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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/02/1989, 5 - WATER CONSERVATION IN CITY PARKS AND BUILDINGS KMMMN6 DATE ' III JIiI� City of San IUIS OBISPO MAY 2, 1989 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NU FROM: Dave Romero, Public Works Director /:G`e SUBJECT: Water Conservation in City Parks and Buildings CAO RECOMMENDATION: By motion, direct staff in desired water conservation strategies. BACKGROUND: At its March 3, 1989 meeting, the City Council directed staff to significantly reduce watering of all parks and shrubs so results are visible. At its April 18, 1989 meeting, the City Council passed a mandatory conservation ordinance. Parks and Buildings staff has prepared a memorandum of April 21, 1989 (attached) outlining measures and strategies it proposes in order to reduce water consumption. DISCUSSION: The Public Works Department administers 77 water accounts. These are classified as institutional, with a goal of 40% reduction in the summer months and 10% reduction in the winter months, giving an overall reduction approaching 30%, or approximately 70 acre feet/year. This is provided for in the Resolution establishing target allocations. The Parks and Buildings memorandum outlines a number of measures which staff could follow - to reduce water consumption. Many of the measures contain undersirable consequences, and staff feels these should = be implemented at this time. Others which have undesirable consequences could still be implemented, since the consequences are within tolerable limits. Still others are of such a nature as to affect the quality of life of the community and staff feels that the Council should make these determinations. Specific Items (Refer to Memorandum) 6. Elimination of annual plantings will result in a water savings of less than one acre feet/year. City Hall, the Jack House, Mission Plaza, Library, and specific median plantings would be devoid of color accents. Staff recommends we reduce but do not eliminate annual plantings. 8. By not planting new trees during the drought, staff can avoid the very expensive process of having to drive to the Corporation Yard or sewer plant for each tank load of water needed. Staff also feels the City would be subject to public criticism if it proceeds with new plantings during the drought (even though we can explain that the watering is being done with non-potable water). No water savings implied. Staff recommends that new tree planting not be permitted. 9. By not planting new groundcover, except as necessary to meet some previous obligation, the City will delay development of new parks and landscape medians and refurbishment of existing medians. Although expected water savings are less than 5 acre feet/year, staff recommends this measure be implemented. v �/ city of sat j Luis omspo - COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Conservation Page Two 11. Closing all public restrooms at City parks, Mission Plaza, and City Hall on a fulltime basis could save up to 20 acre feet/year. The public would be seriously inconvenienced, particularly at City Hall, therefore staff recommends that this measure = be implemented. Ila. It would be possible to achieve some savings by having the restrooms open for reduced hours. Restrooms on the upper floor at City Hall could also be key-locked enabling continued City employee access, but public access only when deemed appropriate. The implication of not having public restrooms available at public facilities is that porta-potties would have to be provided. Staff recommends at this time that restrooms continue to be open during all business hours. 12. 8t 13. Certain City facilities such as Mission Plaza and the Jack House are vital to maintaining the amenities we value as a part of the quality of life of our community. Others such as the golf course and athletic fields must receive water at a high enough level to maintain the facility in such condition that the desired recreational activity can continue to be carried out. Staff recommends that the Mission Plaza, Jack House and Library continue to be watered at a high level, and that athletic fields be watered at a level appropriate to permit continuation of athletic activities. (_ . 17. Shutting off or reducing showers available at the pool could result in a savings of several acre ft./yr., with negative implications on the swim program. Staff would like to experiment with the measures to determined those which are most feasible. 25. Tree planting is required of all new developments. When a tree cannot be planted at the time of occupancy, the City requires a cash deposit, bond or other surety to assure timely planting at the appropriate time. There is likely to be some opposition on the part of individuals who would have to bond or deposit for a tree, with no tree planted till some indefinite future date. Despite this anticipated opposition, staff feels this is an appropriate strategy and recommends that it be implemented. 