201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #1101
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5173
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
DATE: MAY 17, 2022
FROM: PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF WATER REDUCTION PLAN II IN
RESPONSE TO PROLONGED DROUGHT CONDITIONS
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 08
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution, declare the existence of an Elevated Water Shortage and order the implementation of Water Reduction Plan II of Section 10.18.080 of the Anaheim Municipal Code (Water Conservation Ordinance), consistent with the Governor’s Executive Order N-7-22 issued on March 28, 2022.
DISCUSSION:
At its meeting on April 27, 2022, the Public Utilities Board recommended that the City Council approve this action.
On October 19, 2021, the Governor issued a proclamation of a state of emergency based on drought conditions, calling for 15% in voluntary reductions as compared to 2020.
Following the driest first quarter (January – March 2022) in recorded history, the Governor issued an Executive Order calling on the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to consider adopting emergency regulations for urban water suppliers, like the Anaheim Public Utilities Department (APU), to activate their Level II water shortage contingency plans and to consider a ban on the irrigation of “non-functional turf” for commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) customers. Among other measures described in the table below, APU’s Plan II calls for limiting outdoor irrigation to three days a week.
Based on the Executive Order, it is anticipated that the emergency regulations would also include penalties, including civil liabilities, for failure to implement the water conservation requirements. New regulations concerning a potential ban on irrigation of decorative grass for CII customers have not yet been determined, and will be addressed at a later date, subject to the SWRCB’s regulatory proceedings.
Chapter 10.18 of the Anaheim Municipal Code provides voluntary and mandatory water restrictions for the City to respond to different degrees of water shortages. Four Water Reduction Plans are defined in Chapter 10.18. Plan I is intended for mild water shortages and encourages voluntary reduction in outdoor irrigation. Plans II through IV include Implementation of Water Reduction Plan II in Response to Prolonged Drought Conditions May 17, 2022
mandatory restrictions for significant to extreme water shortages as illustrated in Table
1. The City has been in Plan I since 2018 in order to encourage conserving water as a way of life. APU is recommending moving to Plan II to transition from voluntary to mandatory conservation, while monitoring State Water Board actions and water supply conditions.
Table 1
Restriction Plan I
Voluntary
Plan II
Mandatory
Plan III
Mandatory
Plan IV
Mandatory
No irrigation runoff
Hoses must have shutoff nozzle
No watering driveways or sidewalks
Prohibit non-circulation fountains
Night time irrigation
Only serve water in restaurants
upon request
Only launder linens at hotels when
requested
3 day per week irrigation
2 day per week irrigation
No outdoor irrigation
Historically, Anaheim residents, businesses, and City departments have responded effectively to calls for conservation during times of drought. Over the past 20 years, Anaheim’s overall water use has decreased by approximately 30% while the population has increased by 16%. During the previous drought in the 2015 timeframe, over 3 billion gallons of water were saved, yet only one fine was administered for customer non- compliance. These achievements have been a result of efficient appliances and fixtures, reduced outdoor irrigation, water conservation education, and customers’ willingness to become more sustainable in their water use.
The enforcement process consists of the following steps:
1st violation: warning and education by APU
2nd violation: courtesy notice issued by Code Enforcement 3rd violation: fine of $100 administered by Code Enforcement, with increasing amounts up to $500 for continued non-compliance
Implementation of Water Reduction Plan II in Response to Prolonged Drought Conditions May 17, 2022
If Plan II is approved, a wide variety of education and outreach efforts will be taken by APU. Targeted outreach will take place with large water users such as restaurants, hotels, homeowners’ associations, schools, commercial businesses, and other City departments to provide rebates, technical assistance, and customized water reduction solutions to help them conserve. Outreach to residential customers will include social media, utility bill inserts, community meetings, water gardening workshops, and student engagement activities. Irrigation schedules will also be widely distributed to customers, and watering days will be based on their address, as shown below.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in APU’s FY 2021/22 Water budget to implement rebates and conduct outreach efforts, and funds for subsequent years are subject to City Council budget approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Dukku Lee
Public Utilities General Manager
Attachment:
1. Resolution