Amended Water Shortage Contingency Plan.pdf — City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority, November 21, 2022

DRAFT

City of Merced

Water Shortage Contingency Plan

AMENDED

AUGUST 2022

Prepared for:

CITY OF MERCED
678 West 18 th Street
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 358- 6858

Prepared by:

BLACK WATER CONSULTING ENGINEERS , INC.
602 Lyell Drive
Modesto, CA 95356
(209)
322-1820

DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Water Supply Reliability Analysis .......................................................................................................... 1 3 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Procedures ............................................................... 2

3.1 Decision-Making Process .............................................................................................................. 3

3.2 Key Data Inputs and Methodologies ............................................................................................. 4

3.3 Evaluation Criteria ......................................................................................................................... 5

3.4 Water Supply ................................................................................................................................. 5

3.5 Unconstrained Customer Demand ............................................................................................... 5

3.6 Current Year Available Supply ....................................................................................................... 5

3.7 Infrastructure Considerations ....................................................................................................... 5

3.8 Other Factors ................................................................................................................................ 5 4 Six Standard Water Shortage Levels ..................................................................................................... 6 5 Shortage Response Actions .................................................................................................................. 7

5.1 Supply Augmentation Actions ....................................................................................................... 7

5.2 Demand Reduction Actions .......................................................................................................... 8

5.3 Operational Changes ................................................................................................................... 15

5.4 Additional Mandatory Prohibitions ............................................................................................ 15 6 Seismic Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan .................................................................................... 16 7 Communication Protocols .................................................................................................................. 16 8 Compliance and Enforcement ............................................................................................................ 17 9 Legal Authorities ................................................................................................................................. 17 10 Financial Consequences of WSCP ....................................................................................................... 18 11 Monitoring and Reporting .................................................................................................................. 19 12 Refining ............................................................................................................................................... 19

12.1 Special Water Feature Distinction .............................................................................................. 19

12.2 Plan Adoption, Submittal and Availability .................................................................................. 20

12.2.1 Notice to the Public ............................................................................................................. 20

12.2.2 Public Hearing and Adoption .............................................................................................. 20

12.2.3 Public Hearing ..................................................................................................................... 21

12.2.4 Adoption ............................................................................................................................. 21

12.2.5 Plan Submittal ..................................................................................................................... 21

12.2.6 Submitting a UWMP to Cities and Counties ....................................................................... 21

12.2.7 Public Availability ................................................................................................................ 21

12.2.8 Notification to Public Utilities Commission ........................................................................ 21

12.2.9 Amending an Adopted Water Shortage Contingency Plan ................................................. 22 13 References .......................................................................................................................................... 22

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
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LIST OF TABLES

Table 3-1 Annual Assessment Potential Key Responsibilities ....................................................................... 3 Table 4-1 (DWR Table 8-1) WSCP Levels ....................................................................................................... 6 Table 5-1 (DWR Table 8-3) Supply Augmentation and Other Actions .......................................................... 8 Table 5-2 (DWR Table 8-2) Demand Reduction Actions ............................................................................... 9 Table 5-3 Historical Water Production Data .............................................................................................. 14 Table 5-4 Shortage Gap Estimates ............................................................................................................. 15

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 3-1 Example Annual Assessment and AWSAR Timeline .................................................................... 4

APPENDIC ES

Appendix A – Water Conservation Ordinance
Appendix B – Notices to Public and Public Outreach Efforts Appendix C – City Resolution Adopting WSCP

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
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iii

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AB Assembly Bill
Annual Assessment Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment AWSAR Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report
Central Valley Water Board Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board City City of Merced
CWC California Water Code
DWR California Department of Water Resources
ERP Emergency Response Plan
gpcd gallons per capita per day
GSA Groundwater Sustainability Agency
GSP Groundwater Sustainability Plan
IRWMP 2018 Merced Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Update MIUGSA Merced Irrigation-Urban Groundwater Sustainability Agency MMC Merced Municipal Code
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
PW City of Merced Department of Public Works
SB Senate Bill
SGMA Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
Water Rate Study Water Rate & Capital Facility Charge Study WSCP Water Shortage Contingency Plan

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

1 1 Introduction

In response to the severe drought of 2012 -2016, legislation was adopted in 2018 mandating that the Urban Water Management Plan ( UWMP) include a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) that provides a detailed proposal for assessing water supply availability and response actions to water shortage conditions. Although required to be included with the 2020 UWMP, the WSCP is a stand-alone document and can be amended on its own.

