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Home My WebLink About09/03/1991, 2 - THE 1991 - 1992 WATER OPERATIONAL PLAN. p Original Agenda Rer —t from meeting of 8/20/91 MEETINGOATE. lll�(I��I�Ill�lgllll l�llll city of Sap Luis OBISPO August 20, 199 u Iu C"07 UNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER: FROM: William T. Hetland 6?PREPARED BY: Sue Baasch, Admin Analyst Utilities Director Gary Henderson, Utilities Engineer�-,�✓a Ron Munds, Water Consery Coordinator SUBJECT: The 1991 - 1992 Water Operational Plan. CAO RECOMMENDATION: Though the March rains gave the City a brief reprieve, the drought is not over. The City must continue its aggressive water management program of new supply development and water conservation. Assuming the drought will continue, staff recommends: 1. Receive and file the 1991 - 1992 Water Operational Plan; 2. Implement a multi-activity program, including acceptance of a loan of 1,000 acre feet of water from Cal Poly, and defer the desalination decision to April, 1993; 3. Modify the Action Levels to a three stage system (15%, 35% and 50% levels) to be implemented on a yearly basis depending on reservoir storage status; 4. Continue the City's aggressive water conservation program; 5. Work with the County to expedite the implementation process for the Nacimiento Project. REPORT IN BRIEF: San Luis Obispo was entering the fifth year of drought and was prepared to proceed with a desalination plant for an emergency supply of water when March rains and April inflow added 13,587 AF to total storage, a gain of 180% over the existing supply. This significant gain triggered two actions: the easing of the level of mandatory conservation from 35% to 15% and the delay by one year of the critical decision regarding a desalination plant. Two challenges underlay the development of this 1991/92 Water Operational Plan. How could City water resources be managed to allow the desalination decision to be pushed further into the future, and what kind of permanent programs could be implemented to assure sufficient water availability in the future? The 1991/92 Water Operational Plan developed a revised set of Action Levels, reducing the five levels to three stages (15%, 35% and 50%). As described in the Plan, staff continues to implement long-term water supply projects, including cloud seeding, groundwater production, the Salinas Reservoir expansion, the Nacimiento diversion project and the Wastewater Reclamation Program. The plan identifies a multi-activity program to manage the City's water resources so the decision on the desalination project can be deferred following two winter rain seasons. This program includes two 500 acre feet loans from Cal _f trt �-1 I>iiiluiillllllli�'jil city of san LaIs oBispo gZa COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Poly, revised conservation levels and continued groundwater production. Water conservation is the basis for the City's water management program and the extensive long-term water _ i efficient water use program identifies a mandatory toilet retrofit program (to be presented to Council in September, 1991); a xeriscape landscaping and water efficient irrigation awareness program; an in-school education program; a greywater systems analysis program; irrigation audits on City-maintained turf areas; public information and drought patrol. DISCUSSION: In April, 1991, when the Council voted to delay the desalination decision for one year, Council asked if it was possible to manage resources so that the decision point could be moved to April, 1993, allowing for the potential of two winter rains to replenish available reservoir and groundwater storage. Upon analysis of the available short term options, there seems to be no single available immediate water resource to add to the current program to assure another year of water supply; however, staff has developed a multi-activity program that should achieve this goal. j This program includes continued maximum pumping of groundwater supplies; coordinated use of the reservoir supplies; continuation of cloud.seeding and mandatory conservation; adoption of revised action levels which would trigger a higher level of mandatory conservation sooner and would remain in place longer; and an interagency water loan. With this combination, the reservoir storage curve (Figure 7) predicts that the City's current supply of water, with very conservative estimates of annual spring rain, would last through the winter of 1994. FISCAL IMPACT: The identified programs, if not currently reflected in the 1991/93 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. I i i I Attachment: 1991-1992 Water Operational Plan I City of San Luis Obispo 1991-1992 WATER OPERATIONAL PLAN I. INTRODUCTION The first Water Operational Plan Policy Statement was adopted in 1985 as a means of monitoring the City's water supply and reviewing current programs to address possible diminishing supplies. This 1991 - 1992 annual report reviews current and projected reservoir storage situations both from the viewpoint of continuation of the drought and from strategic programming to promote long-term water use efficiency. While the spring rains and runoff brought temporary relief to the water situation, it is important to remember that the drought may