HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/03/1991, 5 - WATER SUPPLY STATUS AND MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION Illlu^I�III�IIIII�III II MEETING ATE:
IIII lii ���� civJ or san tuts oBIspo 4/3/91
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
FROM:
William T. Hetland, Utilities Director
Gary W. Henderson, Utilities Engineer
SUBJECT:
Water Supply Status and Mandatory Water Conservation
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive a report concerning the City's current reservoir storage
levels and overall water supply.
2. Consider the City's water supply status against Water Action
Level policy and provide staff with direction concerning the
mandatory water conservation program.
BACKGROUND:
The past few weeks of rain have altered significantly the water supply
condition of our community. A substantially increased water supply now
allows options not available prior to the recent rains. While the rapid
pace of these developments has not allowed staff the opportunity to fully
evaluate all of these options, staff has placed this matter on the April
3 agenda for the following reasons: (1) To provide the most up-to-date
information possible on the City's water supply; and (2) To receive some
general direction from Council regarding the nature and extent of
continued water conservation.
There are likely to be several follow-up policy and administrative issues
which need to be considered by staff and Council, depending upon the
direction provided by the City Council on April 3 . These matters,
including any necessary resolutions or ordinance amendments, can be
brought back to Council at the April 16 meeting.
RESERVOIR STATUS
Prior to the recent storms, Salinas Reservoir was below minimum pool at
6.8% of total capacity and Whale Rock Reservoir was at 33 .7% of capacity.
As of March 28, 1991, Salinas Reservoir has 12,284. 3 acre-feet (AF) of
available storage which includes the minimum pool of 2000 AF. This
represents an increase in storage capacity from 6.8% to 52.7%. Whale
Rock Reservoir has 7,468.65 AF (City's share) with an increase in storage
capacity from 33 .7% to 39.6%. This represents a total combined reservoir
storage of 19,752.95 AF (see Attachment 1) , including minimum pool of
3, 100 AF. To put this in perspective, on March 1, 1991, the total
combined reservoir storage figure was approximately 7,500 AF.
GROUNDWATER STATUS
The City began utilizing groundwater to supplement our diminishing
surface water supplies in April of 1989. Due to the continuing drought,
the water levels at the City's wells have been declining since
implementing the groundwater program. Following the recent storms, the
groundwater levels have increased to the approximate levels that existed
when the wells were first placed in service. Well production is /
1►►nn1111III11IM111 city of San tuts OBISp0
A COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Page Two
anticipated to increase based on the recharge of the aquifer. Prior to
the March storms, annual well production was estimated at 1,500 AF. A
revised annual estimate will be provided to Council on April 3, which is
likely to be between 2,000 and 2,500 AF.
ACTION LEVEL POLICY
On February 20, 1990, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 6766 which
amended the Annual Water Operational Plan and Policy Statement. In
particular, the resolution modified the action levels and established
"exiting" action levels (see Attachment 2) which dictate when the City
moves from one conservation level to the next. The exiting action levels
are approximately half way points between the entering action levels.
This provides a conservative approach so that one action level is not
exited too soon, which could cause reinstitution of the previous level
if there were minor changes in the City's water situation. The
difference between the exiting and entering action levels represents
approximately a six month water supply.
Based on the March 28 reservoir storage figures, the City's Water Action
Level Policy would require a 15% voluntary conservation program. By
April 3, it is possible that storage will cross the threshold which would
allow for a 5% voluntary program. However, Water Action Levels are to
serve as guidelines for determining the nature and extent of the City's
conservation efforts. They do not represent absolute actions which must
be taken by the City. Therefore, the City Council can consider a number
of variables in offering direction to staff relative to the future of the
existing conservation program.
FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS
Depending on Council direction, staff will need to return to Council with
modifications or amendments to resolutions and ordinances which
established mandatory water conservation. Staff will also research other
water related issues which may have to be addressed such as landscape
deferral, the retrofit and rebate programs, and any administrative and
staffing issues related to changes in the City's conservation program.
CAO COMMENTS
While , the staff is quite happy with the recent rains, and with the
resultant increase in the groundwater table and reservoir storage levels,
we also remember the difficulties we have endured as a community during
the four-year drought period. While some relaxation of the present 35%
mandatory rationing program is appropriate, given water action level i
guidelines and our water storage levels, the Council's determination
should be based primarily on what the City Council believes to be the
community's best long-term interest.
