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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-13; Municipal Water District; ; Adopt a Resolution to rescind the Drought Response Level 2 - Drought Alert Condition and return to a Drought Response Level 1water use standards, and bans on wasteful practices such as hosing off sidewalks, driveways and other hardscapes. These actions will help improve long-term drought preparedness and encourage "Make Conservation a California Way of Life." California's most recent drought spanned water years 2012 through 2016. During this time, CMWD made major investments in drought-resilient water sources. These investments and intense water conservation efforts achieved by residents provided CMWD with sufficient supply and storage during the drought. On Jan. 26, 2017, the SDCWA Board of Directors approved a resolution declaring an end to drought conditions in San Diego County. The resolution implored Governor Brown and the SWRCB to end the statewide drought emergency and rescind drought emergency water use regulations for areas no longer in drought conditions. On April 7, 2017, Governor Brown declared an end to the statewide drought emergency via Executive Order B-40-17. Executive Order B-37-16 remains in effect to continue making water conservation a way of life in California. Proposed Recommendation Staff recommends that the CMWD Board of Directors rescind the Drought Response Level 2 - Drought Alert Condition and return to a Drought Response Level 1 -Drought Watch Condition as defined in CMWD Ordinance No. 44. The goal is to transition to permanent, long-term improvements in water use by taking responsible water conservation measures. CMWD Ordinance No. 44, Section 3.0, Water Waste Prohibitions, predates the Governor's Executive Order B-37-16, and is consistent with the Order, but adds a restriction which prohibits watering within 48-hours after a rain event. Under a Drought Level 1 Response, the following regulations under CMWD Ordinance No. 44, Section 3.0, Water Waste Prohibitions will be in effect and enforced at all times: • "Washing down impervious surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or patios with water from a pressurized source, such as garden hose, except when it is necessary to alleviate safety or sanitation hazards. When used in this section, impervious surface means any surface covered with non-porous material. • Water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation, such as runoff, low head drainage, or overspray, etc., is prohibited. Water flows onto non-targeted areas, such as adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, hardscapes, roadways, or structures is prohibited. • Use a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle or bucket to water landscaped areas, including trees and shrubs located on residential and commercial properties that are not irrigated by a landscape irrigation system. • Use re-circulated water to operate ornamental fountains. • Wash vehicles using a bucket and a hand-held hose with positive shut-off nozzle or a mobile high pressure/low volume wash system. Page 718 • Serve and refill water in restaurants and other food service establishments only upon request. • Offer guests in hotels, motels, and other commercial lodging establishments the option of not laundering towels and linens daily. • Use recycled or non-potable water for construction purposes when available. • Single pass-through cooling systems as part of new water service connections will be prohibited. Non-recirculating systems in all new conveyer car wash and commercial laundry systems will also be prohibited. • The excess use, loss or escape of water through breaks, leaks or other, malfunctions in the water user's plumbing or distribution system for any period of time after such escape of water could have reasonably been discovered and corrected." The additional restriction contained in Executive Order B-37-16, which prohibits watering within 48-hours after a rain event will also be enforced under a Drought Level 1 Response. Fiscal Analysis Not applicable. Next Steps Continue to achieve water use targets as determined by Executive Order B-37-16 and promote "Making Water Conservation a Way of Life in California." Environmental Evaluation (CEQA) Pursuant to California Code of Regulations Section 15301 (CEQA Guidelines) and Turlock Irrigation District v. Zanker, adoption of a Drought Response Plan and Water Conservation Ordinance is a project exempt from CEQA because it is considered to be a minor alteration of existing public facilities with no expansion of the existing use. This ordinance governs the delivery of water and the sole purpose for the operation of a water system is the delivery of water. The ordinance involves the operation of existing facilities with only minor alteration of the facilities (the application of this ordinance may result in the installation of meter mechanisms on existing meters) and it does not permit expansion of the previous use. The recommended actions are entirely within the scope of the existing Drought Response Plan and Water Conservation Ordinance. Public Notification This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date. Outreach to CMWD customers will occur through several methods including notices on water bills, city currents, and information on the city's website. Exhibits 1. Resolution to rescind the Drought Response Level 2 -Drought Alert Condition and return to a Drought Response Level 1. Page 719 RESOLUTION NO. 1574 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT, RESCINDING THE DROUGHT RESPONSE LEVEL 2-DROUGHT ALERT CONDITION AND RETURN TO A DROUGHT RESPONSE LEVEL 1. EXHIBIT 1 WHEREAS, on March 10, 2014 the Board of Directors implemented a Stage 1, Voluntary Supply Management of San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) Water Shortage and Drought Response Plan. The Acting Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD) executive manager declared a Levell Alert, Drought Watch; and WHEREAS, on July 15, 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted statewide drought emergency regulations to reduce potable water use on ornamental and turf grass landscapes; and WHEREAS, On July 24, 2014, the SDCWA Board of Directors approved activation of the next stage of the region's drought response plan and declared a Drought Alert Condition for mandatory water conservation measures that would conserve as much water as possible for 2015 storage; and WHEREAS, On Sept. 1, 2014, the Board of Directors approved a Drought Response Level 2 - Drought Alert Condition for CMWD customers; and WHEREAS, On April 1, 2015, Governor Brown signed Executive Order B-29-15 declaring a statewide drought emergency and directing the SWRCB to implement mandatory water reductions to reduce potable urban water usage by 25 percent; and WHEREAS, On May 9, 2016, Governor Brown signed Executive Order B-37-16 establishing long- term water conservation measures, including permanent monthly water use reporting, new permanent water use standards, and bans on wasteful practices such as hosing off sidewalks, driveways and other hardscapes, which are meant to encourage "Make Conservation a California Way of Life"; and WHEREAS, On Jan. 26, 2017, the SDCWA Board of Directors approved a resolution declaring an end to drought conditions in San Diego County, imploring Governor Brown and the SWRCB to end the statewide drought emergency and rescind drought emergency water use regulations for areas no longer in drought conditions; and WHEREAS, On April 7, 2017, Governor Brown declared an end to the statewide drought emergency in Executive Order B-40-17; and EXHIBIT 1 WHEREAS, The water conservation measures in CMWD Ordinance No. 44, Section 3.0, Water Waste Prohibitions, comply with Executive Order B-40-17 and remain in effect. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the Drought Response Level 2-Drought Alert Condition is hereby rescinded and returned to a Drought Response Levell-Drought Watch Condition as defined in CMWD Ordinance No. 44. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Special Meeting of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District of the City of Carlsbad on the 13th day of June, 2017, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: M. Hall, K. Blackburn, M. Schumacher, C. Schumacher, M. Packard NOES: None. ABSENT: None. (SEAL) THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Page 722