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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, that conservation goal was 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 a Stage 3 mandatory 25% water reduction, and proclaimed a Local Drought Emergency. In August, the State also enacted State wide mandatory reductions and prohibitions that are scheduled to be in place through April 2015. In March the City opened a drought control center which aids in raising community awareness about the drought and assisting residents and businesses in proactive conservation efforts. 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 a program known as CAP Controller Assistance Program. As indicated below, the results from this program have been very good. • The drought center remains open even during the suspension of the emergency drought declaration mandate. DISCUSSION Attached for City Council information is a chart summarizing a comparison between 2013 versus 2014 consumption and a comparison to 2015 consumption year to date. In recognition of the community's efforts and slightly improved water conditions resulting from the December rains, staff recommended and Council approved a 90-day suspension of the current 25% mandatory reduction that will allow for additional information from the State regarding 2015 water allocations. After the 90 days, at the Council's April 21, 2015 meeting, staff anticipates that depending on projected water supplies, the City Council will consider action to continue the current emergency Page 2 of 4