ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 684 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 4 WHEREAS, on May 10, 2016, staff requested, and received, City Council concurrence on a proposed administrative increase to certain parking rates for parking facilities located in the City’s Downtown as a means of discouraging daily Expo Light Rail (“E-Line”) park and ride activity and to further the parking goals set forth in the City’s Land Use and Circulation Element (“LUCE”); and
WHEREAS, the City Manager, in accordance with authority granted by the City Council, administratively increased rates for parking structures in the City’s Downtown; and
WHEREAS, on June 27, 2017, Council adopted Resolution Number 11053 (CCS) (“Resolution No. 11053”) to: reflect the administrative increase implemented on May 17, 2016; increase certain parking rates at the Beach parking lots to better maximize use of all Beach parking supply, including South Beach lots, Central Beach lots, and North Beach lots; provide for a pilot discount validation program for employees of commercial establishments located in the City’s Downtown; and provide for payment by the Judicial Council of California and Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, for permits and validations assigned to the Civic Center Parking Structure and Civic Auditorium parking lot; and
WHEREAS, on April 24, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11110 (CCS) (“Resolution No. 11110”), to: revise transient rates and permit fees at Parking Structure 1 through 10, Ken Edwards Center, and Main Library parking structure; make changes to the incremental weekday and weekend transient parking rates at the Civic Center Parking Structure and Civic Auditorium parking lot while maintaining the current daily maximum rates; extend the pilot Downtown employee discount validation program
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 685 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 5 for through June 30, 2019; eliminate free disabled placard parking in the Main Library parking structure and Parking Structure 10 to ensure parking availability and discourage long-term storage parking in these facilities; increase the fee for an annual Senior Beach parking permit to align with Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbor parking permit rates; and provide minor adjustments to address operational needs; and WHEREAS, on May 8, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11112 (CCS) (“Resolution No. 11112”), to include an extension of the bulk parking fee for the California Judicial Council through June 30, 2019 that was inadvertently omitted from Resolution No. 11110; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11122 (“Resolution No. 11122”) to include an increase to preferential parking permit fees based on a cost of services fee study; and
WHEREAS, on April 30, 2019, the City Manager, in accordance with authority granted by the City Council, administratively increased rates for on-street parking meters, Main Street parking lots, Central Beach Zone parking lots, and Pier Deck parking lot rates to further the parking goals set forth in the City’s Land Use and Circulation Element (“LUCE”); and
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11184 to extend the pilot Downtown employee discount validation program for two additional years through June 30, 2021, include an extension of the bulk parking fee for the California Judicial Council through June 30, 2020, and provide for minor adjustments to address operational needs, and
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 686 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 6 WHEREAS, on January 14, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11222 to adopt an administrative charge for overstaying at public electric vehicle charging stations beyond the maximum time to encourage turnover at parking spaces designated for public use; and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11265 to extend the bulk parking fee agreement for the State of California Judicial Council through June 30, 2021, eliminate free overnight parking in the Main Street surface parking lots, and provide for minor adjustments to address operational needs; and WHEREAS, on June 22, 2021, Council adopted Resolution Number 11345 to revise the preferential parking permit fees based on a cost of services fee study, extend the Downtown employee discount validation program for two additional years through June 30, 2023, to support the City’s business and economic recovery efforts, and provide for minor administrative adjustments to address operational needs; and WHEREAS, on February 22, 2022, Council adopted Resolution Number 11402 to authorize the City Manager or designee to establish hours operation for the Santa Monica Pier Deck Parking Lot; and
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2022, Council adopted Resolution Number 11434 to revise and increase the preferential parking permit fees by 3.1%, which reflects the Citywide salaries and benefits total compensation factor increase for FY 2022-23, and provide for minor administrative adjustments to address operational needs; and WHEREAS, on June 27, 2023, Council adopted Resolution Number 11537 to revise and increase the preferential parking permit fees by 4.0%, which reflects the
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 687 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 7 Citywide salaries and benefits total compensation factor increase for FY 2023-24, extend the Downtown employee discount validation program for one additional year through June 30, 2024 to support the City’s business and economic recovery efforts, and establish a Pilot Beach Electric Vehicle Parking Permit at Beach Lot 5 South and a Pilot Electric Vehicle Parking Permit at lots 7, 8, 9, and 11 for EV drivers using the EV charging stations at these lots, and provide for minor administrative adjustments to address the operational needs; and
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2024, Council adopted Resolution Number 11596 to revise and increase the preferential parking permit fees by 3 . 7 %, which reflects the Citywide salaries and benefits total compensation factor increase for FY 2024-25, extend the Downtown employee discount validation program for one additional year through June 30, 2025 to support the City’s business and economic recovery efforts, extend the Pilot Beach Electric Vehicle Parking Permit at Beach Lot 5 South and Pilot Electric Vehicle Parking Permit at lots 7, 8, 9, and 11 for EV drivers using the EV charging stations at these lots, establish a fee for Overnight Parking Permits for Oversized Vehicles, and provide for minor administrative adjustments to address the operational needs; and WHEREAS, on June 24, 2025, Council adopted Resolution Number 11678 to revise and increase the preferential parking permit fees by 4.1%, which reflects the Citywide salaries and benefits total compensation factor increase for FY 2025-26, and provide for minor administrative adjustments to address operational needs, and WHEREAS, on June 24, 2025, Council adopted Resolution Number 11678 to extend the Downtown employee discount validation program for one additional year through June 30, 2026 to support the City’s business and economic recovery efforts, extend the bulk parking fee agreement for the State of California Judicial Council through
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 688 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 8 June 30, 2026, continue the Pilot Electric Vehicle Parking Permit for Lots 7, 8, 9, and 11, make plug-in hybrids eligible for the Pilot Beach Electric Vehicle Parking Permit for Lot 5 South EV charging stations, increase preferential parking rates as directed by City Council at the May 27th, 2025 meeting, and provide for minor administrative adjustments to address operational needs, and
WHEREAS, on October 28, 2025, Council adopted Resolution Number 11715 to increase parking rates as directed by City Council at the August 12, 2025 meeting, create a discounted validation rate for downtown parking structures as directed by City Council at the August 12, 2025 meeting, create a Special Holiday Rate as directed by City Council at the August 12, 2025 meeting, create a new ADA Placard parking rate as directed by City Council at the August 12, 2025 meeting, and
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2026, Council adopted Resolution Number 11743 to the City now desires to change rates for Parking Structures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and Ken Edwards Center, change rates for 6-month Residential Parking and Visitor Permits, and change rates for Parking Access Cards, and
WHEREAS, the City now desires to extend the Downtown Employee Discount Validation Program for one additional year through June 30, 2027, to support the City’s business and economic recovery efforts; extend the bulk parking fee agreement for the State of California Judicial Council through June 30, 2027; continue the Pilot Electric Vehicle Parking Permit for Lots 7, 8, 9, and 11; make plug-in hybrids eligible for the Pilot Beach Electric Vehicle Parking Permit for Lot 5 South EV charging stations; increase preferential parking rates by 3.3%, and provide for minor administrative adjustments to address operational needs, and
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 689 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 9 WHEREAS, the City desires to restate all fees and rates set by Resolution Number 1174315 as well as incorporate changes made by this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The parking rates established in this Resolution are effective on April July 113, 2026, and at such time as signs notifying the public of the provisions herein have been posted by the City, unless otherwise noted.
SECTION 2. As used in this Resolution, the term “daily” means a period commencing upon the time of entry of a vehicle into a parking facility between 12:00 a.m. to midnight.
SECTION 3. The off-street parking rates listed in this Resolution apply to vehicles entering the specified off-street parking facility for the specified times, unless a special event is scheduled that is anticipated to increase traffic and parking demands. If a special event is scheduled, the daily maximum may be increased up to $75.00, with approval of the City Manager or the Director of the Department of Transportation, which approval may be granted based on the City’s best interests. The daily maximum may be set as either a flat rate per entry or an increased incremental rate based upon time of entry and duration of parking.
SECTION 4. The off-street parking rates listed in this Resolution apply to vehicles entering the specified off-street parking facility for the specified times, unless it is one of the following holidays; Memorial Day, July Fourth, or Labor Day. On these holidays, the daily maximum may be increased up to $75.00, with approval of the City Manager or the Director of the Department of Transportation, which approval may be granted based on the City’s best interests. The daily maximum may be set as either a flat rate per entry or
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 690 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 10 an increased incremental rate based upon time of entry and duration of parking.
SECTION 5. The following weekday (Monday through Friday) and weekend (Saturday and Sunday) transient parking rates are established for Downtown Parking Structures 1, 2, and 4 through 8 and Ken Edwards Center parking structure:
1. Weekday parking rates shall be as follows:
a. First one hour and thirty minutes shall be $1.00;
b. Next one hour and thirty minutes shall be $2.00;
c. Next two hours shall be $7.00;
d. Daily maximum shall be $20.00 per entry;
e. Lost tickets shall be charged $20.00 per ticket.
2. Weekend parking rates shall be as follows:
a. First one hour and thirty minutes shall be $1.00;
b. Next one hours and thirty minutes shall be $3.00;
c. Next two hours shall be $8.00;
d. Daily maximum shall be $22.00 per entry;
e. Lost tickets shall be charged $22.00 per ticket.
3. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
4. Parking on Sundays is free from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Vehicles entering these parking structures before 6:00 a.m. and leaving between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. shall be subject to payment of all rates due from entry to 6:00 a.m.
Vehicles entering these parking structures after 6:00 a.m. and remaining in the
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 691 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 11 structure after 11:00 a.m. shall be subject to payment of all rates due from 11:00 a.m. to exit. Vehicles parked in these structures before 6:00 a.m. and remaining after 11:00 a.m. shall be subject to payment of all rates due before and after the free period.
SECTION 6. The following weekday (Monday through Friday) and weekend (Saturday and Sunday) transient parking rates are established for Parking Structure 9:
1. Weekday parking rates shall be as follows:
a. First one hour and thirty minutes shall be $1.00;
b. Next one hour and thirty minutes shall be $1.00;
c. Next two hours shall be $5.00;
d. Daily maximum shall be $14.00 per entry;
e. Lost tickets shall be charged $14.00 per ticket.
2. Weekend parking rates shall be as follows:
a. First one hour and thirty minutes shall be $1.00;
b. Next one hour and thirty minutes shall be $1.00;
c. Next two hours shall be $6.00;
d. Daily maximum shall be $17.00 per entry;
e. Lost tickets shall be charged $17.00 per ticket.
3. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
4. Parking on Sundays is free from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Vehicles entering this parking structure before 6:00 a.m. and leaving between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 692 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 12 a.m. shall be subject to payment of all rates due from entry to 6:00 a.m.
Vehicles entering this parking structure after 6:00 a.m. and remaining in the structure after 11:00 a.m. shall be subject to payment of all rates due from 11:00 a.m. to exit. Vehicles parked in this structure before 6:00 a.m. and remaining after 11:00 a.m. shall be subject to payment of all rates due before and after the free period.
SECTION 7. The following weekday (Monday through Friday) and weekend (Saturday and Sunday) transient parking rates are established for Parking Structure 10:
1. Weekday parking rates shall be as follows:
a. First two hours shall be $2.00;
b. Next one hour shall be $1.00;
c. Next one hour shall be $4.00;
d. Next one hour shall be $2.00;
e. Daily maximum shall be $15.00 per entry.
2. Weekend parking rates shall be as follows:
a. First two hours shall be $2.00;
b. Next two hours shall be $1.50;
c. Next one hour shall be $4.50;
d. Next one hour shall be $3.50;
e. Daily maximum shall be $18.00 per entry.
3. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 693 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 13 SECTION 8. The following weekday (Monday through Friday) and weekend (Saturday and Sunday) transient parking rates are established for the Main Library and the Civic Center Parking Structure:
1. Weekday parking rates for the subterranean structure shall be as follows:
a. First thirty minutes shall be free;
b. Next thirty minutes shall be $1.00;
c. Next one hour shall be $1.00;
d. Next one hour shall be $2.00;
e. Next one hour shall be $3.00;
f. Next one hour shall be $3.00;
g. Next one hour shall be $2.00;
h. Daily maximum shall be $14.00 per entry;
i. Lost tickets shall be charged $14.00 per ticket.
2. Weekend parking rates shall be as follows:
a. First thirty minutes shall be free;
b. Next one hour and thirty minutes shall be $2.00;
c. Next one hour shall be $2.00.
d. Daily maximum shall be $5.00 per entry;
e. Lost tickets shall be charged $5.00 per ticket.
3. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
4. Parking for vehicles less than 20 feet in length displaying current and valid
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Packet Pg. 694 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 14 disabled placards shall be free (for the Civic Center Parking Structure only not the Library Structure), except during events where a capacity crowd is anticipated. For purposes of this subsection 4, “capacity crowd” means an event that is anticipated to sell out. During capacity crowd events, vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be subject to payment of the applicable event rate.
5. The City Manager, the Director of the Department of Transportation, or the Parking Manager, is hereby authorized to waive parking fees at the Civic Center Parking Structure for up to twenty-five events at Santa Monica High School per school year (July 1 to June 30). Such waivers may be denied if there is a conflict with pre-existing activity, such as another event occurring at the Civic Center concurrent to the time of the Santa Monica High School event.
SECTION 9. The following transient parking rates are for the Main Library surface parking lot:
1. Parking rates for the surface parking lot shall be $1.50 per hour.
2. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates ($0.75 per hour).
3. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
SECTION 10. The following weekday (Monday through Friday) and weekend (Saturday and Sunday) transient parking rates are established for the Civic Auditorium Parking lot:
1. Each hour shall be $1.50.
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 695 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 15 2. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates ($0.75 per hour).
3. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
SECTION 11. The total number of monthly parking permits and validations to be sold shall be determined by the City’s Parking Manager, or the Director of the Department of Transportation, and distributed by location with the goal of ensuring that the utilization of parking facilities is distributed to maximize existing inventory based on occupancy.
Monthly parking permit fees for (i) employees working in a commercial establishment located within the area bounded by California Avenue, Lincoln Boulevard, Pico Boulevard, and Ocean Avenue, including businesses located on both the east and west sides of Lincoln Boulevard and north and south sides of Pico Boulevard; or (ii) residents living in buildings with no on-site parking within the area bounded by California Avenue, Lincoln Boulevard, Pico Boulevard, and Ocean Avenue, including buildings located on both the east and west sides of Lincoln Boulevard and north and south sides of California Avenue and Pico Boulevard; shall be:
1. Downtown Parking Structures 1, 2, and 4 through 8 and Ken Edwards Center – $176 per month for permits valid at all times.
2. Downtown Parking Structure 9 – $154 per month for permits valid at all times.
3. Downtown Parking Structure 10 – $154 per month for permits valid at all times.
4. Civic Center Parking Structure– $160 per month for permits valid at all times.
5. Main Library Parking Structure – $154.00 per month for permits valid at all times.
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 696 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 16 6. 1550 Lincoln Boulevard Structure -$154.00 per month for permits valid Monday through Friday from 6am to 7pm.
7. The City may offer up to a twenty-percent monthly volume discount for accounts with fifty or more permits as of May 10, 2016, to facilitate the distribution of parkers to facilities that are underutilized.
8. Monthly parking fees shall be $65.00 per month for vehicles with disabled placards owned and operated by residents of a multi-family building if:
a. The building is located within the area bounded by Second Street, Wilshire Boulevard, Fourth Street, and Colorado Avenue; and
b. One hundred percent of the building’s units are affordable housing; and c. No onsite parking exists for the building.
9. Commencing on June 27, 2017, and continuing through June 30, 20276, discounted parking validations shall be made available for employees working in commercial establishments located within the area bounded by California Avenue, Lincoln Boulevard, Pico Boulevard, and Ocean Avenue, including businesses located on both the east and west sides of Lincoln Boulevard and north and south sides of Pico Boulevard.
a. Validation for up to six hours of parking – $6.00
b. Validation for up to twelve hours of parking – $9.00
10. Free parking validations for parking sessions up to three hours (inclusive of any grace period) shall be made available to all current Santa Monica College Emeritus program students.
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 697 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 17 11. Free parking validations shall be made available to all Ken Edwards Center Senior program users.
12. Free parking validations for parking sessions up to ninety minutes shall be made available to all Main Library Public Services and Youth Program users.
SECTION 12. The following rates are established for the Santa Monica Pier Deck parking lot:
1. Summer (April 1 through October 31):
a. Weekday parking rates shall be $4.25 per hour; $20.00 daily maximum. b. Weekend parking rates shall be $4.25 per hour; $22.00 daily maximum.
2. Winter (November 1 through March 31):
a. Weekday parking rates shall be $3.00 per hour; $15.00 daily maximum. b. Weekend parking rates shall be $4.00 per hour; $18.00 daily maximum.
3. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates.
4. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
5. The City Manager or designee shall establish hours of operation for the Santa Monica Pier Deck Parking Lot.
6. No person shall park or leave standing any vehicle in the Santa Monica Pier Deck Parking Lot during times when it is prohibited pursuant to subsection (5) or without a valid parking permit.
SECTION 13. The following rates are established for the Northern Beach Zone,
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 698 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 18 lots 9N through 4N:
1. Summer (April 1 through October 31) parking rates shall be $12.00 per entry on weekdays and $15.00 per entry on weekends.
2. Winter (November 1 through March 31) parking rates shall be $8.00 per entry on weekdays and $12.00 per entry on weekends.
3. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates.
4. Bus parking shall be six times the daily rate.
5. Oversized vehicle parking shall be four times the daily rate.
6. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
SECTION 14. The following rates are established for the parking lot at the Annenberg Community Beach House at Santa Monica State Beach:
1. Summer (April 1 through October 31) parking rates shall be $4.00 per hour; $15.00 daily maximum.
2. Winter (November 1 through March 31) parking rates shall be $4.00 per hour; $10.00 daily maximum.
3. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates.
4. Bus parking shall be six times the daily rate.
5. Oversized vehicle parking shall be four times the daily rate.
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 699 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 19 6. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
SECTION 15. The following rates are established for the Central Beach Zone, Lots 1N, 3N, 1S, 2S, and 3S:
1. Summer (April 1 through October 31) parking rates shall be $20.00 per entry.
2. Winter (November 1 through March 31) parking rates shall be $8.00 per entry on weekdays and $12.00 per entry on weekends.
3. Summer (April 1 through October 31) parking rates for lots or spaces designated for short-term parking shall be $3.00 per hour.
4. Winter (November 1 through March 31) parking rates for lots or spaces designated for short-term parking shall be $2.00 per hour.
5. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates.
6. Bus parking shall be six times the daily rate.
7. Oversized vehicle parking shall be four times the daily rate.
8. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
SECTION 16. The following fees are established for the Southern Beach Zone, lots 4S and 5S:
1. Summer (April 1 through October 31) parking rates shall be $12.00 per entry on weekdays and $15.00 per entry on weekends.
2. Winter (November 1 through March 31) parking rates shall be $7.00 per entry
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 700 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 20 on weekdays and $10.00 per entry on weekends.
3. Summer (April 1 through October 31) parking rates for lots or spaces designated for short-term parking shall be $3.00 per hour.
4. Winter (November 1 through March 31) parking rates for lots or spaces designated for short-term parking shall be $2.00 per hour.
5. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates.
6. Patrons of the Sunday morning Main Street Farmers Market shall be eligible to receive a refund of parking fees with proof of a purchase from the market.
No more than one refund shall be issued per person per day.
7. Vendors, staff, and performers of the Main Street Farmers Market shall be eligible for refunds or validations of parking fees.
8. Bus and Oversized vehicle parking shall be four times the daily rate.
9. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
SECTION 17. The following permit rates are established for all beach zones:
1. Permits are available for employees working in a commercial establishment located along the beach or at the Santa Monica Pier at the following rates:
a. Annual $186 per year
b. Semi-Annual $126 per six months
c. Monthly $32 per month
2. Permits are available for employees working in a commercial establishment
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 701 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 21 located along Main Street south of Pico Boulevard, including businesses on cross streets up to Neilson Way to the west of Main Street and up to Third Street to the east of Main Street, at the following rates:
a. Annual $186 per year
b. Semi-Annual $126 per six months
c. Monthly $32 per month
3. Permits are available for California residents at the following rates:
a. Annual $186 per year
b. Semi-Annual $126 per six months
c. Monthly $32 per month
d. Senior Beach $30 per year
4. Commencing on January 12, 2026, and continuing through June 30, 20276, Pilot Beach Electric Vehicle Parking Permits shall be made available to California residents with electric vehicles (both fully electric and plug-in hybrids) for use at Beach Lot 5 South EV charging stations at the following rate:
a. Annual $97.50 per year
b. Electric Vehicles must be plugged in to use the Pilot Beach Electric Vehicle Parking Permit.
5. Permits are available for residents living within the Beach Zone, at the following rates:
a. Annual Overnight Resident Permit $180 per year
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 702 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 22 b. Annual Overnight Resident’s Guest Permit $180 per year c. Semi-Annual Overnight Resident Permit $90 per six months d. Semi-Annual Overnight Resident’s Guest Permit $90 per six months e. Monthly Overnight Resident Permit $18 per month
f. Monthly Overnight Resident’s Guest Permit $18 per month g. A resident living within the Beach Zone may obtain one free annual resident permit with their current and valid disabled placard.
SECTION 18. The following rates are established for Downtown lots 27, 29, and 30:
1. Each thirty minutes shall be $1.50; $17.50 daily maximum.
2. The monthly parking rates shall be:
a. $132.00 per month for permits valid on weekdays only, from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Any vehicle parking outside of the valid times shall be subject to payment of the applicable parking rates listed in subsection 1 of this Section 17.
b. $82.50 per month for permits valid on weeknights and weekends only, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 4:00 p.m.
Friday to 6:00 a.m. Monday. Any vehicle parking outside of the valid times shall be subject to payment of the applicable parking rates listed in subsection 1 of this Section 17.
3. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates.
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 703 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 23 4. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
SECTION 19. The following rates are established for Mid-City lots 7, 8, and 12:
1. Each hour shall be $1.25; $16.00 daily maximum.
2. $65.00 per month for permits valid at all times.
3. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates.
4. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
SECTION 20. The following rates are established for Main Street area lots 9, 10, 11, and 26:
1. Summer (April 1 through October 31) parking rates on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays shall be $2.50 per hour.
2. Summer (April 1 through October 31) parking rates on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays shall be $2.00 per hour.
3. Winter (November 1 through March 31) parking rates for all days of the week shall be $1.50 per hour.
4. The monthly parking permit rate shall be $96.00.
5. Parking for vehicles displaying disabled placards shall be 50% of the posted parking rates.
6. For parking spaces reserved for construction or other exclusive use, the parking rate shall be three times the daily maximum.
ATTACHMENT G
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Packet Pg. 704 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 24 SECTION 21. Commencing on January 12, 2026, and continuing through June 30, 20267, Pilot Electric Vehicle Permits shall be made available to California residents with electric vehicles (both fully electric and plug-in hybrids) for use at Lots 7, 8, 9, and 11 charging stations at the following rate:
1. Annual $65 per year
2. Electric Vehicles must be plugged in to use the Pilot Electric Vehicle Parking Permit.
SECTION 22. The applicable parking rates for any parking facility not specified in this Resolution shall be equal to the parking rates for the closest adjacent on-street parking meters.
SECTION 23. In no case may parking rates for any off-street parking facility, including parking structures and parking lots be increased or decreased by more than 50% from the rates established herein. At any time, off-street monthly parking rates may not be increased or decreased more than ten percent with less than 30 days’ notice by posting in the affected facility. In no case shall monthly parking rates be increased or decreased more than 25% at any one time.
SECTION 24. Per the Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 3.16.170, the City Manager or designee is authorized to make on-street parking meter rate changes up to 25% not more than twice per year based on the City’s planning and transportation policies including the Land Use and Circulation Element (“LUCE”). Therefore, the following fees shall be established for all on-street parking meters and pay machines:
1. July 2012 to June 2019:
a. Downtown Meter Zone - $2.00 per hour
ATTACHMENT G
12.A.g
Packet Pg. 705 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 25 b. Beach Meter Zone - $2.00 per hour
c. Citywide (“All Other”) Meter Zone - $1.00 per hour
2. Effective July 1, 2019:
a. Downtown Meter Zone - $2.50 per hour
b. Beach Meter Zone - $2.50 per hour
c. Citywide (“All Other”) Meter Zone - $1.25 per hour
3. Effective January 12, 2026:
a. Downtown Meter Zone -$3.00 per hour.
b. Beach Meter Zone -$3.00 per hour.
c. Citywide (“All Other”) Meter Zone -$1.50 per hour.
SECTION 25. The following fees shall be established for all preferential parking zones:
1. Annual permits shall be as follows:
a. Resident permits
i. First permit shall be $41.32 40.00;
ii. Second permit shall be $51.65 50.00;
iii. Third permit shall be $95.04 92.00;
iv. Fourth permit, and any additional permits, shall be $148.75 144.00 each.
b. Visitor permits shall be $72.31 70.00 each.
c. A second permit, and any additional permits, for Zone P (Barnard Way)
ATTACHMENT G
12.A.g
Packet Pg. 706 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 26 shall be $120.03 115.75.
2. Permits valid for six months or less shall be as follows:
a. Resident permits
i. First permit shall be $20.66 00;
ii. Second permit shall be $25.83 00;
iii. Third permit shall be $47.52 46.00;
iv. Fourth permit, and any additional permits, shall be $74.38 72.00 each. b. Visitor permits shall be $36.16 35.00 each.
c. A second permit, and any additional permits, for Zone P (Barnard Way) shall be $59.78 57.87.
d. A thirty-day temporary new resident permit shall be free. e. A one-day visitor permit picked up from the City Parking Office shall be $2.32 25.
f. A one-day visitor permit self-printed by the resident shall be free.
SECTION 26. The City reserves the right to round the parking fees down to the nearest whole dollar.
SECTION 27. Preferential parking permits for employees of businesses and commercial property owners, as set forth in Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 3.10, are available for $38.26 37.04 per three months.
SECTION 28. In accordance with SMMC 3.12.830 (b), Driveway parking permits are available to an owner or occupant of a single-unit commercial property for on-street parking in front of the driveway of that commercial property for $35.88 4.73 per year.
ATTACHMENT G
12.A.g
Packet Pg. 707 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 27 SECTION 29. Parking permits for overnight parking in residential areas for oversized vehicles may be issued by the City upon application of any person and are subject to the provisions in SMMC 3.12.900 (amended on February 13, 2024). Parking permits for overnight parking in residential areas for oversized vehicles shall be $2.15 08 per day for residents at a maximum of thirty days, and $10.75 41 per day for visitors at a maximum of one consecutive seven-day period per month.
SECTION 30. Short-term reserved parking may be purchased, if available, in any parking lot or parking structure for events, including, but not limited to, filming, construction or local events, at three times the maximum parking rate.
SECTION 31. In addition to the rates set forth above, for all parking spaces designated for use of public electric vehicle charging stations, whether off-street or onstreet, there shall be an additional overstay charge of $1.00 per minute for any vehicle that remains parked in the space beyond the maximum posted time allowed for charging in that space. The overstay charge shall be imposed beginning five minutes after the expiration of the maximum posted time allowed for charging in the space. The maximum overstay charge shall be $53.00. The overstay charge may be automatically charged to the account being used by a vehicle to charge at a smart public electric vehicle charging station.
SECTION 32. All parking rates and permit fees shall be per vehicle for the specified period and non-refundable once issued.
SECTION 33. All permits shall incur replacement fees as follows:
1. First replacement for a stolen permit shall be free only with a copy of a police report.
ATTACHMENT G
12.A.g
Packet Pg. 708 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 28 2. Second replacement for a stolen permit shall be 50% of the original permit rate only with a copy of a police report.
3. Third replacement for a stolen permit, any replacement for a lost permit, or replacement of a stolen permit without a copy of a police report shall be replaced upon payment of the full rate.
SECTION 34. Parking passes or permits that are issued via access cards shall require payment of an initial non-refundable fee of $15.00.
SECTION 35. All off-street parking rates set forth in this Resolution include parking facility tax in accordance with SMMC 6.70.020 and SMMC 6.70.025.
SECTION 36. The City Manager, or the Director of the Department of Transportation, is hereby authorized to waive parking fees, other than the overstay charge for parking spaces designated for use of public electric vehicle charging stations, for those attending City meetings and City-sponsored events that are free and open to the public, if the City Manager, or the Director of the Department of Transportation, determines that such waiver is in the City’s best interest, which may include, but not be limited to:
facilitating participation in the City’s public meetings, furthering Council policies, and encouraging participation in the City-sponsored events.
SECTION 37. The City Manager, or the Director of the Department of Transportation, is hereby authorized to issue parking permits to other governmental agencies to use in the course of business at no charge, if determined that such waiver is in the City’s best interest.
SECTION 38. Resolution No. 11743 15 (CCS), adopted by the City Council on March 24, 2026 October 28, 2025, is repealed in its entirety as of the effective date of the
ATTACHMENT G
12.A.g
Packet Pg. 709 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, 29 parking rates set forth in this Resolution.
SECTION 39. If there are any conflicts between the parking rates adopted in this Resolution and any parking rates adopted by prior resolution, the rates adopted in this Resolution shall take precedence.
SECTION 40. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
HEIDI von TONGELN
City Attorney
ATTACHMENT G
12.A.g
Packet Pg. 710 Attachment: Attachment G - Parking Rates Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, City Council Meeting: June 23, 2026 Santa Monica, California RESOLUTION NUMBER ________(CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ESTABLISHING NEW CLASSIFICATIONS AND ADOPTING SALARY RATES FOR THE FOLLOWING NEW OR EXISTING CLASSIFICATIONS:
ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN, AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATOR, AMBULANCE OPERATOR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – FINANCE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – HUMAN RESOURCES, BEACH RECREATION LEADER,
CHIEF OF STAFF, CHIEF POOL LIFEGUARD, COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM
ASSISTANT, COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM LEADER, CROSSING GUARD,
CUSTODIAN I, DEPUTY CITY ENGINEER, DEPUTY FINANCE DIRECTOR,
FACILITIES ATTENDANT, FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR, INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT TECHNICIAN, JAIL SERVICES ATTENDANT, JUNIOR
POOL LIFEGUARD, LABORER TRAINEE, LEAD CROSSING GUARD, LIBRARY
PAGE, MAIL COURIER, MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT, MOTOR COACH OPERATOR
TRAINEE, MULTIMEDIA SERVICES MANAGER (AT-WILL), POLICE CADET, POOL
LIFEGUARD, PRESS SECRETARY (AT-WILL), PRINCIPAL RISK MANAGEMENT
ANALYST, PRODUCTION ASSISTANT, PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN, RISK
MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES ANALYST, SENIOR POOL LIFEGUARD, SOURCE‑TO‑PAY ADMINISTRATOR, STUDENT WORKER,
SWIM INSTRUCTOR/POOL LIFEGUARD, TRADES INTERN, AND TRAFFIC
CONTROL OFFICER
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The following salary levels are hereby established, June 28, 2026, for the indicated classifications:
Classification Salary Reason
Affordable Housing Development
Administrator
$12,229/monthly; Step 5 Equity adjustment
Assistant Director – Finance * $19,265/monthly; Step 5 Title Change/Equity adjustment
Assistant Director – Human Resources $19,265/monthly; Step 5 Equity adjustment Chief of Staff $19,265/monthly; Step 5 New classification Chief Pool Lifeguard $6,717/monthly; Step 5 Equity adjustment**
12.A.h
Packet Pg. 711 Attachment: Attachment H - Salary Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of
ATTACHMENT H
2 Classification Salary Reason
Custodian I $5,352/monthly; Step 5 Equity adjustment**
Deputy City Engineer $16,380/monthly; Step 5 New classification Deputy Finance Director * $17,779/monthly; Step 5 New classification Finance Administrator * $13,519/monthly; Step 5 New classification Information Technology Support
Technician*
$7,658/monthly; Step 5 Title Change
Jail Services Attendant $5,458/monthly; Step 5 Equity adjustment** Lead Crossing Guard $5,458/monthly; Step 5 Equity adjustment** Mail Courier $5,352/monthly; Step 5 Align to the Living Wage
Maintenance Assistant $5,352/monthly; Step 5 Equity adjustment** Multimedia Services Manager (At-Will) $15,165/monthly; Step 5 New classification Press Secretary (At-Will) $12,229/monthly; Step 5 New Classification Principal Risk Management Analyst $12,001/monthly; Step 5 New Classification Risk Management Specialist $7,750/monthly; Step 5 New Classification Senior Human Services Analyst * $10,907/monthly; Step 5 Reestablishment of classification
Senior Pool Lifeguard $6,106/monthly; Step 5 Equity adjustment** Source‑to‑Pay Administrator * $13,519/monthly; Step 5 New Classification Trades Intern $25.00/hourly Align to the Living
Wage
12.A.h
Packet Pg. 712 Attachment: Attachment H - Salary Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of
ATTACHMENT H
3 SECTION 2. The following salary levels are hereby established, effective June 28, 2026, for the indicated classifications to implement changes to the City of Santa Monica’s living and minimum wages:
Classification Salary Reason
Administrative Intern $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
Ambulance Operator $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
Beach Recreation Leader $26.87/hourly Equity
adjustment**
Community Services Program Assistant $25.00/hourly Align to Living Wage
Community Services Program Leader $26.87/hourly Equity
adjustment**
Crossing Guard $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
Facilities Attendant $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
Junior Pool Lifeguard $18.27/hourly Align to Minimum
Wage
Laborer Trainee $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
Library Page $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
Motor Coach Operator Trainee $25.00/hourly Align to Living Wage
Police Cadet $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
Pool Lifeguard $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
Production Assistant $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
Production Technician $27.65/hourly Equity
adjustment**
12.A.h
Packet Pg. 713 Attachment: Attachment H - Salary Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of
ATTACHMENT H
4 Classification Salary Reason
Student Worker $18.27/hourly Align to Minimum
Wage
Swim Instructor/Pool Lifeguard $26.69/hourly Equity
adjustment**
Traffic Control Officer $25.00/hourly Align to Living
Wage
* Subject to the approval of the Personnel Board
** The wage is being adjusted to address compaction with a related lower-level classification receiving a living wage adjustment
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________
Heidi von Tongeln
City Attorney
12.A.h
Packet Pg. 714 Attachment: Attachment H - Salary Resolution [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of
POSITION AND CLASSIFICATION CHANGES
ATTACHMENT I
FUND DEPT FTE POSITION TITLE FUND DEPT FTE POSITION TITLE 53 CMO 1.0 Business Assistant Delete (1.0)
01 CMO 1.0 Senior Real Estate Property Manager 01 CMO 1.0 Economic Development Manager 1 Add/Delete - 50 PW 1.0 Staff Assistant III 50 PW 1.0 Administrative Analyst 1 Add/Delete - PERMANENT FULL TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE) POSITIONS TOTAL (rounded to the nearest tenth) -1.00 FTE -1.00 FTE
1 Cost of the position change will be offset by the reallocation of budgeted funds within department budget.
FY 2026-27 GRAND TOTAL (rounded to the nearest tenth)
DELETE ADD
REASON
NET FTE
CHANGE
FY 2026-27
June 23, 2026 Page 1 of 1
12.A.i
Packet Pg. 715 Attachment: Attachment I - Position and Classification Changes (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget,
ATTACHMENT J
1 City Council Meeting: June 23, 2026 Santa Monica, California RESOLUTION NO. ____ (CCS)
(CITY COUNCIL SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ESTABLISHING THE GANN APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Government Code section 7910 and Article XIIIB of the California Constitution, the City Council of the City of Santa Monica (the “City Council”) is required to establish its appropriations limit by resolution; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code sections 7901 and 7910, the final calculation of the appropriations limit has been determined, and the adjustment factors on which the calculation is based are an 8.53% change in the City of Santa Monica’s NonResidential New Construction Assessed Valuation and a 0.38% change in population growth for the City of Santa Monica; and
WHEREAS, documentation used in the determination of the appropriations limit has been available to the public for at least fifteen (15) days prior to adoption as required by Government Code section 7910.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. For purposes of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution, the City of Santa Monica appropriations limit for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 shall be $3,564,303,096
12.A.j
Packet Pg. 716 Attachment: Attachment J - FY 2026-27 Gann Appropriations Limit Resolution (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial
ATTACHMENT J
2 calculated as follows:
FY 2025-26 Gann Limit a $3,271,593,616
Factors
City of Santa Monica’s Non-Residential
New Construction Assessed Valuation
b 1.08530
City Population Change c 1.00385
Total adjustment factor (b*c) X 1.08947
FY 2026-27 Gann Limit $3,564,303,096
a As adopted by City Council on June 24, 2025 (Resolution No. 11680 CCS) b
c
Per HdL Coren & Cone, City of Santa Monica Nonresidential New Construction Per State Department of Finance – May 2026
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________
HEIDI VON TONGELN
City Attorney
12.A.j
Packet Pg. 717 Attachment: Attachment J - FY 2026-27 Gann Appropriations Limit Resolution (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial
ATTACHMENT K
1 City Council Meeting: June 23, 2026 Santa Monica, California RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ADOPTING PROJECT FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 FUNDED BY
SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017) was passed by the Legislature and Signed into law by the Governor in April 2017 to address the significant multi-modal transportation funding shortfalls statewide; and
WHEREAS, SB 1 includes accountability and transparency provisions that will ensure the residents of the City are aware of the projects proposed for funding in our community and which projects have been completed each fiscal year; and WHEREAS, the City must adopt by resolution a list of projects proposed to receive fiscal year funding from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA), created by SB 1, which must include a description and the location of each proposed project, a proposed schedule for the project’s completion, and the estimated useful life of the improvement; and
WHEREAS, the City will receive an estimated Two Million Six Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-Nine Dollars ($2,617,159) in RMRA funding in Fiscal Year 2026-27 from SB 1; and
WHEREAS, Fiscal Year 2026-27 the City is receiving SB 1 funding and will enable the City to continue essential road maintenance and rehabilitation projects, safety
12.A.k
Packet Pg. 718 Attachment: Attachment K - Resolution for RMRA [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget,
ATTACHMENT K
2 improvements, repairing and replacing aging bridges, and increasing access and mobility options for the traveling public that would not have otherwise been possible without SB 1; and
WHEREAS, the City has undergone a public process to ensure public input into our community’s transportation priorities; and
WHEREAS, the City used a Pavement Management System to develop the SB 1 project list to ensure revenues are being used on the most high-priority and cost-effective projects that also meet the City’s priorities for transportation investment; and WHEREAS, the funding from SB 1 will help the City maintain and rehabilitate one (1) street/road throughout the City this year; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment found that the City’s streets and roads are in a “good” condition and this revenue will help us increase the overall quality of the City’s road system and over the next decade will aid the City’s efforts in maintaining our streets and roads in “good” condition; and
WHEREAS, the SB 1 project list and overall investment in the City’s local streets and roads infrastructure with a focus on basic maintenance and safety, investing in complete streets infrastructure, and using cutting-edge technology, materials and practices, will have significant positive co-benefits statewide.
NOW, THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, ORDERED AND FOUND BY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS FOLLOWS:
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Packet Pg. 719 Attachment: Attachment K - Resolution for RMRA [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget,
ATTACHMENT K
3 SECTION 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2. The following list of newly proposed projects will be funded in-part or solely with Fiscal Year 2026-27 and prior Fiscal Year(s) unprogrammed Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account revenues:
Revenue: $2,617,159
Project Name/Location: Annual Paving and Sidewalk Repair Program - The Annual Paving Program will focus on sidewalk repairs at various locations throughout the City and will include bridge repair work at 4th Street at the Sears Access Tunnel and at 4th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard. The program will also include repairs along Wilshire Boulevard at six locations: 18th Street, 21st Street, 22nd Street, Chelsea Avenue, 25th Street, and Harvard Street. In addition, the project will repave segments of Santa Monica Boulevard.
Project Description: The Annual Paving and Sidewalk Repair Program upgrades and repairs streets, curbs, gutters, curb ramps, and other related surface features in the public right of way. The neighborhoods identified are subject to change based on City priorities and ongoing needs assessment.
Estimated Useful Life: 27 years
Estimated Project Schedule: Start: September 2026
End: August 2027
SECTION 3. The Annual Paving and Sidewalk Repair Project budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is amended as follows:
Appropriate Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account funding to C2604600.689610.98949
12.A.k
Packet Pg. 720 Attachment: Attachment K - Resolution for RMRA [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget,
ATTACHMENT K
4 SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
HEIDI VON TONGELN
City Attorney
12.A.k
Packet Pg. 721 Attachment: Attachment K - Resolution for RMRA [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget,
ATTACHMENT L
PROCUREMENT SYSTEM
This fiscal policy (“Policy”) is prepared pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 2.24.030.
Ethics in Procurement
General Code of Ethics for City Staff
City of Santa Monica staff should always strive for the highest ethical standards.
To strengthen the City’s commitment to the highest standards of good governance, Santa Monica City Council adopted a values-based Code of Ethics for all City staff on November 24, 2015. It is based on the principles of fairness, transparency, accountability, and integrity.
Procurement Staff Code of Ethics
In addition to the General Code of Ethics, the Procurement Division will abide by the following additional principles:
• Strive to obtain the maximum for each public dollar expenditure. • Decline personal gifts or gratuities.
• Provide all competitive suppliers equal consideration insofar as state or federal statute and City policy permit.
• Conduct business with potential and current suppliers in an atmosphere of good faith, devoid of intentional misrepresentation. • Require honesty in sales representation whether offered through the medium of a verbal or written statement, an advertisement, or a sample of the product.
• Request and obtain consent of originator of proprietary ideas and designs before using them for competitive purchasing purposes. • Make every reasonable effort to negotiate an equitable and mutually agreeable settlement of any controversy with a supplier. • Communicate with all who offer to provide legitimate business to the City of Santa Monica.
• Collaborate with trade, industrial, and professional associations and with governmental and private agencies for the purposes of promoting and developing sound business methods.
• Foster fair, ethical, and legal trade practices
Conflicts of Interest Not Allowed
No employee or agent of the City is allowed to participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract if he or she has a real or apparent conflict of interest. Such a conflict of interest would arise when the employee or agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a
12.A.l
Packet Pg. 722 Attachment: Attachment L - Update to Fiscal Policy (Procurement) [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial
ATTACHMENT L
financial or other interest in or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract. The employee or agent of the City must neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to subcontracts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is not a violation of this Procedure to accept an unsolicited gift of nominal value. Any violations of these requirements shall subject the employee or agent to disciplinary actions.
Questions regarding potential conflicts of interest may be directed to the Purchasing Agent, who shall seek final determination from the City Attorney as appropriate.
Communications During Competitive Solicitation Period
Once a solicitation is open (posted to the online bid system), no employee or agent of the City, excluding Procurement staff, shall discuss or otherwise communicate with any firm or the public specific information related to a competitive solicitation, such as Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Proposals (RFP) process prior to award with the following exceptions:
• For questions or requests for clarification received prior to question and answer (Q&A) period and in accordance with the solicitation documents, questions will be answered and posted to the online bid system by Procurement staff. This process makes certain that all potential bidders/proposers receive the same information at the same time, which ensures no person(s)/firm(s) benefits from an unfair advantage, which could be gained by way of a direct communication with a City employee or agent.
• After the close of the Q&A period and prior to the award, only Procurement staff is permitted to communicate with employees, agents, firms, and the public. This strict communication requirement is but one aspect to maintain the integrity of the solicitation process.
If City staff or agents are contacted by person(s)/firm(s) or the public during a solicitation process, he/she shall forward the call and/or written communication to Procurement staff.
Reporting Suspected Impropriety, Gross Waste, Fraud and Other Acts Any City official, employee, and/or vendor who suspects any type of impropriety relating to procurement or contracting activities, or gross waste, fraud, or abuse of City funds or resources, a gross abuse of authority, a specified and substantial danger to public health or safety due to any act or omission of any City official, employee, or vendor, or the use of a City office or position or of City resources for personal gain, should report the act by calling the City’s Integrity Line at (866) 428-1509. All such reports shall remain anonymous if desired by the reporting party.
12.A.l
Packet Pg. 723 Attachment: Attachment L - Update to Fiscal Policy (Procurement) [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial
ATTACHMENT L
Methods of Competitive Procurement
When initiating the procurement process, staff shall determine the procedure to be used based on the item being purchased and the dollar amount of the purchase. Items are categorized as goods, contractual services, technology services, and professional services.
The following definitions are guidelines for use of these terms:
• Goods: physical items
• Contractual services: services for routine, non-professional functions that are predominantly physical, manual or routine. For example: custodial services, temporary agency services, security services, and trades services (plumbers, electricians, painters, etc.).
• Technology services: agreements primarily for software, software-as-aservice, cloud-based platforms, hosted services, software licenses, subscriptions, implementation, maintenance, support, and other technology-related services.
• Professional services: services that require specialized expertise: training in a professional field, or other developed skills or training. This includes any work performed by a professional: for example, an auditor, attorney, doctor, architect, engineer, land surveyor, construction project manager, appraiser, systems analyst or software designer, expert, or consultant.
Services provided by vendors with a National/State license or certification are generally considered professional services. Vendors providing services that do not require a National/State license may also qualify as professional services, consult the Procurement Division for guidance • Public works projects: the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, improvement, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or demolition of any public building, facility, infrastructure, street, sidewalk, utility, park, cemetery, irrigation system, open space improvement, or other public improvement (collectively “Public Works Projects”). Public Works Projects include the full project-development lifecycle, including pre-project, pre-design, design, preconstruction, construction, construction management, inspection, closeout, and related post-construction services performed in connection with an existing, proposed, planned, or potential public improvement.
Related services for such Public Works Projects may include feasibility studies, needs assessments, site investigations, surveys, geotechnical and hazardous-materials testing, CEQA and environmental review, programming, concept development, master planning, architectural and engineering design, permitting, cost estimating, value engineering, constructability review, scheduling, bid document preparation, construction management, and preconstruction services associated with a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), design-build, progressive design12.A.l Packet Pg. 724 Attachment: Attachment L - Update to Fiscal Policy (Procurement) [Revision 1] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial
ATTACHMENT L
build, job order contracting, or similar delivery methods. This definition is based on and intended to be consistent with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) definition of “public works” for purposes of prevailing wage requirements under California Labor Code Section 1720 et seq. This definition is intended to identify the category of procurements and contracts administered as Public Works Projects under this Policy.
Applicable state-law requirements, including prevailing wage and outsourcing requirements, will be determined based on the scope of work and applicable law. With the exception of Public Works Projects, the Public Works Department is still subject to the ordinary procurement process.
Procurement rules for goods and contractual services are often the same. Some procurements may not clearly fall into one of the categories defined above, particularly mixed procurements involving technology, training, implementation, consulting, or support services. Departments unsure of the category for a particular procurement shall consult with procurement staff prior to commencing the procurement process.
Amendments, Change Orders, Renewals, and Extensions
For purposes of applying this Policy, the value of a contract is cumulative and includes the original contract amount together with any amendments, change orders, renewals, extensions, or other modifications. Departments should consider the total contract value when determining the applicable approval authority and procurement requirements.
Departments should not divide contracts or related modifications for the purpose of avoiding approval thresholds or competitive procurement requirements.
Additional procedures for amendments, change orders, renewals, extensions, and other modifications may be established by administrative instructions.
Competitive Bidding Requirements
Informal procedures ($100,001 - $250,000 for goods, contractual and technology services / $100,001 - $125,000 professional services)
Informal solicitations shall be subject to the following procedures, as conducted by the Purchasing Agent or Designee:
a) Issue a notice inviting bids or request for proposals and solicit not less than three bids or proposals via City's online vendor portal website, electronic
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mail request, direct mail, or by telephone. The Purchasing Agent may require additional notice as the Purchasing Agent deems appropriate. b) May reject any and all bids or proposals received whenever, in the opinion of the Purchasing Agent:
1. The bid(s) or proposal(s) received do not comply with the specifications of the notice inviting bids or request for proposals;
2. The proposed project or purchase should be abandoned or delayed;
3. The materials or services may be purchased more reasonably on the open market or the work done less expensively by City personnel;
4. The bids or proposals are higher than anticipated and a new solicitation would result in savings to the City; or
5. The best interests of the City would be served by a rejection of any or all bids or proposals.
c) Compile and tabulate all timely bids or proposals received and refer them to the appropriate City Department for evaluation. d) Provide notice of the recommended award to all bidders or proposers through the City's online vendor portal website or by other means as determined by the Purchasing Agent.
e) The City Manager or Designee shall award the contract after the protest period has expired or after a final determination of a denied protest has been made in accordance with Section 2.24.110.
The Purchasing Agent may establish procedures for disclosing bids or proposals after a recommended award has been identified, consistent with the Public Records Act. These procedures may include, for example, requiring bidders or proposers to submit proposed redacted copies of their submitted bids or proposals and to identify the legal basis for any requested redactions. The City retains final authority to determine what information is subject to disclosure under applicable law.
Formal procedures (Above $250,000 for goods, contractual and technology services / above $125,000 professional services)
Formal solicitations shall be subject to the following procedures, as conducted by the Purchasing Agent or Designee:
a) Issue a formal notice inviting bids or request for proposals and shall solicit bids and proposals by:
1. Posting on the City's online vendor portal website.
2. For Public Works Projects - Advertising in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Santa Monica;
3. Issue an additional notice, if determined to be in the best interest of the City; and
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b) At the time specified in the notice inviting bids or request for proposals, all timely bids or proposals received shall be opened and declared publicly, either in person or through the City's online vendor portal website. c) May reject any and all bids or proposals received whenever, in the opinion of the Purchasing Agent:
a. The bid(s) or proposal(s) received do not comply with the specifications of the notice inviting bids or request for proposals; b. The proposed project or purchase should be abandoned or delayed;
c. The materials or services may be purchased more reasonably on the open market or the work done less expensively by City personnel;
d. The bids or proposals are higher than anticipated and a new solicitation would result in savings to the City; or
e. The best interests of the City would be served by a rejection of any or all bids or proposals.
d) Compile and tabulate all bids or proposals timely received and refer them to the appropriate City Department for evaluation.
e) Provide notice of the recommended award to all bidders or proposers through the City's online vendor portal website or by other means as determined by the Purchasing Agent.
f) If above $500,000 for goods, contractual services and technology services or above $125,000 professional services:
a. Formal procedures shall apply and the City Manager shall present the recommendation to City Council for award after the protest period has expired or after a final determination on a denied protest has been made in accordance with Section 2.24.110.
