HomeMy WebLinkAbout19G - DROUGHT UPDATEREQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
TITLE:
UPDATE ON DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND
WATER SUPPLY
(STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 5,2)
CITY MANAGE
Receive and file.
DISCUSSION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
APPROVED
❑ As Recommended
❑ As Amended
❑ Ordinance on I" Reading
❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading
❑ Implementing Resolution
❑ Set Public Hearing For
CONTINUED TO
FILE NUMBER
Last year, Santa Ana's Water Resources Division launched a comprehensive campaign called
"Every Drop Counts: Let's Not Waste It." The campaign was designed to educate the community
about the drought, Santa Ana's Level 2 Water Shortage requirements, and methods to conserve
water and help the City to reach its twelve percent conservation target. Under this campaign, staff
used every possible channel for outreach including:
• Bill inserts and newsletter articles
• Posted online articles and published water saving tips
• Attended over 150 public events
• Organized a water conservation poster contest
• Distributed water conservation kits
• Installed street light banners advocating water conservation
The community responded to the City's call for conservation and achieved nearly twenty percent
water conservation levels; far outpacing the State - mandated twelve percent conservation level.
On August 2, 2016, the City Council approved Resolution No. 2016 -071 (Exhibit 2) rescinding and
scaling back Phase 2 Water Supply conservation measures by declaring a Phase 1 Water Supply
Shortage, and applying less restrictive water use prohibitions pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal
Code section 39 -105. The Resolution and accompanying staff report presented a thorough and
concise recitation of recent administrative and regulatory actions relating to conservation during
this historic drought. Specifically, staff performed the State's required water supply stress test and
determined that the City is able to meet one hundred percent of the community's water demands.
19G -1
Update On Drought Conditions And Water Supply
September 6, 2016
Page 2
The target for Citywide conservation was reduced with the enactment of this resolution. Previously,
the City's conservation target was a twelve percent reduction below 2013 use. It is now a three
percent reduction below 2013 use. Nonetheless, appropriate and significant water use restrictions
remain in effect for both residents and businesses. The attached flyer (Exhibit 1) will be distributed
in upcoming utility bills to all City utility customers to keep them well informed on our conservation
efforts as a community and their important role in using water resources responsibly.
There is no way to forecast whether this most recent drought will persist, nor the duration or degree,
but caution and conservation are warranted until such time as water supply exceeds water demand
for the foreseeable future. As the Governor's most recent Executive Order (Exhibit 3) on this matter
(Executive Order B- 37 -16, May 9, 2016) explained:
And,
"( D]rought conditions may persist in some parts of the state into 2017 and beyond, as
warmer winter temperatures driven by climate change reduce water supply held in mountain
snowpack and result in drier soil conditions;"
[T]hese ongoing drought conditions and our changing climate require California to move
beyond temporary emergency drought measures and adopt permanent changes to use
water more wisely and to prepare for more frequent and persistent periods of limited water
supplyGT'
Staff thanks Council for their continued leadership in communicating this important message to the
community. Staff will continue to update Council and provide guidance and support to our
community and ratepayers as the City remains their partner in conservation and environmental
stewardship.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5 - Community Health, Livability, Engagement
& Sustainability, Objective #2 (expand opportunities for conservation and environmental
sustainability).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
19G -2
Update On Drought Conditions And Water Supply
September 6, 2016
Page 3
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
a
Fr d M usavipour
Executive Director
Public Works Agency
FM /NS
EXHIBITS: 1. Ratepayer Flyer and Bill Insert — "Water Use Efficiency Program"
2. Council Resolution No. 2016 -071
3. Executive Order B -37 -16
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19G -4
44
M �- J
® Outdoor watering is restricted to`k
than three days per week and only
the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.*
6 Leaks must be repaired within 48 hours
notification by the City.
it No washing down sidewalks or driveways,
t No excessive water flow or runoff that causes
water to flow onto an adjoining sidewalk, p *ire`
rlvivm *rav c +res +'H." n.r + +.N n''H+rh .
grits, cafes and bars can only serve
customers on request.
