HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #2 Water Wastewater Management Element Amendment2108 Meeting Date: April 11,
Item Number: 2
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: Amendment to the General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element
(GPA 1454-2018) and Proposed Negative Declaration of Environmental
Effect (EID 1455-2018)
PROJECT ADDRESS: Citywide BY: Jennifer Metz, Utilities Project Manager
Phone Number: 805-781-7239
e-mail: jmetz@slocity.org
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Deputy Director, Water
Dave Hix, Deputy Director, Wastewater
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution recommending the City Council adopt a Negative Declaration (EID
1455-2018) and approve an amendment to the City’s Water and Wastewater Management
Element of the General Plan (GPA 1454-2018).
DISCUSSION
Background
The City’s guiding policy document for water and wastewater planning is the General Plan,
Water and Wastewater Management Element (WWME). The City originally adopted the
WWME in 1987 to address water and wastewater services because of the vital role these
resources play in the community and the far-reaching impacts of water-related policies on
community growth and character. The WWME translates the General Plan’s Land Use
Element capacity for development into potential demand for water supply and wastewater
service.
The proposed revisions to the WWME provides water supply information from the 2018
update to the City’s safe annual yield model. Updates are also provided for background
information related to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and the adoption of
the Recycled Water Master Plan in 2017. Related to the provision of wastewater service,
the amendment updates background information on flow monitoring, inflow and
infiltration, the 2016 Wastewater Collection System Infrastructure Renewal Strategy, and
Figure 3 which identifies existing capacity constrained areas in the City’s wastewater
collection system.
Recommended revisions to the WWME are provided in Attachment 1 in legislative draft
format.
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Update to Safe Annual Yield Model /
Reduction in Safe Annual Yield
The City uses a multi-source water
supply to meet existing water demand
and future demand envisioned under the
City’s General Plan. These water
supplies include water from Salinas,
Whale Rock, and Nacimiento
reservoirs, recycled water from the
City’s Water Resource Recovery
Facility, and groundwater. The City’s
total water demand for the 2017 water
year (October 1, 2016 through
September 30, 2017) was 4,975 acre feet
with 27 percent of that supply coming
from Salinas and Whale Rock
reservoirs.
The City defines the terminology “safe annual yield” as the amount of water which can be
reliably withdrawn annually from coordinated operation of Salinas and Whale Rock
reservoirs. The City’s safe annual yield analysis is based on historical rainfall, evaporation,
and stream flow data from 1943 through 2017 including drought periods in 1946-51, 1959-
61, 1976-77, and 1986-91. Key assumptions used in the model were that the "controlling
drought period" was from 1986-1991. The 2018 update to the safe annual yield model,
detailed in Attachment 4, added data from the most recent drought that ended in 2016
consistent with WWME programs.
A 3.3.2 The City will update the safe annual yield computer model for
Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs following severe drought periods to
determine if any changes are necessary to the safe annual yield amount.
A 3.3.3 The City will monitor ongoing research on the potential for long‐
term impacts associated with climate change to water supply resources.
The 2018 update verified historical data, validated and documented calculations used in
the model, and reviewed various climate change scenarios. For both Whale Rock and
Salinas reservoirs, the analysis found the historical data included higher evaporation rates
than data used in the existing model. The difference results in greater evaporation losses,
approximately 30 percent higher than shown in the existing model. The update determined
that the 2006-2016 drought period was more severe than the 1986-1991 drought used in
the 2015 model. Therefore, the 2006-2016 drought period was used as the new controlling
condition for the 2018 determination of the City’s safe annual yield.
Nacimiento
Reservoir
68%
Whale Rock
Reservoir
23%
Recycled Water
5%
Salinas Reservoir
4%
2017 Water Supply by Source
October 1, 2016-September 30, 2017
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Existing and Updated Safe Annual Yield
2015
Model
2018 Model with
Verified Historical
Data (through 2006)
2018 Model with
Verified Historical
Data and Drought
Period (2006-2016)
Safe Annual Yield from Whale
Rock and Salinas Reservoirs 6,940 6,590 4,910*
NOTES:
1.All results are in acre feet per year and use data for the period of record through 2016.
2.Results are the combined City safe annual yield from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, based on a
joint operating strategy.
* Indicates staff recommendation.
As part of the 2018 update to the safe annual yield model, three climate change scenarios
were analyzed including climate scenarios by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, and Nature Communications. Each climate
projection was applied to the historical dataset for Whale Rock and Salinas reservoir’s
inflow, precipitation, and evaporation. The City’s 2018 model was then used to calculate a
revised safe annual yield assuming these conditions had prevailed during the historical
period of record. The results of the modeling for the three scenarios are shown in Table 2.
The SLOCOG scenario provides the greatest range from the City’s 2018 model with a safe
annual yield of 850 acre feet lower than the staff recommendation to 160 acre feet higher
than the staff recommendation.
Safe Annual Yield Under Climate Change Scenarios
Range under EPA
Climate Change
Scenarios
Range under SLOCOG
Climate Change
Scenarios
Nature Climate
Change
Scenario
Safe Annual Yield
from Whale Rock and
Salinas Reservoirs
4,690 to 5,050 4,050 to 5,070 4,950
Scenario Compared to
Staff Recommendation -220 to +140 -850 to +160 +40
NOTES:
1.All results are in acre feet per year and use data for the period of record through 2016.
2.Results are the combined City SAY from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, based on a joint
operating strategy.
It is impossible to know precisely how climate change will impact the precipitation and
evaporation patterns on the Central Coast; however, the range of values provided by the
models serve as an indication of potential future conditions. Based on the updated modeling
and analysis of climate change scenarios, staff is recommending the safe annual yield from
Salinas and Whale Rock reservoirs be reduced from 6,940 acre feet to 4,910 acre feet. Staff
chose this figure as it was within the data range of two of the models and slightly more
conservative than the third. The proposed amendment to the WWME updated water supply
information reflects the reduction from the 2018 model.
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The City declared Climate Action a top priority during its 2017-19 Financial Plan.
Although it is not clear exactly how the City and its watersheds will be affected, climate
change will impact future water supplies. To ensure water supply resiliency under worse-
case scenarios, the City has developed a multi-source water supply, makes conservative
water demand projections, and continues to pursue increased water use efficiency,
increased water recycling, and groundwater recharge.
Formula for Water Resiliency
Table 3, City Water Resource Availability, reflects the staff recommendation for the
reduction in safe annual yield from Whale Rock and Salinas reservoirs. With the reduction
of 2,030 acre feet from safe annual yield identified in the update of the model in 2018, the
additional 2,102 acre feet from the full allocation of Nacimiento Reservoir will be utilized
to meet the City’s water demands over time, as buildout of the General Plan is realized,
consistent with the City’s Water Supply Accounting & Demand Projection policies.
City Water Resource Availability
Water Resource 2018 Annual Availability
Salinas and Whale Rock
Reservoirs 4,910 AF Safe Annual Yield
Nacimiento Reservoir 5,482 AF Contractual Limit
Recycled Water 238 AF 2017 Annual Usage
Siltation to 2060 (500 AF) Policy A 4.2.2
TOTAL 10,130 AF
NOTE: The quantity of recycled water included as part of the City’s available water
resources identified above, is the actual prior year’s recycled water usage (2017), per
Policy A 7.2.2.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2018.
Multi-
Source
Water
Supply
Conservative
Water
Demand
Projections
Water Use
Efficiency
Water
Recycling
Future
Ground
Water
Recharge
Water
Resiliency
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With the reduction in safe annual yield, the City
continues to have an adequate water supply to meet
the projected water demand of 57,200 residents. As
shown in Table 4, future primary water supply
demand is estimated to reach 7,496 acre feet per
year (AFY) using a water demand rate of 117
gallons per person per day (gpcd). In addition to the
City having adequate water supplies to meet
primary water supply needs, the City has a
reliability reserve that equals 20 percent of current
water supply needs (1,225 AFY for 2017).
Remaining water supplies, 1,409 AFY, make up the
City’s secondary water supply.
Other Proposed Updates
Other modifications to the WWME are proposed to
provide updated background information on:
• Groundwater related to the Sustainable
Groundwater Management Act,
• Adoption of the Recycled Water Master Plan,
• Flow monitoring, infrastructure renewal, and
capacity constraints in the wastewater collection
system, and
• Wastewater flows to the City’s Water Resource
Recovery Facility.
Tribal Consultation
On February 12, 2018, local Native American tribal groups that have a cultural and
traditional affiliation with the City were formally noticed that an Initial Study of
Environmental Review was being completed for the update to the City’s Water and
Wastewater Management Element.
On March 13, 2018, staff met with a representative of the Northern Chumash Tribal
Council to discuss the proposed General Plan amendment. No concerns were identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), staff prepared an
Initial Study, Negative Declaration (EID 1455-2018) to analyze the potential
environmental impacts of the proposed amendment to the WWME. That analysis is
provided here as Attachment 2. Staff is recommending that the Planning Commission adopt
a resolution recommending the City Council adopt the Negative Declaration.
Table 4: Water Supply
Accounting
Primary Water Supply
= 117 gpcd x City Build-out Population
= 117 gpcd x 57,200 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,851 gallons
7,496 Acre-Ft/year
Reliability Reserve
= 117 gpcd x City Population x 20%
= 117 gpcd x 46,724 x 365 day/year x
Acre-Ft/325,851 gallons x 20%
1,225 Acre-Ft/year
Secondary Water Supply
= Current Annual Availability – Primary
Water Supply – Reliability Reserve
= 10,130Acre-Ft/year – 7,496 Acre-
Ft/year – 1,225 Acre-Ft/year
1,409 Acre-Ft/year
NOTE: One acre foot of water is equal
to 325,851 gallons of water.
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ALTERNATIVES
The Planning Commission could recommend City Council to utilize another climate
change scenario to inform the reduction of safe annual yield.
ATTACHMENTS
1. General Plan, Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element, in legislative
draft format.
2. Initial Study, Negative Declaration (EID 1455-2018)
3. Resolution Recommending the City Council Adopt Amendments to the Water and
Wastewater Management Element of the General Plan (GPA 1454-2018)
4. Technical Memorandum, Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs Safe Annual Yield,
Water Systems Consulting, January 2018.
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WATER AND WASTEWATER
Adopted: February 24, 1987
Last Revised: June 15, 2016
(Council Resolution No. 10725, 2016)
Draft, March 2018
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Chapter 8
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Please see the next page.
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CHAPTER 8 WATER AND WASTEWATER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................... 8-5
A. WATER MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 8-6
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 8-6
A 1.0 Background ............................................................................................................................................. 8-6
A 1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................... 8-6
MULTI-SOURCE WATER SUPPLY ............................................................................................................................. 8-7
A 2.0 Background ............................................................................................................................................. 8-7
A 2.1 Goal ........................................................................................................................................................ 8-9
A 2.2 Policies .................................................................................................................................................. 8-10
A 2.3 Programs .............................................................................................................................................. 8-10
Water Resource Availability ..................................................................................................................................... 8-11
A 3.0 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 8-11
A 3.1 Goal ...................................................................................................................................................... 8-15
A 3.2 Policies .................................................................................................................................................. 8-15
A 3.3 Programs ....................................................................................................................................... 8-168-15
SILTATION .................................................................................................................................................................. 8-17
A 4.0 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 8-17
A 4.1 Goals ..................................................................................................................................................... 8-19
A 4.2 Policies .................................................................................................................................................. 8-19
A 4.3 Programs .............................................................................................................................................. 8-19
WATER SUPPLY ACCOUNTING AND DEMAND PROJECTION ............................................................................ 8-20
A 5.0 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 8-20
A 5.1 Goals ..................................................................................................................................................... 8-21
A 5.2 Policies .................................................................................................................................................. 8-21
A 5.3 Programs .............................................................................................................................................. 8-22
WATER CONSERVATION ......................................................................................................................................... 8-23
A 6.0 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 8-23
A 6.1 Goal ...................................................................................................................................................... 8-23
A 6.2 Policies .................................................................................................................................................. 8-24
A 6.3 Programs .............................................................................................................................................. 8-24
RECYCLED WATER ................................................................................................................................................... 8-25
A 7.0 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 8-25
A 7.1 Goals ..................................................................................................................................................... 8-27
A 7.2 Policies .................................................................................................................................................. 8-27
A 7.3 Programs .............................................................................................................................................. 8-27
B. WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 8-28
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................. 8-28
B 1.0 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 8-28
B 1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................. 8-28
WASTEWATER SERVICE .................................................................................................................................. 8-29
B 2.0 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 8-29
B 2.1 Goal ...................................................................................................................................................... 8-29
B 2.2 Policies .................................................................................................................................................. 8-29
B 2.3 Programs .............................................................................................................................................. 8-30
WASTEWATER TREATMENT ............................................................................................................................ 8-31
B 3.0 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 8-31
B 3.1 Goals ..................................................................................................................................................... 8-31
B 3.2 Policies .................................................................................................................................................. 8-31
B 3.3 Programs .............................................................................................................................................. 8-31
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COLLECTION SYSTEM ...................................................................................................................................... 8-32
B 4.0 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 8-32
B 4.1 Goal ...................................................................................................................................................... 8-34
B 4.2 Policies .................................................................................................................................................. 8-34
B 4.3 Programs .............................................................................................................................................. 8-34
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Multi Source Water Supply .................................................................................................................. 8-8
Figure 2 Recycled Water Water Reuse Master Plan Area and Distribution System ....................................... 8-26
Figure 3 Capacity Constrained Areas 8-30
Figure 34 Inflow and Infiltration Illustrated ......................................................................................................... 8-33
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. City Water Resource Availability ....................................................................................................... 8-11
Table 2. Annual Recycled Water Availability based on Influent Flow ............................................................. 8-15
Table 3. Whale Rock Reservoir Capacity Change .......................................................................................... 8-16
Table 4. Reservoir Storage Capacity ............................................................................................................... 8-17
Table 5. 2010 Water Supply Accounting ......................................................................................................... 8-21
Table 6. Highest Average Daily Flows to the Water Resource Recovery Reclamation Facility, ..................... 8-33
2006 to 20157
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INTRODUCTION
The City's General Plan guides the use and protection of various resources to meet community purposes. It reflects
consensus and compromise among a wide diversity of citizens' preferences, within a framework set by State law. The
General Plan contains elements that address various topics.
