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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE - JANUARY 2017f YO 1AGENDA REPORT4 L MEETING DATE: MARCH 7, 2017 TO: JEFFREY C. PARKER, CITY MANAGER Agenda Item 7 Reviewed. City Manager Finance Director 5NIA FROM: DOUGLAS S. STACK, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER SUBJECT: WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE — JANUARY 2017 SUMMARY As a result of the drought, the City of Tustin is required to provide the State Water Resources Control Board with a monthly report regarding water consumption and restrictions. This report summarizes the information provided to the State for the month of January 2017 and provides the City Council and the public with general information on previous and upcoming actions taken by the City. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file this report. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN This item contributes to the fulfillment of the City's Strategic Plan Goal D: Strong Community and Regional Relationships. Specifically, by implementing Strategy 2, which is to work collaboratively with agencies within and outside of Tustin on issues of mutual interest and concern. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND Staff has provided the Water Board with water production data for January 2017 and calculated a 28% savings in production when compared to January 2013. The City's current cumulative savings is 25%. Below is the City of Tustin's required report for the month of January 2017, which was submitted to the State on February 16, 2017. State Report Questionnaire 1. Which Stage of your Water Shortage Contingency Plan have you invoked? Stage 2 2. Does this Stage include mandatory restrictions on outdoor irrigation? Yes 3. How many days per week is watering allowed for outdoor irrigation? 1 4. How many complaints of water waste or violation of conservation rules were received during the reporting month? 7 5. How many contacts (written or verbal) were made with customers for actual or alleged water waste or for a violation of water conservation rules? 151 Water Conservation Update — January 2017 March 7, 2017 Page 2 6. How many formal warning actions (e.g.: written notifications, warning letter, door 41 hangers) were issued for water waste or for a violation of conservation rules? 7. How many penalties (fines) were issued for water waste or for a violation of 11 conservation rules? 8. Optional enforcement actions: $1400 in fines 9. This year's total potable water production for the reporting month (including 52-1.9 AF agricultural supply). 1a. Your 2013 water production for the same reporting month. 720.2 AF 11. The quantity of water delivered for all commercial, industrial, and institutional 57.4 AF users for the reporting month. 12. The quantity of water used exclusively for commercial agriculture (this water will o be subtracted from the total monthly potable water production for purposes of determining compliance with conservation requirements). 13. The quantity of water used exclusively for commercial agriculture during the same o month in 2013. 14. You may optionally report the total amount of water (e.g.: leakage) calculated for 23.5 AF this past month for which you do not receive revenue. 15. Enter your estimate of the percentage going to residential use only for this 89% reporting month's production (l00% assumed otherwise). 16. Please include any information the Board should be aware of when using this data. C11 use is estimate 17. Total Population Served. 67,700 18. Enter your estimate of the residential gallons -per -capita -day (R-GPCD). 72 19. You may optionally report any recycled water beneficially used during the None reporting month. The three charts below have been included to provide a comprehensive overview of the conservation that has been achieved since June 2015 and the citation and penalty data for the same time period. Continued on next page... Water Conservation Update — January 2017 March 7, 2017 Paqe 3 Residential Water Use - Per Person Per Day zoo - 180 160 140 � y 120 - 138 143 124 1Y$ 100 115 i15 10_--_ 9..l --_. 94. 09 lu _ x.2013 d 102 N e0 (Target 87 83 87 86 85 — Actuar E7 60 40 ------ E 20 E 1-05 0S .6-15 4,15 4x- 00 .4& S�P.1� X16 X16 a�16 Water Conservation Update — January 2017 March 7, 2017 Page 4 Other Items 1. During January, the City reduced water usage by 46% and Tustin Unified School District increased water usage by 14% compared to January 2013. Since June 1, 2015, TUSD has conserved 40% and the City has conserved 58%. 2. Code enforcement statistics for the months of November 2016, December 2016, and January 2017 have been provided as an attachment to this report. 3. On February 8, the State Water Resources Control Board extended the emergency water conservation regulations and has indicated that the continued need for the emergency regulations be examined again in April/May, at the close of the rainy season. The SWRCB Media Release and Fact Sheet are attached for reference. 