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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/1989, 4 - MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM r MEETING DATE: city of San tins OBISpo ch 14 1989 SMA COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT4 C-2 PREPARED BY I NUM FROM: VIA William T. Hetland ��(( Allen Short Tina Metzger Utilities Director W` Water Div. Manager Water Cons. Coord. SUBJECT: Mandatory Water Conservation Program RECOMMENDATION: Council to review mandatory water conservation program and draft ordinance, provide direction to staff. BACKGROUND: The City has experienced three consecutive years with lower than normal rain fall, which results in the inability to store required volumes of water. As a result, the City storage reservoirs are extremely low and approaching critical levels. Based upon the Water Annual Operational Plan 1988-89, staff is required to take action at predetermined reservoir storage levels. As the City's share of the reservoir storage level declined into the severe category, staff implemented a number of steps. The water conservation steps implemented were: 1. Development and implementation of a teared rate structure; basically, the more you use the higher the cost. 2 . Implementation of an even/odd water schedule. 3 . Continued enforcement of City's water wasting ordinance. Specifically, the actions taken were designed to reduce consumption by 25%. The attempt was not very successful. Reservoir storage levels are continuing to decline and are approaching the critical level which will mandate the implementation of 50 percent mandatory water conservation. Staff in January of 1989, began to research and identify the various methods used to induce water conservation of this magnitude. Staff contacted a number of agencies which have been through a drought and were required to implement some form of a mandatory conservation program. Methods Staff assembled four (4) basic methods which have been implemented in a number of cities in California. The four methods are listed below: 1. Individual (per capita) Allocations 2 . Uniform Allocations per Type of Dwelling 3 . Percentage Reduction Allocations 4 . Percentage Reduction with Seasonal Allotment When deciding which mandatory water conservation method would be most viable, appropriate, and equitable for San Luis Obispo, many variables were taken into account. These included, but are not limited to, public input, past water conservation efforts of residents, the successes and failures of other California agencies' uva�INill city of san Luis oBispo COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Page 2 mandatory water conservation programs, and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of all four possible mandatory conservation methods as they directly concern San Luis Obispo. The choice of percentage reduction with seasonal allotment also considered the following criteria: 1. Reduction in use of water by businesses and governmental agencies with as little danger of increasing unemployment or deteriorating individual businesses as possible. 2. Recognition of previous conservation efforts. 3 . Equitable availability of water to householders for personal needs whether in apartments or single family residences. 4. A workable plan that imposes the least amount of. additional cost on the conscientious and conserving customer. 5. Maintenance of landscaping at a "survival level". After careful review staff is recommending the implementation of the percentage reduction with a seasonal allotment. _ In addition, staff is recommending a life line allowance be included for those individuals who have reduced consumption to the bare minimum. The life line allowance is 15 units per billing period. This value was obtained by comparing the average consumption for both winter and summer months. The overall calculated average was 20 units. Staff then reduced this amount by 25% to obtain the 15 units allowance. In order for staff to predict when the reservoir storage levels would decline to the critical level a model was developed simulating the worst possible case of a fourth dry year. As part of the model, a number of conservation scenarios were identified. The conservation efforts ranged from zero (0) to 50 percent (%) . The model also helped staff to define the level of conservation required by Commerical/Industrial and Residential. Based upon the model the over all conservation target is identified to be twenty percent (20) . With the implementation and achievement of 20 percent mandatory conservation the possibility exists that the reservoir storage levels may not decline past the critical level until the beginning of the next rainy season, November/December of 1989. Allocation To achieve an over-all twenty percent reduction with the percentage reduction seasonal allotment will require an effort by Government, Residential, and Commerical/Industrial. The way the program is designed is that Commercial/Industrial shall be required to reduce Q1%jjPA fj city of San Wis OBISpo COUNCIL AGENOA REPORT Page 3 water consumption by ten (10) percent, Residential twenty-five (25) percent, and Institutional by thirty (30) percent. These