Drought Management Update April 1, 2015 Manual Snow Survey (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) Industrial Environmental Association Sustainability Committee April 23, 2015 Presentation by: Jeff Stephenson

San Diego County Water Authority Wholesale water agency created by Legislature in 1944 24 member agencies 36-member board of directors Serves 3.1 million people and region’s $206 billion economy Service area 950,000 acres 97% of county’s population Imports ~80% of water used in San Diego County Largest member agency of MWD of Southern California

Sources of San Diego County’s Water Supply (2010-2014 five-year average) San Diego Green Scene - January 10, 2013 19% State Water Project (MWD supplies) California Aqueduct Colorado River Aqueduct 64% Colorado River (Long-term Transfers and MWD supplies) 17% Local Supplies

All Dry on the Western Front Comparison of Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada January 2013 January 2014 January 2015 DRY CRITICAL CRITICAL Lake Tahoe NASA Satellite Images

Northern Sierra Snowpack (As of April 1, 2015) Snowpack's Water Content at Record Low

SDCWA - Water Planning Committee Average Water Year Statewide Runoff Percent of Average (Water Year: Oct 1 – Sept 30) SDCWA - Water Planning Committee 4th Consecutive Dry Year 2012-2015 ? *DWR Apr. 1, 2015 Forecast for Water Year Presented by: Lesley Dobalian, Water Resources Specialist

Prolonged Colorado River Drought Colorado River Inflow into Lake Powell Below Normal 12 of 16 Years *Bureau of Reclamation April 2, 2015 Forecast for Water Year Lake Mead Elevation Lowest Since Filling in 1930

San Diego Region: 17 Months of Hotter than Normal Weather Cooler

Increasing San Diego Region's Water Supply Reliability through Supply Diversification 1991 2014 2020 26 TAF (5%) 29 TAF (4%) 73 TAF (11%) 103 TAF (13%) 44 TAF (6%) 552 TAF (95%) 80 TAF (12%) 19 TAF (3%) 80 TAF (10%) 40 TAF (6%) 56 TAF (7%) 100 TAF (15%) Total = 578 TAF 190 TAF (24%) 27 TAF (4%) 326 TAF (49%) 231 TAF (30%) 48 TAF (6%) Total = 667 TAF Total = 779 TAF Metropolitan Water District Recycled Water Imperial Irrigation District Transfer Seawater Desalination All American & Coachella Canal Lining Groundwater 9 Conservation Local Surface Water

Seawater Desalination Carlsbad Seawater Desalination Project $1 billion investment 56,000 acre-feet/year of drought-proof supplies Expected on-line in fall 2015 1 CLICK

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Governor Brown April 1, 2015 Executive Order Water supplies continue to be severely depleted Record low snowpack in Sierra Nevada Possibility current drought could extend into 2016 and beyond Order included a number of directives for state agencies Save water Increase enforcement against waste Invest in new technologies Streamline government response

Governor Executive Order – Save Water Some of State Water Board Directives Adopt restrictions requiring 25% reduction in potable urban water usage through February 28, 2016 Impose restriction requiring commercial, industrial and institutional sector reduce usage by 25% Prohibit irrigation of ornamental turf on public street medians with potable water Prohibit irrigation with potable water in new construction that is not delivered by drip or microspray systems

Governor Executive Order – State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Department of Water Resources to update through expedited regulation Increase water efficiency standards for new and existing landscapes More efficient irrigation systems Greywater usage Onsite storm water capture Limit amount of turf DWR report on implementation and enforcement due by Dec. 31, 2015

State Water Board Mandatory Conservation Draft Emergency Regulation (April 18, 2015) Agencies assigned urban savings target of 4% to 36% Assigned based on July – Sept 2014 residential per capita Take effect June 1 Reduce total potable urban usage as compared to 2013 Doesn’t include development of drought-proof supplies as means to achieve compliance Urban water suppliers can exempt commercial agricultural deliveries Urban agency serves 20% or more commercial agricultural Drought management plan and quantification of supplies

State Water Board Mandatory Conservation Draft Emergency Regulation (Continued) Agencies required to report monthly total potable urban usage Compared to same month in 2013 Commercial, industrial, institutional usage included in monthly total and reported separately Compliance measured monthly beginning June 2015, but assessed on cumulative basis If not in compliance, SWRCB may issue conservation order Include additional actions to come into compliance

SWRCB Proposed Urban Conservation Standards Draft Drought Emergency Conservation Regulation 3/27/2014

Water Authority Comments on Emergency Regulations – 3 Main Points Include development of drought-proof supplies as means to achieve compliance Focus CII reductions on landscape uses, not process water Exempt all agricultural deliveries from mandatory 25% reduction in urban water use

Drought Alert: Focus on Outdoor Water-Use Restrictions Eliminate runoff from irrigation systems No washing down driveways and sidewalks Limit outdoor watering days and times Water only during the late evening or early morning hours Turn off water fountains and other water features unless they use recycled water Use hose with shut-off valve for washing cars Restrictions may vary, visit www.whenindrought.org to determine your local water agency

Drought Related Actions Related to Potential Supply Cutbacks April 14: Metropolitan Water District Board approved 15% supply cutbacks to region effective July 1 May 14: Water Authority Board to consider approving drought management actions In response to MWD cutbacks and Governor’s executive order Retail water agencies take action consistent with their local plans and ordinances

Whenindrought.org

WaterSmartSD.org

Questions? Jeff Stephenson Principal Water Resources Specialist (858) 522-6750 jstephenson@sdcwa.org