The City decided to adopt an element addressing water resources and wastewater services because of the vital role of
these resources and the far‐reaching impacts of water policies on community growth and character. This element
translates the Land Use Element's capacity for development into potential demand for water supply and wastewater
services. This element outlines how the City plans to provide adequate water and wastewater services for its citizens,
consistent with the goals and policies of other General Plan elements.
Before adopting or revising any General Plan element, the Planning Commission and the City Council must hold public
hearings. The City publishes notices in the local newspaper and on the City’s website to let citizens know about the
hearings at least ten days before they are held. Also, the City prepares environmental documents to help citizens
understand the expected consequences of its planning policies before the hearings are held.
Anyone may suggest or apply for amendments to General Plan elements.
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A. WATER MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
A 1.0 Background
The original Water and Wastewater Management Element was adopted in 1987 around the time the City
experienced its most a severe drought period which lasted from 1986 to 1991. During this point in time
mandatory water use restrictions were instituted and restrictions on new development were imposed. Following
this period, the City pursued additional water supplies to meet the existing water needs of the community, as
well as to fulfill the goals of the General Plan. The policies in the Water Management section of the Element were
written in a manner to address the water scarcity issues the City was facing. With the addition of the Nacimiento
Water Project to the City’s water portfolio, the City has an adequate water supply to serve the community’s
existing and future water needs as defined by the General Plan. The 2010 revisions to the Water and Wastewater
Management Element reflected the change in the water supply situation.
The 2016 revisions to the Water and Wastewater Management Element are proposed to include a larger
contractual water supply from Nacimiento Reservoir, to update the daily per capita water use assumption used in
water supply accounting, and to reflect information from the Whale Rock Reservoir Bathymetric Survey and
Volumetric Study completed in 2013. updated the City’s water resource availability to include the full allocation of
the Nacimiento Reservoir increasing the City’s contractual supply from 3,380 acre feet to 5,482 acre feet
annually, updated the daily per capita water use assumption used in water supply accounting, and incorporated
information from the Whale Rock Reservoir Bathymetric Survey and Volumetric Study completed in 2013.
The 2018 revisions to the Water and Wastewater Management Element provide information from the 2018
update to the City’s safe annual yield model. The update verified historical data, validated and documented
calculations used in the model, incorporated data from the 2006‐2016 drought, and reviewed various climate
change scenarios. The updated data reduced the safe annual yield from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs from
6,940 acre feet to 4,910 acre feet. Updates are also provided to background information related to the
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and the adoption of the Recycled Water Master Plan in 2017.
A 1.1 Purpose
The Water Management section of the Element includes goals, policies, and programs related to water supply,
demand, and other emerging issues.
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MULTI-SOURCE WATER SUPPLY
A 2.0 Background
The City is the sole water purveyor within the city limits. This allows the City to maintain uniformity of water
service and distribution standards, and to be consistent in developing and implementing water policy. As the sole
water purveyor, the City maintains control over water quality, distribution, and service to users of the system, as
well as ensuring consistency with the City's General Plan policies and goals.
The Water Element of the General Plan, first adopted in 1987, identified multiple water projects to meet
projected short and long‐term water demand. Having several sources of water avoids dependence on any one
source that may not be available during a drought or other water supply reduction or emergency. There is usually
greater reliability and flexibility if sources are of different types (such as surface water and groundwater) and if
the sources of one type are in different locations (such as reservoirs in different watersheds). In November of
1990, the Council affirmed the multi‐source concept.
Consistent with the multi‐source concept, the City obtains water from five sources: Salinas Reservoir (Santa
Margarita Lake), Whale Rock Reservoir, Nacimiento Reservoir, recycled water from the City’s Water Resource
Recovery Facility, and groundwater. See Figure 1.
Salinas Reservoir
The Salinas Dam was built in 1941 by the War Department to supply water to Camp San Luis Obispo and,
secondarily, to meet the water needs of the City of San Luis Obispo. The Salinas Reservoir (Santa Margarita Lake)
captures water from a 112‐square mile watershed and can store up to 23,843 acre‐feet. In 1947, the Salinas Dam
and delivery system was transferred from the regular Army to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Since the late
40s or early 50s, the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has operated this
water supply for the City under a lease from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Water from the reservoir is
pumped through the Cuesta Tunnel (a one‐mile long tunnel through the mountains of the Cuesta Ridge) after
which it flows by gravity to the City’s Water Treatment Plant on Stenner Creek Road.
Whale Rock Reservoir
The Whale Rock Reservoir is a 40,662 acre‐foot reservoir created by the construction of an earthen dam on Old
Creek near the town of Cayucos. The dam was designed and constructed by the State Department of Water
Resources in 1961 to provide water to the City of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly State University, and the California
Men’s Colony. The Whale Rock Dam captures water from a 20.3‐square mile watershed and water is delivered to
the three agencies through 17.6 miles of 30‐inch pipeline and two pumping stations. The City of San Luis Obispo
owns 55.05 percent of the water storage rights at the reservoir. The remaining water storage rights are divided
between the two State agencies with Cal Poly owning 33.71 percent and the California Men’s Colony owning
11.24 percent.
Nacimiento Reservoir
The Nacimiento Reservoir provides flood protection and is a source of supply for groundwater recharge for the
Salinas Valley. It is owned and operated by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency. Since 1959, the San
Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has had an entitlement to 17,500 acre‐feet per
year (AFY) of water from the reservoir for use in San Luis Obispo County. Approximately 1,750 AFY have been
designated for uses around the lake, leaving 15,750 AFY for allocation to other areas within the County of San
Luis Obispo.
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Figure 1 Multi Source Water Supply
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The County completed began construction in 2007 on of a 45‐mile pipeline project to deliver water from the
Nacimiento Reservoir to five participating agencies and cities in 2010. The City has a contractual entitlement to
5,482 AFY of water from the project.
Recycled Water
Recycled water is highly treated wastewater approved for reuse by the California Department of Public Health for
a variety of applications, including landscape irrigation and construction dust control. Completed in 2006, the
Water Reuse Project created the first new source of water for the City since 1961 following construction of Whale
Rock Dam. The Project resulted in improvements at the City’s Water Resource Recovery Facility and an initial
eight miles of distribution pipeline. The City’s first delivery of recycled water took place in 2006. The City
estimates demand exists for approximately 1,000 acre feet of recycled water for landscape irrigation and other
approved uses. Additional information is provided on recycled water in subsections A 3.0, A 7.0, and B 3.0 of this
Element.
Groundwater
The groundwater basin beneath the City is relatively small and recharges very quickly following normal rainfall
periods. The groundwater basin also lowers relatively quickly during periods of below‐average rainfall. The City
envisions groundwater playing an important role in ensuring continued resiliency in its water supply portfolio.
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is a statewide law that empowers local agencies to adopt
groundwater management plans that relate to the needs and resources of their communities. In 2017, the City
became a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) over the area of the San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater
Basin that lies beneath and within its jurisdictional boundaries. The San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin
“eligible entities” (City, County, Golden State Water Company, Edna Ranch Mutual Water Company‐East, Varian
Ranch Mutual Water Company, and Edna Valley Growers Mutual Water Company) are all working collaboratively
to comply with SGMA requirements for the entire groundwater basin. The GSA structure includes a Groundwater
Sustainability Commission which is an advisory body to the City Council and the Board of Supervisors. The
Commission consists of one member from the City Council, one County Supervisor and a representative of each
of the identified water companies. The City, County, and eligible entities are required by SGMA to work together
to create Groundwater Sustainability Plans by January 31, 2022. Extensive use of groundwater sustained the City
through most of the drought of 1986‐1991. The City’s two largest producing wells were shut down in 1992 and
1993 when elevated nitrate levels were detected. The City stopped utilizing the Pacific Beach well in April 2015.
Due to new regulatory requirements, using the groundwater would require additional costly treatment before
the water could be used. Additionally, portions of the groundwater basin are contaminated with a chemical
solvent (tetrachloroethylene) which would require treatment facilities to remove. While the City does not
currently utilize potable water from wells, this remains a viable option for future use.
Private wells are in use in the City, such as the well operated by San Luis Coastal Unified School District at San Luis
Obispo High School. The City maintains a non‐potable well at the City’s Corporation Yard that is available for non‐
potable purposes by permit. The City’s Laguna Lake Golf Course also has two wells that meet a portion of the
irrigation demand for the course. The remainder of the irrigation demand for the golf course is met using recycled
water from the City’s Water Resource Recovery Facility.
A 2.1 Goal
Ensure a long‐term, reliable water supply to meet both current and future water demand associated with
development envisioned by the General Plan.
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A 2.2 Policies
A 2.2.1 Multi‐Source Water Supply
The City shall utilize multiple water resources to meet its water supply needs.
A 2.2.2 Water Service within the City
A. The City will be the only purveyor of water within the City.
B. Appropriate use of privately‐owned wells is allowed on individual parcels. The use of the water from
a well shall only be utilized on the parcel on which it is situated.
A 2.3 Programs
A 2.3.1 Work cooperatively on regional water issues and water resource planning (Water Resource Advisory
Committee, Whale Rock Commission, Groundwater Sustainability Commission, etc.).
A 2.3.2 Participate with the County of San Luis Obispo in the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan process.
A 2.3.3 Participate with other appropriate agencies in controlling invasive species which could impact the City’s
water supplies (i.e. quagga mussels).
A 2.3.4 Work with appropriate agencies to minimize water quality impacts from new development and other
activities in the watersheds of the City’s water supplies.
A 2.3.5 Continue to work with the County of San Luis Obispo on the operation and maintenance of Salinas Reservoir
and Nacimiento Water Project.
A 2.3.6 Complete sanitary surveys for the Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs every five years.
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Water Resource Availability
A 3.0 Background
As described in Section A 2.0, the City has five water resources to meet current and future City water demand:
Salinas Reservoir (Santa Margarita Lake), Whale Rock Reservoir, Nacimiento Reservoir, recycled water from the
City’s Water Resource Recovery Facility, and groundwater. In order to ensure water supply reliability, the City
must determine the amount of water available from these water resources on an annual basis. The method to
determine the available yield from each resource varies based on water right, contractual agreement, or the
amount of water actually supplied.
For Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs the term “safe annual yield” is used to define the annual amount of water
available from these two resources. The two reservoirs are operated in a coordinated manner to increase the
available water. In contrast, the “dependable yield” from Nacimiento Reservoir is the contractual amount of
water to which the City has rights. Since Nacimiento Reservoir is operated as a water supply project for Monterey
County, the concept of safe annual yield is not used for the City’s contractual water supply from this source. For
recycled water, the annual amount delivered is counted in the water availability calculation. Though groundwater
is part of the City’s water portfolio the City does not consider this supply in estimating available water resources
to meet community needs at this time.
Another issue the City must address is the potential impact of climate change on the City’s water resources.
Climate change could have a significant impact on future water availability in the form of droughts or increased
siltation in reservoirs as a result of wildland fires which could affect the safe annual yield of the City’s reservoirs.
As data becomes available and research on the topic continues, the City will monitor the make adjustments for
long‐term impacts to its water supply resources.
The following sections provide more detail about each water resource. Table 1 is a summary of the City’s
available water resources.
