SR-10-28-2014-8BCity Council Meeting: October 28, 2014
Agenda Item: 8 -13
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dean Kubani, Manager, Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Martin Pastucha, Director of Public Works
Subject: Stage 2 Water Supply Shortage Implementation
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
• Review and comment on the proposed updates to the Water Shortage Response
Plan (WSRP) Water Use Allowances;
• Review and comment on a proposed drought surcharge;
• Review and comment on staff's proposed outreach plan;
• Direct staff to return with a revised WSRP for adoption incorporating Council
directives;
• Review and comment on proposed changes to the Municipal Code and direct
staff to return with related ordinances.
Executive Summary
California is in an unprecedented drought and the City has made a commitment to
achieve water self- sufficiency by 2020. Reducing water use now is both a drought -
management strategy and a means towards long -term water self- sufficiency and water
reliability.
In this report, staff recommends changing the WSRP in order to achieve the mandatory
water reduction targets and to make the WSRP easier to understand and implement.
Outreach and education are crucial to the success of implementing the requirements of
the WSRP. The outreach would include presentations about the proposed changes to
the WSRP at community forums and events. Public comment would be incorporated
into the WRSP presented to Council for adoption. A drought response outreach and
education campaign would be developed with the assistance of a strategic
communications firm.
Proposed WSRP changes include:
• Stage 2 Water Supply Shortage - Water Use Allowances for all water customers
would be 80% of their 2013 water usage.
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• Drought Surcharges - for customers that exceed their bi- monthly Water Use
Allowance in order to recover the costs associated with the implementation of
measures to address the Stage 2 Water Supply Shortage.
• Residential water conservation thresholds for which customers using less than or
equal to the threshold would not be required to reduce 20% from their 2013 water
usage baseline.
• A process to grant variances to a Water Use Allowance in order to avoid a health
and safety emergency or for a financial hardship.
Staff also recommends modifications to existing municipal code sections in order to
effectively implement and enforce water conservation requirements. Proposed changes
include updating the Water Conservation Ordinance, waiving permit fees for landscape
projects participating in the City's rebate program, consolidating water related
ordinances, and allowing exemptions of individual water meters due to space limitations
in the public- right -of -way. The proposed ordinance changes would be brought to
Council in January 2015.
The estimated costs to implement measures to address the Stage 2 Water Supply
Shortage are $862,000 for FY2014 -15 and $592,000 in FY2015 -16.
Background
Since 2007, with the exception of 2011 -12, California has been in a drought. The
current drought has seen some of the lowest rainfall and snowpack since 1896. On
May 27 2008 Council adopted amendments to SMMC 7.16 - Water Conservation,
which gave Council the authority to determine and declare a water supply shortage and
to adopt a Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP). The ordinance also includes water
restrictions such as no hosing paved areas, no irrigation overspray and runoff, and no
sprinkler irrigation between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM any day of the week. The current
WSRP was developed in 2009 to comply with the State's Urban Water Management
Plan requirements. The WSRP was based on the California Department of Water
Resources 2007 Urban Drought Guidebook. On June 9, 2009 Council adopted the
WSRP and declared a Water Shortage Advisory calling for a voluntary 10 percent
reduction in water use in response to the drought. The WSRP was included in the
City's 2010 Urban Water Management Plan which was subsequently approved by the
State. This Advisory remained in place as part of the effort to reduce the need to import
water from MWD and reach the City's goal for water self - sufficiency by 2020.
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On January 17, 2014, the Governor declared a Drought Emergency and asked all
Californians to voluntarily reduce water use by 20% in support of the Governor's efforts.
On January 2 22014, the City increased its voluntary conservation target from 10% to
20 %.
On March 1, 2014, the Governor signed Senate Bill 104, a state drought relief
legislation which implements numerous drought relief measures. One such measure is
to make any violation of a regulation adopted by the State Water Resources Control
Board ( SWRCB) an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
On July 15, 2014, the SWRCB adopted an Emergency Regulation for Statewide Urban
Water Conservation which requires urban retail water agencies, like Santa Monica, to
implement all requirements and actions of their water shortage response plans that
impose mandatory outdoor irrigation restrictions and prohibit certain activities in
promotion of water conservation.