4. The City's website has a page dedicated to water conservation and information on the drought. The page provides the public with a brief statement regarding the upcoming weather forecast, a summary of the City's monthly conservation results, and information on the City's Water Management Plan. Staff reviews the content weekly and updates the information as appropriate. This webpage is located at htti)://www.tustinca.org/depts/pw/water/drought.asp. The following is an excerpt from the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geologic Survey California Water Science Center at https:llca.water.usgs.goy/data/drought/ last modified Monday, February 27, 2017: Drou ht Facts • On January 17, 2014 California State Govemor, Jerry Brown, declared a drought state of emergency. • As of February 21, 2017, the National Drought Mitigation Center estimates more than 15 million people in California are currently affected by the drought. On that date, only 38% of the state was experiencing drought. • California's response to its ongoing drought has been guided by a series of executive orders issued by Governor Brown, the most recent ordering continued, long-term water savings as drought persists. • The time period of January 2016 - December 2016 has been the 3rd warmest on record for California. California saw 2014 as the warmest year on record. • The latest National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center seasonal drought outlook, valid for February 16 - May 31, 2017, shows drought in southern California likely to resolve, and drought in the Central Coast region of California as persistent, but improving. The 1 -month precipitation outlook for March 2017, issued February 16, 2017, suggests average precipitation for most of California, and above average precipitation for parts of southeastern California. Water Conservation Update — January 2017 March 7, 2017 Page 5 SnowAack Status • Snowpack, through runoff, provides about one-third of the water used by California's cities and farms. The snowpack at the beginning of April is crucial because this is when the snowpack is normally at its peak and begins to melt into streams and reservoirs. • As of February 15, 2017, regional snowpack from automated snow sensors is 177% of normal for this date (California Department of Water Resources). The long-term outlook for California's drought can be better assessed in the months ahead. On April 1, the California Department of Water Resources conducts its annual snowpack measurement. This benchmark is important because it provides a comprehensive examination of the snowpack's water content. Historically, after April 1, snows begin to melt, producing runoff that recharges reservoirs and groundwater systems slowly throughout the ensuing months. If there is not excessive heat, as has been the case for the last 3 years, this slower runoff provides usable supply for the year and can enhance the aquifer recharge process. The April 1 measurement will help California better understand the effects winter snows have had upon the state's water resources. Stack, P.E. Public Works/City Engineer Attachments: 1. Enforcement Statistics — November 2016, December 2016, and January 2017 2. SWRCB Media Release and Fact Sheet ATTACHMENT 1 Enforcement Statistics CITY OF TUSTIN - WATER WASTE STATISTICS November Days of the month 2016 Enforcement Type Tue ;Wed; Thu I Fri SaT Sun Mon Tue I Wed' Thu' Fid Sat Sun I Mon i Tue { Wed Thu , Fn Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat ' Sun I Mon Tue 'Wed : + � ..0© ©�©�®®m® "®' mm® ®m®�m�� Waste Water complaints 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 4 1 12 Follow-up Inspections , 3 4 l 124 Notices of Violations issued 2 1 5 10 2 1 12 12 1 8 10 30t 1 ! 2 2 c, 09 Civil citations issued 1 t Q ii 0 E< 14 ..........._..._.,..,.— Gv.istations issued 2nd ,.. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X13 0 0 - - --- - Civil citations issued 3rd 0` I ''0, , 0' i'J0 1 � �... evil citations issued 4th 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ��.,.... 0 0 .... .,'. �.. 0 0 Fines Levied Ohy ' 0 1 100,x0 u? n 7 pp tl ,(3 I �13ET0 � � ! Q I 0 0 1400 CITY OF TUSTIN - WATER WASTE STATISTICS DecemberDays of the month I. { Tue Wed, Thu I Fri Sat Sun j Monj Tue ;Wed Thu Fri • Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon; Tue ; Wed Thu j Fri € Sat I Sun Mon Tue Wedgy Thu 2016 Enforcement Type �©© � � m�mm � Total Waste Water complaints 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 4 .1.:.0 Q 0 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 zQ Follow-up Inspections 5 3 8 5, 0 ' Q 3 Q Q, li {0 !', 1p 0 0: A ;Y O,:P 1 '; 0 _,,..., h•,:.,, 0.... ,.�.. A,. ,„''. 7 11 Notices mmof Violations issued 7 2 3 15 0 0 5 5 10 3 1 Q 0 1 7 7 11 9. 0 0 11 1 CIVIL Citations Issued_.... ---.-� }r: ll..{li '? -'��, _i-. 0 1,!I 0 1 (1-, !, I lu. 0 2,'..3 P;Q::'Y­` 1 _ ,Fines Levied 0 200 ...,,, . ! ; _.__ --------- ,. 