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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/15/1997, C-6 - 1997 WATER RESOURCES STATUS REPORT Council Agenda Report- 1997 Water Resources Status Report Page 2 (late 1997). This will allow the Council to make an informed decision on which project(s) to proceed with to meet the City's additional water demands. Water Conservation The Utilities Conservation Office continues to implement the sixteen Best Management Practices (BMP's) established by the Urban Water Conservation Council. The key component of the City's continuing efficient use of water is water savings available through retrofit of existing toilets and showerheads with low flow fixtures. The retrofit of the community is being accomplished using three different programs: 1.) Retrofit Upon Sale; 2.) Retrofit Rebate; and 3.) Retrofit Offset(for new development). It is estimated that approximately 50% of the community has been retrofitted as a result of these programs. Projected Water Supply Situation The City utilizes a computer program to project how long the City's available water supplies would last based on a number of assumptions. The model uses historical worst case weather patterns,projected water demands, etc., to forecast the City's water supply position and to make certain water policy recommendations. With the favorable water supply situation, the model predicts current water supplies would last until June of 2003. FLSCAL EMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. Attachment: 1997 Water Resources Status Report g\car\97wca.car t?-01 City of San Luis Obispo 1997 WATER RESOURCES STATUS REPORT OVERVIEW The City of San Luis Obispo's first annual "Water Operational Plan" was adopted by the Council on June 4, 1985. The plan was prepared in response to the City's water demand exceeding the established safe annual yield from the water supply sources available to the City at that time. The annual reports were prepared for Council consideration each year thereafter (with the exception of 1994& 1995)and were particularly important during the drought period of 1986-91. The purpose of the annual "Water Resources Status Report" is to provide an overview of various issues associated with the City's water supplies. 'This report discusses four major topics: 1.) Existing Water Supply Status, 2.) Multi-Source Water Supply Projects, 3.) Water Conservation Program,and 4.) Projected Water Supply Situation. I. INTRODUCTION The City Council adopted the Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) on November 15, 1994. Several of the UWMP policies, which are contained in the Water Management Element of the General Plan, were revised by the City Council and adopted on July 2, 1996. The UWMP and the Water Management Element establish policies and directions relative to water supplies and deliveries to City residents. The 1997 Water Resources Status Report reviews the current reservoir storage and groundwater production situation and the status of the computer storage model, and then examines the supply and demand management in use or under evaluation at this time. With the above normal rainfall this past year, the City's total water storage is at 96% of the maximum available storage capacity. It is important to note that even with the improved water outlook, indoor and outdoor water use efficiency must continue to be a high priority for the City. II. EXISTING WATER SUPPLY STATUS Rainfall totals for the period from July 1996 to June 1997 were above normal. The Salinas Reservoir received 27.13 inches of rain and the Whale Rock Reservoir received 24.16 inches. Although this year's rainfall was above normal, all of the rain came early in the winter with no significant precipitation since January 26' 1997. The very dry spring resulted in increased water consumption in March and April when residents began irrigating landscapes earlier than in normal rainfall pattern years. The City's reservoir water supply is augmented by the use of groundwater. The City's groundwater production has experienced a significant reduction since 1991 and 1992 as a result of the loss of several key municipal wells due to groundwater contamination. The Auto Park Way and Denny's wells have been shut down due to elevated nitrate levels. The Auto Park Way well is planned to be properly abandoned since it can no longer be used as a City water supply. �,�3 1997 Water Resources Status Report Page 2 The UWMP identifies 500 acre feet per year of groundwater production as the basis for planning additional water supply needs. This past year's production (January 1 through December 31) was only 364.8 acre feet. As part of development in the Dalidio area, staff will investigate opportunities for increasing groundwater production by requesting a site for water treatment facilities. Another option would be to use groundwater which does not meet drinking water standards as an additional non-potable source of supply for the water