Under these formal procedures, the Purchasing Agent may establish procedures for disclosing bids or proposals after a recommended award has been identified, consistent with the Public Records Act. These procedures may include, for example, requiring bidders or proposers to submit proposed redacted copies of their submitted bids or proposals and to identify the legal basis for any requested redactions. The City retains final authority to determine what information is subject to disclosure under applicable law.
As-Needed Services Agreements for Public Works Projects (Section 2.24.090) Pursuant to Section 2.24.090(c), the Director of Public Works, the City Engineer or the Capital Improvement Manager, is authorized to issue task orders for as-needed master services agreements. Construction, maintenance or repair services pursuant to such asneeded services agreements in accordance with the following terms and procedures:
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a) The City shall solicit, review and evaluate the qualifications of prospective contractors for as-needed services agreements in accordance with rules and regulations established by the Director of Public Works; b) The Director of Public Works shall pre-qualify contractors for as-needed service agreements;
c) The City Council may award as-needed services agreements to prequalified contractors, in amounts not to exceed five million dollars and with terms of no more than five years;
d) When the need arises for the performance of specific tasks within the scope of as-needed service agreements, the Director of Public Works, or designee, shall seek bids from at least three prequalified contractors and, using the evaluation criteria set forth under Section 2.24.100, issue a task order to the best bidder in an amount not to exceed one million dollars for a specifically defined scope of work.
e) If the Director of Public Works, or designee, seeks but is unable to obtain three bids, the Director may issue a task order to the best bidder of the bids submitted; f) The Director of Public Works, or designee, may reject any and all bids received in accordance with the standards set forth in the formal procedures subsection (c), above;
g) Prequalified contractors performing task orders under as-needed services agreements shall file payment and performance bonds in conjunction with each task order awarded as required by the Director of Public Works or applicable law; and
h) The Director of Public Works shall submit a report to the City Council on an annual basis containing information about the implementation of this subsection, including a listing of task orders issued pursuant to this subsection.
Procedures for Emergency Needs
a) In the event of an emergency, the City Manager, the Emergency Services Manager, the Purchasing Agent or one of their designees pursuant to subsection (b) below is authorized to:
1) Shorten or waive all required notice periods and competitive solicitation procedures set forth in this Chapter;
2) Secure in the open market at the best reasonable price, contracts for public works projects, goods and services;
3) Negotiate or execute such contracts, agreements, applications or other documents with such other federal, state or local agencies or other groups and organizations as are necessary to provide or obtain emergency aid, assistance or services to the City of Santa Monica; and
4) Contract for the immediate expenditure of public funds to safeguard life, health or property.
b) The City Manager, the Emergency Services Manager, or the Purchasing Agent may delegate authority to make purchases and awards under this Section. All such delegations shall be in writing and dated and shall
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specify the limits of the authority delegated, including, without limitation, the type of purchase, dollar amount, and the terms of any contracts that will be executed under the delegation. All such delegations of authority shall be kept on file by the Purchasing Agent.
c) Within thirty days after any purchase or contract is made pursuant to this Section, the City Manager shall submit in writing to the City Council a full explanation of the emergency circumstances under which the purchase or contract was made. This writing shall be open to public inspection and, to the extent possible, presented as a Consent Item as part of a regular meeting of the City Council.
d) For purposes of this section, an emergency shall include:
1) A declared federal or state emergency;
2) A local emergency as declared by the City Council, the City Manager, or the Emergency Services Manager; or
3) An urgent, unforeseen event that threatens life, property, or the general public health, safety and welfare.
Exceptions to the competitive process
The competitive selection processes set forth in this Chapter do not apply when:
a) Funds are expended to secure membership or participation in professional organizations, meetings, or conventions;
b) Competition does not reasonably exist because only one vendor possesses the unique ability or capability to meet the particular requirements of the solicitation, such as when a good or service is copyrighted, patented or otherwise only available from one license holder, including, for example, proprietary goods of original equipment manufacturers and/or their authorized exclusive distributors; c) Competitive procedures were followed by a governmental agency, including a federal, state, county, city, joint powers agency, special district, or cooperative purchasing agency consisting of one or more such agencies, that are equivalent to the procedures set forth in this Chapter, and the goods or services are both: (1) identical the same or substantially similar; and (2) supplied to the City at the same or better price as the price obtained by that agency;
d) The items to be purchased are for resale to the public, such as, but not limited to, cemetery services or products;
e) The items to be purchased are circulating library materials, including books, periodicals, films and recordings;
f) Special conditions attach to a grant, donation, gift or other legal document that require the use of particular goods and/or services; g) A contract is entered into for specialty services related to fiscal and/or personnel related matters;
h) The individual or entity with authority to make a purchase or award determines and documents in writing in accordance with procedures set
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forth in administrative regulations that the time necessary to use the competitive solicitation processes set forth in this Chapter, due to circumstances outside of the control of the City, would result in a substantial economic loss to the City, substantially compromise a legal position, or substantially interfere with a required City operation; or i) A contract is entered pursuant to procedures adopted by the City Attorney to secure legal services, including, but not limited to, services provided by outside legal counsel, investigators, consultants or experts in conjunction with a claim against the City, pending or anticipated litigation, or an administrative or legal proceeding; or j) A solicitation is made under the emergency procedures set forth in this Policy.
k) A contract for utility services.
l) Other: Reasoning can include: Standardization; Temporary Procurement to allow for competitive solicitation process; Project completion shortfall of no more than 15% of overall project.
• The exception for standardization is limited to purchases that are necessary to: (a) maintain compatibility with existing assets; (b) avoid loss or impairment of existing warranty or vendor support; or (c) avoid duplicate licensing or implementation costs.
Other Procurement Requirements
Surplus Property
Surplus property shall be disposed of according to the related Administrative Instruction. The Procurement Manager shall have the authority to make transfers between departments of any usable surplus supplies or equipment, to exchange or trade new supplies and equipment, or to sell all supplies and equipment which cannot be used by any department or which have become unsuitable for City use. Donations of surplus property may be made as described in Donation of goods section of this Policy.
Sale of goods
Goods that have been declared surplus, obsolete or unused by the Purchasing Agent shall be sold to the best bidder, applying the criteria in Section 2.24.100 of the Municipal Code, by bid, auction, negotiated sale, trade-in or exchange as follows:
(a) The sale of goods valued at twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or less shall be sold according to procedures established by the Purchasing Agent. (b) The sale of goods valued over twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.01) or below two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be subject to the informal solicitation procedures set forth in Competitive Bidding Requirements section.
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(c) The sale of goods valued at more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be subject to the formal solicitation procedures set forth in Section Competitive Bidding Requirements section.
Donation of goods
Goods that have been declared surplus, obsolete or unused by the Purchasing Agent may be donated as follows:
(a) Goods valued at twenty-five thousand dollars or less may be donated in accordance with procedures established by the Purchasing Agent. (b) Goods valued at more than twenty-five thousand dollars may be donated to the best bidder applying the criteria set forth in Competitive Bidding Requirements section in accordance with the formal solicitation procedures.
Federal and State Grant Awards and Agreements
All procurements must comply with the City’s policies and procedures. When federal and/or state grant funds are involved, procurements must also comply with federal and/or state law and Uniform Guidance provisions (CFR Title 2: Grants and Agreements, Subtitle A, Chapter II, §200).
In the event of a contradiction between City’s policy and procedures and federal and/or state requirements, the more restrictive method must be followed.
Sustainable Procurement
City employees will endeavor to procure products and services in a manner that integrates fiscal responsibility, social equity, environmental stewardship and community enhancement.
Sustainable Purchasing Objectives
The City’s sustainable purchasing objectives will include acquisitions that:
• Conserve natural resources
• Reduce the use of water and energy
• Minimize environmental impacts such as pollution and use of water and energy
• Eliminate or reduce toxics that create hazards to our workers and our community
• Support strong recycling efforts and utilize products where a high likelihood of recycling exists (e.g. steel and paper products) • Reduce materials that are placed in landfills
• Increase the use and availability of environmentally preferable products • Encourage vendors to reduce environmental impacts in their production and distribution systems
• All buyers shall consider short-term and long-term cost in comparing product alternatives when feasible. This includes evaluation of total cost
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expected during the time a product is owned, extended warranties, operation, supplies, maintenance, disposal cost and expected lifetime compared to other alternatives
Departments should use the Office of Sustainability and the Environment (OSE) Easy Guides, available on the City’s intranet under Employee Resources/ Sustainability, to assist with sustainable purchasing. The Easy Guides include an introduction to the good or service; how to get it in accordance with sustainability guidelines; required and preferred environmental performance specifications; relevant eco-labels; important notes; benefits; and more. When purchasing goods or services, Departments shall reference and comply with the requirements listed in the Easy Guides if one has been developed for the good or service. OSE staff will develop and revise Easy Guides alone or in conjunction with other Departments. For example, the Information Systems Department (ISD) could assist OSE staff with an Easy Guide for computers purchases. OSE staff provide training on the Easy Guides and any website tools. If an Easy Guide has not been developed, the Sustainable Procurement Advisor and Procurement Manager will provide direction on the best sustainable procurement practices.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE):
The City must ensure opportunities for DBE’s to participate in acquisitions financed in whole or in part by federal and/or state funds. Steps include:
• Assure qualified businesses are solicited when appropriate • Efforts to divide total requirements, when feasible, into smaller tasks to permit use of qualified businesses
• Use assistance from Small Business Administration (SBA) DOC, MBDA, et al. • Require prime contractor, if subcontractors used, to make good faith efforts to find other DBEs to do the work.
Price Preference For Local Businesses
In determining the best bidder for solicitations of goods and services subject to the informal and formal procedures set forth in this Policy, the Purchasing Agent shall provide a price preference for local businesses as follows:
(a) The Purchasing Agent shall provide a two percent price preference to all City businesses submitting bids or proposals upon which will be levied a State of California sales tax. The Purchasing Agent shall administer the bidding preference so that bid amounts received from such City businesses are reduced by two percent to determine the rank order of the bids in the selection process. If, after the two percent preference is applied, a City business has submitted a bid which is equal to or lower than all other proposals, the City Council shall award the contract to the City business so long as it is otherwise the best bidder or best qualified person or firm.
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(b) For purposes of this provision, a City business shall have its primary physical place of business within the City and be licensed by the City of Santa Monica to conduct business in the City.
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ATTACHMENT M
Council Discretionary Funds *
As of June 16, 2026
FY 2025-26
Allocation
FY 2024-25
Allocation
FY 2023-24
Allocation
FY 2022-23
Allocation
FY 2021-22
Allocation
Typical Annual Allocations
4th of July Parade - Ocean Park Association & City expenses 1 $ - $ 15,000 $ 15,000 $ 15,000 $ 15,000 Business Improvement Districts 1
- 29,000 44,000 29,000 29,000
Elks Memorial Day - 5,000 4,682 - -
Pico Youth and Family Center Car Show - 6,000 7,000 - 10,000 Pride - sponsor Pride activities throughout the City 1
- 10,000 - 10,000 -
Santa Monica Arts Parents Association - SAMOHI Orchestra - 10,000 15,000 25,000 - Santa Monica High School Grad Nite 1
- 20,000 20,000 10,000 10,000
Santa Monica High School Latina/o Graduation 5,000 6,000 5,000 7,000 - Westside Coalition for Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 1 - 9,000 9,000 10,000 9,000
$ 5,000 $ 110,000 $ 119,682 $ 106,000 $ 73,000
Other Allocations
Art on Ocean 5,000
Brunson Terrace Small Business Marketplace - - - - 25,000 CAO - Legal review of deed of March 3, 1888 by Arcadia Bandini - - - 10,000 - Church in Ocean Park for community programs - - 10,000 - - Church in Ocean Park for Trans Equity Scholarships - - - - 9,000 The Growing Place's 40th Anniversary Celebration 5,000
Housing Authority mailer to housing voucher holders - - - 1,500 - Latino Cultural Events - - - - 10,000
Legado Latino 6,000 5,000 - - -
LGBTQ Pride - Crow Comedy - - 10,000 - -
Library - - 10,000 - -
Library Lego Club programming 5,000
Lincoln Middle School Music Program - - 5,000 - -
Main Street Business Improvement Association - open streets - - - 10,000 - Montana Avenue Merchants Association's Annual Art Walk - - - 10,000 - Neighborhood Organizations - - - - 20,000
PAL - Rick Crocker 5K Walk Run Challenge event expenses - - - - 5,000 Public Policy Institute at Santa Monica College - - - 15,000 - Roll @ SM - 2,500 - - -
Route 66 Centennial Celebration 5,000 - - - -
Santa Monica Animal Shelter - 1,000 - 10,000 -
Santa Monica College Annual Giving THANKS(giving) 3,000 Santa Monica Digital New Arts Festival - - 10,000 - -
Santa Monica High School Black Student Union 5,000 - 18,000 - - Santa Monica High School Choir - - 20,000 - -
Santa Monica High School Wrestling Program - - 5,000 5,000 - Santa Monica Pier Corporation - 2nd Annual Day of the Dead - - - 5,000 - Santa Monica Pony League to repair Los Amigos Park scoreboard - - - 5,000 - Santa Monica Sister City - expenses to host delegation from Mazatlan - - 2,000 - - Santa Monica Sister City Foundation - travel to signing ceremony - - - 3,500 - Shopping Cart Tree at Edgemar Center - - - - 5,000
Summer Willis Foundation's 5K Denim Run/Walk 7,000
Tenant Assistance Mailings - - - - 25,000
West Coast Care - - - - 20,000
- - - - -
TOTAL ALLOCATIONS $ 46,000 $ 118,500 $ 209,682 $ 181,000 $ 192,000 Total unallocated funds and new appropriation for FY 2025-26 $ 139,260 Add: New appropriation 2
2,602
Less: Previously allocated funds rolled over to FY 2025-26 (1,861) Less: New appropriations in FY 2025-26 (46,000)
FY 2025-26 Undesignated Council Discretionary Funds 94,000 FY 2026-27 Council Discretionary Fund Budget 140,000
Council Discretionary Funds Available $ 234,000
* Allocations are reflected in the year first designated and typically spent in that year. 1 Recurring event to be funded out of the City Manager's Budget per Council meeting on October 14, 2025, Item 11B. 2 Additional appropriation approved by Council on October 14, 2025, Item 11B.
As of June 16, 2026 Page 1
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Packet Pg. 734 Attachment: Attachment M - Council Discretionary Funds [Revision 2] (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, FY 2025-26 Council Discretionary Funds Attachment M
FY 2025-26 - New Appropriation and allocations by Councilmember As of June 16, 2026
Programmed Date Negrete Torosis Hall Raskin Snell Zernitskaya Zwick Total FY 2025-26 New Appropriation
FY 2025-26 Budget Adoption, 6/24/25,
Council meeting, 10/14/25, Item 11B
$ 20,000 20,000 $ 20,000 $ 20,000 $ 20,000 $ 20,000 $ 20,000 $ 140,000 $ Allocations through June 16, 2026 (6,000) (6,500) (15,000) (2,000) (5,000) (10,500) (1,000) (46,000) Unprogrammed Balance Available 14,000 13,500 5,000 18,000 15,000 9,500 19,000 94,000 As of June 16, 2026 Page 2
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Packet Pg. 735 Attachment: Attachment M - Council Discretionary Funds [Revision 2] (7208 : Adoption of the Second From: Karen Melick
To: councilmtgitems; Oliver Chi; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Oscar Santiago; Steve Gomez
Cc: Jenny Rogers; Micah Akerson; Joelle Simmons
Subject: Agenda item 12.A Budget and Aquatic Fees Increases Date: Monday, June 22, 2026 6:09:43 PM
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members and Manager Chi, Thank you to the Council and City staff for following up on my comments regarding the proposed aquatics fee increases at the May 26, 2026 meeting. I am responding to the City’s staff response in the staff report for this meeting to correct information contained in the staff report.
May 26, 2026 Fee Study Information on Community Recreation was Incomplete and Inaccurate It was unfortunate that the Community Recreation information in the Fee Study report in the May 26th meeting was incomplete and inaccurate. The Programmatic Fee Summary (Draft) did not include proposed increases for many recreation fees such as aquatics programming including swim lessons. The User Fee Summary Sheet was inaccurate as the Aquatics Permit Roll Up cost recovery rate was listed at 76%, this meeting’s staff report now says that it is 58% for adult permit groups and 44% for youth permit groups. The Comparison Study information for Swim Permits (page 105) was both incomplete (didn’t include Los Angeles rate) and inaccurate (says Santa Monica’s current fee is $30). This was not a good job by the fee study consulting firm and a disservice to the public to not provide accurate and complete information before the increases are approved.
Aquatics Programming and Permit Increases and Fees are not Aligned with Other Recreation Increases and Fees The Staff report response says that the increased aquatics programming (learn to swim classes and specialty programs like the Sharks swim team) and permit group fees “align with other Recreation and Arts Department fees”. Aquatics programming and permit fees are being increased by 7.6% to 9.9% whereas most other increases are 3 to 6%. There is no clear explanation as to why aquatics fees are being raised more than almost all other fees.
In addition, for adult aquatics programming and permits, non-resident fees are double the resident fee. For the adult sports leagues nonresidents pay 25% to 30% more than residents. For adult non-profit groups renting sports facilities (fields, Memorial Gym and outdoor basketball courts) non-resident groups pay 21% to 53% more than residents.
Financial Hardship
The staff report says that the “staff finds these fee adjustments reasonable and unlikely to cause significant hardship or displacement of users”. I asked staff how this was determined and they had no data, it’s just what they believe. They did not know that SCAQ and Swim with Heart have only recently gone in the black after multiple years of deficits because of COVID. Each group has significant debt from multiple years in the red. These permit groups are small non-profit organizations who are significantly impacted by fee increases.
All Nearby Cities offer Lane Rentals
The report says that “staff conducted additional research and found that only a few nearby cities offer swimming lane rentals”. This is not true. Culver City, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, El Segundo, Torrance and Long Beach all rent lanes. Beverly Hills and Malibu don’t have a public pool, only a pool at their high school.
Santa Monica’s Adult Aquatics Permit Fees
The report says that “Santa Monica’s lane rental rates remain below those of nearby agencies including the Cities of Long Beach, Torrance and El Segundo”. I have shown Recreation staff that Long Beach’s rates are significantly lower than Santa Monica’s adult rates and that El Segundo just approved lowering their lane rental rates. Santa Monica’s adult non-profit resident fee is lower than El Segundo and Torrance but Santa Monica’s other adult group permit fees are much higher than all other Cities. Santa Monica’s highest rate for private/commercial non-resident group is proposed to be $50 per lane hour. No other city’s rate is higher than $25 per lane hour.
Below is permit fee comparison information.
Higher Fees are a Barrier for Safety, Diversity and Inclusion Having high fees creates a barrier for diversity and inclusion not just for permit groups but also swim lessons which is a critical life safety skill. Santa Monica should be offering free swim lessons, not increasing the fee. It’s a form of exclusion that reminds me of when Cities closed their public swimming pools instead of integrating them.
The fact checker in me could not let the staff report go unanswered. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Karen Melick
Sunset Park
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 736 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 737 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) 3 David Yakobson
From: Matt Goldenberg D.O. <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 9:46 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: Oliver Chi; Recreation and Arts Department; John Smith; Barry Rosenbaum; [email protected]; Karen Melick; Maryanne LaGuardia; Steven Johnson; Jenny Rogers; Micah Akerson; Sonam Makker; Noe Mendoza; Bradley Ewing Subject: Support for Item 12A - Thank You for Investing in Our Parks
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
My name is Matt Goldenberg. I am the Co-Chair of the North of Montana Association, but I write tonight as an individual resident in support of Item 12A, adoption of the budget.
I know this budget carries many hard choices, and I want to speak to one part of it for which I am particularly grateful. This budget reflects real investment in our parks, and that deserves recognition.
For decades, Santa Monica's parks have been overlooked. We have just 1.55 park acres for every thousand residents. This council inherited that challenge and chose to act on it. You had the vision and the courage to adopt a Parks and Recreation Vision Plan calling for five acres per thousand residents, and the commitment to start delivering on it even in a difficult budget environment.
Memorial Park is the clearest example. It has taken since the late nineties, and this council moved it forward. The Airport Park field is another important step in the right direction. The community supports these investments.
As the Vision Plan moves from adoption into delivery, I hope the neighborhoods currently farthest from green space are part of that next chapter. As our city grows and welcomes more families, closing the gap the Vision Plan identifies will increasingly depend on acquiring new parkland, not only improving existing parks. I was encouraged to see the Parks and Recreation Development Impact Fee nexus study move forward earlier this month, and I hope it becomes a meaningful tool for funding that growth.
I am also hopeful that we can make the Great Park a reality. The recent state and county grants are a significant milestone, bringing us closer to the future you have boldly envisioned in your Vision Plan.
Thank you for prioritizing parks. Let's keep building toward the day when every child in this city can walk to a park.
With appreciation,
Matt Goldenberg
Co-Chair, North of Montana Association (writing in my individual capacity) Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 738 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) 4 David Yakobson
From: Nina Fresco <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 10:22 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Oliver Chi
Cc: Nina Fresco
Subject: 12A Budget: Landmark Fees
Attachments: 2026-0623-CouncilHearingOnFeesForLandmarks-Letter.pdf; 2026-0526-Fee structure CC final.pdf
EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
Please find a letter from the Santa Monica Conservancy requesting that you freeze the very high fees for landmarks designation until a holistic review of the program can be conducted.
We have also attached a copy of our previous letter to you on the subject sent in May.
Best,
Nina Fresco
Nina Fresco
Vice-President
Santa Monica Conservancy
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 739 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) 2520 SECOND STREET
SANTA MONICA, CA 90405
310-496-3146
www.smconservancy.org
June 23, 2026
Re: City Council Agenda Item 12A: Budget/4. Fee Schedule.
Honorable Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
It is deeply disappointing to find that the recommended fees for designating a Historic Landmark will again be increased by several hundred dollars, despite our comments presented at your May 26 Study Session (attached). The high fees, increasing to $6,882.25, result in barriers to preserving places valuable to our diverse cultural histories, and to anyone not very wealthy.
Such fees are totally out of alignment with other California cities and are inconsistent with the public purpose served by protecting our community’s historic legacy. They are also inconsistent with the City's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
We request that you not approve the proposed increase in this fee, but instead freeze it at the current level, which is already out-of-reach at $6,662.40.
We understand that planning staff may be studying more issues related to the city’s preservation program early next year. We suggest leaving the fees as they are for now and adding them to the list of items to consider as part of a future, holistic review of the program.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mario Fonda-Bonardi
Board President
Santa Monica Conservancy
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 740 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) City Council Meeting May 26, 2026
Agenda Item 7: Study Session
Number 4: Fee Study Report
Honorable Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
The Santa Monica Conservancy would like to oHer our comments on the Fee Study Report, for your consideration regarding the upcoming City budget.
Historic preservation is defined in our LUCE as a core value and as a community benefit, enriching our economy and neighborhoods. Our legal system considers designating and protecting historic places to be a public benefit that serves the public interest by promoting community well-being and shared memories.
The policy for full-cost-recovery for city services that benefit individuals makes sense, regardless of the City’s financial situation. However, the fees charged for historic preservation fail to take into account the significant public benefits resulting from the protection of our historic and cultural resources.
In fact, rather than personally benefiting from landmark status, owners of designated properties take on significant regulatory burdens to conserve the historic value of their properties. Though they are eligible for the Mills Act Property Tax abatement contracts, this contract is costly to obtain and requires them to make significant personal financial investment in the rehabilitation and maintenance of the landmark – which serves the public interest in ensuring that historic structures will continue to convey their significance into the future.
An applicant for landmark designation is charged over $6,000 to pay for an outside professional consultant’s report plus an application fee of approximately $1,200. This far exceeds corresponding fees for any other California city. Many cities charge no fee or a nominal fee in order to encourage community participation in the program, and most conduct evaluations of landmark nominations in-house, with qualified staH, which Santa Monica is not currently staHed for, resulting in the hiring of costly outside consultants.
In recent years, the national cultural heritage spotlight has turned to the historical legacy of communities whose histories had been overlooked. The Santa Monica Landmarks Commission in partnership with the Committee for Racial Justice did a local study on the matter and concluded that both the cost and the procedures surrounding our landmark nomination process discourage people from coming forward to nominate significant but overlooked places. As Santa Monica begins its journey towards restorative justice, identification and protection of places that embody our diverse history should be brought Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 741 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) within reach to all community members, particularly those who wish to tell their own stories and not have them told for them.
Please take another look at the steep application fee for the nomination of landmarks in our historic preservation program, noting that the total cost would not be particularly substantial for the city, and taking into consideration the vital public benefit of this program and its value in helping us address equity issues by giving people an opportunity to safeguard their cultural histories.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ruthann Lehrer and Nina Fresco
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
12.A.o
Packet Pg. 742 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) 5 David Yakobson
From: James Harris <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:29 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin
Cc: Misti Kerns; Carter Rubin; Nicholas Rolston; Julieta Giner; David Newberg; Peter Trinh; Randi Parent
Subject: Santa Monica City Council Agenda Item 12.A - FY2026-2028 CIP Budget Attachments: City Council Support Pier Related CIPs.pdf Santa Monica City Council Members;
Attached please find a letter from the Santa Monica Pier Corporation Board of Directors in support of the Pier-related CIPs included in Item 12.A - Adoption of the Second Year of FY2026-2028 Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget.
All best regards,
To help
protect your
privacy,
Micro so ft
Office
prevented
auto matic
download of
this picture
from the
Internet.
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 743 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) 200 SANTA MONICA PIER, SUITE A, SANTA MONICA, CA 90401
1 June 23, 2026
Mayor Caroline Torosis and Members of the Santa Monica City Council Santa Monica City Hall
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Re: Agenda Item 12.A – Adoption of the Second Year of FY2026-2028 Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget – Pier-related CIPs
Dear Honorable Mayor Torosis and Members of the Santa Monica City Council:
On behalf of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, we write to share input on the adoption of the second year of the FY 2026-28 Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget. At our June 22, 2026, board meeting, the Board received a report from City Staff identifying Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs) that were related to the Santa Monica Pier.
Staff identified seven different CIPs related to the Pier:
• Project No. C0931 – Major Event Electrical
• Project No. C0871 – Beach and Pier Vision Plan
• Project No. C0936 – PCH/Lot 1 North Traffic Signal
• Project No. C0527 – Pier Bridge Replacement Project (Highway Bridge Program) • Project No. C0675 – Pier Capital Improvement Multi-Phase Project • Project No. C0615 – Pier Fire Sprinkler Replacement
• Project No. C0674 – Pier Railing and Lighting Renewal Project The Pier Corporation supports each of these and encourages City Council to adopt them at tonight’s City Council Meeting. We appreciate the City’s proactive efforts to improve the Pier.
Sincerely,
Carter Rubin
Chair, Santa Monica Pier Corporation Board of Directors Jim Harris
Executive Director, Santa Monica Pier Corporation
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 744 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) 6 David Yakobson
From: Kelly Kwong <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:46 AM
To: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Heidi von Tongeln
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Oscar Santiago; Oliver Chi; Christopher Dishlip; Diane Forte; Lee A Kaplan
Subject: City of Santa Monica (the “City”) - Item 12.A on June 23, 2026, City Council Meeting Agenda – Proposed Master Fee Schedule (Utility Excavation Permit Fees) Attachments: 6-23-26 Santa Monica Fee Opposition Letter.pdf
EXTERNAL
Honorable Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Members of the City Council, Attached please find correspondence from Lee Kaplan of Southern California Edison Kelly Morikawa Kwong
Legal Organization | Legal Admin Assistant, Sr Support
T: 626-302-7184 | E-mail: [email protected]
2244 Walnut Grove Avenue, Rosemead, CA 91770
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
12.A.o
Packet Pg. 745 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) Lee A. Kaplan
Senior Attorney
[email protected]
P.O. Box 800 2244 Walnut Grove Ave. Rosemead, California 91770 (626) 302-5098 June 23, 2026
VIA E-Mail Only
Mayor Caroline Torosis
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
Mayor Pro Tempore Jesse Zwick
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
Councilmember Lana Negrete
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
Councilmember Barry Snell
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
Councilmember Dan Hall
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
Councilmember Ellis Raskin
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
RE: City of Santa Monica (the “City”) - Item 12.A on June 23, 2026, City Council Meeting Agenda – Proposed Master Fee Schedule (Utility Excavation Permit Fees)
Honorable Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Members of the City Council:
On behalf of Southern California Edison Company (“SCE”), I write regarding the proposed adoption of the City’s Master Fee Schedule, including the utility excavation permit fees identified in Item 12.A, Exhibit E-1. As explained in a June 15, 2026 email from SCE Senior Compliance Manager Isabel Clark to the City’s Senior Budget Analyst Andrew Lee, certain fees on the proposed Master Fee Schedule, including 503.14 (Utility Excavation Permit: up to 100 feet), 503.15 (Utility Excavation Permit: 100 feet & over), 503.20 (Blanket Utility Permit: Public Property Use up to 320 Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 746 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) City of Santa Monica
June 23, 2026
sq ft), and 503.21 (Blanket Utility Permit: Minor Excavation up to 100 linear ft), which seek to recover the costs of anticipated future damage to the public right-of-way may not be applied to SCE.
SCE and the City are parties to a longstanding franchise agreement dated July 5, 1938 and adopted by the City as Ordinance No. 676 (the “Franchise Agreement”) pursuant to which SCE is granted the right to construct, maintain, and operate electric facilities within the City’s public right-of-way in exchange for a franchise fee based on a percentage of SCE’s revenues. The Franchise Agreement establishes both the scope of SCE’s rights and the consideration to be paid to the City for those rights. Last year, SCE paid nearly $1.2 Million to the City under the Franchise Agreement in exchange for its use of the public right-of-way. The agreement does not authorize the imposition of additional standardized user fees as a condition of exercising those franchise rights.
Under that framework, SCE is responsible for the costs of repairing actual damage to public property caused by its operations. SCE guarantees its trenching work for the full useful life of City streets. Historically, SCE has agreed to pay fees intended to reimburse the City for staff time spent on authorized permitting and inspection activities and performed or funded any repairs needed to address actual realized damage to the right-of-way made necessary by our operations (such as trench failures, for example) if and when such damage arises. Both the Franchise Agreement and applicable caselaw establish that SCE may not be required to pay upfront fees intended to recover the speculated costs of potential future damage to the right-of-way.
Certain fees included on the City’s proposed fee schedule, including, without limitation:
503.14 (Utility Excavation Permit: up to 100 feet), 503.15 (Utility Excavation Permit: 100 feet & over), 503.20 (Blanket Utility Permit: Public Property Use up to 320 sq ft), and 503.21 (Blanket Utility Permit: Minor Excavation up to 100 linear ft) appear to be intended to recover the costs of projected or anticipated damage to the public right-of-way, including through standardized fees based on excavation length or similar proxies for assumed impacts. To the extent these fees are designed to recover prospective or generalized damage (rather than the cost of actual, project-specific impacts) they are inconsistent with the Franchise Agreement and may not be applied SCE.
Federal Courts have directly addressed the applicability of fees based on projected future damage to franchise-holding utilities. For example, in Southern California Gas Co. v. City of Santa Ana, 336 F.3d 885 (9th Cir. 2003) the Court held that a trenching fee ordinance could not be applied to a franchise-holding utility where it imposed charges based on projected long-term damage to streets rather than actual, realized trenching impacts. The court emphasized that franchise provisions allowing recovery of the cost of repairs authorize recovery for “actual harms, not estimated ones,” and do not permit the imposition of fees in advance of excavation or based on generalized assumptions regarding future damage. The court further held that such fees were invalid where they were imposed “in advance” and “without proof of actual harm,” thereby replacing the franchise’s agreed framework (under which the utility repairs damage or reimburses actual costs) with a system of prospective, standardized charges. In addition, the court explained that municipalities may not impose charges that are effectively unrelated to the specific damages caused on a particular project, but must instead rely on mechanisms tied to actual, project-level impacts.
These principles apply directly here. Fees that attempt to recover the cost of anticipated or long-term degradation of the right-of-way, whether calculated on a per-foot basis or through other Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 747 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) City of Santa Monica
June 23, 2026
standardized assumptions, are fundamentally different from the recovery of actual repair costs contemplated by the franchise. As in Santa Ana, such fees alter the economic terms of the franchise by requiring SCE to pay for speculative future impacts rather than addressing real, demonstrated damage after it occurs.
Nor can such fees be justified under general ordinance compliance provisions in the Franchise Agreement. As the Ninth Circuit explained, those provisions do not authorize a municipality to impose new financial obligations that compromise the material terms of the franchise by legislation, or to unilaterally replace the agreed cost-recovery framework with one based on estimated or prospective impacts.
Accordingly, SCE respectfully requests that the City:
1. Confirm that the proposed utility excavation permit fees (and any other fees that aim to recover speculative future repair costs) will not be applied to SCE to the extent they are intended to recover costs associated with projected or future damage to the public right‑of‑way; and
2. Incorporate into the adopting resolution or Master Fee Schedule express language clarifying that franchise‑holding utilities operating under existing agreements with the City are not subject to fees that recover the costs of prospective or estimated future damage to City property.
Providing this clarification will ensure that the City’s fee schedule is applied in a manner consistent with existing franchise agreements and applicable law and will avoid confusion regarding the applicability of these fees to SCE.
SCE remains committed to working collaboratively with the City but expressly reserves all rights and remedies available at law and equity with respect to the application of any fees that are not authorized under the Franchise Agreement.
Sincerely,
Lee A. Kaplan
Senior Attorney
Southern California Edison Company
cc: [email protected]
[email protected]
Oscar Santiago, Director, Finance Department ([email protected]) Oliver Chi, City Manager ([email protected])
Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works ([email protected]) Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 748 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) City of Santa Monica
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
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Packet Pg. 749 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) 7 David Yakobson
From: Cris Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:57 AM
To: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell
Cc: councilmtgitems; Oliver Chi
Subject: Agenda Item 12A
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and City Council Members:
As a life-long Santa Monican and environmentalist who has helped organize the community to support and uphold Santa Monica’s sustainability initiatives and leadership, including the ground-breaking Rights of Nature/Sustainability Rights Ordinance, I am hopeful that the council’s discussion this evening on the budget addresses any implications for staff reorganization as well as for potential investments that could yield an array of positive returns.
Making investments in the City's sustainability leadership has enabled us to have all kinds of returns on investment (ROI), beyond the essential, i.e. ensuring that residents are safe with clean air, land and water with a healthy habitat. Just this month the City has received $10.5 Million for the planning of the Great Park following the airport closure. In my mind, that ROI reflects on our sustainability strengths, such as our Climate Action & Adaptation Plan and our Parks and Recreation Vision affirming our “City as Habitat.”
I commend the staff and the City leadership for being responsible as the budget unfolds, seeking to have a strong City that can create economic opportunities, with an ecological consciousness, for Santa Monica to have the transparency that fortifies public trust. Our City and community collaborates well as our trust and relationships are nurtured.
With respect,
Cris Gutierrez
Santa Monica Resident
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 750 Attachment: Written Comments (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Adoption of the First Year and Approv) City Council – June 23, 2026
Budget Adoption for the FY 2026-27 Budget and
FY 2026-28 Biennial Capital Improvement Program
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 751 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025- Recommended Action
1. Adopt a Resolution adopting the FY 2026-27 Operating Budget (Action 1) 2 Revenues Operating
Expenditures Staffing
FY 2026-27:
~$31 million
FY 2026-27:
~$31 million
FY 2026-27:
16.0 Permanent FTE
Tonight’s Action - Housing Authority Board
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
12.A.p
Packet Pg. 752 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025- • FY 2026-27 Operating Budget
• FY 2026-28 Biennial Capital Improvement Program
Budget – and adjustments
• Aquatics Fees
• Recommended Actions
Agenda – FY 2026-27 Budget Adoption Hearing
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 753 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025- FY 2025-27
Operating Budget
The Biennial Budget
Adopt Year 2: FY 2026-27
4 FY 2026-28
Capital Budget
Adopt Year 1: FY 2026-27
• Approve Year 2: FY 2027-28
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
12.A.p
Packet Pg. 754 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025- The Budget is the result of collaboration between the community, City Departments led by the City Manager’s Office, and the City Council June 2025
Public Hearing and
Adoption of the 1st
year of the Biennial
Budget and 2nd year
of the Biennial CIP
Budget
October 2025
Santa Monica
Realignment Plan
March 2026
Santa Monica
Realignment Plan
Update
May 26, 2026
Proposed FY 2026-27
Operating Budget and
FY 2026-28 Biennial CIP
Budget presented to
City Council
June 23, 2026
Public Hearing and
Adoption of the 2nd
year of the Biennial
Budget and 1st year of
the Biennial CIP Budget
Santa Monica's Budget Process
March 2025
Council Priority
Setting for the FY
2025-27 Biennial
Budget
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 755 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025- $110.4 $19.9
$798.4
$525.2
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
$1,000
Citywide* General Fund
(in millions)
Operating
Capital
Citywide Expenditures - $908.8 million*
• Operating $ 798.4
• CIP $110.4
• Total FTEs = 2,287.6
General Fund - $545.1 million
• Operating $525.2
• CIP $19.9
• Total FTEs = 1,500.9
*Citywide expenditures are net of reimbursements and transfers between funds $908.8
$545.1
FY 2026-27 Citywide Budget
Budget represents a major reset of the City’s capital program that launches long-deferred investments from Memorial Park to Pier and major-event infrastructure, facility renewals, parks improvements, mobility and Vision Zero projects, and upgrades at the Annenberg Community Beach House.
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
12.A.p
Packet Pg. 756 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025- CIP Final Changes – Other Funds
Three CIP Adjustments
1) Santa Monica Neighborhood Greenway Project advanced
into FY 2026-27
• Consistent with Council direction, the project has been advanced from FY 2027 28 into FY 2026 27, along with its associated grant funding 2) Acceleration of 4th Street Transit Priority Improvements • In support transit efficiency and reliability ahead of LA28 3) Funding refinement for AHSC-supported project in FY2027-28 • To reflect updated schedule and a refined distribution of costs Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 757 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025- Aquatics Fees
Fee increases are equitable and prioritize youth and residents • Aquatics fees have not increased since 2021, and similar adjustments are proposed across most Aquatics programs and other RAD services
• Over 90% of current permitted aquatics groups pay the Santa Monica Based Non-Profit Rates (proposed $6.50 youth and $12 adults)
Santa Monica rates are comparable to other nearby cities • Few agencies offer swim lane rentals to permit groups. Santa Monica's lane rental rates, even with the proposed increases, remain below nearby cities that offer this service, including the cities of Torrance, El Segundo, and the general poool lane rentals in City of Long Beach.
• For most adult swim lane permit groups, the proposed increase (approx. $1 per lane hour) results in a nominal increase per swimmer since lanes are typically shared by 4-6 swimmers Per Lane, Per Hour Current Fee Proposed Fee Fee Increase % Increase Projected Total Revenue Impact
Aquatics Permit – Youth (SM) $6.00 Short
$12.00 Long
$6.50 Short
$13.00 Long
$0.50
$1.00 8% $16,563
Aquatics Permit – Adult (SM) $11.00 Short
$22.00 Long
$12.00 Short
$24.00 Long
$1.00
$2.00 9% $11,994
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
12.A.p
Packet Pg. 758 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025- Recommended Actions (4 Motions)
City Council and Parking Authority: Resolutions
1 - Adopting the FY 2026-27 Operating Budget, and Adopting the first year and Approving the second year of the FY 2026-28 Biennial Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget (Actions 2 and 3) City Council: Annual Resolutions, Policy Update, CEQA Findings 2 - Adopting Annual Resolutions (Actions 4-9)
3 – Authorizing amendment to City’s Fiscal Policies (Action 10) 4 – Adopting CEQA findings (Action 11)
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
Item 12-A
June 23, 2026
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Packet Pg. 759 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7208 : Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2025- Housing Authority
Report
City Council Meeting: June 23, 2026
Agenda Item: 12.B
1 of 1
To: Housing Authority
From: Denise Anderson Warren, Interim City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department
Subject: Approval of Minutes for the Housing Authority Board Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Housing Authority Board approve the minutes for the April 14, 2026, Housing Authority Board meeting.
Prepared By: David Yakobson, Staff Assistant III
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Minutes of April 14, 2026 5:30 PM
12.B
Packet Pg. 760
1 April 14, 2026
(NOT APPROVED)
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2026
A special meeting of the Santa Monica Housing Authority was called to order by Chair Torosis at 9:48 p.m., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Chair Caroline Torosis
Authority Member Lana Negrete
Authority Member Dan Hall
Authority Member Ellis Raskin
Authority Member Barry Snell
Authority Member Natalya Zernitskaya
HAB Tenant Representative Hajar Muqtasid St. Claire
Absent: Chair Pro Tem Zwick
HAB Tenant Representative member (vacant)
Also Present: Authority Secretary Oliver Chi
Authority Attorney Heidi von Tongeln
Authority Interim Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren
SPECIAL JOINT
MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL AND THE HOUSING
AUTHORITY BOARD
On order of the Chair, the regular City Council meeting was recessed to convene to a special meeting of the Housing Authority Board at 9:48 p.m., with all members present, except Vice Pro Tem Zwick and Housing Authority Tenant Board member Hajar Muqtasid St. Claire.
REPORT ON MEETING
COMPENSATION
Pursuant to State law, Interim City Clerk Denise AndersonWarren announced that Council will receive $50 compensation for meeting as the Housing Authority.
RECESSED SPECIAL
MEETING
On order of the Chair, the Special meeting recessed at 9:48 p.m., and reconvened the regular City Council meeting to hear the next item and to allow time for the Housing Authority Board Tenant member to arrive.
COUNCIL RECESS On order of the Mayor, the City Council took a five-minute break at 10:27 p.m. to allow time for the Tenant Housing Authority member to arrive for the Special meeting.
12.B.a
Packet Pg. 761 Attachment: Minutes of April 14, 2026 5:30 PM [Revision 1] (7788 : Housing Authority Board Minutes (1 min)) 2 April 14, 2026
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF
THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE
HOUSING AUTHORITY
BOARD
On order of the Mayor, the regular City Council meeting recessed and reconvened to a special meeting of the Housing Authority Board at 10:35 p.m., with all members present, except Vice Pro Tem Zwick, who was absent.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
MEETING MINUTES
12.A. Minutes for the Housing Authority Board, were presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Housing Authority Board approve the minutes for the May 13, 2025 Housing Authority Board meeting.
There were no members of the public present to speak to the recommended action.
Motion by Authority Member Snell, seconded by Chair Torosis, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Authority Members Negrete, Hall, Raskin, Snell,
Zernitskaya, Chair Torosis
HAB Tenant Member Hajar Muqtasid St.
NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Chair Zwick
FY 2026-27 ANNUAL PUBLIC
HOUSING AUTHORITY PLAN
12.B. Public Hearing and Adoption of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Public Housing Authority Plan, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Santa Monica Housing Authority Board:
1. Hold a public hearing and receive public comment
2. Adopt the Draft Fiscal Year FY 2026-2027 Annual Plan and Progress Report for the Five-Year Plan for 2025-2030
3. Adopt the FY 2026-2027 Administrative Plan
4. Authorize the Submission of the FY 2026-2027 PHA Plan which consists of the Draft Annual Plan and Progress Report, and Draft Administrative Plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
5. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Member of the public Denise Barton spoke to the recommended action.
Questions included: how is the proposed HUD rule on mixed status family affecting us here in Santa Monica, or do we have an order of
12.B.a
Packet Pg. 762 Attachment: Minutes of April 14, 2026 5:30 PM [Revision 1] (7788 : Housing Authority Board Minutes (1 min)) 3 April 14, 2026
magnitude on what that might do to us, and are we going to comment on that; does the city collect housing data and how is that data used; and does Housing maintain data to see how long it’s taking a voucher user to find a home and start living there.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to: having a voucher is not the same as having housing; there is a gap between policy and lived reality; tenants hope for a Resident Advisory Board (RAB) to be implemented; asking for a shift from outputs to outcomes, not how many vouchers are being issued, but how many are stably housed in Santa Monica; not how many landlords that are recruited, but how many that stay; whether our payment standards meet guidelines; are the equity programs truly working for the people they were designed to serve equity and delivery should be key to what we do here; and, include folks with lived experience in more of our decisions moving forward.
Motion by Authority Member Zernitskaya, seconded by Authority Member Hall, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Authority Members Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Negrete, HAB Tenant Member Hajar Muqtasid St.
Claire, Chair Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Chair Zwick
ADJOURNMENT OF
JOINT MEETING
On order of the Chair, the special Housing Authority meeting was adjourned at 10:52 P.M.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Denise Andrson-Warren Caroline Torosis
Authority Interim Clerk Chair
12.B.a
Packet Pg. 763 Attachment: Minutes of April 14, 2026 5:30 PM [Revision 1] (7788 : Housing Authority Board Minutes (1 min)) City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: June 23, 2026
Agenda Item: 12.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works, Water Resources Division Subject: Public Hearing and Adoption of 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of statutory exemption of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per California Water Code Section 10652 (Applicability of California Environmental Quality Act);
2. Hold a public hearing and receive public comment for the proposed 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP); and
3. Approve the attached resolution adopting the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and the Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
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Summary
The California Urban Water Management Planning Act requires certain urban water suppliers to prepare an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). The UWMP is updated every five years and must be submitted to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) on or before July 1, 2026. The Draft 2025 Urban Water Management Plan is included in Attachment A. The California Water Code also requires the City to update its Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP). The WSCP serves as the City’s action plan for actual or anticipated water shortage conditions (Attachment B). The UWMP and WSCP must be adopted by the City Council prior to submittal to DWR.
Background
UWMPs are prepared by California urban water suppliers to support long-term water resource planning and to ensure adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future water demands. The Urban Water Management Planning Act requires every urban water supplier that provides more than 3,000 acre-feet of water annually or serves 3,000 or more service connections to prepare a UWMP every five years. While the UWMP is prepared to satisfy state regulatory requirements, the City has also developed several local planning documents to support strategic water management goals and long-term system reliability. These efforts include the 2014 and 2018 Sustainable Water Master Plans, the 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan, and the 2024 Water and Sewer Master Plans, which help guide City efforts to reduce reliance on imported water supplies and improve infrastructure reliability.
The Urban Water Management Planning Act has been amended several times since its initial passage in 1983. Significant amendments were made for the 2020 UWMP, which included a reliability assessment, a Drought Risk Assessment (DRA), and a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP), and coordination with the local Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). The 2025 UWMP requirements largely carry forward the 2020 framework, with no major new mandates, but include clearer reporting guidance.
The 2025 UWMP includes a description of the service area and system, an assessment of historical and projected water demands, and a detailed inventory of water supply
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sources. It further evaluates supply reliability under normal, dry, and multiple dry-year conditions, and incorporates the Water Shortage Contingency Plan outlining staged drought response actions. Additional required components include demand management measures, a drought risk assessment, climate change considerations, and reporting on recycled water, groundwater conditions, and water system losses. The City has completed all required elements to ensure compliance with state law and support sustainable, long-term water resource planning.
Discussion
Report Content
The City’s 2025 Urban Water Management Plan can be found in Attachment A. The UWMP is organized in the following sections:
Section 1 - Introduction
Section 1 describes the UWMP Act and updates since 2020. It also provides an overview of the City’s 2025 UWMP, including a summary of the factors considered in the development of the UWMP and reliability assessments.
Section 2 – Plan Preparation
Section 2 describes the process used to prepare the UWMP. Plan development included coordination and outreach to local and regional stakeholders, notifications to the public regarding plan preparation, and a City Council meeting and hearing to solicit comments from the public.
Section 3 – System Description
This section provides a description of the City’s service area and other characteristics that influence the water system including climate and population.
Section 4 – Water Use Characterization
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Section 4 describes past, current, and projected future water use within the City’s service area. Water use trends in the City are analyzed, and factors considered to project future water use are discussed.
Section 5 – SBX7-7 Baseline and Targets
This section addresses requirements of the Water Conservation Act of 2009 (referred to as SBx7-7). In particular, information in this section demonstrates the City’s compliance with the Water Conservation Act of 2009, which required a 20 percent reduction in urban per capita water use by 2020.
Section 6 – Water Supply Characterization
Section 6 describes the City’s past, current, and projected future water supply. This section also discusses water supply challenges and actions the City is taking to enhance supply reliability and resiliency.
Section 7 – Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessment This section presents an assessment of the reliability of the City’s water supplies by performing two assessments: a Water Service Reliability assessment and a Drought Risk Assessment (DRA). The Water Service Reliability assessment compares projected future water demands from Section 4 with expected water supplies from Section 6 under three different hydrologic conditions: a normal year; a single dry year; and multiple dry years.
The DRA evaluates the City’s water supply reliability under drought conditions for the years 2026 to 2030. Findings from the assessment conclude that if projected imported and local supplies are developed or maintained as anticipated, no water shortages are expected in the City’s service area during the planning period.
Section 8 – Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Section 8 provides an overview of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP).
The WSCP serves as the City’s action plan for actual or anticipated water shortage
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conditions. The WSCP is a standalone document, included as an appendix to the UWMP.
Section 9 – Demand Management Measures
This section describes the City’s current and future conservation efforts to reduce water demand.
Commission Action and Public Outreach
Staff presented findings to the Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment on May 18, 2026. Public notice for the 2025 UWMP hearing has been posted in the Santa Monica Daily Press and posted again two (2) weeks prior to the hearing. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the City of Culver City, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the City of Beverly Hills, and the County of Los Angeles were notified of plan preparation on April 1, 2026.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date
6/8/2021 Public Hearing and Adoption of the City of Santa Monica’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
Environmental Review
The preparation and adoption of an Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan is statutorily exempt from CEQA under California Water Code Section 10652 (Applicability of California Environmental Quality Act). CEQA does not apply to the preparation and adoption of urban water management plans, or the implementation of specific actions pursuant to such plans.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
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recommended action. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future.