City Water Resource Availability
Water Resource 2018 Annual Availability
Salinas Reservoir (Santa Margarita Lake) and
Whale Rock Reservoir 6,940 AF 4,910 AF Safe Annual Yield
Nacimiento Reservoir 5,482 AF Contractual Limit
Recycled Water 187 238 AF 20157 Annual Usage
Siltation to 2060 (500 AF) Policy A 4.2.2
TOTAL 12,109 10,130 AF
Note: The quantity of recycled water included as part of the City’s available water resources identified above, is the actual prior year’s recycled
water usage (20157), per Policy A 7.2.2.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 20168.
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Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs
For Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs the term “safe annual yield” is used to define the quantity of water which
can be withdrawn every year, under critical drought conditions. The safe annual yield available from Salinas and
Whale Rock Reservoirs is estimated by simulating the operation of these two water supply sources over a
historical period to determine the maximum level of demand that could be met during the most severe drought
for which records are available. The two reservoirs are operated in a coordinated manner to maximize the
available water from these sources. Salinas Reservoir fills and spills every two to three years due to its larger
drainage area and more favorable runoff characteristics, yet has higher evaporation rates. Whale Rock Reservoir
fills much less frequently. The combined yield from the two reservoirs can be maximized by utilizing water from
Salinas as the City’s primary source, and using Whale Rock as a backup source during periods when Salinas is
below minimum pool or unable to meet all of the demand. This approach increases the long‐term water supply
from these two sources.
Safe annual yield analyses of water supply sources are based on rainfall, evaporation, and stream flow
experienced during a historical period. The City’s safe annual yield analysis utilizes data from 1943 through 1991
including drought periods in 1946‐51, 1959‐61, 1976‐77, and 1986‐91.
In 1988, the City contracted with the engineering firm of Leedshill‐Herkenhoff, Inc., to prepare a detailed analysis
of the City's water supplies and create a computer model to determine safe annual yield, based on coordinated
operation of the two reservoirs. The report Coordinated Operations Study for Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs
was completed in 1989. Key assumptions used in the 1988 model were that the "controlling drought period" was
from 1946 to 1951 and that the City only used Whale Rock Reservoir when Salinas was below minimum pool or
could not meet the City’s monthly demand. The study also assumed a minimum pool at Salinas and Whale Rock
of 400 and 500 acre‐feet respectively. The minimum pool at each lake is the amount of water that must be left in
the lake for fishery and habitat resources. The current minimum pool established for each lake is 2,000 acre feet.
The study estimated the City’s total safe annual yield from the two reservoirs to be 9,080 acre‐feet per year. This
amount was never adopted by Council since the study period was only to 1988 and the City was then in a drought
period of unknown length.
In 1991, staff updated the computer model to examine the impact of the 1986‐1991 drought on safe annual yield
and revise the assumptions on the amount of water used from Whale Rock Reservoir each year to more
accurately reflect the way the City actually used that resource. The analysis determined that the 1986‐91 drought
was the critical drought of record for the two reservoirs. These revised assumptions resulted in a reduction in the
safe annual yield estimate.
The City maintains an Excel‐based model that estimates a safe annual yield based on historical climatic conditions
and reservoir operations. The model uses the historical record of inflow, evaporation, precipitation, and
downstream releases. To determine safe annual yield, the model then calculates the maximum amount that
could be withdrawn each year without drawing the reservoir below its minimum pool constraint.
Salinas Reservoir and Whale Rock Reservoir are located in different climate regions and have differing
characteristics. Whale Rock Reservoir has a larger storage volume than Salinas, but it has a smaller watershed to
provide natural recharge. Salinas Reservoir receives more runoff each year, but experiences higher temperatures
and higher evaporation rates, and spills more frequently than Whale Rock Reservoir. To maximize the available
supply from the two reservoirs, the City has operational strategies that recognize these differences. In general,
the strategies involve withdrawing water from Salinas Reservoir when it is available and using Whale Rock
Reservoir as‐needed to supplement the supply from Salinas.
The City’s safe annual yield model of the two reservoirs was first developed in 1988. At that time, the critical
drought period that controlled the safe annual yield was the 1946‐1951 drought. In 1991, the model was updated
to incorporate the hydrologic conditions experienced during the 1986‐1991 drought. That drought was the most
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severe in the historical record to that point and became the new controlling condition for estimating safe annual
yield. The City estimated the combined SAY from the two reservoirs as 6,940 acre‐feet per year (AFY). This
estimate included the anticipated loss of storage volume due to siltation through the year 2010.
In 2017, the City contracted with Water Systems Consulting, Inc. (WSC) to update the safe annual yield model.
The update verified historical data, validated and documented calculations used in the model, incorporated data
from the 2006‐2016 drought, and reviewed various climate change scenarios. Based on the 2017 update, tThe
City’s safe annual yield, from the coordinated operation of Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs is 6,940 4,910 acre
feet. This includes reductions due to siltation at both reservoirs to the year 20102017. Future losses due to
siltation are addressed in Section 4.0 of this Element.
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Nacimiento Reservoir
The “dependable yield” from Nacimiento Reservoir is the contractual amount of water that the City has rights to
from Nacimiento Reservoir. This amount is 5,482 acre‐feet per year. The San Luis Obispo County Flood Control
and Water Conservation District (County) has held an entitlement to 17,500 acre‐feet of water from Nacimiento
Lake since 1959. Since that time, a small portion has been dedicated for uses in the immediate areas around the
Lake. Several times in the past, the County has evaluated opportunities for utilizing water to meet identified
needs throughout the County. In the early 1990’s, the City was facing dire drought conditions and dwindling
water supplies and was considering building an emergency water supply project on its own to provide a new
water source. The City requested the County allocate 3,000 acre feet to the City on a permanent basis. While the
County denied this request, this triggered the initiation of investigations on a county‐wide basis for separate
contracts for use of the available water from Nacimiento Reservoir.
Engineering studies, environmental impact reports, dependable yield analyses, and preliminary design reports
were undertaken in an effort to meet the various water needs within the County. In 2004, the County requested
interested agencies to approve the contractual agreements for participation in the Nacimiento Project. The four
initial project participants included the cities of San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, the Atascadero Mutual Water
Company, and the Templeton Community Services District. All of these agencies executed participation
agreements with San Luis Obispo County for entitlements of water which totaled 9,630 acre feet. Since 2004, the
County Service Area 10A, which serves the southern portion of Cayucos, has become a project participant (25
AFY). In addition, 1,750 acre‐feet was reserved for uses around the lake.
On June 29, 2004, the City Council authorized participation in the Nacimiento Water Project for the delivery of
3,380 acre‐feet of water. This amount is considered to be the City’s dependable yield from this water source and
will be utilized to meet existing and future water demands based on analyses prepared during the Nacimiento
Project planning process (“Nacimiento Reservoir Reliability as a Water Source for San Luis Obispo County”, Boyle
Engineering Corporation, October 2002).
In March 2016, the City Council approved the addition of 2,102 acre feet per year from Nacimiento Reservoir. At
that time, the City’s primary water supply and reliability reserve were fully satisfied by other existing water
supplies, so the additional 2,102 acre feet was included in to the City’s secondary water supply. Secondary water
supplies are used to meet short‐term losses to the City’s water supply due to events such as drought, pipeline
maintenance, and repair of infrastructure. With uncertainty of future climatic conditions, regulation and aging
infrastructure, the additional supply of Nacimiento water to the City’s portfolio reduces pressure on use of water
supplies in the Whale Rock and Salinas reservoirs. It would serve to extend these stored supplies during critical
water shortage periods. With the reduction of safe annual yield identified in the update of the model in 2018, the
additional 2,102 acre feet from the full allocation of Nacimiento Reservoir will be utilized to meet the City’s water
demands over time, as buildout of the General Plan is realized, consistent with the City’s Water Supply
Accounting & Demand Projection policies in Section A 5.2.
Recycled Water
With an average influent flow of just under 3.30 2.74 million gallons per day in 20152017, the City’s Water
Resource Recovery Facility produces over 3,000 acre‐feet of disinfected tertiary‐treated effluent per year. A
minimum of 1,807 acre‐feet is discharged to San Luis Obispo Creek annually to provide satisfactory habitat and
flow volume for fish species (steelhead trout) within the San Luis Obispo Creek environment. The balance makes
up the City’s available recycled water resource (See Table 2) which is available for approved uses including:
Landscape and golf course irrigation
Wetlands, wildlife habitat, stream augmentation
Groundwater recharge
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Toilet flushing
Vehicle washing
Surface irrigation of orchards and vineyards
Landscape impoundments
Industrial cooling processes
Food crop irrigation
Annual Recycled Water Availability based on Influent Flow
Average Influent Flow to
WRRF WRF (MGD)
Treated
Effluent
Produced
(AFY)
Minimum
Average Daily
Creek Release
(MGD)1
Minimum
Annual Creek
Release (AFY)
Average Daily
Recycled Water
Availability (MGD)
Annual Recycled
Water
Availability (AFY)
1
20157 Average
Flow 2.743.30 3,0663,696 1.6129 1,807 1.131.69 1,2591,889
Future Flow at
WRRF Design
Capacity
5.4 5,966 1.6129 1,807 3.79 4,159
NOTES:
1. 2015 2017 data was derived from WRRF average monthly influent data. Future annual recycled water volume is based on the design
capacity of the WRRF of 5.4 mgd in the design phase in 2018 2016.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 2016.
The design phase for the upgrade of the WRRF continues in 2018 is underway in 2016 to accommodate General
Plan buildout and maximize recycled water production. The upgrade will enable the City to consider potable
reuse in the future.
Additional background information on recycled water, as well as applicable goals, policies and programs, is
provided in subsection A 7.0 of the Water Section and subsection B 3.0 of the Wastewater Management Section.
A 3.1 Goal
Manage the City’s water resources to meet the current and future water demand requirements associated with
development envisioned by the General Plan.
A 3.2 Policies
A 3.2.1 Basis for Planning
The City will plan for future development through the Land Use Element taking into consideration available
water resources from the Salinas, Whale Rock, and Nacimiento Reservoirs and recycled water.
A 3.2.2 Coordinated Operation
The City will coordinate the operation of the Salinas, Whale Rock, and Nacimiento Reservoirs to maximize
available water resources.
A 3.2.3 Groundwater
The City will continue to use groundwater to enhance the resiliency of the City’s water supply portfolio. for
domestic purposes when available.
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A 3.3 Programs
A 3.3.1 An update on the water resource availability will be presented to the City Council as part of an annual Water
Resources Status Report.
A 3.3.2 The City will update the safe annual yield computer model for Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs following
severe drought periods to determine if any changes are necessary to the safe annual yield amount.
A 3.3.3 The City will monitor ongoing research on the potential for long‐term impacts associated with climate change
to water supply resources.
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SILTATION
A 4.0 Background
Siltation at reservoirs is a natural occurrence that can reduce the storage capacity over long periods. The
reduction of available storage reduces the safe annual yield of the reservoirs. Siltation at reservoirs varies
depending on factors such as rainfall intensity and watershed management practices. Numerous studies and
reports addressing siltation at Salinas Reservoir have been completed. The Whale Rock Reservoir Bathymetric
Survey and Volumetric Study was completed in May 2013.
During the drought period ending in 1991, water at Salinas Reservoir fell to record low levels. Recognizing the
unique opportunity presented by the low water level, the County of San Luis Obispo contracted with a local
engineering consultant to provide an aerial survey of the lake and prepare revised storage capacity information.
Early studies indicated average annual siltation rates from 23 acre‐feet per year to 34 acre‐feet per year. The
study done by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1975 estimated that the siltation rate was approximately 82 acre‐feet
per year. The 1990 analysis conducted by the County of San Luis Obispo indicates that the siltation rate is on the
order of 40 acre‐feet per year.
It should be noted that siltation impacts to the reservoirs are a long‐term impact to the resources and should be
considered in the City’s long range plans for adequate water resources. At an annual siltation rate of 40 AFY at
each reservoir, it would take approximately 530 years to fill up the Salinas Reservoir and 960 years to fill up
Whale Rock Reservoir. Siltation does not occur uniformly over time but the situation should continue to be
monitored into the future.
The purpose of the 2013 bathymetric survey and volumetric study at Whale Rock Reservoir was to determine the
level of siltation that has occurred in the reservoir since the dam’s completion in 1961. The study concluded that
sedimentation has reduced reservoir capacity by 4.2 percent in 52 years as shown in Table 3 and 4.
Whale Rock Reservoir Capacity Change
1961 Capacity: 40,662 Acre‐Ft @ Spillway ELV 216.0 NGVD29
2013 Capacity: 38,967 Acre‐Ft @ Spillway ELV 218.3 NAVD88
Capacity Loss due to
Siltation: 1,695 Acre‐Ft
Difference in Years: 52 Years
Siltation Rate: 32.6 Acre‐Ft/Year
Percentage Capacity Loss: 4.2%
Source: Whale Rock Reservoir Bathymetric Survey and Volumetric Study, 2013.
