07-01-11 BPU RPT D - Laserfiche WebLink

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W A T E R E H E Q G Y L I F E RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum PUBLIC. UTILITIES BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: July 1, 2011 ITEM NO: D SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING - NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE ISSUE: That the Board of Public Utilities conduct a public hearing and consider adoption of a Water Conservation Ordinance to reduce water waste or unreasonable use of water within the City's jurisdiction. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board of Public Utilities: 1. Conduct a public hearing for review of the Water Conservation Ordinance; and 2. Recommend that the City Council adopt the Water Conservation Ordinance. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Water Committee was presented with an overview of the Water Conservation Ordinance at its June 24, 2011 meeting and recommended that it be brought to the full Board of Public Utilities for its consideration. BACKGROUND: On June 4, 2008, the Governor proclaimed a condition of Statewide drought, and on February 27, 2009 the Govemor proclaimed a state of emergency resulting from below average snow pack, precipitation, dwindling reservoir storage, and new biological opinions that have reduced the flexibility of Statewide water operations. In response to Statewide water shortages and drought, Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) staff developed the attached Water Conservation Ordinance (ordinance). The Ordinance was prepared pursuant to California Water Code sections 106, 350, and 375; and describes RPU's water conservation program for a series of water supply conditions ranging from a normal water supply condition to a severe water shortage condition and will amend the Riverside Municipal Code Title 14 by adding a water conservation chapter (Chapter 14.22). On March 30, 2011, the Governor declared an end to California's Statewide drought as the mountain snowpack was at 165-percent of normal for that date and major reservoirs in the State and federal water systems all have more water in them than usual for this time of year. However, future drought conditions are likely in California and/or in the RPU service area. Further, because of federal litigation, the future availability of imported water from Northern California is uncertain. The California Constitution Article X and Water Code Section 100 provide that during drought conditions in the State of California, it is the declared policy of the State that water resources shall be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable, the waste or unreasonable use of water shall be prevented, and the conservation of such waters is to be exercised with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof in the interest of the people and the public welfare.