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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2605-6415CITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting Monday, June 15, 2026 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:30 PM     Agenda Item     5.Approve Submittal of the 2026 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report; CEQA status: exempt. City Council Staff Report From: City Manager Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR Lead Department: Utilities Meeting Date: June 15, 2026 Report #:2605-6415 TITLE Approve Submittal of the 2026 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report; CEQA status: exempt. RECOMMENDATION Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) and staff recommend City Council approve submittal of the 2026 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 (Attachment A, Tables 1-5) show that there is no water shortage anticipated for Fiscal Year 2027. On April 14, 2026, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), Palo Alto’s water supplier, provided Palo Alto with the Water Supply Availability Update for the current year. Although precipitation at Hetch Hetchy has been near median, snowpack in the upper watersheds is only 25% of the April 1 median. Even with these historic conditions, the entire water system is expected to be filled by the end of May 2026. SFPUC’s Water Bank is full and will continue to support deliveries throughout the year, while reservoir storage as of April 13, 2026 remained well above typical levels for the time of year. The City of Palo Alto encourages continued water conservation efforts and the City’s website contains more information about available water conservation programs.1 BACKGROUND 1 Water Conservation Programs https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Utilities/Ways-to-Save To prepare the 2026 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 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP).￿ Palo Alto’s 2026 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report uses the DWR-developed Optional Annual Assessment Tool format. This format includes the five tables shown in Attachment A. Staff will submit the standard tables to DWR by July 1, 2026. “Table 1: Annual Assessment Information” (Table 1) provides required overview information. The remaining tables project water supply and demand for FY 2027 under dry conditions, as required, and find that there is no projected water shortage. ANALYSIS Potable Water Non-Potable Water 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”. FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 3, staff presented the 2026 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report to the UAC. One commissioner asked how early runoff of snowpack affects SFPUC’s water rights. Staff was not prepared to give a detailed response but stated that it was an anomalous year given most of the snowmelt occurred in March. Two commissioners encouraged more discussion about the City’s non-potable water supply and use, particularly with respect to the associated costs to the wastewater system, and asked to revisit consideration for expansion of recycled water within the City. Another commissioner asked about the projected demand figures, and staff clarified that the projected demand used for this analysis refers to the demand study projections for the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). Staff also noted that the 2025 UWMP update has revised the process for the Annual Water Shortage Assessment so that best available data can be used for future assessments. The UAC approved staff’s proposal, which passed on a 6-0 vote. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ATTACHMENTS APPROVED BY: 3 Staff Report 2601-5794: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=863f198e- 1594-4f3c-937f-f8849a2b671e Attachment A: 2026 Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report Tables Table 1. Annual Assessment Information Annual Assessment Information Year Covered By This Shortage Report (Required) Start: July 1, 2026 End: June 30, 2027 Volume Unit for Reported Supply and Demand: (Must use the same unit throughout)AF Supplier's Annual Assessment Planning Cycle (Required) Start Month: July End Month: June Data Interval: Monthly (12 data points per year) Water Supplier's Contact Information (Required) Water Supplier's Name:City of Palo Alto Contact Name:Lisa Bilir Contact Title:Assistant Director of Utilities, Resource Management Street Address:250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto ZIP Code:94301 Phone Number: (650)329-2543 Email Address:lisa.bilir@paloalto.gov 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 Activity Timeline/ Outcomes / Links / Notes Annual Assessment/ Shortage Report Title: Optional Annual Assessment / Shortage Report Approval Date:6/15/2026 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 used the SFPUC's April 14, 2026 Final Water Supply Availability Estimate to determine water supply. (Add rows as needed) = From prior tables = Auto calculated Use Type Start Year: 2026 Volumetric Unit Used2:AF Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total by Water Demand Type All Demands 1313 1287 1309 1090 931 687 655 576 661 699 971 1137 11316 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1313 1287 1309 1090 931 687 655 576 661 699 971 1137 11316 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 = From prior tables = Auto calculated Use Type Start Year: 2025 Volumetric Unit Used2:AF Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total by Water Demand Type All Demands 1310 1285 1307 1088 929 686 654 575 660 697 969 1135 11295 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1310 1285 1307 1088 929 686 654 575 660 697 969 1135 11295 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 = From prior tables = Auto calculated Water Supply Start Year: 2026 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 1313 1287 1309 1090 931 687 655 576 661 699 971 1137 11316 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1313 1287 1309 1090 931 687 655 576 661 699 971 1137 11316 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 0 0 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; Palo Alto used the SFPUC's March 1, 2024 Water Supply Availability Update to determine water supply. Palo Alto supplies recycled water for irrigation of the municipal golf course, a park and some other minor applications. There is sufficient supply of both potable and recycled water to meet demand. Total by Month (Potable) Total by Month (Non-Potable) = From prior tables = Auto calculated Water Supply Start Year: 2025 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 1310 1285 1307 1088 929 686 654 575 660 697 969 1135 11295 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1310 1285 1307 1088 929 686 654 575 660 697 969 1135 11295 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 0 0 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; Palo Alto used the SFPUC's March 1, 2024 Water Supply Availability Update to determine water supply. Palo Alto supplies recycled water for irrigation of the municipal golf course, a park and some other minor applications. There is sufficient supply of both potable and recycled water to meet demand. Total by Month (Potable) Total by Month (Non-Potable) = Auto calculated = For manual input Table 4(P): Potable Water Shortage Assessment1 Start Year: 2026 Volumetric Unit Used2:AF Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun3 Total Anticipated Unconstrained Demand 1313 1287 1309 1090 931 687 655 576 661 699 971 1137 11316 Anticipated Total Water Supply 1313 1287 1309 1090 931 687 655 576 661 699 971 1137 11316 Surplus/Shortage w/o WSCP Action 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 % Surplus/Shortage w/o WSCP Action 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% State Standard Shortage Level 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 Actions4 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. 4If you enter any WSCP Benefits, then you must enter the corresponding planned Actions into Table 5. = Auto calculated = For manual input Table 4(NP): Non-Potable Water Shortage Assessment1 Start Year: 2026 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 0.0 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% 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. 4If you enter any WSCP Benefits, then you must enter the corresponding planned Actions into Table 5. = From prior tables Planned WSCP Actions4 July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 Enter Amount (Drop-down List) Select % or Volume Unit Start Month End Month NOTES: Notes Section to be used only for clarifying details, and not for listing specific actions. Actions must be entred into table rows 1If you plan Supply Augmentation Actions then you must enter WSCP Benefits from Supply Augmentation Actions into Table 4. If you plan Demand Reduction Actions then you must enter WSCP Benefits from Demand Reduction Actions into Table 4. 2If an Action is planned to be implemented in multiple non-contiguous periods of the year, please make separate entries on multiple rows for the same action spanning the different implementation periods. Table 5: Planned Water Shortage Response Actions Add additional rows as needed How much is action going to reduce the shortage gap? (Optional) When is shortage response action anticipated to be implemented2?Is action already being implemented? (Y/N) ACTIONS1: 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) Palo Alto currently inplements permanent water use restrictions according to 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. There is currently no water shortage projected for FY 2027 in Table 4(P).