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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-29; Governor's Executive Order on Voluntary Drought Measures (Districts - All); Gomez, PazTo the members pf the: CITY COUNCIL Date t(:i.C\ /.:a CA ...f_ CC_£_ CM ~ ACM ..b._ DCM (3) ~ July 29, 2021 To: CMWD Board Memorandum From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Vicki Quiram, General Manager Via: Scott Chadwick, Executive Manag r Ccarlsbad Municipal Water District Memo ID #2021147 Re: Governor's Executive Order on Vo untary Drought Measures (Districts -All) This memorandum provides information on the State of California Executive Order N-10-21 on voluntary drought measures. Background On April 21, 2021, and May 10, 2021, Governor Newsom issued Proclamations that declared a State of Emergency in a total of 41 California counties due to severe drought and directed immediate action. This summer, the state continues experiencing extremely dry conditions. On July 8, 2021, Governor Newsom signed a third drought Emergency Proclamation (Attachment A) and Executive Order N-10-21 (https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/6.11.21- EO-N-08-21-signed.pdf). The Executive Order expanded the state's drought declaration to 50 of the 58 counties in Northern and Central California. In the Executive Order, Governor Newsom also asked all Californians to voluntarily reduce water use by 15% from the 2020 levels. Discussion The San Diego region has not been placed in the state's drought emergency status. This region is drought-safe this summer due to sound planning and decades-long ratepayer investments in new water supplies, storage and adoption of water conservation as a way of life. However, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD) and the San Diego region want to continue to be a part of the statewide effort to address water challenges in the state created by drought and climate change. For years, the CMWD has strongly supported water conservation in order to allow local, regional and state water agencies to maximize the availability of water supplies in years to come. The CMWD has made significant strides to reduce water demands by promoting water conservation programs (Attachment B). Staff is currently working with the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies to implement new and additional strategies for water conservation, resiliency and local water supply development. The CMWD has a reliable local supply of potable water from the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant and a recycled water supply from the Carlsbad Water Recycling Facility. CMWD customers have helped conserve water by significantly reducing their per capita potable Carlsbad Municipal Water District 5950 El Camino Real I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-438-2722 t Board Memo -Governor's Executive Order on Voluntary Drought Measures (Districts -All) July 29, 2021 Page 2 water consumption. In fact, since the last drought period when urban water suppliers were mandated by the Water Conservation Act of 2009 to reduce the per capita potable water demands by 20% by the year 2020, CMWD's customers exceeded the target and reduced their per capita use by approximately 48%. The CMWD is actively participating with other regional water agencies and the Encina Wastewater Authority in a feasibility study and demonstration project for a potable reuse project, referred to as North County One Water. While no water shortages or conservation mandates are in the forecast for our region at this time, there are simple steps customers can take to voluntarily cut back on water use. Attachment B lists the many water conservation programs that are already in place to assist our customers and businesses to save water. Customers can also visit watersmartsd.org for free residential and commercial resources for landscape makeovers, turf replacement rebates, large landscape efficiency incentives, WaterSmart tips and more. Next steps In addition to current conservation efforts, staff plan to implement the following: • Participate in statewide efforts to determine unintended consequences if water use becomes extremely low, including the effects on the operation of our sewer systems • Promote the California Water Efficiency Partnership Program that offers steep discounts to residents on Rachio R3 controllers that incentivize outdoor water use efficiency • Promoting current and future water campaigns, the new one being, "We've Got This" • The CMWD will partner with the Environmental Management team to host a homeowners association high water usage webinar to explain the consequences of water waste and provide tips on how to use water more efficiently • The CMWD will host outreach "pop-up" events at different locations throughout the city to educate the public on water use efficiency and its importance • In May 2021, Governor Newsom proposed $5.1 billion in water resiliency investments over four years to bolster the state's emergency drought response, build regional capacity to endure drought and safeguard water supplies for communities, the economy and the environment. Staff will closely watch for funding opportunities. It is unclear at this time how the funding will be distributed. Attachments: A. Executive Order N-10-21 Emergency Proclamation B. CMWD Water Conservation Programs Summary cc: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant Executive Manager Celia Brewer, General Counsel Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services James Wood, Environmental Management Director Robby Contreras, Assistant General Counsel Eric Sanders, Utilities Manager Mario Remillard, Meter Services Supervisor Shoshana Aguilar, Senior Management Analyst EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT STATE OF CALIFORNIA EXECUTIVE ORDER N-10-21 ATTACHMENT A WHEREAS communities across California are experiencing more frequent, prolonged, and severe impacts of climate change including catastrophic wildfires, extreme heat and unprecedentedly dry conditions that threaten the health of our people, habitat for species and our economy; and WHEREAS severe drought afflicts the American West and