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Reservoir Storage Capacity
Agency %
Entitlement
Original
Storage
Capacity
(AF)
Revised
Storage
Capacity
(AF)
Difference
(AF)
Revised Total
Available
Water * (AF)
City of San
Luis Obispo 55.05 22,384 21,451 933 20,350
Cal Poly 33.71 13,707 13,136 571 12,462
CMC 11.24 4,570 4,380 191 4,155
Total 100 % 40,662 AF 38,967 AF 1,695 AF 36,967 AF
Source: Whale Rock Reservoir Bathymetric Survey and Volumetric Study, 2013.
*Total Available Water is agency share of reservoir storage capacity minus agency proportional share of
minimum pool requirements.
The safe annual yield from the two reservoirs will be continually reduced as a result of siltation. The City’s
computer model is used to calculate the reduction in safe annual yield from Salinas and Whale Rock reservoirs to‐
date, which is reflected in the safe annual yield amount in Section A 3.0 which accounts for estimated siltation
losses to 20107.
Since the storage capacity for Salinas Reservoir was last estimated in 1990, the annual loss of 40 acre‐feet per
year can be applied from that date.
The estimated loss in storage capacity for Salinas Reservoir between 1990 and 2010 is 800 acre‐feet. The loss at
Whale Rock Reservoir between 1961 and 2013 was 1,695 acre‐feet. Based on these reduced storage capacities,
the computer model was used to estimate the safe annual yield from the combined operation of the two
reservoirs. With an estimated loss of 40 acre‐feet per year at each reservoir, the total safe annual yield from the
two reservoirs is estimated to be reduced by 10 acre‐feet per year.
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A 4.1 Goals
A 4.1.1 Accurately account for siltation in the Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs.
A 4.1.2 Recognize and account for future projected water losses due to siltation at Salinas and Whale Rock
Reservoirs.
A 4.2 Policies
A 4.2.2 Accounting for Future Siltation
The City will account for estimated safe annual yield losses at Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs through
2060 by deducting 500 acre feet of available water supplies to account for these future losses. The siltation
rate will be updated as information becomes available from subsequent siltation analyses.
A 4.3 Programs
A 4.3.1 Work cooperatively with other agencies and/or watershed management groups, including the County of San
Luis Obispo and Resource Conservation Districts, implementing best management practices (BMPs) to reduce
erosion and subsequent siltation consistent with other City watershed management goals and water quality
objectives included in the Conservation and Open Space Element.
A 4.3.2 Continue public education and outreach to property owners in the watersheds above the reservoirs to
encourage practices that reduce erosion and other practices that could impact siltation or water quality in
the reservoirs.
A 4.3.3 Consider periodic siltation studies at each reservoir to evaluate and document the impacts associated with
siltation.
A 4.3.4 An update on siltation at the City’s reservoirs will be provided to the City Council as part of the annual Water
Resources Status Report.
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WATER SUPPLY ACCOUNTING AND DEMAND PROJECTION
A 5.0 Background
The City is located in a Mediterranean climate that is prone to drought. As a result, the City has in the past
experienced serious water supply deficits. In 1991, during an extended drought, the community was within 18
months of running out of water in Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs. In fact, Salinas Reservoir was below
minimum pool and was not available to the City toward the end of this drought period. In 1996, citizens voted to
incorporate Section 909 into the City’s Charter identifying a water reliability reserve. In an effort to reduce the
impacts of drought on the community, the City Council has enacted numerous water policies to strengthen its
water resources portfolio. The City will account for water supplies necessary to meet three specific community
needs: 1) primary water supply, 2) reliability reserve, and 3) secondary water supply.
1. Primary water supply is the amount needed to meet the General Plan build‐out of the City. The quantity of
water needed for the City’s primary water supply needs is calculated using a ten‐year average of actual
per‐capita water use and the City’s build‐out population.
2. Reliability reserve provides a buffer for future unforeseen or unpredictable long‐term impacts to the City’s
available water resources such as loss of yield from an existing water supply source and impacts due to
climate change.
3. Secondary water supply is the amount needed to meet peak water demand periods or short‐term loss of
City water supply sources. The City’s secondary water supply is identified as any water supply resources
above those needed to meet the primary water supply and reliability reserve.
In order to support growth projections and other goals of the General Plan, the City must project how much
water will be needed to serve residents, businesses, and other users. This can be done by using different
methods, all of which involve assumptions about future usage rates and the numbers and types of users expected
in the future. There will always be some uncertainty in estimating development capacity (such as the number of
dwellings or residents) as well as the usage per customer type (such as acre‐feet per dwelling or per resident).
The estimating method must use reasonable assumptions, based on experience, to assure an adequate level of
water supply while not overstating demands.
To project the City’s primary water supply and reliability reserve into the future the City will use 117 gpcd which is
the maximum allowed per capita water use under Senate Bill X7‐7. This water use rate is used with the City’s
build‐out population and current population to project the primary water supply and reliability reserve. The City’s
remaining water resources make up secondary water supply.
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Water Supply Accounting
Proposed Water Supply Accounting and Demand Projections
(City Buildout Population * 117 gpcd * 365
days) / 325,851 gallons =
Primary Water Supply
+
20% of Current City
Population * 117 gpcd * 365
days) / 325,851 gallons =
Reliability Reserve
+
All Remaining Supplies
Secondary Water Supply
= Annual
Availability
Notes:
1. The “Total” water supply is identified in Table 1. It includes safe annual yield from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, contractual limit from
Nacimiento Reservoir, annual recycled water usage for 20157, and deducts siltation losses at Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs to 2060.
2. Primary Water Supply is calculated using the City’s buildout population and the water use rate of 117 gallons per capita per day per policy A
5.2.2.
3. Reliability Reserve was calculated using the City’s population and 20 percent of the water use rate of 117 gallons per capita per day, per
policy A 5.2.3.
4. Secondary Water Supply includes the remaining water resources, identified in Table 1, per policy A 5.2.4.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 20168.
A 5.1 Goals
A 5.1.1 Identify and meet the City’s multi‐ source water supply needs.
A 5.1.2 Accurately forecast future water demand for planning purposes.
A 5.2 Policies
A 5.2.1 Water Use Rate
The City will utilize the per capita water use rate allowed by Senate Bill X7‐7 for projecting future potable
water demand established as 117 gallons per capita per day.
A 5.2.2 Primary Water Supply
The City shall establish the amount of water needed for General Plan build‐out using the water use rate
established in Policy A 5.2.1 multiplied by the projected General Plan build‐out population identified in the
Land Use Element.
A 5.2.3 Reliability Reserve
The City will establish a reliability reserve that is 20‐percent of the water use rate established in Policy A 5.2.1
multiplied by the current population. The water supply designated as the reliability reserve may not be used
to serve future development.
A 5.2.4 Secondary Water Supply
After accounting for primary water supply and a reliability reserve, any remaining water supplies shall be
utilized for meeting short‐term water supply shortages or peak water demands.
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A 5.2.5 Paying for Water for New Development
New development shall pay its proportionate or “fair share” for water supplies, expanded treatment and
distribution system capacity and upgrades.
A 5.3 Programs
A 5.3.1 An update on water supply accounting and demand projections will be presented to the City Council as part
of the annual Water Resources Status Report.
A 5.3.2 The City will conduct periodic updates to water development impact fees.
A 5.3.3 Prepare and update the Urban Water Management Plan every five years as required by the State.
A 5.3.4 Analyze and prepare water supply assessments for large new developments in accordance with State law.
A 5.3.5 Analyze the impacts of water efficiency programs and services to reduce overall water demand within the
City.
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WATER CONSERVATION
A 6.0 Background
Water conservation was first referenced as a part of the City's water management policy in 1973. In 1985, the
City adopted the Annual Water Operational Plan policy establishing water conservation as a means of extending
water supplies during projected water shortages. Since 1985, many technological and philosophical changes have
occurred which are proving water conservation to be both a short‐term corrective measure for immediate water
supply shortages and a long‐term solution to water supply reliability.
Because of the experience during the drought of 1986 to 1991, the City developed a Water Shortage Contingency
Plan (Plan) to deal with immediate, short‐term water shortages. The Plan is designed to require mandatory
actions when there is a projected five year supply of water remaining from available water resources. The Plan
uses water allocations based on customer classification as a means to decrease water use during critical water
shortages. For instance, residential customers are given a water allocation based on the average water use for
multi‐ or single‐family households having three occupants. If there are more residents, additional water may be
allocated with sufficient proof. Commercial customers are allocated water either by a reduction based on their
historical water use or by the average water use by business type. The Plan is also a required component of the
City’s Urban Water Management Plan which is updated every five years per State Water Code.
The Water Conservation Act of 2009, Senate Bill X7‐7 (SB X7‐7), was incorporated into the California Water Code
in 2009. The legislation directs urban water suppliers to adopt one of four methods to determine their urban
water use target. The method selected by the City corresponds to the Central Coast hydrologic region. The
Central Coast region’s 2020 target of 117 gallons per capita per day is the lowest in the state.
In terms of water supply reliability, the City was one of the original signatories to the Memorandum of
Understanding Regarding Urban Water Conservation (MOU) and has actively pursued the implementation of the
water efficiency best management practices (BMPs) prescribed in the MOU. The MOU was a negotiated
agreement between water purveyors statewide and environmental organizations on how best to utilize the
State’s water resources by incorporating conservation into their water management practices.
The BMPs have been developed over the years by water purveyors, environmental groups, and industry
stakeholders. They represent the best available water conservation practices based on research and experience
and include:
Water conservation pricing and rate structures
Technical assistance for water customers
Incentives for indoor and outdoor water saving technologies
Public information and outreach
Water audits
Additionally, the City has adopted the Ahwahnee Principles as part of the General Plan’s Conservation and Open
Space Element (COSE). The water conservation components of the principles align with both the indoor and
outdoor water conservation BMPs.
In the future, the The City will reevaluate and continues to update its water conservation efforts in response to
changing water demand, supplies, technology, and economic conditions.
A 6.1 Goal
The efficient use of the City’s water resources to protect both short‐ and long‐term water supply reliability.
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A 6.2 Policies
A 6.2.1 Long‐term Water Efficiency
The City will implement water‐efficiency programs which are consistent with accepted best management
practices and comply with any State‐mandated water use reductions.
A 6.2.2 Short‐term Water Shortages
Mandatory water conservation measures as described in the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan may be
implemented when the City's water supplies are projected to last five years or less.
A 6.3 Programs
A 6.3.1 Work cooperatively with other San Luis Obispo County water agencies to identify cooperative water
efficiency measures that can be implemented in each jurisdiction.
A 6.3.2 Participate in State and regional water conservation efforts and research and development opportunities.
A 6.3.3 Implement the Water Shortage Contingency Plan as required.
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RECYCLED WATER
A 7.0 Background
Water recycling was envisioned as part of the City’s overall water supply strategy since the 1980’s. In 1994, the
City completed a major capital improvement project at the Water Resource Recovery Facility that included
addition of tertiary treatment and other unit processes required to meet stringent effluent quality limits intended
to protect and enhance the receiving waters of San Luis Obispo Creek. While a municipal water reuse program
was envisioned at the time of this upgrade, the City did not receive regulatory approvals for diversion of treated
effluent for off‐site landscape irrigation and other approved uses until 2002.
The City’s 2004 Water Reuse Master Plan identifies the areas of the City to be served with recycled water (See
Figure 3, Water Reuse Master Plan Area and Distribution System), as well as potential customers and anticipated
future recycled water demand.
Recycled water deliveries began in October 2006. Additional sites continue to be connected to the recycled water
distribution system through retrofits of existing irrigation systems as well as the irrigation systems associated
with new development in the area. In the future, recycled water will be delivered to development in the Airport,
Margarita, and Orcutt specific plan areas and is being considered with development proposals for the Avila
Ranch, San Luis Ranch, and Madonna on LOVR specific plans. Recycled water will be used for the irrigation of
parks, streetscape, and median landscaping, common area (homeowners association) landscaping, and
landscaping in commercial centers, industrial areas, and business parks.
The City’s 2017 Recycled Water Master Plan identifies the areas of the City to be served with recycled water (See
Figure 2, Recycled Water Master Plan Area and Distribution System), as well as potential customers and
anticipated future recycled water demand.
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Figure 2 Recycled Water Water Reuse Master Plan Area and Distribution System
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A 7.1 Goals
A 7.1.1 Maximize recycled water use for all approved purposes.
A 7.2 Policies
A 7.2.1 Recycled Water Supply
The City will make available recycled water to substitute for existing potable water uses as allowed by law
and to supply new non‐potable uses.
A 7.2.2 Accounting for Recycled Water
The City will add total recycled water usage from the prior year to the City’s water resource availability on an
annual basis.
