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BACKGROUND <br /> Introduced in April 2015, the purpose of PMC Chapter 14.20 was to provide protection <br /> to the City's potable water supply now that disinfected tertiary recycled water became <br /> available to areas of the city for specific approved uses, as well as to clarify when new <br /> and existing commercial, industrial, and multifamily residential developments need to <br /> connect to the recycled water system for landscape irrigation. Under PMC Chapter <br /> 14.20, each new project involving an irrigation meter that falls within the recycled water <br /> use area is to be reviewed by the City Engineer, and the Director of Operations and <br /> Water Utilities reviews existing irrigation customers serviced within the recycled water <br /> use area by potable water for the conversion to recycled water. Factors for <br /> consideration in this review include: type of landscaping proposed; any threat to public <br /> health, safety or welfare; economic feasibility due to distance or access; amount of <br /> water demand; and available supply of recycled water. Decisions of the City <br /> Engineer/Director of Operations and Water Utilities are appealable to the City Manager. <br /> In accordance with Section 13550 et seq., of the California Water Code and Section <br /> 65605 of the California Government Code, it is the City's policy that recycled water be <br /> used for approved non-potable landscape irrigation uses within the city's recycled water <br /> use area when it is determined that there is not an alternative higher or better use for <br /> the recycled water, and its use is feasible, safe, and consistent with all legal <br /> requirements. <br /> The revenue generated by the recycled water service provides the necessary funding to <br /> ultimately pay back the loan secured through the State's Clean Water State Revolving <br /> Fund to support the critical investment towards this beneficial water supply alternative <br /> from the limitations of the current potable supply. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> Since the recycled water distribution system became operational in 2015, the Recycled <br /> Water Program has successfully completed the conversion of 47 out of the targeted 90 <br /> landscape sites intended for recycled water service connection as funded through the <br /> Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan/grant. This represents 92 irrigation meters out <br /> of the targeted 149 meters, not including the Valley Extension Phase. [Note: An <br /> additional seven recycled water sites, with nine meter connections, are located in the <br /> Staples Ranch area of east Pleasanton and supplied by Livermore.] <br /> The Recycled Water Program reached out to all targeted sites with known occupants <br /> (and followed up with vacant and for-sale properties over time), and responding <br /> customers were assisted in a timely manner through the conversion process. Staff has <br /> provided assistance and guidance to address any specific customer concerns, or <br /> specialized landscape features needing adjustments to comply with the State's recycled <br /> water regulations prior to connection. Examples include plumbing modifications to <br /> fountains and looping irrigation meters to abandon an inaccessible potable meter onsite <br /> but unconnected to the recycled water system. <br /> While the majority of these targeted customers have been receptive and appreciated <br /> the multiple benefits of converting their landscape irrigation service to recycled water, <br /> others (representing approximately 10% of the estimated projected total demand) have <br /> either not responded or failed to apply for an exemption from the requirement to convert <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br />