06-27-2016 BPU RPT 12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W A T E R E N E R L Y I. I F F RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES 69& P U B L I C U T I L I T 1 E 5 BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum DATE: JUNE 27, 2016 ITEM NO: 12 SUBJECT: PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO DECLARE STAGE 1 OF THE WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM INDICATING NORMAL WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS FOR RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PROPOSED URGENCY ORDINANCE UPDATING CHAPTER 14.22 OF THE RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADDRESS THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD EXTENDED EMERGENCY DROUGHT REGULATIONS ISSUE: The issue for Board of Public Utilities consideration is to recommend City Council adopt the proposed resolution declaring Stage One of the Water Conservation Ordinance, indicating normal water supply conditions, in light of the City's self- certification to the State Water Resources Control Board of a conservation standard of zero for Riverside Public Utilities; and adopt the proposed urgency ordinance updating Chapter 14.22 of the Riverside Municipal Code to address the State Water Resources Control Board extended emergency drought regulations. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council: Adopt the attached Resolution declaring Stage One of the Water Conservation Ordinance indicating normal water supply conditions for City of Riverside and repealing Resolution No. 22983; and 2. Adopt an urgency Ordinance, effective immediately, amending Riverside Municipal Code, Water Conservation, Chapter 14.22, to address the State Water Resources Control Board extended emergency drought regulations. BACKGROUND: On May 9, 2016, Governor Brown issued Executive Order B -37 -16 which called for extending the emergency regulations through January 2017 and authorizing the State Water Resources Control Board ( SWRCB) to make further changes based upon lessons learned from the drought response to date. The SWRCB revised the mandatory emergency water conservation regulations effective May 31, 2016. The revised regulations allow water supply agencies to review their own supply and demand under drought conditions, and to certify that they have adequate supply to adopt a conservation standard equal to any projected shortfall. Based on Riverside's water supplies exceeding projected water demands for the next three years, assuming extended drought conditions, the City Council self- certified to a zero conservation standard on June 7, 2016. The adopted zero conservation standard only applies to the extraordinary conservation requirements of the state and does not reduce Riverside's need to conserve water to comply with State Senate bill SBX7- 7 (2009). In addition, conservation is the centerpiece of Riverside's water supply plan. With an ongoing drought, it is appropriate to remain within a drought stage at this time. For these reasons, it is recommended that Water Conservation Stage 1 be declared.