HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-2017 Item 16 - 2017 Recycled Water Master Plan Meeting Date: 3/21/2017
FROM: Carrie Mattingly, Utilities Director
Prepared By: Jennifer Metz, Utilities Projects Manger
Mychal Boerman, Water Resources Program Manager
SUBJECT: 2017 RECYCLED WATER MASTER PLAN
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt a Resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, approving the 2017 Recycled Water Master Plan and a Negative
Declaration of Environmental Impact.”
2. Authorize staff to negotiate an agreement for delivery of recycled water outside the city
limits consistent with the policies and findings identified in the General Plan.
DISCUSSION
Background
Modern water recycling technologies allow for the efficient treatment of wastewater to extremely
high standards of quality. Recycling water is a proven method of improving local water supplies
and is a key part of integrated water planning. Recycled water can help improve resilience to
drought or other water supply reduction or emergency and serves as an opportunity for the City
to address long-term sustainability goals. Utilizing recycled water to its highest and most
beneficial use is consistent with a One Water approach (see Figure 1).
The City is committed to sound and
progressive planning for recycled water
infrastructure. The City adopted its first
Recycled Water Master Plan in 2004,
originally called the Water Reuse Master
Plan, and began delivering recycled water
in 2006. Recycled water was the first new
source of water to the City since Whale
Rock Reservoir in 1961. The focus of the
prior Master Plan was offsetting potable
water used for landscape irrigation to
extend the City’s potable water supplies.
Since 2007, annual recycled water usage
has increased from 77 acre feet to over 193
acre feet in 2016, offsetting four percent
of the City’s total demand.
The City Council approved funding for
an update to the Recycled Water Master
Plan (Master Plan) as part of the 2012-13
Figure 1.
The One-Water approach considers the urban water cycle as a
single integrated system.
SOURCE: US Water Alliance.
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Mid-Year Budget. The City contracted with the Wallace Group for the preparation of the Master
Plan in April 2013 concurrent with the work on the City’s Potable Water Distribution System
Master Plan. Completion of the Master Plan was put aside while staff worked on the Potable
Water Distribution System Master Plan, the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan, and the
update to the General Plan’s Water and Wastewater Management Element in 2016.
During this time, the Utilities Department brought on a program and design team for the Water
Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) project. One project objective is to maximize the
production of recycled water in the plant. In February 2015, Council approved a resolution to
submit a grant application for 50 percent funding to study maximizing production and
distribution of recycled water. In November 2015, the City was notified the grant had been
approved and work commenced on the Recycled Water Facilities Planning Study. Due to the
necessary expansion of the Recycled Water Master Plan work scope, staff, incorporating the
work done by Wallace Group, completed the Master Plan in-house.
Master Plan Approach
The Master Plan is part of the City’s comprehensive strategy to efficiently manage its water
resources. Recognizing that regulations surrounding recycled water continue to evolve, the
Master Plan addresses both current uses and future opportunities. The Master Plan is guided by
the City’s General Plan including goals, policies, and programs in the Water and Wastewater
Management Element, as well as development projections from the Land Use Element.
The Master Plan presents a strategy to serve recycled water to developing areas of the City for
use as landscape irrigation, presents opportunities to retrofit existing sites to offset potable water
use, explores use of recycled water outside the City limits during periods where much of the
City’s recycled water supply goes underutilized, and describes future opportunities consistent
with a One Water approach. The Master Plan includes an updated storage analysis and a capital
plan through 2035. The purpose and scope of the Master Plan is as follows:
1. Plan for the strategic and beneficial use of recycled
water including the potential for future potable reuse.
2. Analyze recycled water production capability in the
short- and long-term, ensuring the Master Plan reflects
current wastewater generation rates.
3. Understand expected development patterns and
recycled water demand.
4. Develop a hydraulic model for the recycled water
distribution system that can be utilized for future
infrastructure analysis.
5. Analyze the available recycled water supply, including
surplus supplies.
6. Confirm the Master Plan service area.
7. Provide a plan for incremental expansion of the
recycled water distribution system.
8. Prioritize future retrofit opportunities based on defined criteria.
9. Identify future storage needs based on future peak day demand.
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10. Evaluate infrastructure improvements needed to reach new customers and a prioritized
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) list.
11. Provide recycled water infrastructure costs for inclusion in the update of the water capacity
and connection fees
The Master Plan includes a detailed analysis of the available recycled water supply, current and
future recycled water demand, and irrigation system retrofit opportunities to offset potable water
use. After meeting in-City demands, the Master Plan analyzes both short- and long-term
opportunities to utilize the surplus recycled water supply. This evaluation of recycled water
availability also takes the future opportunities for potable reuse into consideration.
