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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/11/1993 Add on Item 3 - 1993-1994 Water Operational Plan _ MEETING DATE: �Illhp�b�����llllllll`� II�III city Of SMIUIS OBISVO � 19.93 WMA C NCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER: ®U ChD-o�i� FROM: John Moss, Acting Utilities Director V '"I PREPARED BY: Gary Henderson, Water Division Manager4t '� Sue Baasch, Administrative Analyst* Ron Munds, Water Conservation Coordinator SUBJECT: The 1993-1994 Water Operational Plan CAO RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file report. Provide direction to staff as necessary. DISCUSSION The City of SanLuis Obispo experienced above average normal rainfall this past year which has resulted in a 17% increase in total available storage from this time last year. The combined total of 37,755 acre feet is 82% of the maximum City storage. This is approximately a four and one- half years of water supply using the assumptions listed on the reservoir storage curve in Figure 3. The model uses very conservative rainfall and inflow estimates based on 1989 hydrologic information.. Although the drought has been declared "officially" over, the model predicts if the City experiences a drought similar to 1989, the City may need to implement Stage C(15% mandatory conservation) in the Spring of 1994. In November, 1990, the Council adopted a multi-source water supply policy. This policy states that the City will not rely on a.single source of water to meet its permanent water needs. Water supply projects to meet future needs are under development with some being eliminated from further consideration during the past year. Water conservation has played an ever increasing role in the over-all water supply development and management strategies in recent years. The philosophical shift in perception of water conservation as a crisis management vehicle in 1985, to a water supply alternative in 1993 is apparent as potential water supply projects are being rejected because of high cost or due to environmental impacts which can not be mitigated. FISCAL IMPACT The identified programs, if not currently reflected in the preliminary 1993/95 Financial Plan, will be presented individually for Council consideration. No additional appropriation is required to support these activities at this time. CONCURRENCES The Community Development Department has reviewed and approved this plan. Attachment: 1993-94 WATER OPERATIONAL PLAN City of San Luis Obispo 1993-94 WATER OPERATIONAL PLAN I. INTRODUCTION The first Water Operational Plan Policy Statement was adopted in 1985 as a means to monitor the City's water supply and the result of programs implemented to address diminishing supplies. To this end, the 1993-1994 annual report reviews the current reservoir storage and groundwater production situation and the status of the storage model, and then examines the supply and demand management strategies in use or under evaluation at this time. With the above average rainfall experienced this last winter, the City's water storage situation has increased by 17% compared'to last year at this time. It is important to note that even with the improved water outlook, indoor and outdoor water use efficiency must continue to be a high priority for the City. This report should not be confused with the "Urban Water Management Plan" which will be presented to Council for adoption later this year. The Water Management Plan will provide a thorough analysis of all water use assumptions and strategies, as well as future water management planning goals and objectives. II. EXISTING WATER SUPPLY STATUS Rainfall totals in the 92/93 water year (October through September) are above normal. The Salinas Reservoir had 32.28 inches of rain and Whale Rock had 26.6 inches. The abundant rainfall led to the State of California's declaration that the seven year drought was over. As can be seen in Figure 1, it has been ten years since the reservoirs have recorded this much rain. The City's reservoir water supply is augmented by the use of groundwater. While groundwater production has experienced a significant reduction since 1991 and 1992 due to well water quality contamination (see Figure 2), it is estimated that the program will continue to supply approximately 500 acre feet per year. As of April 1, the Salinas Reservoir was at full capacity and has spilled continuously since January 13, 1993. Maximum storage at Salinas Reservoir is 23,843 acre feet. As of April 1, Whale Rock Reservoir was 68% of capacity and the City's proportionate share of Whale Rock storage was 50% of the total storage, or 13,912 acre feet. The combined total of 37,755 acre feet is 82% of the maximum City storage. This is approximately four and one-half years of water supply, using the currently approved action levels for mandatory conservation, current patterns in conservation, and assuming 500 acre feet of groundwater production annually. The specific assumptions are listed in Figure 3. Water Consumption