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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 Attachment 2, WSCP 2021WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN Adopted June 2, 2021 Board of Directors Joseph Aguera Jeff Bender Christa Finn Kim Harris Tony Laliotis Prepared by: Neil Kaufman Water System Engineer EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The mission statement of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District (District) is: "The Mission of Truckee Donner Public Utility District is to provide reliable, high quality water and electrical power services while meeting customer demand, and to manage District resources in a safe, open, responsible, environmentally sound manner at the lowest practical cost." As such, this Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) has been prepared to further the intent of providing a reliable, high quality water supply and to comply with the requirements the California Water Code. The WSCP consists of twelve sections: 1) Water Supply Reliability Analysis 2) Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Procedures 3) Six Standard Water Shortage Stages 4) Shortage Response Actions 5) Communication Protocols 6) Compliance and Enforcement 7) Legal Authorities 8) Financial Consequences of WSCP 9) Monitoring and Reporting 10) WSCP Refinement Procedures 11) Special Water Feature Distinction 12) Plan Adoption, Submittal, and Availability The WSCP is a stand-alone document created separately from the District's Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). The WSCP can be amended, as needed, without amending the UWMP. Page 1 SECTION 1 - WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY ANALYSIS The District obtains its all of its water supply through the pumping of groundwater from the Martis Valley Groundwater Basin (MVGB). The MVGB is a multiple aquifer system consisting of basin - fill sedimentary units and interlayered basin -fill volcanic units with a storage volume of about 484,000 acre feet. A number of studies regarding the recharge of the MVGB have been conducted and it has been determined that the sustainable yield of the basin is at least 22,000 acre-feet per year (AFY). Current pumping by all users of the MVGB is about 8,300 AFY, which is about 38 percent of the estimated annual recharge and less than 2 percent of the total storage volume of the basin. Therefore, the overall MVGB supply is more than sufficient to supply the needs of all water users and the basin can withstand a five-year drought with below average groundwater recharge. SECTION 2 - ANNUAL WATER SUPPLY AND DEMAND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES During the first quarter of each calendar year, the District shall undertake an annual assessment of water supply and demand as required by the California Water Code. The following information shall be gathered and reviewed: • Volume of water produced by the District's water supply sources for the past three years, including identification of the maximum day demands • Total volume of water delivered to customers for the past three years, including identification of the maximum day sales • A listing of expected new development projects to be constructed during the calendar year • The current production capacity of the District's water supply wells • The three most recent Annual Report for the Martis Valley Groundwater Basin Based upon this information, an estimate of unconstrained customer water demand for the calendar year shall be prepared. The estimate shall include both average day and maximum day demands. This estimate of water demand shall be compared to the water production capacity. In the event that projected maximum day demand will exceed the firm production capacity of the District's water supply wells, the estimated exceedence shall be quantified and the following actions shall be taken: 1) District's General Manager shall be informed that a failure of one water supply well during the period of peak demand may require implementation of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP). 2) The Water Department Operations Staff shall identify any additional preventative maintenance measures that could be implemented in order to further improve reliability of the water supply wells. Page 2 3) The Water Utility Director shall meet with the Public Information Officer and the Chief Financial Officer to review the WSCP. 4) The Public Information Officer shall prepare draft communications releases (press releases, radio advertisements, e-mail messages, etc) to be sent if necessary. 5) The Chief Financial Officer shall prepare information packages to be given to customer service representatives for communications with customers if necessary. 6) The Water Utility Director shall meet with Water Department staff and review the operational modifications to be implemented. 