A 7.3 Programs
A 7.3.1 Expand the recycled water distribution system to serve customers in the Recycled WaterWater Reuse Master
Plan area.
A 7.3.2 Review development proposals for projects within the Recycled WaterWater Reuse Master Plan area to
ensure recycled water is utilized for appropriate uses.
A 7.3.3 Annual recycled water usage will be presented to the City Council as part of the annual Water Resources
Status Report and will be added to the City’s water resource availability per policy A 3.2.1.
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.
A 7.3.5 Continue to explore potable reuse consistent with statewide regulations.
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B. WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
B 1.0 Background
The Wastewater Management section was first incorporated into the Water and Wastewater Management
Element of the General Plan in 1987. The City owns and operates, under regulatory permits, a wastewater
collection system and a water resource recovery facility that produces recycled water. In order to adequately
maintain the systems, meet the needs of the community, and meet increasingly stringent regulations the City
implements infrastructure replacement and upgrade projects at the Water Resource Recovery Facility and
throughout the wastewater collection system. It also has a pretreatment program.
The 20168 revisions include updated data related to the City’s wastewater flows.
B 1.1 Purpose
This section of the Water and Wastewater Management Element establishes goals, policies, and programs to
ensure provision of adequate sanitary sewer infrastructure and wastewater treatment capacity to accommodate
existing and future development in order to protect public health, human safety, and the environment.
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WASTEWATER SERVICE
B 2.0 Background
The City is the sole provider of wastewater service within the City. The service provides collection and treatment
for residential, commercial, and industrial users on properties within the city limits. In 20180, the number of
service connections is estimated to be 12,000 14,400. Through agreement, the City also provides service to the
San Luis Obispo campus of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and the County of San Luis Obispo
Airport.
The collection system is primarily a gravity flow system. Where gravity flow is not feasible due to the topography,
wastewater lift stations and pressurized force mains are used to move wastewater to the City’s Water Resource
Recovery Facility on Prado Road. Sewer pipelines measure from six inches to 48 inches in diameter.
The City completed a two-year Flow Monitoring and Inflow/Infiltration Study in 2012. Using data from this
Study, pipeline condition data from its asset management database, and growth assumption from the General
Plan’s Land Use (2014) and Housing (2015) elements, the City completed hydraulic modeling and its
Wastewater Collection System Infrastructure Renewal Strategy in 2016. The Renewal Strategy identified a
prioritized list of capital projects to address the City’s aging infrastructure. The Renewal Strategy also
identified capacity constrained areas during wet weather events due to inflow and infiltration, shown in Figure
3. Inflow and infiltration is discussed further in section B.4.0.
The Water Resource Recovery Facility is designed for an average dry-weather flow of 5.1 million gallons per day
(mgd). Instantaneous peak flows exceeding 20 mgd are not uncommon during storm events due to infiltration
and inflow into the wastewater collection system, discussed further in subsection B 4.0. As the City grows to its
build-out population outlined in the Land Use Element, the average dry-weather flow of wastewater is expected
to reach 5.4 mgd. In 20186, designmaster planning for the expansion of the Water Resource Recovery Facility to
accommodate General Plan buildout is underway. When the WRRF is expanded in the future it will have a
treatment capacity of 5.4 mgd.
B 2.1 Goal
Adequate wastewater collection and treatment service to meet the long-term needs of the City.
B 2.2 Policies
B 2.2.1 Service Outside the City Limits
To receive City wastewater service, property must be annexed to the City. The City Council may authorize
exceptions to this policy provid ed it is found to be consistent with the General Plan.
B 2.2.2 Service Capacity
The City's wastewater collection system and Water Resource Recovery Facility shall support population and
related service demands consistent with the General Plan.
B 2.2.3 Wastewater Service for New Development
New development shall pay its proportionate or “fair share” of expanded treatment and collection system
capacity and upgrades. New development will only be permitted if adequate capacity is available within the
wastewater collection system and/or Water Resource Recovery Facility.
B 2.2.4 City as Exclusive Provider
The City will be the only provider of public wastewater treatment within the City (but on-site pretreatment of
wastewater to meet City Standards may be required).
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Chapter 8
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Figure 3 Capacity Constrained Areas
B 2.3 Programs
B 2.3.1 Expand capacity in the City’s collection system and Water Resource Recovery Facility in support of projected
wastewater flows.
B 2.3.2 Evaluate the potential for the wastewater flows of a proposed project to exceed the capacity of collection
and treatment systems.
B 2.3.3 The City will conduct periodic updates to its wastewater development impact fees.
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Water and Wastewater Element
Page 8‐31
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
B 3.0 Background
The Water Resource Recovery Facility processes wastewater in accordance with standards set by the State's
Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The RWQCB issues a permit to the City under the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), setting standards for the discharge of treated wastewater. The
standards are to protect beneficial uses of the receiving water (San Luis Obispo Creek) including recreation,
agricultural supply, and fish and wildlife habitat.
The Water Resource Recovery Facility removes solids, reduces the amount of nutrients, and eliminates bacteria in
the treated wastewater which is then discharged into San Luis Obispo Creek. Solids are separated and treated, to
create biosolids. Biosolids are beneficially reused as compost, and/or soil amendment. As described in Section A
7.0, the Water Resource Recovery Facility has been producing tertiary treated recycled water for delivery to
water customers in the City since 2006.
The design phase for the upgrade of the Water Resource Recovery Facility is underway in 2016 with completion
of construction anticipated in 20202. The upgrade will enable the City to consider potable reuse, part of a One
Water concept, in the future.
B 3.1 Goals
B 3.1.1 Wastewater treatment that meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and ensures the protection of public
health and the environment.
B 3.1.2 Maximize recycled water production.
B 3.2 Policies
B 3.2.1 Treating Wastewater
The City will treat all wastewater in compliance with approved discharge permits.
B 3.2.2 Recycled Water Production
The City will produce high‐quality, dependable recycled water, suitable for a wide range of uses.
B 3.2.3 Beneficial Use
The City will pursue treatment and disposal methods which provide for further beneficial use of wastewater
and biosolids.
B 3.3 Programs
B 3.3.1 Prepare and implement Water Resource Recovery Facility master plan consistent with regulatory
requirements.
B 3.3.2 Work cooperatively on regional water quality issues.
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Chapter 8
Page 8‐32
COLLECTION SYSTEM
B 4.0 Background
The first sanitary sewers were built in San Luis Obispo in the late 1800s. Today portions of the collection system
are over 100 years old. It includes nine lift stations, approximately 135 miles of gravity sewer line and three miles
of force main. Approximately 2,900 manholes provide access to the collection system. The sewer lines are made
of a variety of materials, including terra cotta salt‐glazed pipe, vitrified clay pipe (VCP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
and asbestos concrete.
The City’s wastewater collection system requires maintenance to ensure uninterrupted flows and minimize
sanitary sewer overflows. Area and preventive maintenance programs are regularly evaluated to ensure their
effectiveness. The City also utilizes video inspection to prioritize problem areas for replacement, maintenance,
assess overall mainline conditions, conduct inflow and infiltration evaluations, and assess new construction.
The City issues discharge permits to and conducts inspections of facilities that have the potential to discharge
pollutants in concentrations that could pose a threat to worker safety, the wastewater collection system, and/or
the Water Resource Recovery Facility. Through its Pretreatment Program, the City also implements programs to
target constituents of special concern.
Like most cities in California, San Luis Obispo has separate sewer and storm drain systems. This means each
system of pipes in the ground is designed to accommodate either sewer or stormwater flows. One set of pipes
takes sanitary waste to the Water Resource Recovery Facility while a second set carries stormwater runoff from
street drains directly into bioswales, detention basins, or creeks.
The City’s wastewater collection system and the Water Resource Recovery Facility WRF have long experienced
problems associated with wet weather infiltration and inflow (I & I). Inflow is water that enters the collection
system at points of direct connection (non‐soil) such as around manhole covers or through illegal connection of
roof drains, downspouts, or landscape drains. Infiltration is water that flows through the ground into the
collection system usually through cracks in public sewer mains and/or private sewer laterals (See Figure 5). I & I
overloads the collection system during heavy rains and can result in sanitary sewer overflows. During periods of
significant rain events, the Water Resource Recovery Facility can become hydraulically overwhelmed (as
mentioned previously, instantaneous peak flows exceeding 20 mgd are not uncommon during storm events)
increasing the chance of effluent violations and the release of partially treated wastewater to San Luis Obispo
Creek. Table 6 includes data on the highest average daily flows experienced at the Water Resource Recovery
Facility during rain events over a nine‐year period.
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Water and Wastewater Element
Page 8‐33
Highest Average Daily Flows to the Water Resource Recovery Reclamation Facility, 2006 to 20157
Average Daily Flows 1 Year
19.75 mgd 2006 (April)
7.24 mgd 2007(December)
9.83 mgd 2008 (January)
11.67 mgd 2009 (October)
13.51 mgd 2010 (December)
13.23 mgd 2011 (March
7.10 mgd 2012 (January)
5.17 mgd 2013 (January)
5.12 mgd 2014 (March)
5.24 mgd 2015 (February)
5.63 mgd 2016 (March)
9.00 mgd 2017 (February)
Note:
1. Instantaneous peak flows are higher.
2. August dry weather flow to the Water Resource Recovery Facility was 1.91 mgd in 2016 and 2.80 mgd in 2017. WRF from 2001 to 2009
ranged from 3.44 mgd to 4.23 mgd.
Source: City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department, 20108.
Figure 34 Inflow and Infiltration Illustrated
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Chapter 8
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B 4.1 Goal
Collect and convey all wastewater under safe and sanitary conditions to the Water Resource Recovery Facility.
B 4.2 Policies
B 4.2.1 Collection System Maintenance
The City will manage the collection system to ensure that the proper level of maintenance is provided and
that the flow in sanitary sewers does not exceed design capacity.
B 4.2.2 Infiltration and Inflow
The City will minimize stormwater and groundwater infiltration and inflow into the sewer system.
B 4.3 Programs
B 4.3.1 Investigate and carry out cost‐effective methods for reducing infiltration and inflow into the wastewater
collection system.
B 4.3.2 Develop education and outreach materials to increase public awareness of problems associated with
excessive infiltration and inflow (I & I) into the wastewater collection system and the City’s efforts to reduce
I & I.
B 4.3.3 Support the retrofit of commercial and residential sewer laterals to reduce infiltration and inflow into the
wastewater collection system.
B 4.3.4 Update the Sewer System Management Plan to maintain its applicability.
B 4.3.5 Maintain, and revise as necessary, master plans for the extension of wastewater services to developing areas
of the City and to ensure orderly replacement of aged infrastructure.
B 4.3.6 Review development proposals to ensure new development does not adversely impact existing infrastructure
and that necessary infrastructure will be in place to support the development.
B 4.3.7 Provide a Pretreatment Program pursuant to the Clean Water Act to ensure that all discharge requirements
are met.
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INITIAL STUDY
ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM
For GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018
1. Project Title: 2018 Amendment to General Plan, Chapter 8, Water and
Wastewater Management Element
2. Lead Agency Name and Address: City of San Luis Obispo
Utilities Department
879 Morro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
3. Contact Person and Phone Number: Jennifer Metz, (805) 781-7239
4. Project Location: Citywide, City of San Luis Obispo
5. Project Sponsor’s Name and Address: City of San Luis Obispo, Utilities Department
879 Morro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
6. General Plan Designations: N/A
7. Zoning: N/A
8. Description of the Project:
In 1987, the City adopted the General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element
(WWME) to address water resources and wastewater services because of the vital role of these
resources and the far-reaching impacts of water policies on community growth and character. The
City’s WWME translates the Land Use Element's capacity for development into potential demand
for water supply and wastewater services. The WWME outlines how the City plans to provide
adequate water and wastewater services for its citizens, consistent with the goals and policies of
other General Plan elements. In 2014, the City updated the General Plan’s Land Use and
Circulation Element which identified a potential Urban Reserve area population of 57,200. In
2017, the City’s total water use was 4,975 acre feet, or 95 gallons of water per capita per day (gpcd)
for a population of 46,724.
The project reviewed here is the 2018 amendment to the WWME (Exhibit 1). The amendments in
the Water Management section are proposed to update water supply information following the
update of the City’s safe annual yield model reducing safe annual yield from Whale Rock and
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
Salinas Reservoirs from 6,940 acre feet annually to 4,910 acre feet annually. Updates to the safe
annual yield model are undertaken consistent with General Plan, Water and Wastewater
Management Element, Program A 3.3.2. Incorporating the reduction in safe annual yield and
recycled water use for 2017, the City’s total available water supply is 10,130 acre feet per year in
2018.
