CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
June 6, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Chris Diggs, Water Resources Director
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION to IMPLEMENT LEVEL 2 Water use RESTRICTIONS and rescind resolution no. 2016-106, the current level 1 water supply shortage declaration RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution:
Resolution no. 2022-100 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING A LEVEL 2 WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE AND RESCIND RESOLUTION NO. 2016-106, THE CURRENT LEVEL 1 WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE DECLARATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In response to the Governor’s March 2022 Executive Order N-7-22 (EO) mandating limits on outdoor water use and requiring specific drought response actions, staff seeks approval of the attached Resolution, which declares a Level 2 Water Supply Shortage to comply with the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) emergency regulations and Governor Newsom’s EO. Water supply sources, including State reservoirs and the Colorado River System, are at historic low levels prompting the State to implement mandatory water use and irrigation restrictions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact due to water conservation cannot be determined definitely. While water conservation generally has the effect of reducing revenues, and at the same time reduces the expense of having to purchase expensive State Water Project water. Depending on the timing and the amount of reductions, differing savings and losses in revenues can result during the conservation effort; therefore, staff will continue to track the reductions in expenses and revenues and make the necessary budgetary adjustments within the adopted budget.
PUBLIC NOTICING REQUIREMENTS:
Pursuant to Section, 62-358 of Ordinance No. 4122, the City is required to publish a copy of the proposed Resolution in a local newspaper within seven (7) days of the declaration of the Level 2 Water Supply Shortage level.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
There are no previous Council actions taken related to the Governor’s 2022 EO.
DISCUSSION:
Californians are certainly no stranger to drought, having recently experienced a five year drought event from 2012-2016. This year is only different in that this year has been the driest in the past 128 years. Having experienced a recent drought, we have learned much about how to deal with our limited water resource. Keeping with what we have learned, water use restrictions will now be in place starting June 10, with the Governor’s EO. The restrictions within the EO impact Pomona water users, in large part, by a required reduction in water use for irrigation.
During the last drought, the State mandated water conservation efforts in July 2014. In response to the 2014 water use restrictions the City limited the number of days customers could water their landscapes; which are the same restrictions required under the EO and within the attached resolution. Having achieved a 22 percent reduction in water use in 2014, it is believed that the City can again achieve this reduction which will allow the City to meet the necessary 20 percent water use reductions.
Since 2016, Pomona residents have been under Level 1 Water Supply Shortage conditions which call for voluntary conservation. The March 2022 EO calls for a 20% reduction in water usage. In light of the EO, staff recommends that the City declare a Level 2 water supply shortage designation, which limits the number of watering days per week, in addition to the requirements below, which are included within the City’s Water Supply Shortage plan:
Level 2 – Reduction Required
Outdoor irrigation watering limited to two days per week, April through October, odd addresses on Monday and Thursday, even addresses on Tuesday and Friday Outdoor irrigation watering limited to one day per week, November through March, odd addresses on Tuesday, even addresses on Thursday Turf irrigation limitations (described below)
Fix leaks, breaks or malfunctions within 48 hours of notification by the City No re-filling of ornamental lakes or ponds unless necessary for existing aquatic life Wash vehicles only at a car wash with a re-circulating system or by bucket and shut-off nozzle Limited re-filling of residential pools or outdoor spas (one foot per week), and initial filling of pools or spas is prohibited unless written authorization from the City Manager or designee Within the EO are special limitations for the irrigation of non-functional turf (NFT) which means that it is ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events. It does not include sports field and turf that is regularly used for human recreational purposes. The use of potable water is prohibited for the irrigation of NFT at commercial, industrial, and institutional sites, except to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings or to address an immediate health and safety.
In addition to ongoing social media and water billing messages, staff will enhance the focus on public outreach and education relating to the importance of water conservation. Public outreach efforts will include, but are not limited to, the following elements:
Placement of sign board with water conservation messages on “Thirsty Thursday” Outreach events
Promoting www.socalwatersmart.com for rebates
Dedicated Water Watcher 24-Hour Reporting line for customers to report leaks and water wasters (909-620-2244) and electronic submission via the website Additional requirements coming out of the EO include monthly water use and water production data. The data will be distributed among City’s population to determine our water use reduction by State Water Resources Control Board.
Given the restrictions outlined above, staff is sensitive to the residents and business owners desiring to keep their properties looking green and well maintained. Because of this, staff is working with Three Valleys Municipal Water District to identify rebates that can be made available to customers to install drought tolerant planting materials and devices. As these become available staff will reach out to customers to provide them all the necessary material necessary for implementation.
Prepared by:
Melissa Cansino, Program Assistant
Julie Carver, Environmental Compliance Supervisor
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2022-100
Adopt Resolution to Declare Level 2 Water Shortage