0 0 0 0 200 100 100 0 0 0 0 0 100 100 100 700 0 0 200 0 0 1800 CITY OF TUSTIN - WATER WASTE STATISTICS January Days of the month 2017 I Sun Mon; Tue ! Wed' Thu . Fri Sat Son on I Tae ! Wed Thu I Fn Sat c Sun ! Mon: Tue I Wed=: Thu , Fri E Sat ! Sun Mon! Toe I Wed- Thu 1 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue - ..................... Enforcement7ype , u ® Total Waste Watercomplall _._.. 0 0 0 0 a o 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 7 Inspections Fe[low-up p �i: i II •,� II a I all I.11 ' r..�I e r.i-r 7 i "1, I:.,,,.. r tlf r -r Notices of Violations issued 3 9 1 4 19 0 0 0 1 1 D 0 4 1 2 0 Civil citations issued it.ii' I.I l rl iI i 3 dill-Irl-� 'I III Civil citations issued 1st..,.. 1 0 fl 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0' 8 11 o'I','I 0 „.. til issued 2nd{',+ f . ` ;:0: p 1Er t „1 r �+;I ul, I � I. � a9'! ���Irll:l;hi''.,�?i I�!LQ!I�: © � � nE 1r:61�r �' �. ', Iln.:[ ''.�fr1� '� 3 . Civil civi tations issued 3 d V _ . Q., p ,I.._'., a ...,,.�.I .,I� I � D o p p D a o a D 0 0 0 p o - Civil citations issued 4th .... iclui 9"! 0 fl 0 r rl .......... ..... . ..........._ ___ .. ...... lines levied ,!F,.j ... 100 100100 200 200 500 200 2221510' R 1 ik li' bl ;' 15 15 " 26 a z1 .5 ATTACHMENT 2 State Water Resources Control Board — Media Release and Fact Sheet State Water Board Continues Water Conservation Regulations, Prohibitions Against Wasting Water Board Members Extend Flexible Rules Until Statewide Water Supply Picture More Complete in Spring FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: George Kostyrko Feb. 8, 2017 gkostyrko __waterboards.ca.gov SACRAMENTO — Today the State Water Resources Control Board extended its existing water conservation regulations, which prohibit wasteful practices such as watering lawns right after rain and set a conservation mandate only for water suppliers that do not have enough water reserves to withstand three more dry years. "These regulations have helped Californians rise to the occasion and show what they can do with conservation, while providing flexibility based on differing local water supply conditions across the state," said Chair Felicia Marcus. "We are beyond happy that water conditions continue to improve this year, but the rainy season isn't over yet and some areas of the state continue to suffer significant drought impacts. As glorious as the first half of the season has been, we know that weather can change quickly, and vary depending on where you are, so it is most prudent to wait a bit longer until close of the rainy season to take stock of the statewide situation and decide what to do next." While many parts of the state have benefited from this year's rain and snow, other areas continue to experience the effects of drought, including Central Valley communities that still depend on water tanks and bottled water. Groundwater, the source of at least a third of California's water supplies, remains significantly depleted in many areas. California has undergone more than five years of extreme drought with significant impacts to communities, agriculture, and fish and wildlife. Today's decision maintains existing conservation rules, which transitioned away from specific state -mandated conservation standards last May for urban water suppliers that could demonstrate they have enough water reserves to withstand an additional three dry years. The majority of suppliers passed this "stress test" and have not been subject to state conservation mandates. Under the extended regulation, urban water suppliers that didn't take or didn't pass the "stress test" and have been subject to state -set standards are given an opportunity to update their analysis. STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL. BOARD 1001 1 Street, Sacramento, CA 95814- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-0100 • www.waterboards.ca.gov Today's extension also keeps in place monthly reporting of water use by urban water agencies, and reasonable prohibitions against wasteful practices such as watering lawns within 48 hours of a rainstorm, hosing off sidewalks and driveways, or overwatering landscaping to the point where water runs into the streets. Prohibitions also remain against homeowners associations taking action against homeowners trying to conserve during a declared drought, and those prohibitions are extended to cities and municipalities. The rules had been set to expire Feb. 28. The Board also heard a report today on the statewide water savings for December 2016, which was 20.6 percent compared with water use in December 2013, an increase from both November 2016's 18.9 percent savings and December 2015's 18.2 percent statewide savings. Cumulative statewide savings for June 2015 through December 2016 remains at 22.5 percent. Since June 2015, 2.43 million acre-feet of water have been saved — enough to supply more than 12 million people, close to a third of the state's population, for a year. For more information, see the fact sheet found here. For more information on the regulation extension, please see the fact sheet found here. While water supplies have improved in many areas, the state's five-year drought has