Prepared By: Dinaz Kureishy, Civil Engineering Assistant Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. June 8, 2021 Staff Report (web link)
B. 2025 DRAFT UWMP
C. 2025 UWMP Resolution 2026.06.23
D. PowerPoint Presentation
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Urban Water
Management Plan
2025
(DRAFT)
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URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
2025
MAY 2026
(DRAFT)
DRAFT
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Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................1-1
1.1 New UWMP Requirements ...............................................................................................1-1
1.2 Overview..................................................................................................................................1-2
1.3 Organization of 2025 Urban Water Management Plan..........................................1-6 2 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATION..............................................2-1
2.1 Local and Regional Coordination ...................................................................................2-1
2.2 Fiscal or Calendar Year and Units of Measure...........................................................2-3
2.3 Plan Adoption ........................................................................................................................2-4 3 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION.........................................................................................................3-1
3.1 General Description.............................................................................................................3-1
3.2 Service Area Boundary Maps...........................................................................................3-2
3.3 Service Area Climate ...........................................................................................................3-1
3.4 Climate Change Influences................................................................................................3-3
3.5 Service Area Population.....................................................................................................3-6 4 WATER USE CHARACTERIZATION...................................................................................4-1
4.1 Overview of Past Water Use.............................................................................................4-1
4.2 Projected Water Use Considerations............................................................................4-8
4.3 Projected Water Use......................................................................................................... 4-13 5 SB X7-7 BASELINE AND TARGETS....................................................................................5-1
5.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................5-1
5.2 Baselines and Targets.........................................................................................................5-1 6 WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION...........................................................................6-1
6.1 Water Supply Analysis Overview...................................................................................6-1
6.2 Water Supply Characterization.......................................................................................6-8
6.3 Overview of Wastewater Collection System and Recycled Water Supply .................................................................................................................................... 6-18
6.4 Current and Projected Water supply......................................................................... 6-32
6.5 Energy Intensity................................................................................................................. 6-34 7 WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY..........................................................................................7-1
7.1 Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessment......................................7-1
7.2 Water Service Reliability Assessment..........................................................................7-1
7.3 Drought Risk Assessment..................................................................................................7-7 8 WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN.....................................................................8-1 9 DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES..............................................................................9-1
9.1 Existing Demand Management Measures...................................................................9-1 DRAFT
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9.2 Water Conservation Program Coordination And Staffing Support...................9-7
9.3 Water Demand Management Measures, Implementation To Achieve Water Use Targets, And Water Use Objectives (Future
Requirements).......................................................................................................................9-8 Figures
Figure 1-1. Overview of Key Components in the City’s 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan.............................................................................................................................1-4 Figure 3-1. City of Santa Monica (Circa 1920) .................................................................................3-1 Figure 3-2. City of Santa Monica Today ..............................................................................................3-2 Figure 3-3. City of Santa Monica Potable Water System ..............................................................3-3 Figure 3-4. Typical Average Monthly Temperature and Water Use........................................3-2 Figure 3-5. City of Santa Monica Average Monthly Water Use and Average Monthly Rainfall....................................................................................................................3-3 Figure 3-6. City of Santa Monica Annual Water Use and Population (2015-2025)...........3-7 Figure 3-7. City of Santa Monica Yearly Water Use and Unemployment Rate ....................3-8 Figure 3-8. City of Santa Monica Official Districting Map ......................................................... 3-10 Figure 4-1. Summary of Drought Conditions from 2005-2025.................................................4-1 Figure 4-2. Summary of Water Use Trends by Sector in the City of Santa Monica ............4-3 Figure 4-3. Projected Potable Water Use Trends (2025 – 2040 in 5 Year Increments)......................................................................................................................... 4-14 Figure 6-1. Santa Monica Basin and Subbasin Boundaries .........................................................6-2 Figure 6-2. Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project...................................................................6-3 Figure 6-3. Arcadia WTP...........................................................................................................................6-4 Figure 6-4. Olympic AWTF.......................................................................................................................6-6 Figure 7-1. Summary of the City’s Water Usage Trends from 2010-2025............................7-8 Tables
Table 1-1. Summary of Santa Monica’s Water Supply Make-Up from 2015-2025...........1-3 Table 1-2. Multiple Dry Years Supply and Use Comparison (DWR Table 7-4)..................1-5 Table 2-1. Retail: Public Water Systems (DWR Table 2-1)........................................................2-1 Table 2-2. Plan Identification (DWR Table 2-2) ............................................................................2-2 Table 2-3. Summary of Regional Coordination for Development of the 2025 UWMP .......................................................................................................................................2-2 DRAFT
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Table 2-4. Water Supplier Information Exchange Water Code Section 10631(h) (DWR Table 2-4 Retail)......................................................................................................2-3 Table 2-5. Supplier Identification (DWR Table 2-3)....................................................................2-4 Table 2-6. Retail: Notification to Cities and Counties (DWR Table 10-1)............................2-5 Table 3-1. City of Santa Monica Average High Temperature, 2015-2025 (Degrees Fahrenheit)..........................................................................................................3-1 Table 3-2. City of Santa Monica Precipitation, 2015-2025 (Inches of Rainfall)................3-1 Table 3-3. City of Santa Monica Current and Projected Population, 2025-2050 (DWR Table 3-1)...................................................................................................................3-8 Table 3-4. Summary of City’s Low Income Assistance Program Enrollment from 2021-2025...............................................................................................................................3-9 Table 4-1. Summary of Water Use by Sector in Santa Monica (2021-2025)......................4-5 Table 4-2. Summary of Non-Potable Water Produced, AF (2021-2025).............................4-5 Table 4-3. Water Loss Audit Reporting (DWR Table 4-5) .........................................................4-6 Table 4-4. Water Loss between 2020 and 2024............................................................................4-6 Table 4-5. Progress Towards 2028 Water Loss Standard (DWR Table 4-6)......................4-7 Table 4-6. Total Uses for Potable and Non-Potable Water (DWR Table 4-1).....................4-8 Table 4-7. Summary of Santa Monica’s Water Conservation Program and Ordinances ........................................................................................................................... 4-10 Table 4-8. Summary of Potable Water Use Projections for Santa Monica (2030 – 2045 in 5 Year Increments)........................................................................................... 4-13 Table 4-9. Total Projected Uses for Potable and Non-Potable Water (DWR Table 4-2).......................................................................................................................................... 4-15 Table 4-10. Inclusion in Water Use Projections (DWR Table 4-3)......................................... 4-16 Table 5-1. SB X7-7 2020 Target Progress (DWR Table 5-1).....................................................5-2 Table 6-1. Summary of Existing Water Supplies ...........................................................................6-7 Table 6-2. Summary of Treated Water Supply Availability for Each Water Supply .......................................................................................................................................6-8 Table 6-3. Summary of Groundwater Pumped by Subbasin between 2021 and 2025........................................................................................................................................ 6-10 Table 6-4. Summary of Groundwater Pumped between 2021 and 2025 (DWR Table 6-1)............................................................................................................................. 6-11 Table 6-5. 2018 Sustainable Yield Estimate (Richard C. Slade & Associates LLC, June 2018)............................................................................................................................ 6-14 Table 6-6. Wastewater Collected Within Service Area (DWR Table 6-2)......................... 6-19 Table 6-7. Wastewater Treatment and Outcomes Within UWMP Service Area (DWR Table 6-3)................................................................................................................ 6-20 Table 6-8. 2020 UWMP Recycled Water Use Projection Compared to 2025 Actual (DWR Table 6-5)................................................................................................. 6-23 DRAFT
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Table 6-9. Summary of Non-Potable Water Use from SMURRF (2021-2025)................ 6-24 Table 6-10. Summary of Non-Potable Water Use from SWIP AWTF (2021-2025)......... 6-26 Table 6-11. Expected Future Water Supply Projects or Programs (DWR Table 6- 7).............................................................................................................................................. 6-29 Table 6-12. Methods to Encourage Future Recycled Water Use (DWR Table 6-6)......... 6-30 Table 6-13. Recycled Water Direct Beneficial Uses Within Service Area (DWR Table 6-4)............................................................................................................................. 6-31 Table 6-14. Water Supplies - Actual (DWR Table 6-8)............................................................... 6-32 Table 6-15. Water Supplies – Projected (DWR Table 6-9)........................................................ 6-33 Table 6-16. Summary of Energy Intensity for Santa Monica.................................................... 6-34 Table 6-17. 2024 Energy Data for Water Production ................................................................. 6-35 Table 7-1. Basis of Water Year Data (DWR Table 7-1)................................................................7-3 Table 7-2. Summary of Total Projected Water Supply Availability for Normal, Single Dry, and Five Consecutive Dry Years...............................................................7-4 Table 7-3. Projected Normal Year Supply and Use Comparison (DWR Table 7-2)..........7-5 Table 7-4. Single Dry Year Supply and Use Comparison (DWR Table 7-3).........................7-5 Table 7-5. Multiple Dry Years Supply and Use Comparison (DWR Table 7-4)..................7-5 Table 7-6. Five-Year Drought Risk Assessment (DWR Table 7-5) ...................................... 7-10 Table 8-1. Cross-Reference for Standard vs Supplier Shortage Levels (DWR Table 8-1)................................................................................................................................8-2 Table 8-2. Retail: Supply Augmentation and Other Actions (DWR Table 8-2)..................8-3 Table 8-3. Retail: Demain Reduction Actions (DWR Table 8-3)..............................................8-4 Table 9-1. Summary of the City's Drought Rate Structure for FY 2025/26 through FY 2029/30 ($/hundred cubic feet [CCF])................................................9-4 Appendices
Appendix A: Urban Water Management Plan Checklist
Appendix B: California Water Code – Urban Water Management Planning Appendix C: Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Appendix D: City Council Resolution
Appendix E: Urban Water Management Plan Submittal Tables Appendix F: Public Comments
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List of Acronyms
1,2,3-TCP 1,2,3-Trichloropropane
Act Urban Water Management Planning Act
ADU Accessory Dwelling Unit
AF Acre-Feet
AFY Acre-Feet Per Year
AMI Advanced Metering Infrastructure
AWTF Advanced Water Treatment Facility
BMP Best Management Practice
CBI Clean Beaches Initiative
CRA Colorado River Aqueduct
CTC Carbon Tetrachloride
DDW Division of Drinking Water
DRA Drought Risk Assessment
DWR California Department of Water Resources
GAC Granular Activated Carbon
GLAC IRWM Greater Los Angeles County Integrated Regional Water Management GPCD Gallons Per Capita Per Day
GRRP Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Project
GSA Groundwater Sustainability Agency
GSP Groundwater Sustainability Plan
MG Million Gallon
MGD Million Gallons Per Day
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MTBE Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether
MWD Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
NAICS North American Industry Classification System
PCE Tetrachloroethylene
RHNA Regional Housing Needs Assessment
RO Reverse Osmosis
SBX7-7 Senate Bill X7-7, Water Conservation Act of 2009 SCAG Southern California Association of Governments
SGMA Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
SMBGSA Santa Monica Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency SMGB Santa Monica Groundwater Basin
SMMC Santa Monica Municipal Code
SMURRF Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility
SWIP Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project
SWMP Sustainable Water Master Plan
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SWP State Water Project
TCE Trichloroethylene
UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds
WCU Water Conservation Unit
WELIS Water Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standards WSCP Water Shortage Contingency Plan
WSRP Water Shortage Response Plan
WTP Water Treatment Plan
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Chapter 1
Introduction
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INTRODUCTION 1-1
1 INTRODUCTION
Urban Water Management Plans (UWMPs) aid water providers in analyzing past, current, and future water demands on their systems and assessing their ability to reliably serve customers. Specifically, the UWMP takes an in-depth look at how water is used by different sectors in the City of Santa Monica (City) and how factors such as climate, population, conservation programs, and the economy influence water usage. It also examines existing water supplies and how potential impacts such as regulatory changes, climate change, and aging infrastructure, may affect those supplies. Water providers are then able to use this information to plan water supply projects and conservation programs to help ensure reliable water service to their customers.
The California Legislature first enacted the Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act) in 1983. The Act requires urban water suppliers that provide water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 customers or who supply more than 3,000 acre-feet (AF) of water annually, to prepare and adopt an UWMP. UWMPs must be filed with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) every five years describing and evaluating water use (also referred to as water demand), water supplies, and conservation activities (See Water Code § 10631). This UWMP for the City of Santa Monica (City) has been prepared in compliance with the Act, which has been codified in the California Water Code provided in Appendix A.
Declarations and policies set forth in the Act can be found in §10608 and §106010 of the California Water Code. Among them are the following: that waters of the state are a limited and renewable resource subject to ever increasing demands; that the conservation and efficient use of urban water supplies are of statewide concern; that successful implementation of plans is best accomplished at the local level; that conservation and efficient use of water shall be actively pursued to protect both the people of the state and their water resources; that conservation and efficient use of urban water supplies shall be a guiding criterion in public decisions; and that urban water suppliers shall be required to develop water management plans to achieve conservation and efficient use.
1.1 NEW UWMP REQUIREMENTS
The Act has been amended several times since its initial passage in 1983. Amendments have been made since the 2020 UWMP; some of the significant new requirements include:
◼ Standardized tables that allow for the input of explicitly required information; ◼ Reporting stored water through the new accounting method developed by DWR to prevent double counting of stored water supplies (Section 4 and 6); ◼ Direct Potable Reuse added as an option for the level of treatment within tables reporting recycled water (Section 6);
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INTRODUCTION 1-2
◼ Additional reporting requirements for SB X7-7, where the SB X7-7 target will replace the Urban Water Use Objective (UWUO) if it is less than the calculated UWUO (Section 5);
◼ Inclusion of the 2020 target and actual 2020 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) if targeted reduction was achieved in 2020 (Section 5);
◼ New guidance regarding the demonstration of need for proposed desalination facilities (Section 6); and
◼ Reporting of progress towards meeting supplier’s individual water loss standard calculated by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) (Section 4).
1.2 OVERVIEW
The analysis performed for this 2025 UWMP found that the City continues to enhance its water service reliability and resiliency through on-going efforts at the local level. The City recently completed a suite of projects outlined in its 2018 Sustainable Water Master Plan (SWMP) that increased local water supplies and diversified its water supply portfolio.
These projects included the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP), Olympic Well Field Restoration Project, and the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Production Efficiency Enhancement and Expansion Project. In 2024, the City developed a Water Conservation Master Plan (WCMP) to further assist water conservation efforts as well as achieve compliance with recent California legislative requirements. Ongoing conservation efforts have led to a 20% decrease in water usage since 2013.
With regards to water supply, the City has continued to develop local water resources and reduce its reliance on imported water supplies from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). In 2022, the City inaugurated its SWIP that leverages stormwater, dry weather urban runoff, brackish groundwater, and municipal wastewater to provide up to 1,650 acre-feet per year of sustainable, drought resilient water supply to the City’s water supply portfolio. In 2025, the City completed the Olympic Well Field Restoration and Arcadia WTP Expansion Project. This project enhanced the production efficiency at the Arcadia WTP by implementing the first municipal installation of Flow Reversal Reverse Osmosis (FR-RO) that provides an additional 1,200 acre-feet per year of drinking water for the City. Additionally, a new wellhead treatment facility was constructed to remove industrial contaminants in the Olympic Well Field and restore it to full production capacity. From 2021 to 2025, approximately 33% of the water supply was from local water resources and 67% was imported, compared to 65% and 35%, respectively, from 2015 to 2020. Local water supplies between 2021 and 2025 were much lower than historical figures due to upgrades and expansion of the Arcadia WTP that resulted in long outage periods for construction. Because much of Southern California relies heavily on imported water, the continued development of local water resources provides water DRAFT
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INTRODUCTION 1-3
service reliability and resiliency to the City and the region. A summary of the City’s water supply make-up from 2015 through 2025 is provided in Table 1-1.
Table 1-1. Summary of Santa Monica’s Water Supply Make-Up from 2015-2025
TIME PERIOD MWD (AF)
% OF TOTAL
GROUND (AF)
% OF TOTAL
RECYCLED (AF)
% OF TOTAL
2021-2025 67% 33% 1%
2015-2020 35% 65% 1%
While the city is completely built out, population growth is expected in the near- and longterm. Over the last 5 years, the City has continued to offset water demand increases typical of population growth through conservation measures, including the City’s Water Neutrality Ordinance as well as the Recycled Water Ordinance. As conservation programs become more established, however, the City understands that a multifaceted approach is needed to help ensure water service reliability. This point is further emphasized when considering other factors that have the potential to impact water supply, including climate change, aging infrastructure, and evolving regulations.
To face these challenges, the City developed additional strategic plans on top of the UWMP to support its goal of having a sustainable and climate resilient water supply. The 2018 SWMP outlined key local water supply projects aimed to reduce the City’s reliance on imported water supplies. The projects from the 2018 SWMP have since all been completed and in operation. The City is also working on updating the 2018 SWMP to identify future local and regional opportunities to bolster water resiliency and reliability.
The City also developed its first Water Conservation Master Plan (WCMP) in 2024 aimed to realign water conservation efforts across the City due to:
◼ Pandemic: As a result of the three-year COVID-19 pandemic, water conservation staff was reduced from 6 full-time equivalent (FTE) to 2 FTE in 2020 and can only maintain the City’s existing water conservation program and policies such as Water Neutrality and Cash for Grass Landscape Rebates.
◼ Drought: 2020 to 2022 was the driest three-year period on record in California. ◼ Legislation: The following mandatory California water conservation regulations have been passed that began on January 1, 2025:
● Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life: Senate Bill 606 (Hertzberg), Assembly Bill 1668 (Friedman), and Senate Bill 1157 (Hertzberg) ● Potable Water Nonfunctional Turf: Assembly Bill 1572 (Friedman) DRAFT
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The 2024 WCMP builds on the City’s previous successes by continuing to develop projects and programs at the local level to enhance the reliability and resiliency of the City’s water supply.
When fully implemented, the projects outlined in the 2024 WCMP will provide a diversified, drought-resilient water supply portfolio that leverages all available water resources to the City. The key components of the WCMP are listed below and shown in Figure 1-1.
◼ Component 1 – Identifying current and new conservation measures for analysis. ◼ Component 2 – Estimating water savings and cost for current and new conservation measures.
◼ Component 3 – Creating and modeling three program options to attain conservation goals.
◼ Component 4 – Selecting the best program and recommendations to implement.
Figure 1-1. Overview of Key Components in the City’s 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan As part of the reliability assessments performed in Section 7, water supply availability was established for three scenarios: normal, single-dry, and five consecutive dry years. The period from 2010 through 2020 was selected for the assessment period since it is more representative of the City’s water supply reliability and drought risk going forward.
The assessment found that even under a five consecutive dry year scenario, the City maintains adequate water supplies to meet projected water demand through 2045. A DRAFT
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summary of the five consecutive dry year scenario is provided in Table 1-2. Details regarding the assessment are provided in Section 7.2.
Table 1-2. Multiple Dry Years Supply and Use Comparison (DWR Table 7-4) 2030
(AF)
2035
(AF)
2040
(AF)
2045
(AF)
2050
(AF)
First year
Supply totals 17,640 17,640 17,640 17,640
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 4,896 4,387 3,878 3,367
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Second year
Supply totals 16,787 16,787 16,787 16,787
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 4,043 3,534 3,025 2,514
OPTIONAL WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Third year
Supply totals 16,893 16,893 16,893 16,893
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 4,149 3,640 3,131 2,620
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Fourth year
Supply totals 17,000 17,000 17,000 17,000
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 4,256 3,747 3,238 2,727
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Fifth year
Supply totals 15,508 15,508 15,508 15,508
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 2,764 2,255 1,746 1,235
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES:
DRAFT
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INTRODUCTION 1-6
1.3 ORGANIZATION OF 2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The City’s 2025 Urban Water Management Plan is organized in the following sections:
Section 1 - Introduction
Section 1 describes the UWMP Act and updates since 2020. It also provides an overview of the City’s 2025 UWMP, including a lay description of the factors considered in the development of the UWMP and reliability assessments.
Section 2 – Plan Preparation
Section 2 describes the process used to prepare the UWMP. Plan development included coordination and outreach to local and regional stakeholders, notifications to the public of plan preparation, and a City Council meeting hearing to solicit comments from the public.
Section 3 – System Description
This section provides a description of the City’s service area and other characteristics that influence the water system including climate and population.
Section 4 – Water Use Characterization
Section 4 describes past, current, and projected future water use within the City’s service area. Water use trends in the City are analyzed and factors considered to project future water use are discussed.
Section 5 – SBX7-7 Baseline and Targets
This section addresses requirements of the Water Conservation Act of 2009 (referred to as SBx7-7). In particular, information in this section demonstrates the City’s compliance with the Water Conservation Act of 2009, which required a 20 percent reduction in urban per capita water use by 2020.
Section 6 – Water Supply Characterization
Section 6 describes the City’s past, current, and projected future water supply. This section also discusses water supply challenges and actions the City is taking to enhance supply reliability and resiliency.
Section 7 – Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessment This section presents an assessment of the reliability of the City’s water supplies by performing two assessments: a Water Service Reliability assessment and a Drought Risk Assessment (DRA). The Water Service Reliability assessment compares projected future DRAFT
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INTRODUCTION 1-7
water demands from Section 4 with expected water supplies from Section 6 under three different hydrologic conditions: a normal year; a single dry year; and multiple dry years.
The DRA looks at the City’s water supply reliability under drought conditions for the years 2026 to 2030. Findings from the assessment conclude that if projected imported and local supplies are developed or maintained as anticipated, no water shortages are anticipated in the City’s service area during the planning period.
Section 8 – Water Shortage Contingency Plan
Section 8 provides an overview of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP). The WSCP serves as the City’s action plan for actual or anticipated water shortage conditions.
The WSCP is a standalone document, included as Appendix B of this UWMP.
Section 9 – Demand Management Measures
This section describes the City’s current and future conservation efforts to reduce water demand.
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Urban Water Management Plan
Preparation
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URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATION 2-1
2 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATION
California Water Code (CWC) Section 10617 requires urban water suppliers that provide water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 customers, or that serve more than 3,000 acre-feet (AF) annually, to prepare and adopt an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) every five years. The City currently provides over 10,800 AF of water annually to approximately 18,600 service connections and therefore is subject to this requirement, as summarized in Table 2-1. The City's most recent prior UWMP was adopted and submitted in June 2021.
Table 2-1. Retail: Public Water Systems (DWR Table 2-1) Public Water System
Number
Public Water System
Name
Number of Municipal
Connections 2025
Volume of Water
Supplied 2025 (AF)
CA1910146 Santa Monica-City,
Water Division 18,554 10,263
Total 18,554 10,263
DWR NOTES:
Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3. This table identifies the unit of measure selected in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES:
2.1 LOCAL AND REGIONAL COORDINATION
The 2025 UWMP has been prepared on an individual reporting basis covering the City's service area exclusively (see Table 2-2). While the City participates in regional water planning efforts, it is not a member of a formal regional alliance and has therefore not prepared a Regional Urban Water Management Plan (RUWMP).
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Table 2-2. Plan Identification (DWR Table 2-2)
The City has encouraged broad participation in the development of the 2025 UWMP. Please refer to Table 2-3 for a summary of regional coordination in preparing this UWMP. Copies of the City’s draft plan were made available for public review at City Hall and on the City’s Public Works/Water Resources website. The City also presented UWMP findings to the Task Force on the Environment, established by the Santa Monica City Council to advise City Council on environmental program and policy issues.
Table 2-3. Summary of Regional Coordination for Development of the 2025 UWMP
NOTIFIED OF
PLAN
PREPRATION
CONTACTED
FOR
ASSISTANCE
COMMENTED
ON DRAFT
NOTIFIED OF
PUBLIC
HEARING
ATTENDED
PUBLIC
HEARING
City Water Resources
Division X X X X X
City Public Works
Department X X X X X
City Commission on
Sustainability,
Environmental Justine,
and the Environment
X X
City Manager’s Office X X X
Santa Monica City Council X X X
The Metropolitan Water
District of Southern
California
X X X
Santa Monica Basin X X X
Select
One
Name of Regional Alliance or
RUWMP (Drop Down List)
NOTES:
Type of Plan
Individual UWMP
If Water Supplier is also a member of a SB X7-7
Regional Alliance, select name from the drop-down.
Regional Urban Water Management Plan (RUWMP)
If Supplier selected RUWMP, select name from the
drop-down.
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NOTIFIED OF
PLAN
PREPRATION
CONTACTED
FOR
ASSISTANCE
COMMENTED
ON DRAFT
NOTIFIED OF
PUBLIC
HEARING
ATTENDED
PUBLIC
HEARING
Groundwater
Sustainability Agency
(SMBGSA)
CA Department of Water
Resources X
Los Angeles Department
of Water and Power X X
Los Angeles County X X
Santa Monica
Neighborhood
Organizations
X X
Interested General Public X X X
As discussed in Section 6 and shown in Table 2-4, the City receives water supply from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). In accordance with CWC Section 10631, the City has provided MWD with water demand projections in five-year increments from 2025 to 2050.
Table 2-4. Water Supplier Information Exchange Water Code Section 10631(h) (DWR Table 2-4 Retail)
The retail Supplier has informed the following wholesale supplier(s) of projected water use.
Wholesale Water Supplier Name
Add additional rows as needed
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
NOTES:
2.2 FISCAL OR CALENDAR YEAR AND UNITS OF MEASURE
The City operates as a water retailer. The 2025 UWMP has been prepared on a calendar year basis, running from January 1 through December 31, with water use and planning data reported for the full 2025 calendar year. All water volumes are expressed in units of acrefeet (AF). The City's reporting methods are summarized in Table 2-5.
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Table 2-5. Supplier Identification (DWR Table 2-3)
Submittal Table 2-3: Supplier Identification
Type of Supplier (select one or both)
Supplier is a wholesale supplier
Supplier is a retail supplier
Fiscal or Calendar Year (select one)
UWMP Tables are in calendar years
UWMP Tables are in fiscal years
If using fiscal years provide month and date that the fiscal year begins (mm/dd) Units of measure used in UWMP
(Select from the drop down list).
Unit AF
DWR NOTES:
Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES:
2.3 PLAN ADOPTION
The City provided more than seven weeks' advance notice of the public hearing to review and accept comments on the draft plan. Notice of the public hearing was published in the local press on June 12 and June 20, 2026, and mailed to the City Clerk. On July 8, 2026, the City held the noticed public hearing.
Following the public hearing, the City Council adopted the 2025 UWMP on July 8, 2026. A copy of the authorizing resolution is included in Appendix D.
In accordance with the Act, the City is transmitting the 2025 UWMP to DWR, the California State Library, and the public within 30 days of adoption. The 2025 UWMP is available for public review at the City's Public Works/Water Resources office and on the City's website.
The cities and counties notified prior to the public hearing are summarized in DRAFT
Table 2-6.
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Table 2-6. Retail: Notification to Cities and Counties (DWR Table 10-1) City Name 60 Day Notice
Drop Down (yes/no)
Notice of Public
Hearing
Drop Down (yes/no)
Santa Monica Yes Yes
Beverly Hills Yes Yes
Culver City Yes Yes
Los Angeles Yes Yes
Los Angeles 60 Day Notice
Drop Down (yes/no)
Notice of Public
Hearing
Drop Down (yes/no)
Los Angeles County Yes Yes
Add additional rows as needed
Add additional rows as needed
NOTES:
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Chapter 3
System Description
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SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 3-1
3 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
3.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The City of Santa Monica was founded in 1875 on a land grant by Don Francisco Sepulveda and encompasses 8.3 square miles (5,312 acres). Originally established as a seaside resort (see photo in Figure 3-1), the City gradually became integrated into the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area as development across the Los Angeles Basin expanded. During the first half of the twentieth century, Santa Monica's population grew rapidly, mirroring broader growth trends throughout California.
To meet the demands of an expanding regional population, the City of Los Angeles constructed aqueducts to convey water from the Owens Valley. At the time, much of the western Los Angeles area remained unincorporated, and the City of Los Angeles leveraged the promise of a reliable water supply as an incentive for neighboring communities to annex into the city. For many areas, annexation was an attractive proposition; however, Santa Monica chose to remain independent. Instead, the City acquired several existing small water purveyors, including the Arcadia Water Company and the Venice Water Company, to establish its own municipal water supply and administrative agency in 1916.
Figure 3-1. City of Santa Monica (Circa 1920)
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The City of Santa Monica, along with 12 other cities, formed MWD in 1928 under an act of the California Legislature, primarily to build and operate the Colorado River Aqueduct and secure a reliable imported water supply for the growing Southern California region. Water from the Colorado River Aqueduct was first delivered to the City in 1941. In 1960, MWD became the first and largest contractor to the State Water Project, and by the early 1970s began receiving deliveries via the California Aqueduct, augmenting its Colorado River supplies with water from Northern California. Today, MWD serves water to more than 300 cities and numerous unincorporated communities across six counties in Southern California. The City continues to purchase MWD water to supplement its local water supply.
From 1960 to 1980, Santa Monica's population growth slowed considerably, and the City experienced a modest population decline between 1980 and 1990. This trend was largely attributable to the City's limited geographic size and the diminishing availability of developable land (see photo of Santa Monica today in Figure 3-2).
Figure 3-2. City of Santa Monica Today
3.2 SERVICE AREA BOUNDARY MAPS
The City is an urban coastal community, bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean and the City of Los Angeles to the north, east, and south. The City's water service area consists entirely of the City of Santa Monica with limited service in the City of Los Angeles (Figure 3-3).
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Figure 3-3. City of Santa Monica Potable Water System
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SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 3-1
3.3 SERVICE AREA CLIMATE
The City experiences a Mediterranean climate, ranging from warm and generally dry summers to cool, relatively wet winters. Water usage in the City varies with changes in temperature and rainfall throughout the year. Historical weather information for the City was obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Network ID: GHCND:USW00093197. Summaries of the City’s monthly climate and rainfall from 2015 to 2025 are provided below in Table 3-1 and Table 3-2, respectively.
Table 3-1. City of Santa Monica Average High Temperature, 2015-2025 (Degrees Fahrenheit) MONTH 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 AVERAGE January 71 64 63 70 68 66 67 68 62 65 65 66
February 71 74 62 66 61 67 67 69 63 63 64 66
March 75 68 69 65 67 63 65 69 61 65 63 66
April 72 71 71 67 69 67 68 70 65 67 66 68
May 68 68 68 67 66 71 68 68 65 67 69 68
June 72 74 72 71 70 73 69 73 68 72 71 71
July 75 77 77 79 75 73 75 74 75 75 73 75
August 79 76 77 81 76 78 76 78 76 78 78 78
September 82 77 78 78 78 79 74 82 75 76 76 78
October 81 75 79 78 78 77 73 74 75 73 73 76
November 72 74 73 76 69 69 70 69 74 70 68 71
December 66 66 71 70 64 69 61 64 68 65 69 67
Table 3-2. City of Santa Monica Precipitation, 2015-2025 (Inches of Rainfall) MONTH 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 AVERAGE January 1.2 2.3 7.8 1.5 6.3 0.5 1.8 0.0 7.4 2.0 1.2 2.9 February 0.3 0.6 4.2 0.1 5.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 5.2 12.3 3.8 2.9 March 2.6 1.9 0.2 4.1 2.5 4.6 1.1 1.1 7.2 4.6 1.8 2.9
April 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 2.2 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.6 0.2 0.4
May 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.4 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.3
June 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
July 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
August 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.6 0.0 0.0 0.3
September 2.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 October 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 0.3 November 0.1 0.9 0.1 1.9 1.5 0.1 0.0 1.6 0.2 0.0 5.6 1.1 December 1.1 4.2 0.0 2.1 4.7 1.3 7.1 2.5 3.6 0.0 3.6 2.7 Totals 8.5 10.6 12.7 10.4 21.4 9.0 10.8 6.0 28.0 19.5 17.7 14.4 DRAFT
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SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 3-2
From 2015 to 2025, the City’s warmest months were generally from July through October.
It is common for water demand to increase as the days get warmer and decrease as the weather cools down. During warmer months, the increase in water usage arises primarily from outdoor irrigation but swimming pools and consumption also plays a factor. A typical water usage pattern through the year, by month is given in Figure 3-4. Historical weather information was obtained from the NOAA and shows the correlation in demand and weather temperature.
Figure 3-4. Typical Average Monthly Temperature and Water Use Like temperature, rainfall also affects water usage. During rainy periods users tend to use less water, particularly for outdoor irrigation, thereby reducing water use during these times. From 2015 to 2025, the City received most of its rainfall during the months of November through March. During these wetter months, water usage in the City was less, on average, compared to other months as indicated in Figure 3-5. 400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
20 30
40 50
60 70
80 90
Volume (AF)
Temperature (F)
Demand Temperature
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Figure 3-5. City of Santa Monica Average Monthly Water Use and Average Monthly Rainfall
3.4 CLIMATE CHANGE INFLUENCES
Climate change models for Southern California forecast continued increases in ambient temperature, with a possible shift in precipitation events towards later in the regional wet season of October to April. Sea level and storm wave run up are also predicted to increase, with 12 – 61 cm (5-24 inches) of sea level rise expected by 2050 along the southern California coast. Knowing these factors will affect long-term water resource planning and existing coastal water infrastructure vulnerability, the City has implemented a review of climate change factors for new water utility capital projects. To further refine its evaluation of potential climate change impacts to its water supply, the City is exploring robust decision-making methods to model a focused suite of likely climate change scenarios, developed in consultation with the City’s Office of Sustainability and Environment and recognized climate change experts with local knowledge.
The City, along with other members of the Santa Monica Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SMGBSA), has also adopted a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to comply with the California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014. The GSP was finalized and submitted to DWR on January 2022 and approved by DWR on October 2023. As part of the GSP development, various climate change scenarios based on DWR guidance will be modeled for the Santa Monica Groundwater Basin. These scenarios will be utilized to assess how to best ensure the sustainability and resiliency of the City’s water supply.
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
0 0.5
1 1.5
2 2.5
3 3.5
Rainfall (in.)
Volume (AF)
Demand Rainfall
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3.4.1 Climate Change Vulnerability
Climate change in the coming decades is expected to test the City’s ability to sustainably manage its water resources, in particular its groundwater supply. However, along with these challenges come the opportunities for the City to apply innovative thinking and solutions to mitigate those components of climate change that most directly affect having a sustainable water supply. Chief among these are greenhouse gas emissions/energy, drought, temperature rise, sea level rise, saltwater intrusion/water quality, and flooding/storm surges that are discussed below.
3.4.2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Energy
Water, and especially imported water from the State Water Project or the Colorado River, is a carbon intensive resource. In 2010, the Santa Monica City Council adopted the objective of the City achieving water sustainability by eliminating its dependence on environmentally costly imported water for use as a potable supply. Historically, the City produced approximately 60 to 70 percent of its water supply from local groundwater. Since 2021, the City has produced approximately 30 percent of its water supply from local groundwater.
The reduction of local groundwater in recent years is attributed to Arcadia WTP, the City’s primary treatment plant for treating local groundwater, being offline during construction of the Arcadia WTP expansion project. Completed in 2025, project will provide the City an additional 1,200 acre-feet of drinking water annually and allow the City to resume its historical use of local groundwater (approximately 65%). By using local groundwater, the City is offsetting the energy and emissions typically associated with water imported from Northern California and the Colorado River. To further reduce its water-related carbon footprint, the City has implemented various water conservation programs designed to permanently reduce demand.
The City has audited its water infrastructure to ensure it is energy efficient by upgrading equipment and selecting energy efficient pumps. In addition, the City is applying innovative approaches to water and wastewater infrastructure such as below grade construction of critical treatment facilities to allow for alternative uses for surface areas such as parks, and the inclusion of solar panels to projects in order to reduce energy consumption.
3.4.3 Drought and Temperature Rise
As previously discussed, increased seasonal temperatures and cyclical periods of drought of varying duration are expected to have a measurable influence on the City’s water supply strategy and long-term demand. As is currently evident in summer months, warmer temperatures typically give rise to increased water demands. Accordingly, further citywide reductions in water demand through water conservation programs will greatly assist the City in maintaining its water use at levels which will support water self-sufficiency.
Further assistance in meeting this challenge is the City’s broadening of its water supply portfolio to include alternative water supplies to enhance reliability and resiliency.
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The City has developed additional local water supplies with SWIP leveraging dry weather runoff, stormwater, and municipal wastewater to produce up to 1,650 AFY of advanced treated recycled water suitable for non-potable and indirect potable reuse (groundwater recharge) and the Olympic Well Field Restoration and Arcadia WTP Expansion Project to increase local production capacity. By not relying on any one source of water and reducing its reliance on imported water supplies, the City will lower its vulnerability to drought and other natural disasters as it moves to meet its sustainability goal of becoming water selfsufficient.
3.4.4 Sea Level Rise
Per the recommendations of the 2024 California Coastal Commission Sea Level Policy Guidance, the City considered the findings of the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) 2024 State of California Sea Level Rise Guidance. The 2024 State Sea Level Rise Guidance utilizes five sea level rise scenarios ranging from low to high and offers scenarios for each of the 14 tide gauges found in California, one of which corresponds to Santa Monica. According to the 2024 State Sea Level Rise Guidance, for Santa Monica, sea level rise is expected to be on the order of 12 - 37cm (0.4 - 1.2 ft.) by 2050, and 24-195 cm (0.8 - 6.4 ft.) by 2100. If sea level rises as predicted by the currently available studies, the City would have ample time to adapt to the potential risk to any water-related infrastructure near the beach by implementing mitigation measures such as natural dune barriers, engineered hardening of some infrastructure, or by implementing adaptive retreat from areas of higher risk whereby infrastructure would be relocated landward.
3.4.4.1 Saltwater Intrusion/Water Quality
If current OPC sea level projections are proven to be accurate, saltwater intrusion may be expected to change the quality of the shallow groundwater zones immediately adjacent to the coast and those low-lying areas where wave run-up would likely be higher. A 2017 exploratory boring drilled at Santa Monica City Hall, located approximately 1,200 feet northeast of the Santa Monica Pier, determined that highly brackish-saline groundwater conditions do not occur at that location until approximately 540 feet below ground surface.
Future changes to water quality from the groundwater zones the City currently pumps from are not expected through 2050. This is primarily because the City’s principal water supply wellfields are located inland and remote from the coast. Overall, salinity intrusion due to climate change is expected to be gradual, allowing enough time to adjust groundwater extraction and modify the City’s reverse osmosis (RO) treatment facility in response. As part of the City’s participation in the SMBGSA, the GSP was developed in January 2022 and defined groundwater conditions to ensure long-term sustainability including ensuring groundwater conditions support sufficient seaward flow of fresh water to prevent significant and unreasonable saltwater intrusion. The vulnerability to saltwater DRAFT
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intrusion is considered to be low as various sustainable management strategies and adaptive engineering measures were developed for the local groundwater basin.
3.4.4.2 Flooding/Storm Surges
With increases in sea level, an increased vulnerability to flooding and storm surges can be expected. Along the coast, flooding and storm surge can be exacerbated by sea level rise attributed to poor drainage conveyance systems, melting continental and sea ice, and volume expansion of the oceans due to thermal warming, winds, and tides. To assess for such vulnerability, the City consulted the USGS Coastal Storm Modeling System 3.0 (CoSMoS 3.0) during its Sustainable Water Master Plan development process. The CoSMoS
3.0 has generated a series of figures showing potential impact to various coastal areas, including the Santa Monica Beach and Pier, caused by varying increases in sea level rise and a coinciding 100-year storm event. As with the general effects of expected sea level rise, the City can adapt to the potential increase in storm surge or flooding attributable to the predicted gradual rise of sea level by implementing engineering mitigation measures.
Based on this intrinsic ability, City topography, and the CoSMoS 3.0 modeling output, the risk of flooding or a storm surge adversely impacting water related infrastructure, including the Clean Beaches Initiative (CBI) Project and the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP), is considered to be low. However, the City simultaneously recognizes that large rogue storm events are possible.
3.5 SERVICE AREA POPULATION
Figure 3-6 shows the City’s population from 2015 to 2025. The population data was obtained from the State of California Department of Finance. From 2015 to 2021, the City’s population remained relatively level and decreased between 2021 and 2022. Population has since rebounded and are consistent with pre-2021 population. Typically, population growth increases water demand, however, water conservation programs and policies implemented by the City’s Water Conservation Unit in 2015 have managed to offset the potential for impact by population growth as shown in Figure 3-6.
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Figure 3-6. City of Santa Monica Annual Water Use and Population (2015-2025) It is important to note that as the City’s water conservation programs become more established, there will be correspondingly fewer opportunities for further conservationbased savings. In effect, future population growth may result in a measurable increase in water demand. To mitigate increases in water demands resulting from new developments, the City enacted a Water Neutrality Ordinance1 in May 2017 where new developments are to maintain water neutral from its previous baseline water demand (average potable water use from the previous five years), as well as a Recycled Water Ordinance in March 2022 where the purpose is to add water recycling requirements where feasible.
The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) targets require the City to plan for 8,873 new housing units over the 2021 to 2029 planning period. After 2029, the City is expected to experience minimal population growth as the City will be considered built out.
The expected population, in five-year increments, over the next twenty years is summarized in Table 3-3.
1 https://www.qcode.us/codes/santamonica/view.php?topic=7-7_16-7_16_050&frames=on 93,276 93,397 93,686 93,552 93,312 93,275 93,241
92,575 92,735 93,034 93,212
90,000
92,000
94,000
96,000
98,000
100,000
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Population
Water Demand (Acre-Feet)
Water Demand (AF) Population
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SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 3-8
Table 3-3. City of Santa Monica Current and Projected Population, 2025-2050 (DWR Table 3-1)
Population
Served
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
93,212 111,143 115,848 119,704 120,034
NOTES: Demographic forecast from the City’s 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan.
3.5.1 Other Social, Economic, and Demographic Factors
It is not unusual, during poor economic conditions and increased unemployment rates, to see a reduction in water demand. When the economy recovers and employment levels increase, there is generally a rebound in water use.
The City’s average annual unemployment rates and corresponding water demands from 2015 to 2025 are summarized in Figure 3-7. Unemployment rates were obtained from the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics. In 2020, average annual unemployment in the City was 10.7 percent due to the impact of COVID-19. As the economy recovered from 2021 to 2025, the economy improved (based on unemployment), and annual water demand increased.
Figure 3-7. City of Santa Monica Yearly Water Use and Unemployment Rate 11,775 11,479 11,393 11,416 10,700 10,645 10,687 10,511 9,696 9,929 10,263
5.7% 5.4%
4.8% 4.7% 4.6%
10.7%
7.5%
4.9%
5.6%
6.2%
5.8%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Unemployment Rate (%)
Water Demand (AF)
Water Usage (AF) Unemployment Rate
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In 2015, the City established a Water Conservation Unit (WCU) to implement new conservation programs throughout the City. From 2016 to 2019 water use continued to stay below 2015 levels, and the community continued to conserve even with the improving economy, suggesting a sustained behavioral change in the City with regards to water conservation.
The relationship between water use and economic activity is also illustrated by considering the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic that started in early 2020. In 2020 unemployment jumped to approximately 11% due to the pandemic. Unemployment continued to drop back to pre-2020 levels by 2022 before increasing again through 2025. 2023 recorded the lowest water demand, approximately 9,696 AF, mostly due to the recorded 28 inches of rainfall. Overall water used in 2025 was approximately 10,263 AF, which corresponds with the higher-than-average rainfall and about average temperature.
3.5.2 Land Uses within Service Area
Land use within the City of Santa Monica consists primarily of single-family and multifamily residential development, a centralized business and commercial district, and institutional and industrial areas. As the City is largely built out, future changes in land use will occur predominantly through the redevelopment of existing parcels rather than new development. A zoning and land use map from the City's Planning Department is provided in Figure 3-8.
The City administers a low-income customer assistance program to support eligible residential water customers. Enrollment has remained relatively stable over the 2021– 2025 period, with single-family accounts consistently outpacing multi-family enrollment each year. From 2021 to 2025, a total of 1,218 single-family and 890 multi-family accounts were enrolled in the program, for a combined total of 2,108 accounts over the five-year period. Single-family enrollment peaked in 2023 at 280 accounts before declining to 203 and 206 accounts in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Multi-family enrollment followed a similar trend, reaching a high of 186 accounts in 2023 before tapering to 166 and 177 accounts in 2024 and 2025. Annual enrollment figures are summarized in Table 3-4.
Table 3-4. Summary of City’s Low Income Assistance Program Enrollment from 2021-2025 Account Type CY 2021 CY 2022 CY 2023 CY 2024 CY 2025 Total Single-Family 258 271 280 203 206 1,218
Multi-Family 180 181 186 166 177 890
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Figure 3-8. City of Santa Monica Official Districting Map DRAFT
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Chapter 4
Water Use Characterization
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4 WATER USE CHARACTERIZATION
A thorough analysis of historical water use provides valuable insights that are essential to sound water resource planning. This chapter examines water use by customer sector to develop a more detailed understanding of consumption patterns and trends within the City's service area. Those trends are then considered alongside other factors that influence water demand, including land use, population change, and conservation, to develop projections of future water use. In Section 7, these demand projections are compared with the water supply projections presented in Section 6 to evaluate the long-term reliability of the City's water service.
4.1 OVERVIEW OF PAST WATER USE
Billing data for the period 2015 to 2025 were compiled to analyze past water use in the City. This time frame was chosen to understand recent historical water use patterns in the City. It also includes water use data during one of the most severe droughts in the state’s history, which allows some understanding of usage during multi-year drought conditions (see Figure 4-1 for drought periods from the past two decades).
Historical Drought Conditions – Los Angeles County; D0-Abnormally Dry; D1-Moderate Drought; D2-Severe Drought; D3-Extreme Drought; D4-Exceptional Drought (Source: https://www.drought.gov/states/california/county/Los%20Angeles) Figure 4-1. Summary of Drought Conditions from 2005-2025 DRAFT
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The period from 2010 to 2025 also provides a useful contrast of water usage just before and after 2015, when the City established its Water Conservation Unit (WCU) and entered Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP). Stage 2 of the WSRP established mandatory water use restrictions including a Water Use Allowance (WUA) for each water customer. The WUA is calculated as a percentage of the baseline year’s (calendar year 2013) water usage. The calculated WUA for Stage 2 is 80 percent of calendar year 2013’s usage. Since groundwater is a big part of the City’s water supply and the effects of drought are long term, the City continues to remain in Stage 2 since 2014 to encourage water conservation which has contributed to a water demand reduction of 20% or approximately 2,500 acre-feet per year (AFY). Furthermore, in July 2022, the City implemented tighter outdoor watering restrictions limiting outdoor watering to two days per week in response to drought conditions.
4.1.1 Water Use Sectors
The City categorizes water billing data by different uses. By doing so, billing data provides valuable water use information including which sectors consume the most water and how policies, such as implementation of water conservation programs, affect usage. The sectors analyzed are consistent with those found in the State’s Water Code and are defined below.
Some sectors listed in the Water Code, such as agricultural, are not used in the City but are described for clarification, rather than being left out of this UWMP. The complete list of water use sectors can be found in Section 10631(d) of the Water Code.
Water use sectors listed in the Water Code include the following:
◼ Single-Family Residential. A single-family dwelling unit. A lot with a free-standing building containing one dwelling unit that may include a detached secondary dwelling.
◼ Multi-Family. Multiple dwelling units contained within one building or several buildings within one complex.
◼ Commercial. A water user that provides or distributes a product or service. ◼ Industrial. A water user that is primarily a manufacturer or processor of materials as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code sectors 31 to 33, inclusive, or an entity that is a water user primarily engaged in research and development. It should be noted that the industrial sector makes up a very small percentage of water use in the City (less than 1.5 % of total commercial use). As a result, industrial and commercial usage were combined for the purposes of analysis and discussion in this UWMP update.
◼ Institutional. A water user dedicated to public service. This type of user includes, among other users, higher-education institutions, schools, courts, churches, hospitals, government facilities, and nonprofit research institutions.
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◼ Landscape. Water connections supplying water solely for landscape irrigation. Such landscapes may be associated with multi-family, commercial, industrial, or institutional/governmental sites, but are considered a separate water use sector if the connection is solely for landscape irrigation.
◼ Sales to Other Agencies. These are water sales made to another agency. The City does not sell water to any other agency.
◼ Groundwater Recharge. The managed and intentional replenishment of natural groundwater supplies using man-made conveyances such as infiltration basins or injection wells. The City recently began groundwater recharge operations toward the end of 2025.
◼ Saline Water Intrusion Barriers. Injection of water into a freshwater aquifer to prevent the intrusion of saltwater. The City does not use water for saline water intrusion barriers.
◼ Agricultural Water. Water used for commercial agricultural irrigation. There are no agricultural water users in the City.
◼ Distribution System Losses. Water losses from the water distribution system. ◼ Other (Fire). Water used for the maintenance and testing of fire suppression systems, hydrant flushing, etc.
4.1.2 Past Water Use by Sector (Potable)
Water usage for the City is tracked by six of the water sectors described above, including Single Family Residential, Multi-Family Residential, Commercial/Industrial, Institutional, Landscape, and Other (Fire). Trends for these sectors from 2015 to 2025 are summarized in Figure 4-2.
Figure 4-2. Summary of Water Use Trends by Sector in the City of Santa Monica 0 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Acre-Feet
Single Family Residential Multi-Family Residential Commercial and Industrial Institutional Landscape Fire
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The predominate water usage within the City is by residential users, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the City’s total water consumption. Total water usage in the MultiFamily Residential category is the highest in the City and about double compared to the Single Family Residential. Over the last five years, there was a slight decrease in usage when compared to the period prior to 2020, with Single Family Residential usage beginning to increase recently. Between 2020 to 2023, water usage for Multi-Family and Single-Family Residential users decreased by approximately 16%, likely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, before increasing by approximately 5% between 2023 and 2025. In 2023, the City received abnormally high rainfall (28 inches); this resulted in the lowest annual residential water usage (6,476 AF) between 2015 to 2025, where the average annual residential usage was 7,245 AF. This uptick in water use may be due to the decrease in total yearly rainfall in 2024 and 2025. Overall, while there were moderate fluctuations in water use since 2015, residents have sustained conservation reductions despite the end of the drought emergency in 2017.
Commercial/Industrial water consumption is similar in magnitude to the Single-Family Residential sector and is approximately 24% of the total water usage within the City.
During 2020, the City saw a substantial decrease of about 30% by Commercial/Industrial users compared to 2016 to 2019. This was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic which included mandated business closures and many employees working from home. Since 2021, commercial/industrial water use has increased by approximately 15% and has almost rebounded to pre-2020 levels.
The Landscape sector accounts for about 5% of water use in the City. Similar to SingleFamily Residential, the Landscape sector usage decreased in 2023, followed by a slight increase from 2024 to 2025 consistent with the rainfall patterns.
The Institutional sector accounts for approximately 3% of total water usage in the City.
Similar to the Commercial/Industrial sector, the Institutional sector was relatively static from 2015 to 2019 and saw a significant decrease of about 34% in 2020, due to mandated closures resulting from COVID-19. Since 2020, institutional water use has remained constant with only a 1% increase between 2020 and 2025.