The WSCP is required to include:

• Key attributes of the water supply reliability analysis conducted pursuant to California Water Code (CWC) Section 10632. [CWC Section 10632(a)(1)]
• Six standard water shortage levels corresponding to progressive ranges of up to 10-, 20-, 30-, 40-, and 50-percent shortages and greater than 50-percent shortage. [CWC Section 10632(a)(3)(A)] • Locally appropriate “shortage response actions” fo r each shortage level, with a corresponding estimate of the extent the action will address the gap between supplies and demands. [ CWC Section 10632(a)(4)]
• Procedures for conducting an A nnual Water Supply and Demand Assessment (Annual Assessment) with prescribed elements. Under CWC 10632.1, urban water suppliers are required to submit, by July 1 of each year, beginning in the year following adoption of the 2020 UWMP, an Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report (AWSAR) to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). [CWC Section 10632(a)(2)]
• Communication protocols and procedures to inform customers , the public, and government entities of any current or predicted water shortages and associated response actions. [ CWC Section 10632(a)(5)]
• Monitoring and reporting procedures to assure appropriate data is collected to monitor customer compliance and to respond to any state reporting requirements. [CWC Section 10632(a)(9)] • A re-evaluation and improvement process to assess the functionality of the WSC P and to make appropriate adjustments as warranted. [CWC Section 10632(a)(10)] 2 Water Supply Reliability Analysis

Water Code Section 10632(a)(1)
The analysis of water supply reliability conducted pursuant to Section 10635.

Pursuant to CWC Section 10632(a)(1) , this section examines the (a) findings related to water system reliability conducted pursuant to CWC Section 10632, and (b) the key issues that may create a shortage condition based on the City of Merced’s (City) water asset portfolio. These topics are described in Chapters 6 and 7 of the 2020 UWMP, but are also summarized below, recognizing that the WSCP is a stand-alone document.

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

2 The City's sole source of drinking water is from the groundwater aquifer underlying the community. The City currently obtains groundwater from approximately 20 wells. The City’s wells pump from a non - adjudicated groundwater basin (Merced Subbasin) with no limits on pumping. However, the Merced Subbasin has been identified as being in a critical state of overdraft. Therefore, the future reliability of the groundwater supply for the City will depend on the long- term balance of groundwater extraction and recharge for the Merced Subbasin as a whole.

The City’s 2020 UWMP evaluates the long-term (20-year) and near-term (5-year) supply reliability of the City’s water system, including consideration for a normal year, single dry year, and a 5-year dry period.

Constraints on the water supply reliability for the City are primarily water quantity, water quality, and climate change. The 2020 UWMP estimates that the reliability of the City’s water supply is sufficient to meet long -term and near -term demands based on posi tive impacts from State requirements for sustainable groundwater management and the addition of a surface water supply source starting in 2030. 3 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Procedures

Water Code Section 10632(a)(2)
The procedures used in conducting an annual water supply and demand assessment that include, at a minimum, both of the following:

(A) The written decision-making process that an urban water supplier will use each year to determine its water supply reliability.

(B) The key data inputs and assessment methodology used to evaluate the urban water supplier’s water supply reliability for the current year and one dry year, including all of the following:

(i) Current year unconstrained demand, considering weather, growth, and other influencing factors, such as policies to manage current supplies to meet demand objectives in future years, as applicable. (ii) Current year available supply, considering hydrological and regulatory conditions in the current year and one dry year. The annual supply and demand assessment may consider more than one dry year solely at the discretion of the urban water supplier.
(iii) Existing infrastructure capabilities and plausible constraints. (iv) A defined set of locally applicable evaluation criteria that are consistently relied upon for each annual water supply and demand assessment.
(v) A description and quantification of each source of water supply.

Water Code Section 10632.1
An urban water supplier shall conduct an annual water supply and demand assessment pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10632 and, on or before July 1 of each year, submit an annual water shortage assessment report to the department with information for anticipated shortage, triggered shortage response actions, compliance and enforcement actions, and communication actions consistent with the supplier’s water shortage contingency plan. An urban water supplier that relies on imported water from the State Water Project or the Bureau of Reclamation shall submit its annual water supply and demand assessment within 14 days of receiving its final allocations, or by July 1 of each year, whichever is later.

DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

3 Beginning in 2022, CWC Section 10632.1 requires the City to conduct an Annual Assessment on or before July 1 of each year and submit an AWSAR by July 1 of every year. The purpose of the Annual Assessment and AWSAR is to forecast near-term water supply conditions (for the current year) and ensure appropriate shortage response actions are triggered in a timely manner. This section of the WSCP details the procedures used to prepare the Annual Assessment . The intent of the procedures is to provide a description of annual timing and steps to complete the document. The Annual Assessment will be included as part of the AWSAR.

On April 20, 2022, the DWR finalized the Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Guidance (Annual Assessment Guidance) and accompanying tables. The Annual Assessment will be performed annually by the City using the most current version of the Annual Assessment Guidance. The Annual Assessment shall then be used to complete the AWSAR, which will include recommendations for triggering shortage response actions consistent with the WSCP.

This section describes methods and processes related to the Annual Assessment. All information provided in this section is subject to guidance from the DWR. If the DWR provides modified guidance, then the methods used to perform the Annual Assessment shall change accordingly.

3.1 Decision-Making Process
The City Department of Public Works (PW) will be responsible for preparing and submitting the AWSAR to the DWR. Potential key responsibilities for preparation of the Annual Assessment and AWSAR are listed in Table 3-1. Early in the process, the key team members will be selected and assigned responsibilities to ensure accurate and timely completion of the documents. The Director of Public Works or their designee shall be responsible for approving the AWSAR and presenting recommended s hortage response actions to the City for approval (if applicable).

