Title
Recommendation to Implement Water Conservation Measures in Response to Drought and Provide Direction on Further City of Alameda Water Reduction Efforts. (Public Works 31041500)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), at its April 27, 2021 Board of Directors meeting, voted to declare a Stage 1 drought shortage based on projections that water runoff will fall below what is needed to refill EBMUD's reservoirs this year. On July 8, 2021, California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed an Executive Order calling for a voluntary 15% reduction in water use. The City of Alameda (City) staff have formed an interdepartmental team to begin discussions and develop recommendations for water conservation efforts. Staff is seeking City Council approval to implement certain conservation measures that have no, or previously funded, upfront cost and to provide direction on whether to pursue measures that require an upfront investment of funds and if so, whether to implement those now, when usage reductions are voluntary, or when usage reductions become required.
BACKGROUND
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. EBMUD, the City's water utility, declared a Stage 4 critical drought and put into effect new water use rules during a water shortage emergency condition. In response, the City made significant reductions in landscape irrigation, repaired leaks, upgraded equipment, and monitored water use to identify and remedy any observed overuse. Through these measures, a 29% reduction in municipal water use was achieved.
At its April 27, 2021 meeting, the EBMUD Board of Directors (EBMUD Board) voted to declare a Stage 1 drought shortage based on projections that water runoff will fall below what is needed to refill EBMUD reservoirs this year. The EBMUD Board also voted to...
Click here for full text