Agenda Item Wording:
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Consider reauthorization of Stage 2 of the Visalia Water Conservation Ordinance and adopt resolution 2023-06.
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Deadline for Action: 4/4/2023
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Rhett Anderson, (559) 713-4530
Department Recommendation:
Due to persistent and alternating dry and wet years in the Central Valley, it is the recommendation of staff to re-authorize stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance by resolution 2023-06.
Background Discussion:
In the western United States, specifically in California, alternating cycles of drought and heavy precipitation are typical. Tulare County specifically has observed record years of drought and saw a record low of precipitation in water year 2021 (October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021). As a result, City Council voted to move into Stage 2 of the Visalia Water Conservation Ordinance (Ordinance), “Water Alert”. As per the ordinance, “Stage 2 shall terminate one year after implementation unless reauthorized by the City Council by resolution.” Stage 2 was then re-authorized by City Council on April 4, 2022 due to persistent drought conditions.
Stage 2 of the Ordinance is characterized by restrictions on outdoor water use. Restrictions include reduction of total watering days per week from 3 days per week to two days per week as compared to stage 1, and a complete elimination of irrigation of ornamental turf grasses in the months of December, January, and February. Additional rules and regulations can be found in Section 13.20.070.B. of the attached Ordinance. The varying stages of the Ordinance were intended to reduce the outdoor use of water resources available to the City of Visalia (City). Which, in turn, reduce the overall consumption of water resources and reduce the negative impacts of overdraft. As a groundwater reliant municipality, the City derives its water supply almost exclusively from the underground aquifer. When water resources are extracted from the underground aquifer more quickly than they can be replaced, it is considered overdraft and can have a multitude of negative impacts associated with it. The City is particularly vulnerable to groundwater depletion, subsidence, and impacted groundwater quality.
The City has monitored its groundwater levels since the mid-1900s. Over the course of the last 70 years, a significant decrease in groundwater elevation has been observed in the underlying aquifer beneath the City. The lowering groundwater table has been attributed to overdraft. Of the many efforts of the city and surrounding agencies to reduce groundwater consumption, limiting irrigation days for Visalia residents has been one way the City has been able to reduce its overall consumption.
The City has also taken efforts to manage its water resources in a responsible and effective manner. One way of maximizing the utility of water extracted from the aquifer is to recycle all sewage water and exchange this tertiary water for clean supplemental surface water. However, the City is unable to re-capture the vast majority of water used outdoors, as this water is eventually returned into the atmosphere where it is carried beyond the subbasin where it can no longer benefit the areas within city limits. Because the City knows know how much water is used indoors by residents of the City, staff can also calculate the amount of water used outdoors by comparing the amount of water extracted and the amount of water returned to the Wastewater Treatment Facility. In 2022, Visalia residents used approximately 57% of total water produced to irrigate ornamental landscapes. Because water used outdoors for the purposes of landscape irrigation water that is considered irrecoverable, it is crucial that the city continue to implement key water conservation policies and programs to continue to reduce water waste and improve water use efficiency.
The Division of Water Conservation recognizes that Water Year 2023 has produced significantly more precipitation than in years prior, but there is concern that alternating between water conservation stages too drastically or often can lead to confusion of appropriate watering days and regulations. In addition, the City is part of the Kaweah Sub-basin which is a severely over-drafted basin, and must meet strict State water regulations. Therefore, it is believed that a less restrictive stage of the water conservation ordinance should only be adopted if/when annual precipitation demonstrates a more stable pattern, and conditions of the chronically lowering groundwater table improve.
Fiscal Impact:N/A
Prior Council Action:
April, 2022 - Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance was re-authorized by City Council by recommendation of staff. March, 2021 - Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance was implemented, by recommendation of staff. July 2020 - City Council approved a transition into Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance to take effect in March of 2021. October 2019 - City Council approved minor amendments to the Water Conservation Ordinance. August 2017 - City Council approved a transition into Stage 1 of the Water Conservation Ordinance. April 2017 - Reauthorization of Stage 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance. May 2016 - The City Council adopted the new Water Conservation Ordinance and reimplementation of Stage 2. June 2015 - Adoption of the revised Water Conservation Ordinance and implementation of Stage 2.
Alternatives: City Council may choose to take no action on this item, consequentially reverting the City of Visalia back to Stage 1 of the water conservation ordinance.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to adopt Resolution 2023-06 reauthorizing stage 2 of the Visalia Water Conservation Ordinance.
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