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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 14160 City of Palo Alto (ID # 14160) City Council Staff Report Meeting Date: 6/13/2022 Report Type: Consent Calendar City of Palo Alto Page 1 Title: Utilities Advisory Commission Recommend the City Council Adopt the 2022 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report From: City Manager Lead Department: Utilities RECOMMENDATION The Utilities Advisory Commission and staff recommend the City Council adopt the 2022 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Beginning in 2022, every urban water supplier in California must conduct an Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment as required by California Water Code Section 10632 (a). Each urban water supplier must also submit an Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) on or before July 1, as required by California Water Code Section 10632.1. The City’s Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report (Tables 1-5 below) shows that planned water conservation actions are anticipated to adequately address anticipated potable water supply shortages. DWR will prepare a summary report on its review of the Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment results and provide it to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) by September 30 each year. The DWR report will include water shortage information at the supplier level, as well as regional and statewide analysis of water conditions as required by California Water Code Section 10644 (c)(1)(B). DISCUSSION To prepare the 2022 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report, staff followed the procedures outlined in its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, contained in Section 7 of the City’s 2020 UWMP. Palo Alto’s 2022 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report uses the DWR-developed Optional Annual Assessment Tool format. This format includes the 5 tables shown below. Staff will submit the standard tables to DWR by July 1, 2022. “Table 1. Annual Assessment Information” (Table 1) provides required overview information. The remaining tables project water supply and demand for FY 2023 under continuing dry conditions, and identify shortages and actions to meet those shortages described in more detail below. Potable Water Palo Alto receives 100% of its potable water supply from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Regional Water System. “Table 2: Water Demands” (Table 2) provides a demand projection for each month of FY 2023 while “Table 3: Water Supplies” (Table 3) provides a supply projection equal to the voluntary monthly water budgets SFPUC provided to Palo Alto. “Table 4(P): Potable Water Shortage Assessment” (Table 4(P)) compares projected FY 2023 demand with supply and finds that there is a City of Palo Alto Page 2 projected shortage of 7%, or a total of 721 Acre Feet (AF), for FY 2023. This means Palo Alto is projected to remain in Stage 1 of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) for cutbacks up to 10% under the assumed dry conditions. “Table 5: Planned Water Shortage Response Actions” (Table 5) lists the demand reduction actions Palo Alto has implemented and plans to continue to implement throughout FY 2023. Staff estimates Palo Alto will be able to meet the shortage with the planned demand reduction actions. Table 5 shows the planned demand reduction actions listed using the required standard drop-down menus. Table 4(P) shows the water use reductions associated with the Table 5 demand reduction actions, bringing the revised shortage projection to 0% in each month of FY 2023. Palo Alto has implemented action plans in past droughts, and during each one Palo Alto residents and businesses have collectively responded to the call for water conservation. In the recent drought of 2015-2017, Palo Alto responded to state-mandated potable water use restrictions by implementing the water restrictions in Stage II of its WSCP. While it is not possible to determine how much of the water conserved can be attributed to each of the specific water use reduction actions/measures imposed, the City exceeded the 24% cumulative reduction target for the June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016 compliance period compared to calendar year 2013. To provide the estimates in Table 5, staff used professional judgment to develop the best available estimates showing that the implementation of the planned demand reduction actions will reduce demand enough to meet available supply. Council implemented the actions shown in Table 5 through the permanent water use restrictions outlined in the Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 12.32.010 and in Stage 1 of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (see Council Resolution 10022, March 7, 2022). On March 28, 2022, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-22 requiring the State Board to consider adopting emergency regulations by May 25, 2022 that require additional actions from urban retail water suppliers. Staff anticipates those additional actions will include requirements for urban water suppliers to submit to the Department of Water Resources a preliminary Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment no later than June 1, 2022 and to implement Stage II of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans and implement, at a minimum, the demand reduction actions associated with a water shortage level of up to 20%. For Palo Alto, the additional water use restrictions in Stage II of Palo Alto’s Amended 2020 WSCP are: 1) Restaurants and other food service operations shall serve water to customers only upon request. 