzene, and
many other organic and inorganic chemicals. In addition to these constituents, the
concentration of nutrients in the Creek is a matter of concern. New treatment systems and\or
the reduction of discharge to the Creek may be needed to meet future nutrient objectives now
being formulated by the Regional Board.
Another regulatory hurdle the City may face in the future is tightened waste discharge
requirements that result from the implementation of the California Inland Surface Waters
Plan (CISWP). The CISWP was adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on
April 11, 1991. The plan was designed to protect the quality of inland surface waters
through the control of waste discharges. The City's discharge of wastewater effluent into the
San Luis Obispo Creek falls under the regulations set forth in the CISWP. The Water
Reclamation Project will have a positive impact on the water quality of the Creek and on the
City's ability to comply with CISWP objectives simply because it will cause less effluent to
be discharged into the Creek.
Water Rights Issues
In order to confirm ownership of the City's wastewater effluent and to comply with state
requirements, two submittals were made to the State Water Resources Control Board,
Division of Water Rights (SWRCB). The submittals were:
1. An Application to Appropriate Water from San Luis Obispo Creek;
2. A petition for the Change in Place of Use of Treated Wastewater Effluent.
The Application to Appropriate Water was not accepted by the SWRCB because the City is
not proposing to appropriate water from the creek, but rather proposes to reduce the amount
of wastewater discharged to the creek. This determination is reinforced by California Water
Code Article 1.5, Section 1210, which reads in part:
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The owner of a waste water treatment plant operated for the purpose of treating wastes
from a sanitary sewer system shall hold the exclusive right to the treated waste water ...
The petition for Change in Place of Use of Treated Wastewater Effluent was accepted by the
SWRCB, but has not yet been approved. The petition requests that the City be allowed to
discharge reclaimed water at various locations in and near the City, such as at City parks and
other irrigation areas. The City is presently permitted to discharge only into San Luis
Obispo Creek.
Protests to the petition have been filed by various groups and individuals. The SWRCB has
accepted the protests by the following:
1. California Department of Fish and Game
2. California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
3. Avila Valley Advisory Council
4. Central Coast Salmon Enhancement,
5. John DeVincinzo
6. Lee and Lorene Collins
These protests were based on environmental, public interest, and public trust concerns. The
protestors contend that by allowing the City to discharge reclaimed water anywhere except
the Creek, the existing creek environment will be in danger of being impaired. To address
this concern, the City commissioned an instream flow study. Based on the study, mitigation
measures have been included in the Water Reclamation Project that address public trust,
public interest, and environmental concerns.
The remaining protests were based on prior rights to the wastewater effluent for farming,
ranching and development. Farming and ranching acclivities in the Avila Valley have been in
existence for many years, both in the form of small family operations and larger agricultural
businesses. Over the years, many of the farms and ranches have seemingly become
dependent on the steady flow of water provided by the WRF effluent. Most of this effluent
originates from the Whale Rock and the Salinas Reservoirs, which are located outside of the
San Luis Obispo Creek watershed. Water is piped into the City, served to water customers,
and then the majority of it is sent through the sewer system to the WRF, where it is treated
and then discharged into the Creek. Because the reservoir water discharged by the WRF is
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not natural to the Creek, the SWRCB determined that downstream farmers and ranchers have
no riparian or appropriative right to it.
Article 1.5, section 1212 of the California Water Code, which further protects from
appropriation the one cfs of discharge intended for Creek habitat, reads as follows:
The board shall not grant any permit or license to any person other than the treated
waste water producer for the appropriation of treated waste water where the producer
has introduced such water into the watercourse with the prior stated intention of
maintaining or enhancing fishery, wildlife, recreational, or other instream beneficial
uses. Holders of existing water rights may not use or claim such water.
A small percentage of the WRF effluent originates as groundwater within the San Luis .
Obispo Creek watershed. The SWRCB also determined that the downstream farmers and
ranchers do not have a right to the effluent that originated as groundwater.
CONCURRENCES AND PROJECT OPPOSITION
The Water Reclamation Project supports many existing City and State policies and
objectives. Excerpts from, and brief summaries of some pertinent documents are presented
below.
CITY
1. Draft Urban Water Management Plan, 1990, states: The changing environment in
water resources combined with the high quality water to be produced by wastewater
facilities has made reclaimed water a potentially cost effective and readily available
water supply that must now be considered as part of the overall water management
plan for the City.