Water Resource 2018 Annual Water Availability
Salinas Reservoir (Santa
Margarita Lake) and
Whale Rock Reservoir
4,910 AF Safe Annual Yield
Nacimiento Reservoir 5,482 AF Contractual Limit
Recycled Water 238 AF 2017 Annual Usage
Siltation to 2060 (500 AF) Policy A 4.2.2
TOTAL 10,130 AF
Note: The quantity of recycled water included as part of the City’s available water
resources identified above, is the actual prior year’s recycled water usage (2017),
per Policy A 7.2.2.
With the reduction in safe annual yield, the City continues to have an adequate water supply to
meet projected water demand of 57,200 residents at 117 gpcd, a 20 percent reliability reserve, and
over 1,000 acre feet as a secondary water supply.
Updates in the Wastewater Management section of the WWME are proposed to update background
information to reflect current conditions within the City’s wastewater collection system and Water
Resource Recovery Facility.
9. Project Entitlements: General Plan Amendment
10. Surrounding Land Uses and Settings: N/A
11. Have California Native American tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the
project area requested consultation pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.3.1?
If so, has consultation begun?
Letters for a request for consultation were sent out February 12, 2018.
12. Other public agencies whose approval is required: None.
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least
one impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
Aesthetics Greenhouse Gas Emissions Population / Housing
Agriculture Resources Hazards & Hazardous Materials Public Services
Air Quality Hydrology / Water Quality Recreation
Biological Resources Land Use / Planning Transportation / Traffic
Cultural Resources Mineral Resources Tribal Cultural Resources
Geology / Soils Noise Utilities / Service Systems
Mandatory Findings of Significance
FISH AND WILDLIFE FEES
X
The Department of Fish and Wildlife has reviewed the CEQA document and written no effect determination
request and has determined that the project will not have a potential effect on fish, wildlife, or habitat (see
attached determination).
The project has potential to impact fish and wildlife resources and shall be subject to the payment of Fish
and Game fees pursuant to Section 711.4 of the California Fish and Game Code. This initial study has been
circulated to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for review and comment.
STATE CLEARINGHOUSE
This environmental document must be submitted to the State Clearinghouse for review by one or more State
agencies (e.g. Cal Trans, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Housing and
Community Development). The public review period shall not be less than 30 days (CEQA Guidelines
15073(a)).
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
1. A brief explanation is required for all answers except “No Impact” answers that are adequately supported by the
information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses following each question. A “No Impact” answer is
adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like
the one involved (e.g. the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A “No Impact” answer should be explained where
it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards (e.g. the project will not expose sensitive receptors
to pollutants, based on a project-specific screening analysis).
2. All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off-site as well as on-site, cumulative as well
as project-level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational impacts.
3. Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist answers must
indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or less than significant.
"Potentially Significant Impact' is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect may be significant. If there
are one or more "Potentially Significant Impact" entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required.
4. “Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated” applies where the incorporation of
mitigation measures has reduced an effect from "Potentially Significant Impact" to a "Less than Significant Impact."
The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than
significant level (mitigation measures from Section 19, "Earlier Analysis," as described in (5) below, may be cross-
referenced).
5. Earlier analysis may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, an effect has been
adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration (Section 15063 (c) (3) (D)). In this case, a brief
discussion should identify the following:
a) Earlier Analysis Used. Identify and state where they are available for review.
b) Impacts Adequately Addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and
adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were
addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis.
c) Mitigation Measures. For effects that are “Less than Significant with Mitigation Measures Incorporated,” describe
the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they
addressed site-specific conditions for the project.
6. Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for potential impacts
(e.g. general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or outside document should, where
appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the statement is substantiated.
7. Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached, and other sources used or individuals contacted
should be cited in the discussion.
8. The explanation of each issue should identify:
a) the significance criteria or threshold, if any, used to evaluate each question; and
b) the mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significance
Packet Pg 45
Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less
Than
Significa
nt Impact
No
Impact
1. AESTHETICS. Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? X
b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not
limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, open space, and historic
buildings within a local or state scenic highway?
X
c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of
the site and its surroundings?
X
d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would
adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?
X
Evaluation
a) b) c) d) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data
from the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater
service is intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: The project will have no impact to aesthetics.
2. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of
Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps
pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of
the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?
X
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a
Williamson Act contract?
X
c) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to
their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland
to non-agricultural use?
X
Evaluation:
a) b) c) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data from
the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater
service is intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: The project will have no impact on agricultural resources.
3. AIR QUALITY. Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or
air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air
quality plan?
X
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an
existing or projected air quality violation?
X
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any
criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment
under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard
(including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative
thresholds for ozone precursors)?
X
d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations?
X
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of
people?
X
Packet Pg 46
Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) e) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data
from the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service
is intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: The project will have no impact on air quality.
4. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through
habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate,
sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans,
policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish
and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
X
b) Have a substantial adverse effect, on any riparian habitat or
other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional
plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department
of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
X
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected
wetlands as defined in Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.)
through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or
other means?
X
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident
or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native
resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of
native wildlife nursery sites?
X
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting
biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or
ordinance?
X
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted habitat Conservation
Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved
local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan?
X
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) e) f) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data
from the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service
is intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: The project will have no impact on biological resources.
5. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a
historic resource as defined in §15064.5. X
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an
archaeological resource pursuant to §15064.5) X
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource
or site or unique geologic feature? X
d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of
formal cemeteries? X
Packet Pg 47
Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data from
the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also updated.
No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service is intended
to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: The project will have no impact on cultural resources.
6. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. Would the project:
a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse
effects, including the risk of loss, injury or death involving:
X
I. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the
most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map
issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other
substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of
Mines and Geology Special Publication 42.
X
II. Strong seismic ground shaking? X
III. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? X
IV. Landslides? X
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? X
c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that
would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially
result in on or off site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence,
liquefaction or collapse?
X
d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 1802.3.2 of
the California Building Code (2013), creating substantial risks
to life or property?
X
e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic
tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems where sewers
are not available for the disposal of waste water?
X
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) e) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data
from the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service
is intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: No Impact.
7. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. Would the project:
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly,
that may have a significant impact on the environment? X
b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for
the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? X
Evaluation:
a) b) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data from the
City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also updated. No
changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service is intended
to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration. The Water and Wastewater Management
Element continues to support buildout consistent with the General Plan.
Conclusion: No Impact.
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Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
8. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Would the project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment
through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous
materials?
X
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment
through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions
involving the release of hazardous materials into the
environment?
X
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely
hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter
mile of an existing or proposed school?
X
d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous
materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section
65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to
the public or the environment?
X
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where
such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public
airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety
hazard for people residing or working in the project area?
X
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the
project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working
in the project area?
X
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an
adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation
plan?
X
h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury,
or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are
adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed
with wildlands?
X
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability
data from the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service
is intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: No Impact.
9. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY. Would the project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge
requirements? X
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere
substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would
be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local
groundwater table level (e.g. the production rate of pre-existing
nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support
existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been
granted)?
X
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or
area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream
or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion
or siltation on or off site?
X
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or
area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream X
Packet Pg 49
Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface
runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on or off
site?
e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the
capacity of existing or planned storm water drainage systems or
provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff?
X
f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? X
g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on
a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map
or other flood hazard delineation map?
X
h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which
would impede or redirect flood flows? X
i) Expose people or structures to significant risk of loss, injury or
death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the
failure of a levee or dam?
X
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability
data from the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service
is intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: No Impact
10. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the project:
a) Physically divide an established community? X
b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation
of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not
limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program,
or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect?
X
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural
community conservation plan?
X
Evaluation:
a) b) c) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data from the
City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also updated.
No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service is
intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration. The update is consistent with
other elements of the City’s General Plan, will not conflict with adopted habitat conservation plans, an d will not divide and
established community as no specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: No Impact.
11. MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource
that would be of value to the region and the residents of the
state?
X
b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral
resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan,
specific plan or other land use plan?
X
Packet Pg 50
Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
Evaluation:
a) b) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data from the
City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also updated. No
changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service is intended
to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: No impact.
12. NOISE. Would the project result in:
a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of
standards established in the local general plan or noise
ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies?
X
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne
vibration or groundborne noise levels?
X
c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the
project vicinity above levels existing without the project?
X
d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise
levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the
project?
X
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan, or where
such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public
airport or public use airport, would the project expose people
residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the
project expose people residing or working in the project area to
excessive noise levels?
X
X
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data from
the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also updated.
No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service is intended
to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: No Impact.
13. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the project:
a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly
(for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or
indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other
infrastructure)?
X
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating
the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the
construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
X
X
Packet Pg 51
Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
Evaluation:
a) b) c) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element will not induce substantial population growth
or displace existing housing or people. Growth supported by the goals, policies, and programs in the Water and Wastewater
Management Element is growth that was envisioned and evaluated as part of the Land Use Element of the General Plan and
subsequent specific plans for the expansion areas. Any use of water beyond General Plan build-out, requires that the current
General Plan build-out be evaluated and modified first, based on its own merits and not driven or limited by water supply
availability.
Conclusion: No impact to population or housing will occur with the proposed project.
14. PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new
or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in
order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services:
a) Fire protection? X
b) Police protection? X
c) Schools? X
d) Parks? X
e) Other public facilities? X
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) e) f) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data
from the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service
is intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: No impact.
15. RECREATION.
a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood or
regional parks or other recreational facilities such that
substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or
be accelerated?
X
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the
construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might
have an adverse physical effect on the environment?
X
Evaluation:
a) b) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data from the
City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also updated. No
changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service is intended
to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: No impacts to recreation will occur as part of the proposed amendments.
16. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC. Would the project:
a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy
establishing measures of effectiveness for the performance of
the circulation system, taking into account all modes of
transportation including mass transit and non-motorized travel
and relevant components of the circulation system, including
but not limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways,
pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit?
X
b) Conflict with an applicable congestion management program,
including, but not limited to level of service standards and travel X
Packet Pg 52
Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
demand measures, or other standards established by the county
congestion management agency for designated roads or
highways?
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an
increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in
substantial safety risks?
X
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g.,
sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses
(e.g. farm equipment)?
X
e) Result in inadequate emergency access? X
f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs regarding
public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise
decrease the performance or safety of such facilities?
X
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) e) f) g) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability
data from the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service
is intended to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration.
Conclusion: No impacts to traffic or transportation are identified.
17. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal
cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code Section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is
geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a
California Native American tribe, and that is:
a) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of
Historical Resources, or in a local register as defined in Public
Resources Section 5020.1(k)?
X
b) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and
supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to
criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code
Section 5024.1? In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision
(c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency
shall consider the significance of the resource to a California
Native American tribe.
X
Evaluation:
On February 12, 2018, local Native American tribal groups that have a cultural and traditional affiliation to the area of the City of
San Luis Obispo were formally noticed that an Initial Study of Environmental Review was being completed for the update to the
City’s Water and Wastewater Management Element. None of the noticed Tribal Groups identified a Tribal Cultural Resource
(TCR) on the site or requested consultation.
a) b) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability data from the
City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also updated. No
changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service is intended
to serve development under the General Plan. No specific site is under consideration. No impacts to tribal cultural resources
would occur.
Conclusion: No impact.
Packet Pg 53
Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
18. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the project:
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable
Regional Water Quality Control Board?
X
b) Require or result in the construction or expansion of new water
or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing
facilities, the construction of which could cause significant
environmental effects?
X
c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water
drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the
construction of which could cause significant environmental
effects?
X
d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project
from existing entitlements and resources, or are new and
expanded entitlements needed?
X
e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider
which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate
capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to
the provider’s existing commitments?
X
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to
accommodate the project’s solid waste disposal needs?
X
g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations
related to solid waste?
X
Evaluation:
a) b) c) d) e) f) g) The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element updates water supply availability
data from the City’s safe annual yield model for Whale Rock and Salinas Reservoirs. Wastewater background information is also
updated. No changes are proposed to the City’s water and wastewater goals, policies, or programs. Water and wastewater service
is intended to serve development under the General Plan. With the reduction in safe annual yield, the City continues to have an
adequate water supply to meet projected water demand of 57,200 residents at 117 gpcd, a 20 percent reliability reserve, and over
1,000 acre feet as a secondary water supply. No specific site is under consideration. Development projects are evaluated more
specifically for their potential impacts on utilities and service systems.
Conclusion: No impacts have been identified relative to utilities or service systems.
19. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE.
a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the
environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or
wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop
below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or
animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a
rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important
examples of the major periods of California history or
prehistory?
X
No significant impacts have been identified during the review of the2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management
Element.
b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but
cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable"
means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable
when viewed in connection with the effects of the past projects,
the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable
future projects)?
X
There are no impacts identified in this Initial Study.
