sr-012678-11bSanta Monica, Cal ~ornia, January 26, 1978
T0: Mayor and City Council
FR0~1: City Staff
SUBJECT: Grater Conservation Program
Introduction
This report explains the current status of water supply to the City
and recommends administrative suspension of mandatory water conser-
vation provisions of Ordinance Tdo, 1061 (CCS).
Background
Ordinance No. 1061 (CCS) as adopted June 28, 1977 provides in part
for monetary penalties and restricted deliveries of water to those
consumers whose water usage exceeds 90% of usage during a comparable
period of 1976. During January, heavy precipitation throughout the
State has caused dramatic changes in the water supply situation, and
the following has occurred:
1e State Water Resources has released water from the State Water
Project to again flow into Metropolitan Water District (our
major supplier) reservoirs via the California Aqueduct, and
has authorized MWD their full entitlement for the year 1978.
2. A11 major storage reservoirs in the Southern California area
are full.
3. MWD has indicated they will rescind any restrictions on water
supply to Santa Monica approximately February 1, 1978°
P1ayor and City Council -2- January 26, 1978
4. Many cities throughout the State have rescinded or have
significantly reduced water rationing and other mandatory
requirements of their consumers.
While the above indicates the water supply for Southern California is
currently plentiful and the long range outlook is much improved, certain
aspects of future supply such as lowered underground water tables will be
affected for some years to come, even with normal average rainfall.
Recommendations
1. Council authorize the suspension of administrative implementation of
the provisions provided in Section 10 of the Ordinance, until such an
occurrence as would again threaten the water supply. (Section 10 of the
Ordinance is the Section which authorizes administrative implementation).
2. Council support continued voluntary water conservation by the
consumers and in City controlled operations as a means of conserving
valuable commodities, namely water and energy.
Prepared by: Stan Scholl
E. H. Lash