7) The General Manager shall present the above information to the Board of Directors along with any recommendations regarding the declaration of a water supply shortage. The Board of Directors shall declare a water shortage emergency if appropriate. The District will coordinate with the Town of Truckee, Nevada County and Placer County regarding the possible declaration of a water shortage emergency. The Annual Reports shall be reviewed to identify if there exists a downward trend in groundwater levels and storage volume within the groundwater basin. If an annual downward trend is detected, the procedures identified in the Martis Valley Groundwater Basin Management Plan shall be implemented. SECTION 3 - WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE LEVELS The State of California has defined six water supply shortage levels: Level Water Supply Level 1 Up to 10% Reduction in Available Water Supply 2 Between 11% and 20% Reduction in Available Water Supply 3 Between 2 1 % and 30% Reduction in Available Water Supply 4 Between 3 1 % and 40% Reduction in Available Water Supply 5 Between 4 1 % and 50% Reduction in Available Water Supply 6 Greater than 50% Reduction in Available Water Supply As noted in Section 1, the overall MVGB supply is more than sufficient to supply the needs of all water users and the basin can withstand multiple years with below average groundwater recharge. The most likely cause of a water supply shortage would be the failure of a major water supply facility such as a well, pump station or transmission pipeline. Such an occurrence could be caused by a number of factors including earthquake, fire or major equipment failure. As a result, water supply shortages are expected to be somewhat short in duration (days or possibly weeks), but may occur without any warning. Given these conditions, it is quite possible that the District could move directly from Level 0 (normal water supply) to a Level 3 or 4 shortage, bypassing the intervening levels in the event of a catastrophic facility failure. It is also possible that a portion of the service area could be under a Page 3 significant water supply reduction, while other portions of the service area are under normal conditions. The District's Water Department maintains an Emergency Response Plan. This document was originally prepared in 2004 and is reviewed periodically. The main topics addressed in the plan include: chain of command and responsibilities; emergency contact lists; response actions; public notice information and mutual aid contact information. District will be undertaking an update of the Emergency Response Plan to ensure that it meets the requirements of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. The District is a participant in the Nevada County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was most recently updated in August 2017. Action items identified for the District involved forest fuel reductions to be undertaken by the District's Electric Department. These items are an acknowledgement of the community's vulnerability to a wildfire. SECTION 4 - WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE RESPONSE ACTIONS Listed below are potential response actions to be implemented in the event of a water supply shortage. Level 1 Water Supply Reduction Applicable during periods where up to 10 percent of the water supply is unavailable. A corresponding reduction in water usage is required. This would be achieved through voluntary measures such as: • Irrigation with potable water of ornamental landscapes and turf would be limited to every other day • The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks would be prohibited unless for driveway sealing or construction • The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle, would be prohibited Level 2 Water Supply Reduction Applicable during periods where up to 20 percent of the water supply is unavailable. A corresponding reduction in water usage would be required. Compliance with water conservation requirements is mandatory for Level 2 and above. Water conservation measures in Level 2 include: • Irrigation with potable water of ornamental landscapes and turf would be limited to every other day • The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks would be prohibited unless for driveway sealing or construction Page 4 • The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle, would be prohibited • Customers may be subject to fines and penalties for failure to comply with these requirements Level 3 Water Supply Reduction Level 3 would apply during periods where up to 30 percent of the water supply is unavailable. A corresponding reduction in water usage would be required. Compliance is mandatory. Water conservation measures in Level 3 include: • Irrigation of ornamental landscapes and turf (using either potable or non -potable water) would be limited to 3-days per week • The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks would be prohibited • The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle, would be prohibited • The District may install flow restricting devices on a customer's service • Customers may be subject to fines and penalties for failure to comply with these requirements • Contact Northstar Community Services District (NCSD) regarding the feasibility of obtaining water through the existing emergency interconnections. Purchase water from NCSD if water is available and surplus to NCSD needs. Level 4 Water Supply Reduction Level 4 would apply during periods where up to 40 percent of the water supply is unavailable. A corresponding reduction in water usage would be required. Compliance is mandatory. Water conservation measures in Level 4 include: • Irrigation of ornamental landscapes and turf (using either potable or non -potable water) would be limited to 2-days per week • The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks would be prohibited • The use of potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle, would be prohibited • Any customer leak in plumbing and / or irrigation systems would be repaired when found, but in any case within ten (10) days of notice by the District to repair. The District may perform the repair or hire a contractor to perform the repair, and then invoice the customer for those costs • The District may install flow restricting devices on