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CC - (1) Adoption of a Resolution (A) Rescinding Resolution No 2015-R063 (Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Conditions); and (B) Declaring the Existence of Level 1 Water Supply Shortage Conditions and Implementing Mandatory Conservation Requirements Related Thereto; and (2) Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Sections 5.03.030 (Permanent Water Conservation Requirements), 5.030.035 (Level 1 Water Supply Shortage Requirements) and 5.03.040 (Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Requirements) of Chapter 5.03, Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage Program, of the Culver City Municipal Code.
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Meeting Date: 09/26/2016
Contact Person/Dept: Joe Susca, Public Works-Administration
Phone Number: 310-253-5636
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/20/16); (E-Mail) The Following E-Mail Distribution List Subscribers: Sustainability and Environmental Issues, Community Gardening and All Homeowners Associations (09/20/16); (E-Mail) members of the public who pulled speaker cards regarding this topic during the City Council meetings of June 22, 2015 and July 23, 2015 (09/20/16).
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson (09/12/16)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a Resolution (A) rescinding Resolution No. 2015-R063 (Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Conditions); and (B) declaring the existence of Level 1 Water Supply Shortage conditions and implementing mandatory conservation requirements related thereto; and (2) introduce an Ordinance amending Sections 5.03.030 (Permanent Water Conservation Requirements), 5.03.035 (Level 1 Water Supply Shortage Conservation Requirements) and 5.03.040 (Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Conservation Requirements) of Chapter 5.03, Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage Program, of the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC).
BACKGROUND
In recognition of four years of continuous drought conditions in California, on January 17, 2014 Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency urging a 20% reduction in water use statewide when compared to the prior year (2013). In response to the declaration, the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) adopted emergency regulations to safeguard the State’s remaining potable water supplies that included limitations on the number of days residents may water their landscapes, water use restrictions in decorative water features and prohibiting the hosing down of sidewalks and driveways.
Since the amount of precipitation received during the winter of 2015 failed to adequately replenish the State’s water supplies, on April 1, 2015 the Governor enacted mandatory water use restrictions and imposed a 25% mandatory reduction in water use statewide. In response to these mandates, on July 13, 2015 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2015-003, enhancing its minimum water use restrictions and amending the framework set forth in CCMC Chapter 5.03, Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage Program, to enact three additional levels of increasingly restrictive water use limitations (Level 1 being the least restrictive). Also on July 13, 2015, the City Council declared the existence of a Level 2 water supply shortage condition and required swimming pools and spas be equipped with covers to reduce evaporation. The City also developed (and continues to implement) a citywide Water Conservation Plan, set aside funds to implement projects and programs aimed at reducing water use, and developed a website to keep the community informed of water conservation opportunities, programs and regulatory developments.
(www.culvercity.org/waterconservation <http://www.culvercity.org/waterconservation>).
DISCUSSION
In response to the El Niño winter of 2016, which brought a significant amount of precipitation that replenished water supplies primarily located in northern California, on May 9, 2016 the Governor issued an Executive Order (Order) that imposed permanent water use restrictions and instructed the Water Board to adjust existing emergency water conservation regulations through the end of January 2017, which acknowledged the differing water supply conditions across the state. The Order also required the Water Board to work with the California Department of Water Resources (Water Resources) to develop new water use targets as part of a permanent framework to adhere to the Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB X7-7), which requires a 20% reduction in urban water use by 2020. The Water Board and Water Resources subsequently required water retailers to submit documentation revealing their plan to achieve the 20% urban water use reduction by 2020 and demonstrating their ability to meet the water supply needs of their customers over the following three years (a.k.a. “Stress Test”). Golden State Water (GSW) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) submitted Stress Tests adhering to these requirements that were reviewed and approved by Water Board staff.
The Stress Test demonstrating LADWP’s ability to meet the water needs of their customers over the following three years eliminated their existing 14% water use reduction mandate, however, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a voluntary water use reduction target of 20%. Similarly, GSW’s 16% water use reduction mandate became voluntary and they increased their residential landscape watering days from two to three times per week.
Staff presented these developments to the City Council Sustainability Subcommittee during their meeting of August 10, 2016. After an examination of the City’s existing water conservation regulations, the Subcommittee recommended declaring a Level 1 water supply shortage condition and the following changes to CCMC Chapter 5.03, Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage Program, to adhere to those regulations adopted by the Order and implemented by GSW and LADWP:
1. Watering Hours. Changes landscape watering hours from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
2. Duration: On authorized watering days, the interval for landscape watering is reduced from 15 to 10 minutes per zone. (The limitation applies to traditional sprinkler-type irrigation systems and does not apply to low-flow drip systems or hand-watering with a hose or pitcher.)
3. Weekly Watering: Removes the once per week landscape watering prohibition during the winter season during Level 1 and 2 shortages and replaces it by prohibiting watering within 48 hours after measurable precipitation.
4. Irrigation Prohibition: Adds the prohibition of watering ornamental turf on public street medians.
5. Pool/Spa Covers: The requirement to cover pools and spas is removed from a Level 2 shortage condition and becomes a permanent requirement.
Declaration of a Level 1 Water Supply Shortage condition will increase landscape watering frequency from two to three times per week and will mirror existing restrictions enacted by GSW and LADWP.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Declaring a Level 1 Water Supply Shortage and introduction of the Ordinance will have no fiscal impact to the City.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Proposed Ordinance
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution (A) rescinding Resolution No. 2015-R063 (Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Conditions); and (B) declaring a Level 1 Water Supply Shortage condition and implementing the water use restrictions related thereto; and,
2. Introduce an Ordinance amending Sections 5.03.030 (Permanent Water Conservation Requirements), 5.03.035 (Level 1 Water Supply Shortage Conservation Requirements) and 5.03.040 (Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Conservation Requirements) of Chapter 5.03, Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage Program, of the Culver City Municipal Code.