increasingly warming temperatures driven by climate change exacerbate harmful drought effects including disruption of drinking water and irrigation supplies, degradation of fish and wildlife habitat, and heightened flammability of wildland vegetation; and WHEREAS on April 21 and May 10, 2021. I issued proclamations that a state of emergency exists in a total of 41 counties due to severe drought conditions and directed state agencies to take immediate action to preserve critical water supplies dnd mitigate the effects of drought and ensure the protection of health, safety, and the environment; and WHEREAS today, I issued a further proclamation of a state of emergency due to drought conditions in nine additional counties (Inyo, Marin, Mono, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz), and directed state agencies to take further actions to bolster drought resilience and prepare for impacts on communities, businesses, and ecosystems; and WHEREAS drought conditions present urgent challenges, including the risk of drinking water shortages in communities, greatly increased wildfire activity, diminished water for agricultural production, adverse impacts on fisheries, and additional water scarcity if drought conditions continue into next year; and WHEREAS agriculture is an important economic driver in California that has made significant investments in irrigation efficiencies such that nearly 70 percent of the nation's farmland using drip and micro-irrigation is located in California, and despite that investment. many agricultural producers are experiencing severe reductions in water supplies and are fallowing land in response to current dry conditions; and WHEREAS action by Californians now to conserve water and to extend local groundwater and surface water supplies will provide greater resilience if the drought continues in future years; and WHEREAS during the 2012-2016 drought, Californians did their part to conserve water, with many taking permanent actions that continue to yield benefits; per capita residential water use statewide declined 21 percent between the years 2013 and 2016, and has remained on average 16 percent below 2013 levels as of 2020; and WHEREAS local water suppliers and communities have made strategic and forward-looking investments in water recycling, stormwater capture and reuse, groundwater storage and other strategies to improve drought resilience; and WHEREAS there is now a need to augment ongoing water conservation and drought resilience investments with additional action to extend available supplies, protect water reserves in case drought conditions extend to a third year and maintain critical flows for fish and wildlife. NOW THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes, do hereby issue the following order to become effective immediately. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: l) To preserve the State's surface and groundwater supplies and better prepare for the potential for continued dry conditions next year, and to join existing efforts by agricultural water users, public water systems, and governmental agencies to respond to water shortages, I call on all Californians to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15 percent from their 2020 levels. Commonsense measures Californians can undertake to save water and money include: a. Irrigating landscapes more efficiently. As much as 50 percent of residential water use goes to outdoor irrigation, and much of that is wasted due to evaporation, wind, or runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems. Watering one day less per week, not watering during or immediately after rainfall, watering during the cooler parts of the day and using a weather-based irrigation controller can reduce irrigation water use, saving nearly 8,800 gallons of water per year. b. Running dishwashers and washing machines only when full. Full laundry loads can save 15-45 gallons per load. Full dishwasher cycles can save 5-15 gallons per load. c. Finding and fixing leaks. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste nearly 3,200 gallons per year. d. Installing water-efficient showerheads and taking shorter showers. Keeping showers under five minutes can save 12.5 gallons per shower when using a water-efficient showerhead. e. Using a shut-off nozzle on hoses and taking cars to commercial car washes that use recycled water. The State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) shall track and report monthly on the State's progress toward achieving a 15-percent reduction in statewide urban water use as compared to 2020 use. 2) State agencies, led by the Department of Water Resources and in coordination with local agencies, shall encourage actions by all Californians, whether in their residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural, or institutional use, to reduce water usage, including through the statewide Save Our Water conservation campaign at SaveOurWater.com, which provides simple ways for Californians to reduce water use in their everyday lives. 3) The Department of Water Resources shall monitor hydrologic conditions such as cumulative precipitation, reservoir storage levels, soil moisture and other metrics, and the Water Board shall monitor progress on voluntary conservation as ongoing indicators of water supply risk that may inform future drought response actions. This 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. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED 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 8th day of July 2 l. ATTEST: ATTACHMENT B CMWD WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS SUMMARY CMWD, a subsidiary district of the City of Carlsbad, serves about 85% of the city. The south and southeastern portions of the city are served by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District (Olivenhain) and Vallecitos Water District (Vallecitos). CMWD, along with Olivenhain and Vallecitos, in partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority (Water Authority) and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), offer programs to the residents of our city to encourage the reduction of water use. All these programs can be accessed through the Water Authority’s WaterSmart website (www.watersmartsd.org//). CMWD is also active in other various water conservation organizations that share information and partner on programs as described below: • Joint Public Information Council (JPIC) is a county-wide organization, which meets once a month to discuss local water conservation issues and legislation. This organization is sponsored by the Water Authority. • California Water Efficiency Partnership is an organization made of water agencies throughout California, which meets quarterly to discuss state conservation issues, current and new water legislation. • Alliance for Water Efficiency is a nationwide organization, which assists water agencies with current and new water conservation issues on the federal level. Incentive and Rebate Programs • High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebates – Residents may qualify for rebates through WaterSmart and/or San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), which can save over 3,000 gallons of water per year. o https://socalwatersmart.com/en/residential/rebates/available-rebates/clothes- washers/ o https://www.sdge.com/residential/savings-center/rebates/rebates-your-home • Premium High Efficiency Toilet Replacement Rebates – Residents may qualify for rebates and can save over $800 on their annual water bill. o https://socalwatersmart.com/en/commercial/rebates/available- rebates/commercial-devices/premium-high-efficiency-toilets/ • Rain Barrel Rebates and Discounts – The SoCal WaterSmart program provides financial incentives to encourage customers to collect and re-use rainwater by purchasing rain barrels or a cistern homeowners can get partial rebates on residential rain barrels (up to two per home) or a cistern. The Solana Center for Environmental Innovation offers discounted rain barrels that are also eligible for rebates. o https://socalwatersmart.com/en/residential/rebates/available-rebates/rain- barrels-cisterns/ o https://www.solanacenter.org/purchase-rain-barrel • Water Smart Irrigation Checkup – A certified landscape irrigation auditor will survey and provide written site-specific water-saving recommendations for qualifying non- residential properties within the Water Authority’s service area at no cost. Eligible landscapes include commercial and industrial sites, homeowner association common areas and institutional sites such as schools, parks and government facilities. o https://www.watersmartcheckup.org/ • Home Water Use Evaluations – A certified landscape irrigation auditor will survey and provide written site-specific water-saving recommendations for qualifying residential properties. The auditor will evaluate how the homeowner uses water both indoors and outdoors. The auditor will also adjust the customers irrigation controller if needed. o https://www.watersmartsd.org/residential/incentives/ • Smart Irrigation Devices Rebates – A soil moisture sensor measures soil moisture content in the active root zone on private properties. SoCal WaterSmart eligible soil moisture sensor systems can receive significant rebates for large residential sites. “Smart” or weather-based irrigation controllers can reduce water use outdoors. Unlike standard timers that turn on sprinklers at set intervals, smart controllers use weather data and site information such as plant type and sprinkler system output to adjust watering times. Incentives start for residential sites with less than one acre of landscaping and with landscapes of one acre or larger. o https://socalwatersmart.com/en/residential/rebates/available- rebates/irrigation-controllers/ • Turf Replacement Program – This program rewards landscape designs that incorporate water-saving plants, technology, irrigation systems and hardware. The result is a beautiful bee-butterfly-and-bird attracting landscape that is sustainable and can save a significant amount of water. Turf replacement rebates of $3 per square foot are available for residents in the Water Authority service area. The rebates include $2 per square foot from the MWD, with an additional $1 per square foot from the Water Authority, for up to 5,000 square feet of lawn converted in front or back yard. o https://socalwatersmart.com/en/residential/rebates/available-rebates/turf- replacement-program/ • Contractor Program The WaterSmart Contractor Incentive Program offers several incentivized water- efficient devices that when installed in combination, are among the irrigation industry’s best management practices. This program may be available for a limited time. Program requirements, qualifying irrigation devices and rebate amounts are available. o https://www.sdwatersmartcip.com/ Landscape Education • WaterSmart Landscaping in San Diego County is an online plant finder. This interactive gardening tool has thousands of pictures of plants and garden designs that are well- suited to the southern California climate. You can take visual tours of beautiful, water- efficient landscapes through photographs with links to plant information screens. o http://www.watersmartsdlandscaping.org/ Educational Programs • Splash Science Mobile Lab is a mobile lab that goes to schools to educate students in grades four through eight. The students investigate through hands-on science experiments how water pollution affects the environment and wildlife, while learning why it is important to use water wisely. o https://www.sdcwa.org/in-the-community/schools-students/?q=/assemblies- mobile-splash-lab • Virtual Assemblies are for grammar school students. The assemblies are designed to teach students about how water is imported and how to use it wisely. o https://www.sdcwa.org/in-the-community/schools-students/?q=/assemblies- mobile-splash-lab • Annual Calendar Art Contest. Fourth graders from schools within the water district’s territory get an opportunity to win prizes by drawing water conservation themed picture which may be on a yearly calendar provided by north county water agencies. • Water Use Calculator – Calculate water use/water footprint tool is available. Home water conservation is easy once you understand how and where you can use less. This handy calculator takes individualized