1. City Council February 6, 2017 Item 9
Amend PMC Water Waste Prohibitions and Water Supply Shortage Plans Ordinance
City Council
February 6, 2017
Item 9

2. Recommendation CEQA Exemption
State CEQA Guidelines Section 15307
Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of Natural Resources
Direct the City Attorney to Prepare an Ordinance to Amend PMC13.10, the City of Pasadena Water Waste Prohibitions and Water Supply Shortage Plans Ordinance

3. Municipal Services Committee Recommendation
January 24th 2017, Municipal Services Committee unanimously approved the recommended actions with the following changes:
Remove requirements duplicative of existing building code requirements; and
Add language clarifying that a public hearing would be needed to discontinue a water shortage declaration

4. Water Supply Conditions As of January 29, 2017
Current Snowpack
Upper Colorado River Basin is 161% of normal
Northern Sierra is 150% of normal
Vulnerable to early melt with higher temperatures
Reservoir Condition
State Water Project at 80% of Capacity
MWD starting to recover: ~400,000 AF so far this year
Raymond Basin Aquifer
NW & east side water levels have dropped
Pasadena Rainfall
156% of normal as of Jan 26, 2017

5. Executive Summary
PWP Must Pursue Efforts to Make Water Efficiency and Conservation a Way of Life
City Council policy (Urban Accords, WIRP, etc)
Recent and proposed State regulations, legislation
Proposed Amendments to PMC Would:
Align City with current State requirements
Establish permanent irrigation limitations
Incorporate prior Council direction on waste prohibitions
Provide more clarity and simplify some sections
Strengthen Pasadena’s water conservation efforts

6. Three Key Changes Add Permanent 3 Day/Week Irrigation Limit
Applies year-round when no water shortage is declared
Incorporate Prior City Council Direction
Applicability/flexibility for large irrigation customers
Additional restrictions/requirements adopted to address current water shortage
Provide More Clarity And Simplify
Clarify definitions and applicability of certain terms
Consolidate exemptions from irrigation restrictions
Simplify procedure for City Council to change shortage plan once declared

7. Background 5/9/2016 - Executive Order B-37-16
“Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life”
11/30/ State Water Board Releases Draft Implementation Plan With Four Objectives:
Eliminating water waste
Using water more wisely
Strengthening local drought resilience
Improving agricultural water use efficiency

8. Pasadena’s Water Waste Ordinance (PMC 13.10)
PMC Has Four Components
Permanent Water Conservation Requirements
Provisions to declare and implement a Water Supply Shortage
Four Levels of increasingly restrictive Water Supply Shortage Plans and additional measures to address such shortages
Enforcement and penalties

9. Current Permanent Water Conservation Requirements (PMC 13.10.032)*
Prohibits watering between 9am and 6pm
No watering during periods of rain
No water flow or runoff
No washing down hard or paved surfaces
Obligation to fix leaks within 7 days of notification
Recirculating water required for fountains
Limits on washing vehicles
Drinking water served upon request only
Restaurants must use water conserving dish wash spray valves
Hotels must provide guests with option to decline linen services
No installation of single pass cooling systems
New commercial car wash and laundry systems cannot install non-recirculating water equipment
All commercial car washes must install recirculating water systems
*In effect at all times regardless of whether there
is a declared water shortage

10. Water Shortage Plan Levels
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Watering Days
Per Week
3 summer
1 winter
2 summer
1 summer
No watering or irrigating
Obligation to Repair
Leaks, Breaks
72 hours
after notification
48 hours
36 hours
24 hours
Additional
Prohibitions Included in Ordinance
N/A
Filling ornamental
lakes and ponds
Filling ornamental lakes, ponds, residential pools or spas
No new potable water
service provided
*Summer: April 1 – October 31
**Winter: November 1 – March 31

11. All Residential Accounts or
Penalty Schedule
Violation
All Residential Accounts or
Meters Less Than 1-1/2”
Non-Residential
Meters 1-1/2”
or Larger
First
Written Notice
Second
$100
$200
Third
$400
Fourth
$350
$700
Fifth and subsequent
$500
$1,000

12. Align with City Council Direction
Exempt Trees from Watering Restrictions
Flexibility in Watering Days for Large Landscapes
Incorporate “Emergency” Water Shortage Measures Adopted by City Council 6/1/2015 into “Permanent” Year-Round Requirements:
Prohibit irrigation of turf within 48 hours following measurable precipitation
Prohibit washing down hard or paved surfaces using potable water
Require that all master-metered multifamily properties certify installation of water efficient showerheads and aerators

13. Align with State Regulations
Prohibit Irrigation/Use of Potable Water For:
Irrigating turf within 48 hours following measurable precipitation
Washing down hard or paved surfaces
Ornamental Turf on Public Street Medians

14. Clarifications and Simplifications
Clarify that Water Waste Prohibitions Apply to any Source of Groundwater in Pasadena
Consolidate Exemptions into a Single Section
Clarify Applicability of the Term “Residential”
Eliminate Right to Hearing for Non-Monetary Penalties (e.g., Notice of First Violation)
Eliminate Requirement for Public Hearing to:
Implement a different water shortage plan level;
Modify the water conservation target; and,
Implement or discontinue additional water conservation measures
A Public Hearing Would Still Be Needed to Establish or Discontinue a Water Shortage Declaration

15. Council Policy Consideration
The proposed recommendation is consistent with:
Water Integrated Resource Plan
2015 Urban Water Management Plan
Urban Environmental Accords
City Council Strategic Planning Goals

16. Environmental Determination
The project has been determined to be exempt per Section of the CEQA Guidelines, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of Natural Resources.

17. Fiscal Impact No Fiscal Impact as a Result of This Action
Outreach Costs will be Absorbed in FY2017 Water Conservation Program Budget

18. Recommendation CEQA Exemption
State CEQA Guidelines Section 15307
Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of Natural Resources
Direct the City Attorney to Prepare an Ordinance to Amend PMC13.10, the City of Pasadena Water Waste Prohibitions and Water Supply Shortage Plans Ordinance

21. Water Supply Conditions (Jan. 29, 2017)

22. Pasadena
“Severe Drought”

23. Recommended Amendments to PMC 13.10
Purpose of amendments
Conform to State regulations
Permanent restriction on watering days
Promote the health of trees
Promote the establishment of water-efficient landscapes
Promote onsite water reuse
Promote efficient watering
Clarify terms

24. Recommended Changes to Pasadena’s Water Waste Ordinance
Modify Permanent Water Conservation Requirements (PMC ) to reflect state requirements, incorporate measures previously adopted by City Council, and promote efficient water use on a permanent basis.

25. Key Changes to PMC 13.10
Add the following to the Permanent Water Conservation Requirements (PMC )
Permanently restrict landscape irrigation to three-days-per-week;
Require that all master-metered multifamily properties certify installation of water efficient shower heads and aerators by September 30, 2015; and,
Prohibit irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians.

26. Key Changes to PMC 13.10
Additional revisions to various sections of the Water Waste Ordinance to provide clarity and reflect prior City council direction:
Clarify that water waste prohibitions apply to any source of groundwater in Pasadena;
Consolidate exemptions into a single section;
Clarify the term “Residential”;
Eliminate the right to a hearing for non-monetary penalties;
Incorporate flexibility in water days;
Exempt trees from watering restrictions; and
Modify the process for implementing a water shortage plan