2) Operators of hotels and motels shall provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily. The hotel or motel shall prominently display notice of this option in each guestroom using clear and easily understood language. Staff plans to submit a working draft of the Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment to the Department of Water Resources on or before June 1, 2022. Staff plans to submit a recommendation to the City Council to implement Stage II of Palo Alto’s Amended 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Additionally, Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Board called upon the County, water retailers and cities to restrict ornamental landscape and lawn irrigation with potable water to no more than two days per week.1 Staff plans to recommend that Council restrict irrigation of ornamental landscape and lawn with potable water to two-days per week in Palo Alto, except as it may be required to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings (see Staff Report 14324). It is important to maintain the health of the urban canopy in Palo Alto because trees have numerous social and environmental benefits. 1 Resolution Amending Resolution No. 21-68 Rescinding Resolution 17-43, Declaring a Water Shortage Emergency Condition Calling for Water Use Restrictions, and Urging the County of Santa Clara to Proclaim a Local Emergency. City of Palo Alto Page 3 For this reason, potable irrigation of ornamental landscapes or lawns where irrigation benefits the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings will be specifically excluded from staff’s proposed two-day per week irrigation restriction. Table 5 includes staff’s draft proposed water use restrictions. Once the State Board finalizes its emergency regulations, staff will return to Council if needed, with recommendations for implementing the required additional actions. Non-Potable Water For non-potable recycled water, Table 2 provides the demand projection and Table 3 notes that there is sufficient supply to meet Palo Alto’s non-potable recycled water demand. For that reason, the supply is set to equal demand and there is no shortage of non-potable water projected in Table 4(NP), “Non Potable Water Shortage Assessment”. City of Palo Alto Page 4 Table 1. Annual Assessment Information Annual Assessment Information (Required) Year Covered By This Shortage Report Start: July 1,2022 End: June 30,2023 Supplier's Annual Assessment Planning Cycle Start Month:July End Month:June Data Reporting Interval Used: MONTHLY Volume Unit for Reported Supply and Demand: (Must use the same unit throughout)AF Water Supplier's Contact Information Water Supplier's Name:City of Palo Alto Contact Name:Lisa Bilir Contact Title:Acting Senior Resource Planner Street Address:250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto ZIP Code:94301 Phone Number:(650)329-2543 Email Address:lisa.bilir@cityofpaloalto.org Report Preparer's Contact Information (if different from above) Preparer's Organization Name: Preparer's Contact Name: Phone Number: Email Address: Supplier's Water Shortage Contingency Plan WSCP Title 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan of the City of Palo Alto WSCP Adoption Date 6/7/2021 Other Annual Assessment Related Activities (Optional) Activity Timeline/ Outcomes / Links / Notes Annual Assessment/ Shortage Report Title:Optional Annual Assessment / Shortage Report Approval Date:6/13/2022 Other Annual Assessment Related Activities: The 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan of the City of Palo Alto states that Palo Alto will utilize the BAWSCA Regional Reliability Model to evaluate water supply availability, however, the plan also permits the City to use SFPUC data since SFPUC is the City's sole supplier. Specifically, the 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan states: "Because Palo Alto relies on only one potable water supply source, SFPUC RWS water, the Annual Assessment will rely on key data inputs from the SFPUC." Palo Alto determined the best data to use for water supply is the monthly water budgets provided by SFPUC. (Add rows as needed) City of Palo Alto Page 5 = From prior tables = Auto calculated Use Type Start Year:2022 Volumetric Unit Used2:AF Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total by Water Demand Type All Demands 1213 1105 1063 1031 810 689 648 534 650 855 1097 1080 10776 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 1213 1105 1063 1031 810 689 648 534 650 855 1097 1080 10776 All Demands Tertiary 54 53 35 22 11 2 2 11 9 24 42 50 315 0 0 0 0 54 53 35 22 11 2 2 11 9 24 42 50 315 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total 0 0 0 0 Table 2: Water Demands1 Projected Water Demands - Volume3 Total by Month (Non-Potable) 1Projections are based on best available data at time of submitting the report and actual demand volumes could be different due to many factors. 2Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent. 3When opting to provide other than monthly volumes (bi-monthly, quarterly, or annual), please see directions on entering data for Projected Water Demand in the Table Instructions. Notes: Potable unconstrained customer demand determined using the end-use model described in the 2020 UWMP Section 4. Non-potable unconstrained customer demand determined based on 2020 UWMP projection. Total by Month (Potable) Additional Description (as needed) Level of Treatment for Non- Potable Supplies Drop-down list Drop-down list May select each use multiple times These are the only Use Types that will be recognized by the WUEdata online submittal tool (Add additional rows as needed) Demands Served by Potable Supplies Demands Served by Non-Potable Supplies Three years ago total demand Four years ago total demand Optional (for comparison purposes) Last year's total demand Two years ago total demand City of Palo Alto Page 6 = From prior tables = Auto calculated Water Supply Start Year:2022 Volumetric Unit Used2:AF Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total by Water Supply Type Purchased/Imported Water San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Regional Water Supply System 1132 1031 992 962 756 643 605 498 606 798 1023 1007 10054 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1132 1031 992 962 756 643 605 498 606 798 1023 1007 10054 0 Recycled Water Recycled Water from the Regional Water Quality Control Plant 54 53 35 22 11 2 2 11 9 24 42 50 315 00 0 0 54 53 35 22 11 2 2 11 9 24 42 50 315 0 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total 0 Table 3: Water Supplies1 Projected Water Supplies - Volume3 Water Quality Drop-down List Total Right or Safe Yield* (optional) Additional Detail on Water Supply Drop-down List May use each category multiple times.These are the only water supply categories that will be recognized by the WUEdata online submittal tool (Add additional rows as needed) Potable Supplies Non-Potable Supplies eAR Reported Total Water Supplies Optional (for comparison purposes) 1Projections are based on best available data at time of submitting the report and actual supply volumes could be different due to many factors. 2Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent. 3When opting to provide other than monthly volumes (bi-monthly, quarterly, or annual), please see directions on entering data for Projected Water Supplies in the Table Instructions. Notes: Palo Alto purchases 100% of its potable water from SFPUC; SFPUC declared a water shortage emergency on November 23, 2021 and provided Palo Alto with voluntary monthly water budgets. Palo Alto supplies recycled water for irrigation of the municipal golf course, a park and some other minor applications; there is sufficient supply of recycled water to meet demand. Total by Month (Potable) Total by Month (Non-Potable) City of Palo Alto Page 7 = Auto calculated = For manual input Table 4(P): Potable Water Shortage Assessment1 Start Year:2022 Volumetric Unit Used2:AF Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun3 Total Anticipated Unconstrained Demand 1,213 1,105 1,063 1,031 810 689 648 534 650 855 1,097 1,080 10,776 Anticipated Total Water Supply 1,132 1,031 992 962 756 643 605 498 606 798 1,023 1,007 10,054 Surplus/Shortage w/o WSCP Action -81 -74 -71 -69 -54 -46 -43 -36 -43 -57 -73 -72 -721 % Surplus/Shortage w/o WSCP Action -7%-7%-7%-7%-7%-7%-7%-7%-7%-7%-7%-7%-7% State Standard Shortage Level 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Benefit from WSCP: Supply Augmentation 0.0 Benefit from WSCP: Demand Reduction 81 74 71 69 54 46 43 36 44 57 73 72 722 Revised Surplus/Shortage with WSCP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 % Revised Surplus/Shortage with WSCP 0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0% = Auto calculated = For manual input Table 4(NP): Non-Potable Water Shortage Assessment1 Start Year:2022 Volumetric Unit Used2:AF Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun3 Total Anticipated Unconstrained Demand: Non-Potable 54 53 35 22 11 2 2 11 9 24 42 50 315 Anticipated Total Water Supply: Non-Potable 54 53 35 22 11 2 2 11 9 24 42 50 315 Surplus/Shortage w/o WSCP Action: Non-Potable 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 % Surplus/Shortage w/o WSCP Action: Non-Potable 0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0% Benefit from WSCP: Supply Augmentation 0.0 Benefit from WSCP: Demand Reduction 0.0 Revised Surplus/Shortage with WSCP 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 % Revised Surplus/Shortage with WSCP 0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0% = From prior tables Planned WSCP Actions 1Assessments are based on best available data at time of submitting the report and actual volumes could be different due to many factors. 2Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent. 3When optional monthly volumes aren't provided, verify Tables 2 and 3 use the same columns for data entry and are reflected properly in Table 4 and make sure to use those same columns to enter the benefits from Planned WSCP Actions. Please see directions on the shortage balancing exercise in the Table Instructions. If a shortage is projected, the supplier is highly recommended to perform a monthly analysis to more accurately identify the time of shortage. = From prior tables Planned WSCP Actions 1Assessments are based on best available data at time of submitting the report and actual volumes could be different due to many factors. 2Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent. 3When optional monthly volumes aren't provided, verify Tables 2 and 3 use the same columns for data entry and are reflected properly in Table 4 and make sure to use those same columns to enter the benefits from Planned WSCP Actions. Please see directions on the shortage balancing exercise in the Table Instructions. If a shortage is projected, the supplier is highly recommended to perform a monthly analysis to more accurately identify the time of shortage. City of Palo Alto Page 8 July 1,2022 to June 30,2023 Enter Amount (Drop-down List) Select % or Volume Unit Start Month End Month 1 Expand Public Information Campaign Yes 135 AF July June 1 Offer Water Use Surveys Yes 32 AF July June 1 Provide Rebates on Plumbing Fixtures and Devices Yes 32 AF July June 1 Provide Rebates for Landscape Irrigation Efficiency Yes 32 AF July June 1 Provide Rebates for Turf Replacement Yes 32 AF July June 1 Landscape - Restrict or prohibit runoff from landscape irrigation Yes 17 AF July June 1 Landscape - Limit landscape irrigation to specific times Yes 17 AF July June 1 Landscape - Prohibit certain types of landscape irrigation Yes 32 AF July June 1 Landscape - Other landscape restriction or prohibition Yes 32 AF July June 1 CII - Other CII restriction or prohibition Yes 65 AF July June 1 Water Features - Restrict water use for decorative water features, such as fountains Yes 17 AF July June 1 Other - Customers must repair leaks, breaks, and malfunctions in a timely manner Yes 17 AF July June 1 Other - Require automatic shut of hoses Yes 17 AF July June 1 Other - Prohibit use of potable water for construction and dust control Yes 17 AF July June 1 Other - Prohibit use of potable water for washing hard surfaces Yes 32 AF July June 2 CII - Lodging establishment must offer opt out of linen service No 45 AF July June 2 CII - Restaurants may only serve water upon request No 45 AF July June 2 Landscape - Limit landscape irrigation to specific days No 135 AF July June Table 5: Planned Water Shortage Response Actions NOTES: Table 5 shows the actions that Palo Alto plans to take based on the supply and demand assessment and that Palo Alto staff plan to recommend to the Palo Alto City Council as a result of Executive Order N-7-22 emergency regulations; Palo Alto has 8 permanent water use restrictions in the Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 12.32.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-69362#JD_Chapter12.32; Palo Alto's Amended Water Shortage Contingency Plan, as revised 3/7/22, Stage I, outlines 7 additional demand reduction actions. Palo Alto City Council implemented the Stage I actions on 3/7/22. Palo Alto's Amended Water Shortage Contingency Plan, as revised 3/7/22, Stage II outlines 2 additional demand reduction actions. Palo Alto staff plans to recommend to Palo Alto City Council to implement the 2 additional demand reduction actions in Stage II as well as adding a 2 day per week limit on ornamental landscape and lawn irrigation, except as needed for the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings. The Palo Alto City Council may approve staff's proposals or take a different action or no action. Add additional rows as needed How much is action going to reduce the shortage gap? When is shortage response action anticipated to be implemented?Is action already being implemented? (Y/N) ACTIONS: Demand Reduction, Supply Augmentation, and Other Actions. (Drop-down List) These are the only categories that will be accepted by the WUEdata online submittal tool. Select those that apply. Anticipated Shortage Level Drop-down List of State Standard Levels (1 - 6) and Level 0 (No Shortage) City of Palo Alto Page 9 TIMELINE California Water Code Section 10632.1 requires the Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report to be submitted to DWR by July 1 each year. RESOURCE IMPACT Adoption of the 2022 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report does not have an associated resource impact. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Staff encourages interested parties to comment or provide feedback on the draft Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report at the Council meeting where the report will be discussed or to submit written comments. COMMISSION REVIEW The 2022 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report was presented to the UAC at its June 8, 2022 meeting. An At Place memo will be presented to the Council with the recommendation after this meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Approval of the 2022 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act’s (CEQA) review pursuant to Water Code Section 10652.