and Conservation The City exited mandatory conservation more than a year ago, on March.3,wJ992, but the community has continued to conserve,at a high level compared to the 1987 base year (Figure 4). Consumption in 1992 was 36% less than in 1987. In the first three months of 1993, 1993-94 Water Operational Plan Page 2 consumption remains 36% less than 1987 levels. With the State's declaration of the end of the drought and the above average precipitation this year, water consumption in the City is expected to increase. M. MULTI-SOURCE WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS In November, 1990, the Council adopted a multi-source water supply policy. This policy stated that the City would not rely on a single source of water to meet its permanent water needs. Staff is currently developing an "Urban Water Management Plan" which will identify the future supplemental water supply requirements necessary to serve the full build-out capacity of the City as represented in the General Plan (currently being updated). The Council recently amended the "Water and Wastewater Element" of the General Plan to include a 2,000 afy reliability reserve which was a component of the multi-source water policy adopted in 1990. Certain water supply projects to meet the City's future urban needs are currently under development. Others have been eliminated from further consideration during the past year. The following is a brief status report on each of these projects: Salinas Reservoir Expansion The initial feasibility study, including seismic analysis and initial environmental review, has been completed. This work showed that the project was technically feasible, cost effective and environmentally sound. Staff has met with the staff of north county communities to discuss the project and review concerns those communities may have. Council authorized the contract with Woodward/Clyde Consultants for the preparation of the environmental impact report (EIR) in March of 1992. The draft EIR is scheduled to be completed by July 1993, with Council certification of the final EIR in December 1993. The design and permitting phase is estimated to require a minimum of one year to complete. Construction is estimated to require 12-18 months to complete. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has stated that the project construction cannot proceed until the ownership of the facilities has been transferred to a local agency. The existing or expanded facilities do not serve any federal government purpose and therefore the Corps has been interested in ownership transfer for many years. The City Council approved supporting the transfer of the facilities to the County contingent on the development of an agreement which protects the City's interests. City and County staff have been working closely to develop an agreement which addresses the concerns and interests of both agencies. Following acceptance of the agreement by both the City Council and the County Board of Supervisors, it is anticipated that the transfer could occur through a legislative act at the federal level. Prior to ownership transfer, numerous studies will have to be completed to enable the Corps to surplus the property. The extent and associated costs for the studies will be discussed with the Corps at a meeting in the near future. It is anticipated that all the work necessary to actually - i 1993-94 Water Operational Plan Page 3 allow the transfer to occur (ie. agreements between City and County, legislative act, studies, etc.) may take several years to accomplish. State Water Project Participation in the State Water Project was decided by a vote of City residents in November of 1992. The City will not participate in the project and will no longer consider State Water as a future water supply for planning purposes. Nacimiento Diversion Project The San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District ("District") has an entitlement of 17,500 acre-feet per year (afy) of water from Nacimiento Lake through a contract with Monterey County. The District, at the request of the City and other interested agencies, entered into a contract with Boyle Engineering Corporation to provide a feasibility study of the project. The District requested that agencies that were interested in future participation in the Nacimiento Project share in the costs associated with the evaluation of the project. On January 19, 1993, the Council authorized participation in the feasibility study and requested a tentative subscription of 6,265 afy from the Nacimiento Project. The Board of Supervisors will be approving the agreements for participation in the feasibility study in May of 1993. The feasibility study is divided into three phases.' The first phase was a reliability assessment of the safe annual yield of the reservoir and was completed in December of 1992. The second phase will address agency allotments, alternative project designs, and geotechnical studies. The second phase is scheduled to be completed in October of 1993. Phase