Table 3-1 Annual Assessment Potential Key Responsibilities # Activity
1 Convene Annual Assessment and AWSAR team
2 Information collection and review (see Section 3.2, Key Data Inputs and Methodologies) 3 Prepare draft AWSAR
4 Finalize AWSAR
5 Submit AWSAR to DWR

An example timeline for the decision -making process is provided in Figure 3 -1. Actual dates for each activity may vary however the Annual Assessment is required to be submitted to DWR by July 1 each year, starting in 2022.

DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

4 Figure 3-1 Example Annual Assessment and AWSAR Timeline

3.2 Key Data Inputs and Methodologies
The following sections describe the key data inputs and methodologies which may be used to evaluate the water system reliability for the current year, while considering that the year to follow will be a dry year. To be consistent with the Annual Assessment Guidance, the current year is defined as the twelve- month period which ends on June 30
th, preceding the July 1 st due date of the AWSAR and the year to follow is defined as the subsequent calendar year. If the definition of current year and dry year is changed by the DWR, then the City shall use the updated definitions for its Annual Assessment.

Key data inputs may include, but are not required to include the following:

• Summary of active water supply sources and their capacities. • Monthly water production data for the previous calendar year. • Available weather data for the previous calendar year and current year. • Population data for the previous calendar year and current year. • Growth projections in terms of land use and/or population for the current year. • Recently completed documents and studies related to the water system and water supply sources.
• Recent regulatory documents.
• Water quality data for the previous calendar year.
• Water system improvements completed in the previous calendar year and planned for the next two years.
• Information on issues encountered in water system for the previous calendar year. Issues may include exceeding contaminant limits, breaks in pipeline, and decreased well production. • Current and projected hydrological conditions.
• Other data which affects the water system.

Data for additional years prior to the current year may be analyzed as part of the assessment. The data will be used to develop projections for available water supply and unconstrained customer demands for the current calendar year, cons idering a dry subsequent year . To assess the adequacy of the available water supply, customer demands for average conditions should be calculated at a minimum. The criteria used in the calculations should be described and be consistent with the most recent ly prepared City documents and regulatory requirements.

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

5 3.3 Evaluation Criteria
The Annual Assessment will compare the projected water supply and the unconstrained average customer demand. If unconstrained average customer demands are higher than the projected water supply, shortage response actions corresponding to the projected WSCP shortage level and Water Conservation Ordinance will be activated.

3.4 Water Supply
The Annual Assessment will describe and quantify each source of water supply. This shall include descriptive text and methods used to determine the supply values.

3.5 Unconstrained Customer Demand
Unconstrained customer demand for the current year will be developed as part of the Annual Assessment.

The methodology for the calculations will be des cribed in the Annual Assessment. References for the sources and assumptions used should be provided. Unconstrained customer demands for subsequent years may be calculated and included.

Various methods could be used to calculate unconstrained customer dema nd. The method should be consistent with previous City documents, including the 2020 UWMP. If an alternative method is used, reasons for the change in approach shall be provided. The most common methods will either involve the use of population projections and a per capita water demand or water demand factors for various types of land uses and estimates for developed areas, by land use type.

3.6 Current Year Available Supply
The current year available supply shall be analyzed as part of the Annual Assessment. The available supply shall consider hydrological and regulatory conditions in the current year and one dry year. The City may, but is not required to, consider more than one dry year.

3.7 Infrastructure Considerations
The City shall consider how the infrastructure capabilities and constraints may affect the City’s ability to deliver supplies to meet customer demands in the coming year. Anticipated capital projects that may influence capabilities, such as repairs that may constrain capabilities (e.g ., planned treatment plant upgrades) or new projects that may add capacity (e.g., a new groundwater well or system intertie) may be described in the AWSAR.

3.8 Other Factors
Other factors that can influence or disrupt the water supply, along with unique local considerations should be described in the Annual Assessment . These factors may include recent regulatory requirements, documents and studies related to the water system and water supply sources, and weather conditions.

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

6 4 Six Standard Water Shortage Levels

Water Code Section 10632(a)(3)
(A) Six standard water shortage levels corresponding to progressive ranges of up to 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 percent shortages and greater than 50 percent shortage. Urban water suppliers shall define these shortage levels based on the suppliers’ water supply conditions, including percentage reductions in water supply, changes in groundwater levels, changes in surface elevation or level of subsidence, or other changes in hydrological or other local conditions indicative of the water supply available for use.

Shortage levels shall also apply to catastrophic interruption of water supplies, including, but not limited to, a regional power outage, an earthquake, and other potential emergency events.

(B) An urban water supplier with an existing water shortage contingency plan that uses different water shortage levels may comply with the requirement in subparagraph (A) by developing and including a cross-reference relating its existing categories to the six standard water shortage levels.

CWC Section 10632(a)(3) requires water suppliers to define six shortage levels based on the supplier’s water supply conditions, including percentage reductions in water supply, changes in groundwater levels, changes in surface elevation or level of subsidence, or other changes in hydrological or other local conditions indicative of the water supply available for use . Table 4-1 (DWR Table 8-1) lists the six WSCP levels for the City. These six levels replaced the previous four levels of water supply restrictions listed in the 2015 UWMP to correspond with the changes to the CWC.