On August 12 2014 Council adopted a resolution declaring a Stage 2 Water Supply
Shortage which changed the drought response from a voluntary 20% reduction in water
use to a mandatory 20% reduction and directed staff to return with a detailed Stage 2
Water Supply Shortage implementation plan including proposed amendments to
Section 7.16 of the Municipal Code and the WSRP, a financial impact analysis to
address revenue reductions and additional staffing and program implementation costs,
and an implementation timeline. This report provides that information.
Discussion
California is in an unprecedented drought, and the City has made a commitment to
achieving water self- sufficiency by 2020. Therefore, water conservation is the new
normal. Reducing water use now is both a drought- management strategy and a means
towards long -term water self- sufficiency and water reliability. Staff recommends that the
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Council consider this item as a companion item to 8 -C on the October 28, 2014 agenda,
which is an update on the City's effort to achieve water self- sufficiency through the
Sustainable Water Master Plan.
The Sustainable Water Master Plan includes findings and analysis of recently
conducted financial and rate studies prepared for the Water and Wastewater Funds.
Five -year adjustment options to fund the projected capital programs, infrastructure
improvements, and conservation programs related to the City's 2020 self- sufficiency
goal are presented.
Proposed implementation of Mandatory 20% Citywide Water Conservation
Staff recommends that the Council consider a 20% reduction from 2013 water use (the
water use baseline) by all sectors (single - family, multi - family, commercial, landscaping)
and direct staff to include this goal in an updated WSRP in order to implement the 20%
mandatory reduction authorized, by Council on August 12, 2014. Mandatory
conservation requirements for landscapes, cleaning, water features, waste, leaks and
drinking already codified would continue to be implemented through the City's water
conservation ordinance (Chapter 7.16 of the SMMC). The City would continue to
provide customers with water audits, access to rebates for landscape, rainwater
harvesting, and other efficiency measures, and offer additional conservation programs
and training to facilitate long -term behavior change. Customers would be encouraged
through a citywide education and outreach campaign to take specific conservation
measures in and around their homes and businesses.
In 2013 total city -wide water use was 4.2 billion gallons (11.8 million gallons per day). In
order to reduce 20 %, water customers combined need to save 800 million gallons a
year (2.2 million gallons per day) to reach an annual total of 3.4 billion gallons or a new
daily total of 9.6 million gallons per day. Of the total water used in Santa Monica, about
26% is used by single - family water customers, 41% is used by multi - family water
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customers, 28% is used by commercial water customers, and 5% is used by landscape
only water customers.
Staff is
proposing that an
updated WSRP
reflect the
necessary water reduction goals
based
on current water
demand trends
and the
Sustainable Water Master Plan.
Proposed changes are detailed below.
Redefining Water Use Allowances
Water Use Allowances are required in the existing WSRP for Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 as a
means to achieve specific water reduction targets. Staff proposes using 2013 water
usage as the baseline to calculate Water Use Allowances. Where the City's water billing
records show the water customer used no water in 2013, the baseline will be calculated
using the average water usage in 2013 for customers in the same customer class and
meter size.
The existing WSRP exempts certain water customers from Water Use Allowances due
to health and safety concerns, including hospitals, emergency care facilities, assisted
living facilities, and those using SMURRF non - potable water. As part of the proposed
changes, residential and commercial water customers would not be exempt but may
apply for a variance to prevent an emergency condition related to health and safety
and /or financial hardship.
® Residential Water Use Allowances
The current WSRP Residential Water Use Allowance, detailed in the August 12,
2014 staff report, gives each water customer (defined as those individuals or
businesses listed on the water account) a specific amount of water per person for
essential uses like bathing, drinking, and cleaning, and additional water based on a
percentage of their previous usage for non - essential uses like landscaping and
pools. The non - essential use is seasonal so each customer receives more water in
the summer when demand is higher and less in the winter. The per person amount
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is currently set at 68 gallons per person per day based on average usage of existing
plumbing fixtures including toilets, showers, and washers. The number of people per
household is based on 2000 census data which estimated 4 people for single- family
homes and 1.5 people for each multi - family unit.
