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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/1988, 2 - EMERGENCY TEMPORARY WATER USE FOR THE CITY OF MORRO BAY MEETING DATE: November WHALE ROCK COMMISSION REPORT rr°"" FROM: William T. Hetland, Utilities Director SUBJECT: Emergency Temporary Water Use for the City of Morro Bay BACKGROUND: Attached is a letter from the City of Morro Bay requesting an emergency temporary supply of water from the Whale Rock Commission if they are unable to meet their municipal water demand. Due to the dry conditions the area has been experiencing over the last two years and an intensification of irrigated agricultural, the aquifer from which Morro Bay draws its water has diminished. This has resulted in the City losing one of its key water production wells. The City of Morro Bay has adopted a resolution imposing mandatory water conservation restrictions in .order to lessen the demand on its water supply. The water would be delivered through the existing Whale Rock conduit to a turnout at Morro Bay. The City of Morro Bay would be responsible for chlorination of the water and delivery to its customers. A State Department of Health Services emergency permit is required and has been obtained by the City. Once in the past the Commission sold excess water to Morro Bay. Since the Commission members do not have any excess water at this time, this will be treated as a loan of water to be repaid to the Commission this winter when the rainfall replenishes the aquifer. It is estimated that if the City of Morro Bay lost two more of its wells it would have a shortfall of about 150 gpm or around 20 acre feet per month. Since Morro Bay's initial request, their water demand has reduced significantly. It is anticipated that they will be able to continue to meet their water demands until the winter rains begin and will probably not need to request emergency service. However, Commission authorization is still being requested since if it is necessary to provide emergency service it is very difficult to administratively hold a Commission meeting and get the necessary approvals in a timely manner. Recommendation By motion, authorize the Whale Rock Commission staff to develop an agreement to provide water on an emergency basis to the City of .Morro Bay. Also authorize the Chairperson of the Whale Rock Commission to approve any request for emergency deliveries of water not to exceed 50 acre feet total without additional Commission authorization. attachment wrm119morro/bill"c" P9City of Morro Bdy 595 Harbor St. Morro Bay, CA 93442 805-772-1214 September 28, 1988 Whale Rock Commission c/o City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department 955 Morro Street San Luis Obispo CA 93401 Attention: Bill Hetland, Utilities Manager SUBJECT: CONTINGENCY AGREEMENT FOR EMERGENCY TEMPORARY WATER USE One of the City of Morro Bay' s twelve groundwater wells has gone dry due to depleted aquifer conditions caused by lack of adequate rainfall combined with intensive agricultural irrigation in the Chorro Basin. As a result, the Morro Bay City Council, on September 21, 1988, adopted a resolution to impose mandatory water conservation restrictions on our community. These restrictions were imposed in an effort to reduce water use so that in the event additional wells go dry before the onset of winter rains we would still be able to provide the City's daily demand. The Council ' s action also directed Staff to establish a contingency for a temporary supplemental water supply should the City need it. The City of Morro Bay therefore requests the Whale Rock Commission' s consideration of establishing a temporary agreement whereby should the City of Morro Bay be unable to meet its municipal water supply demand on a temporary emergency basis the City of Morro Bay could obtain a temporary supplemental water supply from Whale Rock Reservoir through the existing connection located on Highway 1 near Canet Road. We propose that any water used by the City on this basis would be returned to reservoir storage this winter when rainfall has replenished the aquifer. State Department of Health Services has informed us the emergency use permit for this connection is still in effect . The City ; of Morro Bay is responsible for complying with all conditions established by the permit. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FIRE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC WORKS 595 Harbor Street 715 Harbor Street 695 Harbor Street FINANCE DEPARTMENT POLICE DEPARTMENT RECREATION DEPARTMENT 595 Harbor Street 850 Morro Bay Blvd. 535 Harbor Street WfgLE ROCK COMMISSION Page Two Would you please respond to our request by letter outlining Commission Staff ' s preliminary thoughts on our needs and proposals, and when we can expect the matter to be submitted to the Whale Rock Commission for their official response? The Commission ' s positive consideration of our request will be appreciated. Very truly yours, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS G. H. Vhols Director of Public Works GHN/dr xc: City Administrator WHALE ROCK COMMISSION Page Two Would you please respond to our request by letter outlining Commission Staff ' s preliminary thoughts on our needs and proposals, and when we can expect the matter to be submitted to the Whale Rock Commission for their official response? The Commission ' s positive consideration of our request will be appreciated. Very truly yours, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS G. H. Vhols Director of Public Works GHN/dr xc: City Administrator