Table 4-1 (DWR Table 8-1) WSCP Levels

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

7 5 Shortage Response Actions

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(4)
Shortage response actions that align with the defined shortage levels and include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(A) Locally appropriate supply augmentation actions.

(B) Locally appropriate demand reduction actions to adequately respond to shortages.

(D) Additional, mandatory prohibitions against specific water use practices that are in addition to state- mandated prohibitions and appropriate to the local conditions.

(E) For each action, an estimate of the extent to which the gap between supplies and demand will be reduced by implementation of the action.

CWC Section 10632(a)(4) requires shortage response actions that align with the shortage levels defined in Table 4 -1 (DWR Table 8 -1) and include locally appropriate supply augmentation actions, demand reduction actions, operational changes, and additional mandatory prohibitions against specific water use practices. An estimate of the extent to which the gap between supplies and demand will be reduced by implementation of the actions must be provided.

In 1993, the City adopted a resolution for a program of mandatory prohibitions related to water conservation. The City adopted this ordinance in response to the water shortage emergency a ssociated with the drought of 1987 through 1991. The regulations associated with this ordinance have been updated, with the most recent update occurring in 2021 to correspond with the six WSCP shortage levels.

Currently, Chapter 15.42 of the City Municipal Code (MMC), implemented through Ordinance 2526 (included in Appendix A), also referred to as the Water Conservation Regulation or the Water Conservation Ordinance, includes general provisions, definitions, application of regulations, and water conservation restrictions for six levels, corresponding to the WSCP levels in Table 4 -1 (DWR Table 8-1).

The water conservation restrictions are described in more detail in this section.

5.1 Supply Augmentation Actions
The City’s supply augmentation actions are focused on long- term strategies for increasing reliability by utilizing and procuring other sources of water. Table 5-1 (DWR Table 8-3) lists these long-term strategies.

Because these are long-term strategies which have yet to be implemented, they are considered to have no effect on reducing a short-term shortage gap. Short-term shortage gaps will primarily be satisfied by demand reduction actions described in the next section.

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

8 Table 5-1 (DWR Table 8-3) Supply Augmentation and Other Actions

5.2 Demand Reduction Actions
Increasing demand reduction actions will be enforced with increasing WSCP levels. Table 5-2 (DWR Table 8-2) summarizes demand reduction actions and the WSCP shortage level at which the action will be mandated. The demand reduction actions column was limited to a drop -down list provided by DWR.

Additional explanation or reference information is listed to provide details specific to the City. Some demand reduction actions listed in the table correspond to operational changes which are described in Section 5.3. Because the City relies solely on groundwater for water supply and the groundwater basin is in a critical state of overdraft, the City urges residents to conserve water and is currently enforcing WSCP Shortage Level 2 demand reduction actions.

Shortage Level
Supply Augmentation Methods and
Other Actions by Water Supplier
Drop down list
These are the only categories that will be
accepted by the WUEdata online submittal tool
How much is this going to reduce
the shortage gap? Include units
used (volume type or percentage)
Additional Explanation or Reference
(optional)
1-6 Exchanges 0
City is exploring a surface water exchange
for recycled water with MID for park
irrigation. Because this is not currently
available, no reduction in shortage gap
was listed. This action will be part of the
normal water management strategy.
1-6 Other Purchases 0
The City's Water Master Plan
recommends the construction of a 10 mgd
surface water treatment plant to be
implemented by the year 2030. This
action is part of the City's long term water
supply strategy.
1-6 Other Actions (describe) 0
The City's Water Master Plan
recommends the construction of six
additional wells with a capacity of 2,500
gpm each to be implemented by the year
2030. This action is part of the City's long
term water supply strategy.

Submittal Table 8-3: Supply Augmentation and Other Actions Add additional rows as needed
NOTES:

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

9 Table 5-2 (DWR Table 8-2) Demand Reduction Actions
Submittal Table 8-2: Demand Reduction Actions
Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only
categories that will be
accepted by the
WUEdata online
submittal tool. Select
those that apply.

How much is this
going to reduce the
shortage gap?
Include units used
(volume type or
percentage)
Additional Explanation or
Reference
(optional)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
Add additional rows as needed
1 Expand Public
Information
Campaign
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
No
1 Improve Customer
Billing
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Yes
1 Other - Prohibit use
of potable water for
washing hard
surfaces
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Prohibits the washing of
sidewalks, driveways,
filling station aprons,
porches or other outdoors
surfaces except when
necessary to protect the
public health and safety.

Yes
1 Other
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Prohibit use of potable
water for washing exterior
of dwellling, buildings, and
structures. Exceptions are
applicable.

Yes
1 Water Features -
Restrict water use
for decorative water
features, such as
fountains
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Non-recirculating
fountains are prohibited. Yes
1 Other
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Prohibit use of water,
except for domestic use,
when an alternative source
is available. Alternative
source includes reclaimed
water, well water, spring
water, or other.

Yes
DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

10 Submittal Table 8-2: Demand Reduction Actions
Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only
categories that will be
accepted by the
WUEdata online
submittal tool. Select
those that apply.