2. 1991-1993 Budget - Policies and Objectives, Wastewater reclamation is identified as a .
major City goal. Stated objective: Develop and implement a plan for increased use of
reclaimed wastewater to augment the City's overall water resources.
3. General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element, 1987, Policy 2.4: The
City will pursue treatment and disposal methods which, to the maximum extent
feasible, provide for further beneficial use of wastewater and allow beneficial use of
lanai or water receiving the effluent.
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4. February 1992 General Plan Land Use Element, Hearing Draft, Policy 2.17, I:
Specific plans for residential expansion areas shall include dual water systems
allowing use of treated wastewater far non potable uses.
5. City Resolution No. 7024, (1991 Series) states: WHEREAS, City policy is to pursue a
water reclamation program to supplement the City's water supply ..... The
resolution continues to set priorities for reclaimed water use.
STATE
1. San Luis Obispo County Master Water Plan Update, Department of Water Resources,
1986, concludes Consideration should be given to the use of reclaimed water for
agriculture, landscaping, and certain types of industrial uses.
2. Inland Surface Water Plan, Water Resources Control Board, 1991, states: It is the
intent of this plan to support the reuse of reclaimed water with reasonable water
quality objectives.
3. State Assembly Bill 673 (passed), the Water Recycling Act of 1991, is a declared
State.policy favoring the use of reclaimed water in California. The Water Recycling
Act established ambitious statewide goals for water reuse. The aim is to recycle
seven hundred thousand acre-feet by the year 2000 and one million acre-feet by the
year 2010.
4. State Assembly Bills 174 and 1698 (passed) orders reclaimed water use for landscape,
agriculture, industry, and toilet flushing (non-residential structures only) if reclaimed
water is available.
5. State Assembly Bill 1869 (passed) requires all water agencies in the state to begin
planning for water reclamation by 1995.
6. State Assembly Bill 2627 (passed) requires subdivisions to provide separate lines for
public irrigation areas so they will be able to receive reclaimed water when it
becomes available.
Several individuals and organizations have indicated that they are either opposed to or have
serious concerns about the proposed Water Reclamation Project. The groups that have
expressed reservations about the proposed project all have an interest in either keeping water
in the Creek or removing water from the Creek for their own purposes.
1u111IIIII11IJR�11III city of san I OBISp0
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Water Reclamation Project
March 16, 1993
Page 15
Those that would like to see the maximum amount of water possible remain in the Creek
include the Department of Fish and Game, the Land. Conservancy, CALSPA, and Central
Coast Salmon Enhancement. City staff has attempted to accommodate the needs of these
groups by incorporating various mitigation measures into the proposed project.
Those that would like to have the maximum water in the creek so that it is available for their
withdrawal and use include two downstream water districts, several downstream landowners
involved in farming and ranching, and several downstream landowners with development
plans for their properties. Satisfying these parties may require severely scaling back or
canceling the proposed project.
FISCAL EWPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the current CAO recommendation, however, the
following discussion of future fiscal impacts is provided for the Council's information.
The Reclaimed Water Project is intended to be a self-supporting enterprise. The cost of
designing and constructing the Reclaimed Water Project will be recovered over a period of
time through reclaimed water sales. Revenues from reclaimed water sales are not intended
to be used to supplement the general operations of the City or subsidize the water or
wastewater funds. A relatively low unit cost for reclaimed water will be needed to provide
sufficient incentive for customers to invest in the required site modifications required to make
reclaimed water use economically worthwhile.
In order to make preliminary cost estimates for the Water Reclamation Project assumptions
were made regarding peak demands from the anticipated large volume users. The cost of
constructing the recommended reclaimed water distribution system is estimated to be $8
million. Other alternatives have project costs ranging from $4 million to $8 million
depending on the scope of the project and amount of outside developer participation. For
example, if the Los Nomadas development participates in the construction of the distribution
system the total project cost will be approximately $8 million, with the Los Nomadas portion
estimated to be $3 million and the City's portion being $5 million. The unit cost to deliver
reclaimed water is expected to be between $350 to $850 per acre foot.
The Reclaimed Water Project may be funded through a variety of mechanisms. Funding
could be accomplished through the existing water and sewer funds, by private investment (ie.
developers constructing a portion of the distribution system) through State low interest loans
and conventional debt financing. The inclusion of outside developers in the construction of
the project will have the effect of lowering the construction costs of the City.