The fire use sector includes water used for the maintenance and testing of fire suppression systems and hydrant flushing. This sector makes up less than 1% of the total water use in the City and has remained about the same over the last five years.
Overall water usage in 2025 totaled 9,946 AF, a 5% decrease since 2020. As discussed in Chapter 3, 2025 saw higher than average rainfall and experienced lower than average temperature. As a result, water usage has continued to remain lower than it was in 2021 and has only seen a slight increase since 2023 due to less precipitation in 2024 and 2025, DRAFT
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though still higher than the average precipitation since 2015. A summary of the water consumption by sector from 2021 through 2025 is provided in Table 4-1.
Table 4-1. Summary of Water Use by Sector in Santa Monica (2021-2025) SECTOR 2021 2022 2023 2024 ‘21 – ‘24
AVERAGE 2025
Single Family Residential 2,820 2,549 2,241 2,315 2,481 2,451 Multi-Family Residential 4,558 4,437 4,235 4,299 4,382 4,318 Commercial 2,174 2,470 2,343 2,316 2,326 2,417
Institutional 268 288 278 262 274 275
Landscape Irrigation 579 469 338 454 460 455
Fire 3 26 4 8 10 31
Total 10,401 10,239 9,441 9,655 9,934 9,946
4.1.3 Non-Potable Water Use
The City has a dedicated recycled water system that provides service to 30 metered locations. The primary use of recycled water is for landscape irrigation, but it is also used for street sweeping, sewer jetting, and for lavatories at two facilities. Construction of the City’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) commenced in 2020 and was completed in 2022. With the completion of SWIP, the City is able to produce advanced treated recycled water for non-potable and potable reuse (e.g., groundwater recharge via direct injection).
Collectively, the SWIP and Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility (SMURRF) is able to produce up to 1,650 AFY of recycled water, however, production has been lower as the City is in the process of completing groundwater recharge wells and expanding its recycled water network to increase recycled water demand. Non-potable use production from 2021 to 2025 is provided in Table 4-2.
Table 4-2. Summary of Non-Potable Water Produced, AF (2021-2025) Facility 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
SMURRF 65 69
SWIP 51 67 91
Total 65 69 51 67 91
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4.1.4 Distribution System Water Losses
Distribution system water loss, defined as the difference between water supplied to the system less authorized consumption, has declined linearly during this entire reporting period. The City meets the Water Loss Audit Standard through its participation in annual water audits. The audits are validated by an independent third-party according to American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards. Table 4-3 summarizes the City’s water loss audit reporting to DWR. In 2020 the total water loss was 3.2% and in 2021 it was 1.7%. This was followed by a total water loss of 9.3% in 2024. Table 4-4 presents the water loss between 2020 and 2024.
Table 4-3. Water Loss Audit Reporting (DWR Table 4-5)
Public Water System ID # Reported in
Table 2-1 R Reporting Period Submitted to DWR Water Loss Audit Program (yes/no) Report submittal status for all five years for each Public Water System as available.
CA1910146
2020 Yes
2021 Yes
2022 Yes
2023 Yes
2024 Yes
DWR NOTES: Suppliers will provide a link to the WUEdata submittals of their Water Loss Audit Reports.
NOTES:
Table 4-4. Water Loss between 2020 and 2024
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Water Loss (AF) 352 187 192 1,001 1,015
Water Loss (%) 3.2% 1.7% 1.8% 9.4% 9.3%
In 2023 California State Water Resources Control Board released water loss performance standards for each urban retail water supplier. The water loss performance standard requires urban retail water suppliers to reduce real losses within their distribution systems to no greater than their real loss standard in the 2027 annual audit. If the supplier’s real loss exceeds the standard, the supplier must achieve the standard in either 2025 or 2026. After 2028, the supplier’s water loss compliance will be assessed every three years based on an average of the real losses reported in the three most recent annual audits. The City’s progress in meeting their water loss standard is shown in Table 4-5.
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Table 4-5. Progress Towards 2028 Water Loss Standard (DWR Table 4-6) Public
Water
System ID #
Did the Water
Board
Calculate a
Water Loss
Standard for
this Public
Water
System? (y/n)
Real Water Loss Apparent Water Loss
State Water Board
Standard
Most Recent AWWA Water
Loss Audit
Real
Water
Loss Per
Unit per
Day
State Water Board
Standard
Most Recent AWWA Water
Loss Audit
Apparent
Water
Loss Per
Unit per
Day
2028
Real
Water
Loss
Standard
per Unit
per day
Units for
Real Water
Loss
Drop down
list
Number of
Units
(Connections or
Miles
corresponding
with units
selected)
Volume of
Total Real
Loss
(AF)
2028
Apparent
Water
Loss
Standard
per Unit
per Day
Units for
Apparent
Water Loss
Number of
Connections
Volume of
Total
Apparent Loss
(AF)
Add additional rows as needed.
CA1910146 Yes 0
Gallons per
Service
Connection
per Day
(GPSCD)
18,456 966 46.7 6.4
Gallons per
Service
Connection
per Day
(GPSCD)
18,456 49 2.4
Water Board's Calculated Water Loss Standards
DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) for Water Loss MUST remain consistent with units reported in Submittal Table 2-3. The units reported in Submittal Table 2-3 are used in this table's calculations.
NOTES: Data obtained from CY AWWA 2024 Water Loss Audit.
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4.1.5 Total Current Potable and Non-Potable Water Use
The City’s 2025 actual water use is presented in Table 4-6 by water use sector. Water loss is not included.
Table 4-6. Total Uses for Potable and Non-Potable Water (DWR Table 4-1) Use Type Additional Description
(as needed)
2025 Actual Water Use
Drop down list
May select each use multiple times
These are the only use types that will be
recognized by the WUEdata online
submittal tool
Additional Description
(as needed)
Potable or NonPotable
(OPTIONAL)
Drop down list
Volume (AF)
Single Family Potable 2,451
Multi-Family Potable 4,318
Commercial Includes Industrial Water Potable 2,417
Institutional/Governmental Potable 275
Landscape Potable 455
Other (optional) Fire Service Water Potable 31
Other (optional) Recycled Water Non-Potable 91
Subtotal Potable 9,946
Subtotal Non-Potable 91
Total 10,038
DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3. This table identifies the unit of measure selected in Submittal Table 2-
3. NOTES: Data provided in units of HCF by the City in January 2026.
4.2 PROJECTED WATER USE CONSIDERATIONS
The previous sections in this Chapter detailed historical water consumption, which serves as the basis for understanding water use patterns in the City. While historical data provides valuable insight into water use trends, additional factors including anticipated changes in land use, climate, and water use codes, standards, and ordinances are also important factors that should be considered when projecting future water use.
To this end, the City’s Planning Division was consulted to incorporate land use planning data such as population growth into future water use projections. The City’s WCU provided projections of how conservation programs, and water use codes, standards, and ordinances DRAFT
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may impact future water consumption in the City. The Water Resources Division also aligned climate change assumptions used for this UWMP with those used for the GSP being developed for the Santa Monica Groundwater Basin (SMGB).
4.2.1 Coordination with Planning Division
In October of 2022, the City’s Planning Division adopted the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update for 2021-2029, which requires the City to plan for 8,873 new housing units in the 8- year period. The housing unit allocation is based on the 2020 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), developed by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Based on the average household size of 1.9, the City estimates that the additional units will result in a total population of 111,143 people in 2030 or an increase of 19% from the City’s 2021 population.
Most of this growth envisioned will be multifamily residential units, 69% of which would be affordable units. The City also anticipates that a very small percentage of the additional units (about 500-800 units) will be Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), while the singlefamily residential sector will likely remain unchanged.
The City is completely built out with very little (less than 0.05%) undeveloped area. These undeveloped areas are limited to the beach and public open spaces, such as parks. It is likely that much of the residential growth will occur within existing developed properties near transit, including downtown and major boulevards. To accommodate this growth, existing commercial/industrial land uses would likely be redeveloped into residential or mixed uses. Hence, only minimal to moderate growth is anticipated for the commercial/industrial water use sectors.
4.2.2 Water Use Ordinances, Codes, Standards, and Conservation Programs The City has a long history of promoting water conservation. In 2002, the City initiated its Water Efficiency Strategic Plan and in 2004 began implementing various conservation programs including the No Water Waste and Green Building Ordinances. In 2014, City Council authorized the significant expansion of staffing and funding to augment the City’s water conservation efforts to address the state-wide drought and help the City meet its self-sufficiency goal. This contributed to a water demand reduction of approximately 20 percent from 2015–2020, which equates to savings of approximately 2,500 AFY. Current water conservation
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programs and ordinances in the City are provided in Table 4-7.
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Table 4-7. Summary of Santa Monica’s Water Conservation Program and Ordinances
CURRENT WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
(See Chapter 9 for Additional Details)
2015 - Ongoing
• Water Use Allowances
• Water Use Allowance Exceedance Citations
• Water School
• Water Use Consultations
• Landscape Rebate Program
• Landscape Consultations
• Sustainable Landscape Trainings
• Enhanced MWD Water Conservation Rebate Incentive Program • Free Water Saving Items
• Marketing and Outreach (see Chapter 9.2.4)
• Customer Support
2015-2018
• Multi-Family Toilet Direct Install Program
2016 – Ongoing
• Water Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standards/WELIS (SMMC 8.108) • Plan checks and inspections for WELIS compliance (landscape, irrigation) for building projects 2017-2020
• School District (K-12) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Fund Water Conservation 2017 – Ongoing
• Water Neutrality Ordinance (SMMC 7.16.050)
• Water Neutrality Direct Install Program
2018 – 2019
• School Education Pilot Program
2020 – Present
• Spray to Drip Irrigation Conversion Rebate
2022 – Present
• Recycled Water Ordinance
2026 – Present
• Non-functional Turf survey and conversion for City and public agency properties • Enhanced Landscape Rebate Program (increased rebate amounts) DRAFT
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The City evaluated the potential for further water efficiency and conservation in all customer sectors as part of its 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan. This included an assessment of the current level of water fixtures, as well as identifying where the greatest opportunities for reducing water consumption existed. Based on this analysis, a plan was developed to reach the City’s long-term objectives via existing and new conservation programs. City staff modeled three conservation plans:
◼ Current – reflects the City’s current conservation effort and implementation of the existing 11 conservation measures.
◼ Strategic – includes implementation of 13 conservation measures (nine existing and four new) that balance water savings with cost to save significant amounts of water and provide enhanced community outreach and education. ◼ All-Inclusive – includes implementation of 16 conservation measures, making it the most expensive and the one that will achieve the most water savings.
Based on the assessment, the City selected the Strategic conservation plan, which continues the successful ongoing programs and increases water conservation in untapped areas such as installation of irrigation devices, indoor and outdoor CII water audits, and dedicated irrigation meters.
Strategic recommendations for the next five years to assist in implementing the Strategic conservation plan include the following:
◼ Consider adding two additional FTEs to implement additional measures needed to comply with the forthcoming State water conservation framework regulations and to enhance current water conservation measures.
◼ Prioritize measures that contribute the most to meeting water conservation targets and are relatively easy to operate with limited staff.
◼ Identify and target measures to the largest 100 water using customers to reduce their demand.
◼ Form partnerships and apply for grants where appropriate. ◼ Define steps for each measure in the work plan detailing how it will be implemented.
◼ Track water use each month by customer class and overall per capita water use. Use the Data Collection Workbook to enter data or an online tool (e.g., WaterViewTM by Eagle Aerial).
◼ Use aerial imagery tools (e.g., WaterViewTM by Eagle Aerial) to identify areas of turf grass to target outreach for landscape conversion rebates and removal of nonfunctional turf grass.
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◼ Employ a SaaS tool (e.g., ConserveTrack by RightThere, LLC) to track measure progress, including participation, cost, projected water savings, and other data to gauge successes and areas that need improvement/added attention. ◼ Consider conducting a device potentiality study to determine market saturation of installed indoor high-efficiency fixtures (toilets, showerheads, aerators, clothes washers) to inform rebate and direct install programs.
◼ Continue enforcing existing City ordinances that reduce water use as previously required by the statewide drought emergency declaration (recently lifted) and the Governor’s Executive Orders (e.g., only serving water upon request, no watering for 48 hours after a rain event).
◼ Annually update the Plan, including individual measure participation and savings, overall projected water savings, and projected per capita water use reductions, to ensure the City is on track to meet conservation goals. ◼ Consider launching pilot studies for new measures.
◼ Consider soliciting and tracking community input and feedback via online or phone surveys or at outreach and education events.
◼ Continue to utilize the information and support offered to urban water agencies provided by CalWEP and Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE). ◼ As a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Partner take advantage of their many resources including outreach in the form of infographics, videos, template press releases, social media graphics, advertisements, bill stuffers and more.
Implementation of the existing conservation programs with the addition of supplemental conservation efforts is expected to continue water demand reductions through 2040.
Conservation will play a critical role in the City’s march toward water self-sufficiency by continuing to reduce overall use even in the face of demand from new housing and from the commercial and institutional sectors of the local economy.
4.2.3 Climate Change
Climate change considerations for the 2025 UWMP were aligned with those being used to develop the GSP for the SMBGSA. The GSP is using climate change datasets provided by DWR that were originally developed for the Water Storage Investment Program (DWR 2018). These datasets were derived from a collection of 20 global climate projections. The central tendency of each of the 20 projections was used to establish projected climate conditions.
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Using the DWR climate change factors, temperatures in the Santa Monica Groundwater Subbasin are expected to increase, while average annual precipitation is projected to remain relatively constant. The timing of the precipitation is, however, projected to change with more precipitation received in January and February, and less precipitation received in October, November, and December. Overall, evapotranspiration is projected to increase relative to historical rates, which reflects the projected increases in temperature.
4.3 PROJECTED WATER USE
Potable water use projections in five-year increments up to 2045 are summarized in Table 4-8. Annual water use projections are from the 2024 Water Master Plan and projections with additional conservation are from the 2024 Water Conservation Plan assuming the Strategic conservation plan is implemented. Sectoral water use projections were calculated from annual projections assuming the average water use percent breakdown from 2021 through 2024. A 5 percent water distribution system loss is added on top of the annual projections.
Table 4-8. Summary of Potable Water Use Projections for Santa Monica (2030 – 2045 in 5 Year Increments)
2030 2035 2040 2045
Single Family Residential 2,642 2,645 2,649 2,652
Multi-Family Residential 5,708 5,844 5,980 6,117
Commercial and Industrial 2,618 2,566 2,514 2,462
Institutional and Governmental 306 300 294 288
Landscape 759 1,147 1,535 1,924
Other (Fire) 24 36 48 60
Subtotal 12,057 12,539 13,021 13,502
Distribution Loss (5%) 603 627 651 675
Total 12,660 13,166 13,672 14,178
Total w/Additional Conservation
DRAFT
11,240 10,913 10,906 10,631
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Packet Pg. 819 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER USE CHARACTERIZATION 4-14
Past annual water use, between 2015 and 2025, and projected water use with and without additional conservation, is shown in five-year increments between 2030 and 2045, is shown in Figure 4-3. Additional conservation, as recommended in the 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan, has the potential to decrease annual water demands by 12 percent in 2030 and 26 percent by 2045.
Figure 4-3. Projected Potable Water Use Trends (2025 – 2040 in 5 Year Increments) Projected potable and non-potable water use in five-year increments, between 2030 and 2045, is shown in Table 4-9. Water use projections include water use ordinances, codes, standards, and lower income residential demands but do not include additional conservation from the Strategic program as outlined in the 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan as summarized in Table 4-10.
0 2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 Water Use (Acre-Feet)
Past Water Use
Projected Potable Water Use w/out Additional Conservation Projected Potable Water Use w/ Additional Conservation
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 820 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER USE CHARACTERIZATION 4-15
Table 4-9. Total Projected Uses for Potable and Non-Potable Water (DWR Table 4-2) Use Type
Additional
Description
(as needed)
Projected Water Use
(Report To the Extent that Records are Available)
Drop down list
May select each use multiple
times
These are the only Use Types
that will be recognized by the
WUEdata online submittal
tool
Additional
Description
as needed)
Potable or
NonPotable
(OPTIONAL)
Drop down
list
2030
(AF)
2035
(AF)
2040
(AF)
2045
(AF)
2050
opt
(AF)
Add additional rows as needed.
Single Family Potable 2,642 2,645 2,649 2,652
Multi-Family Potable 5,708 5,844 5,980 6,117
Commercial
Includes
Industrial
Water
Potable 2,618 2,566 2,514 2,462
Institutional/Governmental Potable 306 300 294 288
Landscape Potable 759 1,147 1,535 1,924
Other (optional) Fire Service
Water Potable 24 36 48 60
Distribution System Water
Loss Potable 603 627 651 675
Other (optional) Recycled
Water
NonPotable 84 88 91 95
Subtotal Potable 12,660 13,165 13,671 14,178 0
Subtotal Non-Potable 84 88 91 95 0
Total 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273 0
DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3. This table identifies the unit of measure selected in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES:
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 821 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER USE CHARACTERIZATION 4-16
Table 4-10. Inclusion in Water Use Projections (DWR Table 4-3) Are Future Water Savings Included in Projections?
Drop down list (y/n) No
If "Yes" to above, state the section or page number, in the cell to the right, where citations of the codes, ordinances, or otherwise are utilized in demand projections are found.
Optional Suppliers may complete Optional Submittal Table 4-4 R to quantify the expected savings.
Are Lower Income Residential Demands Included In Projections? Drop down list (y/n) Yes
Optional If the method for accounting Lower Income Residential Demands has been included, provide page number where this accounting can be found. Section 4.2 DWR NOTES: Additional guidance is provided in Appendix K.
NOTES:
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 822 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
Chapter 5
SB X7-7 Baseline and Targets
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 823 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
SB X7-7 BASELINE AND TARGETS 5-1
5 SB X7-7 BASELINE AND TARGETS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
The Water Conservation Act of 2009, enacted as Senate Bill X7-7 (SB X7-7), requires the State of California to reduce urban per capita water use by 20 percent by December 31, 2020. The legislation established an interim statewide target of a 10 percent reduction by December 31, 2015, as a milestone toward the final 2020 goal. To meet these objectives, each urban retail water supplier was required to establish an individualized urban water use target and demonstrate compliance by the 2020 deadline.
The City has successfully achieved its water use reduction target, demonstrating full compliance with SB X7-7. The City's baseline daily per capita water use, interim target, 2020 target, and compliance water use are presented in Table 5-1.
5.2 BASELINES AND TARGETS
The City established its SB X7-7 baseline and 2020 target in the 2015 UWMP and did not revise these calculations when demonstrating compliance in the 2020 UWMP.
SB X7-7 provided urban retail water suppliers with four methodologies for establishing a 2020 water use target. In the 2015 UWMP, the City selected Target Method 1, the most stringent of the four methods, which requires a 20 percent reduction from the supplier's ten-year baseline daily per capita water use, measured in gallons per capita per day (GPCD). The City's ten-year baseline for the period 1996 to 2005 was 154 GPCD, resulting in a 2020 target of 123 GPCD. In the 2020 UWMP, the City reported an actual compliance GPCD of 103, which is well below the 2020 target of 123 GPCD, confirming the City's compliance with SB X7-7. Results are summarized in Table 5-1.
Since the City was an urban retailer in 2020 and met its 2020 Target, SB X7-7 compliance and verification forms are not required.
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Packet Pg. 824 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
SB X7-7 BASELINE AND TARGETS 5-2
Table 5-1. SB X7-7 2020 Target Progress (DWR Table 5-1) Check the box if the Supplier was not an Urban Water Supplier during or before the 2020 UWMP reporting cycle. Proceed to the next table.
Was Supplier
part of a
merger or
consolidation
since 2020?
Regional
Alliance
Target or
Individual
Target?
Drop down
list
2020
Target
Actual
2020
GPCD
Did
Supplier
Achieve
Targeted
Reduction
for 2020?
Only for suppliers that
did not meet the Target
in 2020
See DWR NOTES below.
Actual
2025 GPCD
(From SB
X7-7
Compliance
Form)
Did Supplier
meet the
2020 Target
in 2025?
No Individual
Target 123 103 Yes NA
DWR NOTES:
Suppliers calculating a 2025 GPCD will need to complete and submit SB X 7-7 Compliance Tables to verify the use of SB X7-7 Methodologies.
Suppliers that were part of a merger or consolidation since 2020 see Chapter 5 and Appendix P for guidance.
NA=Not Applicable
NOTES:
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 825 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
Chapter 6
Water Supply Characterization
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 826 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-1
6 WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION
The City's water supply portfolio is designed to balance sustainable groundwater management, local water supply development, reduce reliance on imported water supplies, recycled water use, and long-term demand management. This section characterizes the City's existing and planned water supplies, identifies key factors that affect source reliability, and establishes the basis for evaluating supply availability under normal-year, single-dry-year, and five-consecutive-dry-year conditions. The analysis supports the City's assessment of water supply reliability over the planning horizon and informs the reliability assessment, drought risk assessment, and water shortage contingency planning discussions presented herein.
6.1 WATER SUPPLY ANALYSIS OVERVIEW
The City meets potable water demands through local groundwater produced from the Santa Monica Groundwater Subbasin (Subbasin) and supplemented with imported water purchased from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Local groundwater is produced from the Charnock, Arcadia, and Olympic well fields, which are historically associated with the Charnock, Arcadia, and Olympic subbasins within the broader Subbasin. The approximate locations of the subbasins and well fields are shown in Figure 6-1Figure 6-1. Historically, local groundwater has provided approximately 60 to 70 percent of the City's potable water supply, with imported water supplementing the remaining 30 to 40 percent. Beginning in the end of 2023, the City has also begun to use a limited volume of non-potable water from the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP; Figure 6-2), which represents less than one percent of total supply and supports uses such as landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and street sweeping.
The City's supply composition within this UWMP evaluation period was affected by the temporary closure of the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant (Arcadia WTP; Figure 6-3), the City's primary drinking water treatment facility, which was taken offline between 2021 and 2025 to accommodate major upgrades and capacity expansion as outlined in the City’s 2018 Sustainable Water Master Plan to increase local water supplies. During this period, the City relied more heavily on imported water, with MWD supplies accounting for approximately 67 percent of total potable supply and local groundwater accounting for the remaining 33 percent. This temporary shift should be distinguished from the City's longterm supply strategy, which continues to emphasize greater reliance on locally controlled sources through expanded groundwater production, treatment infrastructure improvements, recycled water use, stormwater capture, managed aquifer recharge, and conservation.
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 827 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-2
Figure 6-1. Santa Monica Basin and Subbasin Boundaries
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 828 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-3
Figure 6-2. Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 829 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-4
The Arcadia WTP upgrades and Olympic Well Field Restoration Project are central to the City's long-term strategy to increase local supply reliability and reduce dependence on imported water. The project expanded the Arcadia WTP's raw water treatment capacity from approximately 10 million gallons per day (MGD) to approximately 13 MGD and increased the production efficiency from 80% to 90% with the implementation of the first municipal Flow Reversal Reverse Osmosis (FR-RO) retrofit in the country. The new Olympic Advanced Water Treatment Facility (Olympic AWTF; Figure 6-4), co-located at the Arcadia WTP, restores the Olympic Well Field to produce up to 3,200 acre-feet per year (AFY) of groundwater.
Figure 6-3. Arcadia WTP
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Packet Pg. 830 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-5
Groundwater sustainability is a critical consideration for the City's supply analysis. The Subbasin is replenished through natural and incidental recharge processes, including infiltration of precipitation, mountain-front recharge from the Santa Monica Mountains, urban return flows, subsurface inflows from adjacent areas, and managed aquifer recharge.
Groundwater management within the Subbasin is subject to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 (SGMA). The Santa Monica Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SMBGSA) was formed by the cities of Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Culver City, and Beverly Hills, together with the County of Los Angeles, to manage the Subbasin under SGMA. The Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) was adopted in January 2022 and approved by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) in October 2023.
Imported water purchased from MWD remains an important component of the City's supply portfolio, particularly during periods when local groundwater production or treatment capacity is constrained. Imported water supplies are derived primarily from the State Water Project (SWP) and the Colorado River Aqueduct (CRA) and are subject to variability associated with hydrologic conditions, climate change, storage conditions, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) regulatory constraints, and long-term Colorado River Basin supply challenges. Accordingly, imported supply availability is evaluated under normal-year, single-dry-year, and five-consecutive-dry-year conditions.
The 2010 through 2020 period was used to characterize treated water supply conditions under normal-year, single-dry-year, and five-consecutive-dry-year scenarios. This period is considered representative of the City’s water supply reliability and drought risk going forward as 2010 established the new baseline for local water supplies when the City restored its major groundwater well field back to full production. In addition, the time period also includes one of the single worst drought years in recorded history in 2014 where it registered as the hottest year in California in 1,200 years according to the National Weather Service. The time period chosen also acknowledges that temporary closures, such as that of the Arcadia WTP during construction between 2021 and 2025, are not representative of normal supply conditions. A summary of the City's water supply components is provided in Table 6-1, and anticipated supply availability by source and hydrologic condition is summarized in
DRAFT
Table 6-2.
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Packet Pg. 831 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION6-6
Figure 6-4. Olympic AWTF
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Packet Pg. 832 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-7
Table 6-1. Summary of Existing Water Supplies
WATER
SUPPLY
COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
Local
Groundwater
The City's local groundwater supply is produced from the Subbasin through ten active groundwater supply wells in the Charnock, Arcadia, and Olympic well fields. These include five wells in the Charnock Well Field (Charnock 13, 16, 18, 19, and 20); three wells in the Arcadia Well Field (Arcadia 4, Arcadia 5, and Santa Monica Well 1); and two active wells in the Olympic Well Field (Santa Monica Well 8 and Santa Monica Well 9). A third Olympic well, Santa Monica Well 4, is being rehabilitated following well screen damage, and the City plans to return it to production following approval from the Division of Drinking Water (DDW). Local groundwater treatment facilities include the Arcadia WTP, the Charnock Treatment Facility, and the Olympic AWTF.
Imported
Water
The City purchases imported water from MWD through two service connections.
Imported water supplements local supplies and can meet a significant portion of City demands when local production or treatment capacity is constrained. Imported supplies are derived principally from the SWP and the CRA and are subject to hydrologic variability, climate change, storage conditions, Delta regulatory constraints, and long-term Colorado River Basin supply challenges. Historically, the City's Tier 1 allotment from MWD was approximately 7,406 AFY. However, MWD's adopted fiscal year (FY) 2024/25 and FY 2025/26 biennial budget does not include separate Tier 1 and Tier 2 rate structures; accordingly, these historical allotment figures should be used for background context only and not as the basis for current supply or rate planning assumptions.
Conservation
and Demand
Management
The City has implemented water conservation and demand management measures that have resulted in a sustained reduction in demand of approximately 18 percent, or approximately 2,500 AFY. In July 2022, the City implemented additional outdoor watering restrictions in response to severe drought conditions. The City also completed a Water Conservation Master Plan in 2024 that evaluated new and existing conservation measures; under the selected Strategic Program, additional savings of approximately 924 AFY, or approximately 9.1 percent of current demand, could be achieved by 2045.
Recycled
Water and
Advanced
Treated
Recycled
Water
The City historically captured and treated dry-weather urban runoff at the SMURRF to produce non-potable water for uses such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and street sweeping. The SMURRF is currently offline due to upgrades. The SWIP Advanced Water Treatment Facility (SWIP AWTF) has been developed to treat municipal wastewater, stormwater, dry-weather urban runoff, and brackish groundwater and can produce up to approximately 1,680 AFY of advanced treated recycled water, equivalent to roughly 10 percent of the City's water supply. The City uses advanced treated recycled water to meet non-potable reuse demands and, as of January 2026, to augment the Olympic Well Field through direct aquifer injection.
Potential
Future
Groundwater
Reserve
The Coastal subbasin, located within the broader Subbasin, is not currently used as an active City water supply source. The City is evaluating the Coastal subbasin as a potential future water supply reliability reserve through ongoing investigations to assess groundwater quality as it may be impacted by historical industrial activities, potential yield, and feasibility for future supply development.
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 833 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-8
Table 6-2. Summary of Treated Water Supply Availability for Each Water Supply SOURCE NORMAL YEAR1 SINGLE DRY YEAR AVERAGE FIVE-YEAR
CONSECUTIVE DROUGHT
Local Groundwater 7,121 AFY 5,181 AFY 7,203 AFY
Imported Water Supply 7,406 AFY2 7,406 AFY2 7,406 AFY2
Total 14,527 AFY 12,587 AFY 14,609 AFY
1The normal year is estimated using the average of total water supply available from 2010 through 2020 2Lowest MWD Tier 1 allotment was assumed.
6.2 WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION
This section provides a detailed characterization of the water supplies currently available to the City and identifies the principal factors that affect supply availability and reliability.
The discussion is organized by supply source and supports the normal-year, single-dryyear, and five-consecutive-dry-year reliability analyses presented herein:
◼ Local groundwater from the Subbasin;
◼ Purchased imported water from MWD; and
◼ Advanced treated recycled water supplies.
Consistent with Section 6.1, potable demands are met primarily through treated local groundwater and imported water, while recycled water supplies are used to offset potable demands for approved non-potable uses and, more recently, to support groundwater replenishment through managed aquifer recharge. The City's long-term water supply strategy emphasizes continued development and protection of local supplies, reduced dependence on imported water, sustainable groundwater management, recycled water production, stormwater capture, and conservation and demand management.
6.2.1 Groundwater
Groundwater from the Subbasin has historically been the City's primary local water supply source. The Subbasin is located in western Los Angeles County and underlies the cities of Santa Monica, Culver City, and Beverly Hills, as well as portions of the City of Los Angeles.
The Subbasin covers approximately 50 square miles and is designated by DWR as the Coastal Plain of Los Angeles, Santa Monica Subbasin, Basin No. 4-011.01. The City is the sole municipal-supply producer of groundwater from the Subbasin. Other existing groundwater withdrawals include one privately owned residential irrigation well and irrigation wells at Brentwood Country Club, Riviera Country Club, Hillcrest Country Club, and Los Angeles Country Club.
The Subbasin is bounded by the Santa Monica Mountains to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone to the east, and the Ballona Escarpment to the DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 834 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-9
south. The principal groundwater-bearing units include the Ballona aquifer and the Silverado aquifer, with the Silverado aquifer serving as the City's primary groundwater production aquifer. The hydrogeologic setting is influenced by complex geologic structure, including faults and folds, as well as variations in depositional environment and lithology.
These conditions affect groundwater occurrence, flow, storage, recharge, and water quality across the Subbasin.
Groundwater recharge within the Subbasin occurs through natural and incidental processes, including mountain-front recharge from the Santa Monica Mountains, areal recharge from precipitation where infiltration is possible, subsurface inflows, and urban return flows. Because the Subbasin is highly urbanized, local groundwater replenishment strategies increasingly rely on engineered approaches, including recycled water production and managed aquifer recharge. As discussed in Section 6.1, the City initiated direct aquifer injection of advanced treated recycled water at the Olympic Well Field in January 2026 to support groundwater replenishment and long-term local supply reliability.
Groundwater management in the Subbasin is governed by SGMA. The SMBGSA adopted the GSP for the Subbasin in January 2022, and DWR approved the GSP in October 2023. The GSP establishes the framework for long-term groundwater sustainability, including maintaining sufficient groundwater in storage to support continued production, maintaining groundwater conditions that support sufficient seaward flow of freshwater to prevent significant and unreasonable seawater intrusion in the Silverado aquifer, and ensuring that groundwater production does not impair groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
Historically, the Subbasin has been characterized in terms of five local subbasins, namely the Charnock, Arcadia, Olympic, Coastal, and Crestal subbasins. The locations of these basins are shown in Figure 6-1. These areas were historically distinguished based on water level differences, mapped geologic features, and groundwater geochemistry. More recent hydrogeologic evaluations prepared for the GSP indicate that these historic distinctions do not necessarily correspond to discrete fault-bounded groundwater subbasins. For this reason, the GSP refers to these areas as production areas rather than managing them as separate subbasins. However, because the City's water supply infrastructure, production records, and treatment facilities are commonly organized by well field or historic subbasin, this UWMP will continue to refer to the Charnock, Arcadia, Olympic, Coastal, and Crestal subbasins for consistency with City planning documents.
The City currently obtains local groundwater supply from the Charnock, Arcadia, and Olympic well fields (see Figure 6-1). The Coastal and Crestal subbasins are not currently used as active City water supply sources. The Coastal subbasin has been evaluated as a potential future water supply reliability reserve, while the Crestal subbasin is currently not considered for groundwater supply development.
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 835 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-10
Groundwater production volumes from the three active well fields are summarized in Table 6-3, and total raw groundwater production from the Subbasin between 2021 and 2025 is summarized in Table 6-4. These values represent raw groundwater extracted for treatment and should not be interpreted as finished potable water delivered to the distribution system, as finished water availability is further affected by treatment capacity, treatment efficiency, source water quality, regulatory requirements, operational constraints, and facility outages. Due to construction upgrades at the Arcadia WTP, groundwater pumped within the Subbasin between 2021 and 2025 is not representative of normal operations. Under normal operations, the City has the ability to pump about 8,000 to 10,000 AFY of groundwater from the three subbasins.
Table 6-3. Summary of Groundwater Pumped by Subbasin between 2021 and 2025 SOURCE 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Arcadia 507 291 38 0 98
Charnock 5,467 4,137 876 3,072 3,344
Olympic 363 410 0 0 0
Total 6,337 4,837 914 3,072 3,442
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 836 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION6-11
Table 6-4. Summary of Groundwater Pumped between 2021 and 2025 (DWR Table 6-1) Groundwater Type
Drop Down List
May use each category
multiple times
Potable or
Non-Potable
(OPTIONAL)
Drop down list
Location or Basin Name 2021 (AF) 2022 (AF) 2023 (AF) 2024 (AF) 2025 (AF) Alluvial Basin Potable Santa Monica Basin 6,337 4,837 914 3,072 3,442 6,337 4,837 914 3,072 3,442
Add additional rows as needed
DWR NOTES:
Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3. This table identifies the unit of measure selected in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES Data obtained from City's Water Production Reports from FY20-21 through FY25-26.
Total
Check the box if the Supplier does not pump groundwater.
Proceed to the next table.
Check the box if all or part of the groundwater described below is desalinated. (OPTIONAL) DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 837 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-12
6.2.1.1 Charnock Subbasin (Charnock Well Field)
The Charnock Well Field, located within the historically defined Charnock subbasin of the Subbasin, consists of five groundwater production wells: Charnock 13, Charnock 16, Charnock 18, Charnock 19, and Charnock 20. The Charnock Well Field has been used as a drinking water source since 1924 and is the City’s largest groundwater-producing well field. The well field is located within the City of Los Angeles on property owned by the City.
Under normal operating conditions, groundwater production from the Charnock Well Field averages approximately 8,000 acre-feet per year (AFY).
The Charnock production wells were shut down in 1996 following the detection of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) in groundwater. The contamination resulted from leaking underground gasoline storage tanks and pipelines owned by several oil companies, and the loss of the Charnock production wells caused the City to substantially increase imported water purchases from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). A settlement agreement was reached with the responsible parties in December 2003, and in 2006 the City assumed full oversight and management of the restoration program.
The restoration included construction of the Charnock Treatment Facility, which uses granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment to remove MTBE and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) from impacted groundwater before the treated water is conveyed to the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant (Arcadia WTP) for additional treatment, including reverse osmosis and disinfection. The Charnock wells were restored to production in December 2010.
Since 2021, average raw groundwater extraction from the Charnock Well Field has been approximately 3,379 AFY, which is below the approximately 8,000 AFY associated with normal operating conditions. Recent production has been constrained by maintenancerelated outages at Charnock 16 and 19 and outages at Charnock 13 and Charnock 18 to facilitate construction of new replacement wells. The City also has future plans to replace Charnock 16 within the next 5-10 years as the existing well is over 50 years old. Long-term planning assumptions should account for restoration of full treatment capacity, completion of maintenance and replacement projects, and ongoing compliance with applicable drinking water and groundwater management requirements.
6.2.1.2 Olympic Subbasin (Olympic Well Field)
The Olympic Well Field is located within the historically defined Olympic subbasin along Olympic Boulevard at the eastern end of the City. The Olympic Well Field is the City’s second largest groundwater producer. Under normal operating conditions prior to restoration, groundwater production from the Olympic Well Field averaged approximately 2,500 AFY, with a maximum annual production of 3,176 acre-feet recorded in 1995. The well field’s active production wells are Santa Monica Well 8 (SM-8) and Santa Monica Well 9 (SM-9), supported by a dedicated conveyance pipeline to the Olympic Advanced Water Treatment Facility (Olympic AWTF). Following completion of the restoration project, the DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 838 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-13
Olympic AWTF is capable of treating up to 3,200 AFY of groundwater from the well field. A third well, Santa Monica Well 4 (SM-4), is currently offline due to well screen damage and is undergoing rehabilitation; the City plans to return the well to production following approval from the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW).
A replacement well for SM-4 is currently under design and will be online within the next 5 years.
The Olympic Well Field has experienced periods of regulatory and operational constraint due to historical industrial contamination. Constituents detected in groundwater have included volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), carbon tetrachloride (CTC), 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP), and 1,4-dioxane. Production was further restricted in 2003 and 2004 due to nearby leaking underground fuel storage tanks, and regulations adopted in December 2017 establishing a maximum contaminant level for 1,2,3-TCP and notification levels for 1,4-dioxane imposed additional constraints on extraction from the well field.
The Olympic AWTF, co-located at the Arcadia WTP, incorporates ultraviolet advanced oxidation process treatment and GAC filtration to remove industrial contaminants to below applicable drinking water standards. The project was completed in 2025. Since 2021, average raw groundwater extraction from the Olympic Well Field has been approximately 154 AFY, well below the historical normal operating average of approximately 2,500 AFY.
This reflects SM-4 being offline and the intermittent suspension of production during construction of the Olympic Well Field Restoration Project. With restoration completed, the Olympic Well Field is expected to return to and ultimately exceed its historical production levels, contributing up to approximately 3,200 AFY to the City’s local groundwater supply portfolio.
6.2.1.3 Arcadia Subbasin
The Arcadia subbasin has historically been the least productive of the three active subbasins used by the City. Under normal operating conditions, groundwater production from the Arcadia Well Field averages approximately 700 AFY. The well field includes three groundwater production wells: Arcadia 4, Arcadia 5, and Santa Monica Well 1 (SM-1).
Arcadia 4 and Arcadia 5 are located at the Arcadia WTP, near Bundy Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, and groundwater from these wells is treated through the Arcadia WTP prior to distribution. SM-1 is located in a median along San Vicente Boulevard and is disinfected at the wellhead before being discharged directly into the City's potable water distribution system.
Since 2021, average groundwater extraction from the Arcadia Well Field has been approximately 187 AFY, substantially below the approximately 700 AFY associated with normal operating conditions. This reduction primarily reflects operational constraints associated with construction of the Arcadia WTP Expansion Project and aging well DRAFT
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infrastructure requiring more frequent maintenance. The recent reduced production should be interpreted as a temporary operating condition rather than a permanent change in the long-term role of the Arcadia subbasin in the City's water supply portfolio.
6.2.1.4 Coastal Subbasin
The Coastal subbasin underlies the southern portion of the City and is not currently used as an active groundwater supply source. The City has identified the Coastal subbasin as a potential future water supply reliability reserve. One exploratory well, Airport 1, was installed at Santa Monica Airport over 5 years ago with an estimated production rate of approximately 300 gallons per minute; however, the well is not currently equipped or operated for production. Further development has been paused due to third-party industrial contamination, and the City does not currently have an established schedule to develop the Coastal subbasin as an active supply source as it may interfere with investigation and remediation efforts by the responsible party.
6.2.1.5 Crestal Subbasin
The Crestal subbasin is not currently used by the City as a groundwater supply source and is not identified as an existing or planned component of the City's water supply portfolio.
The City has no current plans to develop the Crestal subbasin, as it lies outside City limits and the City does not currently have ownership of or access to viable well locations.
6.2.2 Other Considerations - Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014 Prior to adoption of the GSP, several studies were prepared to evaluate groundwater production and sustainable yield. In 2018, Richard C. Slade & Associates LLC prepared the Updated Preliminary Study of the Sustainable Yield of the Groundwater Sub-basins, which estimated the sustainable yield of the Subbasin to range from approximately 11,800 AFY to 14,725 AFY, including an infiltration credit factor recharge component. These estimates are summarized in Table 6-5.
Table 6-5. 2018 Sustainable Yield Estimate (Richard C. Slade & Associates LLC, June 2018)
GROUNDWATER SUBBASIN LOWER LIMIT (AFY) UPPER LIMIT (AFY) PREVIOUS STUDIES (AFY) Arcadia 870 920 2,000
Charnock 6,410 8,080 4,420 to 8,200
Olympic 2,360 3,145 3,275
Coastal 1,160 1,450 4,225
Crestal NA NA 2,000
Subtotals: 10,800 13,595 15,920 to 19,700
ICF Recharge Factor: 1,000 1,130 NA
Total: 11,800 14,725 15,920 to 19,700
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In May 2017, the cities of Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Culver City, together with the County of Los Angeles, formed the SMBGSA through a Memorandum of Understanding. DWR has designated the Subbasin as a medium-priority basin, and the Subbasin is therefore subject to SGMA requirements.
The SMBGSA adopted the GSP in January 2022, and DWR approved the GSP in October 2023. The GSP establishes sustainable management criteria, minimum thresholds, measurable objectives, and monitoring requirements to avoid undesirable results related to groundwater levels, groundwater storage, seawater intrusion, water quality, land subsidence, and interconnected surface water. DWR's approval identified recommended corrective actions for future GSP updates, including addressing data gaps related to seawater intrusion, water budget uncertainty, numerical model updates, and monitoring network expansion.
The GSP identifies the following management actions and projects to support sustainable groundwater management:
◼ Management Action #1: Adjust groundwater production as needed to meet water level and/or seawater intrusion objectives.
◼ Management Action #2: Impose a replenishment or imported water purchase/pumping offset fee, if needed.
◼ Management Action #3: Develop a Salt and Nutrient Management Plan for the Subbasin.
◼ Management Action #4: Develop a groundwater allocation for the Subbasin. ◼ Management Action #5: Increase water conservation.
◼ Project #1: Increase recycled water production for non-potable and potable reuse. ◼ Project #2: Recharge local groundwater aquifers.
◼ Project #3: Enhance production efficiency at the Arcadia WTP. ◼ Project #4: Install additional monitoring wells.
◼ Project #5: Conduct additional investigations and technical studies.
The City's local water supply planning is closely aligned with SGMA implementation. The City's Sustainable Water Master Plan (SWMP), developed in 2014 and updated in 2018, identified conservation, alternative water supplies, and increased local groundwater production within sustainable yield limits as key strategies to reduce reliance on imported water. More recent planning efforts, including the Domestic Water Master Plan, Recycled Water Master Plan, and Water Conservation Master Plan, continue to support these objectives through infrastructure improvements, recycled water development, managed aquifer recharge, and demand reduction. For the purposes of this analysis, SGMA DRAFT
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implementation is an important planning constraint: future groundwater production must remain consistent with the GSP, the Subbasin's sustainable management criteria, and the SMBGSA's adaptive management framework.
6.2.3 Imported Water Supply
The City purchases imported water from MWD to supplement its local water supplies, particularly during periods when local groundwater production or treatment capacity is constrained. The City is one of MWD's founding member agencies and receives imported water derived principally from two regional supply sources: the Colorado River, conveyed through the CRA, and Northern California supplies conveyed through the SWP. MWD operates the CRA and distributes both Colorado River and SWP supplies through its regional conveyance, storage, treatment, and distribution system. The SWP is operated by DWR.
MWD is a regional wholesale water agency serving 26 member agencies that collectively provide water to nearly 19 million people across six Southern California counties. The City receives imported water through two MWD service connections, one at the Arcadia WTP and one at the Charnock Water Treatment Plant. Both connections are 24 inches in diameter and are capable of supplying the City's full water demand when local supplies are unavailable or constrained, providing hydraulic flexibility and supply reliability across the City's distribution system.
Historically, the City's imported water purchases were evaluated against MWD's two-tiered supply rate structure, with the City's Tier 1 limit set at approximately 7,406 AFY. Following restoration of the Charnock Well Field in 2010, the City's annual MWD purchases have generally remained below this threshold.
MWD's rate structure has since changed. The 2014 Purchase Order program expired on December 31, 2024, and was not renewed. As a result, MWD's adopted FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26 Biennial Budget eliminated the separate Tier 1 and Tier 2 supply rates; all purchases are now priced under a single, uniform supply rate regardless of volume. The City's historical Tier 1 limit is retained here for background context only and should not be used as the basis for current MWD rate assumptions.
MWD's current rate structure consists of the following components charged to its member agencies:
◼ Single Supply Rate (volumetric): A uniform per acre-foot rate applied to all deliveries, replacing the former tiered supply rates.
◼ System Access Rate (volumetric): Recovers costs of operating MWD's regional delivery network.
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◼ System Power Rate (volumetric): Recovers energy costs for pumping imported water to Southern California.
◼ Treatment Surcharge (volumetric, treated water only): Recovers treatment costs; not applicable to untreated water purchases.
◼ Readiness-to-Serve Charge (fixed): Recovers fixed system capacity costs, allocated based on each agency's historical delivery share.
◼ Capacity Charge (fixed/demand-based): Recovers peaking capacity costs based on each agency's maximum peak day flow.
6.2.3.1 Colorado River Supplies
The Colorado River is a major regional water source for the western United States, supplying water for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and environmental uses across seven Basin states and Mexico. California's basic apportionment of Colorado River water is
4.4 million acre-feet per year under the Law of the River framework. MWD was formed in 1928, in part, to secure and convey Colorado River supplies to Southern California, and construction of the CRA was one of MWD's founding purposes.
The CRA conveys Colorado River water from Lake Havasu near Parker Dam to MWD's service area in Southern California. The aqueduct is approximately 242 miles long and includes open channels, tunnels, pipelines, reservoirs, and pumping plants. Colorado River supplies continue to be an important part of MWD's regional supply portfolio; however, the long-term reliability of this source is affected by hydrologic variability, declining reservoir storage, interstate allocation agreements, federal operating guidelines, and ongoing Colorado River Basin management negotiations. These reliability considerations are addressed in the imported water reliability analysis presented herein.
6.2.3.2 State Water Project and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Supplies MWD also receives imported water from Northern California through the SWP. The SWP is a system of reservoirs, canals, and pumping plants built by DWR that delivers water to 29 public water agencies under long-term water supply contracts. The SWP provides water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a critical hub of California's statewide water system and the point from which SWP supplies are conveyed south through the California Aqueduct. SWP deliveries vary annually depending on precipitation, snowpack, reservoir storage, regulatory requirements, water quality conditions, and Delta export constraints.
For 2025, DWR set an initial SWP allocation of 5 percent of requested supplies in December 2024, which was subsequently increased to 50 percent by April 2025 as snowmelt and reservoir conditions improved. This variability underscores the importance of evaluating imported water availability under normal-year, single-dry-year, and five-consecutive-dryyear conditions.
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6.2.4 Imported Water Conveyance and Delivery System
Imported water supplies are conveyed to Southern California through two major aqueduct systems: the CRA and the SWP California Aqueduct system. The CRA is owned and operated by MWD and was one of MWD's founding purposes following its formation in 1928.
Construction began in 1933, and the system was completed in 1941. The CRA extends approximately 242 miles from Lake Havasu near Parker Dam to Lake Mathews in Riverside County and includes open aqueduct, siphons, tunnels, reservoirs, and five pumping plants that collectively lift Colorado River water more than 1,600 feet before it flows by gravity into MWD's regional distribution system.
The SWP is a statewide water storage and delivery system extending more than 705 miles and consisting of reservoirs, aqueducts, canals, pipelines, pumping plants, and power facilities, planned, built, operated, and maintained by DWR. MWD is the largest single SWP contractor, with a maximum contracted volume of 1.9 million AFY.
Within Southern California, MWD manages a regional system of reservoirs, pipelines, pumping facilities, treatment plants, and service connections to deliver imported water to its member agencies. The City receives MWD supplies through two service connections, one at the Arcadia WTP and one at the Charnock Water Treatment Plant, providing supplemental and backup supply capacity and an important component of the City's overall supply reliability strategy, particularly when local groundwater production is reduced by treatment limitations, maintenance, water quality constraints, drought conditions, or other operational factors. Both the CRA and SWP are subject to operational, hydrologic, regulatory, and climate-related constraints that may affect annual supply availability, as addressed in the imported water supply reliability analysis presented herein.
6.3 OVERVIEW OF WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM AND RECYCLED WATER SUPPLY
A description of the City's wastewater collection system, SMURRF, SWIP, recycled water distribution, and recycled water coordination efforts is provided in this section.
6.3.1 Wastewater Collection System
The City’s wastewater system comprises approximately 150 miles of pipelines, approximately 2,100 manholes, a pump station with a firm capacity of approximately 27.6 MGD, and two flow monitoring stations. The system includes six primary sewer facilities and structures: the Moss Avenue Pump Station (MAPS), the Ocean Avenue Lift Station (OALS), the SWIP AWTF, the Colorado Avenue Diversion Structures, the I-10 Siphon, and Junction Box 1 at Pico Boulevard and Main Street.
Wastewater generated within the City is collected and combined with pass-through flows from the City of Los Angeles before being conveyed to the City of Los Angeles’ Hyperion DRAFT
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Water Reclamation Plant for treatment. Based on the City's Annual Wastewater Flow Reports provided by the City of Los Angeles for FY 2020/21 through FY 2024/25, net Citycontributed wastewater flows average approximately 13 MGD, with total flows including City of Los Angeles pass-through averaging approximately 18 MGD. Please refer to Table 6-6 for wastewater collected within the City’s service area for 2025.
The Hyperion WRP, operated by Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (LASAN), is one of the largest water reclamation facilities in the United States, treating an average of approximately 260 MGD of wastewater. The plant's current treatment process includes primary sedimentation and high-purity oxygen secondary treatment. LASAN's Hyperion 2035 program represents a commitment to recycling 100 percent of available treated wastewater for beneficial reuse from the Hyperion WRP by 2035. This transformation would retrofit the plant with advanced treatment processes, including membrane bioreactors, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet advanced oxidation, making it one of the largest facilities in the world to employ this technology. The program is a partnership between LASAN and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and represents a significant step toward reducing the City of Los Angeles' dependence on imported water.
