REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
DATE: 06/16/2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Public Works Department
Department of Water and Power
SUBJECT:
Title
Public Hearing for adopting the City of Corona Urban Water Management Plan update.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City prepared an Urban Water Management Plan update to ensure the efficient use of water, promote conservation programs and policies, ensure sufficient water supplies are available for future beneficial use and provide a mechanism for response during drought conditions.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
That the:
a. City Council adopt Resolution No. 2021-054, adopting the City of Corona Urban Water Management Plan update.
b. Corona Utility Authority, review, ratify, and to the extent necessary, direct the City Council to take the above actions.
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BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) is prepared by the City of Corona every five years. The UWMP supports the City of Corona's long-term resource planning to ensure that adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future water needs.
The requirements for the UWMP are found in two sections of the California Water Code (§10610-10656) and (§10608). The Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act) mandates that all water suppliers providing water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 customers prepare an UWMP. The primary purpose of the UWMP is to ensure the efficient use of water, promote conservation programs and policies, ensure sufficient water supplies are available for future beneficial use and provide a mechanism for response during drought conditions. The last UWMP adopted by the City of Corona was the 2015 UWMP (2015 UWMP Volume 1 - Report; 2015 UWMP Volume 2 - Appendices). The 2020 UWMP must be filed with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) by July 1, 2021.
ANALYSIS:
The 2020 UWMP is organized as directed by the Department of Water Resources 2020 Urban Water Management Plans Guidebook for Urban Water Suppliers (Guidebook), including chapter topics and content, delineation of mandatory statutes, and standardized Water Use Efficiency (WUE) tables. The 2020 UWMP is specific to the Department of Water and Power’s (Department) Water Service Area, which encompasses approximately 39 square miles, including the City and portions of unincorporated Riverside County within the City’s sphere of influence. Topics of discussion within the 2020 UWMP include:
System Water Use
Water use within the Water Service Area consists primarily of single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial/industrial/institutional, landscaping, and sales to two (2) neighboring water systems: City of Norco and Home Gardens County Water District.
Compliance with Water Conservation Target
In accordance with the Water Conservation Act of 2009 (Senate Bill X7-7), the City had previously calculated in the 2015 UWMP its baseline water use and its target for a 20% reduction in per capita water use by 2020 in terms of gallons per capita per day (GPCD). The City’s baseline per capita water use is 262 GPCD. The City’s 2020 target per capita water use is 213 GPCD. The City achieved a per capita water use of 180 GPCD in 2020. Therefore, the City is compliant with the requirements of the Water Conservation Act of 2009.
System Supplies
The City has a diverse water supply portfolio that includes imported water from Western Municipal Water District (WMWD), groundwater from two local basins (Temescal and Bedford-Coldwater), and reclaimed water for landscape irrigation and other non-potable uses.
Water Supply Reliability
The water supply reliability was assessed for normal years, single dry years, and five consecutive dry years projected through 2045. This means that projected supply was compared to projected demand under normal and drought conditions to verify the adequacy of supply within the City. All of the City’s sources of supply are sustainably managed and projected to exceed demand through 2045.
Water Shortage Contingency Planning
The City has enacted water conservation ordinances in order to provide guidance and authority for responding to water shortages adopted by Ordinance 2962 in 2009.
Demand Management Measures
The demand management measures refer to water conservation projects and programs implemented by the City to reduce water use or water loss. In coordination with WMWD, the City maintains a robust water conservation program (Residential Programs & Rebates). The City’s residential programs and rebates include: a turf replacement program; rebates for pool covers, recirculating pumps for hot water systems, and water efficient appliances and equipment; and free water saving devices such as shower timers, low-flow showerheads, bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators, hose nozzles, and toilet dye tabs. Consistent implementation of the water conservation program over the last ten years is largely responsible for the City achieving its water use efficiency goals.
In addition to water use targets, the 2020 UWMP includes discussions on the City’s history, demographics, climate, water and reclamation facilities, and water use efficiency programs. The 2020 UWMP is a tool to help the Department effectively manage water supplies and demands for the long term. A complete copy of the 2020 UWMP is available at the City Clerk’s office for review.
The 2020 UWMP is presented in draft form to allow for modifications based on public comments during the public hearing portion of the Council meeting. After adopting Resolution 2021-054, the 2020 UWMP will be finalized and submitted to DWR as a final document.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The preparation and adoption of Urban Water Management Plans pursuant to the provisions of Section 10652 of the California Water Code are exempt from environmental analysis as set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15282.
PREPARED BY: MOHAMMED IBRAHIM, P.E., SENIOR ENGINEER
REVIEWED BY: SAVAT KHAMPHOU, ACTING PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR & TOM MOODY, GENERAL MANAGER
Attachments:
1. Exhibit 1 - 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (Draft)
2. Exhibit 2 - Resolution No. 2021-054