December 20, 2005
SUBJECT: Approval of 2005 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) Update and Adoption of Resolution
REPORT IN BRIEF
All jurisdictions in the State of California that provide water are required to update their Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) every five years, in years ending in five and zero. This is required under California Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act), Water Code Division 6, Part 2.6, sections 10610 through 10656. The Act requires water suppliers to describe and evaluate sources of water supply, efficient uses of water, demand management measures, implementation strategy and schedule, and other relevant information and programs.
The UWMP covers a broad range of water supply, distribution, quality, conservation, management and legislative issues. The projection scope is for the next twenty years, consistent with the water purchase forecast prepared by staff each year and reviewed by Council during the water rate setting process. The UWMP provides the opportunity to explicitly identify how the City system fits in with regional supply issues, as well as providing for the consideration of various shortage scenarios, due to drought or any other predictable cause.
This 2005 update to the 2000 UWMP update (adopted by Council on December 19, 2000) expands coverage of important topics such as water supply and conservation in response to legislative actions over the past five years. The result is a significant revision of the UWMP, though all still within past projections for water purchase and use. Some of the changes from the 2000 update include: updated population and water demand figures, a water shortage contingency plan, an updated look at “catastrophic water supply interruption plans,” and a deeper look at “Demand Management Measures” (water conservation) and groundwater use.
The UWMP 2005 update was prepared by City staff, in coordination and cooperation with our water providers (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD)), and with other agencies in the region, including the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) and all BAWSCA member agencies. Final edit work by the staff at Malcolm Pirnie Inc. (environmental scientists and consultants) assured completeness of the update, and the appropriate inclusion of all necessary aspects of our water supply and distribution system.
A formal resolution, prepared by City Attorney staff, is attached for consideration and approval by Council to comply with state requirements for approval.
BACKGROUND
The California Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act), Water Code Division 6, Part 2.6, sections 10610 through 10656, requires that water suppliers have an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), and that such plans be updated at least once every five years in those years ending in five and zero. The Act requires agencies who provide potable water to the public to describe and evaluate sources of water supply, efficient uses of water, demand management measures, implementation strategy and schedule, and other relevant information and programs. Although the efficient use of water supplies is a statewide concern, the expectation is that planning and implementation of such use can best be accomplished at the local level.
The City of Sunnyvale last updated our UWMP in 2000 (RTC 00-429, December 19, 2000), and it is required that it be further updated in 2005.
EXISTING POLICY
Water Resources Element 3.1D.1c, Update the City’s Urban Water Management Plan as required by the State.
DISCUSSION
The 2005 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) update was prepared to provide a comprehensive update to the 2000 UWMP update prepared by City staff and adopted by Council on December 19, 2000. The plan complies with the necessary State and Federal legislative mandates, and incorporates new requirements introduced in the past five years.
The UWMP update will enable the State Department of Water Resources to make projections on water usage and determine the status of water conservation efforts throughout the state. Although the efficient use of water supplies is a statewide concern, the planning and implementation of such use can best be accomplished at the local level. To this end, the State requires every urban water supplier providing water to more than 3,000 customers to prepare and adopt an UWMP every five years, in those years ending in five and zero.
Staff coordinated the preparation of this UWMP update through numerous meetings with the SCVWD retailer network, and through the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) and SFPUC with meetings and correspondence. Several specific subcommittee meetings were held with SCVWD and neighboring water service providers to deal with details of regional water issues.
The 2005 update to the City’s Urban Water Management Plan builds upon previous updates, incorporates relevant water management issues and addresses supply and demand projections for the next 20 years within our community. The UWMP additionally presents demand management (water conservation) measures to promote more efficient water use practices and conservation within our community. Lack of an updated UWMP by the City of Sunnyvale would make the City ineligible for drought and financial assistance programs. Some of the changes from the 2000 update include: updated population and water demand figures, a water shortage contingency plan, an updated look at “catastrophic water supply interruption plans,” and a deeper look at “Demand Management Measures” (water conservation) and groundwater use. Also, see the following lists about the goals, components and new requirements of the UWMP.
The goals of the 2005 UWMP update include:
· To provide a valuable resource tool to be used by policy makers at city, county, and local government levels to facilitate making sound and consistent decisions relating to water management and regional growth in the areas.
