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Home My WebLink About09 - Update on Water Use and Conservation Efforts March 20169-1 NEWPORT BEACH City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT CITY OF April 26, 2016 Agenda Item No. 9 ABSTRACT: The City reduced overall water use in March 2016 by 29 percent when compared to March 2013, which brings our cumulative average since June 2015 to 21 percent. Also in March, the State approved a seven percent reduction in our water conservation standard making the new standard 21 percent. Although the City is currently meeting the cumulative goal, customers will need to continue their water conservation efforts through October 2016. This report provides an update on water use reductions, water conservation efforts, and enforcement. RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: There is no fiscal impact related to this item. DISCUSSION: Usage The City’s overall usage for the month of March was 29 percent lower when compared to the same month in 2013. This is the single largest month of water reduction since the regulation to reduce water use went into effect. The City’s cumulative water reduction since June 2015 is 21 percent. TO:HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM:George Murdoch, Municipal Operations Director - 949-644-3011, gmurdoch@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY:Cynthia Owens, Administrative Manager cowens@newportbeachca.gov PHONE:949-644-3057 TITLE:Update on Water Use and Conservation Efforts March 2016 Update on Water Use and Conservation Efforts March 2016 April 26, 2016 Page 2 9-2 The table below reflects the progress of the City’s efforts to reduce water consumption by month. The green bar is the monthly reduction from 2013 and the blue bar is the cumulative total. The chart below reflects the cumulative efforts by customer class to reduce water consumption from June 2015 through March 2016 when compared to the same months in 2013. The blue bar is the water consumption for 2013 and the gold bar represents water consumption for 2015/2016. Water consumption data is displayed in hundred cubic feet. Update on Water Use and Conservation Efforts March 2016 April 26, 2016 Page 3 9-3 Summary “Sprinkler” accounts consist of outdoor irrigation for large commercial properties, developments and homeowners associations. These accounts have had the largest cumulative reduction of 39 percent and make up nine percent of total City usage. The “Other” account designation consists of accounts for boat docks, piers, fire (water for fire sprinkler systems, risers and other fire only devices on property), community pools, and consolidated (properties with multiple meter types that have been combined into one account). Cumulatively, these accounts have reduced water consumption by 26 percent and make up eight percent of the City’s total water consumption. “City Sprinkler” accounts consist of accounts for parks, center medians and other city irrigation.These accounts have a cumulative reduction of 24 percent. City sprinkler accounts make up three percent of the City’s total water use. Update on Water Use and Conservation Efforts March 2016 April 26, 2016 Page 4 9-4 “Single Family” accounts are for single residences with one meter and comprise 46 percent of the City’s overall water usage. They have decreased their water consumption by 18 percent. “Multi-Family” accounts are for multiple residences with one meter and make up 14 percent of the City’s overall water use. They have reduced water consumption by 18 percent. “Commercial” accounts are for businesses. They utilize 19 percent of the City’s water overall water use and have decreased water consumption by 12 percent. “City Meter” accounts consist of meters for public restrooms, libraries, fire stations, Civic Center, and other city facilities. These accounts make up two percent of the City’s overall water use and have decreased water consumption by 12 percent. Adjusted Water Conservation Target In February, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) adopted a revised emergency regulation extending the existing May 2015 water conservation regulations through October 2016. The new regulation included provisions that allowed a water supplier to apply for credits that could reduce the supplier’s water conservation standard up to eight percentage points. The State Board accepted applications for reductions based on climate, population and use of new local water supply. Newport Beach did not qualify for the first two; however, the City did qualify for the use of a new local water supply. Our customers, through their water rates, helped fund the Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment System that injects treated wastewater into the water basin. This is considered a new local water supply. In March we received notice that the application had been approved, reducing our conservation standard from 28 percent to 21 percent through October 2016. Education In March, City staff took the following actions to encourage the reduction of water use by residents and businesses: Identified the top 50 water users for both commercial and residential accounts and called each customer to discuss their water use with them Gave a presentation on water supply, drought and water conservation enforcement to the Corona del Mar Garden Club Filmed a new NBTV show “The Village Green” regarding irrigation and available rebates for water conservation Update on Water Use and Conservation Efforts March 2016 April 26, 2016 Page 5 9-5 Worked with the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority to obtain aerial imaging to identify water use requirements for outdoor irrigation by parcel Emailed 16,115 water customers reminding them not to water 48 hours after a rain event Performed a water assessment of the Spy Glass Homeowners Association to identify additional opportunities for reducing water use Enforcement In March, the City issued 563 notices of violation (NOVs) for water use and an additional three notices for other water related issues totaling 566. Because of the NOVs issued in January, 1,337 customers met their water use reduction target while 702 customers did not and received administrative citations. Seventeen administrative appeal hearings were conducted and all seventeen were upheld as valid. Staff feels that one of the reasons that water use decreased by 29 percent in March was due to the enforcement efforts these past few months. The table below depicts the number of notices and administrative citations issued since June 2015. Month Water Use NOVs Water Use Citations Other Water Related NOVs Other Water Related Citations June 2015 0 0 53 1 July 2015 0 0 333 12 August 2015 0 0 311 31 September 2015 0 0 296 44 October 2015 72 0 62 122 November 2015 346 0 121 41 December 2015 1 0 19 164 January 2016 2,039 153 11 99 February 2016 1,284 144 27 74 March 2016 563 702 3 55 Total 4,305 999 1,236 643 Update on Water Use and Conservation Efforts March 2016 April 26, 2016 Page 6 9-6 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENTS: None