Hotels and motels must prominently
display a notice providing guests with
the option of choosing not to have towels
and linens laundered daily.
Dry conditions in
California have eased,
Will someone monitor my water use? CIF
No. It is your responsibility to monitor your own use. in the future, once new electronicwater meters are
installed, you will be able to monitor your water use. In the meantime, reduce your outdoor watering and indoor
water use.
Will I be cited by the City's Community Preservation Division if my front yard lawn turns yellow?
No You will not be cited for complying with the City's current outdoor watering restrictions. However, all other
code violations will continue to be cited.
I am interested in replacing my lawn with something else. What can 1 do?
You can visit www, santa- ana.org /waterconservation for sample designs, ideas, training, guidelines, and other
resources, including a link to our Turf Removal Program offered through Metropolitan Water District (MWD),
which provides rebates of up to $2.00 per square foot of grass removed and replaced with drought tolerant
landscape. If you do not have access to the Internet, give us a call at (714) 647 -3500.
How about the parkway, am l responsible for that too?
Yes. Although the parkway is in the City's right of way, it Is the property owner's responsibility to maintain and keep
it clean.
Icy neighbor is always wasting water. What is the City doing about it?
There are ways to report water wasting. You can call our water hotline at (714) 647 -3500, email us at
conservewater @santa- ana,org, or use our MySantaAna smart phone app. Please try to include the exact location
and pictures.
I've seen water flowing in streets and other public areas. What is the City of Santa Ana doingto conserve water?
The City is held to the same restrictions as residents and businesses. We have stopped watering ornamental turf on
public street medians as well as Flushing our fire hydrants unless necessary to maintain water quality. We. also
moved to a two -day watering schedule (evenings only) for all public building landscapes and parks. If you ever see
water being wasted by the City, please use the ways mentioned above to report them.
I live in an apartment; do I need to cut back on my water use too?
Yes! Living in an apartment or a house makes no a difference when it comes to water conservation. You can focus:
on reducing your indoor water use like washing only full loads of laundry and dishes, taking shorter showers, and
shutting off the water while brushing your teeth and shaving. Visit the sites listed above for more ways on how to
conserve water indoors.
have fixed all leaks and fine -tuned my irrigation system, what else can I do?
We all can do more. Look for opportunities to conserve water throughout your
home and in your daily routines, including washing hands, taking showers, and
doing the laundry. Keep in mind, whenever water flows from the faucet to the
drain with nothing in between, you are wasting water!
o h2ou"se.o
•, h2ocans�
e.org
19G' -6
Jmf06/29/2010
RESOLUTION NO. 2016 -071
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA LOWERING THE CITY'S DROUGHT WATER
CONSERVATION STANDARD FROM TWELVE PERCENT
(12 %) TO THREE PERCENT (3 %) AND DECLARING THE
EXISTENCE OF A PHASE 1 WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines
and declares as follows:
A. On April 1, 2015, Governor Jerry Brown issued an executive order to cities
and towns across California to cut water use by 25% as part of a
sweeping set of mandatory drought restrictions in response to record -low
water levels in the state's rivers and reservoirs as well as an abnormally
small snowpack.
B. Based on Governor Brown's mandate, the State Water Resources Control
Board approved emergency regulations assigning mandatory water
conservation standards ranging from 4% to 36% to individual water
suppliers, including the Water Resources Division of the City of Santa
Ana.
C. Under these regulations, effective June 1, 2015, the City of Santa Ana
was required to reduce its monthly total potable water production by 12 %,
using 2013 as the base year.
D. On June 2, 2015, by Resolution No. 2015 -025, in accordance with Santa
Ana Municipal Code section 39 -105 and Water Code sections 350 through
353, and following a duly noticed public hearing, the City Council of the
City Santa Ana, as the governing body of the City of Santa Ana Water
Resources Division, declared a Phase 2 Water Supply Shortage and
implemented additional regulations and restrictions on the delivery of
water and the consumption within said area of water supplied for public
use to conserve the water supply for the greatest public benefit with
particular regard to domestic use, sanitation, and fire protection. By the
same Resolution, water customers were ordered to reduce their monthly
total potable water consumption by 12 %, using 2013 as a base year.
E. Pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code section 39 -105 and Water Code
section 355, the Phase 2 Water Supply Shortage shall remain in effect
EXHIBIT 2 Resolution No. 2016 -071
Page 1 of 5
19G -7
until the water supply shortage has ended or until another phase has been
implemented.
F. On November 15, 2015, Governor Brown extended water conservation
measures through October 31, 2016.
G. With California still experiencing severe drought despite recent rains, on
February 2, 2016, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted an
extended and revised emergency regulation to ensure that urban water
conservation continues in 2016.
H. Effective March 1, 2016, the City of Santa Ana's conservation standard
was lowered by the State Water Board based on credits for its
participation in and use of water from the Orange County Water District's
Groundwater Replenishment System, which is considered a new local,
drought - resilient water supply by the Board.
On May 9, 2016, Governor Brown issued a new executive order directing
actions aimed at using water wisely, reducing water waste, and improving
water use efficiency. This executive order, in part, directed the State
Water Board to further amend and extend the emergency drought
regulations for urban water conservation through the end of January 2017.
J. On May 18, 2016, the State Water Board adopted an extended and
revised emergency regulation to replace the February 2, 2016 regulation.
This regulation will be in effect through January 2017 and requires that
local water suppliers calculate their own conservation standards based on
a "stress test ", which requires them to prove they have sufficient water
supplies to withstand three years of continuous drought, or take additional
measures that include mandatory conservation targets.
K. While under these standards, the City of Santa Ana's conservation
standard is 0 %, the State Water Board has stressed the overall need to
continue water savings. Consistent with this approach, and the positive
response by City residents to earlier conservation measures, the City's
original conservation standard of 12% may now be reduced to 3 %.
L. Additionally, a Phase 1 Water Supply Shortage may now be implemented,
in accordance with Santa Ana Municipal Code section 39 -105 and Water
Code sections 350 through 353, following a duly noticed public hearing.
Pursuant to Water Code sections 351 and 352, and Government Code
section 6061, the City of Santa Ana, at least seven days prior to the date
of hearing, published in a newspaper of general circulation notice of the
time and place of the public hearing of such declaration that was held on
Resolution No, 2016 -071
Page 2 of 5
19G -8
imf 06/29/2016
August 2, 2016, at which customers had an opportunity to be heard to
protest against the declaration and to present their respective needs to the
City Council.
Section 2. Water customers served by the City of Santa Ana Water Resources
Division are ordered to reduce their monthly total potable water consumption by 3 %,
using 2013 as the base year.
Section 3. Pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code section 39 -105, and Water
Code sections 350 and 353, the City Council hereby declares a Phase 1 Water Supply
Shortage and implements additional regulations and restrictions on the delivery of
water and the consumption within said area of water supplied for public use as will
conserve the water supply for the greatest public benefit with particular regard to
domestic use, sanitation, and fire protection.
Section 4. The additional mandatory regulations and restrictions on the
delivery of water and the consumption of water within the City are those identified in
section 39 -107 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, as repeated here for convenience:
(1) Restrictions on watering lawn, landscape or other turf areas shall be
modified to prohibit watering more often than every other day or Monday,
Thursday, and Saturday. Such areas shall only be watered between the
hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. This provision shall not apply to
commercial nurseries and golf courses.
(2) The watering of lawn, landscape or other turf areas of commercial
nurseries or golf courses shall be allowed between the hours of 6:00 p.m.
and 6:00 a.m. There shall be no restriction on watering utilizing reclaimed
water.
(3) No customer shall make, cause, use or permit the use of water for any
purpose in excess of the applicable percentage of the amount used in the
customer's premises during the corresponding billing period of the base
year as set by council, such percentage to be determined by city council
and set forth in the resolution declaring Phase 1. There shall be no
restriction on the use of reclaimed water under this provision.
(4) All leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in the water user's plumbing or
distribution system must be repaired within seventy -two (72) hours of
notification by the City, unless other arrangements are made with the City.