three will involve the preparation of a final report which is anticipated to be completed in February 1994. Following completion of the feasibility report, the Board of Supervisors will determine whether the project should proceed, which agencies will participate, how the water will be allocated, and the strategy for accomplishing the project design and construction. County staff have estimated that it will take at least 6 years before water will be available from the Nacimiento project. Groundwater Wells The current groundwater program utilizes five municipal wells and two or more irrigation wells, One of the City's wells, Auto Parkway, was shut down this past year due to elevated nitrate levels. At this time, wells are producing approximately 45 acre-feet (af) per month which represents about 15% of the total City water demand. The relatively small groundwater basin which supplies the majority of the groundwater production is recharged very quickly following heavy rain periods. The water levels in the basin also fall relatively quickly following the end of the rain season, which results in the loss of a number of the wells. This fluctuation of the basin limits the amount of water that can be withdrawn on an annual basis. ;The Auto Parkway Well was the major production well for the City and was affected the least'by water level changes because it is in a deeper part of the basin. As stated earlier, Auto Parkway Well was 1993-94 Water Operational Plan Page 4 taken off-line in October 1992 due to elevated levels of nitrate which exceed State requirements. Treatment options are currently being evaluated to allow the use of the Auto Parkway Well and will be presented to Council in the near future. The City will continue to use well water to supplement our available surface water supplies with a minimum of 500 afy reliable groundwater production as a goal for our current groundwater program. Water Reclamation Reclaimed water is intended to be a long-term water supply source for the City. The current quality of the effluent from the City's Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) meets secondary treatment standards. The $30 million WRF upgrade that is underway will improve the effluent quality to a tertiary level, allowing a full water reclamation program to be implemented. At this advanced level of treatment, the reclaimed water can be used for park and playground irrigation, landscape or recreational impoundments, industrial applications, construction use and other beneficial non-potable uses. By using treated wastewater effluent for non-potable water demand such as landscape irrigation, a portion of the City's potable water will be made available for uses that require a higher quality of water. Staff has estimated that reclaimed water could offset 500 to 1000 acre feet per year of existing potable water demand by existing non-potable uses. Before reclaimed water can be delivered to customers, the following must be accomplished: prepare and certify the environmental documents; prepare an engineering report and its submittal to the Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Regional Water Quality Control Board; establish user contracts; establish revenue program; perform a detailed design of storage, pumping and distribution facilities; and construction of those facilities. The draft environmental impact report for the "Water Reclamation Project" was completed and distributed for review in March of 1993. It is anticipated that the final EIR for the project will be completed and certified by the City Council in the summer of 1993. Staff has estimated that reclaimed water to meet the DHS requirements for unrestricted public contact may be delivered to the first customers in late 1994. Cloud Seeding In January, 1991, the City Council approved an agreement with Atmospherics Incorporated of -Fresno, California to provide a three-year cloud seeding program. The program "target areas" are the Salinas Reservoir and Lopez Lake watersheds. The County of San Luis Obispo participated in the project and agreed to pay 37.8% of the total costs. The City Council modified this year's program from a five to a three-month period which began in January 1993 instead of November 1992. Due to heavy rains in December and January, Salinas Reservoir spilled at 10:00 p.m. on January 13, 1991 With the impending overtopping of the dam, staff notified the County on the morning of January 13'b of the termination of the City's participation in the cloud seeding program. This was the final year of the three-year program and staff will 45-5 1993-94 Water Operational Plan Page 5 be evaluating the need and benefits of future cloud seeding programs for the City. Staff will make the appropriate recommendations to Council in the Urban Water Management Plan later this year. IV. WATER CONSERVATION Water conservation has played an ever increasing role in the over-all water supply development and management strategies since 1985. The water conservation program's importance has become more