G:\PW\EC\Water Conservation\2022 Emergency Actions\April 25 Board Mtg\STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
May
9, 2022
TO: B
oard of Directors, Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 FR
OM: Department of Public Works
SUBJ
ECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION LIMITING OUTDOOR WATERING TO
ONE DAY PER WEEK
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It
is recommended that the Board of Directors (Board) adopt Resolution No. WWD-286 declaring a Stage IV Water Supply Shortage limiting outdoor watering to one day per week, effective June 1, 2022, and rescinding Resolution No. WWD-285.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
Th
e water availability for Waterworks District No. 8 (District) is at extremely critical conditions, and it is necessary for the District to take a ction to preserve water reliability. Because of three years of extreme drought, the District 's water supply from the State Water Project is at historic low levels. Over the last 12 months, water agencies including the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), the Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas), and Waterworks District No. 8, have taken steps to reduce water use and preserve water availability.
Si
nce October 2021, District customers have been under a water shortage condition calling for a reduction of water use up to 20% (Resolution No. WWD-285). Some other water usage limits include:
• Out
door watering limited to three days per week between April and October, and two days per week between November and March, and only before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m.
• Eliminate excessive irrigation runoff
• Fix leaks, breaks, or plumbing malfunctions within 72 hours of notification • Do not wash sidewalks and driveways; use dry methods, e.g., broom or blower • When washing vehicles with a hose, use a trigger shut-off nozzle • Serve water only upon request at restaurants and food service establishments
AGENDA I
TEM NO.
9B
G:\PW\EC\Water Conservation\2022 Emergency Actions\April 25 Board Mtg\STAFF REPORT On April 26 and April 27, 2022, MWD and Calleguas, respectively, adopted resolutions declaring a Water Shortage Emergency Condition that requires water purveyors that receive water from the State Water Project to impose a one- day per week outdoor watering limitation and submit to the wholesaler an Enforcement Plan to hold users accountable, or be subject to penalties (MWD, Attachment A , page 8, and Calleguas, Attachment B, page 14). These agencies recogniz ed the community reliance on recreational turf, however, and made allowance to keep it vital.
The MWD and Calleguas resolutions further emphasize that the actions being taken are the first phase of an attempt to manage critically short supplies to adequately meet demands. The agencies recognize the ultimate need to serve water for basic health and safety needs – inside homes. If supplies are not sufficient to meet demands through the summer of 2022, the agencies have cautioned that a second phase of prohibiting outdoor irrigation would be the next step.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
In May 2021, the Board adopted the District's 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP). The WSCP describes actions to assess water supply reliability, compare it with water demands, and if necessary, implement water supply shortage restrictions to reduce demands. Among the approved elements of the WSCP are the six standard water shortage stages mandated by California Water Code 10632(a)(3)(A).
These six stages are comparable to the City’s Municipal Code Water Conservation water supply shortage levels, with exceptions . The new WSCP six stages expand what was the "Level 3" shortage in the Munic ipal Code into three discreet stages (Stage III, IV and V ). The fo llowing table depicts the shortage stages:
WSCP Shortage
Stage
Municipal Code
Shortage Level
Percent Supply
Reduction
Descriptive
Condition
I 1 Up to 10% Minor Shortage
II 2 Up to 20% Moderate Shortage
III
3 Up to 30% Se vere Shortage
IV Up to 40% Critical Shortage
V Up to 50% Emergency
Shortage
VI 4 50% or More Catastrophic Failure
Th
e WSCP also provides for the Board to adopt any of the six stages in the plan .
California Water Code 10632(a)(3)(B) states: "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. " The approved WSCP includes the cross-referencing necessary to comply. 2 G:\PW\EC\Water Conservation\2022 Emergency Actions\April 25 Board Mtg\STAFF REPORT To comply with actions taken by the MWD and C alleguas, staff recommends that the Board adopt attached Resolution N o. WWD -286 declaring a Stage IV Water Supply Shortage. A Stage IV shortage limits watering to one day per week during the entire year.
The mandates include:
• A
limit of outdoor irrigation to one-day (1) per week and eight (8) minutes per controller station or valve
• An obligation to fix leaks, breaks, or malfunctions within 48 hours • A moratorium on initial filling of decorative fountains • A prohibition on refilling more than one foot per month and the initial filling of residential swimming pools and/or outdoor spas
• A prohibition on filling or refilling ornamental lakes or ponds except to sustain aquatic life
S
taff also recommends the Board designate the permitted watering days as Saturday for odd numbered addresses and Sunday for even numbered addresses . Also, since the supplier (Calleguas/MWD) noted the importance of recreational turf and the community value in keeping it alive, allowance for adequate irrigation of active park turf, including athletic fields and casual play/socializing fields be allowed to keep those lawns green.