Staff has since determined that a 68 gallon per person per day allowance, plus a
percent for essential and non - essential use, would not achieve a 20% reduction of
residential use below the existing Water Use Allowance baseline. In addition, this
type of calculation is difficult to explain to customers and challenging to implement
with existing resources.
In order to achieve the 20% reduction, staff proposes the following changes for
single - family and multi - family water customers:
® Eliminate the per person Water Use Allowance
® Implement a Water Use Allowance as a percent reduction from a customer's
2013 baseline water usage
® Implement a water conservation threshold for single - family and multi - family
water customers whereby customers using less than or equal to the threshold
would not be subject to additional savings requirements and Drought
Surcharges.
Proposed WSRP Residential Water Use Allowance
Residential water customers would be given a Water Use Allowance by billing
cycling. A billing cycle is typically 60 days. The examples below show an average
water customer's 2013 water usage baseline and Water Use Allowance by billing
N
Stage
1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Water
Available per
85%
80%
70%
50%
Customer
Residential water customers would be given a Water Use Allowance by billing
cycling. A billing cycle is typically 60 days. The examples below show an average
water customer's 2013 water usage baseline and Water Use Allowance by billing
N
cycle. For residential customers, typically more water is used during the summer for
landscape irrigation, so the Water Use Allowance would be higher in the summer.
Example of average single - family water customer Water Use Allowance (this
example includes a water conservation threshold). One HCF equals 748 gallons and
is how water usage is shown on water customers' utility bills:
Example of average multi - family water customer (11 units) Water Use Allowance:
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
2013 Water Usage
19 HCF
21 HCF
23 HCF
44 HCF
35 HCF
33 HCF
Water Use Allowance
22 HCF
22 HCF
22 HCF
35 HCF
28 HCF
26 HCF
Example of average multi - family water customer (11 units) Water Use Allowance:
® Commercial Water Use Allowances
The current Stage 2 reduction target for commercial customers is 10 %. Staff
proposes increasing that to 20% in an effort to make the water allowances more
equitable between residential and commercial water customers.
Proposed WSRP Commercial Water Use Allowance
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
I Nov
2013 Water Usage
100 HCF
119 HCF
122 HCF
175 HCF
173 HCF
125 HCF
Water Use Allowance
80 HCF
95 HCF
98 HCF
140 HCF
138 HCF
100 HCF
® Commercial Water Use Allowances
The current Stage 2 reduction target for commercial customers is 10 %. Staff
proposes increasing that to 20% in an effort to make the water allowances more
equitable between residential and commercial water customers.
Proposed WSRP Commercial Water Use Allowance
Commercial water customers would be given a Water Use Allowance by billing
cycling. A billing cycle is typically 60 days. The examples below show what an
average water customer's 2013 water usage baseline and Water Use Allowance by
billing cycle.
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Stage 1
Stage `2
Stage 3
Stage 4
% Water
Available per
85%
80%
70%
50%
Customer
Commercial water customers would be given a Water Use Allowance by billing
cycling. A billing cycle is typically 60 days. The examples below show what an
average water customer's 2013 water usage baseline and Water Use Allowance by
billing cycle.
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Example of average commercial water customer Water Use Allowance:
Example of City Hall Water Use Allowance:
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep I
Nov
2013 Water Usage
370 HCF
485 HCF
316 HCF
423 HCF
621 HCF
433 HCF
Water Use Allowance
296 HCF
388 HCF
253 HCF
338 HCF
497 HCF
346 HCF
Example of City Hall Water Use Allowance:
® Landscape Water Use Allowance
There are approximately 750 water accounts that service landscaped areas only.
The majority of those landscape water accounts are for two public agencies, the City
and Caltrans. Staff proposes providing each public agency with one water allowance
for all their landscape accounts. This provides flexibility to provide water where it is
needed most such as for trees, new landscaping (for example, the recently installed
Pico Blvd median), and sports fields. Staff recommends keeping the existing WSRP
water reduction targets for landscape -only accounts. For Stage 2 this is a 20%
reduction from the water customer's 2013 baseline.
Existing WSRP Landscape Water Use Allowance
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
2013 Water Usage
179 HCF
220 HCF
269 HCF
355 HCF
343 HCF
190 HCF
Water Use Allowance
143 HCF
176 HCF
215 HCF
284 HCF
274 HCF
152 HCF
® Landscape Water Use Allowance
There are approximately 750 water accounts that service landscaped areas only.