How much is this
going to reduce the
shortage gap?
Include units used
(volume type or
percentage)
Additional Explanation or
Reference
(optional)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
1 Other - Require
automatic shut off
hoses
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Yes
1 Other
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Prohibits external washing
of trailers, trailer houses,
mobile homes, and home
exteriors unless in
conjunction with painting
the exterior of such
trailers, or homes with an
automatic shut-off device.

Yes
1 Other
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
The washing of boats or
motor vehicles with a hose
that is not fitted with an
automatic shut-off device.

Yes
1 Other
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
The indiscriminate running
of water or washing with
water not otherwise
prohibited above which is
wasteful and without
reasonable purpose.

Yes
1 Landscape - Other
landscape restriction
or prohibition
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
The application of potable
water to outdoor
landscapes during and
within forty-eight (48)
hours after measurable
rainfall is prohibited.

Yes
1 Other
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
All car wash fundraisers
mu
st be held at an
established car washing
facility that collects and
recycles the run-off water
before it enters the city's
Yes
DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

11 Submittal Table 8-2: Demand Reduction Actions
Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only
categories that will be
accepted by the
WUEdata online
submittal tool. Select
those that apply.

How much is this
going to reduce the
shortage gap?
Include units used
(volume type or
percentage)
Additional Explanation or
Reference
(optional)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
sewer system. When held
in a parking lot, car washes
can cause pollutants such
as soap, dirt, oil grease,
and other automotive
fluids to enter the storm
drain system.
1 CII - Restaurants may
only serve water
upon request
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Prohibits the serving of
drinking water other than
upon request in eating or
drinking establishments,
including but not limited to
restaurants, hotels, cafes,
cafeterias, bars, or other
public places where food
or drink are served and/or
purchased.

Yes
1 CII - Lodging
establishment must
offer opt out of linen
service
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
To promote water
conservation, operators of
hotels and motels shall
provide guests with the
option of choosing not to
have towels and linens
laundered daily. The hotel
or motel shall prominently
display notice of this
option in each guestroom
using clear and easily
understood language.

Yes
2 Landscape - Limit
landscape irrigation
to specific times
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Any sprinkling, watering,
or irrigation between the
mid-day hours of nine a.m.
and nine p.m. is
prohibited.

Yes
DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

12 Submittal Table 8-2: Demand Reduction Actions
Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only
categories that will be
accepted by the
WUEdata online
submittal tool. Select
those that apply.

How much is this
going to reduce the
shortage gap?
Include units used
(volume type or
percentage)
Additional Explanation or
Reference
(optional)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
2 Landscape - Limit
landscape irrigation
to specific days
70 gpcd Three-day watering
schedule. Yes
2 Decrease Line
Flushing
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Utilize recycled water for
line flushing. No
2 Offer Water Use
Surveys
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
No
3 Landscape - Limit
landscape irrigation
to specific days
20 gpcd Two-day watering
schedule. Yes
3 Implement or Modify
Drought Rate
Structure or
Surcharge
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Yes
3 Provide Rebates on
Plumbing Fixtures
and Devices
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Yes
3 Increase Water
Waste Patrols
Supports other
demand reduction
actions. Less than 2
gpcd (1% of baseline
water demand)
Yes
4 Landscape - Limit
landscape irrigation
to specific days
20 gpcd One-day watering
schedule. Yes
DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

13 Submittal Table 8-2: Demand Reduction Actions
Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only
categories that will be
accepted by the
WUEdata online
submittal tool. Select
those that apply.

Yes
NOTES:

Water use reductions for each demand reduction action included in Table 5-2 (DWR Table 8 -2) were estimated based on information from water conservation studies and an analysis of historical per capita water production data for the City between 1996 – 2020. Most of the demand reduction is estimated to occur from restrictions on landscape irrigation.

Water use reduction associated with the demand reduction actions for shortage levels 1 and 2 were primarily assigned to limiting landscape irrigation to a three-day water schedule and estimated to be the difference between the 2020 target per capita gross water use of 248 gpcd from the SB X7-7 tables in the 2020 UWMP and the average per capita gross water use achieved between 2016 – 2020.

Water use reduction as sociated with reducing landscape irrigation by one day was estimated by comparing the average water use for the three lowest months of each year with the annual average water use for the year on a per capita basis for 2016 – 2020, and assuming that outdoor water use was occurring three days per week. The overall difference between outdoor water use and baseline water use was divided by three to estimate outdoor water use per day. Table s 5-3 and 5-4 summarize the calculations for estimating the impacts from the demand reduction actions.

DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

14 Table 5-3 Historical Water Production Data
Water Pumped (MG)
Month # of days 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
January 31 292.24 297.75 326.62 299.34 303.73
February 28 289.50 267.61 328.52 268.55 348.72
March 31 318.74 338.64 339.96 301.73 387.88
April 30 382.03 366.74 410.21 438.17 411.49
May 31 506.46 591.68 609.11 545.26 643.06
June 30 677.26 675.97 719.28 677.10 732.23
July 31 752.99 787.49 826.24 775.79 839.40
August 31 748.21 761.04 783.02 788.41 824.03
September 30 650.40 664.75 684.84 679.48 692.11
October 31 518.07 583.44 569.06 592.78 607.69
November 30 350.60 400.50 440.61 472.12 411.74
December 31 317.60 355.25 312.75 329.89 339.19
Total 5,804.10 6,090.86 6,350.22 6,168.62 6,541.27
Service Area Population a 92,208 93,482 95,242 96,670 99,100 Average water use, gpcd 172 179 183 175 181
Average water use, gpcd 178
Baseline water use (lowest 3 months), MG 899.34 904.00 967.89 869.62 991.64 Baseline b, gpcd 108 107 113 100 111
Baseline water use, gpcd 108
Estimated outdoor water use, gpcd 64 71 70 75 70
Average outdoor water use, gpcd 70
a Service area population is defined as the population served by the distribution system and includes the City of Merced and UC Merced. 2016-2020 City of Merced population data is from the California Department of Finance, Table E -4. 2016-2020 UC Merced population from UC Merced Center of Institutional Effectiveness (https://cie.ucmerced.edu/overall-enrollment- totals and ht tps://cie.ucmerced.edu/faculty -and-staff-interactive-data)

b Baseline, gpcd is the Baseline water use (lowest 3 months) divided by the Service Area Population.

DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

15 Table 5-4 Shortage Gap Estimates
# Description Value
(1) Average Water Use without Demand Reduction Actions, gpcd (SB X7-7 2020 Target)
248
(2) Average Water Use after Shortage Level 1 and 2 Actions, gpcd (Average water use, 2016-2020)
178
(3) Estimated Reduction in Shortage Gap from Level 1 and 2 Actions, gpcd 70 (4) Average outdoor water use (3-day watering schedule), gpcd 70 (5) Reduction in Shortage Gap by one day reduction in watering schedule, gpcd 23 Notes:
(2) Average Water Use after Shortage Level 1 and 2 Actions = Average water use from Table 5-2. (3) Estimated Reduction in Shortage Gap from Level 1 and 2 Actions = (1) Average Water Use without Demand Reduction Actions - (2) Average Water Use after Shortage Level 1 and 2 Actions. (4) Average outdoor water use (3-day watering schedule) = Average outdoor water use from Table 5-2. (5) Reduction in Shortage Gap by one day reduction in watering schedule = (4) ÷ 3.

5.3 Operational Changes
The demand reduction option s listed in Table s 5 -1 and 5-2 (DWR Tables 8-2 and 8-3) include several operational changes. The operational changes are:

• Decreasing line flushing.
• Offering water use surveys.
• Implement or modify drought rate structure or surcharge. • Increase water waste patrols.

5.4 Additional Mandatory Prohibitions
Chapter 15.42.100 of the MMC includes the following mandatory prohibitions for all users:

• Allowing broken or defective plumbing, or sprinklers, watering, or irrigation systems which permit the escape or leakage of water.
• The use of water in any manner which causes, allows, or permits the flooding of any premises, or any portion thereof.
• All uses of non-potable water without the permission of the Department of Public Works, except for the use of rainwater collected for irrigation purposes.

Chapter 15.42.100 of the MMC also includes additional mandatory prohibitions applicable to new plantings.

DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

16 6 Seismic Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan

Water Code Section 10632.5
(a) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 10632, beginning January 1, 2020, the plan shall include a seismic risk assessment and mitigation plan to assess the vulnerability of each of the various facilities of a water system and mitigate those vulnerabilities.

(b) An urban water supplier shall update the seismic risk assessment and mitigation plan when updating its urban water management plan as required by Section 10621.

(c) An urban water supplier may comply with this section by submitting, pursuant to Section 10644, a copy of the most recent adopted local hazard mitigation plan or multihazard mitigation plan under the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106 -390) if the local hazard mitigation plan or multihazard mitigation plan addresses seismic risk.

The City adopted a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in March 2015 . The plan addresses seismic risk and satisfies the requirement of CWC Section 10632.5(a). A copy of the most recently adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is available at this web address:
https://www.cityofmerced.org/departments/development-se rvices/planning-division/local-hazard- mitigation-plan

Another useful reference for assessing and mitigating seismic risks to the water system is an Emergency Response Plan (ERP). The City is in the process of updating their ERP to address requirements of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 Section 2013(b) . The ERP will incorporate findings of their risk and resilience assessment and describe strategies, resources, plans, and procedures utilities can use to prepare for and respond to an incident, natural or man- made, that threatens life, property, or the environment.
7 Communication Protocols

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(5)
Communication protocols and procedures to inform customers, the public, interested parties, and local, regional, and state governments, regarding, at a minimum, all of the following:

(A) Any current or predicted shortages as determined by the annual wate r supply and demand assessment described pursuant to Section 10632.1.

(B) Any shortage response actions triggered or anticipated to be triggered by the annual water supply and demand assessment described pursuant to Section 10632.1.

In accordance with CWC 10632(a)(5), the City shall initiate communication procedures to inform customers, the public, interested parties, and local, regional, and state governments when the AW SAR DRAFT
City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

17 predicts a current or predicted shortage and the shortage response actions that will be triggered or anticipated to be triggered.