different conservation levels were based on an ability to conserve for each class of user. To accomplish the target, a base line period will be used to establish the allotment. Staff is recommending that the 1987 calendar year be established as the base year. In order to achieve an overall water reduction of 2.0%, the following seasonal target reductions for two different classes of users are being recommended. TARGET REDUCTIONS Summer Winter overall. Residential Single Meter 30 10 22 Multi-Family 15 10 13 Commercial/Industrial 10 10 10 Institutional 40 10 30 Landscape 70 50 60 TOTALS 26 12 20 Penalty i To insure compliance with the mandatory conservation program, penalities will be imposed if the seasonal allotment is exceeded. Staff is recommending that the entire bill be doubled. Staff is also recommending that the existing teared rate structure remain in place. Additionally, the life line allowance of 15 units will replace the established 10 units and be charged at the lower rate of 75 cents per 100 cubic feet. If a consumer life line allowance is exceeded, the customer will be charged at the rate of $1. 50 per 100 cubic feet for that portion of water used. Once the seasonal allotment is exceeded for that customer, the entire bill will double. Effective- Date It is the responsibility of the customer to begin conserving water immediately. The financial penalties will go into effect on all bills issued on or after July 1, 1989. These bills may include water- consumed during April, May and June of 1989. Conservation Techniques I For the average Residential consumer there are a number of ways to conserve water. Examples of specific things San Luis Obispo citizens could do now and the amount of water conserved include: �l- city of San tuffs OBispo COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Page 4 Activity Normal - (gallons) Conservation- (gallons) Shower 25 (water running) 4 (wet down, soap up, rinse off) Tub Bath 36 (full) 12 (minimal water level) Brushing Teeth 10 (tap running) 1/2 (wet brush, rinse briefly) Shaving 20 (tap running) 1 (fill basin) Washing Hands 2 (tap running) 1 (fill basin) Dish Washing 30 (tap running) 5 (wash & rinse in dishpan/ Automatic sink) Dishwasher 16 (full cycle) 7 (short cycle) Toilet 5-7 (depending on 4-6 (using tank displacement Flushing tank size) bottle) Washing 60 (full cycle, top 27 (short cycle, minimal Machine water level) water level) Outdoor 10 per min. (average eliminate (lowest priority) Watering hose) Outside the_-House The biggest use of water in the average home is in the yard and garden. This amounts to approximately 60% of home water usage. Letting the sprinkler system run just one extra minute can waste 10 gallons of water. A hose is the main culprit in using water. A 5/8 inch hose carries more than 1, 000 gallons an hour. A pinhole leak in an outside faucet will waste 170 gallons of water in 24 hours. A 20 minute car wash can use 200 to 600 gallons of water. Community Input During the last week, staff has tried to meet with different consumer groups to obtain their input. The following is a summary of their comments and concerns. Discussions with members of local landscape contractor and gardening associations produced consistent comment that greater conservation could be achieved without the odd-even watering schedule. People tended to water more and at every chance they were allowed. Staff made a presentation at the Chamber of Commerce meeting of March 8, where Chamber members stated that they felt everyone in the community should do their share in conserving water. The Chamber passed a resolution supporting mandatory water conservation with o IMI Of san LUGS OBISpo .. A city COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Page 5 businesses willing, at maximum, to reduce water consumption by 10%. The Chamber has since chose to oppose mandatory conservation at this time. Members of local property owners associations, local contractors, and developers have called to voice their concerns about a building moratorium in the city and what that will do to their businesses and the local economy. City residents have called to state their unhappiness with having to cut back on water while new development is allowed. Consequences of Not Taking Recommended Action If the mandatory conservation program is not implemented: 1. The City will cross into the critical level, requiring 50% mandatory conservation by September. 2. We will run the risk over the long term of depleting the City's water resources. 3. The impact on business over the long term will have a greater negative impact and possible financial burden. Options Council has the following options they may want to consider: 1. Implementation of a different level of conservation other than what is recommended, ranging from 0% to 50%. All values within the range can be calculated and implemented into the model to visually show consequences. 2. Differential percentage for Commercial/Industrial, Residential and Institutional and other classes of users could be modified, changed, increased or decreased. 3. Remain status quo and take no action at this time. 4. Continue to look for and develop new sources of water if available. 