Title
Recommendation to Receive Update on City's Water Reduction Plan. (Public Works 310)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Elizabeth D. Warmerdam, Interim City Manager
Re: Receive Update on City's Water Reduction Plan
BACKGROUND
On February 4, 2014, Public Works presented a plan to the City Council to reduce the City's water use by 20%. Following California Governor Jerry Brown's January 2014 call to voluntarily reduce usage by 20%, the City Manager directed staff to achieve a 20% reduction across all City uses, including Recreation and Parks, Fire, Public Works, and Alameda Point. This informational report updates the City Council on the results of these efforts and the impact of the recent 2015 statewide and local reductions.
DISCUSSION
Following the City Manager's 20% reduction mandate, the City reduced its overall water use by 29%. This reflects water use from March to December 2014, as compared to 2013 use. This cut was achieved through significant reductions in landscape irrigation, repair of leaks, upgrades of equipment, and monitoring of water use to identify and remedy any observed overuse. This cut represents only what the City departments have achieved, not whether Alameda's residents and businesses have reduced their use.
On April 1, 2015, California Governor Brown issued mandatory water use reductions as a result of California entering the fourth year of a severe drought. East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), the City's water agency, has declared a Stage 4 critical drought and set a community-wide goal to reduce water use by 20% compared to 2013. EBMUD has adopted new water use rules (see Exhibit 1), which outlines water use during a water shortage emergency condition.
While City's operations likely comply with the mandatory 20% cut, there is still work to be done and departments will continue conservation efforts to meet the new restrictions. These efforts will include continued monitoring and enforcement of water leaks or overuse, and exploration of long term conservation initiatives such as turf reduction and landscape management improvements. The City will continue to work closely with EBMUD in regards to the current restrictions and any future impacts from this long term drought.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This informational report has no financial impacts.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This informational report does not affect the Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental review is not required for informational items.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive update on City's water reduction plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Liam Garland, Interim Public Works Director
By,
Liz Acord, Management Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. EBMUD Regulation Section 28 - Water Use During Water Shortage Emergency Condition