Section 5. The City Council has the right to deny applications for new or
additional service connections, and has the power to enforce the regulations and
Resolution No. 2016.071
Page 3of5
19G -9
restrictions by discontinuing service to consumers willfully violating the regulations and
restrictions.
Section 6. The restrictions in this Resolution shall remain in effect until the
supply of water available for distribution within such area has been replenished or
augmented, at which time the City Council will declare an end to the water shortage
emergency by resolution.
Section 7. All water customers are urged to reduce water usage by following
water conservation practices inside and outside the home.
Section 8. Business owners are encouraged to take steps to improve their
water use processes.
Section 9. The City encourages infrastructure upgrades to the water system
involving (1) technology which provides up -to -date use information and trends to
residents and business owners through a web -based customer engagement system,
and (2) leak detection systems which allow early detection of water leaks to minimize
waste and conserve water.
Section 10. The City Council agrees to support actions that address current
drought conditions and calls for increased awareness and extraordinary conservation of
our precious resource.
Section 11. This Resolution shall flake effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting
this Resolution.
ADOPTED this 2n° day of August, 2016.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
��" r ° a
By; iVV .A- —
JcMn M. Funk
Assistant City Attorney
Resolution No. 2016 -071
Page 4 of 6
19G -10
)mf 06/29/2016
AYES: Councilmembers: Benavides, Martinez, Pulido, Reyna, Tinaierc (5)
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers: None (0)
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers: Amezcua, Sarmiento (2)
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No 2016 -071 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the
City of Santa Ana on August 2, 2016.
Date:
Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana
Resolution No. 2016 -071
Page 5 of 5
19G -11
19G -12
+ rcuitu� :40gatjtttent
9ttttr of TnI furttia
EXECUTIVE ORDER B -37 -16
MAKING WATER CONSERVATION A CALIFORNIA WAY OF LIFE
WHEREAS California has suffered through a severe multi -year drought that has
threatened the water supplies of communities and residents, devastated agricultural
production in many areas, and harmed fish, animals and their environmental habitats;
and
WHEREAS Californians responded to the drought by conserving water at
unprecedented levels, reducing water use in communities by 23.9% between June
2015 and March 2016 and saving enough water during this period to provide 6.5 million
Californians with water for one year; and
WHEREAS severe drought conditions persist in many areas of the state despite
recent winter precipitation, with limited drinking water supplies in some communities,
diminished water for agricultural production and environmental habitat, and severely -
depleted groundwater basins; and
WHEREAS drought conditions may persist in some parts of the state into 2017
and beyond, as warmer winter temperatures driven by climate change reduce water
supply held in mountain snowpack and result in drier soil conditions; and
WHEREAS these ongoing drought conditions and our changing climate require
California to move beyond temporary emergency drought measures and adopt
permanent changes to use water more wisely and to prepare for more frequent and
persistent periods of limited water supply; and
WHEREAS increasing long -term water conservation among Californians,
improving water use efficiency within the state's communities and agricultural
production, and strengthening local and regional drought planning are critical to
California's resilience to drought and climate change; and
WHEREAS these activities are prioritized in the California Water Action Plan,
which calls for concrete, measurable actions that "Make Conservation a California Way
of Life" and "Manage and Prepare for Dry Periods" in order to improve use of water in
our state.
EXHIBIT 3
1 9 -13
NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of
California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
statutes of the State of California, in particular California Government Code sections
8567 and 8571, do hereby issue this Executive Order, effective immediately.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
The orders and provisions contained in my January 17, 2014 Emergency
Proclamation, my April 25, 2014 Emergency Proclamation, Executive Orders B- 26 -14,
B- 28 -14, B- 29 -15, and B -36 -15 remain in full force and in effect except as modified
herein.
State agencies shall update temporary emergency water restrictions and
transition to permanent, long -term improvements in water use by taking the following
actions.
USE WATER MORE WISELY
1. The State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) shall, as soon as
practicable, adjust emergency water conservation regulations through the end of
January 2017 in recognition of the differing water supply conditions across the
state. To prepare for the possibility of another dry winter, the Water Board shall
also develop, by January 2017, a proposal to achieve a mandatory reduction in
potable urban water usage that builds off of the mandatory 25% reduction called
for in Executive Order B -29 -15 and lessons learned through 2016.