30. Staff is designing as a high priority, a storage tank for the golf course. This would allow golf course operation virtually free of the City water system, using water that is not potable, but is still suitable for landscape use. Although not funded in the 1988-89 budget, staff would like to proceed as rapidly as plans and specifications can be prepared. Water savings would be approximately 44 acre feet/year. 33. The key to the entire strategy of maintaining some facilities at a higher level than others lies in the Department having flexibility to manage its entire resource, to expend water where it is most needed and conserve where it is least needed, regardless of past usage at specific locations. �J d' 011101,411 city of san tins omspo 7UNCIL AGENDA REPORT 34. The three City fountains are on recirculating systems and use a negligible amount of water. However, there maybe a perception on the part of the public that these are water users, and the Council may wish to make a symbolic statement by having them turned off. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION: Staff has initiated almost all of the relatively easy water saving measures such as fixing leaks, retrofitting toilets, cutting grass higher and less often, using horticultural maintenance which saves water, installing self-closing faucets at many locations, changing to drought tolerant planting, and carefully monitoring sprinklers. The next measures, many of which have already been initiated, will result in a visible reduction in the appearance of our facilities, yellow and brown lawns, unmowed turf, stressed landscaping. We have currently reduced our watering from the former twice a week schedule, to once every 2 weeks at most facilities, once every week at playing fields and are continuing twice a week watering at the Jack House, Mission Plaza and the new Library. Some of the landscaping may die, much will require major restoration efforts when the drought is over. Staff wishes to set an example for the community and will do all that it can to comply with the ordinance. CONCURRENCE The Parks and Recreation Commission has recommended that Mission Plaza, the Jack House, and the athletic fields receive more water than other landscape because of the use, aesthetics and safety. The Utilities Department and Finance Department have agreed with the concept of managing the entire water resource needs, so long as the overall conservation targets are met.. The Community Development Department indicates that the actions proposed are to "mitigate an emergency", and as such are exempt from environmental review. The Community Development Department has also made a number of water conservation suggestions, which are being followed or will be included in future actions. FISCAL IMPACT: By reducing water consumption by approximately 30%, water cost to the Parks Division will be reduced approximately $28,000, as will revenues to the Utilities Department. Modifications to the golf course system to make it independent of the City water system are estimated to cost approximately $50,000. There will be an unknown but significant City-wide cost (perhaps in the $50,000 range) to replant, aerate, fertilize, and restore landscaping after the drought is over. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Under normal circumstances, staff feels the City is best served by a high level of maintenance on its facilities and landscaped areas. However since the water supply issue is critical, staff wishes the City to set the example for the community. Staff recommends that the City Council direct staff in desired water conservation strategies. wtrcons/dfr#17 / /� APPROVED: City Administrative Officer City Atto F" ce Director Public Works Director li S � ►►i���Bl�l�ll I�Iillllll;���������QII��i�i►IIIII I�� city of sAn luis oaspo 955 Morro Street • San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 April 21, 1989 MEMORANDUM TO: Dave Romero FROM: Lane Wilson SUBJECT: Parks and Buildings. Division - Water Conservation Measures The following are water conservation measures and strategies that we can adopt in order to reduce our water consumption and help lead the way to providing a positive example for the community. As per our conversation, we want to make a strong statement about our water conservation efforts but we don't want to destroy the landscape. G When I first realized that the droughtwas a strong possibility and that we could be told to eliminate water usage on the parks, buildings and other landscape facilities, this thought was very difficult for me to bear - turf, shrubs and trees all turning to brown. Upon consideration, a silver lining to all- of this could be thatif the turf all dies from lack of water, when the situation improves we could replace the turf with fescue, bermuda or other drought tolerant turf which looks great and has .reduced water requirements. Shrubs would also be replaced with more drought tolerant species. We should also look for improvement of the monitoring of the city's landscape irrigation system through the installation of a central irrigation control. With this, we can control all of the irrigation on a daily basis providing a much greater degree of control and, thus, reduce water consumption. Each of the supervisors have commented upon their specific areas of responsibility and their comments are as follows: C' Water Conservation Measures Page 2 Parks 1. We will conduct routine irrigation repair and maintenance and monitor operations on a daily basis to insure efficient water use. 2. We will reduce water use as required. 3. We will continue to provide proper horticultural maintenance; i.e. , aerification, mulch, weed control, pruning, mowing height. . 4. We will watch for signs of stress on plants and provide supplemental watering as appropriate. 