continue and, even if rainfall returns to pre-drought levels, indoor and outdoor water use efficiency will continue to be a high priority for the City. Long-term water use efficiency is the theme statewide as many communities, including ours, remain in some level of water conservation. In response to the findings of a federal study funded by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the statewide impact of the drought, State Resources Secretary Douglas Wheeler notes: "...the lesson of the drought is first, it's not always best to assume the best and second, we do have a need now, if we didn't five years ago, for long-term policy." (LOS ANGELES TIMES, Friday,. August 2, 1991.) II. EXISTING WATER SUPPLY STATUS As of JReservoirywasthe 54%alinas full ANNUAL RESERVOIR RAINFALL at 12,637.10 AF 1980 - 1991 capacity. As of July 1, the City's proportionate share of Whale Rock storage was 7,364.27 `I AF, or 33%. The combined total of z 40 20,001.37 AF, is 44% of � 75 the maximum City O b storage. This is a little over three years of i 20 water supply. Prior to z ,} the March rains, the City had 7,533 AF in 5 storage, or 16% of the possible maximum 1980 1"' reez 1983 ree, teas re99 1987 1988' 1989 19W real storage. March Rains LM�q,. Salinas Dam Whale Rock The 1991 rainfall is -- .- - --- -- -- - _ 20.01 inches at the Figure 1 Reservoir Rainfall 1980 to 1991 Salinas Reservoir and �� -3 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 2 15.27 inches at Whale Rock Reservoir. It was only the very unusual March rains that dropped 11 inches of rain at Whale Rock and 14 inches of rain at Salinas Reservoir that significantly helped the storage in the City's reservoirs. The March rains did not end the drought, and the City must continue to develop new supplies and to conserve, to have sufficient water available to use in the short-term future. Reservoir storage is augmented by groundwater. At this time, approximately half of the water used within the City each month comes from wells. It is expected that this level of production will decline as the groundwater basin is lowered. New wells to augment the groundwater program are currently being tested. It is hoped that new wells will offset any decline in production from existing wells. i sea i 1 m LL 9 Q � F Im [[4 tl �' V ; V d .Y1Wr.4�LY Aupaml Otl pov Dec am Feo W b MavJa�aN Aua9ap OV Mw Oa. n rm W b WAa� 1989 to Present_-3.3Acre_cre Feet om Oaano �:j Aldo PalMway Pat Beach 162 Fn Sla 4 Cab Joapian Q Mdeh1d Pe Figure 2 Groundwater Production 1989 to Present Table 1 Well Production, 4/89 - 6/90 well Total AF On-line Dalidio 736.50 9/89 Auto-Park 1,454.04 10/89 Pacific Beach 1 466.41 4/89 Fire Station 4 184.38 4/89 Calle Joaquin 361.87 4/90 Firing Range 20.68 9/89 Pacific Beach 2 116.65 5/90 Mitchell Park 17.00 5/91 Total Production 3,357.53 r 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 3 Water Consumption and Conservation The City of San Luis Obispo has been WATER CONSERVATION REPORT CARD outstanding in its efforts 90/91 Use Compared to 1987 Base to cut water consumption. Even WD- though mandatory water A= 7 " conservation was 5" 51%7. reduced to 15% in 7W 497 54% 40-A 53-1 April, 1991, water 600- 44-4 (D 411% consumption has CD 41 continued to be 45 to U I 35% 36% 50% below 1987 levels. (D 25 < 3W Figure 4 shows what 2W- L our history has been ---- sea 100 over the last year regarding water ON conservation. Staff feels July Aug Sep Oct Nov Doc Jan Feb Mw Ap May Jun YM there are at least two PerCent Conserved (YTD since July 1990) reasons for the continued hilevel of Reservoir Water Well Water 1987 Base gh conservation. Consumers are still Figure 3 1990/91 Conservation Report Cud taking a very cautious approach to increasing water use and realize the drought is not over. Secondly, it appears that conservative water use habits have been adopted by CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO most of the community. The retrofitting of 1990/91 Water Use toilets, shower heads, and more efficient irrigation systems have increased water 1990 Jul 434.92 AF efficiency and will continue to conserve Aug 444.88 AF water, even after the drought is over. The Sept 409.13 AF City is currently using about 420 acre feet Oct 427.15 AF per month (Figure 4). Nov 374.82 AF Dec 317.81 AF 1991 Jan 333.63 AF Feb 316.83 AF Mar 307.69 AF Apr 348.56 AF May 434.78 AF Jun 411.36 AF Figure 4 San Luis Obispo 90/91 Water Use o2 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 4 III. 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. At that time, staff also identified a supplemental water requirement of 6,540 AF to serve the full build-out capacity of the City as represented in the General Plan and create a water supply contingency. To this end, numerous short and long-term water supply projects are under development at this time. The following is a status report on each of these projects: Salinas Reservoir Expansion The initial feasibility study including seismic analysis and initial environmental review have been completed. This work showed that the project was technically feasible, cost effective and environmentally sound. Staff has met with the staff of some of the north county communities to discuss the project and review concerns those communities may have. Formal public