City staff will work closely with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, the Simi Valley Unified School District, and other recreational turf managers to develop plans to aggressively conserve water where possible while keeping active areas green and functional.
T
his is a drastic action that will affect District customers by severely restricting water use.
Staff intends to also provide public outreach through various public media outlets, public meetings, service organizations, the City Website and other resources to reach water users and keep them informed.
Waterworks District Responsibilities
T
he WSCP is a comprehensive plan that looks at all water use activities and the means to reduce demands. Since the District controls issues that operationally, may reduce water demand, or administratively, may help customers react quicker to managing demands, Waterworks District responsibilities under Stage IV include:
• D
ecrease water distribution line flushing
• Perform system water audits, leak detection, and repair, to reduce water loss • Increase Tapo Canyon Water Treatment Plant production • Implement a mobile recycled water fill station
• Expand implementation, training and administration of automated metering information (AMI) system
• Initiate purchase and installation of AMI customer information portal • Implement emergency drought water rate structure or surcharge • Increase water billing frequency from bimonthly to monthly 3 G:\PW\EC\Water Conservation\2022 Emergency Actions\April 25 Board Mtg\STAFF REPORT • Dedicate personnel to education and water waste enforcement • Implement water shortage door hanger notices
• Implement turf removal and water use efficiency projects B
ecause the drought emergency was declared for action suddenly, staff will need to evaluate these potential internal actions and determine feasible implementation measures. Some may require further Board approvals which will be requested as necessary. Also, since the active turf management will require specific allowances and case-by-case analysis and decision making, it is recommended the Board provide the District Manager with authority to make exceptions to the mandate to best serve the community.
S
taff will also need to continue to rely on measures described in the Municipal Code, Title, 6, Chapter 11 that spells out enforcement actions for noncompliant users.
T
he following alternatives are available to the Board:
1. A
dopt attached Resolution No. WWD -286 declaring a Stage IV Water Supply Shortage limiting irrigation to one day per week, effective June 1, 2022, and rescinding Resolution No. WWD-285
2. D
o not adopt the Resolution, and provide other direction to staff.
S
taff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I mov
e to rescind Resolution No. WWD -285, and adopt Resolution No. WWD -286 declaring a Water Shortage Contingency Plan Stage IV Water Supply Shortage.
SUMMARY
T
he water availability for Waterworks District No. 8 (District) is at extremely critical conditions and it is necessary for the District to take action to preserve water reliability.
Because of three years of extreme drought, the District's water supply, the State Water Project, is at historic low levels. Over the last 12 months, water agencies including the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), the Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas), and Waterworks District No. 8, have taken steps to reduce water use and preserve water availability.
4 G:\PW\EC\Water Conservation\2022 Emergency Actions\April 25 Board Mtg\STAFF REPORT On April 26 and April 27, 2022, MWD and Calleguas, respectively, adopted resolutions declaring a Water Shortage Emergency Condition that requires water purveyors that receive water from the State Water Project to impose a one- day per week outdoor watering limitation, or be subject to penalties. To comply with actions taken by the MWD and Calleguas, staff recommends that the Board adopt attached Resolution No. WWD - 286 declaring a Stage IV Water Supply Shortage, which limits watering to one day per week. While this is a drastic water use limitation, the water suppliers warn that there may be a second phase of water restrictions needed that would mandate no outdoor irrigation, in order to preserve remaining supplies to support health and safety, inside homes. ___
_________________________________
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki, Director
Department of Public Works
P
repared by: Joe Deakin, Assistant Public Works Director INDEX Page
R
esolution No. WWD-286………………………………………………..6
Attachment A - MWD Resolution………………………………………..8
Attachment B - Calleguas Resolution...............................................14 5 G:\PW\EC\Water Conservation\2022 Emergency Actions\April 25 Board Mtg\STAFF REPORT RESOLUTION NO. WWD-286
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
VENTURA COUNTY WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 8
DECLARING A WSCP STAGE IV WATER SUPPLY
SHORTAGE AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION WWD-285
WHEREAS, the Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 (Waterwork s District) contracts with Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas) to deliver water imported by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) from the State Water Project (SWP), and is considered a SWP dependent agency by MWD; and
WHEREAS, the Waterworks District Board of Directors, following a public hearing on May 11, 2009, adopted Ordinance No. WWD -08, entitling Article 1, Chapter 11, Title 6 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code (Water Conservation Program); and