Table 6-6. Wastewater Collected Within Service Area (DWR Table 6-2) DRAFT
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Table 6-7. Wastewater Treatment and Outcomes Within UWMP Service Area (DWR Table 6-3) DRAFT
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Submittal Table 6-3 Retail: Wastewater Treatment and Outcomes Within UWMP Service Area Water Code Section 10633(b)
Check the box if no wastewater is treated or disposed of within the UWMP service area.
Proceed to the next table.
Wastewater
Treatment
Plant Name
and Place ID
Number
Drop down
list
Does This
Plant Treat
Wastewater
Generated
Outside the
UWMP
Service
Area?
(OPTIONAL)
Drop down
list
2025
Volume of
Wastewater
Received
from UWMP
Service Area
(As
Reported in
Submittal
Table 6-2 R)
(AF)
Total
2025
Volume
of Water
Treated
(AF)
2025 Outcomes of Treated Wastewater
Water Recycled
Within UWMP
Service Area
(enter data as
applicable)
Water Recycled
Outside of UWMP
Service Area
(enter data as
applicable)
Effluent Discharge
that is not a
Permitted Recycled
Water Use
(enter data as
applicable)
Required Discharge
for Instream Flow
(enter data as
applicable)
Delivered to Another Entity
for Additional Treatment
(enter data as applicable)
Treatment
Level
Drop
down list
Volume
(AF)
Treatment
Level
Drop
down list
Volume
(AF)
Treatment
Level
Drop
down list
Volume
(AF)
Treatment
Level
Drop
down list
Volume
(AF)
Treatment
Level
Drop
down list
Volume
(AF)
Name
of
other
entity
Add additional rows as needed
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
DWR NOTES:
Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3. This table identifies the unit of measure selected in Submittal Table 2-3.
IPR: Indirect Potable Reuse would have the treatment level of its end use requirement in the Level of Treatment drop-down.
Additional Guidance: See Appendix M, Section M.21 for detailed guidance on this table.
NOTES:
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6.3.2 Recycled Water Distribution System
The City's existing non-potable water distribution system consists of recycled water pipelines ranging from 4 to 12 inches in diameter. The recycled water system was originally constructed in 2001 as part of the SMURRF and delivers recycled water to current customers for non-potable reuse applications, including irrigation, toilet flushing, and fill stations. New recycled water pipelines to expand the existing system were in design and construction at the time of this writing.
Until 2023, treated urban runoff from the SMURRF was the City's only source of nonpotable water. SMURRF recycled water was used for irrigation at various public parks, including Tongva Park, Memorial Park, and Palisades Park, as well as at City-owned properties such as Woodlawn Cemetery, City Hall, and various street medians and parkways. SMURRF recycled water also serves toilet flushing at the City's only dualplumbed building, the Public Safety Facility, and four fill stations available to City operations staff for street sweepers, pressure washers, and sewer jetting trucks. The SMURRF is currently offline due to upgrades.
The SWIP AWTF became fully operational in late 2023 to supply non-potable customers.
The SWIP AWTF treats raw municipal wastewater and urban runoff and stormwater and can produce up to 1 MGD of advanced treated recycled water, representing approximately 10 percent of the City's daily raw municipal wastewater flow and roughly 10 percent of the City's total water supply. The SWIP AWTF also incorporates a 1.5 million gallon belowgrade stormwater harvesting tank beneath the City's Civic Center parking lot, which captures stormwater and dry-weather urban runoff from the municipal separate storm sewer system for treatment and distribution. The City currently serves approximately 61 AFY of recycled water to customers connected to the existing recycled water system.
Advanced treated recycled water is being used to meet non-potable reuse demands and, as of January 2026, to augment the Olympic Well Field through direct aquifer injection as part of the Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Project (GRRP). When operating at full capacity together with SMURRF, the SWIP AWTF can produce up to approximately 1,680 AFY of advanced treated recycled water, equivalent to roughly 10 percent of the City's total water supply.
The City is also exploring the potential for direct potable reuse (DPR) as a future supply option. DPR regulations were adopted by the State Water Board in December 2023, and the City has been communicating its proposed DPR strategy with the DDW. The City's DPR concept involves raw water augmentation, combining advanced treated recycled water from the SMURRF and SWIP AWTF with extracted groundwater from the Olympic Well Field before conveyance to the Olympic AWTF and Arcadia WTP for treatment and distribution.
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Table 6-8 presents the 2020 UWMP recycled water use projections to the 2025 actual recycled water use.
Table 6-8. 2020 UWMP Recycled Water Use Projection Compared to 2025 Actual (DWR Table 6-5)
6.3.2.1 Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility (SMURRF) The SMURRF was commissioned in 2000 and began operations in 2001, with the primary objective of eliminating contamination in Santa Monica Bay caused by stormwater and dryweather urban runoff from the City's Pico-Kenter and Santa Monica Pier drainage areas.
The facility is covered under the Los Angeles County Municipal Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Number CAS004001 and is operated by the City as a stormwater best management practice (BMP) facility, with operating costs and revenues shared jointly with the City of Los Angeles. The SMURRF treatment processes include a drum screen, grit removal, a dissolved air flotation unit, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet disinfection, and sodium hypochlorite dosing. The SMURRF is capable of producing up to 560 AFY (0.50 MGD) of recycled water; however, the facility has historically operated well below its full capacity due to limited and inconsistent urban and stormwater runoff supplies.
Treated water from the SMURRF is distributed through the City's non-potable water distribution system to serve parks, street medians, Woodlawn Cemetery, and the City's DRAFT
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dual-plumbed Public Safety Facility for toilet flushing. Non-potable water is also used by City operations for street sweeping, sewer jetting, and pressure washing.
To address the SMURRF's limited and variable influent supply and to improve beach water quality near the Santa Monica Pier, the City completed construction of the Clean Beaches Initiative (CBI) stormwater harvesting tank project in 2018. The CBI project included the installation of a 1.6 MG below-grade stormwater harvesting tank on the north side of the Santa Monica Pier to capture wet and dry-weather runoff from the downtown Promenade area for conveyance to the SMURRF for treatment. During dry weather, a set of horizontal sub-drains beneath the CBI tank collects shallow brackish groundwater, which is also routed to the SMURRF for treatment. Together, these sources maintain the SMURRF's production capacity of 560 AFY.
In early 2023, the SMURRF was upgraded to include a new modular, containerized reverse osmosis (RO) treatment unit to address the brackish groundwater from the CBI tank. With this upgrade, the SMURRF can achieve its nominal capacity of 560 AFY and produce treated water meeting the diluent water requirements under Title 22 for a Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Project, suitable for augmenting local groundwater supplies through injection. The SMURRF is currently offline due to ongoing upgrades. During the period the SMURRF was offline, potable water was used to meet recycled water demand until the SWIP AWTF came online in 2023.
The non-potable water supply produced by the SMURRF from 2021 to 2025 is summarized in Table 6-9.
Table 6-9. Summary of Non-Potable Water Use from SMURRF (2021-2025) 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
SMURRF Non-Potable Water Use (AF) 65 69 0 0 0
6.3.2.2 Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) The SWIP is an integrated system developed by the City to harvest, treat, and beneficially reuse alternative water resources, including stormwater, brackish groundwater, and municipal wastewater. Construction of the SWIP was completed in 2022 and fully operational in 2023. The SWIP comprises three coordinated elements:
◼ SWIP Element 1 – SMURRF Upgrades: The first element involved upgrading the SMURRF with a new modular, containerized RO treatment unit to treat captured stormwater and brackish groundwater from the CBI tank. The upgraded SMURRF is capable of producing up to 560 AFY of recycled water suitable for non-potable reuse and, ultimately, as diluent water meeting Title 22 requirements for a Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Project. As described in Section 6.3.2.1, the SMURRF upgrades DRAFT
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were completed in 2022 and the facility is currently offline due to ongoing commissioning activities.
◼ SWIP Element 2 – SWIP Advanced Water Treatment Facility: The second element is a new below-grade SWIP AWTF capable of producing up to 1,120 AFY (1.0 MGD) of advanced treated recycled water. The SWIP AWTF treats municipal wastewater sourced from the Ocean Avenue 54-inch sewer line and stormwater runoff harvested by the Civic Center stormwater tank. When stormwater is present, the anticipated influent split is approximately 70 percent wastewater and 30 percent stormwater; when stormwater is not available, the SWIP AWTF operates on 100 percent local wastewater. Treatment processes include a headworks fine screen, membrane bioreactors, cartridge filtration, RO, ultraviolet advanced oxidation process with chlorine, and chlorine disinfection. Although construction was completed in 2022, the facility was not brought online until permitting was finalized in late 2023 for indirect potable reuse.
◼ SWIP Element 3 – Civic Center Stormwater Harvesting Tank: The third element is a 1.5 MG below-grade stormwater harvesting tank constructed beneath the City's Civic Center parking lot, adjacent to the SWIP AWTF. The tank captures dry-weather and stormwater runoff from the municipal separate storm sewer system and the Civic Center parking lot, which is then conveyed to the SWIP AWTF for treatment and distribution. Construction of this element was completed in 2022.
The City also has plans to construct an additional below-grade stormwater storage reservoir at Memorial Park to capture additional stormwater flows for conveyance to the SWIP AWTF, further expanding the available influent supply.
Currently, advanced treated recycled water from the SWIP AWTF is being used to meet non-potable reuse demands, and as of January 2026, to augment the Olympic Well Field through direct aquifer injection as part of the GRRP. The GRRP injection capacity is based on two operational injection wells (SM-10i and SM-11i) and the planned completion of one additional injection well (SM-12i). SM-10i is fully operational and running continuously.
SM-11i has reached substantial completion of construction and is operational, though final resolution of minor outstanding issues and receipt of a permit amendment authorizing recycled water injection are pending. SM-12i is currently in the early design phase and drilling of this well is not anticipated in the near term as the City explores the feasibility of direct potable reuse. Each well has an injection rate of approximately 200 gallons per minute. With SM-10i and SM-11i operational, the current estimated injection capacity is approximately 646 AFY, with a maximum estimated injection capacity of approximately 969 AFY upon full buildout of all three wells. When the SWIP AWTF and SMURRF operate at full combined capacity, up to 1,680 AFY of advanced treated recycled water would be available for non-potable reuse, groundwater replenishment, and future potable reuse applications.
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As noted in Section 6.3.2, the State Water Board adopted DPR regulations in December 2023, and the City is continuing to engage with DDW on its proposed DPR strategy, which involves raw water augmentation by blending advanced treated recycled water with extracted groundwater from the Olympic Well Field prior to treatment at the Olympic AWTF and Arcadia WTP.
The non-potable water supply produced by SWIP AWTF from 2021 to 2025 is summarized in Table 6-10.
Table 6-10. Summary of Non-Potable Water Use from SWIP AWTF (2021-2025) 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
SWIP AWTF Non-Potable Water Use (AF) 0 0 51 67 91
6.3.2.3 Recycled Water Coordination
The City coordinates with regional partners on recycled water programs and regional water supply opportunities. The Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility (SMURRF) is a joint project between the City and the City of Los Angeles, with both parties sharing operating costs and revenues. The City also participates in the Greater Los Angeles County Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Group, and the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) functions as a regional project by capturing stormwater and urban runoff from areas that extend beyond City boundaries and reducing discharges to Santa Monica Bay.
Regional recycled water programs near the City may provide long-term opportunities to supplement local supplies. West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) produces recycled water at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility in El Segundo and has identified potential system expansion opportunities farther north, including toward the Kenneth Hahn Project Area. LADWP, in partnership with LASAN, is advancing Pure Water Los Angeles, a major water supply initiative aimed at developing advanced purified recycled water from the Hyperion WRP for groundwater replenishment and potential future DPR. The program aims to produce up to 230 million gallons of purified recycled water per day and support the City of Los Angeles' transition to a 70 percent local water supply. The Pure Water Los Angeles Master Plan, completed in early 2025, confirms that the first phase of the program, capable of producing up to 50 million gallons per day, could be available no sooner than 2040. A Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is currently underway, with a public scoping period that closed in October 2025.
The City’s ability to use regional recycled water from West Basin or LADWP would depend on supply availability, water quality, conveyance infrastructure, treatment requirements, regulatory approvals, funding, interagency agreements, and partner implementation schedules. Accordingly, regional recycled water coordination is considered a long-range DRAFT
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strategy, and there is currently no active near-term project for the City to receive recycled water from either West Basin or the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant.
6.3.3 Future Water Projects
The City’s long-term water supply strategy has focused on reducing reliance on imported water by increasing conservation, developing alternative water supplies, and expanding local groundwater production within sustainable yield limits. The 2014 SWMP established the City’s original pathway toward water self-sufficiency, and the 2018 SWMP Update refined that strategy around three primary components: continued water conservation, development of sustainable and drought-resilient alternative supplies, and expanded local groundwater production.
All major projects identified in the 2018 SWMP Update have since been implemented or substantially advanced, including SWIP, the Olympic Well Field Restoration Project, and the Arcadia WTP Expansion Project. SWIP was developed to collect and treat municipal wastewater, stormwater, dry-weather urban runoff, and brackish groundwater for nonpotable reuse and groundwater replenishment. Together with upgrades to SMURRF, SWIP is designed to produce up to approximately 1,680 AFY of advanced treated recycled water, or roughly 10 percent of the City’s water supply.
The Olympic Well Field Restoration and Arcadia WTP Expansion Project are key components of the City’s local supply strategy. The project includes two new groundwater production wells, a dedicated conveyance pipeline, the Olympic AWTF co-located at the Arcadia WTP, and production efficiency upgrades at the Arcadia WTP using Flow Reversal Reverse Osmosis technology. The Olympic AWTF is capable of treating up to approximately 3,200 AFY of groundwater from the Olympic Well Field, and the Arcadia WTP expansion increases raw water treatment capacity from approximately 10 MGD to approximately 13 MGD. These improvements are intended to allow the City to provide up to approximately 14,700 AFY, or about 70 percent of its drinking water supply, from local resources.
The City’s more recent planning efforts build on these completed and ongoing supply investments. The 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan realigned the City’s conservation program with current and future water use efficiency requirements and focused on demand reduction rather than new physical supply development. The 2024 RWMP provides a roadmap for optimizing the City’s recycled water resources for non-potable reuse, groundwater replenishment reuse, and potential future DPR. The RWMP evaluates portfolios that balance these uses so that available recycled water can be beneficially used to support the City’s long-term water supply reliability objectives.
The preferred recycled water strategy identified in the RWMP includes continued nonpotable reuse, expansion of groundwater replenishment through injection wells, and evaluation of DPR through raw water augmentation. Under a raw water augmentation DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 853 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-28
approach, advanced treated recycled water from SMURRF and SWIP AWTF would be blended with extracted Olympic Well Field groundwater and conveyed to the Olympic AWTF and Arcadia WTP treatment train before distribution. California’s DPR regulations are now complete and became effective on October 1, 2024, providing a regulatory pathway for future DPR projects, subject to permitting and project-specific approvals.
Future recycled water and potable reuse projects will require additional feasibility analysis, regulatory coordination, design, permitting, funding, and implementation planning. Expected supply benefits from future DPR are summarized in Table 6-11, and additional methods to encourage future non-potable reuse and groundwater replenishment reuse are summarized in Table 6-12.
The City does not currently have plans to pursue seawater desalination. Although the City is located near the coast, its current supply strategy prioritizes local groundwater restoration, recycled water development, managed aquifer recharge, conservation, and regional coordination. Climate change considerations are addressed through the City’s broader water supply planning efforts, including SWMP implementation, the GSP process, and ongoing evaluation of groundwater sustainability, imported water reliability, drought resilience, and local supply diversification.
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 854 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION6-29
Table 6-11. Expected Future Water Supply Projects or Programs (DWR Table 6-7) Drop Down
List
(yes/no)
If Yes, Supplier Name
Direct Potable Reuse No
Raw water augmentation would combine
advanced treated water from SMURRF and
SWIP AWTF with extracted water from the
Olympic Well Field. The combined flow
would be conveyed to a new Olympic
AWTF that would feed into the Arcadia
WTP prior to distribution to the City’s
drinking water customers.
Potable 2030 All Year Types 662
Planned for Use
in Year Type
Drop Down List
NOTES: From the City of Santa Monica 2024 Recycled Water Master Plan.
DWR NOTES:
Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3. This table identifies the unit of measure reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
Check the box if some or all of the supplier's future water supply projects or programs are not compatible with this table and are described in a narrative format.
Check the box if there are no expected future water supply projects or programs that provide a quantifiable increase to the agency's water supply.
Proceed to the next table.
Planned
Implementation
Year
Add additional rows as needed
Joint Project with other suppliers? Expected
Increase in
Water Supply
to Supplier
(This may be a
range) (AF)
Provide page location of narrative in the UWMP
Name of Future
Projects or Programs
Additional Description
(as needed)
Potable or Non-Potable
(after treatment if treated)
(OPTIONAL)
Drop Down list
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 855 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-30
Table 6-12. Methods to Encourage Future Recycled Water Use (DWR Table 6-6)
6.3.4 Projected Recycled Water Use
Table 6-13 summarizes the projected recycled water use from non-potable reuse, indirect potable reuse for groundwater recharge, and direct potable reuse.
Name of Action Description
Expected Increase in Recycled Water
Use (AF)
Non-potable reuse Expand existing recycled water systems to include key developments
392
Indirect potable reuse
Utilize two groundwater injection wells, SM-10i and
SM-11i, to increase groundwater replenishment. 626
1,018
1,018
Total (AF)
DWR NOTES:
Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) MUST remain consistent with units reported in Submittal Table 2-3. This table identifies the unit of measure selected in Submittal Table 2-3.
The unit conversion to Acre Feet addresses the Water Code's requirement that this value be provided in acre-feet.
NOTES:
Supplier does not plan to expand recycled water use in the future. Supplier will not complete the table below but will provide narrative explanation.
Provide page location of narrative in the UWMP
Add additional rows as needed
Unit Conversion to AF
Planned Implementation Year
2030
2030
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 856 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION6-31
Table 6-13. Recycled Water Direct Beneficial Uses Within Service Area (DWR Table 6-4) DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 857 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-32
6.4 CURRENT AND PROJECTED WATER SUPPLY
In 2025, the City’s water supply totaled 9,619 AF across groundwater, purchased MWD water, and recycled water from SWIP AWTF. Table 6-14 presents the City’s 2025 water supply by supply source.
Table 6-14. Water Supplies - Actual (DWR Table 6-8)
MWD's 2025 UWMP projects a water supply surplus through 2050 across all planning scenarios: normal year, single dry year, and five consecutive dry years. Accordingly, projected MWD imported water supply is defined as the volume needed to meet projected demand. Table 6-15 presents projected water supply for 2030 through 2045 in five-year increments. Projected water supply for 2030 through 2045, in five-year increments, is shown in Table 6-15.
Water Supply
Drop down list
May use each category multiple times.
These are the only water supply
categories that will be recognized by
the WUEdata online submittal tool
Potable or Non-Potable
(after treatment if treated)
(OPTIONAL)
Drop Down list
Actual Volume
(AF)
Total Entitlement
(OPTIONAL)
See 'DWR Notes' below
(AF)
Groundwater (not desalinated) SM-1 Potable 0
Desalinated Water - Groundwater Arcadia, Charnock, Olympic Potable 3,442 Purchased Imported Water MWD Potable 6,086
Recycled Water SWIP AWTF Non-Potable 91
9,528 0
91 0
9,619 0
2025
NOTES:
DWR NOTES:
Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3. This table identifies the unit of measure selected in Submittal Table 2-3.
Total Entitlement: e.g. Water Right, Groundwater Allocation, Contracted Amount.
Add additional rows as needed
Total
Subtotal Potable
Subtotal Non-Potable
Additional Description
(as needed)
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 858 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION6-33
Table 6-15. Water Supplies – Projected (DWR Table 6-9)
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 859 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-34
6.5 ENERGY INTENSITY
The City used the Total Utility Approach (Option B) to report the energy intensity of its potable water production operations for the 2024 calendar year. This approach accounts for energy used across the City’s potable water system, including extraction, diversion, treatment, conveyance, storage, and distribution, as applicable.
In 2024, electricity meters associated with the City’s water system recorded a total of 9,288,604 kilowatt-hours (kWh). Of this total, 6,123,071 kWh was attributed to potable water production and distribution. The remaining 3,165,533 kWh was associated with nonpotable recycled water and wastewater-related facilities, including the Pico-Kenter storm drain diversion, SMURRF, the Moss Avenue Pump Station, and SWIP AWTF, and was excluded from the potable water energy intensity calculation.
For the 2024 reporting period, 10,871 acre-feet (AF) of water entered the potable water production and distribution process. This volume includes raw groundwater extracted for treatment and imported water purchased from MWD. Based on the potable system energy use and water volume reported for 2024, the City’s estimated potable water energy intensity was approximately 1,729 kWh per million gallons (kWh/MG), or 563.2 kWh per AF. Supporting energy use and water volume data are summarized in Table 6-16 and Table 6-17.
Table 6-16. Summary of Energy Intensity for Santa Monica DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 860 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-35
Table 6-17. 2024 Energy Data for Water Production
LOCATION UTILITY
WATER
PRODUCTION
PROCESS(ES)
WATER SUPPLY FACILITY DESCRIPTION KWH
11375 Westminster
Ave LADWP
Extract & Divert
Treatment
Conveyance
Local
Groundwater:
Charnock Subbasin
Charnock: 5 wells with treatment plant 2,630,400
1252 Capri Dr
(Riviera Reservoir) LADWP Place intoStorage Not Applicable Riviera Reservoir: Recirculation pump andvalving 185,726 1228 S Bundy A LADWP Extract and
Divert
Treatment
Distribution
Local
Groundwater:
Arcadia Subbasin
+ Imported
Arcadia: 2 wells + treatment plant with RO
1,614,000
1228 S Bundy B LADWP 1,683,200
LADWP Water System SUBTOTAL 6,113,326
LOCATION UTILITY
WATER
PRODUCTION
PROCESS(ES)
FACILITY DESCRIPTION KWH
Ocean/Pacific SCE Extract & Divert Not Applicable SM Well Salt Water: Pump station 1,748 1880 San Vicente
Blvd. SCE Extract & DivertDistribution
Local
Groundwater:
Arcadia Sub-basin
Well SM-1: Pump station + fluoride station 7,098
2930 Olympic Blvd. SCE Extract & Divert
Conveyance
Local
Groundwater:
Olympic Sub-Basin
Well SM-4: Pump station + Chlorine dosing1 899
Olympic & Stewart SCE Extract & Divert
Conveyance
Local
Groundwater:
Olympic Sub-Basin
Well SM-8: Pump station + Chlorine dosing 10,734
Centinela/Olympic SCE Extract & Divert
Conveyance
Local
Groundwater:
Olympic Sub-Basin
Well SM-9: Pump station + Chlorine dosing 0
2425 Olympic Blvd SCE Extract & Divert
Conveyance
Local
Groundwater:
Olympic Sub-Basin
Well SM-10i: Injection well 9,767
1898 Ocean Front
Walk SCE Extract & Divert
Recycled Runoff:
SMURRF
NON-POTABLE
Pico Kenter Storm Drain: Pump station,
stormwater diversion to SMURRF. 101,922
1623 Appian Way SCE Treatment
Distribution
Recycled Runoff:
SMURRF
NON-POTABLE
Moss Ave. Pump Station: Wastewater (70%) +
SMURRF (30%). 1,112,827
1771 Main St. SCE Treatment
Distribution
Recycled:
SWIP AWTF
NON-POTABLE
Wastewater treatment facility 1,950,784
SCE Water System SUBTOTAL 3,195,779
Water System: Total Energy 9,309,105
Less Non-Potable
(Pico Kenter, Moss Ave., & SWIP)
3,165,533
POTABLE Water System: Total Energy 6,143,572
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 861 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-36
6.5.1 Energy Intensity Data
◼ Volume of Water Entering the Process (AF): The water volume reported in Table 6-16 is based on flowmeter data recorded in operator logs and well reports for local groundwater supplies, together with imported water purchase data from MWD invoices. The reported groundwater volume represents raw groundwater pumped into the treatment process and does not represent finished potable water delivered to customers, because a portion of raw water is not recovered through the City’s multi-barrier treatment processes at the Charnock Treatment Facility and Arcadia WTP.
◼ Energy Consumed: Energy data reported in Table 6-16 and Table 6-17 are based on 2024 electricity invoices from LADWP and SCE. The City’s water production facilities are served by both utilities because certain facilities, including the Arcadia WTP and Charnock Treatment Facility, are located outside City boundaries. Energy use is recorded by facility-specific meters and assigned to the applicable water management process based on facility function.
6.5.2 Water Supply / Water Management Processes Consuming Energy The following summarizes the primary water management processes included in the City’s energy intensity reporting.
6.5.2.1 Groundwater
◼ Charnock Subbasin (Charnock Well Field): The Charnock Well Field consists of five groundwater production wells located in the City of Los Angeles and is served by LADWP electric power. Energy-consuming processes include groundwater extraction, treatment at the Charnock Treatment Facility, and conveyance to the Arcadia WTP. Since 2021, the average groundwater extracted from the Charnock Well Field was about 3,379 AFY, below the average 8,000 AFY under normal operating conditions. This decrease was due to maintenance-related outages at Charnock 13 and Charnock 18, and intermittent operational constraints associated with construction and integration of the SWIP AWTF.
◼ Olympic Subbasin (Olympic Well Field): The Olympic Well Field's active production wells are Santa Monica Well 8 (SM-8) and Santa Monica Well 9 (SM-9), located along Olympic Boulevard at the eastern end of the City. A third well, SM-4, is currently offline due to well screen damage and is undergoing rehabilitation pending DDW approval. Energy-consuming processes include extraction and conveyance of groundwater to the Olympic AWTF and Arcadia WTP treatment train.
The well field has historically been constrained by water quality, well availability, and construction-related outages associated with the Olympic Well Field Restoration Project and SWIP AWTF. As discussed previously, the restored Olympic DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 862 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-37
AWTF is capable of treating up to approximately 3,200 AFY of groundwater from the Olympic Well Field.
◼ Arcadia Subbasin (Arcadia Well Field): The Arcadia Well Field consists of three groundwater production wells. Two of the wells are located at the Arcadia WTP near Bundy Drive and Wilshire Boulevard in the City of Los Angeles and are served by LADWP for extraction, treatment, and distribution operations The third well, located within a median along San Vicente Boulevard in the City, is served by Southern California Edison (SCE) and, unlike Arcadia 4 and Arcadia 5, is disinfected at the wellhead and discharged directly into the City's potable water distribution system without treatment at the Arcadia WTP. Under normal operating conditions, groundwater production from the Arcadia Well Field averages approximately 700 AFY.
6.5.2.2 Imported Water
◼ MWD: Imported water purchased from MWD supplements the City’s local groundwater supplies. In 2024, the City purchased approximately 8,006 AF of treated imported water from MWD. Imported water is received through two service connections, located at the Arcadia WTP and the Charnock Treatment Facility.
Energy associated with imported water treatment and conveyance prior to delivery to the City is not included in the City’s facility-level energy use, but energy used within the City’s system to convey, store, or distribute imported water is reflected in the City’s potable water system energy total.
6.5.2.3 Recycled Water and Non-Potable Facilities
Energy used for non-potable recycled water production and related wastewater or stormwater diversion facilities was excluded from the potable water energy intensity calculation. These facilities include the Pico-Kenter storm drain diversion, SMURRF, the Moss Avenue Pump Station, and SWIP AWTF.
◼ SMURRF: The SMURRF captures and treats dry-weather urban runoff to produce non-potable water for irrigation, toilet flushing, and City operations such as street sweeping, sewer jetting, and pressure washing. Power is used to divert stormwater and urban runoff from the Pico-Kenter storm drain and to treat and distribute nonpotable water. SMURRF energy use is commingled with the Moss Avenue Pump Station meter; because these facilities do not directly contribute to potable water production, their water volumes and energy use are excluded from Table 6-16. ◼ SWIP AWTF: The SWIP AWTF treats wastewater, stormwater, dry-weather urban runoff, and brackish groundwater to produce advanced treated recycled water. The SWIP system is designed to produce up to approximately 1,680 AFY of advanced treated recycled water, equivalent to roughly 10 percent of the City’s water supply.
Because SWIP AWTF production was treated as non-potable/recycled water for this DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 863 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SUPPLY CHARACTERIZATION 6-38
energy intensity calculation, its energy use and water volumes were excluded from the potable water totals shown in Table 6-16.
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 864 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
Chapter 7
Water Service Reliability
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 865 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-1
7 WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY
7.1 WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY AND DROUGHT RISK ASSESSMENT One of the fundamental purposes of preparing an UWMP is to assess a water supplier’s ability to reliably serve its customers. Accordingly, this section includes two assessments, a Water Service Reliability Assessment and a Drought Risk Assessment (DRA). The Water Service Reliability Assessment evaluates the City’s service capabilities over a 20-year planning period under three different hydrologic scenarios, a normal, a single-dry year, and multiple dry years. In contrast, the DRA assumes a severe drought period lasting five consecutive years, specifically calendar years 2026 through 2030. Both assessments synthesize the analyses performed in earlier chapters of this 2025 UWMP, including the factors affecting water use described in Sections 4.1 and 4.2, and the water supply characterization and relatability factors detailed in Sections 6.2.1 and 6.2.2.
7.2 WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT
The City completed the 2018 Sustainable Water Master Plan (SWMP) update to enhance reliability and drought resiliency of its water supply by developing local water supplies and reducing reliance on imported water. The water self-sufficiency projects outlined in the 2018 SWMP Update were designed to increase local water supply and reduce reliance on imported water supplies, which represent approximately 35 percent of the City’s water supply on average, and allows the City to meet up to 99 percent of its water demand through local water supplies. However, a major development since the 2018 SWMP Update was the 2020 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) developed by Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). The RHNA requires the City to plan for approximately 8,873 new housing units over an eight-year period from 2021 through 2029.
The additional housing units may affect the 2018 SWMP Update goal of achieving 99 percent water self-sufficiency due to increased population projections, and this factor is considered in the water service reliability assessment below. In response to these developments, the City developed the 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan to realign implementation of water conservation efforts from the 2018 SWMP.
The water service reliability assessment evaluates the water system under the three scenarios described below:
◼ Normal Year. This scenario represents the water supplies a supplier expects to be available under normal hydrologic and operating conditions. The normal-year supply condition may be based a single representative year or an average of multiple years that reflects typical supply availability. ◼ Single Dry Year. This scenario represents the year with the lowest water supply available to the supplier.
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 866 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-2
◼ Five-Consecutive-Year Drought. This scenario represents the driest five-year historical sequence for the supplier.
Major construction projects and infrastructure upgrades across several City facilities, including associated groundwater well shutdowns for drilling of replacement wells that significantly reduced local production capacity, rendered the 2021 to 2025 period unrepresentative of normal operating conditions. Accordingly, the 2010 to 2020 period was selected as the assessment baseline, as it more accurately reflects typical operating performance.
The City obtains its potable water supply from a combination of local groundwater and imported water from MWD. The water service reliability assessment first considers the imported water available from MWD that could be used to supplement the City’s local water supplies. As a wholesale water supplier, MWD is also in the process of updating its UWMP, which includes projected water supply and demand figures.
Based on MWD’s analysis, MWD is capable of meeting the City’s supplemental water demands for a normal water year, single dry-year, and five consecutive drought years. For the purposes of the Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessments, the lowest MWD Tier 1 allotment available to the City between 2010 and 2020 will be used, which was 7,406 AFY.
As the City moves towards reducing its reliance on imported water, it must demonstrate expected water service for a normal year, a single dry year, and five consecutive dry years over a twenty-year for the projection years 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045. For both assessments, the City used the period 2010 through 2020 to establish normal year, single dry-year, and multiple dry-year conditions.
Historically, the City’s available water supply has been less affected by drought conditions and more by groundwater contamination. For example, the City’s lowest available local groundwater supply occurred in 2004, when only approximately 544 acre-fee (AF) of local groundwater was available due to groundwater contamination at the City’s Charnock Well Field that resulted in the entire well field being taken out of production until it was restored in 2010 with the Charnock Well Field Restoration Project. The project installed additional treatment processes such as biological GAC and reverse osmosis which restored local groundwater supplies to approximately 8,000 to 10,000 AFY, depending on the age and condition of the wells.
Due to the upgrades at the Arcadia WTP and construction of the Olympic Field Restoration Project from 2021 through 2025, the City’s water supply does not reflect normal operating conditions and is not representative of the water supply reliability. Thus, the period from 2010 through 2020 was selected for the assessments because it is more representative of the City’s water supply reliability and drought risk going forward and it encompasses a DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 867 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-3
severe single-year drought and a five-consecutive-year drought in the Southern California region.
◼ Normal Year. The average of the years 2010 through 2020 was used to establish water supply conditions.
◼ Single Dry-Year. The year 2020 was used to represent a worst-case single dry year scenario as the groundwater supply available to the City was the lowest annual total during the period of 2010 through 2020.
◼ Five-Consecutive Dry Years. A running average over 2010 through 2020 identified the period 2016 through 2020 as the driest five-year sequence, and this period is used for both assessments.
A summary of the City’s current water supply availability for a normal year, a single-dry year, and five-consecutive dry years is provided in Table 7-1. Please note the water supply availability presented in Table 7-1 includes the entire MWD Tier 1 allotment for the City.
Table 7-1. Basis of Water Year Data (DWR Table 7-1)
Year Type
Base Year
If not using a
calendar year,
type in the last
year of the
fiscal, water
year, or range
of years, for
example,
water year
2024-2025,
use 2025
Available Supplies if
Year Type Repeats
☐
Quantification of available
supplies is not compatible with
this table and is provided
elsewhere in the UWMP.
Location: [insert location from
UWMP]
Quantification of available supplies is provided in this table as either volume only, percent only, or both.
Volume Available
(AF)
% of Average Supply
Average Year 2010-2020 16,628 100%
Single-Dry Year 2020 12,587 76%
Consecutive Dry Years 1st Year 2016 15,948 96%
Consecutive Dry Years 2nd Year 2017 14,683 88%
Consecutive Dry Years 3rd Year 2018 14,796 89%
Consecutive Dry Years 4th Year 2019 15,034 90%
Consecutive Dry Years 5th Year 2020 12,587 76%
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 868 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-4
DWR NOTES: Supplier may use multiple versions of Submittal Table 7-1 R if different water sources have different base years and the supplier chooses to report the base years for each water source separately. If a Supplier uses multiple versions of Submittal Table 7-1 R, in the "Note" section of each submittal table, state that multiple versions of Submittal Table 7-1 R are being used and identify the particular water source that is being reported in each submittal table.
Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
This table reports the units of measure reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES: MWD Tier 1 Allotment was 11,407 AF for 2010-2012, 11,110 AFY for 2013-2014, and 7,406 AFY for 2016- 2020.
The City is in the process of implementing additional water supply projects as outlined in Table 6-11 and Table 6-12. These projects are scheduled for completion in 2030 and are therefore included in the water supply reliability assessment for the period 2030 through 2045. For planning purposes, the low-end of the estimated sustainable yield of the Santa Monica Groundwater Basin was also assumed, as shown in Table 6-5. The average supply percentages established in Table 7-1 were then applied to the City’s projected future water supply, as shown in Table 6-15 to determine availability for the normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry year scenarios as summarized in Table 7-2.
Table 7-2. Summary of Total Projected Water Supply Availability for Normal, Single Dry, and Five Consecutive Dry Years
YEAR TYPE % OF AVERAGE
SUPPLY
GROUNDWATER1
(ACRE-FEET)
IMPORTED WATER2
(ACRE-FEET)
TOTAL
(ACRE-FEET)
Normal 100% 10,660 7,406 18,066
Single Dry Year 76% 8,102 7,406 15,508
Dry Year 1 96% 10,234 7,406 17,640
Dry Year 2 88% 9,381 7,406 16,787
Dry Year 3 89% 9,487 7,406 16,893
Dry Year 4 90% 9,594 7,406 17,000
Dry Year 5 76% 8,102 7,406 15,508
1 Includes water loss due to treatment process (i.e. reverse osmosis). 2 MWD Tier 1 Allotment was 11,407 AF for 2010-2012, 11,110 AFY for 2013-2014, and 7,406 AFY for 2016- 2020.
Projected water use, not including conservation and shown in Table 4-2, was used to determine water supply availability under each scenario. Results from the assessment indicate that the City’s water supply is capable of meeting potable and non-potable water demand for the normal (Table 7-3), single-dry (Table 7-4), and multiple-dry year scenarios (Table 7-5).
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 869 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-5
Table 7-3. Projected Normal Year Supply and Use Comparison (DWR Table 7-2) 2030 (AF) 2035 (AF) 2040 (AF) 2045 (AF) 2050 (AF)
Supply totals
(autofill from Submittal Table
6-9 R)
13,598 13,598 13,762 14,273
Use totals
(autofill from Submittal Table
4-2 R)
12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 854 345 0 0
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation
benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings
benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
DWR NOTES : Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES: Supply totals shown include groundwater, imported water, and recycled water (potable and non-potable).
Table 7-4. Single Dry Year Supply and Use Comparison (DWR Table 7-3) 2030 (AF) 2035 (AF) 2040 (AF) 2045 (AF) 2050 (AF)
Supply totals 15,508 15,508 15,508 15,508
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 2,764 2,255 1,746 1,235
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation
benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings
benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
DWR NOTES : Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES:
Table 7-5. Multiple Dry Years Supply and Use Comparison (DWR Table 7-4) 2030 (AF) 2035 (AF) 2040 (AF) 2045 (AF) 2050 (AF)
Supply totals 17,640 17,640 17,640 17,640
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 870 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-6
2030 (AF) 2035 (AF) 2040 (AF) 2045 (AF) 2050 (AF)
First
year
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 4,896 4,387 3,878 3,367
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation
benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings
benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Second
year
Supply totals 16,787 16,787 16,787 16,787
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 4,043 3,534 3,025 2,514
OPTIONAL WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation
benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings
benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Third
year
Supply totals 16,893 16,893 16,893 16,893
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 4,149 3,640 3,131 2,620
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation
benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings
benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Fourth
year
Supply totals 17,000 17,000 17,000 17,000
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 4,256 3,747 3,238 2,727
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation
benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings
benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 871 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-7
2030 (AF) 2035 (AF) 2040 (AF) 2045 (AF) 2050 (AF)
Fifth
year
Supply totals 15,508 15,508 15,508 15,508
Use totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Surplus/(shortfall) 2,764 2,255 1,746 1,235
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions
WSCP - supply augmentation
benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings
benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES:
7.3 DROUGHT RISK ASSESSMENT
Proper water management is essential for safeguarding current and future water supplies and managing demand, particularly given the uncertainties of climate change and recurring drought cycles. California Water Code requires urban water suppliers to prepare a DRA based on historical drought conditions. Other factors, including climate and regulatory changes, were also considered to determine the overall impact to future water service.
7.3.1 Data, Methods, and Basis for Water Shortage Condition
7.3.1.1 Water Use
To perform the DRA, water billing data from 2010 to 2020 was compiled and analyzed to quantify water consumption trends in the City. This timeframe was selected because it captures water use during one of the most severe droughts in California’s history. It also reflects water usage patterns before and after 2015, when the City established its Water Conservation Unit (WCU) and entered Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP), providing a reasonable basis for understanding of how water customers respond during drought conditions.
As shown in Figure 7-1, water usage declined significantly following drought measures implemented in 2015. Water customers have sustained these lower levels despite population growth and the State’s declaration ending the drought emergency in 2017. This sustained reduction suggests that behavioral changes regarding water conservation have become lasting. Accordingly, the DRA assumes that the water use reductions observed after 2015 will continue over the five-year assessment period of 2026 through 2030.
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Packet Pg. 872 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-8
Figure 7-1. Summary of the City’s Water Usage Trends from 2010-2025 As recommended by DWR, the City first projected its estimated gross water use for the next five years without water shortage actions, referred to as unconstrained demand. The historical water use data shown in Figure 7-1 demonstrates that the community is receptive to calls for reductions in water usage. These reductions are accounted as savings benefits in the DRA, as shown in Table 7-6.
7.3.1.2 Water Sources
The City’s water supply consists of local water resources and imported water from MWD.
For the DRA, the lowest MWD Tier 1 allotment available to the City from 2010 to 2020 is assumed, which has remained at 7,406 AF since 2016. This assumption is considered reasonable given the large reserves MWD has accumulated as a result of regional conservation efforts and above-average precipitation events over recent years.
For local water resources, the lowest five-year running average for the current water supply from 2010 to 2020 plus additional water supply from the recently completed or nearly completed projects. For the DRA, the average availability over five dry years is used, totaling 9,359 AF. The recently completed supply projects are described below:
◼ Recharge Local Groundwater Aquifers. The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) provides a sustainable and drought resilient water supply by delivering approximately 1,100 AFY of advanced treated recycled water through the
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Population
Water Demand (Acre Feet)
Water Demand (AF) Population
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Packet Pg. 873 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-9
new Advanced Water Treatment Facility (AWTF) to recharge local groundwater aquifers via direct injection, which the City commenced in January 2026. This aquifer recharge allows the City to maximize groundwater pumping from the Olympic subbasin within sustainable yield limits.
◼ Production Efficiency Enhancement at Arcadia WTP. New high-recovery FR-RO technology has increased treatment efficiency to greater than 90 percent, adding up to an additional 1,200 AFY of potable water production and reducing reverse osmosis concentrate discharge to the sewer system.
◼ Olympic Well Field Restoration. The Olympic subbasin has been restored to full pumping capacity through a new wellhead treatment system designed to remove contaminants that have historically limited production, including 1,2,3- trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP), 1,4-dioxane, trichloroethene (TCE), and tetrachloroethene (PCE) current production. The project included equipping two new groundwater wells, constructing a new pipeline to convey groundwater to the wellhead treatment facility, and constructing a new Olympic AWTF to treat groundwater extracted from the Olympic Well Field prior to conveyance to the City’s Arcadia WTP.
◼ Arcadia WTP Expansion. Following completion of its expansion in 2025, the Arcadia WTP has an upgraded raw water treatment capacity of approximately 14,700 AFY, or 13 MGD. The expansion incorporated FR-RO technology, which increased reverse osmosis recovery from approximately 80 percent to greater than 90 percent, and accommodated the additional groundwater flows from the Olympic Well Field Restoration Project.
7.3.2 Total Water Supply and Use Comparison
As summarized in Table 7-6, the City’s water supplies are adequate to meet projected water use under drought conditions over the five-year assessment period. With the new supply projects online, available supply increases substantially, resulting in surpluses through 2030.
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Packet Pg. 874 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SERVICE RELIABILITY 7-10
Table 7-6. Five-Year Drought Risk Assessment (DWR Table 7-5) 2026 Total
Total Water Use (AF) 10,960
Total Supplies (AF) 10,960
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 0
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit (AF)
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit (AF) 2,740
Revised Surplus/(shortfall) 2,740
2027 Total
Total Water Use (AF) 11,406
Total Supplies (AF) 11,406
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 0
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit (AF)
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit (AF) 2,852
Revised Surplus/(shortfall) 2,852
2028 Total
Total Water Use (AF) 11,852
Total Supplies (AF) 11,852
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 0
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit (AF)
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit (AF) 2,963
Revised Surplus/(shortfall) 2,963
2029 Total
Total Water Use (AF) 12,298
Total Supplies (AF) 12,298
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 0
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit (AF)
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit (AF) 3,075
Revised Surplus/(shortfall) 3,075
2030 Total
Total Water Use (AF) 12,744
Total Supplies (AF) 12,744
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 0
OPTIONAL Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit (AF)
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit (AF) 3,186
Revised Surplus/(shortfall) 3,186
DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES: MWD's 2025 UWMP concluded reliable water supplies would be available through 2050; therefore, it is assumed projected water use would be met for this five-year drought risk assessment.
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 875 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
Chapter 8
Water Shortage
Contingency Plan
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 876 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN 8-1
8 WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN
Water shortages occur whenever the available water supply cannot meet the normally expected customer water use. This can be due to climate change, drought, catastrophic events, regulatory action constraints, and natural and manmade disasters. A Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) presents how an urban water supplier plans to respond to a water shortage condition and helps prevent catastrophic service disruptions.
In addition to the Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessments conducted in Section 7, the City has prepared a WSCP pursuant to the California Water Code’s Urban Water Management Planning Act (Section 10632). The City’s WSCP is included in this plan as Appendix A and describes the City’s strategic plan for preparing and responding to water shortages.
The WSCP includes the following elements:
◼ Description of the key components of the City’s water supply reliability analysis. [Water Code 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. [Water Code Section (a)(3)]
◼ Locally appropriate “shortage response actions” for each shortage level, with a corresponding estimate of the extent the action will address the gap between supplies and demands. [Water Code Section 10632 (a)(4)] The City’s shortage response actions are summarized in Table 8-1 through Table 8-3. ◼ Procedures for conducting an annual water supply and demand assessment with prescribed elements. Under Water Code Section 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 to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). [Water Code 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. [Water Code 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. [Water Code Section 10632(a)(9)]
◼ A reevaluation and improvement process to assess the functionality of its WSCP and to make appropriate adjustments as may be warranted. [Water Code Section 10632(a)(10)]
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 877 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN 8-2
The City intends for its WSCP to be an adaptive management plan so that it may assess response action effectiveness and adapt to foreseeable and unforeseeable events. It may also be updated to conform to State legislative and regulatory requirements. The City’s WSCP is included as an appendix to this plan so it may be updated independently of the UWMP preparation process.
The City’s WSCP is adopted concurrently with this plan, by separate resolution. Prior to adoption, a public hearing was conducted. An electronic copy of the WSCP will be submitted to DWR within 30 days of adoption. No later than 30 days after adoption, a copy of the WSCP will be available at the City’s offices and provided to regional partners including surrounding cities, Los Angeles County, and MWD. An electric copy of the WSCP will also be available for public review and download on the City’s website.
Table 8-1. Cross-Reference for Standard vs Supplier Shortage Levels (DWR Table 8-1) ☒
Check the box if the Supplier uses the Standard six levels of water shortage.
Proceed to the next table.
Standard Shortage
Levels Percent Shortage Range Suppliers Shortage Levels Percent Shortage Range 1 Up to 10%
2 Up to 20%
3 Up to 30%
4 Up to 40%
5 Up to 50%
6 >50%
NOTES:
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 878 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN 8-3
Table 8-2. Retail: Supply Augmentation and Other Actions (DWR Table 8-2) Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Supply Augmentation Methods
and Other Actions by Water
Supplier How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional
Explanation or
Reference
Drop down list (OPTIONAL)
These are the only categories that will
be accepted by the WUEdata online
submittal tool
Volume or
Percentage
Shortage Gap
Reduction
Value
Drop down (May be a
range) (AF)
Add additional rows as needed
DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES: The City currently does not participate in listed actions such as transfers or exchanges. Other supply augmentation methods listed including public information campaigns and implementing a drought rate structure are accounted for in Table 8-3.
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 879 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN 8-4
Table 8-3. Retail: Demain Reduction Actions (DWR Table 8-3) Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction Actions How much is this going
to reduce the shortage
gap?
Additional
Explanation
or
Reference
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
Drop down list (OPTIONAL) For Retail Suppliers
Only
These are the only categories that
will be accepted by the WUEdata
online submittal tool. Select those
that apply.
Volume or
Percentage
Shortage
Gap
Reduction
Value
Drop Down List
Drop down
(May be a
range)
(AF)
Add additional rows as needed
Stage 1 Offer Water Use Surveys Percentage 1% - 2% No
Stage 1 Provide Rebates on Plumbing
Fixtures and Devices Percentage 1% - 2% No
Stage 1 Provide Rebates for Landscape
Irrigation Efficiency Percentage 1% - 2% No
Stage 1 Provide Rebates for Turf
Replacement Percentage 1% - 2% No
Stage 1
Landscape - Restrict or prohibit
runoff from landscape
irrigation
Percentage 1% - 2% Yes
Stage 1 Landscape - Limit landscape
irrigation to specific times Percentage 1% - 2% Yes
Stage 1 CII - Restaurants may only serve
water upon request
Percentage 1% - 2% Yes
Stage 1
Water Features - Restrict water
use for decorative water
features, such as fountains
Percentage 1% - 2% Yes
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Packet Pg. 880 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN 8-5
Stage 1 Pools and Spas - Require covers
for pools and spas Percentage 1% - 2% Yes
Stage 1
Other - Customers must repair
leaks, breaks, and
malfunctions in a timely
manner
Percentage 1% - 2% Yes
Stage 1 Other - additional conservation
measures by City staff Percentage 1% - 2% No
Stage 1
Other - Irrigation Association’s
Best Management Practices for
all City landscaped areas
Percentage 1% - 2% No
Stage 1
Other – immediate notification
by City staff of any leaks seen
on City property or private
property
Percentage 1% - 2% No
Stage 2
Other – continued
implementation of Stage
1 actions
Percentage 10% -
20% Yes
Stage 2
Other - Implement Water Use
Allowances (WUAs) for a 20%
reduction from the amount of
water used in 2013.
Percentage 10% -
20% Yes
Stage 2 Expand Public Information
Campaign Percentage 1% - 10% No
Stage 2 Increase Water Waste Patrols Percentage 1% - 10% Yes Stage 3
Other - continued
implementation of Stage 2
actions
Percentage 20% -
30% Yes
Stage 3
Other - Implement Water Use
Allowances (WUAs) for a 30%
reduction from the amount of
water used in 2013.
Percentage 10% -
30% Yes
Stage 3 Implement or Modify Drought
Rate Structure or Surcharge Percentage 1% - 10% Yes
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 881 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN 8-6
Stage 4
Other - continued
implementation of
Stage 3 actions
Percentage 20% -
30% Yes
Stage 4
Other - Implement Water Use
Allowances (WUAs) for a 40%
reduction from the amount of
water used in 2013.
Percentage 20% -
40% Yes
Stage 4 Implement or Modify Drought
Rate Structure or Surcharge Percentage 1% - 10% Yes
Stage 5
Other- continued
implementation of
Stage 4 actions
Percentage 30% -
40% Yes
Stage 5
Other - Implement Water Use
Allowances (WUAs) for a 50%
reduction from the amount of
water used in 2013.