2. The Department of Water Resources (Department) shall work with the Water
Board to develop new water use targets as part of a permanent framework for
urban water agencies. These new water use targets shall build upon the existing
state law requirements that the state achieve a 20% reduction in urban water
usage by 2020. (Senate Bill No. 7 (7th Extraordinary Session, 2009- 2010).)
These water use targets shall be customized to the unique conditions of each
water agency, shall generate more statewide water conservation than existing
requirements, and shall be based on strengthened standards for:
a. Indoor residential per capita water use;
b. Outdoor irrigation, in a manner that incorporates landscape area, local
climate, and new satellite imagery data;
c. Commercial, industrial, and institutional water use; and
d. Water lost through leaks.
The Department and Water Board shall consult with urban water suppliers, local
governments, environmental groups, and other partners to develop these water
use targets and shall publicly issue a proposed draft framework by January 10,
2017.
3. The Department and the Water Board shall permanently require urban water
suppliers to issue a monthly report on their water usage, amount of conservation
achieved, and any enforcement efforts.
ELIMINATE WATER WASTE
4. The Water Board shall permanently prohibit practices that waste potable water,
such as:
Hosing off sidewalks, driveways and other hardscapes;
o Washing automobiles with hoses not equipped with a shut -off nozzle;
• Using non - recirculated water in a fountain or other decorative water
feature;
• Watering lawns in a manner that causes runoff, or within 48 hours after
measurable precipitation; and
• Irrigating ornamental turf on public street medians.
5. The Water Board and the Department shall direct actions to minimize water
system leaks that waste large amounts of water. The Water Board, after funding
projects to address health and safety, shall use loans from the Drinking Water
State Revolving Fund to prioritize local projects that reduce leaks and other
water system losses.
6. The Water Board and the Department shall direct urban and agricultural water
suppliers to accelerate their data collection, improve water system management,
and prioritize capital projects to reduce water waste. The California Public
Utilities Commission shall order investor -owned water utilities to accelerate work
to minimize leaks.
7. The California Energy Commission shall certify innovative water conservation
and water loss detection and control technologies that also increase energy
efficiency.
STRENGTHEN LOCAL DROUGHT RESILIENCE
The Department shall strengthen requirements for urban Water Shortage
Contingency Plans, which urban water agencies are required to maintain. These
updated requirements shall include adequate actions to respond to droughts
lasting at least five years, as well as more frequent and severe periods of
drought. While remaining customized according to local conditions, the updated
requirements shall also create common statewide standards so that these plans
can be quickly utilized during this and any future droughts.
The Department shall consult with urban water suppliers, local governments,
environmental groups, and other partners to update requirements for Water
Shortage Contingency Plans. The updated draft requirements shall be publicly
released by January 10, 2017. A ..- r., „_A
10. For areas not covered by a Water Shortage Contingency Plan, the Department
shall work with counties to facilitate improved drought planning for small water
suppliers and rural communities.
IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND DROUGHT PLANNING
11.The Department shall work with the California Department of Food and
Agriculture to update existing requirements for Agricultural Water Management
Plans to ensure that these plans identify and quantify measures to increase
water efficiency in their service area and to adequately plan for periods of limited
water supply.
12.The Department shall permanently require the completion of Agricultural Water
Management Plans by water suppliers with over 10,000 irrigated acres of land.
13. The Department, together with the California Department of Food and
Agriculture, shall consult with agricultural water suppliers, local governments,
agricultural producers, environmental groups, and other partners to update
requirements for Agricultural Water Management Plans. The updated draft
requirements shall be publicly released by January 10, 2017.
The Department, Water Board and California Public Utilities Commission shall
develop methods to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Executive Order,
including technical and financial assistance, agency oversight, and, if necessary,
enforcement action by the Water Board to address non - compliant water suppliers.
This Executive Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or
benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of
California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.
I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this order be filed in the
Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this
order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have
hereunto set my hand and caused the
Great Seal of the State of California to
be affixed this 9th day of May 2016.
LM
Governor of California
ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State