The majority of those landscape water accounts are for two public agencies, the City
and Caltrans. Staff proposes providing each public agency with one water allowance
for all their landscape accounts. This provides flexibility to provide water where it is
needed most such as for trees, new landscaping (for example, the recently installed
Pico Blvd median), and sports fields. Staff recommends keeping the existing WSRP
water reduction targets for landscape -only accounts. For Stage 2 this is a 20%
reduction from the water customer's 2013 baseline.
Existing WSRP Landscape Water Use Allowance
Water Use Allowance for City of Santa Monica and Caltrans:
Stag e 1
Sta e 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Water
Caltrans
14,386 HCF
11,509 HCF
Available per
85%
80%
70%
50%
Customer
Water Use Allowance for City of Santa Monica and Caltrans:
E
2013 Baseline
Water Use Allowance
per Year
City Landscape
134,537 HCF
107,630 HCF
Caltrans
14,386 HCF
11,509 HCF
E
Drought Surcharges
Staff proposes Drought Surcharges for customers that exceed their bi- monthly Water
Use Allowance in order to recover the costs associated with the implementation of
measures to address the Stage 2 Water Supply Shortage. These costs include but are
not limited to water conservation rebates, enforcement of water conservation
ordinances, and outreach. These proposed measures are not recovered through the
City's existing and proposed water rate structure (item 8B on the October 28, 2014
Council agenda). These Drought Surcharges are subject to Proposition 218
requirements and would be noticed accordingly and subject to a protest hearing before
adoption. If the drought worsens, additional conservation goals may be recommended
for Council adoption in the future.
Staff recommends the drought surcharge be calculated by multiplying the water used in
excess of the Water Use Allowance times the highest tier rate for that billing period. For
example a single - family customer that used 32 HCF which is in Tier 2 ($3.74 per HCF)
and which exceeds their Water Use Allowance by 3 HCF Would be charged $11.25 in
Drought Surcharges.
Residential and commercial water customers that can demonstrate they have taken all
necessary measures to save water and cannot achieve a 20% reduction due to financial
hardship and /or to prevent an emergency condition related to health and safety, may
apply for a variance to increase their Water Use Allowance. Detailed information
regarding Drought Surcharges and variance process would be incorporated into the
updated WSRP presented to Council for approval.
The following water conservation thresholds are proposed to recognize the successful
water - efficiency efforts of many residential water customers. Approximately 42% of
single - family water customers and 80% of multi - family water customers use less than
the proposed threshold. Customers whose water use is below these thresholds would
not be required to reduce 20% from their 2013 baseline. However, these customers are
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encouraged to save more, if possible. Residential water customers that exceed the
threshold would be subject to the drought surcharges.
Proposed water conservation thresholds for single - family water customers:
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
22 HCF per bi-
22 HCF per bi-
16 HCF per bi-
16 HCF per bi-
monthly billing
monthly billing
monthly billing
monthly billing
period
period
period
period
Proposed water conservation thresholds for multi- family water customers:
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
11 HCF per bi-
11 HCF per bi-
8 HCF per bi-
8 HCF per bi-
monthly billing
monthly billing
monthly billing
monthly billing
period for each
period for each
period for each
period for each
multi - family unit per
multi - family unit per
multi - family unit per
multi - family unit per
water account
water account
water account
water account
The examples below show the Water Use Allowance and potential Drought Surcharges
for average residential and commercial customers. These water billing charges are
based on current water rates.