input by homeowners and shows which of their water uses are efficient and which are not. It also offers tips that save water and energy. The calculator quickly estimates how much water homes use indoors and outdoors, then compares consumption to average and highly efficient homes in the same area with same number of residents. It also suggests where to begin water-use efficiency improvements. o https://www.watercalculator.org/ • WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program Workshops are free classes and coaching from professionals that teach the basics on how to do a landscape makeover. Topics include soil, design, turf removal, plant selection, planning, irrigation, rainwater catchment and implementation, which are all the elements needed to convert high- water-use turf to a beautiful, water-efficient landscape. o https://landscapemakeover.watersmartsd.org/ • Quality Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) – On the WaterSmart website, people can register for free local training courses that will result in Quality Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) certification. Providing landscape professionals with 20 hours of education on principles of proper plant selection for the local climate, irrigation system design and maintenance, and irrigation system programming and operation. o https://qwel.watersmartsd.org/ o https://www.qwel.net/ • City of Carlsbad’s Website – The City of Carlsbad’s website (www.carlsbadca.gov) provides information and education about water and conservation. “How To” articles and videos provide information on subjects like how to read your water meter, how to detect leaks in your home. Recycled water use is covered on the site, particularly how it is produced and that it is a reliable source of water even in drought times. The site encourages users of this water to use as much recycled water as they like, but conserve as much potable water as they can. The site also gives information about current water conservation rules and news about water issues and projects. Links to and from other web sites make it easy to access other agencies programs. Recycled Water Program CMWD began its recycled water program in 1990 and is now a leader in the region with over 977 recycled water connections, more than any other water district in San Diego County. In 2020, 27% of CMWD’s water supply was recycled water, which was wastewater treated at the Carlsbad Water Recycling Facility or Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility. Each drop of recycled water used for irrigation and industrial uses saves the use of potable water in the community. The city also buys 13% of the district’s water supply as desalinated water produced at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, which is considered local supply. Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation (AHLF) Demonstration Garden In the City of Carlsbad, the AHLF hosts the premiere native plant garden in North San Diego County. Visitors can browse through the extensive California Native Plant Garden and accompanying colorful and informative interpretive signage. The landscaping includes 800 native plants featuring over 60 different species. Visitors are welcome to roam through the grounds and learn about California's beautiful low water use native flora. Use of Technology for Customer Service CMWD takes specific actions to assure that the distribution system is free of leaks and water waste and utilizes new technology combined with excellent customer service to assist our customers with conserving water. In addition, staff also maintains active memberships with other groups that assist in water conservation efforts across the state and nation. Below is a synopsis of CMWD’s use of technology for conservation efforts. • Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) – Among many other advantages of using the SCADA system, it also allows staff to monitor the tanks and distribution system and optimize the functioning of the system to ensure that no water is wasted and CMWD purchases as little water as possible to meet the needs of the customers. • Meter Replacement Program – CMWD has an asset management program to ensure that meters are changed out when they have problems or are close to reaching their useful life, which is approximately 20 years. When they are replaced, the new meters use updated technology to ensure accuracy and recording of very low water flows. This works in conjunction with our advanced meter technology and notification system, which is described below. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and WaterSmart Technology – In 2012, CMWD began replacing traditional water meters with “smart meters” that enabled collection of water usage information to be automated. Prior to that, CMWD staff needed to manually read all 29,000 water meters each month to record usage for billing purposes. CMWD has now completed the final stage of an AMI project. CMWD has also installed a data analytics system called WaterSmart which provides an early warning of potential water leaks at homes and businesses. CMWD is the first water district in the region to fully deploy this AMI and WaterSmart technology and received the 2019 Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association. The initial phase of the project allowed CMWD staff to collect water use information by simply driving by each meter instead of manually inspecting and reading each device. With installation of collectors and repeaters at strategic locations throughout the city, water usage data can now be sent back to the CMWD office wirelessly. The City of Carlsbad’s hilly terrain sometimes limits the distance that the data can travel so it is necessary to still read some meters with the drive-by meter reading system. WaterSmart works with the AMI system in that it extracts the read and water usage data, then through the use of algorithms, presents leak and burst alarm data. The system will also break down customer water usage between irrigation, clothes washing, faucets, toilets and showers. Staff analyze the data daily and send emails to customers that are shown to have high water usage, leaks