presentations to the various north county councils and boards have been scheduled. At the completion of those presentations, City staff will return to the San Luis Obispo City Council and request authorization to prepare the draft environmental impact report and to begin with design of the facilities. Coastal Streams Diversion Project The Coastal Streams Project is losing support as more information becomes available. Fortunately, the rainfall in March finally provided adequate streamflow to complete the required fisheries analysis. The consultants are currently completing the fisheries analysis and are scheduled to provide the preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Report by October, 1991. The Morro Bay City Council has removed this project from its list of potential water supply sources. The City of San Luis Obispo has had an independent analysis of this project which showed high costs and low potential yields. Pending the completion of the Draft EIR, no further action is proposed. State Water Project Much activity occurred in the State Water Project this past year. The Draft Environmental Impact Report was published in May, 1991. An advisory election was held in San Luis Obispo in April, 1991, and the vote was of 52% (4,198 votes) to 47% (3,716 votes) in opposition to the project. Elections in Santa Barbara County resulted in a number of communities choosing to join the State Water Project. This will result in the State Water Project proceeding with design and construction. The Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Local Projects was also completed and is currently under public review. The County has stated that San Luis Obispo City Council must make a formal determination on participation in the State Water Project. The County is asking for this decision by December, 1991, but, legally, the final date may be extended to April, 1992. Nacimiento Diversion Project The City of San Luis Obispo investigated the possibility of developing a Nacimiento water supply project. This project became more attractive after the April advisory election on the State Water Project indicated a citizen preference that the project not be approved, and ��o 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 5 March rains allowed the City to delay a final decision on its desalination project. The Nacimiento project is technically feasible for the City to pursue alone, but the City realized the significant regional concerns and requested that San Luis Obispo County be the lead agency and begin development of a regional project. Shortly, the County will formally request an indication of participation from any agency within the county interested in the project. Interested agencies must give the County their water 'planning subscriptions" by January, 1992, so the County can place a bond issue on the November, 1992, election. If the bond election is successful, design will begin in 1993 with construction starting in 1994. Completion of construction and start up on the project is estimated for 1997. This time schedule is not what the City had hoped for, especially if the drought continues. Staff is currently discussing with the County additional possibilities to expedite the project. Hansen and Gularte Creek Hansen and Gularte Creeks are two small creeks which run off the Cuesta Grade north of San Luis Obispo. The City obtained rights on the creeks from private property owners in the early 1900's. The supply was used for many years by adding chlorine for disinfection and discharging the water to Reservoir #1, located near the base of Cuesta Grade. In 1976, the City discontinued use of this supply due to changes in treatment required by the State Department of Health Services. Staff has investigated the possibility of reactivating this water supply. The City has retained legal counsel specializing in water rights to evaluate our rights to utilize the supply. The preliminary determination is that the City has probably lost its rights under its pre-1914 agreements, due to lack of use. The water has to be put to beneficial use (ie. domestic, irrigation, etc.) without a disruption of more than five years. Since the City has not been putting this water to direct use, the pre-1914 rights have been lost and reactivation would require the City to obtain an appropriative right. Since San Luis Obispo Creek has been designated as a "fully-appropriated stream" and these creeks are tributary to San Luis Creek, it is unlikely that the State would issue an appropriation. Council approved a contract with Tenera Environmental Services to prepare an environmental impact report (EIR) for the project. The draft EIR identified significant impacts on fisheries, wildlife habitat, and reduced creek flows through the City, especially significant in the Mission area. It is scheduled to be submitted to Council for their consideration on September 3, 1991. Groundwater Wells The current groundwater program utilizes seven municipal wells and two or more irrigation wells. At this time, wells are producing approximately 200 acre-feet (af) per month which represents about 48% of the total City water demand. The current rate of production is expected to drop off if the drought continues. Prior to the March rains, a number of the wells showed sharp declines in