Percentage 20% -
50% Yes
Stage 5 Implement or Modify Drought
Rate Structure or Surcharge Percentage 1% - 10% Yes
Stage 6
Other- continued
implementation of
Stage 5 actions
Percentage 40% -
50% Yes
Stage 6
Other - Implement Water Use
Allowances (WUAs) for a 55%
reduction from the amount of
water used in 2013.
Percentage 20% -
55% Yes
Stage 6 Implement or Modify Drought
Rate Structure or Surcharge Percentage 1% - 10% Yes
DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.
NOTES:
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 882 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
Chapter 9
Demand Management
Measures
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 883 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES 9-1
9 DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES
9.1 EXISTING DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES
The City has adopted several plans and ordinances to implement water conservation programs and policies including the Sustainable City Plan, the Sustainable Water Master Plan (SWMP), the Water Shortage Response Plan, the Water Conservation Master Plan, the Green Building Ordinance and the Water Conservation Ordinance. The City recognizes that efficient water use is a vital component of its current and future water planning and operations policies. The following sections describe the conservation programs and policies implemented by the City.
9.1.1 Water Waste Ordinances
The City has maintained a Water Conservation Ordinance (Santa Monica Municipal Code [SMMC] Section 7.16.020) since 1992, which has been amended several times to strengthen its requirements. The ordinance prohibits spray irrigation between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, with exceptions for drip irrigation systems approved by the City Manager; restricts landscape irrigation to two assigned wearing days per week; prohibits irrigation overspray or runoff onto any impermeable surface, including walkways, driveways, sidewalks, alleys, and streets; prohibits washing down paved or hard-surfaced areas with potable water; requires water leaks to be repaired immediately, prohibits washing vehicles with a running hose except with a hand-held bucket or approved self-closing nozzle; and mandates restaurants to serve water only upon request. The Water Conservation Unit (WCU) staff assesses penalties in accordance with the ordinance and assists residents with voluntary compliance.
The City’s Water Neutrality Ordinance (SMMC 7.16.050) caps water use for new developments, pools, ponds, spas, and other water features to the average five-year historical water use for the parcel. If projected annual water use for development exceeds the parcel’s five-year annual water use average, the difference must be offset by funding water-efficient retrofits of existing buildings elsewhere in the City. Offset retrofits currently include low-flow indoor fixtures (e.g., toilets, urinals, showerheads, and aerators). The WCU staff conducts over 500 development project plan checks each year, determines fees, and manages the direct install program for retrofits.
The City’s Bay Saver Fee Ordinance (SMMC 7.12.030), imposes a conservation incentive fee on residential water bills until water-wasting fixtures are replaced with water-conserving fixtures. The WCU staff conducts a free water-saving assessment to verify that waterefficient fixtures have been installed prior to removing the Bay Saver fee from the customer’s water bill.
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 884 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES 9-2
On January 1, 2023, the City’s Recycled Water Ordinance (SMMC 7.12.170) went into effect, requiring all new development within the City’s recycled water service area with a total floor area of 7,500 square-feet or more to utilize 100 percent recycled water for all nonpotable water demand within the development. Eligible applications include surface irrigation and dual-plumbing applications such as landscaping, water features, toilet flushing, and cooling towers.
The City has a Good Housekeeping Ordinance (SMMC 7.10.040), which establishes good housekeeping requirements for the reduction of urban runoff at existing properties. These requirements include prohibiting irrigation runoff from leaving a site and prohibiting the washing down of paved areas unless necessary for health or safety purposes.
9.1.2 Metering
The City meters all service connection, including residential, commercial, institutional, fire service and dedicated landscape irrigation accounts. The City owns and maintains approximately 17,000 water meters throughout its water distribution system. The City is fully metered and in compliance with Water Code Section 525. All of the meters are read on a maximum 60-day cycle. The City maintains meter integrity by individually testing every meter in accordance with American Water Works Association (AWWA) guidelines before being placed into service. Testing is conducted by the Water Resources Metering Group, and all documentation is retained electronically. Customers have the option of challenging the accuracy of their water meter at a nominal cost; if the meter is found to be out of specification, the testing fee is waived.
The City participated in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) pilot program with Aclara Technologies, in partnership with Southern California Gas Company (SCG), to test the reliability and feasibility of receiving water meter data wirelessly through radio transmission. The pilot demonstrated that radio signals were a viable option and could be transmitted over a shared network. Following the successful pilot, the City contracted with Badger Meter as its AMI partner.
In early 2025, the City completed deployment of the Badger cellular AMI system across its 18,000-plus water service connections. Installation was carried out by Concord Utility Services as subcontractor to Badger Meter, beginning in summer 2023 and funded by a Water Revenue Bond issued in 2022 at an initial project cost of $13.5 million. The AMI meters collect water usage data at 15-minute intervals and transmit this data wirelessly up to four times per day over a secure cellular network, replacing the previous bi-monthly manual meter reading process and providing customers with near real-time visibility into their water usage, including leak detection alerts and improved billing accuracy.
All new meters are sourced AMI-ready and compatible with cellular technology. The City's standard meter replacement schedule for aging meters is approximately 30 years; DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 885 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES 9-3
however, the AMI implementation program accelerated replacements where needed to achieve full system coverage. With deployment completed, the City is focused on integrating AMI data into its systems and operating the customer portal, which provides customers with insights into their daily water usage and alerts them if a water leak is detected.
The City’s Water Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standard (WELIS) places metering requirements on new landscape irrigation. New residential development projects require dedicated landscape water meters for irrigated areas greater than 5,000 square feet. New commercial developments require dedicated water meters on landscape areas unless the area is completely contained in a planters or containers. The City also imposes a water meter requirement for all new public landscaped areas.
The City implemented a submetering requirement for all new multi-residential residential developments. Submeters allow property managers to locate and track high water usage within individual units or common areas, supporting more effective conservation management and accountability at the property level.
9.1.3 Drought Rate Structure
On June 10, 2025, the Santa Monica City Council adopted a new five-year water, sewer, and recycled water rate structure covering fiscal years (FYs) 2025/26 through 2029/30, with the new rates having taken effect on July 1, 2025. The adopted rate schedule calls for water rate increases of 20 percent in FY 2025/2026, followed by increases of 16, 9, 9, and 6 percent in each subsequent year through FY 2029/30. The rate adjustments are intended to maintain funding for routine capital improvement projects (CIPs), keep pace with inflation, and support the City’s efforts to rehabilitate its potable water reservoirs and replace its aging water operations center and water quality laboratory.
The adopted rate structure also includes a drought rate structure that may be activated should the City Council mandate conservation increases beyond currently expected levels.
The purpose of the drought rate structure is to ensure that the Water Enterprise Fund continues to meet its annual revenue requirements and maintains utility operations during periods when mandatory conservation reduces water sales below normal projections. The drought rate structure would only be in effect upon direction of the City Council and only for the duration of any mandated conservation period. The level of conservation mandated will determine the adjusted three-tier water commodity rate adjustments. The City’s drought rate schedule for FY 2025/2026 through 2029/30, applicable to all customers, is summarized in Table
DRAFT
9-1.
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Packet Pg. 886 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES 9-4
Table 9-1. Summary of the City's Drought Rate Structure for FY 2025/26 through FY 2029/30 ($/hundred cubic feet [CCF])
Mandated Level of
Conservation
FY
2025/26
FY
2026/27
FY
2027/28
FY
2028/29
FY
2029/30
10%
Tier 1 $6.81 $7.90 $8.62 $9.39 $9.96
Tier 2 $9.17 $10.64 $11.59 $12.64 $13.40
Tier 3 $13.78 $15.98 $17.42 $18.99 $20.13
20%
Tier 1 $7.65 $8.87 $9.67 $10.54 $11.17
Tier 2 $10.29 $11.94 $13.01 $14.18 $15.03
Tier 3 $15.46 $17.94 $19.55 $21.31 $22.59
30%
Tier 1 $8.72 $10.11 $11.02 $12.02 $12.74
Tier 2 $11.73 $13.61 $14.83 $16.17 $17.14
Tier 3 $17.63 $20.45 $22.29 $24.30 $25.75
40%
Tier 1 $10.15 $11.77 $12.83 $13.98 $14.82
Tier 2 $13.65 $15.84 $17.26 $18.82 $19.95
Tier 3 $20.52 $23.80 $25.94 $28.28 $29.97
50%
Tier 1 $12.15 $14.09 $15.36 $16.74 $17.74
Tier 2 $16.35 $18.96 $20.67 $22.53 $23.88
Tier 3 $24.56 $28.49 $31.05 $33.85 $35.88
60%
Tier 1 $15.15 $17.57 $19.15 $20.87 $22.13
Tier 2 $20.38 $23.64 $25.77 $28.09 $29.78
Tier 3 $30.62 $35.52 $38.72 $42.21 $44.74
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9.1.4 Public Education and Outreach
The City implements a broad range of public education and outreach activities to support water conservation awareness and program participation. Current and ongoing activities are described below.
◼ Conservation Marketing Campaign: The City launched a water conservation marketing campaign in 2015 under the theme “We Love Santa Monica: Save Water.
Show Your Love.” The campaign featured engaging, community-focused messaging and was distributed across print and digital collateral, bus banners, and outdoor hanging banners. A dedicated water conservation website (santamonica.gov - Water Conservation) provides a central online resource for conservation recommendations, rebate program information, and watering restriction details.
Elements of this campaign continue to be used, and the Water Conservation Unit (WCU) intends to develop an updated marketing campaign aligned with the State’s “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life” framework established under Senate Bill 606 (Hertzberg) and Assembly Bill 1668 (Friedman). ◼ Water Use Allowances (WUA): Every water customer receives a WUA uniquely calculated for each billing period. The WUA is displayed in tables and on a graph that compares the customer’s actual usage to their allowance, encouraging awareness and accountability. Further detail on the WUA program is provided in Section 9.3.1.
◼ Customer Engagement Online Portal: As part of the City’s completed AMI deployment, customers now have access to the Eye on Water customer engagement portal, which provides near real-time water usage data at 15-minute intervals, customizable leak detection alerts, and tools to support informed water use decisions. The utility-side Badger Beacon portal supports the City’s operational monitoring and customer service functions. The WCU actively promotes the portal and assists customers with enrollment and use.
◼ Irrigation Reminder Notifications: Automated phone calls are made to customers and social media items are posted prior to and during wet weather events, reminding onwers to turn off their irrigation systems to avoid water waste and ordinance violations.
◼ Sustainability Digital Newsletters: Water conservation tips, rebate programs, and conservation-related updates are communicated regularly through the Office of Sustainability and the Environment’s monthly digital newsletter, reaching a broad cross-section of the community.
◼ Social Media: Water conservation messaging is promoted regularly across City’s social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), to reach residents and businesses through channels they actively use.
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◼ City’s Seascape Print Newsletters: The City’s Seascape print newsletter devotes one issue per year is devoted to sustainability, highlighting water conservation programs, rebates opportunities, and related initiatives. ◼ Print Advertising and Material: Water conservation events, ordinances, and messaging are announced through local print outlets including the SantaMonica Daily Press, Santa Monica Observer, Santa Monica Mirror, and theArgonaut.
Customized tip sheets have been developed for residents, businesses, and homeowners. Print materials are also obtained from MWD and made available at City Hall counters and outreach events.
◼ Water Bill Inserts: Water conservation messaging is periodically included as inserts with customer utility bills, providing a direct communication channel to all water customers.
◼ Community Events: WCU staff participates in public eventsthroughout the year, engaging residents in person to discuss conservation, distribute print materials, and provide free water-saving devices including showerheads, faucet aerators, shower buckets, hose nozzles, and toilet dye strips. The City’s annual Coast Festival, an open-streets community sustainability event is among the most prominent of these engagements.
◼ Landscape Outreach: The WCU conducts direct outreach to gardeners and landscapers approximately two times per year, delivering conservation print materials describing watering restrictions and landscape rebate programs. This targeted approach reaches the people actively managing landscapes in the City and has been effective in building awareness of the Cash for Grass and Spray to Drip rebate programs
◼ Sustainable Landscape Trainings: The WCU partners with Sustainable Works, a local nonprofit organization, to conduct hands-on sustainable landscape workshops at the City’s community gardens. These workshops, which has been held since 2015, promote both the Cash-for-Grass and the Spray to Drip Landscape rebate programs and have attracted hundreds of participants.
◼ Customer Service: The WCU staff engage with customers by phone and email every workday to answer water conservation questions and provide program assistance.
Approximately 300 inquiries are received and responded to each year.
9.1.5 Programs to Assess and Manage Distribution System Real Loss The City manages distribution system water loss through a structured capital improvement program (CIP) for water main replacement, supplemented by condition assessment and operational monitoring. The program uses three criteria to evaluate and prioritize pipeline DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 889 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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replacement: asset age, maintenance and failure history, and internal condition inspection findings.
The first criterion is the design lifespan of the water main, which the City has established at 100 years. With approximately 200 miles of water main in the distribution system, the City has budgeted for approximately 2 miles of water main replacement annually to systematically work through the network over time. The second criterion is the documented history of water main failures and repairs, which is recorded in the City’s computerized maintenance management system, Infor Hansen. Field staff input, repair records, and observations made during emergency repairs, including the condition of the pipe wall when exposed, are used to inform replacement recommendations. This approach has been validated by subsequent failures along segments with prior repair histories, confirming the predictive value of maintenance records. The third criterion is the results of internal condition inspections. The City has contracted with an inspection service to conduct visual inspections of the interior of suspect water mains using a pressurized camera system inserted via fire hydrants. Inspection findings are used to support or confirm replacement prioritization. All three criteria are reviewed jointly by engineering and field operations staff before final replacement selections are made.
The completed AMI deployment further strengthens the City’s ability to identify and respond to distribution system losses. The AMI system’s 15-minute interval metering and continuous leak detection alerts enable the City and its customers to identify unusual consumption patterns that may indicate unreported leaks or real losses within the distribution system, complementing the physical pipeline replacement program.
California’s water loss performance standards, adopted under SB 555 (Wolk), require urban water suppliers to report non-revenue water and real losses using the AWWA Water Audit methodology and to meet applicable performance standards. The City addresses these requirements through the installation of meters at appropriate points where source water enters the distribution system, enabling accurate quantification of system input volume and the calculation of water loss in accordance with state requirements. The City’s broader conservation framework, including regulations and programs implemented under SB 606 and AB 1668, further supports the City’s ability to meet its urban water use objectives and manage demand-side losses over the planning horizon.
9.2 WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM COORDINATION AND STAFFING
SUPPORT
The City’s water conservation programs are developed, implemented and coordinated by the WCU. For questions regarding the City’s water conservation programs, please contact:
◼ Thomas Fleming, Sustainability Analyst - [email protected] DRAFT
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◼ Salvador Gonzalez, Water Resources Specialist - [email protected] The WCU conducts ongoing assessments of the current level of water fixture saturation levels and consumption patterns across the services area to identify the greatest opportunities for reducing water use. Based on this continual analysis, conservation programs are developed and modified to advance the City’s long-term water efficiency objectives. Further detail on specific measures is provided in Sections 9.3.1 and 9.3.2.
In response to statewide drought conditions beginning in 2015, the WCU augmented existing programs and implemented additional water conservation measures that have resulted in a sustained reduction in citywide water demand of approximately 21 percent, equivalent to approximately 3,000 acre-feet per year (AFY). Average annual water consumption has been reduced from approximately 109 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) in 2015 to approximately 95 GPCD in 2025, reflecting both the effectiveness of active conservation programs and the broader trend of increased water use efficiency across the service area.
The WCU continues to implement the City’s overall water conservation strategies, policies, incentive programs, and demand management measures in support of the City’s long-term goal of water self-sufficiency, as further described in Section 9.2.7. Existing conservation efforts will be enhanced through implementation of the recommendations contained in the 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan, which evaluated 16 conservation measures and identified a Strategic Program capable of achieving additional savings of approximately 301 million gallons per year by 2045.
The WCU is also responsible for ensuring the City’s compliance with the “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life” regulatory framework, which was formally adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board in July 2024 and took effect January 1, 2025.
This regulation implements the requirements of AB 1668 and SB 606, signed into law in 2018, and establishes the individualized urban water use objectives for each urban retail water supplier based on the unique characteristics of its service area. The City’s conservation programs, demand management measures, and water use reporting obligations are coordinated to meet these requirements on an ongoing basis.
9.3 WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES, IMPLEMENTATION TO
ACHIEVE WATER USE TARGETS, AND WATER USE OBJECTIVES (FUTURE
REQUIREMENTS)
Water demand management is achieved through implementation of various water conservation and efficiency programs designed to permanently reduce residential, institutional, and commercial potable water use. The City has been actively implementing water conservation programs since 1988, investing significantly in resources to retrofit plumbing fixtures in commercial, single-family, and multi-family buildings with waterDRAFT
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saving products. The City initiated its Water Efficiency Strategic Plan in 2002 to further formalize and coordinate these efforts.
Continuation of existing programs and implementation of new and enhance conservation measures are essential to the City’s long-term water management strategy. These measures serve three interconnected objectives: reducing overall potable water demand in the face of increasing pressures from new housing development and growth in the commercial institutional sectors; supporting the City’s progress toward water self- sufficiency by reducing dependence on imported water; and meeting the City’s compliance obligation under the “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life” regulatory framework, formally adopted by the SWRCB in July 2024 and effective January 1, 2025, which implements the requirements of SB 606 and AB 1668.
9.3.1 Ongoing Conservation Activities
The following summarizes the City’s ongoing conservation programs and activities. ◼ Water Neutrality Ordinance: The Water Neutrality Ordinance (SMMC Section
7.16.050), took effect on July 1, 2017, caps potable water use for new developments to the average five-year historical water use for the subject parcel. Where projected annual water use for the development exceeds the parcel’s five-year baseline average, the difference must be offset by funding water-efficient retrofits of existing buildings elsewhere in the City. Eligible offset retrofits include low-flow indoor fixtures such as toilets, urinals, showerheads, and aerators. The ordinance also applies to new pools, ponds, spas and other water features. The WCU administers the program, conducting over 500 development project plan checks annually, determining and invoicing offset fees, and managing the Water Neutrality Direct Install Program described below.
◼ Water Neutrality Direct Install Program: The Water Neutrality Direct Install Program retrofits water-wasting fixtures with high-efficiency water-saving devices, funded entirely by Water Neutrality offset fees collected from developers at the time of permit issuance. Since the program's inception in 2017, it has retrofitted over 2,035 toilets, 45 urinals, 1,152 showerheads, and 2,417 faucet aerators, at a total program cost of approximately $1.59 million.
◼ Water Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standards: The Water Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standards (WELIS), codified in SMMC Section 8.108, is a component of the City’s Green Building Ordinance and establishes requirements for water-efficient plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems, and landscaping in new construction, major remodels, and new or remodeled landscapes . In December 2016, the ordinance was significantly updated to ban overhead spray irrigation for all new developments and for new landscapes on existing developments. Turf grass is prohibited on new commercial developments and is limited to 20 percent of DRAFT
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DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES 9-10
landscaped areas for new residential developments. The WCU reviews every building permit requiring new landscaping for WELIS compliance and conducts field inspections of installed landscaping and irrigation at both the open-trench and final inspection stages. A certificate of occupancy cannot be issued until all landscape inspections have been passed.
◼ Water Use Allowances: The WUA program is a component of the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) and is the primary mechanism for implementing mandatory water reductions during declared water supply shortages. WUAs represent the maximum volume of water a customer may use during a given billing period without risk of receiving an exceedance citation. Under the current Stage 2 Water Supply Shortage, each customer’s WUA is set at 20 percent below their 2013 water use and is uniquely calculated for each billing period. ◼ Water Use Allowance Exceedance Citations: Customers who exceed their WUA for any given billing period may receive an administrative citation. Citation fees are $250 for the first exceedance, $500 for the second exceedance within 12 months of the first, $1,000 for a third exceedance within 12 months of the second. ◼ Water Use Consultations: WCU staff conducts free onsite water use consultation for any City water customer. Consultations include a comprehensive audit indoor water use such as measuring flush and flow fixtures, checking appliances for leaks, assessing water use behaviors, as well as outdoor water use, including irrigation system performance, leak detection, and meter verification. Recommendations are documented and provided to the customer. Consultations have led to the discovery and repair of significant leaks, adjustment of irrigation timers, installation of lowflow devices, and lasting changes in water use behavior changes. ◼ Cash for Grass Landscape Rebate Program: The City’s Cash for Grass program is its most successful and popular rebate offering, providing financial incentives to customers who replace turf grass and overhead spray irrigation with sustainable, drought tolerant, low-water using landscapes with noor drip irrigation only. The program is available to sign-family, multi-family, and commercial properties. The current rebate is $3.50 per square foot of turf removed, up to program maximums.
In March 2026, the City increased the rebate to $5.00 per square foot to further incentivize the removal of non-functional turfgrass, subject to budget approval. ◼ Spray to Drip Irrigation Conversion Rebate: The Spray to Drip program provides rebates for customers who replace operational sprinklers in planter beds and hedges with highly efficient drip irrigation that delivers water directly to the plants. The program does not apply to existing lawn areas, which are addressed through the Cash for Grass program.
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◼ Sustainable Landscape Trainings: The WCU partners with Sustainable Works, a local nonprofit organization, to conduct hands-on sustainable landscape workshops the City’s community gardens. The workshops promote both the Cash-for-Grass and Spray to Drip Landscape rebate programs and have been held since 2015, with hundreds of residents having participated.
◼ Water Waste Enforcement: The WCU enforces the City's Water Conservation Ordinance (SMMC Section 7.16.020) through a combination of responsive and proactive enforcement (see Section 9.2.1). Inbound water waste complaints are addressed promptly, and Notices of Violation (NOVs) are issued to ensure resolution, with administrative citations issued as needed. Since 2015, over 1,500 NOVs have been issued.
◼ Enhanced MWD Water Conservation Rebates: As a member agency of the MWD, the City participates in MWD’s rebate programs for high-efficiency toilets, urinals, washing machines, restaurant appliances, irrigation devices, and other water-saving devices. Since 2015, the WCU has supplemented MWD’s base rebate amounts with additional City funding to further incentivize the installation of water-conserving fixtures and equipment through the service area.
◼ Free Water-Saving Devices: The WCU has distributed thousands of free watersavingdevices to City water customers since 2015, including low-flow faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, automatic shut-off hose nozzles, toilet leakdetection dye tabs, shower buckets, flow-rate bags, and reusable canvas bags. The WCU also provides free tent cards and door hangers for hotels and motels to encourage water conservation by guests. These items are available by contacting the WCU ([email protected] or 310-458-8972) and are also distributed at community outreach events.
◼ Customer Support: WCU staff provides phone and email support every business day on water conservation questions and programs. Approximately 300 inquiries from City water customers are received and responded to each year.
9.3.2 Future Conservation Activities
The following additional conservation activities are planned for implementation during the 2026-2030 timeframe, subject to budget and staffing approvals. ◼ Water Conservation Programs Master Plan: The 2024 Water Conservation Master Plan provides a comprehensive water conservation framework and benefitcost analysis of existing and proposed programs. The selected Strategic Program (Program B), which includes 13 conservation measures projected to achieve savings of approximately 301 million gallons per year by 2045, will be implemented depending on available budget and staffing resources.
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◼ Updated Conservation Marketing Campaign: In coordination with the City’s Communication group, new water conservation materials will be developed with messaging aligned with the SWRCB’s “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life” regulatory framework. Drought-related messaging will be incorporated as conditions warrant.
◼ Non-Functional Turf Program: Consistent with the requirements of SB 606 and AB 1668, the City will adopt a regulation, ordinance, or policy to prohibit potable water irrigation of non-functional turf at non-residential properties. In parallel, the Cash for Grass rebate has been increased to further incentivize removal of non-functional turf ahead of any mandatory compliance deadlines.
◼ Targeted Commercial Sector Programs: Restaurants, hotels, and medical facilities are the highest water users in the commercial sector. The City will develop targeted outreach and support programs for these industries, including one-on-one water audits, evaluations, process evaluations, operational recommendations, and fixture and equipment rebate incentives. An outside contractor may engaged to develop and implement these programs.
◼ Performance-Based Incentives: The City will promote MWD’s Water Savings Incentive Program (WSIP) to fund unique and innovative conservation programs.
Potential projects include pump pod systems for fire department training activities and cooling tower retrofits incorporating advanced water-saving technology. ◼ Irrigation System Audit and Repair Program: A significant proportion of outdoor water waste results from incorrectly programmed irrigation timers and undetected leaks or broken sprinkler heads. The City will implement a contractor-assisted program to conduct comprehensive outdoor irrigation audits, adjust irrigation schedules, and perform simple repairs to eliminate water waste and reduce outdoor consumption.
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Appendices
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Appendix A
Urban Water Management Plan
Checklist
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Packet Pg. 897 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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APPENDIX A: URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN CHECKLIST PAGE 1 OF 6 Retail
(x = required)
Wholesale
(x = required) Order 2025 Guidebook Location Water Code Section Summary as Applies to UWMP Subject Relevant
Submittal Table
2025 UWMP
Location
x x 1 Chapter 1 10615 A plan shall describe and evaluate sources of supply, reasonable and practical efficient uses, reclamation and demand management activities.
Introduction and
overview n/a
Section 1.2,
Section 4, Section
6, Section 9
x x 1 Chapter 1 10630.5
Each plan shall include a simple description of the Supplier’s plan including water availability, future requirements, a strategy for meeting needs, and other pertinent information. Additionally, a Supplier may also choose to include a simple description at the beginning of each chapter.
Plan preparation n/a Section 6
x x 2.1 Section 2.1 10620(b) Every person that becomes a Supplier shall adopt UWMP within one year after it has become a Supplier. Plan preparation n/a Section 2.3
x n/a 2.5 Section 2.5 10644 Supplier shall report the Public Water Systems number, volume of delivered water, and number of connections that are included in this UWMP. Plan preparation 2-1 Section 2 x x 2.5 Section 2.5 10644 Supplier shall report if this UWMP is an individual UWMP and whether the Supplier belongs to a regional UWMP or regional alliance. Plan preparation 2-2 Section 2.1 x x 2.5 Section 2.5 10644 Supplier shall report whether the data is in fiscal or calendar years and the units of measure used for reporting water volumes. Plan preparation 2-3 Section 2.2 x x 2.4 Section 2.4 10642
Provide supporting documentation that the Supplier has encouraged active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic elements of the population within the service area prior to and during the preparation of the plan and contingency plan.
Plan preparation n/a
Section 2.3,
Appendix H
x x 2.4 Section 2.4.2 10620(d)(3)
Coordinate the preparation of its plan with other appropriate agencies in the area, including other Suppliers that share a common source, water management agencies, and relevant public agencies, to the extent practicable.
Plan preparation n/a Section 2.1
x n/a 2.4 Section 2.4.1 10631(h) Retail Suppliers will include documentation that they have provided their Wholesale Supplier(s)—if any—with water use projections from that source. Plan preparation 2-4 R Section 2.1 n/a x 2.4 Section 2.4.1 10631(h)
Wholesale Suppliers will provide their Suppliers with identification and quantification of the existing and planned sources of water available from the Wholesale Supplier to the Supplier during various water year types.
Plan preparation 2-4 W N/A
x x 3 Chapter 3.0 10631(a) Describe the Supplier service area. System description n/a Section 3.1 x x 3.3 Section 3.3 10631(a) Describe the climate of the Supplier’s service area. System description n/a Section 3.3 x x 3.4 Section 3.4.1 10631(a) Provide the current and projected service area populations for 2030, 2035, 2040, 2045 and optionally 2050. System description 3-1 Section 3.5
x x 3.4 Section 3.4.2 10631(a) Describe other social, economic, and demographic factors affecting the Supplier’s water management planning. System description n/a Section 3.4,3.5
x x 3.5 Section 3.5 10631(a)
Describe the land uses within the service area… include the current and projected land uses within the existing or anticipated service area affecting the Supplier’s water management planning. Describe the land uses within the service area.
System description
and baselines n/a Section 3.5.2
x Optional 4.2 Sections 4.2.3 and
4.2.4 10631(d)(1) Quantify past, current, and projected water use, identifying the uses among water use sectors. System water use 4-1 and 4-2 Section 4.1 x Optional 4.3 Section 4.3.1 10631(d)(3)(A) Report the distribution system water loss for each of the five years preceding the plan update. System water use 4-5 Section 4.1.4 x n/a 4.3 Section 4.3.2 10631(d)(3)(C) Retail Suppliers shall provide data to show the distribution loss standards were met. System water use 4-6 Section 4.1.4 x n/a 4.2 Section 4.2.5.4 10631.1(a) Include projected water use needed for lower income housing projected in the service area of the Supplier.
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System water use 4-3 Section 4.3
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Packet Pg. 898 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
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APPENDIX A: URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN CHECKLIST PAGE 2 OF 6 Retail
(x = required)
Wholesale
(x = required) Order 2025 Guidebook Location Water Code Section Summary as Applies to UWMP Subject Relevant
Submittal Table
2025 UWMP
Location
x n/a 4.2 Section 4.2.5.3 10631(d)(4)(A) In projected water use, include estimates of water savings from adopted codes, plans, and other policies or laws. System water use 4-3 Section 4.3
x n/a 4.2 Section 4.2.5.3 10631(d)(4)(B) Provide citations of codes, standards, ordinances, or plans used to make water use projections. System water use 4-3 Section 4.3,
Appendix G
Table 4-3
x n/a 4.2 Section 4.2.5.3 10631(d)(4)(B)(ii)
To the extent that a Supplier reports the information described in subparagraph (A), an urban water Supplier shall… Indicate the extent that the water use projections consider savings from codes, standards, ordinances, or transportation and land use plans. Water use projections that do not account for these water savings shall be noted of that fact.
System water use 4-3
Section 4.3,
Appendix G
Table 4-3
x x 4.2 Section 4.2.5.6 10635(b) Demands under climate change considerations must be included as part of the drought risk assessment. System water use n/a Section 4.3 n/a x 5.1 Section 5.1 10608.36 Wholesale Suppliers shall include an assessment of present and proposed future measures, programs, and policies to help their Retail Suppliers achieve targeted water use reductions.
Baselines and
targets
n/a N/A
x n/a 5.2 Section 5.2 10608.4
Retail Suppliers shall report on their compliance in meeting their water use targets. Reporting requirements will vary depending on whether the Supplier:
- Was considered an urban retail water supplier in 2020, - Met its 2020 target in 2020, or
- Was part of a merger or consolidation since 2020.
Chapter 5 Subsections 5.2.1, 5.2.2, and 5.2.3 address each of these situations.
Baselines and
targets
5-1 Section 5.2
x x 6.1 Section 6.1 10631(b)(2) When multiple sources of water supply are identified, describe the management of each supply in relationship to other identified supplies. System supplies n/a Section 6.1, 6.2 x x 6.1 Sections 6.1 and 6.2 10631(b)(1)
Provide a discussion of anticipated supply availability under a normal, single dry year, and a drought lasting five years, as well as more frequent and severe periods of drought, including changes in supply due to climate change.
System supplies n/a Section 6.1, 6.2
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.2 10631(b)(4)(C)
Indicate whether groundwater is an existing or planned source of water available to the Supplier. If groundwater is identified as an existing or planned source of water… (include) a detailed description and analysis of the location, amount and sufficiency of groundwater pumped by the Supplier for the past five years.
Water supplies and
recycled water 6-1 Section 6.2
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.2 10631(b)(4)(A)
Indicate whether a groundwater sustainability plan or groundwater management plan has been adopted by the Supplier or if there is any other specific authorization for groundwater management.
Include a copy of the plan or authorization.
System supplies n/a Section 6.2.1
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.2 10631(b)(4)(B) Describe the groundwater basin. System supplies n/a Section 6.1 x x 6.2 Section 6.2.2 10631(b)(4)(B) Indicate if the basin has been adjudicated and include a copy of the court order or decree and a description of the amount of water the Supplier has the legal right to pump. System supplies n/a Section 6.2.1 x x 6.2 Section 6.2.2 10631(b)(4)(B) For unadjudicated basins… (include) information as to whether DWR has identified the basin as a highor medium-priority basin in the most current official departmental bulletin… Water supplies and
recycled water n/a Section 6.2.1
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.2 10631(b)(4)(B) For unadjudicated basins… describe efforts by the Supplier to coordinate with sustainability or groundwater agencies to achieve sustainable groundwater conditions.
Water supplies and
recycled water n/a Section 6.2.1
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.2. 10631(b)(4)(C)
If groundwater is identified as an existing or planned source of water… (include) a detailed description and analysis of the location, amount and sufficiency of groundwater pumped by the Supplier for the past five years.
System supplies n/a Section 6.2.1
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.2 10631(b)(4)(D) Provide a detailed description and analysis of the amount and location of groundwater that is projected to be pumped.
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System supplies 6-9 Section 6.4
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(x = required)
Wholesale
(x = required) Order 2025 Guidebook Location Water Code Section Summary as Applies to UWMP Subject Relevant
Submittal Table
2025 UWMP
Location
x x 6.1 Section 6.1 10631(b) Identify and quantify the existing and planned sources of water available for 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040, 2045 and optionally 2050. System supplies 6-8 and 6-9 Section 6.4 x x 6.2 Section 6.2.7 10631(c) Describe the opportunities for exchanges or transfers of water on a short-term or long-term basis. System supplies n/a Section 6.3, 6.4 x n/a 6.2 Section 6.2.5 10633(a) Describe the wastewater collection and treatment systems in the Supplier’s service area with quantified amount of collection and treatment and the disposal methods.
System supplies
(recycled water) 6-2 Section 6.3.1
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.5 10633(b) Describe the quantity of treated wastewater that meets recycled water standards, is being discharged, and is otherwise available for use in a recycled water project.
System supplies
(recycled water) 6-3 Section 6.3.1
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.5 10633(c) Describe the recycled water currently being used in the Supplier's service area. System supplies (recycled water) 6-4 Section 6.3.4
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.5 10633(d) Describe and quantify the potential uses of recycled water and provide a determination of the technical and economic feasibility of those uses.
System supplies
(recycled water) 6-4 Section 6.3.4
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.5 10633(e) Describe the projected use of recycled water within the Supplier's service area at the end of 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, and describe the actual use of recycled water in comparison to uses previously projected.
System supplies
(recycled water) 6-4 and 6-5
Section 6.3.2,
6.3.4 x x 6.2 Section 6.2.5 10633(f) Describe the actions that may be taken to encourage the use of recycled water and the projected results of these actions in terms of acre-feet of recycled water used per year.
System supplies
(recycled water) 6-6 Section 6.3.3
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.5 10633(g) Provide a plan for optimizing the use of recycled water in the Supplier's service area. System supplies (recycled water) n/a Section 6.3
x x 6.2 Section 6.2.6 10631(g) Describe desalinated water project opportunities for long-term supply. System supplies 6-7 Section 6.3.3 x x 6.2 Section 6.2.10 10631(f)
Describe the expected future water supply projects and programs that may be undertaken by the water Supplier to address water supply reliability in average, single-dry, and for a period of drought lasting five consecutive water years.
System supplies 6-7 Section 6.3.3
x x 6.3 Section 6.3 and
Appendix O 10631.2(a) The UWMP must include energy information, as stated in the code, that a Supplier can readily obtain. System suppliers, energy intensity O-1A, O-1B, O-1C,
and O-2
Section 6.5,
Appendix G
x 7.1 Section 7.1 10634 Provide information on the quality of existing sources of water available to the Supplier and the manner in which water quality affects water management strategies and supply reliability.
Water supply
reliability
assessment
n/a Section 7.2
x x 7.2 Section 7.2 10635(a)
Service Reliability Assessment: Assess the water supply reliability during normal, dry, and a drought lasting five consecutive water years by comparing the total water supply sources available to the Supplier with the total projected water use over the next 20 years.
Water supply
reliability
assessment
7-2, 7-3, and 7-4 Section 7.2
x x 7.2 Section 7.2.3 10620(f) Describe water management tools and options to maximize resources and minimize the need to import water from other regions.
Water supply
reliability
assessment
n/a Section 7.3
x x 7.3 Section 7.3 10635(b) Provide a drought risk assessment as part of information considered in developing the demand management measures and water supply projects.
Water supply
reliability
assessment
n/a Section 7.3
x x 7.3 Section 7.3 10635(b)(1)
Include a description of the data, methodology, and basis for one or more supply shortage conditions that are necessary to conduct a drought risk assessment for a drought period that lasts five consecutive years.
Water supply
reliability
assessment
n/a Section 7.3
x x 7.3 Section 7.3 10635(b)(2) Include a determination of the reliability of each source of supply under a variety of water shortage conditions.
Water supply
reliability
assessment
DRAFT
n/a Section 7.3
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2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
APPENDIX A: URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN CHECKLIST PAGE 4 OF 6 Retail
(x = required)
Wholesale
(x = required) Order 2025 Guidebook Location Water Code Section Summary as Applies to UWMP Subject Relevant
Submittal Table
2025 UWMP
Location
x x 7.3 Section 7.3 10635(b)(3) Include a comparison of the total water supply sources available to the Supplier with the total projected water use for the drought period.
Water supply
reliability
assessment
7-5 Section 7.3.2
x x 7.3 Section 7.3 10635(b)(4)
Include considerations of the historical drought hydrology, plausible changes on projected supplies and demands under climate change conditions, anticipated regulatory changes, and other locally applicable criteria.
Water supply
reliability
assessment
n/a Section 7.2, 7.3
x x 8 Chapter 8 10632(a) Provide a water shortage contingency plan (WSCP) with specified elements below.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a Appendix C
x x 8 Chapter 8 10632(a)(1) Provide an analysis of water supply reliability (from Guidebook Chapter 7) in the WSCP.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 2
x x 8.2 Section 8.2 10632(a)(2)(A) Provide the written decision-making process and other methods that the Supplier will use each year to determine its water reliability.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 3
x x 8.2 Section 8.2 10632(a)(2)(B) Provide data and methodology to evaluate the Supplier’s water reliability for the current year and one dry year pursuant to factors in the code.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 2
x x 8.3 Section 8.3 10632(a)(3)(A)
Define six standard water shortage levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% shortage, and greater than 50% shortage. These levels shall be based on supply conditions, including percent reductions in supply, changes in groundwater levels, changes in surface elevation, or other conditions. The shortage levels shall also apply to a catastrophic interruption of supply.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 4
x x 8.3 Section 8.3 10632(a)(3)(B) Suppliers with an existing WSCP that uses different water shortage levels must cross reference their categories with the six standard categories.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
8-1 Section 8
x x 8.4 Section 8.4 10632(a)(4)(A) Suppliers with WSCPs that align with the defined shortage levels must specify locally appropriate supply augmentation actions.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
8-2 Section 8
x x 8.4 Section 8.4 10632(a)(4)(B) Specify locally appropriate demand reduction actions to adequately respond to shortages.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
8-3
Section 8,
Appendix C:
Section 4
x x 8.4 Section 8.4 10632(a)(4)(C) Specify locally appropriate operational changes.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
8-2
Section 8,
Appendix C:
Section 4
x x 8.4 Section 8.4 10632(a)(4)(D) Specify additional mandatory prohibitions against specific water use practices that are in addition to State-mandated prohibitions are appropriate to local conditions.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
Table 8-3
Section 8,
Appendix C:
Section 7
x x 8.4 Section 8.4 10632(a)(4)(E) Estimate the extent to which the gap between supplies and demand will be reduced by implementation of the action.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
8-2 and 8-3 Section 8
x x 8.4 Section 8.4.6 10632.5 The UWMP shall include a seismic risk assessment and mitigation plan. Water shortage contingency plan n/a
Appendix C:
DRAFT
Section 11
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2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
APPENDIX A: URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN CHECKLIST PAGE 5 OF 6 Retail
(x = required)
Wholesale
(x = required) Order 2025 Guidebook Location Water Code Section Summary as Applies to UWMP Subject Relevant
Submittal Table
2025 UWMP
Location
x x 8.5 Section 8.5 10632(a)(5)(A) Suppliers must describe that they will inform customers, the public and others regarding any current or predicted water shortages.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 6
x x 8.5 Section 8.5 10632(a)(5)(B),
10632(a)(5)(C)
Suppliers must describe that they will inform customers, the public and others regarding any shortage response actions triggered or anticipated to be triggered and other relevant communications.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 6
x n/a 8.6 Section 8.6 10632(a)(6) Retail Supplier must describe how it will ensure compliance with and enforce provisions of the WSCP.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 7
x x 8.7 Section 8.7 10632(a)(7)(A) Describe the legal authority that empowers the Supplier to enforce shortage response actions.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 7
x x 8.7 Section 8.7 10632(a)(7)(B) Provide a statement that the Supplier will declare a water shortage emergency per Water Code Chapter 3. Water Shortage Emergencies.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 8
x x 8.7 Section 8.7 10632(a)(7)(C) Provide a statement that the Supplier will coordinate with any city or county within which it provides water for the possible proclamation of a local emergency.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 11
x x 8.8 Section 8.8 10632(a)(8)(A) Describe the potential revenue reductions and expense increases associated with activated shortage response actions.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 9
x x 8.8 Section 8.8 10632(a)(8)(B) Provide a description of mitigation actions needed to address revenue reductions and expense increases associated with activated shortage response actions.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 9
x n/a 8.8 Section 8.8 10632(a)(8)(C) Retail Suppliers must describe the cost of compliance with Water Code Chapter 3.3, Excessive Residential Water Use During Drought.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Appendix B
x n/a 8.9 Section 8.9 10632(a)(9) Retail Suppliers must describe the monitoring and reporting requirements and procedures that ensure appropriate data are collected, tracked, and analyzed for purposes of monitoring customer compliance.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 10
x x 8.10 Section 8.10 10632(a)(10) Describe reevaluation and improvement procedures for monitoring and evaluation the WSCP to ensure risk tolerance is adequate and appropriate water shortage mitigation strategies are implemented.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 10
x n/a 8.11 Section 8.11 10632(b) Analyze and define water features that are artificially supplied with water, including ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and fountains, separately from swimming pools and spas.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a
Appendix C:
Section 13
x x 8.12 Section 8.12 10632(c) Make available the WSCP to customers and any city or county where it provides water within 30 days after adoption of the plan.
Water shortage
contingency
planning
n/a Section 8
x n/a 9.1 Sections 9.1 10631(e)(1)
Retail Suppliers shall provide a description of the nature and extent of each demand management measure implemented over the past five years. The description will address specific measures listed in code.
Demand
management
measures
DRAFT
n/a Section 9.1
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2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
APPENDIX A: URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN CHECKLIST PAGE 6 OF 6 Retail
(x = required)
Wholesale
(x = required) Order 2025 Guidebook Location Water Code Section Summary as Applies to UWMP Subject Relevant
Submittal Table
2025 UWMP
Location
n/a x 9.2 Sections 9.2 10631(e)(2) Wholesale Suppliers shall describe specific demand management measures listed in code, their distribution system asset management program, and Supplier assistance program.
Demand
management
measures
n/a N/A
x n/a 10 Chapter 10 10608.26(a) Retail Suppliers shall conduct a public hearing to discuss adoption, implementation, and economic impact of water use targets (recommended to discuss compliance).
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a Section 2.3
x x 10.2 Section 10.2.1 10621(b)
Notify, at least 60 days prior to the public hearing, any city or county within which the Supplier provides water that the Supplier will be reviewing the UWMP and considering amendments or changes to the plan.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
10-1 Section 2.3
x x 10.4 Section 10.4 10621(f) Each urban water Supplier shall update and submit its 2025 plan to DWR by July 1, 202 6.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a Section 2.3
x x 10.2 Sections 10.2.2, 10.3,
and 10.5 10642
Provide supporting documentation that the Supplier made the UWMP and WSCP available for public inspection, published notice of the public hearing, and held a public hearing about the UWMP and WSCP.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a
Appendix D,
Section 2.3
x x 10.2 Section 10.2.2 10642 The Supplier is to provide the time and place of the hearing to any city or county within which the Supplier provides water.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
10-1 Section 2.3
x x 10.3 Section 10.3.2 10642 Provide supporting documentation that the UWMP and WSCP has been adopted as prepared or modified.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a Appendix D
x x 10.4 Section 10.4 10644(a) Provide supporting documentation that the Supplier has submitted their UWMP to the California State Library.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a Section 2.3
x x 10.4 Section 10.4 10644(a)(1) Provide supporting documentation that the Supplier has submitted their UWMP to any city or county within which the Supplier provides water no later than 30 days after adoption.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a Section 2.3
x x 10.4 Sections 10.4.1 and
10.4.2 10644(a)(2) The UWMP, or amendments to the UWMP, submitted to DWR shall be submitted electronically.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a Section 2
x x 10.7 Section 10.7.2 10644(b) If revised, submit a copy of the WSCP to DWR within 30 days of adoption.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a Section 2
x x 10.5 Section 10.5 10645(a) Provide supporting documentation that, not later than 30 days after filing a copy of its UWMP with DWR, the Supplier has or will make the plan available for public review during normal business hours.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a Section 2
x x 10.5 Section 10.5 10645(b) Provide supporting documentation that, not later than 30 days after filing a copy of its WSCP with DWR, the Supplier has or will make the plan available for public review during normal business hours.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
n/a Section 2
x x 10.6 Section 10.6 10621(c) If Supplier is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, include its plan and contingency plan as part of its general rate case filings.
Plan adoption,
submittal, and
implementation
DRAFT
n/a Section 2
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2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
Appendix B
California Water Code – Urban
Water Management Planning
DRAFT
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Appendix A
California Water Code—Urban Water
Management Planning
This material is for informational purposes only and is not to be used in place of official California Water Code.
This appendix presents updated sections of California Water Code (Water Code) as of the publication of this Guidebook and as compiled by California Department of Water Resources (DWR) staff. The selection here focuses on the portions of Water Code directly relevant to preparation of an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), and sections of Water Code that are contextually relevant to urban water suppliers and DWR.
Water Code published here also concerns the Urban Water Management Planning Act, the Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB X7-7), which covers sustainable water use and demand reduction, and more. Further legislative information is available on the California Legislative Information website.
Contents
Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB X7‐7) ................................................. A-3 Chapter 1. General Declarations and Policy, Sections 10608– 10608.8 .................................................................................. A-3 Chapter 2. Definitions, Section 10608.12 ............................................. A-5 Chapter 2.5. Nonfunctional Turf .......................................................... A-9 Chapter 3. Urban Retail Water Suppliers, Sections 10608.16– 10608.44............................................................................... A-11 Chapter 5. Sustainable Water Management, Section 10608.50 .............. A-21 Chapter 6. Standardized Data Collection, Section 10608.52 .................. A-22 Chapter 7. Funding Provisions, Sections 10608.56–10608.60.................. A-23 Chapter 9. Urban Water Use Objectives and Water Use Reporting, Sections 10609–10609.38 ........................................................ A-24 Urban Water Management Planning Act.................................................... A-39 Chapter 1. General Declaration and Policy, Sections 10610– 10610.4................................................................................. A-39 Chapter 2. Definitions, Sections 10611–10618 ..................................... A-40 Chapter 3. Urban Water Management Plans........................................ A-42 Article 1. General Provisions, Sections 10620–10621 ................... A-42 Article 2. Contents of Plans, Sections 10630–10634 ..................... A-44 DRAFT
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Article 2.5. Water Service Reliability, Section 10635 .................... A-54 Article 3. Adoption and Implementation of Plans,
Sections 10640–10645 ................................................. A-55 Chapter 4. Miscellaneous Provisions, Sections 10650–10657................. A-58 DRAFT
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Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB X7‐7)
This section contains information extracted from Water Code Division 6, Conservation, Development, and Utilization of State Water Resources, Part 2.55, Sustainable Water Use And Demand Reduction. Click on any section header below to read Water Code directly at the California Legislative Information website.
Chapter 1. General Declarations and Policy,
Sections 10608–10608.8
Section 10608.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Water is a public resource that the California Constitution protects against waste and unreasonable use.
(b) Growing population, climate change, and the need to protect and grow California’s economy while protecting and restoring our fish and wildlife habitats make it essential that the state manage its water resources as efficiently as possible.
(c) Diverse regional water supply portfolios will increase water supply reliability and reduce dependence on the Delta.
(d) Reduced water use through conservation provides significant energy and environmental benefits, and can help protect water quality, improve streamflows, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
(e) The success of state and local water conservation programs to increase efficiency of water use is best determined on the basis of measurable outcomes related to water use or efficiency.
(f) Improvements in technology and management practices offer the potential for increasing water efficiency in California over time, providing an essential water management tool to meet the need for water for urban, agricultural, and environmental uses.
(g) The Governor has called for a 20 percent per capita reduction in urban water use statewide by 2020.
(h) The factors used to formulate water use efficiency targets can vary significantly from location to location based on factors including weather, patterns of urban and suburban development, and past efforts to enhance water use efficiency.
(i) Per capita water use is a valid measure of a water provider’s efforts to reduce urban water use within its service area. However, per capita water use is less DRAFT
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useful for measuring relative water use efficiency between different water providers. Differences in weather, historical patterns of urban and suburban development, and density of housing in a particular location need to be considered when assessing per capita water use as a measure of efficiency.
Section 10608.4.
It is the intent of the Legislature, by the enactment of this part, to do all of the following:
(a) Require all water suppliers to increase the efficiency of use of this essential resource.
(b) Establish a framework to meet the state targets for urban water conservation identified in this part and called for by the Governor. (c) Measure increased efficiency of urban water use on a per capita basis. (d) Establish a method or methods for urban retail water suppliers to determine targets for achieving increased water use efficiency by the year 2020, in accordance with the Governor’s goal of a 20- percent reduction. (e) Establish consistent water use efficiency planning and implementation standards for urban water suppliers and agricultural water suppliers. (f) Promote urban water conservation standards that are consistent with the California Urban Water Conservation Council’s adopted best management practices and the requirements for demand management in Section 10631. (g) Establish standards that recognize and provide credit to water suppliers that made substantial capital investments in urban water conservation since the drought of the early 1990s.
(h) Recognize and account for the investment of urban retail water suppliers in providing recycled water for beneficial uses.
(i) Require implementation of specified efficient water management practices for agricultural water suppliers.
(k) Support the economic productivity of California’s agricultural, commercial, and industrial sectors.
(l) Advance regional water resources management.
Section 10608.8.
(a)
(1) Water use efficiency measures adopted and implemented pursuant to this part or Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 10800) are water conservation measures subject to the protections provided under Section 1011.