Example of Stage 2 Drought Surcharges for average single - family water customer:
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Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Water Use Allowance
22 HCF
22 HCF
22 HCF
35 HCF
28 HCF
26 HCF
Water Usage:
17 HCF
18 HCF
20 HCF
38 HCF
32 HCF
22 HCF
Usage Beyond
Budget:
0 HCF
0 HCF
0 HCF
3 HCF
4 HCF
0 HCF
Water Bill:
$46.25
$50.00
$57.50
$125.00
$102.50
$80.00
Drought Surchar e:
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$11.25
$15.00
$0.00
Total Bill:
$46.25
$50.00
$57.50
$136.25
$117.50
$80.00
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Example of Stage 2 Drought Surcharges for average multi - family water customer (11
units):
Example of Stage 2 Drought Surcharge for average commercial water customer:
Jan
Mar
Ma y
Jul
Sep
Nov
Water Use Allowance
80 HCF
95 HCF
98 HCF
140 HCF
138 HCF
100 HCF
Water Usage:
80 HCF
96 HCF
97 HCF
147 HCF
140 HCF
98 HCF
Usage Beyond
Budget:
0 HCF
0 HCF
0 HCF
7 HCF
2 HCF
0 HCF
Water Bill:
$312.50
$321.87
$323.21
$586.01
$535.43
$378.07
Drought Surcharge:
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$39.34
$11.24
$0.00
Total Bill:
$312.50
$321.87
$323.21
$625.35
$546.67
$378.07
Example of Stage 2 Drought Surcharge for average commercial water customer:
® Multi- family Drought Surcharge Pass - through
The majority of multi - family properties in Santa Monica have only one meter for the
entire building. For properties not subject to rent control and where tenants pay the
landlord for water in addition to their rent, Drought Surcharges may be passed onto
the tenants. The Rent Control Board will discuss drought surcharge pass- through
for rent controlled properties at its December 11, 2014 meeting. On February 26,
1991, Council adopted Drought Surcharges and pass- through surcharges to
tenants. The pass- through surcharges were granted upon verification that low -flow
plumbing fixtures were installed. If low -flow plumbing fixtures were not installed and
verified, the water customer was not allowed to pass on those surcharges to the
tenants.
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Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Water Use Allowance
296 HCF
388 HCF
253 HCF
338 HCF
497 HCF
346 HCF
Water Usage:
290 HCF
390 HCF
245 HCF
350 HCF
505 HCF
326 HCF
Usage Beyond
Budget:
0 HCF
2 HCF
0 HCF.
12 HCF
8 HCF
0 HCF
Water Bill:
$1,035.30
$1,392.30
$874.65
$1,249.50
$2,012.05
$1,163.82
Drought Surcharge:
$0.00
$7.14
$0.00
$42.84
$70.40
$0.00
Total Bill:
$1,035.30
$1,399.44
$874.65
$1,292.34
$2,082.45
$1,163.82
® Multi- family Drought Surcharge Pass - through
The majority of multi - family properties in Santa Monica have only one meter for the
entire building. For properties not subject to rent control and where tenants pay the
landlord for water in addition to their rent, Drought Surcharges may be passed onto
the tenants. The Rent Control Board will discuss drought surcharge pass- through
for rent controlled properties at its December 11, 2014 meeting. On February 26,
1991, Council adopted Drought Surcharges and pass- through surcharges to
tenants. The pass- through surcharges were granted upon verification that low -flow
plumbing fixtures were installed. If low -flow plumbing fixtures were not installed and
verified, the water customer was not allowed to pass on those surcharges to the
tenants.
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Variance Provisions
A variance is a request for an increase to a water customer's Water Use Allowance.
Staff proposes the development of a Variance Policy that outlines who can request a
variance, reasons a variance may be requested, how to request a variance, required
documentation for applying for a variance, how variance requests are reviewed,
reasons for denying a variance request, inspection requirements, and variance
notifications
In order to achieve a 20% reduction in water use, it is proposed that variances only be
granted to customers who demonstrate that all required water saving actions have been
implemented and upon verification that additional water is necessary:
• To prevent an emergency condition relating to health and safety
• To prevent a financial hardship for single - family water customers
Drought Response Implementation
The goal to reduce water use immediately in order to lessen the impacts of the drought
on local groundwater and imported water supplies will benefit the entire community. It
will take the commitment of staff, residents, businesses, their employees and visitors to
reduce use by 20 %. An interdepartmental team, including the City Manager's Office,
Office of Sustainability and the Environment, Public Works, and Finance has
collaborated on the recommended water conservation policies, conservation programs,
enforcement, and plans for community outreach and education. Council may declare by
resolution an end to the emergency water shortage when the drought ends and all
requirements of the WSRP would cease.