a customer's service • Customers maybe subject to fines and penalties for failure to comply with this requirement • Contact NCSD regarding the feasibility of obtaining water through the existing emergency Page 5 interconnections. Purchase water from NCSD if water is available and surplus to NCSD needs. Level 5 Water Supply Reduction Level 5 would apply during periods where up to 50 percent of the water supply is unavailable. A corresponding reduction in water usage would be required. Compliance is mandatory. Water conservation measures in Level 5 include: • All outdoor water uses would be prohibited in the area affected by the water conservation requirement. The District may discontinue service to irrigation services • Any customer leak in plumbing and / or irrigation systems would be repaired when found, but in any case within ten (10) days of notice by the District to repair. The District may perform the repair or hire a contractor to perform the repair, and then invoice the customer for those costs • The District may install flow restricting devices on a customer's service • The District may implement mandatory water rationing through the use of forced rolling outages • Customers may be subject to fines and penalties for failure to comply with this requirement • Contact NCSD regarding the feasibility of obtaining water through the existing emergency interconnections. Purchase water from NCSD if water is available and surplus to NCSD needs. Level 6 Water Supply Reduction Level 6 would apply during periods where more than 50 percent of the water supply is unavailable. A corresponding reduction in water usage would be required. Compliance is mandatory. Water conservation measures in Level 5 include: • All outdoor water uses would be prohibited in the area affected by the water conservation requirement. The District may discontinue service to irrigation services • Any customer leak in plumbing and / or irrigation systems would be repaired when found, but in any case within ten (10) days of notice by the District to repair. The District may perform the repair or hire a contractor to perform the repair, and then invoice the customer for those costs • The District may install flow restricting devices on a customer's service • The District may implement mandatory water rationing through the use of forced rolling outages • Customers may be subject to fines and penalties for failure to comply with this requirement • Contact NCSD regarding the feasibility of obtaining water through the existing emergency interconnections. Purchase water from NCSD if water is available and surplus to NCSD needs. Page 6 SECTION 5 - COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS The District has a long history of water conservation efforts. The District communicates to, and receives information from, its customers and the general public regularly regarding water issues through a variety of channels: • Direct customer contact such as telephone calls and mailers • Notices posted in the customer service portal on the District's website • Traditional media such as direct mail, bill stuffers, print advertising, placards and flyers • Digital engagement such as website, social media, digital signage, digital advertising, e- mail, text and push alerts • Local radio and TV • Press releases and relationships with local media such as Sierra Sun and Moonshine Ink • Direct outreach through schools, local agencies, NGO's, large employers, business groups, and the tourism industry • Participation in industry associations and joint -action groups such as California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) and Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) • Working closely with regional and state governments. • The District also works with the local schools and community support resources (such as Sierra Community House) to engage with the District's disadvantaged and non -English- speaking communities. As a part of local government in the greater Truckee area, the District works closely with sister agencies, key stakeholders, and regional, state, and Federal governments. This includes periodic meetings with the following groups: • Town of Truckee, Nevada County, and Placer County • Area Managers Monthly Meeting • Emergency Managers Meeting (coordinated by Town of Truckee) • Truckee/North Tahoe Joint Information Coordination (JIC) Group • Truckee River Basin Working Group • Regular meetings with other local water agencies (Northstar CSD, Placer County Water Agency, Olympic Valley PSD, Tahoe City PUD, and North Tahoe PUD) The District is located within the greater Lake Tahoe area and has a significant transient population due to the tourism -based economy, a significant number of second homes and a major interstate highway that runs through the area. Considering the mix of full-time and transient populations, it is important to reach all of the below target audiences and to use the appropriate communications channels for each target audience. Key target audiences are listed below: Page 7 • Customers • Disadvantaged and non -English-speaking community • Public • Public officials • Business and civic leaders • Schools • Local agencies, NGO, and community groups • Property managers • Homeowners Associations • Landscape contractors/suppliers/nurseries • Transient populations such as tourists, travelers, and second -home owners • High -use water customers • Regional, state, and Federal governments. The District will use all available communications channels available to reach the target audiences. Priority will be given to public safety (emergency response), then