HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 WATER CONSERVATION 01-15-08AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: JANUARY 15, 2008
TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 08-10 ENCOURAGING VOLUNTARY WATER
CONSERVATION BY ALL CITY OF TUSTIN WATER SERVICE CUSTOMERS
SUMMARY
Tustin's water wholesalers, Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and the Orange
County Water District (OCWD) are requesting all residents and businesses countywide to voluntarily
reduce water consumption due to restrictions on imported water supplies from the Colorado River
and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. Resolution No. 08-10 calls for voluntary water
conservation by all Tustin water users. A letter requesting voluntary conservation would accompany
billing statements mailed to each customer. For 2008, if prolonged drought conditions continue on
the Colorado River and pumping of water through the Bay-Delta is significantly curtailed, mandatory
restrictions on water use may occur throughout southern California.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution No. 08-10, and authorize the Mayor to
sign a letter to all City of Tustin Water Services customers requesting voluntary conservation.
FISCAL IMPACT
Short-term voluntary conservation by City water customers is not expected to impact the Water
Division's Enterprise Fund. Staff will continue to monitor the regional water supply outlook for
Orange County and Southern California, and provide updates as appropriate.
BACKGROUND
Many areas of California experienced major drought conditions in 2007. This dry weather caused
higher than normal water demand, and has affected Southern California's imported water supplies
and local sources. The Colorado River is now in its eighth year of drought. Southern California's
supplies from this source for have been reduced since 2003, and will continue to be limited. Orange
County's other key imported water source, the State Water Project, brings water from Northern
California through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay/Delta. Flows through the Bay/Delta have been
legally restricted due to a recent federal court decision protecting an endangered fish species known
as the Delta Smelt.
Since the last major drought of 1987-1992, Southern California has invested heavily in new water
storage facilities and in developing local supplies such as recycled water. However, the combination
of regulatory restrictions and extraordinarily dry weather are taxing the ability of MWD to meet
consumer demands throughout Southern California. Despite recent rains, water is being drawn out
of regional storage reservoirs and underground basins to meet customer needs.
Resolution No. 08-10 Encouraging Voluntary Water Conservation by all City of Tustin Water
Service Customers
January 15, 2008
Page 2
In normal water years, most of Southern California's precipitation occurs between the months of
November and April. For 2007, Orange County received an average of 2 inches of rain. It remains to
be seen whether this trend improves in 2008. Southern California's share of imported State Water
Project supplies will not be known until June 2008. If all imported water supplies remain limited,
cutbacks on water use are likely. In this regard, MWD is currently reviewing a contingency plan to cut
water deliveries, plus evaluating rate hikes to buy more imported water from various sources.
In the interim, Tustin's water wholesalers - MWDOC~ and OCWD are requesting consumers county-
wide to voluntarily reduce their water consumption. A signed copy of MWDOC's resolution is
attached for the Council's information. All City of Tustin Water Services customers will receive a
single page letter accompanying their bi-monthly water billing statement (please see attached draft
letter). Staff will continue to monitor the regional water supply outlook for Orange County and
Southern California and provide updates as appropriate.
Tim D. Serlet
Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Fred Adjarian
Water Services Manager
TDS: DRK: ccg: Reso #08-10 encouraging water conservation &Reso 08-10.doc
RESOLUTION NO. 08-10
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN
ENCOURAGING VOLUNTARY WATER CONSERVATION BY ALL CITY OF
TUSTIN WATER SERVICE CUSTOMERS
WHEREAS, Orange County depends on imported water from Northern California and
the Colorado River to meet approximately half of its supply demand; with the balance of the
county's demand being met by local groundwater via a large basin under north and central
Orange County, smaller basins in south Orange County, and through local water recycling and
conservation; and
WHEREAS, water supplies from Northern California have been severely impacted by dry
conditions, lower-than-normal snow pack, and environmental constraints in the Sacramento San
Joaquin Bay-Delta region (Bay-Delta), and
WHEREAS, a recent federal court ruling has restricted pumping by at least 30% from the
Bay-Delta, source of water to 25 million Californians, to protect the endangered Delta Smelt and
has further compounded the difficulties of providing water to the most populous regions of the
state; and
WHEREAS, the impact of the Delta Smelt ruling will require even greater withdrawals
from water storage reserves to offset water lost as a result of the ruling; and
WHEREAS, water supply solutions to the current regulatory pumping restrictions in the
Bay-Delta may take many years to approve and complete; and
WHEREAS, significant study. by the Public Policy Institute of California and the
Governor's Blue Ribbon Delta Vision Task Force has concluded that the current Delta water
delivery system is not sustainable due to seismic and flood risks, subsidence and sea level rise,
ecosystem conflicts, and numerous other factors; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado River system is now in its eighth year of drought and southern