The Recycled Water Facilities Planning Study (the product of the SWRCB 2015 grant), included
as Appendix A in the Master Plan, examined several opportunities, in addition to in-City
landscape irrigation, for maximizing the long-term beneficial use of recycled water within the
City’s sphere of influence. The options studied include:
Provide direct potable reuse;
Provide groundwater recharge within the San Luis Obispo Valley Basin for indirect
potable reuse; and
Deliver tertiary-treated recycled water to agricultural interests outside of the City.
The Master Plan includes a Recycled Water Production Analysis, prepared by Water Systems
Consulting, Inc. (WSC), to determine current infrastructure production capability in the near-
term, before the Water Resource Recovery Facility Project (WRRF Project) is complete . This
analysis is provided in Appendix B.
Recycled Water Storage Analysis, prepared by Wallace Group, is provided in Appendix C. This
study reviews assumptions from the 2004 Master Plan, updates demand projections, analyzes
potential future recycled water storage options, and includes recommendations on when
additional storage should be added to the system.
Recycled Water and Other City Goals
Agricultural interests outside the City limits interested in the City’s surplus recycled water
supply have approached staff to inquire about availability. Historically, the City has only
delivered water to customers within the City, with a few exceptions consistent with Municipal
Code section 13.04.04 (Limit of city’s responsibility to furnish water outside of the city).
Generally, recycled water is used for landscape irrigation and demand is seasonal. Therefore,
there is currently a surplus of recycled water available during the months when traditional
irrigation is at its low point. Putting this water supply toward this beneficial use may have the
potential to further other City goals related to securing a greenbelt around the City. The desired
greenbelt, located beyond the City's Urban Reserve Line, includes some irrigated agricultural
lands and associated agricultural uses shown below in Figure 5 of the General Plan,
Conservation and Open Space Element. Goal 8.1 from the Conservation and Open Space
Element, describes the City’s desire to:
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Secure and maintain a healthy and attractive Greenbelt around the urban area,
comprised of diverse and connected natural habitats, and productive agricultural
land that reflects the City’s watershed and topographic boundaries.
Contracts for transfer of non‐potable water are exempt from the findings required by Gov. Code
§56133 (c)(1)-(2); however, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approval is still
required per Government Code §56133(e). In accordance with these requirements, policy
clarification was added with the 2014 Land Use Element Update to distinguish the delivery of
potable water from recycled water. Program A 7.3.4 from the General Plan’s Water and
Wastewater Management Element states that the City will:
Consider the potential to deliver available recycled water supplies to customers
outside the city limits, including analysis of policy issues, technical concerns, and
cost recovery, provided it is found to be consistent with the General Plan.
With the update to the General Plan, Land Use Element in 2014 the following poli cy (1.13.2,
Recycled Water) was added:
Provision of recycled water outside of City limits may only be considered in
compliance with Water and Wastewater Element Policy A 7.3.4 and the following
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findings:
A. Non-potable/recycled water is necessary to support continued agricultural
operations.
B. Provision of non-potable/recycled water will not be used to increase
development potential of property being served.
C. Non-potable/recycled water will not be further treated to make it potable.
D. Prior to provision of non-potable/recycled water, the property to be served
will record a conservation, open space, Williamson Act, or other easement
instrument to maintain the area being served in agriculture and open space
while recycled water is being provided.
Staff is recommending the Council authorize the negotiation of an agreement for delivery of
surplus recycled water outside the city limits consistent with the policies and findings identified
in the General Plan. Staff analyzed in-city recycled water demand and believes sufficicent supply
exists to accomodate this delivery after meeting in-City demands and creek discharge
requirements. This delivery would help to meet the City’s greenbelt goals and regional goals to
augment the San Luis Obispo groundwater basin. Staff anticipates negotiations would include
the schedule and term of recycled water delivery, cost, and cost recovery by the City for the
recipient’s capital improvements to facilitate water delivery. Prior to executing any agreement,
the City will need to modify Section 3.16 of the Municipal Code to allow for the delivery of such
water outside the City’s boundaries. If negotiations are successful, staff will return to Council to
with the aforementioned ordinance change and to receive authorization to execute the agreement.
The terms of an agreement to provide recycled water outside the city limits would be consistent
with the actions taken by Council on March 7, 2017 related to the Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act and the City’s long-term planning efforts for a One Water future.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An Initial Study was prepared for the Master Plan in accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and a Negative Declaration is recommended for adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts associated with the recommended action. Operating program costs
associated with recycled water production and delivery are funded through water rates. Capital
costs are funded by both water rates and water development impact fees. Funding to support
expansion of system users and the distribution system will be identified in future budgets for
Council consideration and approval. The Utilities Department will also continue to pursue grant
funding for expansion of the recycled water distribution system.
