WATER DEMAND COMMITTEE
ITEM:		ACTION ITEMS
4.	DISCUSS APPROPRIATE WATER USE FACTOR AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK FOR DAY SPAS - TABLE II: COMMERCIAL WATER USE FACTORS
Meeting Date:			August 10, 2006
From:			David A. Berger,
			General Manager
Prepared by:			Stephanie Pintar

SUMMARY: The District has recently received several inquiries for information regarding water permits for “day spas.” A Day Spa is a place you go to relax and enjoy being pampered and where you may receive therapeutic treatments for the whole body. Day Spas are a fairly new concept and were not contemplated when the commercial factors were adopted in 1992. The water demand estimate for a Day Spa is extremely difficult to project, as the specific uses of water in the spa depend on the treatment.

The District estimates non-residential water demand using factors by type of use that are derived from regional averages and that have been grouped into three categories (low-moderate, high, and miscellaneous). These factors are found in District Rule 24, Table 2, Commercial Water Use Factors. Staff has applied the Group I use factor to Day Spas in the past. Services provided in this category include manicures, massages, facials, tanning services, waxes, and other “dry” services. Other “wet” services that may be available in a Day Spa establishment include hydrotherapy treatments, Vichy showers and other water treatments, scrubs, mud treatments, wraps and baths. These “wet” services are not included in the Group I factor.

Staff has made estimates for water use for some of these features using information provided by the applicants, but as there is considerable disparity in the set-up and operation of the treatments, staff is uncomfortable using this method as a definitive estimation method. To address these concerns, staff proposes that Day Spas offering “wet” services always be considered as Special Circumstances with Substantial Uncertainty under Rule 24-G. The following definition will be added to the Rules by Ordinance No. 125:

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WITH SUBSTANTIAL UNCERTAINTY – “Special Circumstances with Substantial Uncertainty” shall mean projects that are so unusual that neither the application of the regional average nor use of actual undisputed quantitative documentation would provide a reliable forecast of the project’s consumption Capacity. Such a project must be unique or have such an unusual location, design or clientele that none of the surveyed commercial categories enumerated in Rule 24 represents a comparable type of use, or there is no quantitative documentation that is available and beyond dispute.

RECOMMENDATION: The Water Demand Committee should discuss the concept of applying Rule 24, Special Circumstances with Substantial Uncertainty, to water applications for Day Spas that include “wet” services. If the committee supports this position, staff will prepare a resolution for the Board to add a footnote to Table 2: Non-Residential Water Use Factors indicating that Day Spas that offer “wet” services will be permitted under Rule 24-G, Special Circumstances with Substantial Uncertainty.

District Rule 24-G allows the District to adjust connection charges and water used from a jurisdiction’s allocation (usually after 60 months) when the Board finds that (a) special circumstances exist, and (b) that substantial uncertainty exists regarding the projected water use proposed by the permit applicant. Special circumstances exist if a project does not fall within a commercial water use category listed on Table II of Rule 24, or where there is no accurate and reliable method to project water use for that site.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary guidelines have been established to answer the ever-occurring question of "What is a Day Spa" within the first publication of THE DAY SPA DIRECTORY in the fall/winter 1994. According to Spa Management Journal, a Day Spa is defined as an environment that is nurturing, safe, clean and caring, with a serene atmosphere. Professional, licensed estheticians and therapists are on staff. Private treatment rooms are available for each client receiving a personal service. Spa products are used for which estheticians and therapists have received training in their use. Various massages are available: Swedish, Shiatsu, Lymph Drainage and Reflexology. Optional massage treatments include: Polarity, Sports, Deep tissue and Deep muscle. Body Treatments: Body packs & wraps, exfoliation, cellulite and heat treatments. Optional body treatments include: Electrolysis, Body Toning, and Waxing. Aromatherapy is personalized for body and/or face. Face: Cleansing facial. Optional face treatments: Medical facial, Non-Surgical face lift, Electrical Toning, Electrolysis.

One out of the following services is also available:

a) Hydrotherapy
b) Steam and Sauna
c) Nutrition and Weight Management
d) Spa Cuisine
e) Exercise

Optional:
1) Hair: Full service salon, Scalp and Hair packs
2) Nails: Manicure, Pedicure
3) Make-up: Consultation, Application

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