California has experienced significant reductions in available Colorado River supply since 2003;
and
WHEREAS, throughout the State water reserves are being drawn out of storage from
reservoirs and from underground basins to meet consumer demand for water; and
WHEREAS, Orange County's large north and central groundwater basin is being drawn
down both to lessen the demand on diminished imported supplies and due to the local drought
conditions, which have reduced the amount of Santa Ana River flow and rain water available to
refill the basin, and
WHEREAS, the cities and water agencies serving Orange County's population of more
than 3.1 million have done an outstanding job working together to develop water-management
strategies and implement comprehensive conservation programs to help ensure a reliable
supply ofhigh-quality water to meet countywide demand; and
Resolution 08-10
January15, 2008
Page 2
WHEREAS, many cities and water agencies serving Orange County have also invested
and continue to invest in research and technology to develop new sources of water such as
water recycling and desalination to meet demands; and
WHEREAS, City of Tustin Water Service customers are to be commended for doing
their part over the past decade to voluntarily reduce their water usage by participating in locally
sponsored conservation and water efficiency programs; and
WHEREAS, if prolonged drought conditions continue along the Colorado River, pumping
of water through the Bay-Delta is significantly curtailed, and local drought conditions prevail,
mandatory water conservation measures may become necessary; and
WHEREAS, adopting more proactive voluntary water conservation habits today is the
responsible thing to do and will help ensure Tustin has enough water to maintain our quality of
life and thriving economy; and
WHEREAS, there are numerous resources and programs to assist City of Tustin Water
Service customers in their water conservation efforts, including rebates for water saving devices
and information on water-saving strategies at www.bewaterwise.com, www.mwdoc.com,
www.ocwd.com and www.ocwaterhero.com;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Tustin encourages every City of
Tustin Water Service customer to voluntarily reduce their water usage through proactive water
conservation, which will help the region get through this very dry time and regulatory reduction
in State Water Project supply, extend available water reserves, and help reduce the severity of
potential water shortages in the future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Tustin urges state leaders to move
expeditiously to implement a comprehensive, long-term solution to the Delta's broken water
delivery system before further damage is done to the State's water supply, economy, and
environment; and
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Tustin City Council held on the
15th day of January, 2008. .
JERRY AMANTE, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PAMELA STOKER, CITY CLERK
Dear City of Tustin Water Services Customer:
As you may be aware, many areas throughout California experienced significant drought
conditions in 2007. This dry weather caused higher than normal water consumption, and has
impacted southern California's imported water supplies and local sources.
Orange County's imported water supplies include the Colorado River and Northern California.
The Colorado River is in its eighth year of drought. Supplies from this source have been limited
since 2003. Northern California supplies have been significantly reduced because of a below-
normal Sierra snowpack, and recent environmental restrictions affecting the Sacramento/San
Joaquin Bay-Delta due to court-ordered cutbacks to protect an endangered fish species.
Since the last drought cycle of 1987-1992, southern California has invested heavily in
constructing new water storage, and developing local supplies such as recycled water.
However, the combination of extraordinary dry weather and regulatory restrictions are taxing the
ability of .the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to meet consumer demands.
Even with recent rains, water is being drawn out of storage from regional reservoirs and
underground basins to meet customer needs.
Most of southern California's precipitation occurs between the months of November and April.
For 2007, Orange County received 2 inches of rain. It remains to be seen whether this trend
improves in 2008. Southern California's share of Northern California water supplies will not be
known until June 2008. If all imported water supplies remain limited, cutbacks on water use are
likely. In the interim, Tustin's wholesalers, Municipal Water District of Orange County and the
Orange County Water District are requesting consumers county-wide to voluntarily reduce their
water use.
Tustin's City Council adopted a resolution on January 15, 2008 encouraging voluntary
conservation by all City of Tustin Water Services customers. Homeowners and businesses will
find helpful conservation tips, plus specific information on rebates and incentives by visiting the
City's website at www.tustinca.orq. Click on the link titled "Energy & Water Conservation" and
follow the prompts to the website at www.bewaterwise.com. If you have any questions, please
contact our Customer Service staff at 714.573.3075, or our Water Services staff at
714.573.3375. Remember, the water you save today will help stretch our supplies for tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Jerry Amante, Mayor
City of Tustin City Council
RESOLUTION NO. 1815
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT OF ORANGE COUNTY AND THE ORANGE COUNTY
WATER DISTRICT
CALLING FOR THE ADOPTION OF MORE AGGRESSIVE
VOLUNTARY WATER CONSERVATION BY
ORANGE COUNTY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.