critical infrastructure, then basic needs, then the general use. The District will work closely with other local agencies to coordinate messaging and has the ability to leverage existing emergency communications channels, such as Nixle, reverse 911 and emergency road -side signage. After the declaration of a water supply shortage, the Public Information Officer shall undertake the following actions to inform customers regarding the need to reduce water consumption: Water Supply Communication Protocols: Reduction Level: Level 1 Engage with the appropriate target audiences depending on the specifics of the water shortage - using the available communications channels — to raise awareness, educate, and call to action. Encourage voluntary compliance and overall conservation ethic. Level 2 As per above but communicating the mandatory restrictions. May include direct -mail to customers, targeted outreach to key stakeholders, and community -wide messaging either directly or through partners. Level 3 As per above but communicating the increased level of water shortage and escalating mandatory restrictions and enforcement. Page 8 Level As per above but includes the mandatory requirement for customers to fix leaks and the associated direct outreach to those customers. Level As per above but with community -wide support of communications efforts to ensure compliance. Consider activating local community emergency communication networks ixle, Reverse 911, etc). Level 6 As per above plus preparing the community for potential water outages and the needed emergency response. As noted earlier, Truckee is very unlikely to experience a long-term water shortage due to a lack of water supply but more likely to experience a shortage due to a natural or man-made disaster. Given the unknown nature of the event that has caused the water shortage, the District will modify our communications, outreach, and collaborative efforts to match the situation. SECTION 6 - COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT Once a water supply shortage has been declared, the District shall begin monitoring the water usage of customers in regards to compliance with the requirements associated with the given water supply shortage level. The primary method of monitoring will be comparison of metered usage for the same time in prior years and with days prior to implementation of the WSCP. Other monitoring methods may involve include drive -by inspections of customers to verify irrigation practices. Customers with abnormally high usage would be contacted for notification purposes. Notice Of Violation If any person fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this ordinance, the General Manager or the manager's designee shall provide the person with a written notice of the violation and an opportunity to correct the non-compliance. The written notice will: a) Be posted or presented at the site of the noncompliance b) Be mailed to the customer c) State the time, date and place of the violation d) Provide a general description of the violation e) State the means to correct the violation f) State a date by which correction is required g) State the possible consequences of failing to correct the violation Page 9 If the violation is not corrected to the District's satisfaction within the time frame specified, the District may restrict the water service to the property or disconnect the service. In addition to correcting the violation, the customer may be billed administrative fees on their account. Detailed procedures are listed below: First Violation Following adoption of this WSCP, first violations will result in a friendly reminder in the form of a notice posted on or near the front door, personal contact with the customer, a phone call and/or a letter advising the customer of the violation,. Second Violation For a second violation within one calendar year, the customer will be notified in writing. If the correction is not made within thirty (30) days of the District's notice to the customer, the customer may be assessed a fine of $100. The fee shall be added to the customer's water service charges at the property where the violation occurred. Third Violation For a third violation within one calendar year, the customer will be notified in writing. The customer may be assessed a fine of $200. The fee shall be added to the customer's water service charges at the property where the violation occurred. If not corrected within ten (10) days of written notice, a flow -restricting device may be installed on the customer's service connection, and the costs associated with the installation and removal will be billed on the customer's monthly water billing. Fourth Violation For the fourth and subsequent violations within one calendar year, the customer will be notified in writing and the customer may be assessed a fine of $500. The fee shall be added to the customer's water service charges at the property where the violation occurred. In addition, a flow -restricting device may be installed on the customer's service connection, and the costs associated with the installation and removal will be billed to the customer. If not corrected within ten (10) days of written notice, the District may discontinue the customer's water service at the property where the violation occurred in accordance with District procedures. Reconnection shall only be permitted when there is reasonable protection against future violations, as determined by the General Manager. Enforcement Costs The District may correct any violation of this ordinance and bill the customer for costs and expenses in enforcing the provisions