reuse project. This would increase the amount of water available for non-potable uses. The Salinas Reservoir began spilling on December 23, 1996 and continued spilling until April 4�. During this spill period, 54,124 acre feet flowed over the dam. Whale Rock spilled for the first time since 1983 which is only the seventh time the dam has spilled since construction was completed in April of 1961. Whale Rock began spilling on December 13� and continued overtopping the spillway until April 26th. A total of 19,143.4 acre feet of water flowed over the dam to the ocean during this period. As of June 1, 1997, Salinas Reservoir was at 93.8% of total capacity (22,357 a.f.) and Whale Rock Reservoir was 98.8% of total capacity (the City's proportionate share of Whale Rock was 99% of the City's total storage or 22,383 acre feet). The combined total of 44,582 acre feet is 96% of the City's maximum available storage. This is approximately six years of water supply based on the computer storage model and assumptions listed in Figure 3. Water Consumption and Conservation The City exited mandatory water conservation in March 1992. Since that time, per capita water use has been increasing each year (Figure 4). Per capita water use reached a low in 1991 during mandatory conservation of 86 gallons per capita per day (gpcd). For 1996, the per capita use rate was 124 gpcd. This represents a 44% increase since exiting mandatory conservation. The increase may be attributable to the re-establishment of Table 1: Population Estimates landscapes lost or damaged during the drought and maintaining existing landscape Year Population Per Capita adequately. It should be noted 1990 419958 89 gped that the population figures used to calculate per capita water use 1991 429178 86 gpcd rates are determined by the 1992 42,922 98 gpcd California Department of Finance. The population 1993 43,397 102 gped estimate for 1996 was again 1994 43 919 106 gpcd revised from the previous figure of 41,943 to 41,404. As 1995 419495 120 gped identified in the UWMP, the per capita use rate utilized for 1996 419404 124 gpcd 1997 429074 na L997 Water Resources Status Report Page 3 projecting the City's long-term water supply needs is 145 gpcd. City residents continue to efficiently use water but long-term water use may continue to increase even with an ongoing water conservation program. Water Available for Development Based on the policies contained within the Water Management Element of the General Plan, there is currently no water available for allocation to new development. New development may only proceed at this time through the retrofit offset program. The policies require that new development reduce existing long-term water usage equal to twice the allocation required for the project. This is typically accomplished by retrofitting existing bathrooms with low flow toilets, showerheads,and faucet aerators. The per capita planning figure of 145 gpcd was adopted based on an aggressive ongoing water conservation program and the assumption that all bathrooms throughout the City have been retrofitted with low flow toilets, showerheads,and faucet aerators. Since the entire City has not been retrofitted,water which would be available for allocation based on the 145 gpcd figure and present population estimates should not be made available for new development except through the retrofit offset program. On July 2, 1996, Council adopted revisions to the Water Management and Land Use Elements of the General Plan that will allow a larger portion of the water available through the retrofit offset program to be used for new annexation areas. III. MULTI-SOURCE WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS In November, 1990, the City Council adopted a multi-source water supply policy. The recently adopted UWMP Policy 2.7 reaffirmed the City's strategy of utilizing multiple water supply sources to meet our current and future water needs. The policy states that "The City shall continue to develop and use water resource projects to maintain multi-source water supplies, and in this manner, reduce reliance on any one source of water supply and increase its supply options in future droughts or other water supply emergencies." Policies which were adopted in the UWMP, the Water Management Element and the Land Use Element have revised previous water demand projections. The projected total amount of water to serve General Plan build-out, under the revised plans and policies, is 11,596 acre feet. This figure includes the 2,000 acre-foot reliability reserve and 500 acre feet for loss due to siltation at the reservoirs. The City's current adopted safe annual yield from the reservoirs and groundwater is 7,735 acre feet. This results in an additional supplemental water requirement of 3,861 acre feet per year. Since one of the major goals of the Council is the pursuit of additional long term water supplies, 1997 Water Resources Status Report Page 4 the City is pursuing the Water