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Home My WebLink AboutF-1. Phase III Drought Update Information ►tem F-1 Presented 21222t4i 001 a L1vSA INFORMATION ITEM TO: HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD FROM: GEORGE MORROW,DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES DATE: JULY 28,2014 SUBJECT: PHASE III DROUGHT UPDATE As you know, a Phase II Water Shortage was declared effective June 1, 2013, and due to worsening drought conditions, a Phase III Water Shortage was declared effective May 1,2014. Despite these drought declarations, and numerous efforts to publicize and enforce the water use restrictions, we have seen very little overall reduction in water consumption. From June 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013, consumption was reduced by-1.4%. From January 1, 2014,through June 30, 2014, water consumption increased by 1.8%. Overall, consumption is only down -0.13% compared to last year since the Phase II Water Shortage was declared on June 1,2013. The results from our drought enforcement efforts appear to be better than Southern California as a whole, where water usage has reportedly increased by 8% this year, however, staff is continuing to analyze water use trends and will continue to communicate to customers that further curtailment of water use is needed. The very low rainfall this last year combined with the growth in Rosedale are probably the two biggest contributing factors affecting consumption trends. Following declaration of the Phase III drought, the 3 tier water rate structure was implemented effective June 1st for all water customers inside the City of Azusa since these customers are billed on a monthly basis. Notice of the 3 tier rate structure was provided to all Azusa customers during May. In June, consumption by Azusa consumers dropped 8.1% compared to June 2013 consumption. This is the biggest drop in consumption we have seen since the rainy season started back in September/October of last year. In addition to continuing to publicize the severity of the drought, we have also stepped up enforcement activities and are beginning to provide an increasing number of warnings and citations to customers. Briefings about the drought were held with Meter Readers and Field Service Representatives in early July and they were asked to assist in monitoring properties for compliance with our water use restrictions. Other staff was recently scheduled to dedicate more UB-107 9Tc <. c i''', 'II:S Phase III Drought Update July 28,2014 s Page 2 time to enforcement activities. While these changes have been relatively new, we have already seen a 30% increase in warnings and citations issued to customers. As of mid-July, staff has issued 1,571 Warnings and 85 Citations for Phase III water use restriction violations. Although overall water consumption has not been reduced by much since June 1, 2013, customers have continued to conserve water as a result of past drought enforcement activities. At Fiscal Year End 2013-14, for example, consumption was down by 19.6% compared to FY 2006-07. This is very close to the conservation target set for Phase III — 20%. However, in measuring consumer response to our water restrictions, staff is comparing current usage to the benchmark usage year of FY 2010-11, which was the lowest consumption period in the past 10- years. The reduction in consumption achieved in FY 2010-11 followed multiple Drought Declarations during the 2007-2009 period and significant public outreach and enforcement activity. Below is some trend data of sales,billings, and billed accounts since FY 2006-07: Billed FY CCF Sales Billings _ Accounts 06-07 9,971,443 $15,912,915 22,895 07-08 8,502,994 $15,641,966 22,868 08-09 8,333,649 $13,988,554 23,014 09-10 7,853,732 $15,303,213 _ 23,036 10-11 7,384,003 $16,600,100 23,100 11-12 7,598,788 $17,199,870 23,104 12-13 8,094,910 $18,043,742 23,302 13-14 8,020,459 $17,933,551 23,597 Average annual CCF consumption per billed account is set forth below: 450 400 350 ', '{, fm ' �- 300 1- v M INN �� MIE MN 250 240 a ; ;?� "" '', -MIN 100 ," 50 P a_ __ m _ ii- 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11* 11/12 12/13 13/14 *Consumption Benchmark Year Note that the reduction in consumption in FY 2010-11 compared to FY 2006-07 was 25.95%0. Since FY 2010-11, usage has increased. We are hopeful that the 3 tier rate structure, combined with increased enforcement activities and continued publicity and outreach,will result in reduced consumption similar to what was achieved in FY 2010-11. Given the 8% reduction in UB-108 • Phase III Drought Update July 28,2014 Page 3 consumption for the Azusa service area in June 2014, this seems feasible. In order to achieve the FY 2010-11 consumption level, we need to reduce consumption by 7.9% or 636,456 ccf during the 2014-15 fiscal year. If the June 2014 results continue forward, we would be able to achieve this goal. The table below shows the additional conservation necessary to achieve the FY 2010- 11 reduction target. Current Difference in Period Consumption in CCFs Consumption FY 2010/11 FY 2013/14 May 539,109 684,548 + 145,439 June 667,233 703,965 + 36,732 12-Months 7,384,003 8,020,459 + 636,456 Ending Staff will continue to utilize a variety of mediums to educate customers about water saving tips, rebates, and the mandatory conservations measures under Phase III, including use of our customer service staff, bi-weekly newspaper ads, direct mailers, handouts, drought forums, posted signs and banners, and the design of a drought resources webpage. Staff will also continue to monitor usage, drought patrol productivity, and develop updated strategies for communicating the need to conserve water to customers. Prepared by: Talika M. Graham,Utilities Administrative and Financial Services Manager Cary Kalscheuer, Assistant Director—Customer Care & Solutions UB-109