apparent as several of the previously discussed potential water supply projects have either been rejected because of high cost, or due to environmental impacts which could not be mitigated. It is important to note that the General Plan's Water Element policy places water conservation at the same level or at a higher priority than other water supply options (Attachment A). This is a philosophical shift in the perception of water conservation as a crisis management tool in 1985, to a water supply alternative in 1993. On September 3, 1991, the Council approved and authorized the Mayor to sign the "Memorandum of Understanding" regarding urban water conservation and the implementation of the "Best Management Practices" (BMPs). The BMPs are comprised of sixteen water conservation measures each signatory agency agrees to implement. The document acts as a road map for the City's long-term water conservation program development and signifies a minimum ten year commitment to the BMPs process. Attachment B summarizes the BMPs implementation progress and over-all program description. The efficient use of water has been recognized by past and present Councils as an environmentally sound, economical means to reduce future water supply needs through demand management. Since 1988, it is estimated that approximately 14,400 acre feet of water has been saved through the implementation of various components of the conservation program. Total program expenditure since 1988, including rebates, has been approximately 1.28 million dollars, which equates to about $89 per acre foot. Considering all present and future water supply options and associated costs, this is very inexpensive water. With other proposed water supply projects years from being a reality, conservation is the only water supply project in which the City has complete control. It is staff's opinion that a balanced program is needed to assure the success of our long-term conservation goals. The ongoing water conservation .program requirements will be addressed in the 1993/95 Financial Plan. V. PROJECTED WATER SUPPLY SITUATION Reservoir Storage Curve The Reservoir Storage Curve is integral to the City's annual water plan analysis. It is a model used to estimate the City's future reservoir storage based on historical .water.;use, weather patterns, reservoir data and available groundwater supplies. The model is used to forecast the City's water supply position and to make certain water policy recommendations. The curve has 5-� 1 , 1993-94 Water Operational Plan Page 6 been updated to reflect the City's current storage. The model predicts current water storage would last until 1997, under a set of assumptions that represent the weather patterns during the recent drought. Total storage is approximately at the same level that the City was at during the summer of 1986, but the storage at Salinas Reservoir accounts for a higher percentage of the total current storage than was the case in 1986. This is significant as evaporation affects Salinas storage more dramatically than Whale Rock, impacting the steepness of the projected.storage curve. The storage curve reflects the current pattern of conservation and projects 1993 and 1994 consumption at 15% less than 1987 summer water use and 25% less than 1987 winter water use. Once the storage curve crosses a mandatory conservation action level, the model assumes that conservation will exceed the mandated level by 10%. For example, in 1994, when the City could reenter mandatory conservation if drought conditions were to return, the model assumes that conservation would be 25% of 1987 levels, even though the actual mandatory level would be 15%. This pattern of actual conservation exceeding the mandated level was experienced during the past drought. SUMMARY The City's water storage situation has greatly improved over the past three years after reaching a low during 1990-91. Even with this improved outlook, the need for future supplemental sources is evident and the continuing need for the efficient use of water is crucial. With the adopted multi-source water policy and a strong water conservation program in place, the City is pursuing a direction which will create a reliable supply of water to meet our customers current and future needs. Attachments: Figures 1 - 5 Water Supplies: Supplemental Sources Memorandum of Understanding FIGURE 1 ANNUAL RESERVOIR RAINFALL 1980 - 1993 48.76 55 50. -ys.,. . Z LL 3 29 0 28.84 03 _ i 238.0 .17 W 20 2 y .53 16.60 21 7 22 V9 s.. Z r .78 .29 B Salinas Dem Whale Rock 1960 1981 1982 1983 1984 1989 1988 1987 1688 1989 1690 1991 1682 1693 Calendar Year Totals RESERVOIR RAINFALL RAIN YEARS 1990/91 - 1992/93 B Z Q 82.26 ll .. 0 30 22.46 26.6 (n 20.55 — W c.^,n U 2 16.21 .._ Z 1 1 Sa6naa Dam, Whata Rock 90191 91/92 92/93 Rain Year Totals (Oct - Sept) j - 1 ` 5—B �GGiGGGo////R�Q46Qi6664466666 • • -moo® ®sW . 