17 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND In January 2014, the governor declared a State of Emergency due to the California drought, as did the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Zone 7. In February, the City Council activated Stage 1 of the City's Water Shortage Contingency Plan and requested that customers voluntarily reduce water usage by 20%. Unfortunately, those conservation levels were not achieved. In April, the governor issued an executive order asking Californian's to reduce water usage by 20%, and Zone 7 also asked all water retailers, including Pleasanton, to reduce water usage by 25%. In May, the City Council declared the City's water shortage situation warranted Stage 3 mandatory 25% water reduction, and proclaimed a Local Drought Emergency. DISCUSSION This report provides information regarding the on-going local drought emergency. The City Council must receive a report about every 30 days during a local emergency. Attached for City Council information is a progress chart summarizing a comparison between 2013 and 2014 water usage. As indicated, the City realized a 27% water reduction in May and a 34% reduction in June and as such, the City is meeting the 25% reduction target for those two months however we are still not at 25% year to date. Year to date we have achieved a 21.6% reduction and the hottest two months are still to come. We will continue to keep the drought center open and assist residents and businesses in conservation efforts. In addition, listed below are a few highlights regarding programs and usage: • The City's water conservation webpage www.pleasantonwaterconservation.com serves as the City's main source for water reduction tips, water-efficiency incentive programs, drought updates, and current water restriction information and the community is encouraged to utilize this information. • City staff continues to provide on-call and on-site assistance to residents and businesses to provide hands on assistance with reducing water usage that includes such services as reprogramming irrigation systems, providing free low flow shower heads and faucet aerators, etc • We have a drought work shop scheduled for the community on Saturday July 19th at the operations Service Center from 10 AM to noon where we will provide information on a number of topics including drought tolerant landscaping, how to read your water meter, how to use the City's web portal to review your water usage and other informational items. • Summer outreach and education events will continue, including a booth at first Wednesdays and the farmers market. California Youth Energy Services is offering in house energy and water audits to residents again this summer free of charge. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 510-665-1501 ext 5. This program is sponsored by the City and PG&E and is staffed by local youth from Pleasanton. Page 2 of 3