pumping water elevation and were operated at reduced capacity (two of the wells had to be shut down temporarily). After the March rains, the groundwater levels rose to the same levels that were encountered at the start of the City's Groundwater Development Program in 1989. As expected, groundwater levels have been '7 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 6 slowly dropping since April. Due to lowering levels, a couple of the our lower producing wells are being operated at reduced capacity. The City is still pursuing the use of some private wells in order to spread out the wells within the basin. Staff has been meeting with the property owners of one large producing well (700 gallons per minute, about 1,000 afy). Water sample analysis from this well indicate high nitrates and other possible contaminants. A rough preliminary cost estimate to provide treatment facilities is $1,000,000. Staff is currently developing a staff report on this project for Council action. Hathway Pump Station Groundwater is currently being distributed throughout the lower Higuera and Laguna Lake pressure zones, the Terrace Hill tank zone, and a large part of the downtown zone. To increase the use of groundwater, it is necessary to distribute the water to additional zones. Staffs analysis determined that revising the Hathway pump station would allow additional groundwater to be delivered to the Foothill zone. Staff is performing field tests and will then make changes to the pump station. Desalination A desalination project feasibility report was presented at the December 11, 1990, City Council meeting. Council directed staff to proceed with the project and to begin the environmental impact report. A "fast-track" schedule was developed for the project to meet a completion date of July, 1992. This schedule was necessary based on worst case projections of the City's available water which indicated that Whale Rock Reservoir would reach minimum pool in the fall of 1992. (Salinas Reservoir was already at minimum pool.) The schedule allowed for a "Go-No Go" decision in April 1991, so that the water supply status could be assessed prior to full project commitment. Because of the significant increase in available storage due to the Spring rains, Council elected to place the short term desalination project on hold for one year, and authorized staff to terminate consultant contracts at appropriate points. James Montgomery Consulting Engineers have completed the preliminary design, the draft water supply agreement and request for proposals for a private developer/owner of the plant. Woodward Clyde Consultants had been retained to prepare the environmental impact report and had begun work. Woodward-Clyde completed the project description and the "Notice of Preparation" for the project. Both consultants were asked to terminate their projects at points that would the allow the project to be easily reactivated. Staff estimates it would take 24 months to have a desalination plant operational following any re-authorization of the project. Wastewater Reclamation Reclaimed or recycled water is intended to be a long-term water source for the City. The current quality of the effluent from the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) meets secondary treatment standards. The $35 million WWTP upgrade that is underway will improve the effluent quality to an advanced level, so that a full water reclamation program can 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. ,2-Sf 7 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 7 By using treated wastewater effluent for non-potable water demand such as landscape irrigation, 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 800 to 1200 acre feet per year of existing potable water demand by existing non-potable uses. The water reclamation program is in the conceptual phase of its development. In this phase market research is being performed, regulations are being researched and a feasibility study is being performed. This phase of the water reclamation program is due to be completed by mid-1992. 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. Staff has estimated that reclaimed water to meet the DHS requirements for unrestricted public contact will 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. During the operational period, seven airborne seeding flights were conducted. Four were rated by the cloud seeding pilot and radar meteorologist as presenting good seedability, two were listed as fair, and the remaining flight was listed as poor. Aircraft operations logged a total of 20.5 hours, dispensing a total of 1,740 grams of silver iodide. A total of 31 units within the ground generator network were activated during ten of the seedable storm periods. Seedability was rated from fair to excellent when ground generator operations were in progress. Total time logged for ground generator operations was 233 hours, dispensing some 2,330 grams of silver iodide. The effectiveness of the first year of cloud seeding operations was determined by reviewing radar echoes and analyzing historic records. Characteristics of radar echoes associated with both the seeded clouds and simultaneously occurring non-seeded clouds adjacent to the target area have been examined. Using standard radar equations