������1N►�I(Illl�lpn ��y`N City O� San t s OBISPO
Hii% COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Water Reclamation Project
March 16, 1993
Page 16
Currently there are two State funding mechanisms for reclaimed water projects, the Water
Reclamation Loan Program and the Clean Water Program - State Revolving Fund Loan. The
City of San Luis Obispo Water Reclamation Project is eligible for both of these types of low
interest State loans.
SUMMARY
The City's Water Reclamation Program can be seen as a cost effective water supply,
pollution control program, and a responsible management component of the City's water
resources management strategy. Staff is nearing completion of the Draft EIR for the Water
Reclamation Program. The purpose of this report was to summarize the key findings and
issues being presented in the Draft EIR for Council prior to distribution of the Draft EIR.
Council may wish to provide comment and/or direction.to staff based on this report or their
review of the Draft EIR to be released within the next few days.
I
Attachments: Figure 1 - Water Reclamation Project Facilities Map
Figure 2 - Reclaimed Water Demand
Table 1 - Suitable Uses of Reclaimed Water
Table 2 - Reclaimed Water Supply & Demand
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. TABLE 1 � � `.�, •'- ; . . �
Suitable Uses:of,Reclaimed Water,
Conditions in Which Use is Allowed (a)
use
LNW=ted Didarected : Danfadd Undmidmd
.. ..I•'Taaary .Scoondar'•u! . Scomdary]3 Secondary
. Reclaimed Water,: R=immed Watt Reclaimed Water Reclaimed Water
.. for amnresbidd' ...Ma.d.. .Y.Nott#aflowod ._:'•��"fNotalbwed��_ r,.Notallouod. :
8 Was and urinals and drain \ ..� Mowed ���O[allow� ��:�^�(:�Nol'alkiiv"ed��' •`Not allowed
sD water uses other than table use or rood ration a Allowed Not a�owedr .No!albiJrd a Nol allowed ''
l+a�Id�d0.�7�residential y��dAKs
with trsdcrrrxe Spray,drip m surface ..,e d ot.idltnved., :> N%alW reds Not alloau!
restricted access f �etcrics,and S dri or surface S dri m surface 5 dri or surface 7a$Notallowrd�:
nenedlHe tion m other.areas with limited ric e e S dri orsurfam ,dri msuriaa(e ,drior surface(c°," `�NIbUllowed:
sad farms r S drimsurfam S dri msurface S drip,or surface _. .�_. ....,,...,..
Nofalloweil":-..
nnaueenW for mmmrrdal use _ + Sway,drip m surface S ,drip,or surface Spray,drior surri;tce NoCallaasd^.F'
a0 food crops Spmy,driporsur6m N alload� "Notallowtd�"'' NotalWwd.-:,
food crops that am above ground and cat contacted by rclaimed water Spray,drip m surface •Drip m surface ,_Notalloaad ,,,clot albwed
pasture for rm7kirlg animate and other arrimala ' Spray,drip or surface Spray,drip m surface Spray,drip or sorfm 6talk+aid
fodder alfalfa Ciba carbon),and need not arra huataru S ,dri orsurface S ,dri m surface S dri m surface Dri m surface
ondlards and burin food S dri or surface Drimsurface ' Dri msurface Dri msurfaee
mcluardsad am fwd S dri or a face S dri msurfam S dri msurface D orsurfam
Cluistrams trees and other trees not for food S dri mswrmse S dri or surface S dri or surface Dripor surface.
rod crop which arrut undergo commercial P! ?rd�ri!lB[+ n6:
. bdnm aom m"imn(c-&.sugar�) .+ S .dri msurfam S .dri m surface S ,dri m surface m surface
1, ,
other uses: j
industrial coaling Mdmq wwmg tomem forced as eveporatioq spcayvig + a g s
other few=dud ants aaosvborother mist. Mowed , I T. siti ,� •� ri.� _'• ••;a t•
Na ono race..
cooling utiliralamoling tomcra fmrad air :•. ,:, -+ - ,� y':
'. frdrsaial war evaporation„
sprayh%norotim fratrue that create acmmborodrr mm r. ...Mowed .' .- - Mowed Mowed
Notallowod:..:..
industrial with adwa&m(d) - '1 MomeC;..., o alb'mea" m; *'t aanoaned� ....t NoF,allo •.d,,:
huhlo al wid art ofworkm e- .:` `• All, Id :Moved Mewed . *NoCalbv
htdust"bOOer fad - Allowed Mowed Allowed ' �° NO1 g116wed;,='a'
. . waom jetting for amaalidatlm adtiaddrM antmfl ato®d pipelines for ,+- •,•�. x ,." -..fig 7, �.,
poabkwaladmbgwatcefuaago . ,• y ' ,"n Allowed .. O'tBlltimed 1Qaa 'ed . Net allowed' ".
