CCMIN050614 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Smith shared several slides from Zone 7's April 16 presentation. He reviewed key assumptions, which suggest that the drought will likely run through the 2014-2015 season. While current conditions can be likened to the historic drought of 1976-1977, it is important to note that the population and related water demand has increased considerably since that time. While 2015-2016 through 2017-2018 are expected to return to normal, projections indicate that this would still be insufficient to allow for recovery of the groundwater basin or reservoirs. As already noted, Zone 7 announced that local retailers will receive only 75% of their allocation for the next two years. While a 25% reduction in water usage will be difficult in the summer months, it will be even more so in November and December when the majority of usage occurs indoors. Staff anticipates that this can really only be accomplished by saving 30% to 35% during the irrigation season. He discussed the city's own efforts, which include continued work on the recycled water project. Since its last presentation, staff has filed the funding application supported by the Council and is well underway with environmental review. Should the Council choose to proceed with Phase 1, which totals approximately $15 million for treatment, distribution and design, the recycled water project horizon could be completed next year. Staff also has plans to truck recycled water in for use at the golf course, which is actually cost effective and will amount to considerable water savings, and has partnered with DSRSD to offset all extra potable water use with recycled water. The city continues to support residents with the drought hotline, which is staff fulltime, and has conservation assistants available to both residents and businesses. Staff is continuing to conduct public outreach and education and has joined with other retailers to support radio, print and television advertizing campaigns. If the Council adopts the proposed resolution, the city will issue a letter explaining the drought situation and the 25% mandatory reduction to all water accounts on Thursday. The proposed resolution would limit irrigation to no more than two nonconsecutive days per week, with the appropriate days correlating to an even or odd street address. Mr. Smith noted that many new irrigation controllers can be programmed to water only on even or odd days of the week, provided the date is set correctly. The penalties described in the ordinance, which start at $4 for the first violation, apply only if the 25% reduction is not achieved. Reductions will be determined by comparing current usage to the same period from the prior year, which can be expanded out to four years for those who feel they have already achieved significant savings. He stressed that collecting the penalty is not the goal, that staff is committed to working with consumers to ensure that they achieve the required reduction, and that both exceptions and an appeal process exists for those who feel they are being unfairly penalized. Mr. Smith shared several slides reminding consumers how to monitor their usage, both on the web portal, through physical monitoring of the meter or with assistance from city staff. He reminded the public that one unit equals 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons of water, which will be outlined on the reprogrammed utility bills. Councilmember Brown asked and Mr. Smith confirmed that one would need to remove the concrete lid in order to perform a physical read of their meter, though Mr. Smith noted they are not so heavy as to cause to back injury. Mayor Thorne referred to a comment by Mr. Smith in the Mayor's Report, which was that if the water supply were to become too critical the Fire Chief could shut down the entire system in order to conserve water for firefighting efforts. Mr. Smith explained that if the system's pressure and volume were to drop below fire protection levels, a fire could literally burn down half of Pleasanton and the city would be helpless. If that situation were to present, the Fire Chief would cut the system for several days to restore it to the minimum acceptable level. While staff does not anticipate this will happen, it is certainly a possibility. City Council Minutes Page 7 of 20 May 6, 2014