WHEREAS, the Waterworks District Board of Directors , following a public hearing on May 17, 2021, passed Resolution No. WWD-283, adopting the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP); and
WHEREAS, the adopted WSCP describes six stages of actions the District can take in accordance with California Water Code 10632(a)(3)(A), and provides a cross reference to the Municipal Code Water Conservation Program providing the authority for the Waterworks District Board of Directors to adopt any of t he six stages in the WSCP in accordance with California Water Code 10632(a)(3)(B); and
WHEREAS, on April 26, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California adopted a resolution declaring a W ater Shortage Emergency Condition and Implementing an Emergency Water Conservation Program ; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Calleguas Municipal Water District adopted a resolution declaring a Water Shortage Emergency Condition and Adopting an Emergency Water Conservation Program; and
WHEREAS, the Waterworks District 's current Level 2 Water Supply Shortage declaration (Resolution No. WWD -285) is insufficient to comply with the demand reductions mandated by the Waterworks District’s suppliers: the Metr opolitan Water District and the Calleguas Municipal Water District.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VENTURA
COUNTY WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 8 DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1
. Resolution No. WWD-285 is hereby rescinded.
6 RES. NO. WWD-286
G:\PW\EC\Water Conservation\2022 Emergency Actions\April 25 Board Mtg\STAFF REPORT
SECTION 2. A W SCP Stage IV Water Supply Shortage is hereby declared effective June 1, 2022, and will remain in effect until rescinded by the Board of Directors. All restrictions listed under the 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (dated June 1, 2021) Stage IV Water Shortage are in effect as of June 1, 2022.
Municipal Code Title 6, Chapter 11 remain in effect for all other aspects relating water conservation requirements.
SECTION 3 . Outdoor irrigation is restricted to one day per week year - round, along with other water use restrictions. Authorized irrigation days are Saturday, for property addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), and Sunday for property addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8).
SECTION 4. The District Manager is authorized to provide exceptions to crucial social and recreational functional turf area managers/owners to allow them sufficient irrigation to maintain healthy turf, as long as such managers/owners provide good-faith efforts to further reduce water use/irrigation to turf areas that are less crucial.
The District Manager is authorized to develop and submit to the Calleguas Municipal Water District an Enforcement Plan to communicate the District’s plans to enforce the irrigation limitations.
SECTION 5 . The District Secreta ry shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the District Secretary. Within five (5) days following the declaration of the shortage level, the Waterworks District will publish a cop y of the resolution in a newspaper used for publication of official notices.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 9th day of May, 2022.
Attest:
_
Lucy Blanco, City Clerk/ Keith L. Mashburn, Chair of the Ventura District Secretary County Waterworks District No. 8
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Content:
David L. Caceres, Brian Paul Gabler, District Manager District Counsel
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki
Public Works Director
7 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESOLUTION 9305
DECLARING A WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY CONDITION AND IMPLEMENTING AN
EMERGENCY WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM IN PORTIONS OF ITS SERVICE AREA WHEREAS, Severe Drought Conditions Are Constraining Available Water Supplies from Northern California.
Beginning
in water year 2020 (October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020), the watersheds supplying the Californi
a State Water Project (SWP) received below-average precipitation. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) classified water years 2020 and 2021 as dry and critically dry, respectively. Persistent dry conditions will likely result in a critically dry designation for water year 2022.
The three-year sequence of water years 2020 - 2022 (October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2022) is projected to be the driest on record in California for statewide precipitation. Precipitation in Northern California during the three months from January through March 2022 was the driest on record for that region.
In addition to reduced precipitation since 2020, California’s climate is transitioning to a warmer setting in
which historical relationships among temperature, precipitation, and runoff are changing. In 2021, the DWR’s snowmelt runoff forecast over-estimated the runoff that occurred by 68 percent. In 2022, DWR’s median runoff
forecast for the Sacramento
River dropped from 16.7 to 9.7 million acre-feet, a reduction of 42 percent.
WHEREAS, Governor Newsom Has Declared a State of Emergency to Exist in All California Counties Due to These Severe Drought Conditions.
On October 19, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to exist in all California counties due
to worsening drought conditions. This proclamation follows other increasingly expansive drought declarations and executive orders that have been issued since April 2021.