water jetting for mmolidetimofbaddMnntcrWaroundpipeiootor..
rcda_cmdwata,wwagr,damdnmW adgat,adcaddbfor -'' Mowed •Mewl `Allowed ,Noid ,f,F-s.
dampeningsail for at�mtrmce dtm,land®ead e�+^e Mowed . 'Allowed. AllowedNoLiibwed'M; .
ad nancreae Mowed Moved Allowed :.Ndtali"<
dampening unpaved reds ed other surface for dust control ..'i Mowed `Mowed Mowed �Nol:-'a08iilod: '
muslmand Weetmdam start .t Mowed: /.' Mowed Mowed :Xtgfa110`uv�;[r'
seven .. . . .. . -Mowed•'
Allowed: ' Moved
fim6ghting from small , ;.Mowed 'Allowed Allowed '3Nol=allowedti;'
.-'+. for a ralrimrdrmotiwai' .. � 'Mowed Allowed •.`s_ N 'afiiied -_: INotalioaed_ :.
NZ F-
for basins at Cute hatrinaia' f t •. •Mowed Allowed 'a3 .$�Nolallowed'' ...Not ally ed. a:
wmtm,g tion yards,bra and sidewalks '' : , . . •. ;. �. Allowed .'. . ''� `; Mowed
supply for lmda>pe withered daorative fountahl q•;. -ADowedr. ,- Allowed Mowed
„x
supplyfor domrative fountain' -t '-•Allowed •„„.No albwed�.' - '- Nohtioacd i' ~ Not alload.`•
Scrum spate of Womia De==nt of HeaIIh Savicer,Ombbc 17,1991..
TABLE 2
RECLAIMED WATER SUPPLY & DEMAND
City of San Luis Obispo,California
RECLAIMED WATER SUPPLY
Acre Feet
TOTAL Jan Feb Mar A r Ma Jun Jul Au Se Oct Nov Dec
ffluent used for Irrigation 1.833.4 20.8 27.0 483 149.6 2393 264.1 248.6 276.7 226.9 1835 108.6 40.0
[fluent Dedicated to Creel 1 cts) 724 0 613 553 613 59.5 61.5 595 615 615 595 615 595 615
Effluent to Creek 1.4243 255.9 22Z9 228.4 118.2 37.4 3.7 28.1 0.0 40.9 93.2 159.2 236.7
of Plant output(5.5--Ws 3.981.8 338.2 1 305.5 1 33&2 1 3273 338 2 3273 338 2 338.2 1 3273 A 3387 3273 3382
RECLAIMED WATER DEMAND
Acre Feet
ran an e ar r a an u Aug p ct ov ec
Imgation Need(inches) 32.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Z6 4.8 5.6 5.1 6.0 4.4 3.0 0.6 0.0
%of Annual 1004' 0% 0 0% 817E 15 17 16% 19% 14% 9% 2% 0%
Laguna Los Verdes Park I 18.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 Z7 3.1 2.8 3.4 25 1.7 0.3 0.0
Branch Los Verdes Park R 32.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6 4.8 5.6 5.1 5.9 4.4 3.0 0.6 0.0
City Parks
Lagana Lake Park 16.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 13 2.4 2.8 2.5 3.0 2.2 IS 0.3 0.0
Golf Course 46.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.7 6.9 8.0 7.3 8.6 63 4.3 09 0.0
Schools
Laguna Middle 37.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 5.5 6.4 5.9 6.9 5.1 35 0.7 0.0
CL Smith 16.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 13 Z4 2.8 2.5 3.0 2.2 15 03 0.0
Pacific Beach ZO 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 03 03 03 0.4 03 0.2 0.0 0.0
Dalidio Parks
Airport Us Noma,'" .