"uN�►�N��IIIIIII�pn �pl city of San IDIS OBISpo
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Page Three
The City is the "guardian" of all municipal resources, particularly the
available water supply. Though March has been very good to us, we do not
know what the next winter, the winter after that, and the winter after
that will bring. As we all know it would be some years before State
Water, if the City Council were to endorse that project, would be
available to us, and it could turn out to be some years before Nacimiento
water would be available to us.
Compared to the recent past, the City is in a very fortunate water-
availability position. We must ensure that we remain in that situation
during the years ahead as we proceed with development of additional water
sources, to augment our existing supply and to better ensure the
community that we will not have to endure another period such as the past
three-year period. My own belief is that some reasonable relaxation of
the current mandatory water rationing program could be allowed, but it
must be mixed with a certain concern for what could happen during the
next two to six year period, on the assumption that rainfall levels could
continue to be less than the historical averages.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Based on the Council's direction, staff will evaluate the fiscal impact
of any changes on rates, in light of necessary short-term future proposed
water system improvements.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Council can retain the existing water conservation program and
reduction levels for a period of time, allowing for further assessment
of our situation and needs.
2. The Council can direct staff to implement the level of conservation
indicated by Water Action Level policy.
3. The Council can choose to retain mandatory conservation, but at a
reduced level (e.g. , lot - 15%) .
4. The Council can direct staff to implement a voluntary program, but at
a higher level than prescribed by Water Action Level Policy (e.g. , 20
- 25%) .
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Total Storage Curve
2. Action Levels
S-
p.
- ATTACHMENT 1
T
cm
75
T
T cm o
.. cm C/)
CC) LL
cn
N J =
N z
o
mr ^1 T
u ,� o U.
r
Ucri E
Tn O
rn co
O r
Q 2 N
rn
o_
WO oz
Q 5
Q
J � w
c:
C15 pC o
o 0 0 0
�
�.
.04- O
LO o
�..� p �,, ,n �, o
0
+r ami o°o (�
Jv N Ua )oo
i
T O
N T T T T T T T T T T
(spussnotW
O 199=1 - aaod
F-
,,rTACHMENT 2
ACTION LEVELS
city of San Luis Obispo
ActionLevelDefinition Storage (AF]
Entering Exiting
Action Levels Action Levels
MAX STORAGE Total City's storage in •
both Salinas and Whale Rock 43,630
Reservoirs
MINOR 3.0 years of supply less annual
well capacity plus minimum pool 21r3W 24,500
(5% conservation')
MODERATE 25 years of supply less annual
well rapacity plus minimum.pool 17,200 20,000
(1501b Conservation')
SERIOUS 2.0 years of supply less annual
well capacity.plus minimum pool 12,800 15,200
(2501c conservation)
SEVERE 1S years of supply less annual
well capacity plus minimum pool 9,200 11,200
(35010 conservation)
CRITICAL 1A years of supply less annual
well capacity plus minimum pool 6,3W 700
(500!5 conservation)
The storage levels are based on a base year consumption of 8,050 AFY and then reduced consumption based on the
appropriate conservation goal for each action level, 2,000 AFY of well production and minimum pool of 3,100 AF:
Entering Action Levels are the levels at which the next more stringent conservation goal-is to be implemented as reservoir
storage decreases.
Exiting Action bevels are the levels which the conservation goals are relaxed as reservoir storage increases.
'Voluntary conservation, all others are mandatory.
MEET& AGM
DTE -3"ql na # COM 1
��II�IIIIIIIIIIIII��������� �IIIIIIiII
CityO SM PIIS OBISPO
990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100
March 27, 1991
MEMORANDUM
TO: Council Colleagues �\
FROM: Mayor Dunin /lY/
SUBJECT: REDUCTION OFWATERRATIONING
I request Council to direct staff to agendize the following recommendation for discussion
at the next available Council meeting.
Given/the long-awaited rains in the last few weeks, I recommend that Council provide
immediate relief to .the community by approving a proposal to phase in a 10% water
rationing reduction program as soon as possible. Further, the City should begin to phase
out the mandatory rationing program and encourage a voluntary water rationing plan, by
providing a recognition incentive program.