from this data, there is a strong indication the cloud seeding program operated during the 1991 period did produce significant increases in precipitation. If one extrapolates these radar echo characteristics to precipitation on the ground, an average increase of 12% to 16% is well within reasonable limits. In terms of the season's snow/rainfall totals over the target area in 1990/91, this percentage increase would mean slightly more than two inches of supplemental precipitation. The consultant also studied historic records of rainfall and streamflow measurement in the area. From the initial study, there is some reasonable evidence of average increases in precipitation on the order of 8% to 13%. This range is somewhat less than the figures developed from the radar echoes but is consistent with results from similar studies conducted X2-1 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 8 in other areas in California. Based on the streamflow figures to date for the 1990/91 water year, the data suggest an apparent increase in supplemental water that may be in the range of 1,500 to 2,500 acre-feet. (This is the total combined amount for both reservoirs.) Using the 1,500 acre-foot production value, the total cost for the first season equates to approximately $50/AF. IV. WATER CONSERVATION Since the implementation of the mandatory water conservation program in April, 1989, the City's water customers have sustained a high level of conservation. For the calendar year of 1990, water consumption was down an average of 44% from 1987 usage. So far in 1991, water usage is down 46%. Increasingly, throughout the State, the expression "water conservation" is being replaced with the term "water efficiency". As the City moves further into the 1990's, water efficiency will become a key factor in insuring the water future for our community. The following is a summary of the direction the water conservation program will pursue to obtain this efficiency in the upcoming year. CONTINUING PROGRAMS In addition to the Water Conservation Coordinator, a regular, full-time position, the Water Conservation program is budgeted for eight contract positions. These positions are filled depending on workload requirements. Currently, there are five employees on staff with three vacancies. The water conservation staff are involved in a wide array of continuing and new programs. Mandatory Water Conservation Implemented in April, 1989, mandatory water conservation has been the essential component of the City's ability to maintain water supplies during this record-setting drought. The continuance of this program will be imperative until the water supply situation changes. The program currently requires 15% water conservation though City conservation continues at the 45% to 50% level as compared to the 1987 level of use. Hotline Instituted in April, 1989, the Hotline continues to provide a vital service for the water customer of San Luis Obispo. This is a key link between the public and the City and provides a high level of customer service and information for our citizens. In addition to the information services, Hotline staff evaluate all water allocation adjustment requests and work closely with our customers to insure that the program is administered in an equitable manner. Since May, 1991, Hotline has answered over 2,500 telephone inquiries and processed over 600 allocation adjustment forms. 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 9 Drought Patrol Educating the public on elimination of water waste was the primary objective of this program. Since May, 1989, approximately 700 warnings have been issued. To date, none have resulted in court appearance citations, and, consequently, no fines have been levied. Trained field staff evaluate the customer's irrigation practices and make recommendations on ways to improve efficiency and correct problems. Again, positive customer service is the water conservation representative's foremost priority. Residential/Commercial Water Audits This program was developed and implemented during July, 1990. In the past year, water conservation staff has conducted over 200 audits. This has not only been an excellent water conservation tool, but has also been an outstanding public relations and outreach approach for the water conservation program. Toilet Rebate Program This program was developed and implemented in June, 1990. Since that time, 1,725 toilets have been replaced. To date, approximately $66,000 out of $200,000 remains available in the toilet rebate fund. The retrofit represents a long-term water savings of approximately 60 acre feet annual water use, equating to a program cost of about $350 per acre foot, excluding staff costs. Ongoing Public Information Program Since the inception of the mandatory water conservation program, public relations and information have been an integral part of the plan. Water conservation staff and the marketing firm of Barnett, Cox and Associates have developed an innovative approach for this outreach program. The new characters, "Les and Lo Flo", will be used in our media advertising and in the educational programs. NEW PROGRAMS Xeriscape and Water Efficient Irrigation Systems Awareness Program Water conservation staff has organized local nurseries to assist the City in promoting