Area
Branch County Airport 9.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.4 1.6 1.4 1.7 1.2 0.8 0.2 0.0
cit Paa-islrks
Ednay Area 75.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.1 11.2 13.1 11.9 14.0 103 7.0 1.4 0.0
Sinsheimer Park 14.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 2.1 25 2.2 2.6 1.9 13 03 0.0
Sinsheimer Stadium 14.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 2.1 2.5 22 Z6 1.9 13 0.3 0.0
Johnson Park 8.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 1.2 1.4 13 15 1.1 0.8 0.1 0.0
New-Margarita Area 130.0 0.0 0.0 OA 105 19.4 22.7 20.7 743 17.8 12.2 Z4 0.0
Schools
Sinsheimer 8.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 1.2 1.4 13 13 1.1 0.8 0.1 0.0
Corrpp Yard 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0
ESCORP 46.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.7 6.9 8.0 73 8.6 63 43 0.9 0.0
Ca1Po y CalTrans 101 landscape 10.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 15 1.7 1.6 1.9 1.4 0.9 0.2 0.0
Branch aty Parks
Meadow Park 37.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 55 6.4 5.9 6.9 5.1 35 0.7 0.0
Mitchell Park 16.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 13 2.4 2.8 2.5 3.0 2.2 15 03 0.0
Questa Park 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 03 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.8 OS 0.4 0.1 0.0
Schools
Hawthorne 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.7 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.7 OS 0.1 0.0
SLO High 55.0 OA 0.0 0.0 45 8.2 9.6 8.8 103 75 5.1 1.0 0.0
Oouuty-Vets Hall 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 02 03 0.3 03 0.4 03 02 0.0 0.0
CALPOLY 300.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 243 44.9 523 47.7 56.1 41.1 28.0 5.6 0.0
Unallocated Balance 975 OA 0.0 0.0 7.9 14.6 17.0]- 153 183 13.4 9.1 1.8 0.0
Reclaimed ater emao 133.51
• Irrigation Need=ET(Evaporatton+Transpiration)+ 10%to wash excess salts
"'Ile Margarita Area development will contribute approximately 300 acre feet per year of sewage effluent to the Water Reclamation Facility
8 p?�
F V
In The Superior Court of The State of California
In and for the County of San Luis Obispo
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
ss.
County of San Luis Obispo
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of the
County aforesaid; I am over the age of eighteen and not ' UVVM crty of
San tuts ostspo
interested in the above entitled CITY COUNCIL'
_1�iLt-f�2Y PUBLIC HEARINGS
On Tuesday, March 16,
1993, the San Luis Obispo
; Ian now, and at all times embraced City Council will hold public
hearings beginning at 7:00
p.m.in the Council Chambers
in the publication herein mention was, the principal clerk of City Hall,990 Palm Street,.
on the items listed below.
The reports will be available
of the printers and publishers of the SAN LUIS OBISPO for review in the City Clerk's
Department on the Wednes-
day before the meeting. For
COUNTY TELEGRAM-TRIBUNE, a newspaper of general mor-710e n03 rmMion, please call
The Council may also dis-
circulation, Tinted and published daily, Sundays ex- cess other hearings or after
p p y, ay mess items before or after
those listed. If you challenge
any pne of the proposed
cepted, at the City of Stn Luis Obispo in the above actions described below in
court, you.may be limited to
raising only those issues you
named county and state; that or someone else raised at the
public hearing described in
this notice, or in written
correspondence delivered to
the City Council at,or prior to,
the public hearing.
STONERIDGE II -to consi-
der a request to subdivide
9.95 acres into 60 single-
at which the annexed clipping is a true printed copy, was family, residential lots and
create a 247.34-acre remain-
published in the above-nand newspaper and not in any der parcel with a 47.71-acre
for
supplement thereof — on the following dates, to-wit: Vesting pen sTe tative Tractce edican Map
No. 2126 (500 Stoneridge
Drive).(30 min.).
rviir���4/
that said newspaper was duly and regularly ascertained
TRACT MAP 2126
and established a newspaper of general circulation by
Decree entered in the Superior Court of San Luis Obispo AMENDMENTZONING
JREGo LATIconsie a
County, State of California, on June 9, 1952, Case #19139 Planning Commission recom-
mendation to amend the Zon-
under the provisions of Chapter 1, Division 7, Title of the ing Regulations to allow for
branch offices of credit un-
Government Code of the State of California. ions in the Neighborhood.
Commercial (C-N)zoning dis-
I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury that the tri TENTATIVE)MAP . TRACT
2712 — continued public
foregoing is true and correct. hearing to consider a tenta-
tive map for Tract 2112•a ten.
unit residential condominium
project located on the north
side of Foothill Boulevard,
west of Ferrini Road 1680
(Sign e of Principal Clerk) Foothill).(20 min.)
Diane R.Gladwell,
Q City Clerk
Date
07•J 19 / 3 Mal.6,1993 dv57923
1
1 OCD
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LrK
ro a
i I