5. Modify the existing Annual Water Operational Plan 1988-89 critical level to a lower level. This would result in severe consequences if the value was much lower. RECOMMENDATION: J Council review Mandatory Water Conservation Program and draft. ordinance, and provide direction to staff. mandatory/ CORDINANCE NO. (1989 Series) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AMENDING CHAPTER I, ARTICLE 3, DIVISION 07 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADDING SECTIONS 13.07.060 THROUGH 13 .07_ RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION Section 6. That Chapter I, Article 3 , Division 07, of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code be and the same is hereby amended by adding Sections 13.07.060 through 13.07 _ to read as follows: Sec. 13.07.060 Definitions. The following words and phrases whenever used in this Chapter, shall be construed as defined in this section unless from the context a different meaning is intended or unless a different meaning is specifically defined within individual sections of this Chapter: Oa. "Base Period" means that period of time over which the base water use is computed. Sec. 13.07. 070 Water Use Reduction. No customer of the City shall make, cause, use or permit the use of potable water from the City for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, governmental, or any other purpose in a manner contrary to any provision of this section. (1) Mandatory Water Conservation Percentage Reduction With Seasonal Allotment: The City will establish by resolution target reduction amounts for each customer class. These target amounts will be adjusted for the winter and summer seasons, taking into account each customer class's ability to conserve water. 1 �` 67 I C (2) Residential Lifeline Allowance. Notwithstanding any reduction of water use which would otherwise be required of residential water use pursuant to the Percentage Reduction Requirement set forth above, the City shall establish a residential lifeline water amount whereby no residential household shall be required to reduce water consumption below the lifeline rate. (3) Restrictions. In addition to the existing Ordinance, every consumer is deemed to have under his control at all times his water distribution lines and facilities and to know the manner and extent of his water use and any runoff. (a) Use of water from fire hydrants shall be limited to Cfire fighting and/or other activities immediately necessary to maintaining the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of San Luis Obispo. (b) Restaurants are prohibited from serving water to their customers except when specifically requested by the customers. (c) Potable City water shall not be used to wash down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, except to alleviate immediate fire or sanitation hazards. Sec. 13 .07.080 Excess Water Use Surcharge. To ensure compliance with mandatory water conservation percentage reduction there will be a surcharge added to the water bill if 2 /7/— i the customer exceeds the required amount reduction. The surcharge will be double the water bill on which the excess water use appears. Sec. 13.07. 090 Penal-ties. To insure compliance with the above Restrictions, the penalties for violation of the Ordinance shall be as follows: 1. Issue a warning citation for first offense; 2. A fine for the second offense as shall be established by the City. 3 . Place a flow-restrictor in customer's water supply line for third offense; and O4. Service cutoff for a period of time for a fourth offense. Sec. 13. 07. 110 Hearing for variances. The Water Conservation Appeals Board, consisting of the directors of the City's Finance, Utilities, and Community Development Departments or their designees, may grant variances for uses of water otherwise prohibited by Section 13. 07.070. Rules and regulations for how to conduct the procedures for filing and hearing appeals shall be adopted by resolution of the Council. Sec. 13 .07. 120 Reservation of Rights. The rights of the'. City hereunder shall be cumulative to any other right of the City to discontinue service. All monies collected by the City pursuant to any of the penalty provisions of this Chapter shall be deposited in the Water Fund as. reimbursement for the City's costs and expenses of administering and enforcing this Chapter. 3 Z/ O Sec. 13. 07. 130 Severability. If any provision, section, subsection sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or the application of same to any person or set of circumstances if for any reason is held to be unconstitutional, void or invalid, the invalidity of the remaining portions of this Ordinace shall not be affected thereby, it being the intent of the City Council in adopting this Ordinance that no portion thereof, or provisions, or regulation contained herein, shall become inoperative, or fail by reason of any unconstitutionally of any other portion hereof, and all provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable for that purpose. Sec. 13. 07. 140 Effective Date. The ordinance shall go into effect immediately with the financial penalties being applied on all bills issued on or after July 1, 1989. 4