underscored the need for permanent improvements in California's long-term efficient water use and drought preparedness, as called for in Governor Brown's May 2016 Executive Order, which set in motion new programs to make water conservation a way of life in California. As a result of that order, the State Water Board and other State agencies released a draft plan that shifts from statewide mandatory water restrictions toward a set of long-term water -use efficiency standards that reflect California's diverse climate, landscape, and demographic conditions. The plan also calls for permanently prohibiting wasteful practices, regular reporting by water suppliers, tightening up leaky systems, and strengthening plans for water shortages. These actions will help to ensure all communities have sufficient water supplies and are conserving water regardless of the conditions of any one year. To learn about all the actions the state has taken to manage our water system and cope with the impacts of the drought, visitDrou ht.CA.Gov. STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD 0011 Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-0100 • www.waterboards.ca.gov y Vii, Prohibitions, Monthly Reporting, and Stress Tests Continue with Extended Water Conservation Regulations In May of 2015, the State Water Board adopted a water conservation regulation in response to historic drought conditions and the Governor's April 1, 2015, Executive Order. Under that regulation, the State Water Board set specific conservation targets for large urban water suppliers, required reporting of water production information, prohibited wasteful water practices, and gave urban water agencies additional enforcement authority to prevent those practices. The regulations were adjusted in February of 2016 to further recognize regional differences and investments in new drinking water supplies. The public responded by the end of the 2016 rainy season and reduced water use by almost 25 percent through April 2016 as compared to 2013. In May 2016, following the end of the rainy season and the Governor's direction to adjust the standards in light of improved conditions for many water agencies, the State Water Resources Control Board revised its statewide drought emergency water conservation approach. The new regulation replaced the Board's prior percentage reduction -based water conservation standards with a localized "stress test" approach. The "Stress test" approach allowed urban water suppliers to establish local conservation standards, commensurate with need, by demonstrating water availability should the drought continue an additional three years. In June 2016, many urban water suppliers submitted documentation that they would have sufficient potable water supply under an assumed three additional years of drought, passing the "stress test" and eliminating the need for state -mandated conservation. Other suppliers identified needed conservation standards based on anticipated supplier -specific supply shortfalls, or simply retained their existing conservation standard. Statewide conservation levels have remained high since the State Board adopted the stress test approach, with some easing in light of improved conditions. State Water Board Extends the Regulation On Feb. 8, the State Water Board re -adapted and extended the regulation for another 270 - days, or at least until the Governor rescinds or modifies the drought declaration. In effect, the Board's action continues the stress test approach, existing water use reporting requirements, and sensible prohibitions on wasteful water use practices that have been in place since 2015. The current regulation does not require mandatory conservation unless water suppliers determine that they have a shortfall. `'� STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD j*f 10011 Street, Sacramento, CA 95614 • Malting Address: P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-0100 • www.waterboards.ca.gov The extended regulation keeps in place the existing rules, including specific prohibitions against designated wasteful water use practices. Those prohibitions include outdoor watering during a rain event or 48 hours after; watering down a sidewalk with a hose instead of using a broom or a brush, or overwatering a landscape to where water is running off onto the sidewalk or into the gutter. In addition, the regulation continues the existing required monthly reporting of water use, consistent with the Governor's January 2014 Executive Order declaring a drought and May 2016 Executive Order geared towards "making water conservation a California way of life." Prohibitions against home owners associations (HOAs) penalizing homeowners for certain outdoor conservation practices during a declared drought remain as well. Similar requirements are also extended to cities and counties, reflecting existing law that prevents local governments from fining residents for not watering the lawn during a declared drought. Improved Water Supply Conditions and Consistent Conservation — Reason for