· To meet all Federal and State regulatory requirements.
· To update our water conservation plan and projections for future conservation efforts.
· To identify communications links between key departments at both City and County levels, and to strengthen ties for cooperatively addressing water supply and land use planning issues.
· To continue and solidify relationships with other retailers and our wholesalers to better address issues concerning water supply and demand.
The major components of the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan are summarized as follows:
1. Coordination with water supplier and other agencies
2. Sunnyvale’s service area characteristics, climate, population and projections, and other demographic features
3. Sources of water available over the next 20 years
4. A groundwater management plan
5. Discussion of water supply reliability and vulnerability in normal, and in drought conditions
6. Opportunities for exchanges or transfers of water on a short-term or long-term basis
7. Historical and projected data water use
8. Water demand management (conservation) measures, including evaluation of measures not currently being implemented
9. Planned, proposed or anticipated new water supply sources
10. Projections of wholesale water to be purchased from our wholesale water providers, including availability and reliability, during normal and drought conditions
11. Water shortage contingency analysis
12. A draft water shortage contingency resolution or ordinance
13. Information on recycled water and its use and potential for expansion
14. Description of the wastewater collection and treatment systems, especially in regards to recycled water production
15. Examination of the quality of existing sources of water
16. Assessment of the reliability of Sunnyvale’s water service during normal and drought conditions
Specific new requirements dealt with in this 2005 UWMP update include the following:
- SB 610 and SB 221 regarding land use planning and water availability (UWMP Section 1, item 1.2; Section 2, including tables 2.5.1 through 2.5.3)
- AB 901 regarding water quality and its effects on water availability (UWMP Section 6)
- SB 672 regarding the development of regional and local water projects (UWMP Section 2, item 206; Section 4, item 4.3)
- SB 1348 regarding Demand Management Measures (DMM) implementation in evaluating applications for grants or loans (UWMP Section 3)
- SB 1384 regarding coordinating water use projections with wholesale providers (UWMP Section 2, table 2.2.1)
- SB 1518 regarding the current status of the use of recycled water and projections of expanded use (UWMP Section 2, table 2.5.2; Section 5)
- AB 105 requiring that a copy of all UWMPs be submitted to the State Library (this will be done upon adoption of the UWMP)
- SB 218 requiring consideration of the use of desalination (UWMP Section 2, page 19)
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
The UWMP was prepared primarily by staff, with some editing assistance from our water legislation and regulation compliance expert, Dr. Daniel Askenaizer and related staff at Malcolm Pirnie Inc., (environmental engineering and consulting firm). Approval of the report is consistent with previous approvals for the 2005-2006 City of Sunnyvale budget, identifying programs and projects, as well as policies and procedures already part of City operations.
CONCLUSION
The attached Urban Water Management Plan meets all state requirements, has been reviewed by the appropriate agencies, coordinated with other providers within our region, correctly depicts the Sunnyvale water supply and distribution system and related issues, and received comments at a public hearing at the Council meeting. Based upon the proper completion of the process and adequacy of the UWMP, the attached report should be approved and the resolution of approval adopted by the City Council.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Notice has been provided through the publication and posting of the City Council Agenda. In addition, all Reports to Council are available in the Library and on the City’s Internet home page.
ALTERNATIVES
1. City Council adopts the attached Resolution approving the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan as presented, and directs staff to forward the UWMP to the California State Department of Water Resources.
2. City Council does not approve the 2005 UWMP and directs staff to request an extension from the State Department of Water Resources in order for staff to revise the plan.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1: City Council adopts the attached Resolution approving the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan as presented, and directs staff to forward the UWMP to the California State Department of Water Resources.
The attached Urban Water Management Plan update meets all state requirements, has been reviewed by the appropriate agencies, coordinated with other providers within our region and correctly depicts the Sunnyvale water supply and distribution system and related issues. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan.
Reviewed by:
Marvin A. Rose, Director, Public Works Department
Prepared by: James G. Craig, Field Services Superintendent
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager
Attachments
A. 2005 Urban Water Management Plan, Appendix A (.pdf)
B. Draft Resolution (.pdf)