The Sustainable Water Master Plan (item 8 -C on this agenda) includes new water
conservation programs and enhancements to existing programs that will help the City
reach its goal to be water self- sufficient by 2020. The full implementation of those
programs is estimated to save 1.3 million gallons of water per day. However, the Stage
2 Water Shortage reduction target is 2.2 million gallons of water per day. The SWMP
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does not quantify water savings that might be achieved through education and
enforcement of existing water conservation ordinances. In order to immediately reduce
water use to lessen the effects of the drought and maintain water conservation levels to
meet the City's water self- sufficiency goal, staff is recommending speeding up the
implementation of the SWMP as a defense against the drought.
Water Conservation Unit
The scale of effort needed requires the creation of a new six - person Water
Conservation Unit within the Office of Sustainability and the Environment and a citywide
education and outreach campaign. The estimated costs to implement these measures
are $862,000 in FY2014 -15 and $592,000 FY2015 -16. Funding for the unit and its
operations would be generated through the collection of Drought Surcharges.
Four new limited -term positions are proposed. This unit, which is detailed below, would
work collaboratively with other departments throughout the implementation of the Stage
2 Water Shortage to ensure that it is effectively and efficiently administered. Once the
drought is over, the unit would be scaled back or disbanded.
® One Senior Sustainability Analyst to help coordinate the drought response
alongside the City Manager's Office, oversee the Water Conservation Unit in the
Office of Sustainability and the Environment, manage the water conservation
programs outlined in the SWMP, manage the water conservation programming
budget, and develop and update policies as needed. This would be a full -time
permanent position that would replace one existing Sustainability Analyst
position.
® Two Sustainability Analysts to assist in developing and implementing the
education and outreach campaign, assist with implementing the water
conservation programs including toilet direct installations and plumbing retrofits in
City facilities, and to assist with reporting for programming and grant funding.
One position would be a full -time limited term position (two years). The second
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position would be filled by an existing permanent OSE staff member who is
currently responsible for such projects.
® Two Water Resources Specialists to educate customers in the field about
existing water restrictions and enforce those restrictions, to perform variance
inspections, to perform inspections for the sustainable landscape rebates and
bay saver fee, and perform inspections for Green Building ordinance and Urban
Runoff ordinance as needed. These would be full -time limited term positions (two
years).
® One Project Support Assistant to provide customer service related to water
conservation, maintain the stock of give -away items (showerheads, aerators,
hose nozzles) and process rebates, warnings, and citations. This would be a full-
time limited term position (two years).
Additional contracted assistance to review variance requests may be needed.
In order to catalyze community action to address the drought, staff is in the process of
requesting proposals from communication firms for assistance with a citywide education
and outreach campaign and will return to Council this year with a recommendation to
engage a firm. In addition to limited term staff and contractor support, supplies and
expenses, the outreach campaign, and the ability to make facility improvements to
accommodate the new unit, staff is requesting $80,000 in bridge funding to cover the
costs of water conservation rebates until the SWMP and proposed rates are adopted.
Budget adjustments for these costs are included in item 8 -D, FY 2014 -15 Expenditure
Changes and Rate Changes, on the October 28, 2014 Council agenda.
M
Estimated Cost to Implement the Water Conservation Unit, Education Campaign, and
Water Conservation Rebate Program
City's Response to the Drought
The City has been a leader in sustainability efforts since 1994 and will continue to lead
by example. The SWMP is the City's most recent plan to make Santa Monica resilient
and self- sufficient in the face of climate change. A plan this comprehensive had never
been developed in California. The SWMP can achieve water self- sufficiency if fully
implemented. This is especially important given the unreliability and high cost of
imported water.
The City has already taken several steps to reduce its water use and will implement
additional water savings measures in order to reduce use by 20 %. To date, the City
has:
1. Reduced water use for aesthetic purposes. In light of the drought and to offset
water use in the new water features in Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square,
both of which use recirculated water, the water feature at the Public Safety
Facility has been turned off. Staff proposes permanently converting this water
feature into a sustainable landscape area.