water efficient landscapes. The nurseries tag or identify drought tolerant plants, offer °'� s Les and Lo Flo carry the Message free information and suggestions to their customers on how to incorporate these plants into a landscape design, and offer discounts on these plants. In return, water conservation staff is developing a media campaign to support the nurseries' efforts. This program is scheduled to begin in mid-August 1991 and continue to November 1991. �f 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 10 Informational Workshops A series of workshops will compliment the above program as well as provide other information on topics concerning water conservation. Initially, the workshops will focus on landscape water efficiency. Topics will include: 1) principles of xeriscape design; 2) drought tolerant plant selection; 3) efficient irrigation design; 4) how to maintain a drought-tolerant landscape; and, 5) the incorporation of hardscapes into a functional design. The first workshop was scheduled for August 8, 1991, and dealt with the principal of xeriscape design. Additional workshops are being arranged. Greywater Systems Analysis Program Staff is establishing a monitoring program, in conjunction with businesses, to evaluate the latest technology in greywater systems. The intention of this initial monitoring program is to observe the benefits and potential environmental effects of using ozone-treated greywater for above ground irrigation. The ozone-treated greywater may offer expanded opportunities for irrigation, thus reducing the amount of wastewater which requires treatment. The City's energy coordinator is working with the water conservation staff to determine a full cost to benefit analysis for these systems. Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens Staff has identified the first location for the initial garden. Located at the comer of Santa Barbara and Broad Streets, this site offers both a reasonably-sized area and high visibility. The design has been donated by a local landscape designer and is currently in the review process by the Parks Department. Staff is also identifying other potential sites for development of Xeriscape demonstration gardens. Projected installation date is fall 1991. Irrigation Audits on City Maintained Turf Areas This program was implemented in May, 1991. The intent is to evaluate irrigation efficiency in the City parks facilities. The water conservation staff is working closely with the parks staff to achieve irrigation efficiency in all City-maintained areas. It is our goal to set an example for the rest of the community, and, eventually, offer similar services to both residential and commercial water customers. Completed audits include the Jack House, Osos Street Park, Mission Plaza, Throop Park, and Vista Lago Park. Upcoming audits will encompass the larger park facilities such as Meadow Park, Mitchell Park and Santa Rosa Park. Comprehensive Retrofit Plan Staff has prepared an aggressive plan to retrofit all existing higher gallonage water fixtures within the City with water efficient hardware. Estimated annual water savings for the long term is approximately 1,000 acre feet annual water use. A staff report outlining the proposed program will be presented to Council in September, 1991. Water Efficient Irrigation and Landscape Ordinance The State will require by January, 1993, that every water purveyor develop and implement a water efficient irrigation and landscape ordinance. Though the City does have landscape standards, these will have to be expanded to meet the State's requirements. Staff is 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 11 researching information and identifying the State's requirements to make a recommendation for such an ordinance. In-school Education Program In the past, the water conservation office supplied the school district with teaching guides and curriculum packages on water conservation. During the past year, more and more teachers have contacted the office requesting assistance in teaching water conservation in the classroom. In response to this, staff is developing an in-school presentation to be performed by water conservation personnel for elementary school children, starting this fall.- V. PROJECTED WATER SUPPLY SITUATION Reservoir Storage Curve The City's Reservoir Storage Curve has been the basis for the City's water management decisions. The curve predicts reservoir storage based on certain conservative assumptions. Over the years, the City has modified the curve and the water action levels in response to new information and additional experience. This year, staff has made some changes to the model which will make it more accurate. The model continues to assume very conservative rainfall and inflow estimates based on 1989 weather patterns. As discussed earlier, the action levels were revised. Portions of the model were modified to more equitably distribute total discharge (other releases, evaporation and demand) among the three Whale Rock Reservoir agencies. The model has been developed so that each year relates to a master total storage spreadsheet; this reorganization facilitates the forecasting of storage using various assumptions regarding conservation, groundwater production and weather. Action Levels The