5. We will, not wash walks, patios, and game courts unless we are unable to clean by other means. *6. We will reduce or eliminate annual plantings. 7. We will use well water or chlorinated sewer effluent to water trees. *8. We will not plant any new trees, or permit developers to plant public trees, requiring City watering. *9. We will not plant new groundcover in City facilities unless the planting is already a City obligation, is already included within a City contract, or is replacement for damaged planting.. 10. Shrub plantings less than two years old are probably not well established and may require supplemental watering (Library, Laguna Hills, Tank Farm Road extension, Naman Patio) . Shrub plantings which are established can probably get by without summer water especially with mulch. *11. Restrooms could be closed - probably a very unpopular strategy; portable restrooms could be rented. *12. We agree with the Parks and Recreation Commission that Mission Plaza, the Jack House, and athletic fields should receive more water than other landscape because of the use, aesthetics and safety. *indicates discussion item 0 Water Conservation Measures Page 3 *13. We will minimize water use on ballfield preparation; however, we will use enough to provide a safe play surface. 14. We will continue to perform water audits so that we can increase efficiency of the irrigation systems. 15. We will look to the future and propose installation of more efficient irrigation methods and water thrifty plantings. Buildinas 16. Change out to self-closing faucets in any sink which doesn't already have them. We have already installed reduction parts in all Sloan type restroom toilets. Pool It seems very likely, due to the current water situation, that some type of water conservation action will be necessary. I have discussed this issue with Robin Perrin who is also concerned with the forthcoming problems. Some of the measures we intend to establish and follow are: *17a. Bath house showers - shut off showers during recreational pool use except for specified periods of time each day. b. Shut off certain shower heads to each station. c. Shut off all outside showers during recreational pool use. d. Shut off certain shower heads on outside shower stations. 18. Less or no lawn watering since we have one very small lawn area would not distract from aethetics of the facility. 19. Hosing down the pool deck will be limited to necessary circumstances that require the use of water. 20. The use of water for cleaning the bath houses will be limited; other methods of cleaning will be utilized. 21. Dumping water from the pool to lower TDS will be limited; other methods of cleaning will be utilized. All of the -above measures can and will be followed with no adverse J effect on the operations, and will also meet or exceed state and local health requirements for public safety and city liability; Water Conservation Measure Page 4 however, the general public may experience some inconvenience during this time. Every effort will be made to minimize inconveniences. An approximate reduction in water usage would be 40% - 50% if all of the above criteria were enacted. Trees 22. Stop tree replacements and new plantings. 23 . Water only newly planted trees. 24. Water with well water or "effluent" water. *25. Require bonds for trees required to be planted by the City - do not plant until after the drought. 26. Mulch trees not completely established to prevent evaporation. 27. Water by injector versus surface watering. 28. Incorporate polymer granules in tree wells for greater water retention. 29. Plant drought tolerant trees. Golf Course Through some complicated irrigation scheduling, and provided the well can operate properly, the Laguna Lake Golf Course can reduce it's water usage by 50%. An additional 20% reduction can be realized by allowing perimeters and some roughs to die and by narrowing and only irrigating fairways enough to be kept alive but playable. Any further reduction will have dire effects on the course, reduce and slow play, and be unfair to our patrons. *30. As a permanent solution, immediate consideration must be given to the 1989-90 Water Tank CIP. This is a storage tank that would act as a reservoir for irrigation water which would be pumped in from the well and applied as needed for irrigation of the course. The tank will make us totally independent of city water and pay for itself in less than two years through elimination of city water costs. Laguna Lake Golf Course has become an important City facility. It attracts thousands of tourist rounds yearly because of its reputation as the best maintained course on the coast. This hard earned position should be protected as much as possible. Since the course is run as a business and must remain competitive, it should be maintained in playable condition. S-� Water Conservation Measure Page 5 General 31. We will work with staff to keep water conservation and use foremost in our thoughts. 32. We will work to avoid any negative occurrences related to water use by providing guidelines for and information on our use to our staff so that they will be informed and can discuss our water use and offer help to citizens. *33. We will be better able to deal with this issue if we can consider all parks water use as one account. *34. The three City fountains (Mission Plaza, Police Station, Portola) could be turned off. dh b/wilson/conservation s-