At that time
, Governor Newsom called on Californians to re-double their e fforts to reduce water use by 15 percent and for local and regional water agencies to implement their Water Shortage Contingency Plans (WSCPs) “at
a level appropriate to local conditions that takes into account the possibility of a third consecutive dry year.”
WHEREAS, Governor Newsom Has Issued an Executive Order Calling on Urban Water Suppliers to Activate Their
Water Shortage Contingency Plans.
As part o
f their Urban Water Management Plans (UWMPs), local and regional water providers are required to prepare and adopt WSCPs. These plans identify voluntary and mandatory response actions that will be taken under various water shortage conditions. These actions may include mandatory conservation activities to
reduce water use by 10 to 50 percent, depending on the severity of the shortage.
Due to worsening drought conditions, including a
record-breaking dry period in January and February,
Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-22 on March 28, 2022, specifically requiring all urban water suppliers to implement, at a minimum, the response actions identified in their WSCPs for a shortage level of up to 20 percent (Level 2).
This executive order further encouraged urban water suppliers to conserve more than the minimum
required and to voluntarily
activate more stringent local requirements based on a shortage level of up to 30 percent (Level 3).
1 ATTACHMENT A
8 WHERE
AS, Metropolitan’s State Water Project Supplies Have Been and Are Being Curtailed.
On March 18, 2022, DWR reduced the SWP Table A allocation for 2022 from 15 to only five percent of contract amounts. Table A allocations for 2020 and 2021 were 20 and five percent, respectively. The last three years marks the lowest three-year combined deliveries of allocated water in the history of the SWP.
Three consecutive years of low Table A allocations have strained water supplies for portions of Metropolitan’s service area that currently are served primarily through the SWP. Referred to as the “SWP Dependent Area,” this area has limited or no access to Colorado River Supplies.
As a result, there will be insufficient SWP supplies this year to meet the minimum human health and safety (HH&S) needs in the SWP Dependent Area. HH&S needs are defined as “the amount of water necessary for prevention of adverse impacts to human health and safety, for which there is no feasible alternative supply.” In general, HH&S needs are limited to domestic supply, sanitation, public health and fire protection purposes, and cannot exceed 55 gallons per person per day.
To supplement the low Table A allocation, DWR has agreed to provide additional SWP supplies to SWP contractors if necessary to fulfill their unmet HH&S needs. However, DWR is requiring any SWP contractor receiving such supplies to impose mandatory restrictions on water use within its service area consistent with these emergency circumstances. DWR also is requiring any SWP water accessed for HH&S purposes be returned to the state within five years or as wetter conditions return.
WHEREAS, Metropolitan’s SWP Supplies Are Essential to Meet the Total Demands of Its Member Agencies.
Over the past 20 years, the SWP has provided about 30 percent of the region’s total water needs and a portion of the supply delivered to each of Metropolitan’s 26 Member Agencies.
Diamond Valley Lake, Metropolitan’s largest surface water reservoir and source of dry-year and emergency water supplies, has only been replenished with SWP supplies since the discovery of Quagga mussels in Colorado River water in Jan. 2007.
Under a five percent Table A allocation, Metropolitan cannot meet normal demands in the SWP Dependent Area, serve SWP supplies to other Member Agencies, or replenish storage in Diamond Valley Lake.
WHEREAS, Metropolitan, Its Member Agencies, and Others in the Region Have Taken Extraordinary Steps to Reduce Demands and Bolster Supplies.
In conjunction with its Member Agencies, counties, cities, and wholesale and retail water suppliers, Metropolitan decreased potable water demands within the service area by 40 percent, roughly 80 gallons per person per day, since 1990.
Metropolitan has invested $1.5 billion in conservation, local water recycling, and local groundwater recovery since 1990, resulting in a cumulative savings of nearly 7.6 million acre-feet.
Metropolitan has inves ted more than $3 billion in increasing storage capacity with Diamond Valley Lake and conveyance capacity with the Inland Feeder to capture SWP supply when available for later use in dry years.
Local water suppliers and communities have also made multi-billion-dollar strategic and forward-looking investments in water conservation (within and outside the MWD service area), water recycling, stormwater capture and reuse, groundwater storage, seawater desalination and other strategies to improve drought resilience.
Water conserved throughout the service area, among other things, has helped preserve storage in Metropolitan’s diverse storage portfolio during these dry conditions.