Action Levels, an integral part of the Reservoir Storage curve, have undergone a review based on the City's experience over the last couple of years. Staff recommends the action levels be reduced from the previous five to three action levels to better represent how the City has operated the last two years. Each April, after winter rains, when the reservoir storage is known, staff can predict future supply and the corresponding conservation level, based on the storage curve. If the City were to enter another level before the next winter, Council would authorize that level of conservation to begin immediately to gain the advantage of the summer high water use period. Staff recommends this approach become the standard method of operations for reviewing water conservation levels. The system of five different action levels occurring at approximately six-months intervals was cumbersome and confusing. Since the storage analysis and recommendation would occur each April, staff recommends that (1) the number of conservation levels be reduced to three; (2) each level be referred to as a stage; and, (3) the percentage of conservation savings be revised accordingly. Table 11 below shows the current and the proposed action levels. Exhibit A shows the proposed Action Levels. The three levels were derived by a calculation as follows: consumption based on the appropriate conservation goal for each level is subtracted from the base year consumption of 8,050 afy. That amount is further reduced by the level of projected well production (in this case 1,800 afy) and minimum pool, 3,100 af. Stage I or 15% mandatory conservation will be triggered when the City has three years of � -/3 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 12 water supply less the annual well capacity and minimum pool. Stage U is triggered when there is two years of supply, and Stage III when there is one year of supply. The higher exiting levels assure that the City will not leave a level of conservation and return to it within nine months. Extending "GO/NO GO" Decision Figure 6 shows the reservoir storage curve TaNe o Revisions to ACTION LEvas presented to Council in April, 1991. The curve indicated that the City would have to ACTION LEVELS revisit the desalination decision again in April, 1992, since it looked like reservoir Existing Proposed storage would only last to September, 1994, and staff estimates it would take 24 months Minor 5% Stage 1 15% to get a desalination project operational. Moderate 15% Stage II 35% The Council directed staff to investigate Serious 25% Stage 111 50% ways to extend or add additional storage Severe 35% that could move the decision point to April, Critical 50% 1993. Figure 7 shows the most current reservoir model that illustrates a multi- activity program to extend the desalination point beyond April, 1993. This model includes the following assumptions: 21 t Male-a1\I - 17- 1 1 rr ,r 14- (3) 13 scii(I25% 0) 1 LL o m 11 lu 1 sev to 357. U 0.EIQ Q7 Crilica150: 4 Minimum Pool 1 1191 4/91 7191 10/91 1192 4/92 7/92 10192 1/93 4/93 7/97 10193 1194 4/94 7194 144 PROJECTION WITH 1,800 AF WELLS Figure 6 April 1991 - Reservoir Storage Curve • Well production is estimated at 2,400 of the first year, then reducing to 1,800 afy thereafter as the groundwater table is drawn down. 1991/92 Water Operational Plan Page 13 • Cal Poly has agreed to loan the City 1000 of of water. The first loan of 500 of would occur on 4/93 providing the City is at 50% conservation and a second loan would occur on 4/94, if necessary. • Mandatory conservation is currently at 15% but the actual level is closer to 45 to 50%. Staff is therefore, conservatively assuming a 25% conservation through 4/92. With a continuation of the drought the City will go to 35% in 4/93 and then to 50% thereafter. • Rainfall, evaporation, and inflow based on recent experience. • The recommended revised action levels at 15%, 35%, and 50% are also used. RESERVOIR STORAGE CURVE > 15% Aoumpuoaw Welis 12 mos 2,000 AF ealanee 100 AF Comair IS% 491 35% 492 SK N3 W , Cal Poly 5w AF 1.L a sfa 1135% a W cc Q stage/11 So% dfiaiim,m Poet +m 4w 7/91 rdn vox vax +aox Id6 un rroa Woa a a rrw raw +na vos fns +aros voa Wells; New Action Levels; Cal Poly Loan Actual Level Predicted Level Frguf'e 7 Current Reservoir Storage Curve �'J7 CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO Exhibit August 1991 1991/92 Water Operational Plan ACTION LEVELS Action Level Definition Storage (AF) Entering Exiting Action Levels Action Levels MAX STORAGE Total City's storage in both 45,630 Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs STAGE I 3.0 years of supply less annual 21,900 28,100 well capacity plus minimum pool. (15%conservation) STAGE II 2.0 years of supply less annual 13,200 18,200 well capacity plus minimum pool. (35%conservation) STAGE III 1.0 years of supply less annual 6,500 10,000 well capacity plus minimum pool. (50%conservation) Minimum Pool 3,100 The storage levels are based on a hese year consumption of 8,050 AFY.and then reduced consumption based on ft appropriate conservation goal for each action level,1,800 AFY of well production and minimum pool of 3,100 AF. Entering Action Levels In April of each year, staff will evaluate water supply. 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