The Water Conservation Ordinance (MMC Section 15.42.050) includes language that the current level of water conservation restrictions, and any change in said level of water conservation restrictions, shall be communicated to the public by reasonable means to ensure compliance, including but not limited to, posting on the City’s website, publishing in the local newspaper, and written notice to be included with the City’s water bills.
8 Compliance and Enforcement

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(6)
For an urban retail water supplier, customer compliance, enforcement, appeal, and exemption procedures for triggered shortage response actions as determined pursuant to Section 10632.2.

Customer compliance with the triggered shortage response actions will be enforced through cease -and- desist orders and penalties, as described in the Water Conservation Ordinance, MMC Section 15.42.110.

MMC Section 15.42.060 allows for the granting of variances. MMC Section 15.42.110 includes details for an appeal process.
9 Legal Authorities

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(7)
(A) A description of the legal authorities that empower the urban water supplier to implement and enforce its shortage response actions specified in paragraph (4) that may include, but are not limited to, statutory authorities, ordinances, resolutions, and contract provisions.

(B) A statement that an urban water supplier shall declare a water shortage emergency in accordance with Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 350) of Division 1. [see below]

(C) A statement that an urban water supplier shall coordinate with any city or county within which it provides water supply services for the possible proclamation of a local emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code.

Water Code Section Division 1, Section 350
Declaration of water shortage emergency condition. The governing body of a distributor of a public water supply, whether publicly or privately owned and including a mutual water company, shall declare a water shortage emergency condition to prevail within the area served by such distributor whenever it finds and determines that the ordinary demands and requirements of water consumers cannot be satisfied without depleting the water supply of the distributor to the extent that there would be insufficient water for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection.

Chapter 15.42 of the MMC gives the City the authority to implement and enforce its shortage response actions. When the conditions deem it necessary, the City shall declare a water shortage emergency in DRAFT
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18 accordance with Water Code Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 350) of Division 1 general provision regarding water shortage emergencies. Because the City is also the water supplier, City staff can coordinate the possible proclamation of a local emergency under California Government Code, California Emergency Services Act (Article 2, Section 8558).
10 Financial Consequences of WSCP

Water Code Section 10632(a)(8)
A description of the financial consequences of, and responses for, drought conditions, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) A description of potential revenue reductions and expense increases associated with activated shortage response actions described in paragraph (4).

(B) A description of mitigation actions needed to address revenue reductions and expense increases associated with activated shortage response actions described in paragraph (4).

1. Revenues for the cost of operating the City water system are collected from customer water rates. The City adopted a multi-year water rate program for 2019 – 2021 based on a Water Rate & Capital Facility Charge Study (Water Rate Study) completed in July 2018 [ 1]. The rate structure is comprised of a fixed service charge (Base Monthly Charge) and a uniform, consumption -based rate (Volumetric Rate). When shortage response actions are activated, revenues will be reduced due to reduced consumption. However, the costs for operating the water system will not correspondingly decrease. There may also be additional costs associated with implementing the shortage response actions and enforcing compliance.

The cost of compliance with Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 365) of Division 1 of the CWC is not projected to be significant because the Water Rate Study was recently completed , analyzed water use during a drought period when excessive water use was prohibited, and utilized the c onservative assumption that water usage will remain flat to mitigate potential revenue reductions associated with water conservation. Additionally, a drought rate was developed for the City to recover costs for providing water service during drought periods. These drought rates are to be implemented for WSCP shortage level 3 or higher.

If needed, the City may implement additional strategies to address decreased revenue from water sales.

These strategies may include use of financial reserves, deferring capital improvement projects, and reducing current and future operation and maintenance expenses.

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

19 11 Monitoring and Reporting

Water Code Section 10632(a)(9)
For an urban retail water supplier, monitoring and reporting requirements and procedures that ensure appropriate data is collected, tracked, and analyzed for purposes of monitoring customer compliance and to meet state reporting requirements.

The City’s water system has water meters on all production sources and customers. The City will use the production meters and customer usage meters to determine actual water use reductions. Monthly water pumping volumes and water billing data analyzed for the previous year will be summarized in the Annual Assessment and will assist with monitoring and reporting the adequacy of the shortage response actions. 12 Refining

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(10)
Reevaluation and improvement procedures for systematically monitoring and evaluating the functionality of the water shortage contingency plan in order to ensure shortage risk tolerance is adequate and appropriate water shortage mitigation strategies are implemented as needed.

The Annual Assessment, including monitoring and reporting procedures, will provide data to determine if the water shortage mitigation strategies are adequate for reducing water demands. If the data indicates that the strategies are not adequate or can be reduced, the WSCP should be amended and be formally approved as described in Section 12.2.

12.1 Special Water Feature Distinction

Water Code Section 10632 (b)
For purposes of developing the water shortage contingency plan pursuant to subdivision (a), an urban water supplier shall analyze and define water features that are artificially supplied with water, including ponds, lakes, wat erfalls, and fountains, separately from swimming pools and spas, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 115921 of the Health and Safety Code.