or bursts so that they can be fixed before any significant loss of water occurs. Oftentimes, customers realize there could be a leak problem many days, weeks or months after a leak has started, which usually occurs when they notice an increase in their water bills. The new system gives real-time information to CMWD staff so they can get in touch with the customer by email or phone and provide tips to help identify a potential leak. Staff usually visit the property to make sure it is not a leak on CMWD’s side, contact the customer and assist them to find the leak if they are interested. Staff does not fix leaks on private property but can lead them in the right direction before water is lost. By notifying customers early, water loss is prevented and the customer could save money by not paying for water loss. In addition to streamlining the collection of water usage data, the new system automates the analysis of usage trends and other information, calling out unusual patterns that could be signs of a leak. Ordinances Ordinance nos. 43, 44 and 45 each cover CMWD policies on providing potable water, recycled water and water conservation rules. Some of the ongoing water conservation prohibitions include: o Irrigate only between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. o Runoff from irrigation is prohibited o No watering during or within 48 hours after a rain event o Watering is permitted any time with a hand-held hose with a shut-off valve o Repair all leaks within 5 days Leak Verification Program Matchpoint Leak Surveying is a program that ensures that distribution pipes are not leaking. In 2018, the initial survey of the potable water distribution system was completed. Industry protocols call for a follow-up survey every two years after the initial survey. The reason is that when the initial identifiable leaks are repaired, the increased pressure on leaks that are not detectable will worsen. This ongoing monitoring also ensures that CMWD is within the allowable leak parameters set by the State of California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR) for new long-term water conservation use legislation. New Water Conservation Legislation/Regulations CMWD is involved in working with DWR and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on implementation of Governor Brown’s Executive Order, Making Water Conservation a Way of Life. The order calls for a Water Action Plan and a requirement that the state’s water agencies meet new water use targets that result from using water more wisely, eliminating water waste, and improving agricultural water use efficiency. The DWR and SWRCB are working with stakeholder agencies to develop the water efficiency use targets and regulations for implementation of the order. Implementation may limit the amount of water that districts can supply to their customers in the future. Conceptual North County One Water Program CMWD is also involved in preliminary discussions with the Encina Wastewater Authority (EWA) Joint Powers Authority members on a potable water reuse project. The wastewater flows and facilities from two coastal treatment facilities in North San Diego County (Encina Water Pollution Control Facility (EWPCF) and the San Elijo Water Reclamation Facility (SEWRF)) represent a unique opportunity for large-scale production of purified water. The EWPCF located in the City of Carlsbad could accommodate an advanced water purification facility as it has key assets available for production of purified water such as an ocean outfall, available land for advanced treatment, treated secondary effluent and technically capable staff. The EWA and San Elijo Joint Powers Authority (SEJPA) have been working with multiple local water agencies to develop the North County One Water Program, building on over a decade of collaborative efforts in the region by the North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition. With the combined flows, the North County One Water Program could supply an estimated 18,000 to 25,000 acre-feet or more of purified water overall for potable reuse by 2035. When additional information becomes available, staff will provide more information to the City Council and CMWD Board. It is included in the draft 2020 CMWD Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) as a conceptual project; however, the proposed amount of reductions will not be included in the UMWP future demand forecast until the project is solidified. For the June 8, 2021 CMWD Board meeting, staff is planning to hold a public hearing to request CMWD Board approval of the 2020 CMWD UWMP. City Government Efforts Carlsbad’s city government serves as a good example in the region and implements water conservation in the following ways: • Uses recycled water at three golf courses and most of the city’s community parks, including the five largest parks, setting an example for the private sector and other agencies including Legoland and schools • Uses dozens of “smart controllers” and water efficient irrigation systems and is continuing to upgrade its other irrigation controllers/systems • Has seven artificial turf athletic fields and one artificial turf event area at its parks • Installed low-flow toilets in about three-fourths of city facilities with plans to replace 44 more with low-flow models and 106 with dual-flush valves • Installed waterless urinals in restrooms where increased maintenance is not an issue with plans to replace 35 additional urinals with waterless models • Installed water-saving models in most of the faucets in city facilities • Has a water-efficient landscape ordinance that establishes requirements for planning, design, installation and maintenance of water-efficient landscapes in new construction • Uses drought-tolerant plants routinely in new landscaping • Uses natural mulch routinely in landscaped planters to retain moisture in the soil • Replaced hundreds of broadcast spray irrigation heads with more water-efficient stream rotor spray irrigation heads • Replaced designated decorative grass that is not irrigated with recycled water with drought-tolerant landscaping • Stopped irrigating the property adjacent to the Cole Library which does not need it