THE EXPANDING ROLE of RECYCLED WATER The Need, Benefits and Cost Effectiveness Make Recycled Water an Increasingly Valued Resource Harry Ehrlich, SDA Principal Project Resource Specialists

RECYCLED WATER – A VALUABLE COMMODITY in the WATER SUPPLY PORTFOLIO  Historical Perspective of Recycled Water  Wastewater OR A VALUABLE COMMODITY ?  Reuse of Water Versus Developing New Supplies?  Investing in Local Community Infrastructure  Encouraging Reuse as an Environmental Benefit  One Tool in MSR and Reorganization Review Process  Developing a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY POLICY  SUMMARY

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE of RECYCLED WATER  WASTEWATER EFFLUENT DISPOSAL  Streams, Lakes and Ocean Outfalls  Septic Systems in Small Use Situations  FEDERAL CLEAN WATER ACT  Restricts Discharge of Contaminated Waters  STATE of CALIFORNIA PORTER COLOGNE ACT  Established Discharge Limitations – 1969  STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD Formed – 9 REGIONAL BOARDS

WASTEWATER or VALUABLE COMMODITY ?  Waste Discharge Effluent Considered a Liability and Cost Item  Cost of Water Supply Increased Dramatically  IN TIMEFRAMES  SAN DIEGO REGION IMPORTED WATER COST $ 150 af $ 400 af $ 750 af  Development of Local Water Supplies - URGENT

REUSE OF WATER VERSUS DEVELOPING NEW SUPPLIES?  COST OF NEW IMPORTED SUPPLY – $ 750 af  MWD Forecasts Cost Increases of % a YEAR  Cost of DESALINATED Water Supply - $1,600 af  Availability of Groundwater DECREASING Due to Over Drafting of Local Basins  Drought Cycles Recurring – EACH 7-10 YEARS  Environmental Impacts and Habitat Preservation  Limits on Secondary & Tertiary Wastewater Discharges  New Technology for Advanced Treatment Systems

INVESTING IN COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE  PRINCIPLE OF BALANCED SUPPLY & USE  SB X7X ( 2009 ) – 20 % Reduction by Year 2020  Drought on Colorado River Basin  Reduced Supply From State Water Project Watershed  Limits on Pumping in Delta  Value of Future Sustainability of Supply  Technology of Conservation (Green is Better)  Improved Tertiary & Advanced Treatment Methods  Less Dependance Upon Imported Supplies

ENCOURAGING REUSE THROUGH RECYCLED WATER AS ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT  Development of Local Supply Resources  Release of Imported Supply for Other Uses  Reduced Energy Use for Pumping ( 30 % of Use)  Offsets Loss From Storage and Delivery System (10% OR MORE)  Conjunctive Use for Agriculture and M & I Users  Groundwater Basin Recharge  Seawater Intrusion Barrier Injection Recharge  Drought Impact Reduction BUFFER

TOOLS IN MSR AND REORGANIZATION PROCESS  Municipal Service Reviews -PLANNING TOOLS  Sphere of Influence Reviews  Potential for Service Agency Reorganizations  AUTHORITY –  GC (k) – “timely availability of water supplies”  GC – “close coordination between California’s water supply and land use approval agencies”  Urban Water Management Plan development  GC (e) (2) & (3) – need, capacity and adequacy of public facilities and services

DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY POLICY  GC (a) – “adopt written policies and procedures and exercise its powers pursuant to this part” that “encourages and provides planned, well-ordered, efficient urban development patterns.”  GC – “make studies and to obtain and furnish information…contribute to the logical and reasonable development of local agencies in each county” and “shape the development of local agencies…to provide for the present and future needs of each county.”  GC (a) – “enact policies designed to promote the logical and orderly development of areas within the sphere.”

DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY POLICY – con’t  GC (i) (1) & (2) – the commission shall…: (1)Require existing districts to file written statements with the commission specifying the functions or classes of services provided by those districts, and; (2)Establish the nature, location, and extent of any functions or classes of services provided by existing districts.  GC (a) – Proposal by special district to provide new or different function or class of services  GC (a) & (e) - request and approval by commission to serve via contract to other agency(ies) outside its (agency) jurisdictional boundaries Exemption for “transfer of nonpotable water” but not for providing service of water delivery

 Establishing Policy and/or Guideline for Water Supply Reliability  Sets Intent and Goals of the Commission  Allows Affected Agencies to Provide Input  Sets Ground Rules for Future Proposals & Studies  Should Allow for Data and Information Sharing  Provides Baseline for MSR and SOI Reviews  San Diego LAFCO Water Supply and Reliability Policy Guideline DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY POLICY – con’t

 Developed after Water Supply Workshops  Drafted with Input and Approval of Special Districts Advisory Committee and Regional Water Agencies  Adopted by Commission Unanimously to Guide Future Proposal Reviews  Revised Proposal Applications to Include Water Supply and Recycled Water Availability and Planning Data  Factor to be Utilized in Reviewing Proposals by Staff  Copy of Policy Guideline Available Here and on Webpage at DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY POLICY – con’t

DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY PLAN FOR RECYCLED WATER

SUMMARY  WATER SUPPLY & REUSE ARE CRUCIAL ISSUES  C-K-H ACT REQUIRES LAFCO TO REVIEW WATER SUPPLY AVAILABILITY AND SERVICES  C-K-H ACT ALLOWS LAFCO TO STUDY WATER SUPPLY ALTERNATIVES FOR EFFICIENCY  RECYCLED WATER IS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF WATER SUPPLY PORTFOLIO  EACH LAFCO SHOULD DEVELOP A WATER SUPPLY & RELIABILITY POLICY OR GUIDELINE  PLAN NOW FOR THE SOON TO BE FUTURE!