Agenda Item Wording:
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Presentation by California Water Service - Presentation by Cal Water regarding the companies plan for complying with the State of California’s indoor and outdoor water regulations.
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Prepared by: Presented by Stephen Johnson, Cal Water Visalia District Manager; Kevin McCusker, Cal Water Director of Government and Community Affairs Director. <https://www.linkedin.com/company/44061/>
Department Recommendation: It is recommended that the Visalia City Council receive this report from California Water Service representatives and consider how it could impact and influence Visalia citizens in the coming years. California Water Service has evolved other the years, but it’s roots in Visalia date back 99 years. Visalia was one of the first communities that an earlier version of the company provided service to; California Water Service will be celebrating 100 years in business in 2026.
Summary:
The California State Water Resources Board has adopted new regulations for indoor and outdoor water use for California citizens and issued a primer entitled “Making Conservation A California Way of Life. The water purveyor, in the City of Visalia’s case, California Water Service, is responsible for implementing the State programs and policies to meet the State mandates. The link to the California program is provided here: Making Conservation a California Way of Life Regulation | California State Water Resources Control Board <https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/conservation/regs/water_efficiency_legislation.html>
The Cal Water Representatives will be presenting the Performance Measures that the State is requiring over the next 15 years, and the programs, policies and costs that the Company has established to comply with the State mandate. The first milestone is required by June 30, 2025, with continued Performance Measure required through 2039. The Presentation will review the formulas, factors and best practices that have been established for meeting the mandates, as well as the goals required to be met in the coming years.
The Presentation includes current and future water conservation incentives that will be utilized to encourage conservation, and the budget of over $1.9 million in the coming year, more than 5 times the previous conservation budget, and to continue/increase in future years. In addition, Cal Water will be focusing on a compliance program at a cost of nearly $2.4 million annually, and also increase in future.
Fiscal Impact: The City of Visalia will pay the associated rates that Cal Water will be assessing to meet the State Requirements but specific financial impacts to the City are unknown. The Company will also be passing down these costs to all rate payers in the Visalia system.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
This is an informational item and no motion is required.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: N/A
Attachments:
1. Cal Water Presentation
2. Cal Water’s recommendation for revisions to the City of Visalia Water Conservation Ordinance.