1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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 ?
*DWR Apr. 1, Forecast for Water Year
Presented by: Lesley Dobalian, Water Resources Specialist

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 11

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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 to determine your local water agency

20. 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

21. Whenindrought.org

22. WaterSmartSD.org

23. Questions? Jeff Stephenson Principal Water Resources Specialist
(858)