Continued action by Southern California residents to conserve water and extend local groundwater and surface water supplies will provide greater resilience if the drought continues in future years. 2 9
Metro
politan established the Member Agency Administered Program (MAAP) to assist Member Agencies in implementing local conservation activities. A portion of the funded projects can be used when water savings are not readily quantifiable, such as drought messaging and local water-use related code enforcement programs.
WHEREAS, Metropolitan and Its Member Agencies Have Taken Specific Actions to Preserve SWP Supplies.
Metropolitan and its Member Agencies have invested billions of dollars to preserve and enhance the availability and utilization of local supplies and, in turn, to decrease the overall use of Metropolitan’s imported supplies.
Metropolitan has established water management programs to increase Member Agency flexibility to shift from or temporarily defer taking Metropolitan’s supply from the SWP.
In 2021 and 2022, Metropolitan made targeted investments in its delivery system to reduce Member Agency dependency on SWP supplies. These investments have significantly improved operational flexibility, allowing delivery of water from either of Metropolitan’s two imported supply sources to most of the service area.
Metropolitan’s Member Agencies have, where feasible, operated their systems to reduce dependency on Metropolitan’s supply delivered through service connections fed from the SWP system.
On August 17, 2021, Metropolitan’s Board adopted a resolution declaring a “Condition 2 – Water Supply Alert” to preserve Metropolitan’s supply for the region.
On November 9, 2021, Metropolitan’s Board adopted a resolution recognizing the statewide drought emergency, declaring specified emergency conditions to exist within portions of its service area, and calling on Member Agencies to take various actions to preserve Metropolitan’s supply from the SWP. Among other things, Member Agencies were urged to make all reasonably practicable changes in their operations and to implement mandatory conservation and efficiency measures to reduce the use of SWP supplies.
WHEREAS, Metropolitan Has Determined that It Must Take Additional Actions Immediately to Conserve the Remaining Available SWP Supplies.
In December 2014, Metropolitan’s Board adopted a revised Water Supply Allocation Plan (WSAP) pursuant to which it may determine that a regional shortage exists, establish a regional shortage level, and impose an Allocation Surcharge on Member Agencies for water use above a predetermined allotment. The WSAP was designed and intended only for use during periods of regionwide water shortages and requires a more extended period to implement. As such, the current WSAP cannot effectively or efficiently address the water shortages anticipated to occur this year in the SWP Dependent Area.
Likewise, while actions being taken pursuant to the November 9, 2021, Board resolution are helpful, they are not sufficient to address in a timely manner the urgent circumstances present in the SWP Dependent Area.
That resolution specifically noted that if drought conditions persisted or worsened, Metropolitan’s Board would consider declaring a Water Shortage Emergency Condition and imposing appropriate regulations, restrictions and penalties to conserve Metropolitan’s water supplies.
Unfortunately, drought conditions have persisted, and the water supply outlook has worsened, particularly with respect to SWP supplies. Accordingly, Metropolitan believes it is necessary, desirable, and in the best interests of Metropolitan and its Member Agencies to declare that a Water Shortage Emergency Condition exists in the SWP Dependent Area, to adopt the framework for an Emergency Water Conservation Program encompassing the SWP Dependent Area, and to take certain other actions as set forth below and described in Board Letter 7-1 dated April 26, 2022, so as to reduce water use and preserve remaining SWP supplies.
Adopting an Emergency Water Conservation Program is consistent with actions taken by our Member Agencies and other retail agencies and will assist Metropolitan and its Member Agencies in public outreach efforts to communicate the severity of the current drought and the need for conservation and collective action. 3 10
Metr
opolitan further believes that it is necessary, desirable, and in the best interest of Metropolitan to work closely with Member Agencies to identify near-term actions to address this drought emergency and to grant the General Manager certain additional powers and authorities to assist in carrying out such activities promptly.
WHEREAS, Metropolitan Is Authorized and Required to Take These Additional Actions.
Article X, Section 2 of the California Constitution requires all water resources in the state to be put to beneficial use and prohibits the waste or unreasonable use of such resources. What constitutes reasonable use is dependent on exigent circumstances, and may change during periods of drought.