Staying the Course Winter 2017 saw dramatically improved hydrologic conditions in many parts of California. Concerns over urban water supply reliability have eased significantly compared to last year throughout California. However, groundwater basins in some areas of the state remain depleted due to prolonged drought. Likewise, pockets of the state, such as the Tulare Basin and along the central coast, are still experiencing water supply shortfalls. Due to improved conditions, the Board is not proposing to tighten the standards, which the Governor had directed the Board to be prepared for depending upon water supply conditions and conservation levels. The regulation keeps the existing regulations in place in recognition of uncertain conditions through the end of the water year. For suppliers who have self - certified that they have no supply shortfall, the regulations will not require a specific conservation target, but does require continuing monthly reporting and maintaining important prohibitions on wasteful water use practices and giving local agencies enforcement authority. The Board in May 2016 transitioned from its unprecedented mandatory state -set conservation standards to conservation standards based on supply reliability considerations at the local level. For a majority of the state these standards currently require only that water use not increase above 2013 levels, though some suppliers have retained higher voluntary conservation levels and Californians have continued to respond with stellar conservation even as conditions have improved dramatically. At this point in the water year, continuing with locally -appropriate conservation, including eliminating certain wasteful water use practices, is still prudent in case the formidable snowpack so far this year were to melt due to late season warm precipitation. Page 2 Governor, Board, Save Our Water, and Local Agency Actions Achieved Historic Conservation Statewide In his April 1, 2016 Executive Order, Governor Brown mandated a 25 percent water use reduction by users of urban water supplies across California. The Water production reports submitted to the State Water Board show that customers in the majority of urban water suppliers have successfully responded to conservation expectations over the last 30 months. From June 2015 through June 2016, Californian's conserved waterjust under the mandated goal, with a cumulative average savings of 24.2 percent. Californians have continued to conserve at high levels under the less prescriptive stress -test standards, with cumulative savings during the seven months that the stress -test standards have been in effectreaching 19.5 percent relative to the 2013 baseline. Since June 2013, 2.43 million acre-feet of water have been saved — enough to supply more than 12 million people, close to a third of the state's population for a year. For more information, see the fact sheet found here. In May, Gov, Brown issued an executive order calling for new permanent water -use efficiency targets for each urban water suppliers that reflect California's diverse climate, landscape and demographic conditions. The Board is now working with other agency partners (Department of Water Resources, California Department of Food and Agriculture, the California Public Utilities Commission, and the California Energy Commission to implement the executive order and better prepare the state to adapt to the water supply effects of climate change and population growth while maintaining a prosperous economy. These actions will help achieve a top priority of the California Water Action Plan - to improve long-term drought preparedness and "Make Conservation a California Way of Life." On Nov. 30, the State Water Board, along with the four other state agencies, released a draft framework for implementing the executive order. The new plan's fundamental premise is that efficient water use helps all of California better prepare for longer and more severe droughts caused by climate change. The framework develops long-term water conservation measures that will help ensure all communities have sufficient water supplies. This will involve activities such as permanently prohibiting wasteful practices, such as hosing off sidewalks and driveways and ensuring farmers plan and prepare for severe drought. A final report with recommendations will be released in early 2017. Background California has been dealing with the effects of an unprecedented drought. To learn about all the actions the state has taken to manage our water system and cope with the impacts of the drought, visit Drou ht.CA.Gov. Every Californian should take steps to conserve water. Find out how at SaveOurWater.com. While saving water, it is important to properly water trees. Find out how at www.saveourwater.com/trees. In addition to many effective local programs, state -funded turf removal and toilet replacement rebates are also available. Information and rebate applications can be found at: www.saveourwaterrebates.com/ (This fact sheet was last updated Feb. 8, 2017) Page 3