Supplement 6B CM Report 2014 0203

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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STAFF REPORT Date: January 30, 2014 To: Chris Zapata, City Manager From: Debbie Pollart, Public Works Services Director By: Jennifer Auletta, Deputy Public Works Services Director Subject: City Water Usage and Potential Water Usage Reductions SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION On January 17`h, Governor Jerry Brown declared a statewide drought emergency and called for a 20% voluntary reduction in water usage. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is monitoring the situation closely. Although EBMUD has been successful in storing water from prior heavy rain periods, the district could declare a drought emergency if storms do not replenish reservoirs enough this winter and spring. This report is for information only, and no action is required. BACKGROUND Last year was the driest year on record in the Mokelumne River watershed in the Sierra Nevada, where more than ninety percent of EBMUD's water supply originates. According to EBMUD, precipitation since July in the Mokelumne basin was 4.66 inches, which is 19 percent of average. Due to successful efforts in water storage from heavy rains in 2012, EBMUD reservoirs are almost two-thirds full. That capacity is slightly under average for this time of year. As of January 27, 2014, EBMUD had 481,120 acre feet of water stored in all its reservoirs combined. In 2008, EBMUD adopted a drought program that called for a 15 percent overall reduction in water usage and prohibited the following activities: • Using water for decorative fountains, except those that recycle the water; • Washing vehicles with hoses that do not contain shutoff nozzles; • Washing sidewalks, patios and similar hard surfaces; • Irrigating outdoors on consecutive days or more than 3 days a week (with watering recommended in evening or before dawn); • Lawn or garden watering that results in excessive runoff; • Sewer and hydrant flushing and washing streets with potable (drinking) water supplied by EBMUD except for essential purposes; • The use of potable water for construction if alternatives are available; and • The use of potable water for soil compaction and dust control when another source is available.