Reuse Project, Nacimiento Pipeline Project, and the Salinas Reservoir Expansion Project to provide additional water resources for the community. The following is a brief status report on each of these projects being considered to meet the City's future water needs. Water Reuse Recycled water or water reuse will provide a reliable long-term water supply source for the City. Since the completion of a $30 million upgrade in 1994, the City's Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) produces a tertiary treated effluent. At this advanced level of treatment, the reclaimed water can be used for irrigation of parks, playgrounds, and all types of commercial and residential landscaping. It may also be used in industrial processes, for construction, and other non-potable uses. By using treated wastewater effluent for non-potable water demand such as landscape irrigation,a portion of the City's potable water will be made available for other additional potable uses. Staff has estimated that reclaimed water could offset 400 to 700 acre feet per year of exist potable water demand for e&g ilk non-potable uses and even more in future new. development. Before reclaimed water can be delivered to customers,the following must be accomplished: ■ Receive permit from State Water Resources Control Board to change purpose and place of use of treated wastewater ■ Prepare an engineering report and submit it to the Department of Health Services (DHS)and the Regional Water Quality Control Board ■ Establish user contracts and an ordinance requiring use when reclaimed water is available ■ Establish revenue program ■ Perform detailed design of storage,pumping and distribution facilities ■ Construction of distribution facilities The final EIR was certified by the City Council on March 25, 1997. There are five protests to the City's application to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for a permit to change the place and purpose of use of the treated wastewater. Staff anticipates that this issue will be resolved at a hearing before the SWRCB during the fall of 1997. A design consultant will be selected by the fall of 1997 to prepare the engineering report and plans and specifications for 1997 Water Resources Status Report Page 5 the distribution system. Staff estimates that recycled water may be delivered to the first customers as early as 1999. NachWento Water Supply Proied The County of San Luis Obispo is continuing to pursue the Nacimiento Water Supply Project to make beneficial use of its entitlement of 17,500 acre-feet per year (afy) of water from Lake Nacimiento. The current phase of the project involves the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and preliminary engineering analysis. The City of San Luis Obispo is participating in the project with an allocation request of 3,380 afy, as approved by Council on September 20, 1994. The administrative draft of the environmental impact report was reviewed by County staff during the spring of 1997. Some issues raised during the review resulted in a delay to the scheduled release of the draft document. It is currently anticipated that the draft EIR will be released for public review in July 1997. Once the EIR is completed and certified, the County will initiate procurement of final participation agreements with the project participants. The County will then proceed with final design, engineering and construction. If the project continues to proceed on schedule,water deliveries from Nacimiento could occur around the year 2001. Salinas Reservoir Expansion Projed The first draft environmental impact report was released for public review and comments in November of 1993. The formal comment period closed on January 3, 1994. Many comments were received and a number of areas of potential concern were raised by individuals and regulatory agencies. Based on the comments received, Council approved additional studies and directed that the draft EIR be updated to more fully address the areas of concern. Council also directed that the project proceed on a parallel track with the Nacimiento Pipeline Project. The goal would be to have the EIR's for both projects completed at approximately the same time so that Council can make an informed decision on which project(s)to proceed with. The additional studies have been completed and the revised draft EIR was released for public comment on May 29, 1997. The public review period will close on July 25, 1997 and two public hearings are scheduled in July prior to the close of the comment period. It is anticipated that the final EIR will be presented to Council for certification in December 1997. Certification of the document is a critical step, even if the Council decides not to proceed with construction at this time. The certification of the document will provide the information the State Water Resources Control Board needs to schedule a hearing to resolve the one protest to the City's time extension request relative to our water rights permit. 