2. Reduced water use for cleaning purposes by:
a. Reducing pressure washing the Promenade
b. Reducing cleaning of tennis courts
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Limited Term Staffing
$ 4
405,000
Contracted Services
E60,OOO E517FY
$
75-16
Supplies and Expenses
$
37,000
Facility Improvements
$
Outreach and Education
$ 200,000
$ 150,000
Conservation Rebates
$ 80,000
TOTAL
$ 862,000
$ 592,000
City's Response to the Drought
The City has been a leader in sustainability efforts since 1994 and will continue to lead
by example. The SWMP is the City's most recent plan to make Santa Monica resilient
and self- sufficient in the face of climate change. A plan this comprehensive had never
been developed in California. The SWMP can achieve water self- sufficiency if fully
implemented. This is especially important given the unreliability and high cost of
imported water.
The City has already taken several steps to reduce its water use and will implement
additional water savings measures in order to reduce use by 20 %. To date, the City
has:
1. Reduced water use for aesthetic purposes. In light of the drought and to offset
water use in the new water features in Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square,
both of which use recirculated water, the water feature at the Public Safety
Facility has been turned off. Staff proposes permanently converting this water
feature into a sustainable landscape area.
2. Reduced water use for cleaning purposes by:
a. Reducing pressure washing the Promenade
b. Reducing cleaning of tennis courts
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3. Reduced water use for entertainment purposes by:
a. Reducing splash pad water use at Douglas Park, Tongva Park, Virginia
Avenue Park, and Annenberg Beach House
By June 2015, staff will:
4. Identify areas within parks and other landscaped sites where turf can be replaced
by drought - tolerant plants within:
a. Parkways and planters (with no trees)
b. Common areas /open spaces
5. Conduct an assessment of the City's park and landscape site irrigation systems
to increase effectiveness and decrease water use with improved irrigation
efficiencies such as:
a. Installing additional weather based irrigation controllers, flow meters and
master valves wherever possible /feasible
b. Converting from conventional "spray" sprinklers to "rotor" water
conservation nozzles wherever possible /feasible
c. Converting more areas to use drip irrigation
The City's response to the drought will consider improvements in technology, changes
in landscape design and practices, and operational modifications which may have
budget implications. Specific actions will be analyzed and may be brought to Council for
approval, depending on project scope and cost.
Water Use in New Development
Between 2003 and 2013 the number of total water accounts in Santa Monica increased
from 14,979 to 17,709 but total water use decreased by about 1 %. Even though the
number of water customers increased over the past ten years, overall water use
declined slightly. The biggest increases in water use during that period were from
dedicated landscape water meters (mostly for public parks and open spaces). Another
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area where water use has increased significantly is in the single family residential sector
where use has gone up over 7% during the past four years. Much of the single - family
usage is from additional landscape irrigation due to much lower than normal
precipitation during that time.
All new or major remodel projects in the City, including residential and commercial, are
required to meet very strict state and local water efficiency requirements. In order to
meet the requirements of the new State CalGreen building standards, all new
developments must be at least 20% to 40% (depending upon building type) more water
efficient than buildings that met the previous code. For example, the most recent low
income housing development uses 43% less water than similar size existing low income
housing developments. The newest hotel uses 23% less water than existing similar size
hotels.
All new developments and remodels are required to pay a Water Demand Mitigation
Fee based on the estimated first year of water demand. This Fee is calculated using
water fixture flow rates listed in the State Plumbing Code. The Fee is used to fund city -
related water efficiency projects such as pipe replacement to fix or prevent leaks,
cisterns, irrigation, toilets, urinals, etc. This investment in the City's infrastructure helps
to meet the immediate goal to reduce use in response to the drought and the long -term
goal for water self- sufficiency.
Outreach Education and Public Input
Educating Santa Monica's residents, workers, and visitors about the drought, water use
allowances, and specific ways they can save water is vital to the success of the drought
response and the City's long -term water self- sufficiency strategy. Staff has already
begun educating the community about the Stage 2 Water Shortage and the need for
mandatory water conservation. In August and September 2014, staff made
presentations at the following community events: Task Force on the Environment, North
of Montana Neighborhood Association meeting, Chamber of Commerce Breakfast
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Mixer, Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles monthly meeting, and the
People's Academy. Staff provided information and water- saving products at community
events celebrating 20 years of the Sustainable City Plan during September 2014,
including AltCar Expo, Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, the screening of the
movie Fed Up, and the Sunday Farmer's Market.