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Attachments:
a - Resolution for RW Master Plan Adoption
b - RWMP Negative Declaration
c - Council Reading File - RWMP
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R _____
RESOLUTION NO. (2017 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE 2017 RECYCLED WATER
MASTER PLAN AND A NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
WHEREAS, the City has a multi-source water supply and has produced and delivered
recycled water since 2006; and
WHEREAS, the Recycled Water Master Plan is consistent with goals and policies of the
General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Recycled Water Master Plan provides a roadmap for the City’s recycled
water distribution system; and
WHEREAS, the Recycled Water Master Plan describes future opportunities for the City
to consider potable reuse consistent with a One-Water approach; and
WHEREAS, the Recycled Water Master Plan, consisting of text, tables, and figures, was
presented to the City Council in final form on March 21, 2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Action. The City Council does hereby adopt the Recycled Water Master
Plan attached hereto as Attachment 1.
SECTION 2. Environmental Determination. The City Council does hereby adopt a
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for the approval of the Recycled Water Master
Plan.
SECTION 3. Effective Date. The Recycled Water Master Plan shall become effective
immediately upon adoption of this Resolution.
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________, 2017.
____________________________________
Mayor Heidi Harmon
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Resolution No. _____ (2017 Series) Page 2
R _____
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Carrie Gallagher
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, this ______ day of ______________, _________.
____________________________________
Carrie Gallagher
City Clerk
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Wastewater Flow
2003: 4.5 mgd
2015: 2.7 mgd
Creek Discharge Requirement
2004: 1.1 mgd
Today: 1.6 mgd
WRRF Outfall Location into San WS Obispo Creek
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Deliveries keep increasing
In 2016, recycled water use offset four percent
of total water demand
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2007 2016 New connections planned
77 acre feet 193 acre feet for 2017 and beyond
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Why update the Master Plan?
Maximize recycled water use
for all approved purposes
General Plan, Water and Wastewater
Management Element, Goal AT 1.1
1. Analyze supply and demand of
recycled water
Recycled Water Demand
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2. Identify capital needs for distribution
system expansion and storage
Developed recycled water distribution system
model
a Pipeline expansion options
m Storage analysis
3. Identify In -City Irrigation Demand
Considered specific plan area build out
to Examined existing customers
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4. Explore alternative uses of recycled water.
including use outside the city limits after I'
City needs are met
Recycled Water Facilities Plaiming Study analyzed:
1: Delivery to agricultural interests outside the City
2: Potable reuse
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Potable Reuse
■ Indirect potable reuse:
uses highly treated
wastewater to recharge the
groundwater basin
■ Direct potable reuse:
uses advanced treatment
before being injected into
potable water distribution
system
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Indirect
potable
reuse
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Delivery to Interests Outside the City
City has surplus recycled water — surplus may decrease as City grows
May provide off-peak use for surplus water
Questions?
RECYCLED WATER KEEPS
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Recommendations
Adopt a Resolution entitled "A Resolution of
the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, approving the 2017
Recycled Water Master Plan and a Negative
Declaration of Environmental Impact."
Authorize staff to negotiate an agreement for
delivery of recycled water outside the city
limits consistent with the policies and findings
identified in the General Plan.
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E]
Dual Plumbing
Recycled water can be used for other non -potable
uses such as toilet flushing, cooling, etc.
The City would need to:
* Obtain permit to allow use recycled water for dual
plumbed systems.
* Consider staffing needs and other costs
Modify regulatory documents
Laguna Lake
Recycled water could be used to augment lake levels,
however this usage would not create a potable offset
A Recycled water would require dechlorination
w The City may need to obtain permit to allow use recycled
water for surface water augmentation
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Anticipated Terms for Negotiation
• Schedule/Term
• Quantity
• Price
■ SGMA
■ Other City Goals
Delivery to Agricultural Interests Outside the City
Water and Wastewater Management Element,
Program A 7.3.4:
Consider the potential to deliver available recycled water
supplies to customers outside the city limits, including
analysis of policy issues, technical concerns, and cost
recovery, provided it is found to be consistent with the
General Plan.
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ISO
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Land Use Element, Policy 1.13.2 states:
Provision of recycled water outside of City limits may only be
considered in Compliance with Water and Wastewater Element
Policy A 7.3.4 and the following findings:
A. Non-potable/recycled water is necessary to support continued
agricultural operations.
B. Provision of non-potable/recycled water will not be used to
increase development potential of property being served.
C. Non-potable/recycled water will not be further treated to make
it potable.
D. Prior to provision of non-potable/recycled water, the property
to be served will record a conservation, open space,
Williamson Act, or other easement instrument to maintain the
area being served in agriculture and open space while
recycled water is being provided.
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