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(2) Because an urban agency is not required to meet its urban water use target until 2020 pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 10608.24, an urban retail water supplier’s failure to meet those targets shall not establish a violation of law for purposes of any state administrative or judicial proceeding prior to January 1, 2021. Nothing in this paragraph limits the use of data reported to the department or the board in litigation or an administrative proceeding. This paragraph shall become inoperative on January 1, 2021.
(3) To the extent feasible, the department and the board shall provide for the use of water conservation reports required under this part to meet the requirements of Section 1011 for water conservation reporting. (b) This part does not limit or otherwise affect the application of Chapter 3.5 commencing with Section 11340), Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11370), Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400), and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(c) This part does not require a reduction in the total water used in the agricultural or urban sectors, because other factors, including, but not limited to, changes in agricultural economics or population growth may have greater effects on water use. This part does not limit the economic productivity of California’s agricultural, commercial, or industrial sectors.
(d) The requirements of this part do not apply to an agricultural water supplier that is a party to the Quantification Settlement Agreement, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1 of Chapter 617 of the Statutes of 2002, during the period within which the Quantification Settlement Agreement remains in effect.
After the expiration of the Quantification Settlement Agreement, to the extent conservation water projects implemented as part of the Quantification Settlement Agreement remain in effect, the conserved water created as part of those projects shall be credited against the obligations of the agricultural water supplier pursuant to this part.
Chapter 2. Definitions, Section 10608.12
Section 10608.12.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this part:
(a) “Affordable housing” has the same meaning as defined in Section 34191.30 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) “Agricultural water supplier” means a water supplier, either publicly or privately owned, providing water to 10,000 or more irrigated acres, excluding recycled water. “Agricultural water supplier” includes a supplier or contractor DRAFT
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for water, regardless of the basis of right, that distributes or sells water for ultimate resale to customers. “Agricultural water supplier” does not include the department.
(c) “Base daily per capita water use” means any of the following:
(1) The urban retail water supplier’s estimate of its average gross water use, reported in gallons per capita per day and calculated over a continuous 10-year period ending no earlier than December 31, 2004, and no later than December 31, 2010.
(2) For an urban retail water supplier that meets at least 10 percent of its 2008 measured retail water demand through recycled water that is delivered within the service area of an urban retail water supplier or its urban wholesale water supplier, the urban retail water supplier may extend the
(3) calculation described in paragraph (1) up to an additional five years to a maximum of a continuous 15-year period ending no earlier than December 31, 2004, and no later than December 31, 2010. (4) For the purposes of Section 10608.22, the urban retail water supplier’s estimate of its average gross water use, reported in gallons per capita per day and calculated over a continuous five-year period ending no earlier than December 31, 2007, and no later than December 31, 2010. (d) Baseline commercial, industrial, and institutional water use” means an urban retail water supplier’s base daily per capita water use for commercial, industrial, and institutional users.
(e) “CII water use” means water used by commercial water users, industrial water users, institutional water users, and large landscape water users. (f) “Commercial water user” means a water user that provides or distributes a product or service.
(g) “Common area” means that portion of a common interest development or of a property owned or managed by a homeowners’ association or a community service organization or similar entity that is not assigned or allocated to the exclusive use of the occupants of an individual dwelling unit within the property.
(h) “Common interest development” has the same meaning as in Section 4100 of the Civil Code.
(i) “Community service organization or similar entity” has the same meaning as in Section 4110 of the Civil Code.
(j) “Community space” means an area designated by a property owner or a governmental agency to accommodate human foot traffic for civic, ceremonial, or other community events or social gatherings
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(k) Compliance daily per capita water use” means the gross water use during the final year of the reporting period, reported in gallons per capita per day. (l) “Disadvantaged community” means a community with an annual median household income that is less than 80 percent of the statewide annual median household income.
(m) “Functional turf” means a ground cover surface of turf located in a recreational use area or community space. Turf enclosed by fencing or other barriers to permanently preclude human access for recreation or assembly is not functional turf.
(n) “Gross water use” means the total volume of water, whether treated or untreated, entering the distribution system of an urban retail water supplier, excluding all of the following:
(1) Recycled water that is delivered within the service area of an urban retail water supplier or its urban wholesale water supplier.
(2) The net volume of water that the urban retail water supplier places into long-term storage.
(3) The volume of water the urban retail water supplier conveys for use by another urban water supplier.
(4) The volume of water delivered for agricultural use, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (f) of Section 10608.24.
(o) “Homeowners’ association” means an “association” as defined in Section 4080 of the Civil Code.
(p) “Industrial water user” means a water user that is primarily a manufacturer or processor of materials as defined by the North American Industry Classification System code sectors 31 to 33, inclusive, or an entity that is a water user primarily engaged in research and development.
(q) “Institutional water user” means a water user dedicated to public service. This type of user includes, among other users, higher education institutions, schools, courts, churches, hospitals, government facilities, and nonprofit research institutions.
(r) “Interim urban water use target” means the midpoint between the urban retail water supplier’s base daily per capita water use and the urban retail water supplier’s urban water use target for 2020.
(s) “Large landscape” means a nonresidential landscape as described in the performance measures for CII water use adopted pursuant to Section 10609.10.
(t) “Locally cost effective” means that the present value of the local benefits of implementing an agricultural efficiency water management practice is greater DRAFT
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than or equal to the present value of the local cost of implementing that measure.
(u) “Nonfunctional turf” means any turf that is not functional turf, and includes turf located within street rights-of-way and parking lots. (v) “Performance measures” means actions to be taken by urban retail water suppliers that will result in increased water use efficiency by CII water users.
Performance measures may include, but are not limited to, educating CII water users on best management practices, conducting water use audits, and preparing water management plans. Performance measures do not include process water.
(w) “Potable reuse” means direct potable reuse, indirect potable reuse for groundwater recharge, and reservoir water augmentation as those terms are defined in Section 13561.
(x) “Potable water” means water that is suitable for human consumption. (y) “Process water” means water used by industrial water users for producing a product or product content or water used for research and development.
Process water includes, but is not limited to, continuous manufacturing processes, and water used for testing, cleaning, and maintaining equipment.
Water used to cool machinery or buildings used in the manufacturing process or necessary to maintain product quality or chemical characteristics for product manufacturing or control rooms, data centers, laboratories, clean rooms, and other industrial facility units that are integral to the manufacturing or research and development process is process water. Water used in the manufacturing process that is necessary for complying with local, state, and federal health and safety laws, and is not incidental water, is process water. Process water does not mean incidental water uses.
(z) “Public water system” has the same meaning as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code.
(aa) “Recreational use area” means an area designated by a property owner or a governmental agency to accommodate human foot traffic for recreation, including, but not limited to, sports fields, golf courses, playgrounds, picnic grounds, or pet exercise areas. This recreation may be either formal or informal.
(ab) “Recycled water” means recycled water, as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 13050.
(ac) “Regional water resources management” means sources of supply resulting from watershed-based planning for sustainable local water reliability or any of the following alternative sources of water:
(1) The capture and reuse of stormwater or rainwater.
(2) The use of recycled water.
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(3) The desalination of brackish groundwater.
(4) The conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater in a manner that is consistent with the safe yield of the groundwater basin. (ad) “Reporting period” means the years for which an urban retail water supplier reports compliance with the urban water use targets.
(ae) “Turf” has the same meaning as defined in Section 491 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations
(af) “Urban retail water supplier” means a water supplier, either publicly or privately owned, that directly provides potable municipal water to more than 3,000 end users or that supplies more than 3,000 acre-feet of potable water annually at retail for municipal purposes.
(ag) “Urban water supplier” has the same meaning as defined in Section 10617. (ah) “Urban water use objective” means an estimate of aggregate efficient water use for the previous year based on adopted water use efficiency standards and local service area characteristics for that year, as described in Section 10609.20.
(ai) “Urban water use target” means the urban retail water supplier’s targeted future daily per capita water use.
(aj) “Urban wholesale water supplier” means a water supplier, either publicly or privately owned, that provides more than 3,000 acre- feet of water annually at wholesale for potable municipal purposes.
Chapter 2.5. Nonfunctional Turf
Section 10608.14.
(a) The use of potable water for the irrigation of nonfunctional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, other than a cemetery, and on properties of homeowners’ associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities is prohibited as of the following dates:
(1) All properties owned by the Department of General Services, beginning January 1, 2027.
(2) All properties owned by local governments, local or regional public agencies, and public water systems, except those specified in paragraph (5), beginning January 1, 2027.
(3) All other institutional properties and all commercial and industrial properties, beginning January 1, 2028.
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(4) All common areas of properties of homeowners’ associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities, beginning January 1, 2029.
(5) All properties owned by local governments, local public agencies, and public water systems in a disadvantaged community, beginning January 1, 2031, or the date upon which a state funding source is made available to fund conversion of nonfunctional turf on these properties to climateappropriate landscapes, whichever is later. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the use of potable water is not prohibited by this section to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial nonturf plantings, or to the extent necessary to address an immediate health and safety need.
(c) The board may, upon a showing of good cause for reasons including economic hardship, critical business need, and potential impacts to human health or safety, postpone a compliance deadline in subdivision (a) by up to three years for certain persons, institutions, and businesses, and may create a form to be used for compliance certification to the board by property owners. (d) Public water systems shall, by no later than January 1, 2027, revise their regulations, ordinances, or policies governing water service to include the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b), as revised by the board pursuant to subdivision (c), and shall communicate the requirements to their customers on or before that date.
(e)
(1) An owner of commercial, industrial, or institutional property with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated area other than a cemetery shall certify to the board, commencing June 30, 2030, and every three years thereafter through 2039, that their property is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
(2) An owner of a property with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated common area that is a homeowners’ association, common interest development, or community service organization or similar entity shall certify to the board, commencing June 30, 2031, and every three years thereafter through 2040, that their property is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
(f) Noncompliance by a person or entity with this chapter or regulations adopted thereunder shall be subject to civil liability and penalties set forth in Section 1846, or to civil liability and penalties imposed by an urban retail water supplier pursuant to a locally adopted ordinance or policy.
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(g)
(1) A public water system, city, county, or city and county may enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(2) To avoid duplication of enforcement, any entity identified in paragraph (1) that is not a retail public water system shall notify the retail public water system 30 days prior to enforcement of the provisions of this chapter against a property served by such system.
(3) Nothing in paragraph (2) shall preclude enforcement by any entity identified in paragraph (1) once adequate notice is given. (h) The department shall, when using funds appropriated for water conservation for turf replacement, prioritize financial assistance for nonfunctional turf replacement to public water systems serving disadvantaged communities and to owners of affordable housing.
(i) The department shall utilize the saveourwater.com internet website and outreach campaign to provide information and resources on converting nonfunctional turf to native vegetation.
(j) The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development shall support small and minority-owned businesses that provide services that advance compliance with this chapter.
Chapter 3. Urban Retail Water Suppliers,
Sections 10608.16–10608.44
Section 10608.16.
(a) The state shall achieve a 20-percent reduction in urban per capita water use in California on or before December 31, 2020.
(1) The state shall make incremental progress towards the state target specified in subdivision (a) by reducing urban per capita water use by at least 10 percent on or before December 31, 2015.
Section 10608.20.
(a)
(1) Each urban retail water supplier shall develop urban water use targets and an interim urban water use target by July 1, 2011. Urban retail water suppliers may elect to determine and report progress toward achieving these targets on an individual or regional basis, as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 10608.28, and may determine the targets on a fiscal year or calendar year basis.
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(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the urban water use targets described in paragraph (1) cumulatively result in a 20-percent reduction from the baseline daily per capita water use by December 31, 2020. (b) An urban retail water supplier shall adopt one of the following methods for determining its urban water use target pursuant to subdivision (a):
(1) Eighty percent of the urban retail water supplier’s baseline per capita daily water use.
(2) The per capita daily water use that is estimated using the sum of the following performance standards:
(A) For indoor residential water use, 55 gallons per capita daily water use as a provisional standard. Upon completion of the department’s 2017 report to the Legislature pursuant to Section 10608.42, this standard may be adjusted by the Legislature by statute. (B) For landscape irrigated through dedicated or residential meters or connections, water efficiency equivalent to the standards of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance set forth in Chapter 2.7 (commencing with Section 490) of Division 2 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations, as in effect the later of the year of the landscape’s installation or 1992. An urban retail water supplier using the approach specified in this subparagraph shall use satellite imagery, site visits, or other best available technology to develop an accurate estimate of landscaped areas.
(C) For commercial, industrial, and institutional uses, a 10- percent reduction in water use from the baseline commercial, industrial, and institutional water use by 2020.
(3) Ninety-five percent of the applicable state hydrologic region target, as set forth in the state’s draft 20x2020 Water Conservation Plan (dated April 30, 2009). If the service area of an urban water supplier includes more than one hydrologic region, the supplier shall apportion its service area to each region based on population or area.
(4) A method that shall be identified and developed by the department, through a public process, and reported to the Legislature no later than December 31, 2010. The method developed by the department shall identify per capita targets that cumulatively result in a statewide 20- percent reduction in urban daily per capita water use by December 31, 2020. In developing urban daily per capita water use targets, the department shall do all of the following:
(A) Consider climatic differences within the state.
(B) Consider population density differences within the state. (C) Provide flexibility to communities and regions in meeting the targets.
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(D) Consider different levels of per capita water use according to plant water needs in different regions.
(E) Consider different levels of commercial, industrial, and institutional water use in different regions of the state.
(F) Avoid placing an undue hardship on communities that have implemented conservation measures or taken actions to keep per capita water use low.
(c) If the department adopts a regulation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) that results in a requirement that an urban retail water supplier achieve a reduction in daily per capita water use that is greater than 20 percent by December 31, 2020, an urban retail water supplier that adopted the method described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) may limit its urban water use target to a reduction of not more than 20 percent by December 31, 2020, by adopting the method described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b). (d) The department shall update the method described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) and report to the Legislature by December 31, 2014. An urban retail water supplier that adopted the method described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) may adopt a new urban daily per capita water use target pursuant to this updated method.
(e) An urban retail water supplier shall include in its urban water management plan due in 2010 pursuant to Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610) the baseline daily per capita water use, urban water use target, interim urban water use target, and compliance daily per capita water use, along with the bases for determining those estimates, including references to supporting data.
(f) When calculating per capita values for the purposes of this chapter, an urban retail water supplier shall determine population using federal, state, and local population reports and projections.
(g) An urban retail water supplier may update its 2020 urban water use target in its 2015 urban water management plan required pursuant to Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610).
(h)
(1) The department, through a public process and in consultation with the California Urban Water Conservation Council, shall develop technical methodologies and criteria for the consistent implementation of this part, including, but not limited to, both of the following:
(A) Methodologies for calculating base daily per capita water use, baseline commercial, industrial, and institutional water use, compliance daily per capita water use, gross water use, service area DRAFT
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population, indoor residential water use, and landscaped area water use.
(B) Criteria for adjustments pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 10608.24.
(2) The department shall post the methodologies and criteria developed pursuant to this subdivision on its internet website, and make written copies available, by October 1, 2010. An urban retail water supplier shall use the methods developed by the department in compliance with this part.
(h)
(1) The department shall adopt regulations for implementation of the provisions relating to process water in accordance with Section 10608.12, subdivision (e) of Section 10608.24, and subdivision (d) of Section 10608.26.
(2) The initial adoption of a regulation authorized by this subdivision is deemed to address an emergency, for purposes of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and the department is hereby exempted for that purpose from the requirements of subdivision (b) of Section 11346.1 of the Government Code. After the initial adoption of an emergency regulation pursuant to this subdivision, the department shall not request approval from the Office of Administrative Law to readopt the regulation as an emergency regulation pursuant to Section 11346.1 of the Government Code.
(j)
(1) An urban retail water supplier is granted an extension to July 1, 2011, for adoption of an urban water management plan pursuant to Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610) due in 2010 to allow the use of technical methodologies developed by the department pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) and subdivision (h). An urban retail water supplier that adopts an urban water management plan due in 2010 that does not use the methodologies developed by the department pursuant to subdivision (h) shall amend the plan by July 1, 2011, to comply with this part.
(2) An urban wholesale water supplier whose urban water management plan prepared pursuant to Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610) was due and not submitted in 2010 is granted an extension to July 1, 2011, to permit coordination between an urban wholesale water supplier and urban retail water suppliers.
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Section 10608.22.
Notwithstanding the method adopted by an urban retail water supplier pursuant to Section 10608.20, an urban retail water supplier’s per capita daily water use reduction shall be no less than 5 percent of base daily per capita water use as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 10608.12. This section does not apply to an urban retail water supplier with a base daily per capita water use at or below 100 gallons per capita per day.
Section 10608.24.
(a) Each urban retail water supplier shall meet its interim urban water use target by December 31, 2015.
(b) Each urban retail water supplier shall meet its urban water use target by December 31, 2020.
(c) An urban retail water supplier’s compliance daily per capita water use shall be the measure of progress toward achievement of its urban water use target. (d)
(1) When determining compliance daily per capita water use, an urban retail water supplier may consider the following factors:
(A) Differences in evapotranspiration and rainfall in the baseline period compared to the compliance reporting period.
(B) Substantial changes to commercial or industrial water use resulting from increased business output and economic development that have occurred during the reporting period.
(C) Substantial changes to institutional water use resulting from fire suppression services or other extraordinary events, or from new or expanded operations, that have occurred during the reporting period. (2) If the urban retail water supplier elects to adjust its estimate of compliance daily per capita water use due to one or more of the factors described in paragraph (1), it shall provide the basis for, and data supporting, the adjustment in the report required by Section 10608.40.
(e) When developing the urban water use target pursuant to Section 10608.20, an urban retail water supplier that has a substantial percentage of industrial water use in its service area may exclude process water from the calculation of gross water use to avoid a disproportionate burden on another customer sector. (f)
(1) An urban retail water supplier that includes agricultural water use in an urban water management plan pursuant to Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610) may include the agricultural water use in determining DRAFT
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gross water use. An urban retail water supplier that includes agricultural water use in determining gross water use and develops its urban water use target pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 10608.20 shall use a water efficient standard for agricultural irrigation of 100 percent of reference evapotranspiration multiplied by the crop coefficient for irrigated acres.
(2) An urban retail water supplier, that is also an agricultural water supplier, is not subject to the requirements of Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 10608.48), if the agricultural water use is incorporated into its urban water use target pursuant to paragraph (1).
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.
(b) In complying with this part, an urban retail water supplier may meet its urban water use target through efficiency improvements in any combination among its customer sectors. An urban retail water supplier shall avoid placing a disproportionate burden on any customer sector.
(c) For an urban retail water supplier that supplies water to a United States Department of Defense military installation, the urban retail water supplier’s implementation plan for complying with this part shall consider the conservation of that military installation under federal Executive Order 13514. (d)
(1) Any ordinance or resolution adopted by an urban retail water supplier after the effective date of this section shall not require existing customers as of the effective date of this section, to undertake changes in product formulation, operations, or equipment that would reduce process water use, but may provide technical assistance and financial incentives to those customers to implement efficiency measures for process water. This section shall not limit an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to a declaration of drought emergency by an urban retail water supplier. (2) This part shall not be construed or enforced so as to interfere with the requirements of Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 113980) to Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 114380), inclusive, of Part 7 of DRAFT
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Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, or any requirement or standard for the protection of public health, public safety, or worker safety established by federal, state, or local government or recommended by recognized standard setting organizations or trade associations.
Section 10608.28.
(a) An urban retail water supplier may meet its urban water use target within its retail service area, or through mutual agreement, by any of the following:
(1) Through an urban wholesale water supplier.
(2) Through a regional agency authorized to plan and implement water conservation, including, but not limited to, an agency established under the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency Act (Division 31 (commencing with Section 81300)).
(3) Through a regional water management group as defined in Section 10537. (4) By an integrated regional water management funding area. (5) By hydrologic region.
(6) Through other appropriate geographic scales for which computation methods have been developed by the department.
(b) A regional water management group, with the written consent of its member agencies, may undertake any or all planning, reporting, and implementation functions under this chapter for the member agencies that consent to those activities. Any data or reports shall provide information both for the regional water management group and separately for each consenting urban retail water supplier and urban wholesale water supplier.
Section 10608.32.
All costs incurred pursuant to this part by a water utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission may be recoverable in rates subject to review and approval by the Public Utilities Commission, and may be recorded in a memorandum account and reviewed for reasonableness by the Public Utilities Commission.
Section 10608.34.
(a)
(1) On or before January 1, 2017, the department shall adopt rules for all of the following:
(A) The conduct of standardized water loss audits by urban retail water suppliers in accordance with the method adopted by the American Water Works Association in the third edition of Water Audits and Loss DRAFT
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Control Programs, Manual M36 and in the Free Water Audit Software, version 5.0.
(B) The process for validating a water loss audit report prior to submitting the report to the department. For the purposes of this section, “validating” is a process whereby an urban retail water supplier uses a technical expert to confirm the basis of all data entries in the urban retail water supplier’s water loss audit report and to appropriately characterize the quality of the reported data. The validation process shall follow the principles and terminology laid out by the American Water Works Association in the third edition of Water Audits and Loss Control Programs, Manual M36 and in the Free Water Audit Software, version 5.0. A validated water loss audit report shall include the name and technical qualifications of the person engaged for validation.
(C) The technical qualifications required of a person to engage in validation, as described in subparagraph (B).
(D) The certification requirements for a person selected by an urban retail water supplier to provide validation of its own water loss audit report.
(E) The method of submitting a water loss audit report to the department.
(2) The department shall update rules adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) no later than six months after the release of subsequent editions of the American Water Works Association’s Water Audits and Loss Control Programs, Manual M36. Except as provided by the department, until the department adopts updated rules pursuant to this paragraph, an urban retail water supplier may rely upon a subsequent edition of the American Water Works Association’s Water Audits and Loss Control Programs, Manual M36 or the Free Water Audit Software.
(b)
(1) On or before October 1 of each year until October 1, 2023, each urban retail water supplier reporting on a calendar year basis shall submit a completed and validated water loss audit report for the previous calendar year or the previous fiscal year as prescribed by the department pursuant to subdivision (a).
(2) On or before January 1 of each year until January 1, 2024, each urban retail water supplier reporting on a fiscal year basis shall submit a completed and validated water loss audit report for the previous fiscal year as prescribed by the department pursuant to subdivision (a). (3) On or before January 1, 2024, and on or before January 1 of each year thereafter, each urban retail water supplier shall submit a completed and DRAFT
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validated water loss audit report for the previous calendar year or previous fiscal year as part of the report submitted to the department pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10609.24 and as prescribed by the department pursuant to subdivision (a).
(4) Water loss audit reports submitted on or before October 1, 2017, may be completed and validated with assistance as described in subdivision (c). (c) Using funds available for the 2016–17 fiscal year, the board shall contribute up to four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) towards procuring water loss audit report validation assistance for urban retail water suppliers. (d) Each water loss audit report submitted to the department shall be accompanied by information, in a form specified by the department, identifying steps taken in the preceding year to increase the validity of data entered into the final audit, reduce the volume of apparent losses, and reduce the volume of real losses.
(e) At least one of the following employees of an urban retail water supplier shall attest to each water loss audit report submitted to the department:
(1) The chief financial officer.
(2) The chief engineer.
(3) The general manager.
(f) The department shall deem incomplete and return to the urban retail water supplier any final water loss audit report found by the department to be incomplete, not validated, unattested, or incongruent with known characteristics of water system operations. A water supplier shall resubmit a completed water loss audit report within 90 days of an audit being returned by the department.
(g) The department shall post all validated water loss audit reports on its internet website in a manner that allows for comparisons across water suppliers. The department shall make the validated water loss audit reports available for public viewing in a timely manner after their receipt.
(h) Using available funds, the department shall provide technical assistance to guide urban retail water suppliers’ water loss detection programs, including, but not limited to, metering techniques, pressure management techniques, condition-based assessment techniques for transmission and distribution pipelines, and utilization of portable and permanent water loss detection devices.
(i) No earlier than January 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2020, the board shall adopt rules requiring urban retail water suppliers to meet performance standards for the volume of water losses. In adopting these rules, the board shall employ full life-cycle cost accounting to evaluate the costs of meeting the performance standards. The board may consider establishing a minimum DRAFT
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allowable water loss threshold that, if reached and maintained by an urban water supplier, would exempt the urban water supplier from further water loss reduction requirements.
Section 10608.35.
(a) The department, in coordination with the board, shall conduct necessary studies and investigations and make a recommendation to the Legislature, by January 1, 2020, on the feasibility of developing and enacting water loss reporting requirements for urban wholesale water suppliers. (b) The studies and investigations shall include an evaluation of the suitability of applying the processes and requirements of Section 10608.34 to urban wholesale water suppliers.
(c) In conducting necessary studies and investigations and developing its recommendation, the department shall solicit broad public participation from stakeholders and other interested persons.
Section 10608.36.
Urban wholesale water suppliers shall include in the urban water management plans required pursuant to Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610) an assessment of their present and proposed future measures, programs, and policies to help achieve the water use reductions required by this part.
Section 10608.40.
Urban water retail suppliers shall report to the department on their progress in meeting their urban water use targets as part of their urban water management plans submitted pursuant to Section 10631. The data shall be reported using a standardized form developed pursuant to Section 10608.52.
Section 10608.42.
(a) The department shall review the 2015 urban water management plans and report to the Legislature by July 1, 2017, on progress towards achieving a 20- percent reduction in urban water use by December 31, 2020. The report shall include recommendations on changes to water efficiency standards or urban water use targets to achieve the 20- percent reduction and to reflect updated efficiency information and technology changes.
(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
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Section 10608.43.
The department, in conjunction with the California Urban Water Conservation Council, by April 1, 2010, shall convene a representative task force consisting of academic experts, urban retail water suppliers, environmental organizations, commercial water users, industrial water users, and institutional water users to develop alternative best management practices for commercial, industrial, and institutional users and an assessment of the potential statewide water use efficiency improvement in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors that would result from implementation of these best management practices. The taskforce, in conjunction with the department, shall submit a report to the Legislature by April 1, 2012, that shall include a review of multiple sectors within commercial, industrial, and institutional users and that shall recommend water use efficiency standards for commercial, industrial, and institutional users among various sectors of water use.
The report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Appropriate metrics for evaluating commercial, industrial, and institutional water use.
(b) Evaluation of water demands for manufacturing processes, goods, and cooling. (c) Evaluation of public infrastructure necessary for delivery of recycled water to the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors.
(d) Evaluation of institutional and economic barriers to increased recycled water use within the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. (e) Identification of technical feasibility and cost of the best management practices to achieve more efficient water use statewide in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors that is consistent with the public interest and reflects past investments in water use efficiency.
Section 10608.44.
Each state agency shall reduce water use at facilities it operates to support urban retail water suppliers in meeting the target identified in Section 10608.16.
Chapter 5. Sustainable Water Management,
Section 10608.50
Section 10608.50.
(a) The department, in consultation with the board, shall promote implementation of regional water resources management practices through increased incentives and removal of barriers consistent with state and federal law.
Potential changes may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
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(1) Revisions to the requirements for urban and agricultural water management plans.
(2) Revisions to the requirements for integrated regional water management plans.
(3) Revisions to the eligibility for state water management grants and loans. (4) Revisions to state or local permitting requirements that increase water supply opportunities, but do not weaken water quality protection under state and federal law.
(5) Increased funding for research, feasibility studies, and project construction.
(6) Expanding technical and educational support for local land use and water management agencies.
(b) No later than January 1, 2011, and updated as part of the California Water Plan, the department, in consultation with the board, and with public input, shall propose new statewide targets, or review and update existing statewide targets, for regional water resources management practices, including, but not limited to, recycled water, brackish groundwater desalination, and infiltration and direct use of urban stormwater runoff.
Chapter 6. Standardized Data Collection,
Section 10608.52
Section 10608.52.
(a) The department, in consultation with the board, the California Bay-Delta Authority or its successor agency, the State Department of Public Health, and the Public Utilities Commission, shall develop a single standardized water use reporting form to meet the water use information needs of each agency, including the needs of urban water suppliers that elect to determine and report progress toward achieving targets on a regional basis as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 10608.28.
(b) At a minimum, the form shall be developed to accommodate information sufficient to assess an urban water supplier’s compliance with conservation targets pursuant to Section 10608.24 and an agricultural water supplier’s compliance with implementation of efficient water management practices pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10608.48. The form shall accommodate reporting by urban water suppliers on an individual or regional basis as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 10608.28.
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Chapter 7. Funding Provisions, Sections 10608.56–
10608.60
Section 10608.56.
(a) On and after July 1, 2016, an urban retail water supplier is not eligible for a water grant or loan awarded or administered by the state unless the supplier complies with this part.
(b) On and after July 1, 2013, an agricultural water supplier is not eligible for a water grant or loan awarded or administered by the state unless the supplier complies with this part.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the department shall determine that an urban retail water supplier is eligible for a water grant or loan even though the supplier has not met the per capita reductions required pursuant to Section 10608.24, if the urban retail water supplier has submitted to the department for approval a schedule, financing plan, and budget, to be included in the grant or loan agreement, for achieving the per capita reductions. The supplier may request grant or loan funds to achieve the per capita reductions to the extent the request is consistent with the eligibility requirements applicable to the water funds.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the department shall determine that an agricultural water supplier is eligible for a water grant or loan even though the supplier is not implementing all of the efficient water management practices described in Section 10608.48, if the agricultural water supplier has submitted to the department for approval a schedule, financing plan, and budget, to be included in the grant or loan agreement, for implementation of the efficient water management practices. The supplier may request grant or loan funds to implement the efficient water management practices to the extent the request is consistent with the eligibility requirements applicable to the water funds. (e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the department shall determine that an urban retail water supplier is eligible for a water grant or loan even though the supplier has not met the per capita reductions required pursuant to Section 10608.24, if the urban retail water supplier has submitted to the department for approval documentation demonstrating that its entire service area qualifies as a disadvantaged community.
(f) The department shall not deny eligibility to an urban retail water supplier or agricultural water supplier in compliance with the requirements of this part and Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 10800), that is participating in a multiagency water project, or an integrated regional water management plan, developed pursuant to Section 75026 of the Public Resources Code, solely on the basis that one or more of the agencies participating in the project or plan DRAFT
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is not implementing all of the requirements of this part or Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 10800).
Section 10608.60.
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that funds made available by Section 75026 of the Public Resources Code should be expended, consistent with Division 43 (commencing with Section 75001) of the Public Resources Code and upon appropriation by the Legislature, for grants to implement this part. In the allocation of funding, it is the intent of the Legislature that the department give consideration to disadvantaged communities to assist in implementing the requirements of this part.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that funds made available by Section 75041 of the Public Resources Code, should be expended, consistent with Division 43 (commencing with Section 75001) of the Public Resources Code and upon appropriation by the Legislature, for direct expenditures to implement this part.
Chapter 9. Urban Water Use Objectives and Water Use
Reporting, Sections 10609–10609.38
Section 10609.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that this chapter establishes a method to estimate the aggregate amount of water that would have been delivered the previous year by an urban retail water supplier if all that water had been used efficiently. This estimated aggregate water use is the urban retail water supplier’s urban water use objective. The method is based on water use efficiency standards and local service area characteristics for that year. By comparing the amount of water actually used in the previous year with the urban water use objective, local urban water suppliers will be in a better position to help eliminate unnecessary use of water; that is, water used in excess of that needed to accomplish the intended beneficial use. (b) The Legislature further finds and declares all of the following:
(1) This chapter establishes standards and practices for the following water uses:
(A) Indoor residential use.
(B) Outdoor residential use.
(C) CII water use.
(D) Water losses.
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(E) Other unique local uses and situations that can have a material effect on an urban water supplier’s total water use.
(2) This chapter further does all of the following:
(A) Establishes a method to calculate each urban water use objective. (B) Considers recycled water quality in establishing efficient irrigation standards.
(C) Requires the department to provide or otherwise identify data regarding the unique local conditions to support the calculation of an urban water use objective.
(D) Provides for the use of alternative sources of data if alternative sources are shown to be as accurate as, or more accurate than, the data provided by the department.
(E) Requires annual reporting of the previous year’s water use with the urban water use objective.
(F) Provides a bonus incentive for the amount of potable recycled water used the previous year when comparing the previous year’s water use with the urban water use objective, of up to 10 percent of the urban water use objective.
(3) This chapter requires the department and the board to solicit broad public participation from stakeholders and other interested persons in the development of the standards and the adoption of regulations pursuant to this chapter.
(4) This chapter preserves the Legislature’s authority over long- term water use efficiency target setting and ensures appropriate legislative oversight of the implementation of this chapter by doing all of the following:
(A) Requiring the Legislative Analyst to conduct a review of the implementation of this chapter, including compliance with the adopted standards and regulations, accuracy of the data, use of alternate data, and other issues the Legislative Analyst deems appropriate.
(B) Stating legislative intent that the director of the department and the chairperson of the board appear before the appropriate Senate and Assembly policy committees to report on progress in implementing this chapter.
(C) Providing one-time-only authority to the department and board to adopt water use efficiency standards, except as explicitly provided in this chapter. Authorization to update the standards shall require separate legislation.
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(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the following principles apply to the development and implementation of long-term standards and urban water use objectives:
(1) Local urban retail water suppliers should have primary responsibility for meeting standards-based water use targets, and they shall retain the flexibility to develop their water supply portfolios, design and implement water conservation strategies, educate their customers, and enforce their rules.
(2) Long-term standards and urban water use objectives should advance the state’s goals to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
(3) Long-term standards and urban water use objectives should acknowledge the shade, air quality, and heat-island reduction benefits provided to communities by trees through the support of water-efficient irrigation practices that keep trees healthy.
(4) The state should identify opportunities for streamlined reporting, eliminate redundant data submissions, and incentivize open access to data collected by urban and agricultural water suppliers.
Section 10609.2.
(a) The board, in coordination with the department, shall adopt long-term standards for the efficient use of water pursuant to this chapter on or before June 30, 2022.
(b) Standards shall be adopted for all of the following:
(1) Outdoor residential water use.
(2) Outdoor irrigation of landscape areas with dedicated irrigation meters in connection with CII water use.
(3) A volume for water loss.
(c) When adopting the standards under this section, the board shall consider the policies of this chapter and the proposed efficiency standards’ effects on local wastewater management, developed and natural parklands, and urban tree health. The standards and potential effects shall be identified by May 30, 2022.
The board shall allow for public comment on potential effects identified by the board under this subdivision.
(d) The long-term standards shall be set at a level designed so that the water use objectives, together with other demands excluded from the long-term standards such as CII indoor water use and CII outdoor water use not connected to a dedicated landscape meter, would exceed the statewide conservation targets required pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10608.16).
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(e) The board, in coordination with the department, shall adopt by regulation variances recommended by the department pursuant to Section 10609.14 and guidelines and methodologies pertaining to the calculation of an urban retail water supplier’s urban water use objective recommended by the department pursuant to Section 10609.16.
Section 10609.4.
(a)
(1) Until January 1, 2025, the standard for indoor residential water use shall be 55 gallons per capita daily.
(2) Beginning January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2030, the standard for indoor residential water use shall be 47 gallons per capita daily. (3) Beginning January 1, 2030, the standard for indoor residential water use shall be 42 gallons per capita daily.
(b)
(1) The department, in coordination with the board, shall conduct necessary studies and investigations to assess and quantify the economic benefits and impacts of the 2030 indoor residential use standard on water, wastewater, and recycled water systems and shall include saturation enduse studies. The studies and investigations shall build on the standards and potential effects identified pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 10609.2 and shall also consider, and as appropriate incorporate, other regional and statewide studies that quantify the impacts on water, wastewater, and recycled water systems, and evaluate the long-term effects of telework. To facilitate these studies and investigations, the board may request necessary and relevant information from wastewater agencies, including monthly influent flow, actions taken to reassess treatment processes, and the impact of the implementation of this chapter on wastewater operations, maintenance, and capital investment.
The department, in coordination with the board, shall summarize the findings of these studies and investigations in a report to the Legislature on or before October 1, 2028. The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(2) If the department, in coordination with the board, determines that the 2030 indoor residential use standard is likely to unduly impact affordability of water and wastewater services, the department and the board may jointly recommend to the Legislature an alternate date on which the 2030 indoor residential use standard shall take effect. This determination shall be made using at least two years of data reflecting application of the 2025 indoor residential use standard.
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(3) Based upon the studies and investigations conducted pursuant to paragraph (1), the department shall consider whether to recommend, for adoption by the board, additional variances to accommodate unique challenges related to residential indoor water use pursuant to Section 10609.2. Variance options may include, but are not limited to, stranded assets, impacts on disadvantaged communities, impacts to environmental flows, or adverse impacts to wastewater or recycled water operations.
(4) The studies, investigations, and report described in paragraph (1) shall include timely and inclusive collaboration with, and input from, a broad group of stakeholders, including, but not limited to, environmental groups, experts in indoor plumbing, water, wastewater, and recycled water agencies.
(c) An urban retail water supplier shall not be subject to enforcement pursuant to this chapter solely for failing to meet the indoor residential use standard.
Section 10609.6.
(a)
(1) The department, in coordination with the board, shall conduct necessary studies and investigations and recommend, no later than October 1, 2021, standards for outdoor residential use for adoption by the board in accordance with this chapter.
(2)
(A) The standards shall incorporate the principles of the model water efficient landscape ordinance adopted by the department pursuant to the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (Article 10.8 (commencing with Section 65591) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code).
(B) The standards shall apply to irrigable lands.
(C) The standards shall include provisions for swimming pools, spas, and other water features. Ornamental water features that are artificially supplied with water, including ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and fountains, shall be analyzed separately from swimming pools and spas. (b) The department shall, by January 1, 2021, provide each urban retail water supplier with data regarding the area of residential irrigable lands in a manner that can reasonably be applied to the standards adopted pursuant to this section.
(c) The department shall not recommend standards pursuant to this section until it has conducted pilot projects or studies, or some combination of the two, to ensure that the data provided to local agencies are reasonably accurate for the DRAFT
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data’s intended uses, taking into consideration California’s diverse landscapes and community characteristics.
Section 10609.8.
(a) The department, in coordination with the board, shall conduct necessary studies and investigations and recommend, no later than October 1, 2021, standards for outdoor irrigation of landscape areas with dedicated irrigation meters or other means of calculating outdoor irrigation use in connection with CII water use for adoption by the board in accordance with this chapter. (b) The standards shall incorporate the principles of the model water efficient landscape ordinance adopted by the department pursuant to the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (Article 10.8 (commencing with Section 65591) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code). (c) The standards shall include an exclusion for water for commercial agricultural use meeting the definition of subdivision (b) of Section 51201 of the Government Code.
Section 10609.9.
For purposes of Sections 10609.6 and 10609.8, “principles of the model water efficient landscape ordinance” means those provisions of the model water efficient landscape ordinance applicable to the establishment or determination of the amount of water necessary to efficiently irrigate both new and existing landscapes.
These provisions include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Evapotranspiration adjustment factors, as applicable. (b) Landscape area.
(c) Maximum applied water allowance.
(d) Reference evapotranspiration.
(e) Special landscape areas, including provisions governing evapotranspiration adjustment factors for different types of water used for irrigating the landscape.
Section 10609.10.
(a) The department, in coordination with the board, shall conduct necessary studies and investigations and recommend, no later than October 1, 2021, performance measures for CII water use for adoption by the board in accordance with this chapter.
(b) Prior to recommending performance measures for CII water use, the department shall solicit broad public participation from stakeholders and other interested persons relating to all of the following:
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(1) Recommendations for a CII water use classification system for California that address significant uses of water.
(2) Recommendations for setting minimum size thresholds for converting mixed CII meters to dedicated irrigation meters, and evaluation of, and recommendations for, technologies that could be used in lieu of requiring dedicated irrigation meters.
(3) Recommendations for CII water use best management practices, which may include, but are not limited to, water audits and water management plans for those CII customers that exceed a recommended size, volume of water use, or other threshold.
(c) Recommendations of appropriate performance measures for CII water use shall be consistent with the October 21, 2013, report to the Legislature by the Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Task Force entitled “Water Use Best Management Practices,” including the technical and financial feasibility recommendations provided in that report, and shall support the economic productivity of California’s commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. (b)
(1) The board, in coordination with the department, shall adopt performance measures for CII water use on or before June 30, 2022.
(2) Each urban retail water supplier shall implement the performance measures adopted by the board pursuant to paragraph (1).
Section 10609.12.
The standards for water loss for urban retail water suppliers shall be the standards adopted by the board pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 10608.34.
Section 10609.14.
(a) The department, in coordination with the board, shall conduct necessary studies and investigations and, no later than October 1, 2021, recommend for adoption by the board in accordance with this chapter appropriate variances for unique uses that can have a material effect on an urban retail water supplier’s urban water use objective.
(b) Appropriate variances may include, but are not limited to, allowances for the following:
(1) Significant use of evaporative coolers.
(2) Significant populations of horses and other livestock. (3) Significant fluctuations in seasonal populations.
(4) Significant landscaped areas irrigated with recycled water having high levels of total dissolved solids.
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(5) Significant use of water for soil compaction and dust control. (6) Significant use of water to supplement ponds and lakes to sustain wildlife. (7) Significant use of water to irrigate vegetation for fire protection. (8) Significant use of water for commercial or noncommercial agricultural use. (d) The department, in recommending variances for adoption by the board, shall also recommend a threshold of significance for each recommended variance. (e) Before including any specific variance in calculating an urban retail water supplier’s water use objective, the urban retail water supplier shall request and receive approval by the board for the inclusion of that variance. (f) The board shall post on its Internet Web site all of the following:
(1) A list of all urban retail water suppliers with approved variances. (2) The specific variance or variances approved for each urban retail water supplier.
(3) The data supporting approval of each variance.
Section 10609.15.
To help streamline water data reporting, the department and the board shall do all of the following:
(a) Identify urban water reporting requirements shared by both agencies, and post on each agency’s Internet Web site how the data is used for planning, regulatory, or other purposes.
(b) Analyze opportunities for more efficient publication of urban water reporting requirements within each agency, and analyze how each agency can integrate various data sets in a publicly accessible location, identify priority actions, and implement priority actions identified in the analysis.
(c) Make appropriate data pertaining to the urban water reporting requirements that are collected by either agency available to the public according to the principles and requirements of the Open and Transparent Water Data Act (Part 4.9 (commencing with Section 12400)).
Section 10609.16.
The department, in coordination with the board, shall conduct necessary studies and investigations and recommend, no later than October 1, 2021, guidelines and methodologies for the board to adopt that identify how an urban retail water supplier calculates its urban water use objective. The guidelines and methodologies shall address, as necessary, all of the following:
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(a) Determining the irrigable lands within the urban retail water supplier’s service area.
(b) Updating and revising methodologies described pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of Section 10608.20, as appropriate, including methodologies for calculating the population in an urban retail water supplier’s service area.
(c) Using landscape area data provided by the department or alternative data. (d) Incorporating precipitation data and climate data into estimates of a urban retail water supplier’s outdoor irrigation budget for its urban water use objective.
(e) Estimating changes in outdoor landscape area and population, and calculating the urban water use objective, for years when updated landscape imagery is not available from the department.
(f) Determining acceptable levels of accuracy for the supporting data, the urban water use objective, and compliance with the urban water use objective.
Section 10609.18.
The department and the board shall solicit broad public participation from stakeholders and other interested persons in the development of the standards and the adoption of regulations pursuant to this chapter. The board shall hold at least one public meeting before taking any action on any standard or variance recommended by the department.
Section 10609.20.
(a) Each urban retail water supplier shall calculate its urban water use objective no later than January 1, 2024, and by January 1 every year thereafter. (b) The calculation shall be based on the urban retail water supplier’s water use conditions for the previous calendar or fiscal year.
(c) Each urban water supplier’s urban water use objective shall be composed of the sum of the following:
(1) Aggregate estimated efficient indoor residential water use. (2) Aggregate estimated efficient outdoor residential water use. (3) Aggregate estimated efficient outdoor irrigation of landscape areas with dedicated irrigation meters or equivalent technology in connection with CII water use.
(4) Aggregate estimated efficient water losses.
(5) Aggregate estimated water use in accordance with variances, as appropriate.
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(d)
(1) An urban retail water supplier that delivers water from a groundwater basin, reservoir, or other source that is augmented by potable reuse water may adjust its urban water use objective by a bonus incentive calculated pursuant to this subdivision.
(2) The water use objective bonus incentive shall be the volume of its potable reuse delivered to residential water users and to landscape areas with dedicated irrigation meters in connection with CII water use, on an acrefoot basis. (3) The bonus incentive pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be limited in accordance with one of the following:
(A) The bonus incentive shall not exceed 15 percent of the urban water supplier’s water use objective for any potable reuse water produced at an existing facility.
(B) The bonus incentive shall not exceed 10 percent of the urban water supplier’s water use objective for any potable reuse water produced at any facility that is not an existing facility.
(4) For purposes of this subdivision, “existing facility” means a facility that meets all of the following:
(A) The facility has a certified environmental impact report, mitigated negative declaration, or negative declaration on or before January 1, 2019.
(B) The facility begins producing and delivering potable reuse water on or before January 1, 2022.
(C) The facility uses microfiltration and reverse osmosis technologies to produce the potable reuse water.
(e)
(1) The calculation of the urban water use objective shall be made using landscape area and other data provided by the department and pursuant to the standards, guidelines, and methodologies adopted by the board.
The department shall provide data to the urban water supplier at a level of detail sufficient to allow the urban water supplier to verify its accuracy at the parcel level.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an urban retail water supplier may use alternative data in calculating the urban water use objective if the supplier demonstrates to the department that the alternative data are equivalent, or superior, in quality and accuracy to the data provided by the department. The department may provide technical assistance to an DRAFT
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urban retail water supplier in evaluating whether the alternative data are appropriate for use in calculating the supplier’s urban water use objective.
Section 10609.21.
(a) For purposes of Section 10609.20, and notwithstanding paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 10609.20, “existing facility” also includes the North City Project, phase one of the Pure Water San Diego Program, for which an environmental impact report was certified on April 10, 2018. (b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
Section 10609.22.
(a) An urban retail water supplier shall calculate its actual urban water use no later than January 1, 2024, and by January 1 every year thereafter. (b) The calculation shall be based on the urban retail water supplier’s water use for the previous calendar or fiscal year.
(c) Each urban water supplier’s urban water use shall be composed of the sum of the following:
(1) Aggregate residential water use.
(2) Aggregate outdoor irrigation of landscape areas with dedicated irrigation meters in connection with CII water use.
(3) Aggregate water losses.
Section 10609.24.
(a) An urban retail water supplier shall submit a report to the department no later than January 1, 2024, and by January 1 every year thereafter. The report shall include all of the following:
(1) The urban water use objective calculated pursuant to Section 10609.20 along with relevant supporting data.
(2) The actual urban water use calculated pursuant to Section 10609.22 along with relevant supporting data.
(3) Documentation of the implementation of the performance measures for CII water use.
(4) A description of the progress made towards meeting the urban water use objective.
(5) The validated water loss audit report conducted pursuant to Section 10608.34.
(b) The department shall post the reports and information on its internet website.
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(c) The board may issue an information order or conservation order to, or impose civil liability on, an entity or individual for failure to submit a report required by this section.
Section 10609.25.
As part of the first report submitted to the department by an urban retail water supplier no later than January 1, 2024, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10609.24, each urban retail water supplier shall provide a narrative that describes the water demand management measures that the supplier plans to implement to achieve its urban water use objective by January 1, 2027.
Section 10609.26.
(a)
(1) On and after January 1, 2024, the board may issue informational orders pertaining to water production, water use, and water conservation to an urban retail water supplier that does not meet its urban water use objective required by this chapter. Informational orders are intended to obtain information on supplier activities, water production, and conservation efforts in order to identify technical assistance needs and assist urban water suppliers in meeting their urban water use objectives. (2) In determining whether to issue an informational order, the board shall consider the degree to which the urban retail water supplier is not meeting its urban water use objective, information provided in the report required by Section 10609.24, and actions the urban retail water supplier has implemented or will implement in order to help meet the urban water use objective.
(3) The board shall share information received pursuant to this subdivision with the department.
(4) An urban water supplier may request technical assistance from the department. The technical assistance may, to the extent available, include guidance documents, tools, and data.
(b) On and after January 1, 2025, the board may issue a written notice to an urban retail water supplier that does not meet its urban water use objective required by this chapter. The written notice may warn the urban retail water supplier that it is not meeting its urban water use objective described in Section 10609.20 and is not making adequate progress in meeting the urban water use objective, and may request that the urban retail water supplier address areas of concern in its next annual report required by Section 10609.24. In deciding whether to issue a written notice, the board may consider whether the urban retail water supplier has received an informational order, the degree to which the urban retail water supplier is not DRAFT
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meeting its urban water use objective, information provided in the report required by Section 10609.24, and actions the urban retail water supplier has implemented or will implement in order to help meet its urban water use objective.
(1) On and after January 1, 2026, the board may issue a conservation order to an urban retail water supplier that does not meet its urban water use objective. A conservation order may consist of, but is not limited to, referral to the department for technical assistance, requirements for education and outreach, requirements for local enforcement, and other efforts to assist urban retail water suppliers in meeting their urban water use objective.
(2) In issuing a conservation order, the board shall identify specific deficiencies in an urban retail water supplier’s progress towards meeting its urban water use objective, and identify specific actions to address the deficiencies.
(3) The board may request that the department provide an urban retail water supplier with technical assistance to support the urban retail water supplier’s actions to remedy the deficiencies.
(c) A conservation order issued in accordance with this chapter may include requiring actions intended to increase water-use efficiency, but shall not curtail or otherwise limit the exercise of a water right, nor shall it require the imposition of civil liability pursuant to Section 377.
Section 10609.27.
Notwithstanding Section 10609.26, the board shall not issue an information order, written notice, or conservation order pursuant to Section 10609.26 if both of the following conditions are met:
(a) The board determines that the urban retail water supplier is not meeting its urban water use objective solely because the volume of water loss exceeds the urban retail water supplier’s standard for water loss.
(b) Pursuant to Section 10608.34, the board is taking enforcement action against the urban retail water supplier for not meeting the performance standards for the volume of water losses.
Section 10609.28.
The board may issue a regulation or informational order requiring a wholesale water supplier, an urban retail water supplier, or a distributor of a public water supply, as that term is used in Section 350, to provide a monthly report relating to water production, water use, or water conservation.
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Section 10609.30.