Whereas, Orange County depends on imported water from Northern California and the
Colorado River to meet approximately half of its supply demand; with the balance of the
county's demand being met by local groundwater via a large basin under north and central
Orange County, smaller basins in south Orange County, and through local water recycling and
conservation; and
Whereas, water supplies from Northern California have been severely impacted by dry
conditions, lower-than-normal snow pack, and environmental constraints in the Sacramento San
Joaquin Bay-Delta region (Bay-Delta), and
Whereas, a recent federal court ruling has restricted pumping by at least 30% from the Bay-
Delta, source of water to 25 million Californians, to protect the endangered Delta Smelt and has
further compounded the difficulties of providing water to the most populous regions of the state;
and
Whereas, the impact of the Delta Smelt ruling will require even greater withdrawals from water
storage reserves to offset water lost as a result of the ruling; and
Whereas, water supply solutions to the current regulatory pumping restrictions in the Bay-Delta
may take many years to approve and complete; and
Whereas, significant study by the Public Policy Institute of California and the Governor's Blue
Ribbon Delta Vision Task Force has pointed to the conclusion that the current Delta water
delivery system is not sustainable due to seismic and flood risks, subsidence and sea level rise,
ecosystem conflicts, and numerous other factors; and
Whereas, the Colorado River system is now in its eighth year of drought and southern
California has experienced significant reductions in available Colorado River supply since 2003;
and
Whereas, throughout the State water reserves are being drawn out of storage from reservoirs
and from underground basins to meet consumer demand for water; and
Whereas, Orange County's large north and central groundwater basin is being drawn down
both to lessen the demand on diminished imported supplies and due to the local drought
conditions, which have reduced the amount of Santa Ana River flow and rain water available to
refill the basin, and
Whereas, the cities and water agencies serving Orange County's population of more than 3.1
million have done an outstanding job working together to develop water-management strategies
and implement comprehensive conservation programs to help ensure a reliable supply of high-
quality water to meet countywide demand; and
Whereas, many cities and water agencies serving Orange County have also invested and
continue to invest in research and technology to develop new sources of water such as water
recycling and desalination to meet demands; and
Whereas, Orange County residents and businesses are to be commended for doing their part
over the past decade to voluntarily reduce their water usage by participating in locally
sponsored conservation and water efficiency programs; and
Whereas, if prolonged drought conditions continue along the Colorado River, pumping of water
through the Bay-Delta is significantly curtailed, and local drought conditions prevail, mandatory
water conservation measures may become necessary; and
Whereas, adopting more aggressive voluntary water conservation habits today is the
responsible thing to do and will help ensure Orange County has enough water to maintain our
quality of life and thriving economy; and
Whereas, there are numerous resources and programs #o assist us in our countywide water
conservation efforts, including rebates for water saving devices and information on water-saving
strategies at www.bewaterwise.com, www.mwdoc.com, www.ocwd.com and
www.ocwaterhero.com;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Municipal Water District of Orange County the regional
imported water provider and Orange County Water District, the regional groundwater basin
management agency for north and central Orange County, do hereby encourage every Orange
County water agency, resident and business to immediately take steps to reduce their water
usage through more aggressive water conservation, with an overall regional goal of a 10
percent reduction, which will help the region get through this very dry time and regulatory
reduction in State Water Project supply, extend available water reserves, and help reduce the
severity of potential water shortages in the future; and
Be it resolved that the Municipal Water District of Orange County and Orange County Water
District urge state leaders to move expeditiously to implement a comprehensive, long-term
solution to the Delta's broken water delivery system before further damage is done to the
State's water supply, economy, and environment; and
Be it further resolved, that the Municipal Water District of Orange County and Orange County
Water District encourage all local water agencies, cities, and the County of Orange to join in this
call for voluntary water conservation and support the implementation of a comprehensive, long-
term Delta solution through the adoption of appropriate resolutions or ordinances in their
jurisdictions.
Said Resolution was adopted on December 19, 2007, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Directors Bekall, Clark, Dick, Finnegan, Hinman & Royce
NOES: Director Barbre
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
I HEREBY CERTIFY the foregoing is a fu11, true and correct copy of
Resolution No. 1815 adopted by the Board of Directors of Municipal Water District of
Orange County at its meeting held on December 19, 2007.
Maribeth Goldsby, Secretary
Municipal Water District of Orange County