WATER DEMAND COMMITTEE

 

 

ITEM:

ACTION ITEMS

 

2.

REVIEW AND DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR STAGES 4 THROUGH 7 OF THE EXPANDED WATER CONSERVATION AND STANDBY RATIONING PLAN

 

Meeting Date:
September 11, 2007

 

 

 

From:

David A. Berger,

 

 

 

General Manager

 

 

 

 

Prepared by:
Stephanie Pintar

 

 

SUMMARY:  Attachment 2-A is a preliminary draft of the Implementation Plan for Stages 4 through 7 of the Expanded Water Conservation and Standby Rationing Plan (i.e. MPWMD Regulation XV).  Stages 4-7 respond to drought situations where water rationing is required.  The Plan discusses the following areas related to implementation of Stages 4-7 and identifies possible concerns:

 

  • Board Policy Decisions
  • Personnel
  • Public Education and Outreach
  • Enforcement
  • Data Management Needs
  • Budget

 

The preliminary draft of the Implementation Plan is presented at this time as one of the Strategic Plan objectives under the Board’s three-year goal:  Enhance and Protect the Water Resources of the Carmel River and the Seaside Ground Water Basin for the Benefit of the Environment and the Community.  The specific strategic objective is to “Present to the Water Demand Committee a draft contingency plan to implement Stages 5-7 of the Expanded Conservation and Standby Rationing Plan in case of drought.”  The Strategic Plan called for presentation of this report at the September Board meeting.

 

The year 2007 has been deemed a “Critically Dry Year.”  Rainfall and runoff are far below normal levels.  Without at least normal rainfall this winter, California American Water (CAW) may request early implementation of Stage 5 of Regulation XV via the emergency trigger.  An emergency trigger is discussed in Rule 165-A-2.  The emergency trigger could cause implementation of water rationing before the May Board meeting.  May is the month when the Board is required to review all water resource information and determines if water rationing is required.  Implementation of Stage 5 could also trigger implementation of Stage 4 and 5 for other water users.

 

The potential that water rationing could be implemented in the next 6-8 months requires advance planning to avoid the public criticism that occurred regarding the District’s previous rationing program.  The staff prepared draft implementation plan requires pre-rationing actions in several areas, such as computer programming and acquisition, personnel organization and recruitment, budgeting, enforcement, etc.  In most areas around the state and country, water rationing consists of the regulations that the District has had in place since 1999 (i.e. Stage 1 water waste restrictions).   The District’s regulations are designed to reduce water use to levels that will extend existing supply, to the extent possible, until rainfall provides the necessary relief.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  The Water Demand Committee should discuss the Implementation Plan and provide comments to staff for inclusion in the draft report when it is reviewed by the Board.  Specifically, the committee should discuss the section titled “Board Policy Decisions” as a priority.  Other minor edits may be identified prior to the October Board meeting.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:  The proposed implementation plan is estimated to have a one-time cost of approximately $263,300 initially.  Ongoing costs are estimated at approximately $1.24 million per year for the length of the program.  According to CAW’s rates manager, costs associated with the Implementation Plan are approved for reimbursement by CAW to the District via a memorandum account approved by the CPUC in 2003.

 

ATTACHMENT

2-A      Preliminary Draft Implementation Plan

 

 

 

 

 

U:\staff\word\committees\waterdemand\2007\20070911\02\item2.doc