On or before January 10, 2024, the Legislative Analyst shall provide to the appropriate policy committees of both houses of the Legislature and the public a report evaluating the implementation of the water use efficiency standards and water use reporting pursuant to this chapter. The board and the department shall provide the Legislative Analyst with the available data to complete this report. (a) The report shall describe all of the following:
(1) The rate at which urban retail water users are complying with the standards, and factors that might facilitate or impede their compliance. (2) The accuracy of the data and estimates being used to calculate urban water use objectives.
(3) Indications of the economic impacts, if any, of the implementation of this chapter on urban water suppliers and urban water users, including CII water users.
(4) The frequency of use of the bonus incentive, the volume of water associated with the bonus incentive, value to urban water suppliers of the bonus incentive, and any implications of the use of the bonus incentive on water use efficiency.
(5) The early indications of how implementing this chapter might impact the efficiency of statewide urban water use.
6) Recommendations, if any, for improving statewide urban water use efficiency and the standards and practices described in this chapter. (7) Any other issues the Legislative Analyst deems appropriate.
Section 10609.32.
It is the intent of the Legislature that the chairperson of the board and the director of the department appear before the appropriate policy committees of both houses of the Legislature on or around January 1, 2026, and report on the implementation of the water use efficiency standards and water use reporting pursuant to this chapter. It is the intent of the Legislature that the topics to be covered include all of the following:
(a) The rate at which urban retail water suppliers are complying with the standards, and factors that might facilitate or impede their compliance. (b) What enforcement actions have been taken, if any.
(c) The accuracy of the data and estimates being used to calculate urban water use objectives.
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(d) Indications of the economic impacts, if any, of the implementation of this chapter on urban water suppliers and urban water users, including CII water users.
(e) The frequency of use of the bonus incentive, the volume of water associated with the bonus incentive, value to urban water suppliers of the bonus incentive, and any implications of the use of the bonus incentive on water use efficiency.
(f) An assessment of how implementing this chapter is affecting the efficiency of statewide urban water use.
Section 10609.34.
Notwithstanding Section 15300.2 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, an action of the board taken under this chapter shall be deemed to be a Class 8 action, within the meaning of Section 15308 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, provided that the action does not involve relaxation of existing water conservation or water use standards.
Section 10609.36.
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to determine or alter water rights.
Sections 1010 and 1011 apply to water conserved through implementation of this chapter.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the board to update or revise water use efficiency standards authorized by this chapter except as explicitly provided in this chapter. Authorization to update the standards beyond that explicitly provided in this chapter shall require separate legislation.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect the use of recycled water as seawater barriers for groundwater salinity management.
Section 10609.38.
The board may waive the requirements of this chapter for a period of up to five years for any urban retail water supplier whose water deliveries are significantly affected by changes in water use as a result of damage from a disaster such as an earthquake or fire. In establishing the period of a waiver, the board shall take into consideration the breadth of the damage and the time necessary for the damaged areas to recover from the disaster.
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Urban Water Management Planning Act
This section contains information extracted from Water Code Division 6, Conservation, Development, and Utilization of State Water Resources, Part 2.6, Urban Water Management Planning. Click on any section header below to read Water Code directly at the California Legislative Information website.
Chapter 1. General Declaration and Policy,
Sections 10610–10610.4
Section 10610.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the “Urban Water Management Planning Act.”
Section 10610.2.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) The waters of the state are a limited and renewable resource subject to ever-increasing demands.
(2) The conservation and efficient use of urban water supplies are of statewide concern; however, the planning for that use and the implementation of those plans can best be accomplished at the local level. (3) A long-term, reliable supply of water is essential to protect the productivity of California’s businesses and economic climate, and increasing long-term water conservation among Californians, improving water use efficiency within the state’s communities and agricultural production, and strengthening local and regional drought planning are critical to California’s resilience to drought and climate change. (4) As part of its long-range planning activities, every urban water supplier should make every effort to ensure the appropriate level of reliability in its water service sufficient to meet the needs of its various categories of customers during normal, dry, and multiple dry water years now and into the foreseeable future, and every urban water supplier should collaborate closely with local land-use authorities to ensure water demand forecasts are consistent with current land-use planning.
(5) Public health issues have been raised over a number of contaminants that have been identified in certain local and imported water supplies. (6) Implementing effective water management strategies, including groundwater storage projects and recycled water projects, may require DRAFT
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specific water quality and salinity targets for meeting groundwater basins water quality objectives and promoting beneficial use of recycled water. (7) Water quality regulations are becoming an increasingly important factor in water agencies’ selection of raw water sources, treatment alternatives, and modifications to existing treatment facilities.
(8) Changes in drinking water quality standards may also impact the usefulness of water supplies and may ultimately impact supply reliability. (9) The quality of source supplies can have a significant impact on water management strategies and supply reliability.
(b) This part is intended to provide assistance to water agencies in carrying out their long-term resource planning responsibilities to ensure adequate water supplies to meet existing and future demands for water.
Section 10610.4.
The Legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state as follows:
(a) The management of urban water demands and efficient use of water shall be actively pursued to protect both the people of the state and their water resources.
(b) The management of urban water demands and efficient use of urban water supplies shall be a guiding criterion in public decisions. (c) Urban water suppliers shall be required to develop water management plans to achieve the efficient use of available supplies and strengthen local drought planning.
Chapter 2. Definitions, Sections 10611–10618
Section 10611.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions of this chapter govern the construction of this part.
Section 10611.3.
“Customer” means a purchaser of water from a water supplier who uses the water for municipal purposes, including residential, commercial, governmental, and industrial uses.
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Section 10611.5.
“Demand management” means those water conservation measures, programs, and incentives that prevent the waste of water and promote the reasonable and efficient use and reuse of available supplies.
Section 10612.
“Drought risk assessment” means a method that examines water shortage risks based on the driest five-year historic sequence for the agency’s water supply, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 10635.
Section 10613.
“Efficient use” means those management measures that result in the most effective use of water so as to prevent its waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use.
Section 10614.
“Person” means any individual, firm, association, organization, partnership, business, trust, corporation, company, public agency, or any agency of such an entity.
Section 10615.
“Plan” means an urban water management plan prepared pursuant to this part. A plan shall describe and evaluate sources of supply, reasonable and practical efficient uses, reclamation and demand management activities. The components of the plan may vary according to an individual community or area's characteristics and its capabilities to efficiently use and conserve water. The plan shall address measures for residential, commercial, governmental, and industrial water demand management as set forth in Article 2 (commencing with Section 10630) of Chapter 3. In addition, a strategy and time schedule for implementation shall be included in the plan.
Section 10616.
“Public agency” means any board, commission, county, city and county, city, regional agency, district, or other public entity.
Section 10616.5.
“Recycled water” means the reclamation and reuse of wastewater for beneficial use.
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Section 10617.
“Urban water supplier” means a supplier, either publicly or privately owned, providing water for municipal purposes either directly or indirectly to more than 3,000 customers or supplying more than 3,000 acre-feet of water annually. An urban water supplier includes a supplier or contractor for water, regardless of the basis of right, which distributes or sells for ultimate resale to customers. This part applies only to water supplied from public water systems subject to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 116275) of Part 12 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.
Section 10617.5.
“Water shortage contingency plan” means a document that incorporates the provisions detailed in subdivision (a) of Section 10632 and is subsequently adopted by an urban water supplier pursuant to this article.
Section 10618.
“Water supply and demand assessment” means a method that looks at current year and one or more dry year supplies and demands for determining water shortage risks, as described in Section 10632.1.
Chapter 3. Urban Water Management Plans
Article 1. General Provisions, Sections 10620–10621
Section 10620.
(a) Every urban water supplier shall prepare and adopt an urban water management plan in the manner set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 10640).
(b) Every person that becomes an urban water supplier shall adopt an urban water management plan within one year after it has become an urban water supplier.
(c) An urban water supplier indirectly providing water shall not include planning elements in its water management plan as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 10630) that would be applicable to urban water suppliers or public agencies directly providing water, or to their customers, without the consent of those suppliers or public agencies. (d)
(1) An urban water supplier may satisfy the requirements of this part by participation in areawide, regional, watershed, or basinwide urban water DRAFT
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management planning where those plans will reduce preparation costs and contribute to the achievement of conservation, efficient water use, and improved local drought resilience.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), each urban water supplier shall develop its own water shortage contingency plan, but an urban water supplier may incorporate, collaborate, and otherwise share information with other urban water suppliers or other governing entities participating in an areawide, regional, watershed, or basinwide urban water management plan, an agricultural management plan, or groundwater sustainability plan development.
(3) Each urban water supplier shall coordinate the preparation of its plan with other appropriate agencies in the area, including other water suppliers that share a common source, water management agencies, and relevant public agencies, to the extent practicable.
(e) The urban water supplier may prepare the plan with its own staff, by contract, or in cooperation with other governmental agencies.
(f) An urban water supplier shall describe in the plan water management tools and options used by that entity that will maximize resources and minimize the need to import water from other regions.
Section 10621.
(a) Each urban water supplier shall update its plan at least once every five years on or before July 1, in years ending in six and one, incorporating updated and new information from the five years preceding each update. (b) Every urban water supplier required to prepare a plan pursuant to this part shall, at least 60 days before the public hearing on the plan required by Section 10642, notify any city or county within which the supplier provides water supplies that the urban water supplier will be reviewing the plan and considering amendments or changes to the plan.
The urban water supplier may consult with, and obtain comments from, any city or county that receives notice pursuant to this subdivision. (c) An urban water supplier regulated by the Public Utilities Commission shall include its most recent plan and water shortage contingency plan as part of the supplier’s general rate case filings.
(d) The amendments to, or changes in, the plan shall be adopted and filed in the manner set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 10640). (e) Each urban water supplier shall update and submit its 2015 plan to the department by July 1, 2016.
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(f) Each urban water supplier shall update and submit its 2020 plan to the department by July 1, 2021.
Article 2. Contents of Plans, Sections 10630–10634
Section 10630.
It is the intention of the Legislature, in enacting this part, to permit levels of water management planning commensurate with the numbers of customers served and the volume of water supplied, while accounting for impacts from climate change.
Section 10630.5.
Each plan shall include a simple lay description of how much water the agency has on a reliable basis, how much it needs for the foreseeable future, what the agency’s strategy is for meeting its water needs, the challenges facing the agency, and any other information necessary to provide a general understanding of the agency’s plan.
Section 10631.
A plan shall be adopted in accordance with this chapter that shall do all of the following:
(a) Describe the service area of the supplier, including current and projected population, climate, and other social, economic, and demographic factors affecting the supplier’s water management planning. The projected population estimates shall be based upon data from the state, regional, or local service agency population projections within the service area of the urban water supplier and shall be in five-year increments to 20 years or as far as data is available. The description shall include the current and projected land uses within the existing or anticipated service area affecting the supplier’s water management planning. Urban water suppliers shall coordinate with local or regional land use authorities to determine the most appropriate land use information, including, where appropriate, land use information obtained from local or regional land use authorities, as developed pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 65300) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code.
(b) Identify and quantify, to the extent practicable, the existing and planned sources of water available to the supplier over the same five-year increments described in subdivision (a), providing supporting and related information, including all of the following:
(1) A detailed discussion of anticipated supply availability under a normal water year, single dry year, and droughts lasting at least five years, as well as more frequent and severe periods of drought, as described in the DRAFT
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drought risk assessment. For each source of water supply, consider any information pertinent to the reliability analysis conducted pursuant to Section 10635, including changes in supply due to climate change. (2) When multiple sources of water supply are identified, a description of the management of each supply in correlation with the other identified supplies.
(3) For any planned sources of water supply, a description of the measures that are being undertaken to acquire and develop those water supplies. (4) If groundwater is identified as an existing or planned source of water available to the supplier, all of the following information:
(A) The current version of any groundwater sustainability plan or alternative adopted pursuant to Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720), any groundwater management plan adopted by the urban water supplier, including plans adopted pursuant to Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750), or any other specific
authorization for groundwater management for basins underlying the urban water supplier’s service area.
(B) A description of any groundwater basin or basins from which the urban water supplier pumps groundwater.
(C) For basins that a court or the board has adjudicated the rights to pump groundwater, a copy of the order or decree adopted by the court or the board and a description of the amount of groundwater the urban water supplier has the legal right to pump under the order or decree. For a basin that has not been adjudicated, information as to whether the department has identified the basin as a high- or medium-priority basin in the most current official departmental bulletin that characterizes the condition of the groundwater basin, and a detailed description of the efforts being undertaken by the urban water supplier to coordinate with groundwater sustainability agencies or groundwater management agencies listed in subdivision (c) of Section 10723 to maintain or achieve sustainable groundwater conditions in accordance with a groundwater sustainability plan or alternative adopted pursuant to Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720).
(D) A detailed description and analysis of the location, amount, and sufficiency of groundwater pumped by the urban water supplier for the past five years. The description and analysis shall be based on information that is reasonably available, including, but not limited to, historic use records.
(E) A detailed description and analysis of the amount and location of groundwater that is projected to be pumped by the urban water DRAFT
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supplier. The description and analysis shall be based on information that is reasonably available, including, but not limited to, historic use records.
(c) Describe the opportunities for exchanges or transfers of water on a short-term or long-term basis.
(d)
(1) For an urban retail water supplier, quantify, to the extent records are available, past and current water use, over the same five-year increments described in subdivision (a), and projected water use, based upon information developed pursuant to subdivision (a), identifying the uses among water use sectors, including, but not necessarily limited to, all of the following:
(A) Single-family residential.
(B) Multifamily.
(C) Commercial.
(D) Industrial.
(E) Institutional and governmental.
(F) Landscape.
(G) Sales to other agencies.
(H) Saline water intrusion barriers, groundwater recharge, or conjunctive use, or any combination thereof.
(I) Agricultural.
(J) Distribution system water loss.
(2) The water use projections shall be in the same five-year increments described in subdivision (a).
(3)
(A) The distribution system water loss shall be quantified for each of the five years preceding the plan update, in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to Section 10608.34.
(B) The distribution system water loss quantification shall be reported in accordance with a worksheet approved or developed by the department through a public process. The water loss quantification worksheet shall be based on the water system balance methodology developed by the American Water Works Association.
(C) In the plan due July 1, 2021, and in each update thereafter, data shall be included to show whether the urban retail water supplier met DRAFT
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the distribution loss standards enacted by the board pursuant to Section 10608.34.
(4)
(A) Water use projections, where available, shall display and account for the water savings estimated to result from adopted codes, standards, ordinances, or transportation and land use plans identified by the urban water supplier, as applicable to the service area. (B) To the extent that an urban water supplier reports the information described in subparagraph (A), an urban water supplier shall do both of the following:
(i) Provide citations of the various codes, standards, ordinances, or transportation and land use plans utilized in making the projections.
(ii) Indicate the extent that the water use projections consider savings from codes, standards, ordinances, or transportation and land use plans. Water use projections that do not account for these water savings shall be noted of that fact.
(a) Provide a description of the supplier’s water demand management measures.
This description shall include all of the following:
(1)
(A) For an urban retail water supplier, as defined in Section 10608.12, a narrative description that addresses the nature and extent of each water demand management measure implemented over the past five years. The narrative shall describe the water demand management measures that the supplier plans to implement to achieve its water use targets pursuant to Section 10608.20.
(B) The narrative pursuant to this paragraph shall include descriptions of the following water demand management measures:
(i) Water waste prevention ordinances.
(ii) Metering.
(iii) Conservation pricing.
(iv) Public education and outreach.
(v) Programs to assess and manage distribution system real loss. (vi) Water conservation program coordination and staffing support. (vii) Other demand management measures that have a significant impact on water use as measured in gallons per capita per day, including innovative measures, if implemented.
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(2) For an urban wholesale water supplier, as defined in Section 10608.12, a narrative description of the items in clauses (ii), (iv), (vi), and (vii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), and a narrative description of its distribution system asset management and wholesale supplier assistance programs.
(f) Include a description of all water supply projects and water supply programs that may be undertaken by the urban water supplier to meet the total projected water use, as established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10635. The urban water supplier shall include a detailed description of expected future projects and programs that the urban water supplier may implement to increase the amount of the water supply available to the urban water supplier in normal and single-dry water years and for a period of drought lasting five consecutive water years. The description shall identify specific projects and include a description of the increase in water supply that is expected to be available from each project. The description shall include an estimate with regard to the implementation timeline for each project or program.
(g) Describe the opportunities for development of desalinated water, including, but not limited to, ocean water, brackish water, and groundwater, as a long-term supply.
(h) An urban water supplier that relies upon a wholesale agency for a source of water shall provide the wholesale agency with water use projections from that agency for that source of water in five-year increments to 20 years or as far as data is available. The wholesale agency shall provide information to the urban water supplier for inclusion in the urban water supplier’s plan that identifies and quantifies, to the extent practicable, the existing and planned sources of water as required by subdivision (b), available from the wholesale agency to the urban water supplier over the same five- year increments, and during various water-year types in accordance with subdivision (f). An urban water supplier may rely upon water supply information provided by the wholesale agency in fulfilling the plan informational requirements of subdivisions (b) and (f).
Section 10631.1.
(a) The water use projections required by Section 10631 shall include projected water use for single-family and multifamily residential housing needed for lower income households, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code, as identified in the housing element of any city, county, or city and county in the service area of the supplier.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the identification of projected water use for single-family and multifamily residential housing for lower income households will assist a supplier in complying with the requirement under DRAFT
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Section 65589.7 of the Government Code to grant a priority for the provision of service to housing units affordable to lower income households.
Section 10631.2.
(a) In addition to the requirements of Section 10631, an urban water management plan shall include any of the following information that the urban water supplier can readily obtain:
(1) An estimate of the amount of energy used to extract or divert water supplies.
(2) An estimate of the amount of energy used to convey water supplies to the water treatment plants or distribution systems.
(3) An estimate of the amount of energy used to treat water supplies. (4) An estimate of the amount of energy used to distribute water supplies through its distribution systems.
(5) An estimate of the amount of energy used for treated water supplies in comparison to the amount used for nontreated water supplies. (6) An estimate of the amount of energy used to place water into or withdraw from storage.
(7) Any other energy-related information the urban water supplier deems appropriate.
(b) The department shall include in its guidance for the preparation of urban water management plans a methodology for the voluntary calculation or estimation of the energy intensity of urban water systems. The department may consider studies and calculations conducted by the Public Utilities Commission in developing the methodology.
(c) The Legislature finds and declares that energy use is only one factor in water supply planning and shall not be considered independently of other factors.
Section 10632.
(a) Every urban water supplier shall prepare and adopt a water shortage contingency plan as part of its urban water management plan that consists of each of the following elements:
(1) The analysis of water supply reliability conducted pursuant to Section 10635.
(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.
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(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. (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.
(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.
(C) Locally appropriate operational changes.
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(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.
(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 water 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.
(C) Any other relevant communications.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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).
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(B) A description of mitigation actions needed to address revenue reductions and expense increases associated with activated shortage response actions described in paragraph (4).
(C) A description of the cost of compliance with Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 365) of Division 1.
(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.
(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. (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, waterfalls, and fountains, separately from swimming pools and spas, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 115921 of the Health and Safety Code. (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.
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.
Section 10632.2.
An urban water supplier shall follow, where feasible and appropriate, the prescribed procedures and implement determined shortage response actions in its water shortage contingency plan, as identified in subdivision (a) of Section 10632, or reasonable alternative actions, provided that descriptions of the alternative actions are submitted with the annual water shortage assessment report pursuant to Section 10632.1. Nothing in this section prohibits an urban water supplier from DRAFT
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taking actions not specified in its water shortage contingency plan, if needed, without having to formally amend its urban water management plan or water shortage contingency plan.
Section 10632.3.
It is the intent of the Legislature that, upon proclamation by the Governor of a state of emergency under the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code) based on drought conditions, the board defer to implementation of locally adopted water shortage contingency plans to the extent practicable.
Section 10632.5.
(a) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision 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.
Section 10633.
The plan shall provide, to the extent available, information on recycled water and its potential for use as a water source in the service area of the urban water supplier. The preparation of the plan shall be coordinated with local water, wastewater, groundwater, and planning agencies that operate within the supplier’s service area, and shall include all of the following:
(a) A description of the wastewater collection and treatment systems in the supplier’s service area, including a quantification of the amount of wastewater collected and treated and the methods of wastewater disposal. (b) A description of the quantity of treated wastewater that meets recycled water standards, is being discharged, and is otherwise available for use in a recycled water project.
(c) A description of the recycled water currently being used in the supplier’s service area, including, but not limited to, the type, place, and quantity of use.
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(d) A description and quantification of the potential uses of recycled water, including, but not limited to, agricultural irrigation, landscape irrigation, wildlife habitat enhancement, wetlands, industrial reuse, groundwater recharge, indirect potable reuse, and other appropriate uses, and a determination with regard to the technical and economic feasibility of serving those uses. (e) The projected use of recycled water within the supplier’s service area at the end of 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, and a description of the actual use of recycled water in comparison to uses previously projected pursuant to this subdivision. (f) A description of actions, including financial incentives, which may be taken to encourage the use of recycled water, and the projected results of these actions in terms of acre-feet of recycled water used per year.
(g) A plan for optimizing the use of recycled water in the supplier’s service area, including actions to facilitate the installation of dual distribution systems, to promote recirculating uses, to facilitate the increased use of treated wastewater that meets recycled water standards, and to overcome any obstacles to achieving that increased use.
Section 10634.
The plan shall include information, to the extent practicable, relating to the quality of existing sources of water available to the supplier over the same five-year increments as described in subdivision (a) of Section 10631, and the manner in which water quality affects water management strategies and supply reliability.
Article 2.5. Water Service Reliability, Section 10635
Section 10635.
(a) Every urban water supplier shall include, as part of its urban water management plan, an assessment of the reliability of its water service to its customers during normal, dry, and multiple dry water years. This water supply and demand assessment shall compare the total water supply sources available to the water supplier with the long-term total projected water use over the next 20 years, in five-year increments, for a normal water year, a single dry water year, and a drought lasting five consecutive water years. The water service reliability assessment shall be based upon the information compiled pursuant to Section 10631, including available data from state, regional, or local agency population projections within the service area of the urban water supplier.
(b) Every urban water supplier shall include, as part of its urban water management plan, a drought risk assessment for its water service to its customers as part of information considered in developing the demand management measures and water supply projects and programs to be included DRAFT
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in the urban water management plan. The urban water supplier may conduct an interim update or updates to this drought risk assessment within the fiveyear cycle of its urban water management plan update. The drought risk assessment shall include each of the following:
(1) A description of the data, methodology, and basis for one or more supply shortage conditions that are necessary to conduct a drought risk assessment for a drought period that lasts five consecutive water years, starting from the year following when the assessment is conducted. (2) A determination of the reliability of each source of supply under a variety of water shortage conditions. This may include a determination that a particular source of water supply is fully reliable under most, if not all, conditions.
(3) A comparison of the total water supply sources available to the water supplier with the total projected water use for the drought period. (4) Considerations of the historical drought hydrology, plausible changes on projected supplies and demands under climate change conditions, anticipated regulatory changes, and other locally applicable criteria. (c) The urban water supplier shall provide that portion of its urban water management plan prepared pursuant to this article to any city or county within which it provides water supplies no later than 60 days after the submission of its urban water management plan.
(d) Nothing in this article is intended to create a right or entitlement to water service or any specific level of water service.
(e) Nothing in this article is intended to change existing law concerning an urban water supplier’s obligation to provide water service to its existing customers or to any potential future customers.
Article 3. Adoption and Implementation of Plans,
Sections 10640–10645
Section 10640.
(a) Every urban water supplier required to prepare a plan pursuant to this part shall prepare its plan pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 10630).
The supplier shall likewise periodically review the plan as required by Section 10621, and any amendments or changes required as a result of that review shall be adopted pursuant to this article.
(b) Every urban water supplier required to prepare a water shortage contingency plan shall prepare a water shortage contingency plan pursuant to Section 10632. The supplier shall likewise periodically review the water shortage contingency plan as required by paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) of DRAFT
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Informational Purposes Only
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Section 10632 and any amendments or changes required as a result of that review shall be adopted pursuant to this article.
Section 10641.
An urban water supplier required to prepare a plan or a water shortage contingency plan may consult with, and obtain comments from, any public agency or state agency or any person who has special expertise with respect to water demand management methods and techniques.
Section 10642.
Each urban water supplier shall encourage the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic elements of the population within the service area prior to and during the preparation of both the plan and the water shortage contingency plan. Prior to adopting either, 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. 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.
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. Notices by a local public agency pursuant to this section shall be provided pursuant to Chapter 17.5 (commencing with Section 7290) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code. A privately owned water supplier shall provide an equivalent notice within its service area. After the hearing or hearings, the plan or water shortage contingency plan shall be adopted as prepared or as modified after the hearing or hearings.
Section 10643.
An urban water supplier shall implement its plan adopted pursuant to this chapter in accordance with the schedule set forth in its plan.
Section 10644.
(a)
(1) An urban water supplier shall submit to the department, the California State Library, and any city or county within which the supplier provides water supplies a copy of its plan no later than 30 days after adoption.
Copies of amendments or changes to the plans shall be submitted to the department, the California State Library, and any city or county within which the supplier provides water supplies within 30 days after adoption. (2) The plan, or amendments to the plan, submitted to the department pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted electronically and shall DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 960 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) Appendix A
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include any standardized forms, tables, or displays specified by the department.
(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 pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10632 no later than 30 days after adoption, in accordance with protocols for submission and using electronic reporting tools developed by the department. (c)
(1)
(A) Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the department shall prepare and submit to the Legislature, on or before July 1, in the years ending in seven and two, a report summarizing the status of the plans and water shortage contingency plans adopted pursuant to this part. The report prepared by the department shall identify the exemplary elements of the individual plans and water shortage contingency plans. The department shall provide a copy of the report to each urban water supplier that has submitted its plan and water shortage contingency plan to the department. The department shall also prepare reports and provide data for any legislative hearings designed to consider the effectiveness of plans and water shortage contingency plans submitted pursuant to this part.
(B) The department shall prepare and submit to the board, on or before September 30 of each year, a report summarizing the submitted water supply and demand assessment results along with appropriate reported water shortage conditions and the regional and statewide analysis of water supply conditions developed by the department. As part of the report, the department shall provide a summary and, as appropriate, urban water supplier specific information regarding various shortage response actions implemented as a result of annual supplier-specific water supply and demand assessments performed pursuant to Section 10632.1.
(C) The department shall submit the report to the Legislature for the 2015 plans by July 1, 2017, and the report to the Legislature for the 2020 plans and water shortage contingency plans by July 1, 2022. (2) A report to be submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d) The department shall make available to the public the standard the department will use to identify exemplary water demand management measures.
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Informational Purposes Only
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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.
Chapter 4. Miscellaneous Provisions, Sections 10650–
10657
Section 10650.
Any actions or proceedings, other than actions by the board, to attack, review, set aside, void, or annul the acts or decisions of an urban water supplier on the grounds of noncompliance with this part shall be commenced as follows:
(a) An action or proceeding alleging failure to adopt a plan or a water shortage contingency plan shall be commenced within 18 months after that adoption is required by this part.
(b) Any action or proceeding alleging that a plan or water shortage contingency plan, or action taken pursuant to either, does not comply with this part shall be commenced within 90 days after filing of the plan or water shortage contingency plan or an amendment to either pursuant to Section 10644 or the taking of that action.
Section 10651.
In any action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, void, or annul a plan or a water shortage contingency plan, or an action taken pursuant to either by an urban water supplier on the grounds of noncompliance with this part, the inquiry shall extend only to whether there was a prejudicial abuse of discretion. Abuse of discretion is established if the supplier has not proceeded in a manner required by law or if the action by the water supplier is not supported by substantial evidence.
Section 10652.
The California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) does not apply to the preparation and adoption of plans pursuant to this part or to the implementation of actions taken pursuant to Section 10632. Nothing in this part shall be interpreted as exempting from the California Environmental Quality Act any project that would significantly affect water supplies for fish and wildlife, or any project for implementation of the DRAFT
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plan, other than projects implementing Section 10632, or any project for expanded or additional water supplies.
Section 10653.
The adoption of a plan shall satisfy any requirements of state law, regulation, or order, including those of the board and the Public Utilities Commission, for the preparation of water management plans, water shortage contingency plans, or conservation plans; provided, that if the board or the Public Utilities Commission requires additional information concerning water conservation, drought response measures, or financial conditions to implement its existing authority, nothing in this part shall be deemed to limit the board or the commission in obtaining that information. The requirements of this part shall be satisfied by any urban water demand management plan that complies with analogous federal laws or regulations after the effective date of this part, and which substantially meets the requirements of this part, or by any existing urban water management plan which includes the contents of a plan required under this part.
Section 10654.
An urban water supplier may recover in its rates the costs incurred in preparing its urban water management plan, its drought risk assessment, its water supply and demand assessment, and its water shortage contingency plan and implementing the reasonable water conservation measures included in either of the plans.
Section 10655.
If any provision of this part or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this part which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application thereof, and to this end the provisions of this part are severable.
Section 10656.
An urban water supplier is not eligible for a water grant or loan awarded or administered by the state unless the urban water supplier complies with this part.
Section 10657.
The department may adopt regulations regarding the definitions of water, water use, and reporting periods, and may adopt any other regulations deemed necessary or desirable to implement this part. In developing regulations pursuant to this section, the department shall solicit broad public participation from stakeholders and other interested persons.
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Packet Pg. 963 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT)
Appendix C
Water Shortage
Contingency Plan
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 964 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan)
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
WATER SHORTAGE
CONTINGENCY PLAN
May 2026
Department of Public Works
Water Resources Division
2500 Michigan Avenue Building 1
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 458-8975
www.smgov.net/water
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Packet Pg. 965 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) i
Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction............................................................................................................... 1 Section 2: Water Supply Reliability Assessments...................................................................... 2 Section 3: Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment ...................................................... 6 Section 4: Stages of Water Supply Shortages........................................................................... 8 Section 5: Shortage Response Actions ................................................................................... 10 Section 6: Communication Protocols....................................................................................... 12 Section 7: Compliance and Enforcement................................................................................. 14 Section 8: Legal Authorities ..................................................................................................... 16 Section 9: Financial Consequences of WSCP......................................................................... 17 Section 10: Monitoring and Reporting ..................................................................................... 17 Section 11: Emergency Response Planning............................................................................ 19 Section 12: WSCP Refinement Procedures ............................................................................ 20 Section 13: Special Water Feature Distinction......................................................................... 21 Section 14: Plan Adoption, Submittal, and Availability............................................................. 22 Appendix A: Definitions
Appendix B: Water Use Allowances, Penalties, and Adjustments Appendix C: Multi-hazard Functional Plan
Appendix D: All Hazards Mitigation Plan
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Packet Pg. 966 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 1 Section 1: Introduction
Legislative changes to the California Water Code’s Urban Water Management Planning Act (Section 10632) require the City of Santa Monica (City) to prepare and adopt a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP). This WSCP replaces the WSCP adopted by Santa Monica City Council on January 13, 2015. The WSCP serves as both an action plan during water shortage conditions and as the implementing regulations for water conservation as authorized by Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) section 7.16.030.
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Packet Pg. 967 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 2 Section 2: Water Supply Reliability Assessments
The City assessed its water supply reliability as part of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). Two assessments were performed: a water service reliability assessment and a drought risk assessment (DRA). The water service reliability assessment analyzed the City’s water supply availability compared to long-term water use projections through 2045 in five-year increments under three scenarios: a normal year, a single-dry year, and multiple dry years.
The DRA assessed the City’s water supplies over the subsequent five years (2026-2030) under severe drought conditions. Key factors considered in both assessments included projected population growth, climate change, and implementation of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) as required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). A summary of the assessments is provided below.
Currently, the City obtains its potable water supply from a combination of local groundwater and imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). In 2011, Santa Monica City Council set a goal to obtain water self-sufficiency utilizing local water resources. The City is currently implementing water supply projects to reach this goal, which would provide additional resiliency to the water supply.
Historically, the City’s available groundwater supply has been less impacted by drought conditions but more by contamination. For example, the City’s lowest available local groundwater supply occurred in 2004, when only about 544 acre-feet (AF) of local groundwater was available due to groundwater contamination at the City’s Charnock Well Field. The City completed the Charnock Well Field Restoration Project in 2010, which included additional treatment processes such as biological granular activated carbon (GAC) and reverse osmosis (RO). As a result, the local groundwater supply was restored to approximately 8,000 to 10,000 acre-feet per year (AFY) (depending on age and conditions of the wells).
For the purpose of the water service reliability assessment and the DRA, the time period of 2010 through 2020 was used to establish Normal Year, Single Dry-Year, and Multiple Dry-Year to demonstrate its reliability. The period from 2010 through 2020 was selected for the assessments since it is more representative of the City’s water supply reliability and drought risk going forward as 2010 established the new baseline for local water supplies. In addition, the 2010-2020 time period also included one of the most severe single-year droughts as well as five-consecutive-year drought conditions in the Southern California region.
The City also analyzed imported supply from MWD as part of the reliability assessments. MWD imports water from Northern California and the Colorado River, which depend heavily on hydrologic conditions (e.g., snow pack in the Sierra Nevada in Northern California). Varying hydrologic conditions have led to wide variability in MWD’s water storage reserves in recent years. For instance, the recent drought from 2012 to 2016 depleted MWD’s dry year storage reserves. This was followed by the wettest year on record in 2017 and another wet year in 2019 that filled up MWD’s storage reservoirs. For the purposes of the Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessments, the lowest MWD Tier 1 allotment (7,406 AFY) available to the City between 2010 and 2020 was used. This assumption was considered reasonable due to large reserves MWD accumulated as a result of regional conservation efforts and several DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 968 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 3 above average wet seasons over the previous five years.
Based on the assessments, the City’s current and planned water supply portfolio is sufficient to meet the existing and projected potable and non-potable water use under all of the scenarios analyzed. The assessment findings from the 2025 UWMP are summarized in the tables below.
Table 1: Projected Water Supply and Demand for Normal Year (Acre-Feet) 2030 2035 2040 2045
Supply totals 21,004 21,004 21,004 21,004
Demand totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Difference 8,260 7,751 7,242 6,731
Table 2: Projected Water Supply and Demand for Single Dry Year (Acre-Feet) 2030 2035 2040 2045
Supply totals 15,508 15,508 15,508 15,508
Demand totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Difference 2,764 2,255 1,746 1,235
DRAFT
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Packet Pg. 969 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 4 Table 3: Projected Water Supply and Demand for Multiple Dry Years (Acre-Feet) 2030 2035 2040 2045
FIRST YEAR
Supply totals 17,640 17,640 17,640 17,640
Demand totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Difference 4,896 4,387 3,878 3,367
SECOND YEAR
Supply totals 16,787 16,787 16,787 16,787
Demand totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Difference 4,043 3,534 3,025 2,514
THIRD YEAR
Supply totals 16,893 16,893 16,893 16,893
Demand totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Difference 4,149 3,640 3,131 2,620
FOURTH YEAR
Supply totals 17,000 17,000 17,000 17,000
Demand totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Difference 4,256 3,747 3,238 2,727
FIFTH YEAR
Supply totals 15,508 15,508 15,508 15,508
Demand totals 12,744 13,253 13,762 14,273
Difference 2,764 2,255 1,746 1,235
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Packet Pg. 970 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 5 Table 4: Drought Risk Assessment (2026 - 2030)
Calendar Year Water Demand
and Supply Projections
(Acre-Feet)
2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Gross Water Use 10,960 11,406 11,852 12,298 12,744
Total Supplies 16,765 16,765 16,765 16,765 16,765
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP
Action 5,805 5,359 4,913 4,467 4,021
Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation
benefit 0 0 0 0 0
WSCP - use reduction savings
benefit 2,740 2,852 2,963 3,075 3,186
Revised Surplus/(shortfall) 8,545 8,211 7,876 7,542 7,207 Resulting % Use Reduction from
WSCP action 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%
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Packet Pg. 971 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 6 Section 3: Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment
Data Inputs
Water Code Section 10632(a)(2) requires water supply and demand assessments to be conducted annually. Beginning in 2022, water shortage assessment reports must be submitted to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) on or before July 1st each year.
The annual assessments will be conducted by staff from the City’s Water Resources Division (WRD) and Water Conservation Unit (WCU). For consistency, the approach used for the assessments described in Section 2 (Water Supply Reliability Assessments) will also be used to evaluate the water system reliability for the coming year, while considering that the year to follow would be considered dry. A summary of key tasks, data inputs, and roles for the assessments are provided in Table 5.
Table 5: Summary of Tasks for the Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Task Description Conducted By
Quantification of water supplies: groundwater pumping,
imported water and potable water production volumes
Arcadia Water Treatment Plant
Quantification of groundwater injection, and non-potable treatment production volumes
Water Distribution
Wastewater Treatment
Identification of events that significantly impacted each water supply source during the current year
Arcadia Water Treatment Plant
Identification of anticipated events that have the
potential to impact each water supply source in
subsequent years
Arcadia Water Treatment Plant
Analysis of potential regulatory changes and possible
impacts on each water supply
Arcadia Water Treatment Plant
Assessment of infrastructure capabilities and plausible constraints
Arcadia Water Treatment Plant
Water Distribution
Description and quantification of annual water use
utilizing water billing data and water loss audit reports.
Water Distribution
Analysis and projection of how climate, population, the economy, and any applicable policies impacts water
demand.
Water Conservation Unit
Summary of water conservation activities and results for the current year.
Water Conservation Unit
Description of existing and planned water use policies to meet demand objectives in future years.
Water Conservation Unit
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Packet Pg. 972 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 7 Decision Making Process
Following the initial assessment, findings will be presented to the City’s Task Force on the Environment for input on a proposed water shortage stage for the following fiscal year. WRD will then prepare a water shortage assessment report for approval by the Public Works Department. If a shortage was declared, formal approval of the water shortage assessment report will be made by City Council through adoption of a resolution after a hearing presenting staff’s findings and recommendations and receiving public comments. If a shortage is not declared, WRD will submit the final water shortage assessment report to the State of California Department of Water Resources on or before July 1st. A timeline for the decision-making process is provided in Table 6.
Table 6: Proposed Timeline for Annual Water Shortage Assessment Activity
January WRD and WCU commence the annual water supply and demand assessment
February
WRD and WCU present annual assessment findings and
proposed water supply shortage stage to the Task Force on the Environment
March
WRD and WCU prepare an annual water shortage assessment report and proposed water supply shortage stage, if any, to the Public Works Department Head for approval
April
If a shortage is declared, public notification regarding proposed water supply shortage stage, water shortage response actions, and upcoming City Council meeting
May
If a shortage is declared, WRD and WCU present annual water shortage assessment report findings and proposed water supply shortage stage to City Council for formal adoption by resolution On or before
July 1st
WRD submits a final water shortage assessment report to the State of California Department of Water Resources
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Packet Pg. 973 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 8 Section 4: Stages of Water Supply Shortages
The WSCP establishes six standard water shortage supply shortage stages required by the Water Code. The stages are based on predicted or actual water shortage conditions. Each stage establishes water use reductions either through voluntary or mandatory measures.
Mandatory water restrictions include water use allowances for each water customer category.
The City Council may declare by resolution that a Stage 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 water supply shortage exists and that the actions outlined in this WSCP are necessary. Upon Council adoption by resolution, any Water Shortage Stage may be rescinded. The type of event which may prompt the City Council to declare a water supply shortage may include, among other factors:
• Drought;
• State or local emergency;
• A natural disaster that critically impacts the water treatment or water distribution system; • A localized event that critically impacts the water supply, water quality, water treatment or water distribution system;
• The City’s wholesale water agency requests extraordinary water conservation efforts in order to avoid mandatory water allocations;
• The City’s wholesale water agency implements a water allocation.
Table 7 and Table 8 below outline the Water Supply Shortage Stages, water use reduction targets, and the conditions that will be used to guide the determination of water shortage levels Table 7: Water Shortage Stages and Reduction Targets
Water
Shortage
Stage
Shortage
Level
Water Shortage
Condition
Water Use
Restrictions
City-wide Use
Reduction Goal
Stage 1 ≤10% Minimal Voluntary 10%
Stage 2 10-20% Moderate Mandatory 20%
Stage 3 20-30% Significant Mandatory 30%
Stage 4 30-40% Severe Mandatory 40%
Stage 5 40-50% Critical Mandatory 50%
Stage 6 >50%
DRAFT
Catastrophic Mandatory >50%
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Packet Pg. 974 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 9 Table 8: Summary of Water Shortage Stages and Conditions Water
Shortage
Stage
Shortage Levels Water Shortage Condition
1 Up to 10% Using more than 50% of MWD Tier 1 allowance for imported/purchased water and/or MINIMAL
decrease in local ground water supply.
2 Up to 20%
Using more than 60% of MWD Tier 1 allowance
for imported/purchased water and/or
MODERATE decrease in local ground water
supply.
3 Up to 30%
Using more than 70% of MWD Tier 1 allowance
for imported/purchased water and/or
SIGNIFICANT decrease in local ground water
supply.
4 Up to 40%
Using more than 80% of MWD Tier 1 allowance
for imported/purchased water and/or
ADVANCED decrease in local ground water
supply.
5 Up to 50% Using more than 90% of MWD Tier 1 allowance for imported/purchased water and/or SEVERE
decrease in local ground water supply.
6 >50%
Exceeding MWD Tier 1 allowance for
imported/purchased water and/or
CATASTROPHIC decrease in local ground
water supply.
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Packet Pg. 975 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 10 Section 5: Shortage Response Actions
California Water Code requires water shortage response actions for each Water Shortage Stage. The response actions are provided in Table 9.
Table 9: Summary of Water Shortage Response Actions
Water
Shortage
Stage
Action Estimated
Reduction
Stage 1 Offer Water Use Surveys 1% - 2%
Stage 1 Provide Rebates on Plumbing Fixtures and Devices 1% - 2% Stage 1 Provide Rebates for Landscape Irrigation Efficiency 1% - 2% Stage 1 Provide Rebates for Turf Replacement 1% - 2%
Stage 1 Landscape - Restrict or prohibit runoff from landscape irrigation 1% - 2%
Stage 1 Landscape - Limit landscape irrigation to specific times 1% - 2% Stage 1 CII - Restaurants may only serve water upon request 1% - 2% Stage 1 Water Features - Restrict water use for decorative water features, such as fountains 1% - 2%
Stage 1 Pools and Spas - Require covers for pools and spas 1% - 2% Stage 1 Other - Customers must repair leaks, breaks, and malfunctions in a timely manner 1% - 2%
Stage 1 Other - additional conservation measures by City staff 1% - 2% Stage 1 Other - Irrigation Association’s Best Management Practices for all City landscaped areas 1% - 2%
Stage 1 Other – immediate notification by City staff of any leaks seen on City property or private property 1% - 2%
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Packet Pg. 976 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 11 Stage 2 Other – continued implementation of Stage 1 actions 10% - 20% Stage 2 Other - Implement Water Use Allowances (WUAs) for a 20% reduction from the amount of water used in 2013. 10% - 20% Stage 2 Expand Public Information Campaign 1% - 10%
Stage 2 Increase Water Waste Patrols 1% - 10%
Stage 3 Other - continued implementation of Stage 2 actions 20% - 30% Stage 3 Other - Implement Water Use Allowances (WUAs) for a 30% reduction from the amount of water used in 2013. 10% - 30% Stage 3 Implement or Modify Drought Rate Structure or
Surcharge 1% - 10%
Stage 4 Other - continued implementation of Stage 3 actions 20% - 30% Stage 4 Other - Implement Water Use Allowances (WUAs) for a 40% reduction from the amount of water used in 2013. 20% - 40% Stage 4 Implement or Modify Drought Rate Structure or
Surcharge 1% - 10%
Stage 5 Other- continued implementation of Stage 4 actions 30% - 40% Stage 5 Other - Implement Water Use Allowances (WUAs) for a 50% reduction from the amount of water used in 2013. 20% - 50% Stage 5 Implement or Modify Drought Rate Structure or
Surcharge 1% - 10%
Stage 6 Other- continued implementation of Stage 5 actions 40% - 50% Stage 6 Other - Implement Water Use Allowances (WUAs) for a 55% reduction from the amount of water used in 2013. 20% - 55% Stage 6 Implement or Modify Drought Rate Structure or
Surcharge
DRAFT
1% - 10%
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Packet Pg. 977 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 12 Section 6: Communication Protocols
Public notification will be provided for any current, predicted, or declared shortage and for any shortage response actions triggered or anticipated by the annual demand and supply assessment. Communication will be coordinated and conducted by the Water Resources Division, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, and the Office of Communications using the protocols in Table 10. To ensure regional coordination, the City will also communicate with regional partners including surrounding cities, Los Angeles County, and MWD, regarding shortage emergencies.
If there is no current, predicted, or declared shortage, public notification is not required; however, the City will still communicate with regional partners to ensure regional coordination is maintained.
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Packet Pg. 978 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 13 Table 10: Summary of Communication Protocol for Water Shortages What When Frequency Communication
Method Audience
Water
Shortage
Declaration
At time of
Declaration Once City Council Meeting
- Customers
- General Public
- Public Entities
- Public Officials
- Interested Parties
Water
Shortage
Announcement
Following
Declaration
of a Water
Shortage
Once each
minimum
City Council Meeting
Press Release
Websites
Social Media
Digital Newsletter,
Seascape Newsletter,
Print Advertising
- Customers
- General Public
- Public Entities
- Public Officials
- Interested Parties
Once each
minimum
Mass Phone Calls
Emails
Water Bill Inserts
- Customers
Water
Shortage
Actions
Following
Declaration
of a Water
Shortage
Ongoing
Conservation
Marketing Campaign,
Websites, Social
Media, Sustainability
Digital Newsletter,
City’s Seascape Print
Newsletter, Outdoor
Banner Advertising,
Print Advertising
- Customers
- General Public
- Interested Parties
Ongoing
Water Use
Allowances (WUAs),
Mass Phone Calls /
Emails, Water Bill
Inserts, Customer
Service
DRAFT
- Customers
12.C.b
Packet Pg. 979 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 14 Section 7: Compliance and Enforcement
Compliance with this WSCP will be achieved primarily through the permanent and increased (as necessary) enforcement of the existing water conservation codes contained in Chapter
7.16 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) and Chapter 8.108 (Subpart A - Landscape and Water Conservation).
SMMC 7.16.020 Water Conservation Requirements
What: This code defines core water conservation requirements:
- Prohibits irrigation between 9:00am and 5:00pm, with exceptions for drip irrigation systems approved by the City Manager
- Restricts landscape irrigation to two assigned watering days per week - Prohibits irrigation overspray or runoff onto any impermeable surface including walkways, driveways, sidewalks, alleys, and streets.
- Prohibits the watering down of paved or hard-surfaced areas. - Prohibits irrigation runoff.
- Prohibits the filling of decorative fountains.
- Prohibits the draining and re-filling of pools.
- Requires water leaks to be repaired immediately.
- Prohibits the washing of vehicles with a running hose. - Mandates that restaurants serve water only upon request.
Enforcement: The Water Conservation Unit staff enforces SMMC 7.16.020 as follows:
- Water Waste Patrols: Proactive patrols in the community provide on-site detection of water waste. Notices of Violations (NOVs) are issued to ensure resolution of water waste issues with Citations issued as justified.
- Responses to inbound water waste reports: These community-submitted reports are handled immediately by contacting the responsible party(s) to notify them of the situation and assist with voluntary compliance of the ordinance.
SMMC 7.16.030(c) Water Consumption Limits
What: Paragraph (c) of SMMC 7.16.030 authorizes the WSCP to implement Water Use Allowances aligned with a declared Water Shortage Stage. The Water Use Allowance consists of the following components. Please see Appendix B (Water Use Allowances, Penalties, and Adjustments) in this WSCP for complete details.
- Water use limitations, i.e. Water Use Allowances
- Administrative penalties for non-compliance
- Adjustment process
Enforcement: The Water Conservation Unit staff enforces SMMC 7.16.030(c) by:
- Weekly reviews of billed water usage.
- Determining and issuing administrative citations for customers that exceed their Water Use Allowance.
- Conducting on-site audits to waive the penalty fee for first-time recipients of DRAFT
12.C.b
Packet Pg. 980 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 15 administrative citations for exceeding the Water Use Allowance. - Receiving Water Use Allowance adjustment requests and determining adjustments. - Providing requested information for the appeal process.
SMMC 7.16.050 Water consumption limits and in-lieu fees for new development What: This code implements the City’s Water Neutrality program which:
- Caps water use for new developments to the average five-year historical water use for that individual parcel.
- Requires projected water use for the development that is greater than existing parcel’s usage (i.e. New Water Demand) to be offset by funding water-efficient retrofits of existing buildings elsewhere in the City.
Enforcement: The code is enforced by the Water Conservation Unit staff as follows:
- Plan checks: Development project plans are reviewed annually to calculate New Water Demand, and, if any, determine the offset fees.
- Direct Installs: Water wasting fixtures are retrofitted with highly efficient water saving fixtures to offset the New Water Demand.
DRAFT
12.C.b
Packet Pg. 981 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 16 Section 8: Legal Authorities
SMMC 7.16.030 authorizes City Council by resolution to require reductions in the use of water if such reductions are necessary in order for the City to comply with water use restrictions imposed by Federal, State or regional water agencies or to respond to emergency water shortage conditions. SMMC 7.16.030 also authorizes City Council to declare a water shortage advisory or water shortage emergency based on the actual or projected shortage of available potable water supplies for domestic, sanitary and public safety uses, and by resolution may adopt a Water Supply Shortage Response Plan. The City Council adopted the last WSCP on June 8, 2021.
DRAFT
12.C.b
Packet Pg. 982 Attachment: 2025 DRAFT UWMP (7481 : 2025 Urban Water Management Plan) City of Santa Monica – Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) 17 Section 9: Financial Consequences of WSCP
Should conservation increase beyond currently expected levels (e.g., Statewide conservation mandate), the City is still obligated to meet its annual net revenue requirements to keep the utility operating and functional. As part of the 2025 water rate study1, drought rates were developed so that if total consumption should decrease further due to an increase in conservation required by the state, another regulatory agency, or if the City Council declares that it is in more severe drought stages, the City’s Water Utility would still be kept whole, financially. In the event that consumption decreases beyond projected baseline consumption levels, some costs will also decrease, and the proposed drought rates have taken this reduced revenue need into consideration. In addition, the 2025 water rate study also recommended the City keep its 2019 reserve policy to maintain 90-days of operation (minimum of 60-day to be met at all times) and 3% of net capital assets.