1997 Water Resources Status Report Page 6 Groundwater Wells The current groundwater program utilizes three wells for domestic use, two wells for irrigation at the City golf course and one well for construction water uses. The City's two largest producing wells, the Auto Parkway and Denny's wells, have been shut down due to elevated nitrate levels. The Pacific Beach #1 & #2 wells are not operated simultaneously due to well interference problems between the two sites. At this time, wells are producing approximately 30 acre feet per month which represents about 6% of the total City water demand. The relatively small groundwater basin which supplies the majority of the groundwater production is recharged very quickly following normal rainfall periods. The water levels in the basin also fall relatively quickly following the end of the rain season. This fluctuation of the basin limits the amount of water that can be withdrawn on an annual basis. The UWMP has adopted a goal of 500 acre feet per year of groundwater production. This past year's production from the available wells was only 364.8 acre feet which was an increase over the previous year's amount of 250.5 acre feet. Extensive use of groundwater sustained the City through the last drought. With the loss of the Auto Parkway and Denny's wells to nitrate contamination, the City should not rely on groundwater for future drought protection. Cloud Seedin¢ The City of San Luis Obispo initiated a cloud seeding program in January of 1991 due to limited water supplies and the continuing drought. Atmospherics Incorporated of Fresno, California was selected to provide a three-year cloud seeding program. The third year of the program was terminated following heavy rains in December and January of 1993 and the impending overtopping of the Salinas Reservoir. The program targeted both the Salinas and Lopez Reservoirs and the City and County shared the costs for the program. Since the Whale Rock Reservoir drainage area is relatively small and the runoff characteristics are not as favorable, it was determined that Whale Rock is not a good candidate for cloud seeding operations. Cloud seeding programs may be warranted in the future when water levels drop significantly at Salinas Reservoir. Since this year's rains have filled Salinas and Whale Rock reservoirs to capacity and water levels will not drop significantly prior to next winter, cloud seeding is not recommended for the upcoming season. IV. WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM Water conservation has played an ever increasing role in the City's over-all water supply development and management strategies since 1985. With the adoption of the Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) in November 1994, the policies regarding water conservation will provide the essential foundation in sustaining long-term water supply dependability by using our existing supplies more efficiently. C-1'8 1997 Water Resources Status Report Page 7 In September 1991, the Council approved and authorized the Mayor to sign the "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) with the Urban Water Conservation Council regarding urban water conservation and the implementation of the sixteen "Best Management Practices" (BMPs). The BMPs were presented as part of the UWMP. The MOU acts as a road map for the City's long- term water conservation program and signifies a commitment to the BMP process. The following information is a summary of the water conservation program's key components: Retrofit Rebate Program The retrofit Rebate Program has been in effect since 1990. It is important to note that funding levels and rebate reimbursements varied from 1990 through the fiscal year 1992/93 as noted in Table 2. Program participation has fluctuated since 1990 and can be attributed to the following factors: ■ 1990/91- The City was in mandatory water rationing and program funds were expended in a four month period. ■ 1991/92- Participation decreased primarily due to reduction in the rebate amount offered from$80 to $70 per bathroom. ■ 1992/93- Participation increased during 1992/93 because of the increase approved by Council from$70 to $100 per bathroom. ■ 1993/94 Participation decreased which can be partly attributed to the elimination of promotional funds for the fiscal year. The public was not aware that the program was still in effect. ■ 1994/95- Participation was again down because funds were not available to promote the program and the abundance of rainfall lessened the previous impacts of the drought_ ■ 1995/96-Participation decreased further primarily associated with an increase in the Water Offset Program activity which offered free retrofits to customers. ■ 1996/97- As indicated in the 1995/96 fiscal year,participation decreased further primarily associated with an increase in the Water Offset Program activity which offered free retrofits to customers. 