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Home My WebLink AboutF-2.1. Water Conservation Update - 2 Day Watering June 2022_APPROVEDINFORMATION ITEM TO: HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE AZUSA UTILITY BOARD FROM: TIKAN SINGH, GENERAL MANAGER DATE: MAY 31, 2022 SUBJECT: WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE – 2 DAY A WEEK WATERING EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2022 BACKGROUND: Los Angeles December 2021 rainfall was the third-wettest on record bringing some relief to the area. 2022 thus far has set the stage to be the driest since the late 19th century. The state’s snowpack is 26 percent of April 1st average and consequently in mid-March 2022 the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced the State Water Project allocations to water suppliers were reduced from an initial 15 percent set in December 2021 to only 5 percent. Azusa Light & Water uses the State Water Project water to recharge the aquifer. As a result, it is imperative to recognize the need to conserve water supplies. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Utility Board take the following action: 1)Receive and file Staff’s report setting 2-day watering restrictions effective June 1, 2022 ANALYSIS: Based on record-setting rains in 2021 particularly December, some relief was afforded to the drought- stricken region. Unfortunately, early 2022 extremely poor rain conditions introduced water supply concerns. January thru March 2022 were among the driest months on record and according to the US Drought monitor more than 95 percent of California is experiencing severe drought. On March 28, 2022 Governor Newsom approved an Executive Order calling for each urban water supplier to implement Stage 2 of their Water Shortage Contingency Plan up to a 20 percent water reduction and encouraged a voluntarily more stringent local reduction up to 30 percent. On April 26, 2022 Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) Board approved and declared an Emergency Conservation Program aimed to immediately reduce water use in communities with supplies severely limited by the state drought to ensure there is enough water for basic human health and safety needs. MWD declared a Water Shortage Emergency for the State Water Project (SWP) dependent areas requiring member agencies dependent on SWP deliveries to immediately cut water use by implementing one-day-a-week watering restrictions, or equivalent, by June 1, 2022 including having an enforcement program in place. MWD also stated the F-2Approved Utility Board 05/31/2022 2 Day a Week Watering Update May 31, 2022 Page 2 affective agencies include: Calleguas Municipal Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Three Valleys Municipal Water District and Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District. So what does this mean for Azusa Light & Water (ALW)? ALW is within three wholesale replenishment districts: San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Four Cities), Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District (Upper District) and Three Valleys Municipal Water District (TVMWD). The replenishment water is utilized to recharge the aquifer. 65 percent of ALW’s water supplies come from groundwater wells and 35 percent from surface water treated at the Hsu Water Filtration Plant. Currently, ALW does not take a direct treated water source from the State Water Project but we can, in case of an emergency. ALW does utilize the SWP water to replenish the Upper San Gabriel Basin watershed to recharge the aquifer. Azusa Light and Water has significantly reduced groundwater production since 2005 as conservation measures increased and water usage restrictions have been in place, per the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan see the below figure 2.11 and figure 2.15. Azusa Light & Water is currently meeting the state order requirements of a 20 percent reduction. In March of 2022 ALW residential gallons per capita per day (R-GPCD) was 74. Per ALW 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, the 2015 target was 189 GPCD, and the 2020 is 168 GPCD. In 2015 ALW had a per capita water use of 143 GPCD and in 2020 ALW was at 147 GPCD. ALW was well below our planned target and has exceeded its 2020 final water use target. For the same March 2022 time period Monrovia was 105, Glendora 120, Monterey Park 73, Alhambra 71, Pomona 65, Covina 101, Sierra Madre 164 R-GPCD. 2 Day a Week Watering Update May 31, 2022 Page 2 On May 2, 2022 Upper District encouraged all of its members to voluntarily go to two-day week watering to achieve the 20 percent reduction. As of May 13, 2022, the adjudicated groundwater basin Key Well ALW is within is at 185.5 feet. The Historical low for the basin was at 169.4 feet in November 2018. The historical high was 295 feet in July 1983. For the seventh straight year Watermaster has set the Operating Safe Yield at 150,000 Acre-Feet. Without SWP replenishment deliveries it is projected a new low will be reached by October 2022. There is a need to avoid further drastic restrictions with the enduring drought such as a full outdoor watering ban. The need to conserve critical supplies is upon all water agencies. Presently, Azusa Light and Water’s Rule 21 allows the General Manager/Director of Utilities to recommend and implement landscape and lawn watering restrictions to achieve water reduction goals. Currently watering restrictions are set to three days per week watering in the Summer and two days per week watering in the Winter. With the intent to prudently conserve water supplies and take action together Staff is recommending two days per week watering effective June 1, 2022 as follows: A customer water conservation notification campaign will be made effective June 1, 2022 as well. Staff will continue monitoring drought conditions and recommend watering restrictions as needed. Staff also recommends to hire two full time Water Conservation Specialists to report to the Assistant General Manager of Water Operations. The Water Conservation Specialists will lead the efforts of an Azusa Landscape Watering Schedule Residential Even Address Thurs, Sun Odd Address Wed, Sat Commercial/HOA Mon, Fri 2 Day a Week Watering Update May 31, 2022 Page 2 Light & Water Conservation Program, implement a rebate program for all Azusa Light and Water customers, educate customers to conserve water and enforce drought patrol throughout the entire water service area. FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact is to update the budget to include two full time Water Conservation Specialists. Prepared by: Prepared by: Richard Torres Melissa Barbosa, PE Assistant General Manager Interim Assistant General Manager Resource Management Water Operations Reviewed and Approved: Tikan Singh General Manager Reviewed and Approved: Sergio Gonzalez City Manager Attachment: 1) California State Executive Order N-7-22 2) Upper Districts Response - MWD Emergency Water Conservation Plan