Pasadena City Council
May 8, 2023

Pasadena Water and PowerIMPLEMENT LEVEL 1 WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE PLAN AND LIFT TEMPORARY 15 PERCENT VOLUNTARY WATER-USE REDUCTION TARGET May 8, 2023Item 16 Pasadena Water and PowerOverview•Water supply conditions update: One of the wettest winters on record•State (Governor’s executive order) easing statewide water restrictions, while maintaining other drought measures•Recommend moderately scaling back drought restrictions>Continue to implement a water shortage level, as still vulnerable to extreme and variable weather in California and Colorado River reservoirs remain low >Move down to Level 1 Water Supply Shortage Plan based on water supply and demand conditions>Lift temporary 15 percent water-use reduction goal>Wasteful watering practices continue to be banned•Capturing surplus State Water Project supplies and continuing to save water for the future2 Pasadena Water and PowerWinter Storms Produced Near-Record High California Snowpack DWR Snow Survey: April 3, 2023Credit: California Department of Water Resources As of 5/4/2023
Pasadena Water and PowerSignificantly Improved Water Supply Conditions – State Water Project Lake Oroville expected to fill by end of May Water releases from Oroville SpillwayMajor State Water Project reservoirs now full or near fullState Water Project allocation increased to 100%: an extraordinary yearCredit: California Department of Water Resources Credit: California Department of Water Resources*Increased to 100% on April 20, 2023 Pasadena Water and PowerState Easing Some Drought Measures, Maintaining Others•In response to improved conditions, on March 24, 2023, Governor Newsom issued orders that:>Ends the voluntary 15% water conservation goal, continues to encourage using water wisely>Ends requirement that local water agencies implement level 2 drought contingency plans>Maintains ban on wasteful water uses, like watering ornamental grass on commercial grounds>Retains state of emergency for all 58 counties so response and recovery efforts can continue5 California Aqueduct
San Luis Reservoir Now FullCredit: California Department of Water ResourcesCredit: California Department of Water Resources Pasadena Water and PowerLess Severe Colorado River Basin Conditions Lake Mead projected to rise more than 20 feet this year, but still low after 23 years of drought Pasadena Water and PowerOverall Surplus Conditions in 2023:Replenishing Regional and Local Storage Refilling Diamond Valley Lake Credit: The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California *Estimated 375 TAF additional water supplies above current regional storage fill capacity PWP proactively capturing surplus State Water Project supplies for local groundwater replenishment Initiated In-Lieu Program with Metropolitan, significantly reducing groundwater pumping Pasadena Water and Power•Recommendations>Move to Level 1 Water Supply Shortage PlanRestricts outdoor watering to up to 3 days per week in summer,1 day per week in winterWasteful watering practices continue to be banned>Lift temporary 15 percent voluntary water-use reduction target•Accompanying Messaging>Encourage less days a week of outdoor watering if possible>Continue to maintain tree health>Must continue to use water wisely>PWP is here to help with rebates, classes, water-saving tips, and more Recommend Moderate Easing of Local Drought Restrictions 8 Pasadena Water and Power•Driving Factors>Balanced approach consistent with overall supply/demand conditions, state/regional actions, and Pasadena OrdinanceContinue to implement a water shortage levelReduce mandated water restriction intensity>Adaptive water management: flexibility to manage through extreme conditionsAllows for flexibility to replenish stressed landscapes, including trees>Maximizing groundwater replenishment with surplus State Water Project supplies>Continuing water-use efficiency efforts and building climate resilience Recommend Moderate Easing of Local Drought Restrictions 9 Pasadena Water and PowerContinuing Foundation of Water Conservation for Climate Resilience 10 - 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000 180,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000
Population
FY Demands (Acre-Feet)Fiscal Year
Population10-Year Rolling Demand AverageRemaining on track to meet ongoing and long-term water conservation goals for climate resilienceContinuing trend to reduce water use, despite increasing population Pasadena Water and PowerContinuing Foundation of Water Conservation for Climate Resilience•Level 1 Outreach & Education>Direct messaging >Citywide mailer>Press releases>Daily updates: City website, Facebook, Twitter 11 •Ongoing: Continue to Build Climate Resilience>ProgramsIrrigation Check-UpLandscape RetrofitsSpray-To-Drip GreywaterLeak DetectionWater Surveys and Direct InstallRebates and Incentives>Grants>Water is Climate Campaign>Community Workshops>Partnership with Public Works –Stormwater/Rainwater Capture

Pasadena Water and PowerRecommendation•California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Exemption>State CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 >Protection of Natural Resources•Pursuant to Pasadena Water Waste Prohibitions and Water Supply Shortage Plans Ordinance (PMC 13.10)>Implement Level 1 Water Supply Shortage Plan >Lift the temporary 15 percent voluntary water-use reduction target12 Pasadena Water and PowerBackup Slides
13 Pasadena Water and PowerRecommend Moderate Easing of Local Drought Restrictions 14 Level 1(Recommended)Level 2(Current)Level 3 Level 4Watering Days Per Week3 summer 1 winter2 summer1 winter 1 summer1 winterNo watering or irrigatingObligation to RepairLeaks, Breaks72 hours after notification48 hours after notification36 hours after notification24 hours after notificationAdditionalProhibitionsN/AFilling ornamental lakes and pondsFilling ornamental lakes and pondsFilling ornamental lakes, ponds, residential pools or spasNo new potable water service provided Pasadena Water Shortage Plan Levels
*Summer: April 1 – October 31; Winter: November 1 – March 31Limits on Watering Hours: prohibited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container or a hand-held hose equipped with a water shut-off nozzle or device