1997 Water Resources Status Report Page Table 2: Summary of Retrofit Rebate Program Fiscal Year #of Funds Funds Rebate Toilets Allocated Expended Amount 1990/91 1,250 $100,000 $100,000 $80 1991/92 942 $100,000 $65,990 $70 1992193 1,313 $137,500 $133,550 $100 1993/94 898 $137,500 $85,230 to$100 1994/95 8% $137,500 $83,777 to$100 1995/96 607 $100,000 $57,323 to$100 1996/97 448 $100,000 $43,213 = to$100 All rebate retrofits represent an approximate water savings of 193 acre feet per year at an amortized cost of approximately$300 per acre foot. Retrofit Upon Sale Program The Retrofit Upon Sale Table 3: Summary of Retrofit Upon Sale Program Ordinance was adopted in October of 1992 with an effective enforcement Year #of Issued WCC #of Bathrooms date of January 1993. 1993 730 11518 After approximately 41h 199a 649 2,205 years of enforcement, the ordinance has been 1995 855 3,012 very successful and with 1996 909 2,099 extensive staff effort has been well received by the 1997(as of June) 467 1,029 real estate and escrow business community. This is a staff intensive program requiring monitoring of compliance, tracking escrow closures, issuing follow-up correspondence, issuance of the "Water Conservation Certificates" (WCC) and entering information into the master retrofit database. Table 3 summarizes the retrofit upon sale activity since the ordinance went into effect. 1997 Water Resources Status Report Page 9 It is important to note that people required to retrofit their property upon sale are eligible to receive a rebate. Also, developers that need to retrofit as a condition of project approval often retrofit homes that are being sold, therefore the numbers listed in Table 3 may also be included in Tables 2 and 4. Water Offset Program Table 4: Summary of Water Offset Program The Water Offset Program was established Bathrooms Year # as part of the Water Allocation Regulations Locations to allow development when there is no water 1993 1,261 538 available to allocate. Developers must make 1994 1,727 124 changes, in facilities served by the City, which will reduce long-term water usage by 1995 2,208 525 twice the allocation required for the new 1996 1,155 511 project. 1997(as of 833 274 Table 4 summarizes the retrofit activity June) through the Water Offset Program for the last five years. Water Audit Program The water conservation office offers free indoor and outdoor water audits upon request. The requests are typically received from people experiencing high water bills, residents participating in the low income assistance program or customers requesting a utility bill adjustment through the Utility Billing Adjustment Committee. During the 1996/97 fiscal year the office performed approximately 300 water audits for both residential and commercial customers. Public Information & Education In its ongoing effort to educate the public on efficient resource utilization, the Utilities Conservation Office provides informational brochures on a variety of water conservation and recycling topics upon request. Additionally, staff has developed and implemented three informational campaigns during the last year: 1) the resource management pop quiz; 2) the SLO Answer Man; and 3) the W.I.N. Program (Working to Improve Neighborhoods). The information has been distributed through paid media advertising, public service announcements and the Utilities Department newsletter. 1997 Water Resources Status Report Page 10 V. PROJECTED WATER SUPPLY SITUATION Reservoir Storage Curve The Reservoir Storage Curve is integral to the City's annual water plan analysis. It is a computer model used to estimate the City's future reservoir storage based on historical water use, weather patterns, 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 and the policies contained in the Urban Water Management Plan. The model predicts current water supplies would last until June of 2003, under a set of assumptions that represent the weather patterns during the drought of 1986-91. SUMMARY The City is in a favorable water supply situation with this past year's above average rains which filled both reservoirs to capacity. Even with this improved short-term outlook, the need for supplemental water supplies is evident and the continued efficient use of water is crucial. With the multi-source water policy, strong water conservation program and other related policies which were adopted as part of the UWMP, the City is pursuing a direction which will create a reliable supply of water to meet our customers current and future needs. Attachments: Figures 1-5 g:\pzy\docs\199I7wrsr_da Figure 1 � o � t 'S <.':iss.....,..o.=.�"..Eil�,;..1._�.`.-_'._,.....0.......,., .. ..,.... ���; \``; e >a�aA\�.``�\ a�\\q\� W \\ \ \\ ONOWN ON e,.r r...rc.3ii. A ON ME M-3 ON M W L PMN ON cn i�-ppr n S VA[-xl JI: ���;\ a�l�u\�;CM""`• Y• O Y I O mvg 3o saq:)ul C�-/3 Figure 3 jo, - j' .......... Z. tt! ...... muer L % 7�1':j l. 417 EF _H��i ILI j— -Inr ZV.I,, -ty,.. lo IM— t�w .......... 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