In accordance with Water Code Section 10632 (b), swimming pools and spas are considered different from other water features that are artificially supplied with water, including ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and fountains. The City follows the definition of a swimming pool found in the Swimming Pool Safety Act.

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

20 12.2 Plan Adoption, Submittal and Availability

12.2.1 Notice to the Public

Water Code Section 10642
…Prior to adopting either [the plan or water shortage contingency plan], the urban water supplier shall make both of the plan and the water shortage contingency plan available for public inspection and shall hold a public hearing or hearings thereon. Prior to any of these hearings, notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be published within the jurisdiction of the publicly owned water supplier pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code [see below]. The urban water supplier shall provide notice of the time and place of a hearing to any city or county within which the supplier provides water supplies.

Government Code section 6066
Publication of notice pursuant to this section shall be once a week for two successive weeks. Two publications in a newspaper published once a week or oftener, with at least five days intervening between the respective publication dates not counting such publication dates, are sufficient. The period of notice commences upon the first day of publication and terminates at the end of the fourteenth day, including therein the first day.

The City is committed to encourag ing the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic elements of its citizenry . On August 5, 2021 and August 12, 2021, the City placed a notice in the local newspaper stating that its WSCP has been prepared and that a public hearing would be conducted to take testimony from members of the community. A copy of this notification is included in Appendix B. The Draft 2020 WSCP was made available for public inspection at the City Public Works Department, located at 1776 Grogan Avenue. In addition, the City also posted a copy of the public review Draft WSCP on its website (www.cityofmerced.org). The notice of public hearing to the public is included in Appendix B.

12.2.2 Public Hearing and Adoption

Water Code Section 10642
…Prior to adopting either, the [plan or water shortage contingency plan], the urban water supplier shall make both the plan and the water shortage contingency plan available for public inspection and shall hold a public hearing or hearings thereon.

Water Code Section 10608.26
(a) In complying with this part, an urban retail water supplier shall conduct at least one public hearing to accomplish all of the following:
(1) Allow community input regarding the urban retail water supplier’s implementation plan for complying with this part.
(2) Consider the economic impacts of the urban retail water supplier’s implementation plan for complying with this part.
(3) Adopt a method, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 10608.20 for determining its urban water use target.

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Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

21 The City has encouraged community and public interest involvement in the WSCP using mailings, public meetings, and web-based communication. Copies of the City’s outreach efforts are included in Appendix B.

12.2.3 Public Hearing
A public hearing was held on August 16, 2021, at the City Council Chamber. The hearing provided an opportunity for the City’s customers, residents, and employees to learn and ask questions about the current and future water supply of the City.

12.2.4 Adoption

Water Code Section 10642
…After the hearing or hearings, the plan or water shortage contingency plan shall be adopted as prepared or as modified after the hearing.

This WSCP was adopted by the City Council on August 16, 2021. City Resolution is included in Appendix C.

12.2.5 Plan Submittal
A copy of the WSCP will be submitted to DWR upon adoption by the Merced City Council . The adopted WSCP will be submitted electronically to DWR using the WUEdata Portal submittal tool.

12.2.6 Submitting a UWMP to Cities and Counties
The 2020 UWMP will be submitted in electronic format to Merced County and MID within 30 days of adoption.

12.2.7 Public Availability

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(c)
The urban water supplier shall make available the water shortage contingency plan prepared pursuant to this article to its customers and any city or county within which it provides water supplies no later than 30 days after adoption of the water shortage contingency plan.

Water Code Section 10645
(a) Not later than 30 days after filing a copy of its plan with the department, the urban water supplier and the department shall make the plan available for public review during normal business hours. (b) Not later than 30 days after filing a copy of its water shortage contingency plan with the department, the urban water supplier and the department shall make the plan available for public review during normal business hours.

Within 30 days of submitting the WSCP to DWR, the adopted WSCP will be available for public review during normal business hours at the City of Merced Public Works Department. The City will also post a copy of the adopted WSCP on its website (www.cityofmerced.org).

12.2.8 Notification to Public Utilities Commission
The City is not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission.

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

22 12.2.9 Amending an Adopted Water Shortage Contingency Plan

Water Code Section 10644 (b)
If an urban water supplier revises its water shortage contingency plan, the supplier shall submit to the department a copy of its water shortage contingency plan prepared…no later than 30 days after adoption, in accordance with protocols for submission and using electronic reporting tools developed by the department.

If the City revises the WSCP, copies of amendments or changes to the plans will be submitted electronically to the DWR through the WUEdata Portal within 30 days of its adoption. 13 References

[1] City of Merced Water Rate & Capital Facility Charge Study, Stantec, July 24, 2018.

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

A
Appendix A

Water Conservation Ordinance

DRAFT

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

B
Appendix B

Notices to Public and Public Outreach Efforts

DRAFT
Appendix B will be added to the WSCP when public notices have been issued.

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City of Merced
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
August 2022

C
Appendix C

City Resolution Adopting WSCP
DRAFT
Appendix C will be added to the WSCP prior to submitting to the DWR.

City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking AuthorityNovember 21, 2022

City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority
November 21, 2022