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N N r q O (spuesnoyi) s-1a rt ATTACHMENT A 3. ylzter Sup lies- Suoolemental SOUTCCS Policy 3.1 In deciding appropriate sources of supplemental water, the city will evaluate impacts on other users of the water and other environmental impacts, total and unit costs, reliability, water quality, development time, and quantity available.. Policv 3.2 All potential supply alternatives will be explored. City efforts to provide supplemental water supplies will generally follow the priorities below. While the city has taken some action on a range of potential sources, it cannot pursue each potential source with equal effort. The priorities are intended to focus city efforts on those sources which will: (1) be able to supply water earlier even though the amounts are relatively modest; (2) require the least capital funding; (3) cause the least environmental impact, in terms of both the project sites and commitment to growth-inducing resource expansions; (4) offer the most city control. The order indicates general priorities, not a strict sequence. More efficient use of existing supplies (conservation); More complete use of sources already used by the city; Development or reactivation of sources in and near the city; Development of other new sources within San Luis Obispo County; Development of new sources outside San Luis Obispo County. Policy 3.3 The city will not compete with Iocal agricultural use of groundwater or damage wildlife habitat through reduced stream flows in obtaining long-term sources of supply. 26 Vr'� Program 3.1 The City will pursue the following water sources. Specific steps to prepare feasibility studies, environmental documents, financing programs, and designs will be spelled out in the city's five-year capital facilities plan and two-year budgets. Because some sources outlined below will require more evaluation or the cooperation of other agencies, a schedule of water availability cannot be assured (Figure 6). The following priority listing of potential projects is intended to focus city efforts consistent with policy 3.2. 1. Conservation measures to reduce long-term increases•in water use; 2. Developing wells for irrigation of the municipal golf course and other city parks or school grounds and exploring installation or reactivation of wells for domestic uses; 3. Reactivating unused wells, springs, or small reservoirs for use in prolonged droughts; 4. Developing new, small stream diversions whose flows could be processed through existing reservoirs and treatment facilities; 5. Enlarging Santa Margarita Reservoir by raising Salinas Dam spillway; 6. Participating with the county or other agencies in a regional source, such as Nacimiento Reservoir connection or Coastal Braach of the State Water Project. Time frame: 1986 through mid 1990's. Responsible parties: City staff, City Council, Whale Rock Commission, Sai Luis Obispo County and other agencies delivering water within the county. Funding: Contributions from owners/developers of expansion areas, connection fees for new development, and water rate increases. Program 3.2 The city will by ordinance establish permit requirements and standards for private wells. Time frame: Provisions adopted by January, 1988. If the city cannot prepare and adopt its own requirements by this date, it will adopt the County of San Luis Obispo requirements as an interim measure. Responsible parties: Public Works Department; Community Development Department; City Council Funding: City general fund. 29 �'a ATUCHM r B Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Water Conservation in California The following is a list of the Best Management Practices and the implementation status as the measure relates to the City's Water Conservation Program: 1. Interior and exterior water audits and incentive programs for single family residential, multi-family residential, and governmental/institutional customers. Status - Implemented July, 1990; 400 water audits performed during 1992 2. Plumbing, new and retrofit a. Enforcement of water conserving plumbing fixture standards including requirements for Ultra Low Flush toilets in all new construction beginning January 1, 1991. b. Support of state and federal legislation prohibiting the sale of toilets using more than 1.6 gallons per flush. V. Plumbing retrofit-showerheads, etc. Status - Water conserving fixture standards implemented January 1989; Showerhead replacement program initiated in 1988; State law enacted prohibiting the sale of toilets using more thasn 1,6 gallons per flush as of January 1, 1994. 3. Distribution system water audits, leak detection and repair Status - Implemented during 1988 4. Metering with commodity rates Status - All services already metered S. Large landscape water audits and incentives Status - Implemented May, 1991; eleven irrigation audits performed on City park facilities; staff in the process of of auditing greenbelt areas in the Tank Farm area development. 6. Landscape water conservation requirements Status - Water efficient landscape ordinance adopted in March 1992 establishing standards for all new development. . 