I. RECOMMENDATION:
Staff will provide more information and possible recommendations at the June 3, 2021 City Council meeting as information is still forthcoming from the US Bureau of Reclamation.
II. BACKGROUND:
USBR has informed all of its California water contractors that winter runoff from snowmelt has been even lower than the reduced volumes expected. USBR has further reported that the present drought is worse than our previous drought period of 2012 - 2016, As a result, effective June 2021 through February 2022, USBR is asking all Municipal and Industrial water use to be curtailed to public health and safety needs only. Public health and safety water is severely restricted use. Notification from USBR as of the time of this staff report (Tuesday, May 25th) has been informal, based on a statewide web-based meeting. Prior to the June 3rd City Council meeting, USBR plans to issue a press release, and may issue formal notification directly to the city regarding the water shortage.
III. DISCUSSION:
Staff has already begun discussions with Pleasant Valley State Prison, Coalinga State Hospital and other large water customers regarding the anticipated need to conserve water. Staff will have more information to present to City Council on June 3rd, which will likely include a recommendation to move to Stage 2 conservation for city water customers. Among other restrictions, this will restrict residential irrigation from three days per week to two days. As a reference for City Council, appropriate sections from the City’s water conservation ordinance has been attached to this report.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
None at this time.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
None determined at this time. | | |