I see this effort in helping the community in the short-term and continue my support for
all other viable local water supplemental resources, as well as the alternatives of State
Water and Lake Nacimiento.
:ss
c: J. Dunn
B. Hetland
P. Voges
0 ro:
Acdon
,�,�
f FFN. R.
rD
gao►o 11 FMEcW
ROR�c. 0
PIN ai
O mcwr. Fm ]) CLDaO�� J 7FUff
IEETAGEN
Iilll� III GATEIL. M
II I�IIIII�I ���� IIIII�IIII III II
at O sAnluis oBiS
990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100
March 28, 1991
To: City Council
From: Pam Voges
Subject: Council Meeting Schedule
Attached is a Council meeting list for the period April 3 through July 16. Due to the
unusually high number of requests by department staff to hold additional study sessions,
due in part by budget hearings, I request Council amend if necessary and approve the
attached meeting schedule.
This schedule will require Council attendance twice a week over the next month and a
half. If this is unworkable, please indicate your preference as to which issues you prefer
to delay. Thank you.
PV:ch
Attachment
cor113TO:
❑ a' Adion Q FYI
AVCamdl ❑ CDD 1XX
04-A0 ❑ FIN.DUL
lL CAO ❑ FIRECI-W
rrURNEY ❑ FW DIR.
custuio;uc. ❑ roues ail.
❑ MWE TEXIM ❑ REC Dat
❑. RFAD FIIE 11 lTra DIIt
����ioii����������iii►►Il ISI ������� �� ��
city hues oBispo
990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100
March 28, 1991
TO: City Council/Management Team
FROM: Pam Voges, City Clerk
SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS - FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
CUT-OFF TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED ITEMS:
Sunday, March 31 - EASTER SUNDAY
Monday/Tuesday, Avril 1/2 - Chamber Legislative Trip - Sacramento
Tuesday, April 2 - 7:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING-Rescheduled to Wed. , April 3
3/21 Wednesday, April 3 - 6:00 p.m. ADJ. REGULAR MEETING
Monday. April 8 - 4:00-6:00 p.m. Study Session RE Downtown Physical Concept Plan
Tuesday, April 9 - Special Election - DON'T FORGET TO VOTE11
Thursday, April 11 - Mayor's Quarterly Advisory Body Luncheon - 11:30 a.m.
Monday. April 15 - 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. - Flood Management 7
4/4 Tuesday, April 16 - 7:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING
1/11 Monday, Avril 22 - 7:00-10:00 p.m. ADJ. MEETING - BUDGET
Tuesday, April 23 - 7:00-9:00 p.m. S. Nukes Presentation/Focused Econ. Dev. Plan
4/18 Monday. April 29 - 7:00-10:00 p.m. ADJ. MEETING - BUDGET
Wednesday, May 1 - 8:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Consultant Interviews for Appt. Officials
Eval.
4/25 Monday, May 6 - 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Joint Mtg. w/Planning Comm/LUE Econ. Study - Noise
5/2 Monday. May 13 - 7:00-10:00 P.M. ADJ. MEETING - BUDGET
5/2 Tuesday, May 14 - 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Flood Management 79
Monday, May 20 - 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. - CAO Review
5/9 Tuesday. May 21 - 7:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING
Monday. May 27 - Memorial Day Observed - CITY HALL CLOSED
Monday, June 3 - 12:00, - 2:00 p.m. - Attorney & City Clerk Review
5/23 Tuesday, June 4 - 7:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING
5/30 Tuesday, June 11 - 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. - ADJ. MEETING - BUDGET
6/6 Tuesday, June 18 - 7:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING - BUDGET
6/13 Tuesday. June 25 - 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. ADJ. MEETING - BUDGET (if needed)
6/20 Tuesday, July 2 - 7:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING
6/3** Tuesday. July 16 - 7:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING
-rSCHEDULED FUTURE ITEMS:
State-owned land for housing development
Southern California Gas Annexation
3. Trip Reduction Programs and Alternatives
4. Bishop's Peak Purchase
**Agenda close changed due to holiday. c: BIA/Chamber of Commerce/Telegram-Tribune