5-IS 1 � 7. Public Information Status - Ongoing 8. School education Status - Implemented in 1989; water resource instructional.materials and instructional assistance offered to district teachers. 9. Commercial and industrial water conservation Status - The 193/95 water conservation plan focuses on the existing commercial/industrial customer sector. 10. New commercial and industrial water use review Status - Currently, new construction water allocations and required water offsets are based on the amount of water the development uses on an annual basis. This means that developers are utilizing the most water efficient technology to lower the water demand of their project. 11. Conservation pricing Status - Two tier commodity based billing system; Surcharge penalties during mandatory water conservation 12. Landscape water conservation for new and existing single family homes. Status - Plant tagging program implemented'September 1991; information workshops implemented August 1991; and other landscape information made available since April 1989; demonstration garden established in February 1992. 13. Water waste prohibition. Status - Implemented January, 1987 14. Water Conservation Coordinator Status - Full time position since November, 1988 15. Financial Incentives. Status - Toilet Rebate Program implemented June, 1990; rate structure with life-line rate for low use; other programs in the research and development phase. 16. Ultra-Low Flush toilet replacement. Status- Water Offset(retrofit)Program implemented August 1988;Toilet Rebate Program implemented June 1990; Retrofit Upon Sale ordinance adopted in September 1992. �_/ 0 CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Using the BMPs as a guide, the water conservation office has developed programs and procedures to reach the City's goal of long term water efficiency through out the community. The following section will briefly explain the programs and services in place as of April 1993. Programs and Services 1. Retrofit Rebate Program- Customers are offered up to $100 per bathroom to replace toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators with water efficient hardware. 2. Retrofit Upon Sale Ordinance- Effective October 15, 1992, any property sold or transferred must be retrofitted prior to the close of escrow with water conserving plumbing hardware. 3. Indoor Water Use Evaluations- Water efficiency specialists evaluate all indoor water use and recommend water efficiency measures to residential and commercial customers. 4. Irrigation Evaluation and Audit- The water conservation office offers free irrigation systems evaluation and, will perform distribution and uniformity audits to determine irrigation scheduling and make recommendations to improve water efficiency. 5. Water Efficient Plant Material Consultations- Printed information and suggestions are offered to customers interested in retrofitting existing landscapes with water conserving plant materials. 6. School Education Program-The.water conservation office offers programs and materials for grades 1 through 12. 7. Public Information and Education Program- Ongoing informational and promotional advertising both paid and public service announcements. Variety of printed informational brochures and pamphlets available free of charge. Educational workshops on water efficiency topics offered to the public. 8. Water Waste Code Enforcement- Mostly an educational program in lieu of using enforcement tactics,water efficiency specialist contact customers experiencing water run-off problems and offer suggestions on how to solve these problems. 9. Low Income Assistance Water Audit Program-People applying for low income assistance on their water/wastewater bill are required to have a home water audit performed before being granted a utility bill reduction. 5-17 t J Y 10. Residential Resource Conservation Services Program- A joint program which incorporates recycling and water conservation into one effort. Specific neighborhoods are targeted and residents are encouraged to participate in the water audit and recycling programs. 11.Multi-family Resource Conservation Services Program-A program developed specifically for multi-family complexes to assist in establishing successful recycling programs and achieving water efficiency. 12. Water Offset Program- In order for a development to receive a water allocation, the developer must retrofit existing building with water efficient hardware. The savings from this retrofit must conserve twice the estimated amount of water the proposed development would use on an annual basis. Proposed Additional Programs Professional Landscape Maintenance Workshops- Information geared towards the professional to keep them up to date on the latest in irrigation practices and plant material maintenance. Graywater Use. Incentive Program- Encourage the use of graywater systems in both commercial and residential sector through the use of incentives. Customer Recognition Program-Identify and publicly recognize individuals that demonstrate sound and innovative water conservation practices. 5-1g