Packet Pg 54
Issues, Discussion and Supporting Information Sources
GPA 1454-2018 / EID 1455-2018 (2018 Amendment to General Plan,
Chapter 8, Water and Wastewater Management Element)
Sources
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO INITIAL STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 2017
c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause
substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or
indirectly?
X
The 2018 amendment to the Water and Wastewater Management Element will not create environmental effects that will have an
adverse impact on humans.
20. EARLIER ANALYSES.
Earlier analysis may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, one or more effects have been
adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or Negative Declaration. Section 15063 (c) (3) (D). In this case a discussion should identify
the following items:
a) Earlier analysis used. Identify earlier analyses and state where they are available for review.
City of San Luis Obispo General Plan is available at the City Community Development Department (919 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, CA 93401) and at the following website:
http://www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/community-development/planning-zoning/general-plan
b) Impacts adequately addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately
analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by
mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis.
N/A
c) Mitigation measures. For effects that are "Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated," describe the mitigation
measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site-specific
conditions of the project.
N/A
21. SOURCE REFERENCES.
1. City of SLO General Plan Land Use Element, December 2014 and Final EIR, October 2014
2. City of SLO General Plan Circulation Element, December 2014 and Final EIR, October 2014
3. City of SLO General Plan Noise Element, May 1996
4. City of SLO General Plan Safety Element, March 2012
5. City of SLO General Plan Conservation & Open Space Element, April 2006
6. City of SLO General Plan Housing Element, January 2015
7. City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code
8. City of SLO 2015 Urban Water Management Plan, June 2016
9. City of SLO, Final Potable Water Distribution System Operations Master Plan, December 2015
10. City of SLO, Wastewater Collection System Infrastructure Renewal Strategy, 2016
11. County of San Luis Obispo, Nacimiento Water Project Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH #2001061022), December
2003 and Addendum 2016
12. City of SLO, Sewer System Management Plan, 2014
13. City of SLO, Water Resource Recovery Facility Upgrade EIR (SCH #2015101044), 2016
14. City of SLO, Recycled Water Master Plan, 2017
15. Water Systems Consulting, Safe Annual Yield Model Update, Technical Memorandum to the City of San Luis Obispo,
January 2018
Exhibit 1:
Proposed Amendment to City of San Luis Obispo General Plan, Chapter 8. Water and Wastewater Management Element,
March 2018.
Packet Pg 55
ATTACHMENT 3
R ______
RESOLUTION NO. (2018 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT
AMENDMENTS TO THE WATER AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
OF THE GENERAL PLAN (GPA 1454-2018) AND ADOPT A NEGATIVE
DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT (EID 1455-2018)
WHEREAS, State law requires cities and counties to adopt a general plan; and
WHEREAS, the Water and Wastewater Management Element of the San Luis Obispo City
General Plan was last updated in 2016 in compliance with State law; and
WHEREAS, a periodic update of the Water and Wastewater Management Element is
necessary for the information to remain current; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has prepared an updated Draft General Plan
Water and Wastewater Management Element to address current information and long-term
community-wide needs for water and wastewater treatment provision, and
WHEREAS, the potential environmental impacts of the updated Water and Wastewater
Management Element have been evaluated in accordance with the California Environmental
Quality Act pursuant to an initial environmental study (EID 1455-2018) and the Community
Development Director has prepared a negative declaration of environmental impact; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, at the hearing on April 11, 2018, considered the
amendments to the General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element as shown in the
Draft Water and Wastewater Management Element and proposed Negative Declaration of
Environmental Effect.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings. The Planning Commission, after considering the proposed amendments
to the Water and Wastewater Management Element, environmental determination, staff
recommendations, public testimony and correspondence, and reports thereon, makes the following
findings:
1. The proposed amendments, contained in the draft Water and Wastewater Management
Element Update are consistent with the General Plan.
SECTION 2. Environmental Determination. The Planning Commission recommends the City
Council determine that the proposed General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element
amendments will not create a substantial environmental effect as defined by the California
Environmental Quality Act and supports the initial environmental study (EID 1455-2018) and
associated Negative Declaration prepared by the Community Development Director.
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________,
and on the following roll call vote:
Packet Pg 56
Resolution No. (2018 Series)
Page 2
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 11th day of April 2018.
Packet Pg 57
Technical Memorandum
City SAY Model Update TM
Date: 1/8/2018
To: Mr. Aaron Floyd
City of San Luis Obispo – Public Utilities
San Luis Obispo, California
Prepared by: Adam Rianda, P.E.
Reviewed by: Jeroen Olthof, P.E.
Project: Safe Annual Yield Analysis Update
SUBJECT: SALINAS AND WHALE ROCK RESERVOIRS SAFE ANNUAL YIELD
Section 1: Background
The City of San Luis Obispo (City) maintains a diversified portfolio of water supply sources that it can use to meet
potable water demand. Two of these sources are Salinas Reservoir, also known as Santa Margarita Lake, and
Whale Rock Reservoir, located near the town of Cayucos. Whale Rock Reservoir is a shared‐use reservoir serving
the City, the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), the California Men’s Colony (CMC), and the town
of Cayucos. The City, Cal Poly, and CMC comprise the Whale Rock Commission, which governs reservoir
operation. Some characteristics of the two reservoirs are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Reservoir Attributes
Reservoir Watershed Size
(Square Miles)
Storage Capacity
(Acre Feet)
Average Annual
Precipitation
(Inches)1
Average Annual
Evaporation
(Inches)1
Salinas 112.0 23,843 22.1 85.4
Whale Rock 20.3 38,967 18.7 61.6
1Average annual precipitation and evaporation depths are based on the verified hydrologic data discussed in Section 2.
Salinas Reservoir and Whale Rock Reservoir are located in different climate regions and have differing
characteristics. Whale Rock Reservoir has a larger storage volume than Salinas, but it has a smaller watershed to
provide natural recharge. Salinas Reservoir receives more runoff each year, but it also experiences higher
temperatures and higher evaporation rates, and it spills more frequently. To maximize the available supply from
these two reservoirs, the City has developed operational strategies that recognize the differences between the
reservoirs. In general, the strategies involve withdrawing water from Salinas Reservoir when it is available, and
using Whale Rock Reservoir as‐needed to supplement the supply from Salinas.
To assist with the management of the City’s water resources and understand the available supply from Salinas
and Whale Rock Reservoirs, the City maintains an Excel‐based model that estimates a safe annual yield (SAY)
based on historical climatic conditions and reservoir operations. For each reservoir, the model sums the inputs
and outputs to calculate the reservoir volume on a monthly time step. As inputs, the model uses the historical
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Safe Annual Yield Analysis Update
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1/8/2018 Page 2
City SAY Model Update TM
record of inflows, evaporation, precipitation, and downstream releases. The model then calculates, over the
period of record, the maximum amount that could be withdrawn each year without drawing the reservoir below
its minimum pool constraint. This maximum allowable annual withdrawal is considered to be the SAY.
The City’s Excel‐based model of the two reservoirs was first developed in 1988. At that time, the critical drought
period that controlled the SAY was the 1946‐1951 drought. In 1991 the model was updated to incorporate the
hydrologic conditions experienced during the 1986‐1991 drought. That drought was the most severe in the
historical record to that point and became the new controlling condition for estimating SAY. The City estimated
the combined SAY from the two reservoirs as 6,940 acre‐feet per year (AFY). This estimate included the
anticipated loss of storage volume due to siltation through the year 2010. This estimate has been reported in
previous City planning documents, including the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and the 2016
update to the General Plan Water and Wastewater Management Element. The 2015 UWMP, published in June
of 2016, was prepared during a period of extended drought, and it noted that the City planned to re‐calculate
the SAY when the on‐going drought came to an end.
During the winter of 2016‐2017, California received enough precipitation to provide some drought relief, and
the Department of Water Resources phased out its mandatory conservation guidelines. However, the state is
still in a period of below‐average precipitation. Figure 1 shows historical precipitation recorded at Salinas and
Whale Rock Reservoirs. For each month, the graph shows the average precipitation for the previous five‐year
period. This rolling five‐year average can be compared to the long‐term average, in this case the period from
1962 to 2016. The 1986‐1991 drought was preceded by a period of above‐average rainfall, and when the
drought ended the subsequent years had above‐average rainfall. By contrast, the current dry period has had a
much longer duration. Since 2003, the rolling average has been at or below the long‐term average, and at the
end of 2016 the rolling average reached the lowest value ever at Whale Rock. It remains to be seen whether
future years will bring enough precipitation to bring the rolling five‐year average back to its historical levels.
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City SAY Model Update TM
Figure 1. Rolling Five-Year Average Precipitation at Salinas and Whale Rock
In early 2017, the City contracted with Water Systems Consulting, Inc. (WSC) to update the SAY model. The
update was intended to verify the historical input data, validate and document the calculations in the model,
incorporate the full extent of the 2006‐2016 drought, and generate scenarios that accounted for potential
climate change impacts.
Section 2: Model Updates
In January 2017, the City and Cal Poly began an update of the SAY model. Two major objectives of the project
were to update and verify the hydrologic input data and to develop scenarios that accounted for climate change
impacts. The SAY model was last updated in early 2015; therefore, the model that was used as the starting point
for this project is referred to as the 2015 model.
Verification of Input Data and Extension of Input Data Through January 2017
The 2015 model contained hydrologic input data for Whale Rock Reservoir and Salinas Reservoir through
February of 2015. While this data set contained values beginning in October of 1943, the source of the data had
not been documented. Furthermore, the construction of Whale Rock Reservoir was not completed until April of
1961, so there was nearly 18 years of data that predated the reservoir. According to the City’s records, the
(30.0)
(20.0)
(10.0)
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
Annual Inches of Rain at Whale RockAnnual Inches of Rain at Salinas . Salinas Rolling Five‐Year Average Salinas Average 1962 ‐ 2016
Whale Rock Rolling Five‐Year Average Whale Rock Average 1962 ‐ 2016
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City SAY Model Update TM
hydrologic data predating the reservoir was generated through correlations between Salinas and Whale Rock
Reservoir lake levels and precipitation.
In order to load the model with verified historical hydrologic data, the City compiled the information that could
be traced to verified sources. Table 2 presents the data sets collected for this update as well as the start date of
each data series. All data sets were compiled through January of 2017, when the drought of 2006‐2016 had
subsided.
Table 2. Verified Hydrologic Data Start Date
Reservoir Precipitation Evaporation Inflow1 Downstream Releases
Salinas 7/1/1948 7/1/1970 4/1/1942 7/1/1942
Whale Rock 1/1/1962 10/1/1963 2/1/1962 2/1/1962
1Inflow for Whale Rock Reservoir calculated by Damsaver begins 6/1/1987. Inflow from 1962 to 1987 was calculated using paper records
compiled by City staff.
The inflow data for Whale Rock Reservoir came from two sources: Damsaver and paper records. Damsaver is
an Excel‐based tool that the City began to use in June 1987 to record and report Whale Rock Reservoir
hydrologic data, including the computation of monthly inflow. Prior to 1987, the City utilized a paper form to
record monthly precipitation, evaporation, reservoir elevation, reservoir storage, and water releases. To
generate a complete data set extending back to 1962, WSC performed mass balance1 calculations using data
from the paper records. The calculated inflows were validated using a 2.5‐year overlap period, 1987 to 1989,
when the City utilized both Damsaver and the paper forms. While there was variation from month to month, the
total calculated inflows over the 2.5‐year period were within 10 percent of the total produced using the
Damsaver software. Therefore, the pre‐1987 inflows calculated from the paper forms were considered
acceptable for use in this evaluation.
In general, the verified historical data compiled for this update was not significantly different than the input data
in the 2015 model. The exception was in recorded evaporation rates. For this update, historical evaporation
data was available for the period beginning July 1, 1970. The historical data in the previous model and the data
compiled for this study are shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3.
1 The mass balance calculation was based on the fact that monthly change in storage volume will be determined by the
inputs (precipitation and inflow) and outputs (evaporation and downstream releases) during that month. Historical data for
reservoir levels were used to calculate change in storage, and historical data was available for precipitation, evaporation,
and downstream releases. The team then solved for the only unknown variable, monthly inflow.
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Figure 2. Cumulative Evaporation Data for Salinas Reservoir, 1970-2015
Figure 3. Cumulative Evaporation Data for Whale Rock Reservoir, 1970-2015
For both reservoirs, the updated historical data show consistently higher evaporation rates than the data used in
the 2015 model. The difference results in evaporation losses approximately 30 percent higher than the 2015
model, leading to a reduction in the calculated SAY.
Climate Change Impacts
Although previous versions of the model included several scenarios with adjusted climatic patterns, they were
based on simple modifications to relatively short data sets. As part of this model update, a range of new
scenarios was added based on varying climate change projections identified by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG). The estimated changes in
climate associated with these scenarios were applied to the historical data set for inflows, precipitation, and
evaporation. The model was then used to calculate a revised SAY assuming that these conditions had prevailed
during the historical period of record.