of this ordinance, including staff time for investigation and monitoring for compliance, if the customer refuses to comply. Charges shall be added to the customer's bill for the property where the enforcement costs were incurred. The District may also take such action as may be allowed by statute. Requests For Deviation or Exemption All requests for exemption or deviation from these standards shall be submitted, in writing, by the customer to the General Manager. The customer must obtain written permission and shall not assume that permission will be forthcoming for exemptions or deviations. Page 10 The General Manager may temporarily or permanently exempt customers from the provisions of this WSCP, or impose reasonable conditions in lieu of compliance, if the General Manager finds that any of the following conditions exist: • Serious Economic Hardship: The requirements would cause an unnecessary and undue economic hardship upon the customer, threatening the customer's primary source of income as an individual or a business. • Adverse Impact on Health and Safety: Strict compliance would create an emergency condition, as determined by the General Manager, adversely affecting the health, protection or safety of the customer or the public. Appeals Any person who is dissatisfied with any determination made under this WSCP may at any time within 30 days after such determination make an appeal. The first appeal shall be made to the General Manager in writing. Should the applicant be dissatisfied with the decision of the General Manager, a subsequent appeal may be made to the Board of Directors of Directors within 30 days of the General Manager's decision. Appeal to General Manager Any person who is dissatisfied with any determination made under this ordinance may at any time within 30 days after such determination, appeal to the General Manager by giving written notice to the General Manager. The appeal shall set forth the events and circumstances leading to the appeal, the nature of the ruling or interpretation from which relief is sought, the nature of the impact of the ruling on the appellant's property or business, together with any other reasons for the appeal. The General Manager shall investigate the matter appealed and shall make a written decision, which shall be mailed to the appellant within 30 days of receipt of the appeal. If the dispute involves an amount of charges, the appellant shall pay the amount disputed in full when the charges are due. Any charge paid under protest will be refunded to the appellant should the General Manager determine that the charges were wrongfully made. Appeal to the Board of Directors of Directors Any person who is dissatisfied with any determination made by the General Manager may at any time within 30 days after such determination, appeal to the Board of Directors of Directors by giving written notice to the General Manager and to the Clerk of the Board of Directors of Directors. The appeal shall set forth the events and circumstances leading to the appeal, the nature of the ruling or interpretation from which relief is sought, the nature of the impact of the ruling on the appellant's property or business, together with any other reasons for the appeal. The General Manager shall transmit to the Board of Directors of Directors a report upon the matter appealed. The Board of Directors of Directors may request that the appeal be agendized and consider all testimony and make a decision, which shall be mailed to the appellant within 30 days Page 11 of the date of the Board of Directors action. The Board of Directors of Directors may, at any time, upon its own motion, revise any determination made by the General Manager. If the dispute involves an amount of charges, the appellant shall pay the amount disputed in full when the charges are due. Any charge paid under protest will be refunded to the appellant should the Board of Directors of Directors determine that the charges were wrongfully made SECTION 7 - LEGAL AUTHORITIES The District was established in 1927 in accordance with the provisions of the Public Utility District Act. It is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of five members elected on an at -large basis. The District has the legal authority to implement and enforce its WSCP. Section 100 of the California Water Code reads: "It is hereby declared that because of the conditions prevailing in this State the general welfare requires that the water resources of the State be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable, and that the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented, and that the conservation of such water is to be exercised with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof in the interest of the people and for the public welfare." Section 350 of the California Water Code reads: "The governing body of a distributor of a public water supply, whether publicly or privately owned and including a mutual water company, shall declare a water shortage emergency condition to prevail within the area served by such distributor whenever it finds and determines that the ordinary demands and requirements of water consumers cannot be satisfied without depleting the water supply of the distributor to the extent that there would be insufficient water for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection." After declaration of a water shortage emergency by the District, additional sections within the California Water Code provide the District with broad powers to implement and enforce the provisions of the WSCP. SECTION 8 - FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES It is the District's intent that the water rate structure closely matches the variable revenue stream with its variable expenses and the fixed revenue stream with fixed expenses. Therefore, a reduction in water usage and water sales revenue would have a corresponding decrease in operational expenses. During the period of a water supply shortage, the General Manager shall report to the Board of Directors on a monthly basis (or more often), the financial impacts associated with the water supply shortage. In the event that the water supply shortage is causing adverse financial impacts upon the District, the General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer and the Water Utility Director shall Page 12 identify potential short—term actions to address the financial impacts such as reductions in operating expenses, reductions in capital expenditures and the use of reserves. As noted previously, the duration of a water supply shortage is most likely to be on the order of days or weeks. Given the requirements of Proposition 218, the short-term adjustment of water rates or the imposition of drought -related surcharges is likely not feasible. During the next annual budget cycle, the overall financial situation of the District shall be evaluated. At that time, the District would review whether rate adjustments were necessary to ensure the financial stability of the Water Department and to maintain compliance with the District's financial goals. The period of late 2014 and 2015 provides an example of this process. In October 2014, the District implemented Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan. This was followed by the implementation of Stage 4 in June 2015. These actions were taken in response to mandates issued by the State of California. The District had adequate water supplies and was not experiencing a water shortage during this entire period. For 2015, the financial impact of these actions was a reduction in revenue o f about $172,500 for decreased water sales. This was about two percent of budgeted water sales revenue. There was corresponding reduction in operational expenses of about $197,000. This was about four percent of budgeted operational expenses. The District also incurred an additional $120,000 in expenses mainly related to increased public education efforts and increased labor for customer notification and customer service. These costs were covered by a reduction in planned capital expenditures and the use of reserves. SECTION 9 - MONITORING AND REPORTING The District monitors total water production for all sources on a daily basis. This monitoring would be the primary tool to gauge the effectiveness of the water conservation program. Total water production would be compared with production for the same time in prior years and with days prior to implementation of the WSCP. Other monitoring measures include drive -by inspections of customers to verify irrigation practices and monitoring of customer usage through the District's AMR system. Customers with abnormally high usage would be contacted for notification purposes. SECTION 10 - WSCP REFINEMENT AND MODIFICATION PROCEDURES During implementation of the WSCP, the General Manager and the Water Utility Director shall review the effectiveness of the WSCP at least every two weeks. Customer response to required reductions in water usage shall be evaluated. Response actions that are not effective shall be analyzed and modified to improve performance. Required modifications to the WSCP shall be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration, public review and approval in accordance with the California Water Code. Even if the WSCP has not been implemented, it shall be reviewed by the General Manager and the Water Utility Director periodically to identify any necessary changes and ensure compliance with the appropriate regulations. Page 13 SECTION 11— WATER FEATURES AND POOLS The California Water Code requires water purveyors to analyze water features that are not pools or spas separately from pools and spas in a WSCP. For pools and spas, and any other water features with direct human contact, potable water is needed for health and safety considerations. Therefore, there are no additional restrictions placed on pools and spas beyond that of other potable water users. Decorative water features not intended for direct human contact shall be considered in the same category as outdoor irrigation for the purposes of water supply reductions. SECTION 12 — PLAN ADOPTION The draft WSCP was made available for public review on May 10, 2021. A public hearing regarding the draft WSCP was held on June 2, 2021. Mailed notices regarding the public hearing were sent to the following local public agencies: • Nevada County • Northstar Community Services District • Placer County • Placer County Water Agency • Tahoe -Truckee Sanitation Agency • Town of Truckee • Truckee Sanitary District The WSCP was adopted by the Board of Directors on June 2, 2021. The Board of Directors also adopted Ordinance 2021-01, which codified certain elements of the WSCP. After adoption, the WSCP was submitted to the California Department of Water Resources and the California State Library. The WSCP was also posted on the District's website. The local public agencies were also informed that the WSCP was adopted and is available on the District's website. Copies of the WSCP will be made available for public review at the District Office and the Truckee Branch of the Nevada County Library once COVID-19 restrictions have been modified and these locations are open to the public. Page 14