An education campaign would be developed and implemented over the next one to two
years with the assistance of a strategic communications firm and City staff. The goals of
the campaign are to educate and motivate community members to reduce overall water
use 20 %. Targeted messages would be created for each audience to'promote specific
behavior change. Customers would know the five things they can and should do to
conserve water as well as the long -term benefits of water self- sufficiency. Print
advertising and signage, direct mail, radio, web and social media, earned media, and
community outreach at city locations and community events would be employed.
Additional resources such as the Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors
Bureau, Certified Green Businesses, local neighborhood associations and community
groups would be engaged to help get the word out.
In addition to educating community members about why and how they should save
water, staff will engage a diverse group of community members in conversations
regarding the proposed changes to the WSRP. Staff will provide these opportunities
between mid- November and mid- December 2014. Public comments will be incorporated
into the proposed WSRP which will be presented to Council in January 2015. Staff will
present the draft WSRP for public input at community forums and events such as the
Ocean Park Neighborhood Association meeting, Chamber of Commerce committee
meetings for hotels, restaurants, and general members, and the Apartment Association
of Greater Los Angeles meeting. In addition, staff will contact the highest water using
customers including hotels, Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District and Santa
Monica College. Several of these water customers are proactively implementing water
conservation projects, including the Loew's Hotel, DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, Sheraton Le
Meredien Delfina Hotel, and Comfort Inn.
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In addition to educating the community, specific training will be provided for City
customer service staff in several departments, so they understand the WSRP, what
information to provide to customers and /or to whom customers should be directed.
Municipal Code Changes
Staff recommends modifications to existing municipal code sections in order to
effectively implement and enforce water conservation requirements. If the Council so
directs, staff expects to bring certain ordinance changes in January 2015 (e.g. fee
waivers and clean -up of existing processes) while others may take additional time to
research and prepare (e.g. private property groundwater well regulations). In particular,
the Governor just signed three groundwater management bills setting forth various
additional state laws regulating groundwater. Staff will need to study the impacts of
these various laws on the scope and extent of the City's ability to regulate groundwater
pumping by private parties.
Proposed changes to existing code sections:
® Consider waiving the permit fee for Architectural Review Board to review
landscape projects participating in the City's Sustainable Landscape Rebate
Program
• Consider consolidating and updating existing water related ordinances and
rescind outdated code requirements in order to simplify water regulations
throughout the municipal code
• Consider an exemption for individual water meters due to space limitations in the
public- right -of way
® Consider a regulation or ban of groundwater pumping by private property
owners, especially during a water emergency
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Proposed Drought Response Implementation Schedule:
Project
October
November
December
SWMP & -Rates
Council directs
Prop 218 notices
Staff presents
staff on water rate
are issued.
options to
option(s)
Staff presents
community
options to
community
WSRP
Council directs
Prop 218 notices
Staff presents
staff on WSRP
are issued.
options to
options
Staff presents
community
options to
community
Municipal Code
Council directs
Changes
staff on municipal
code changes
Education
Request for
Vendor selected
Education plan
Campaign
Proposals issued
and request for
developed
and proposals due
Council to
authorize contract
negotiations.
ME
2015
Project
January
February
March
April
SWMP & Rates
Council may
adopt water
rate and new
rates may go
into effect
WSRP
Council may
Drought
adopt WSRP
Surcharges
and Water Use
may go into
Allowances
effect
may go into
effect
Municipal Code
Council may
Code changes
Changes
adopt code
go into effect
changes
Education
Education plan
Education plan
Education plan
Education
Campaign
implemented
implemented
implemented
plan
implemented
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action. Salary and position changes related to creating the water
conservation unit are included in item 8 -D on the October 28, 2014 agenda, as are
appropriations for supplies, expenses, contracted services, facility improvements and
conservation rebates. Funding for the Water Conservation Unit and its operations would
be generated through the collection of Drought Surcharges. Staff will return to Council if
additional budget actions are required in the future. Actions may include those related to
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launching a citywide outreach, education and behavior - change campaign and
implementing a drought surcharge.
Prepared by: Kim O'Cain, Sustainability Analyst
Approved:
k&4�� .
Dean Kubani
Manager, Office of Sustainability and the
Environment
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
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