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