‐
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
1970 1975 1981 1986 1992 1997 2003 2008 2014Cumulative Evaporation (inches)Salinas Cumulative Evaporation, Previous Model (inches)
Salinas Cumulative Evaporation, Verified Historical Data (inches)
‐
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
1970 1975 1981 1986 1992 1997 2003 2008 2014Cumulative Evaporation (inches)Whale Rock Cumulative Evaporation, Previous Model (inches)
Whale Rock Cumulative Evaporation, Verified Historical Data (inches)
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Section 3: Scenario Modeling
Scenario 1: 2015 Model
Scenario 1 runs the model using the hydrologic input data used in the 2015 model. As discussed previously, the
source of this hydrologic input data was not documented.
Scenario 2: Verified Historical Data
Scenario 2 utilizes the historical hydrological data set compiled for this update. Because this input data has been
verified against historical records, Scenario 2 is considered to be the baseline estimate for future conditions.
Scenarios 3 through 8: EPA CREAT Climate Change Projections
Scenarios 3 through 8 are based on climate change projections identified in the EPA’s Climate Resilience
Evaluation and Awareness (CREAT) Projection Map. CREAT was prepared by the EPA, specifically for drinking
water, wastewater and stormwater utility owners and operators, as an informational tool to assist in
understanding and addressing climate change risks. Projected changes in CREAT were derived from the
evaluation of thirty‐eight Global Climate Models recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC). Results from each model were recorded on a 0.5‐ by 0.5‐degree (approximately 34‐ by 34‐mile) grid basis
and compared to three statistical targets based on the distribution of the models. The five models closest to
each target were averaged to generate each projected temperature and precipitation change. The three targets
are defined as:
Hot/dry future conditions – Nearest to the 5th percentile of precipitation and 95th percentile of
temperature projections;
Central future conditions – Nearest to the 50th percentile of both precipitation and temperature
projections; and
Warm/wet conditions – Nearest to the 95th percentile of precipitation and 5th percentile of temperature
projections.
Projections are presented for two planning horizons: 2035, the midpoint of a range from 2024 to 2045, and
2060, the midpoint of a range from 2050 to 2070.
For the SAY model, it is assumed that the change in inflow is directly proportional to the change in precipitation.
Because of the uncertainty about the exact relationship between higher temperatures and increased
evaporation, future evaporation rates were assumed to be five percent higher than the verified historical data.
Projected changes are applied to the entire verified historical data set in Scenario 2.
Scenarios 9 through 12: SLOCOG Climate Change Projections
Scenarios 9 through 12 are based on climate change projections identified in the San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments (SLOCOG) 2014 Regional Transportation Plan. SLOCOG climate change projections reflect the
continuation of current energy‐subsidy policies, implying relatively high energy consumption and high
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Per the SLOCOG report, this scenario closely followed the global emissions
path of the late 1990s. The SLOCOG report states that given a sharp rise in emissions since 2000, the climate
projections reflected may underestimate actual climate change.
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Like EPA’s CREAT tool, the SLOCOG projections are based on IPCC recognized Global Climate Models. However,
the SLOCOG study focuses specifically on three models: CSIRO (from Australia), MIROC (from Japan), and
HadCM (from the UK). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Mapped Atmosphere‐
Plant‐Soil System (MAPSS) team at the Pacific Northwest Research Station then converted the model output to a
locally‐relevant scale of 8 kilometers (km) using local temperature and precipitation pattern data.
As with the EPA CREAT projections, SLOCOG projections are presented as a percent difference in precipitation
and degree difference in temperature, and are assigned to two planning horizons, 2035 to 2045 and 2075 to
2085. The SLOCOG projections, however, are presented as a range for each window of time. Therefore, a
scenario was created for the climatic lower bound and upper bound for each planning horizon.
As with Scenarios 3 through 8, Scenarios 9 through 12 apply the respective climate change projections to the
verified historical data set (Scenario 2) and adjust the inflow proportionally to the change in precipitation, while
evaporation rates were assumed to be five percent higher than historical values.
Scenario 13: Nature Climate Change Evaluation
Nature Communications, a peer‐reviewed open access scientific journal published by the Nature Publishing
Group, published an article in in July of 2017 that presented an overview of various climate models and their
predictions for future precipitation in California. This work found that under future conditions, California could
receive more precipitation in response to global warming. It found that the anticipated changes in air circulation
patterns were reminiscent of an El Nino event, which can lead to an increase in storm track activity in the east
Pacific.
The article concluded that central California could expect on the order of three inches per year in additional
rainfall attributable to global warming. The historical average annual rainfall at Salinas Dam is approximately 23
inches, while the annual average at Whale Rock Reservoir is approximately 19 inches. As a conservative
estimate, it was assumed that under this scenario, precipitation and runoff values would increase 15 percent
over their historical values. Evaporation rates were assumed to be 5 percent higher than historical values.
Section 4: Model Results
The updated spreadsheet model is intended to be a tool that the City can use to evaluate SAY under potential
future conditions. Several simulations were run during the development of the spreadsheet, and the results are
summarized in the following tables. These preliminary results are intended to show the range of potential
values under differing input assumptions. As discussed further in the Appendix, the model is set up to account
for loss of reservoir capacity due to siltation up to, and including, the designated simulation year. The model
results presented in Tables 3 through 5 account for the estimated siltation through 2017.
The model was first used to determine the impact of using verified historical data as inputs. The results are
summarized in Table 3. For consistency with previous estimates, these results do not include the 2006 ‐ 2016
drought. These results are presented for comparison with previously reported values of SAY. Using the raw
input data from the 2015 model, the updated model showed that an annual withdrawal of 6,940 AFY could be
sustained. With the incorporation of the updated evaporation data, the corresponding value is 6,590 AFY.
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Table 3. Safe Annual Yield Model Outputs with Verified Historical Data
2015 Model SAY
(AFY)
Updated Model SAY with Verified
Historical Data (AFY)
SAY (Period of record ending 2006; does not
include the 2006‐2016 drought)
6,940 6,590
Note: These results are the combined City SAY from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, based on a
joint operating strategy
The model was then used to calculate an updated SAY for the entire period of record, including the 2006 – 2016
drought. These results are shown in Table 4. This drought was more severe than the 1986‐1991 drought, and it
has become the new controlling condition for the estimation of SAY. The estimated SAY is 4,910 AFY,
approximately 2,000 AFY less than the previously used estimate of 6,940 AFY.
Table 4. Safe Annual Yield Model Outputs Incorporating 2006 – 2016 Drought
Updated Model SAY with Verified
Historical Data (AFY)
SAY (Period of record through 2016; includes the 2006‐2016
drought)
4,910
Note: These results are the combined City SAY from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, based on a
joint operating strategy
Finally, the model was used to simulate a range of potential climate change scenarios. These estimates are
summarized in Table 5. There is considerable uncertainty about how climate change will impact the
precipitation and evaporation patterns on the Central Coast. The range of values provides an indication of
potential future conditions that might occur, but it is not yet feasible to identify an expected value for future
SAY.
Table 5. Safe Annual Yield Model Outputs for Climate Change Scenarios
Range of SAY
under EPA
Climate Change
Scenarios (AFY)
Range of SAY
under SLOCOG
Climate Change
Scenarios (AFY)
Nature Climate
Change
Scenario (AFY)
SAY (Period of record through 2016; includes the
2006‐2016 drought)
4,690 – 5,050 4,050 – 5,070 4,950
Note: These results are the combined City SAY from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, based on a joint
operating strategy
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Section 5: Conclusion
The City’s spreadsheet model for estimating SAY from Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs was updated to
incorporate verified historical data and the full extent of the most recent drought (2006 – 2016). The revised
estimate for the SAY from these reservoirs is 4,910 AFY, approximately 2,000 AFY less than the value of 6,940
AFY used in previous planning documents. Two factors contributed to this decline. First, the historic
evaporation data in the model were revised to match currently available records. Second, the updated model
includes the full extent of the 2006‐2016 drought. This dry period was more severe than the 1986‐1991
drought, and it is the new controlling period for estimating SAY.
The updated spreadsheet model can be used to estimate the SAY under a variety of scenarios. The spreadsheet
can also be used to demonstrate the advantages of coordinating the use of the City’s water supply sources,
rather than analyzing each source in isolation. It is recommended that the City and Cal Poly continue to
coordinate their analyses of the expected supply from Whale Rock. The model should also be kept up‐to‐date
with additional hydrological data, as it becomes available.
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Appendix A: Model Layout
The updated model has been restructured to provide a more user‐friendly and transparent interface. This
appendix briefly describes key tabs in the spreadsheet model.
Dashboard Tab
The primary components of the Dashboard tab, circled in blue in Figure A‐1, are the Modeled Scenario
dropdown list, the City Withdrawal Mode selection, and the Solve buttons. The Modeled Scenario dropdown list
allows the user to select the scenario of interest. The City Withdrawal Mode allows the user to calculate
separate SAY’s for Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoir, or to model them as joint, or coordinated, use. When Joint
Use is selected, the model prioritizes withdrawal from Salinas Reservoir and provides a single SAY for the two
reservoirs. The Solve buttons allow the user to run the model without having to manually iterate to the desired
solution. The Solve buttons count down the SAY from 100,000 AFY until the total unmet demand is equal to zero
over the entire time series.
Just above the Modeled Scenario dropdown list is a summary of assumptions and input data. These assumptions
and inputs have been discussed with the City and Cal Poly, and therefore likely will not change on a regular
basis, but they should always be reviewed prior to a model run.
Figure A-1. Dashboard Tab Screenshot
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Scenario Tab
As discussed in Section 2, a suite of new scenarios has been incorporated into the updated model. All scenarios
are defined on the Scenarios tab, including the scenario number and respective percent change in inflow,
precipitation, and evaporation. While a temperature change in degrees Fahrenheit is listed, it is not currently
being included in the calculations. All future scenarios are expected to have higher temperatures, which will lead
to increased evaporation, but there is uncertainty about how much evaporation will increase. In addition to
defining the scenario criteria, this tab is used to manually record the calculated SAY for each scenario.
Bathymetry Tab
The Bathymetry tab houses the stage‐storage‐area relationships for the two reservoirs. For Salinas Reservoir,
the relationship is based on the Salinas Reservoir Bathymetric survey conducted in 1990. The annual siltation
was estimated to reduce available storage in Salinas Reservoir by 40 AFY, based on the 1990 bathymetric survey.
For Whale Rock Reservoir, the relationship is based on the Whale Rock Reservoir Bathymetry survey conducted
in 2013. As part of the 2013 bathymetric survey, the annual siltation was estimated to reduce available storage
by 32.6 AFY. These siltation rates can be found on the Dashboard tab along with the year of the associated
bathymetric survey.
The user can select a year to run the simulation, and the model will reduce the full capacity of each reservoir to
account for the expected siltation between the date of the respective bathymetric survey and the simulation
year. The City’s water supply planning policy already includes an expected reduction in future water supply of
500 AFY to account for reservoir siltation. Therefore, the model simulations run for this project used a
simulation year of 2017 to estimate the SAY under current conditions.
Demand Patterns Tab
The Demand Patterns tab defines the monthly demand multipliers for the City, Cal Poly, CMC, and Cayucos
water deliveries. For the updated model, the City demand pattern has remained the same as in the previous
model. The State demand pattern has been split into two new Cal Poly demand patterns, domestic and
agricultural, and an evenly distributed demand pattern for the CMC. Cal Poly provided domestic and agricultural
usage data from 1992 through 2016, which was used to refine the Cal Poly demand patterns. The demand
patterns are shown in Figure A‐2.
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Figure A-2. Demand Patterns
Calculations Tab
The Calculations tab has inputs and formulas organized in a progression from left to right, with one row for
every month. Row 7 on the Calculations tab defines whether a column is an input value or a formula. Input
values are historical monthly hydrologic inputs including natural inflow volume, precipitation depth, and
evaporation depth. Input values should be added to the model as new data is collected over time. As input
values are added, the remainder of the cells in that row should be populated by dragging down the formulas
from the cell above.
Column Descriptions Tab
This tab contains descriptions for each column on the Calculations tab. Column descriptions include a written
description and a display of the respective formula. This tab provides more detailed information about the
calculations embedded in the spreadsheet.
0.00%
2.00%
4.00%
6.00%
8.00%
10.00%
12.00%
14.00%
16.00%
18.00%
123456789101112Monthly Demand MultiplierMonth
City Monthly Demand Multiplier Cayucos Deliveries Monthly Demand Multiplier
Cal Poly AG Monthly Demand Multiplier Cal Poly Domestic Monthly Demand Multiplier
CMC Monthly Demand Multiplier
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