Water Code Section 350 et seq. requ ires the distributor of a public water supply to declare that a water shortage emergency condition exists “whenever it finds and determines that the ordinary demands and requirements of water consumers cannot be satisfied without depleting the water supply needed for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection.” Upon making such a declaration, the water supplier is authorized to adopt such regulations and restrictions as will, in its sound discretion, “conserve the water supply for the greatest public benefit with particular regard to domestic use, sanitation, and fire protection.” Water Code Section 375 et seq. auth orizes retail and wholesale water providers to adopt water and enforce conservation programs, which may include specific water-use limitations. Water providers may impose civil and criminal penalties for violating the requirements of such programs and/or may enforce water-use limitations by imposing “a volumetric penalty in an amount established by the public entity.” Water Code Section 10620 et seq. requ ires every urban water supplier to prepare and adopt an UWMP, which must include a WSCP to be implemented during times of shortage. Governor Newsom has directed all urban water suppliers to implement, at a minimum, the response actions identified in their WSCPs for a shortage level of up to 20 percent (Level 2).
DWR is requiring any SWP contr actor receiving HH&S supplies to impose mandatory restrictions on water use within its service area consistent with these emergency circumstances.
The Metropolitan District Act and Metropolitan’s Administrative Code authorize and support taking specific actions to address the current drought emergency. In particular, Administrative Code Section 4512 provides that deliveries of water “shall be subject to operational, supply or demand conditions, as determined by the General Manager.”
WHEREAS, Metropolitan Held a Noticed Public Hearing to Receive Input on These Additional Actions.
On April 26, 2022, a public hearing was held to receive input, comments, and/or protests on the proposed declaration of a Water Shortage Emergency Condition and adoption of the framework of an Emergency Water Conservation Program for the SWP Dependent Area, as well as the other actions set forth below and described in Board Letter 7-1 dated April 26, 2022. A copy of Board Letter 7-1 was posted on Metropolitan’s website (https://mwdh2o.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx) and was available for review prior to the hearing.
Notice of this hearing was published on April 14, 2022, in six different newspapers of general circulation encompassing all six counties within Metropolitan’s service area: Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles County), Orange County Register (Orange County), Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (San Bernardino County), Ventura County Star (Ventura County), Press Enterprise (Riverside County), and San Diego Union Tribune (San Diego County).
At this public hearing, Metropolitan’s Board received information, comments, testimony, and other evidence provided by Board members, Member Agency representatives, staff, and the public pertaining to these matters, and all persons present were given an opportunity to be heard.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California hereby declares a Water Shortage Emergency Condition to exist in the SWP Dependent Area. Per this declaration, the Board calls on all Member Agencies to:
4 11
(1) Make a
ll possible changes in their operations to reduce their use of Metropolitan’s SWP supplies. (2) Immediately mandate and implement such conservation requirements, water-use efficiency measures, and drought-related limitations consistent with their WSCPs and substantively conforming to the Emergency Water Conservation Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed to finalize and implement an Emergency Water Conservation Program in the SWP Dependent Area, subject to the following conditions:
(1) The Emergency Water Conservation Program shall conform to the framework outlined in Board Letter 7-1, dated April 26, 2022. (A copy of this Board Letter may be accessed through Metropolitan’s website at https://mwdh2o.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.) This framework includes volumetric penalties for non-compliance of up to $2,000 per acre-foot for use exceeding specified allocation limits.
(2) The Emergency Water Conservation Program shall include a provision for Member Agencies in the SWP Dependent Area to use 100 percent of their MAAP allocations for any conservation-related activities and projects, even where the water savings from such activities and projects are not readily quantifiable. Uses of MAAP funding could include drought-related actions, messaging, and code enforcement. Upon termination of the Emergency Water Conservation Program, the MAAP allocations would revert back to the previously established formula for non-documented water-saving program funding requests.
(3) The General Manager shall consult with all affected Member Agencies on the final terms of the Emergency Water Conservation Program.
(4) The General Manager shall finalize the Emergency Water Conservation Program within 30 days of Board adoption of this resolution.
(5) The Emergency Conservation Program shall continue through Jun. 30, 2023, unless otherwise terminated as described below.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Manager is hereby directed to continue the actions and activities specified in August 17, 2021, and November 9, 2021, Board resolutions, except as expanded or limited herein.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby declares Metropolitan’s support for the Governor’s Executive Order N-7-22 and directs staff to work with the relevant state agencies to implement the Executive Order.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, should drought conditions persist in the coming months, or should demand management actions not sufficiently preserve available supplies, the General Manager may impose additional conditions or requirements as part of the Emergency Water Conservation Program described in Board Letter 7-1, which may include a prohibition on all outdoor uses of water or a requirement for affected Member Agencies to conform to specified volumetric limits.
5 12
I HEREBY
CERTIFY that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California at its meeting held on Apr. 26, 2022.
Secretary of the Board of Directors
of The Metropolitan Water District
of Southern California
6 13
ATTACHMENT B
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16 17
18 19