To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Phil Brun, Utilities Director
Prepared By: Joy Eldredge, Deputy Utilities Director
TITLE:
Title
2022 Water Supplies
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Receive a report on water supplies for 2022 drought year and determine that the action is exempt from CEQA.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Due to critically dry conditions both locally and throughout the state, available water resources were sparse in 2021 and drought conditions persist in 2022.
The City’s main local supply of water, Lake Hennessey, received 19 inches of rain compared to our annual average of 27 inches. Lake Hennessey reached a low of 55% in October 2021 and is currently at 84% capacity, holding 26,080 AF as of April 18th. Milliken Reservoir is at 100% capacity, but it is much smaller, holding 1,400 AF.
In addition to the City’s local supplies, the City contracts through the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (NCFCWCD) for water supply from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) State Water Project (SWP). Due to the limited precipitation throughout California and low Sierra snowpack, the SWP allocation is just 15% for North of Delta contractors. As a result, City of Napa will receive just 3,285 AF of our 21,900 AF of Table A entitlements this year in addition to 642 AF of Article 21 water. It is expected that 3,772 AF of Advanced Table A (ATA) water will be available this year. Total supplies from the SWP will be 7,699 AF.
In preparation for the uncertain water supply year in 2022-23, the City maintains it’s goal to preserve local storage in Lake Hennessey at 60% as we enter the rainy season on Nov 1st.
On May 4, and June 1, 2021, City Council authorized the purchase of up to 3,442 AF of dry year water in an amount not to exceed $1,555,000. The City purchased five types of water: 109 AF of Dry Year Transfer Program (DYTP) at $665/AF, 304 AF Yuba Accord (Tiers 1,3) at $447/AF, 115 AF Yuba Accord (Tier 2) at $338/AF, and 332 AF of Calistoga’s Advanced Table A at $447/AF. In 2021-2022 a total of 860 AF was purchased for a total of $411,337 including processing fees.
In 2022, the City anticipates purchasing up to 620 AF including ATA water from Calistoga. In addition, 450 AF has been requested via Dry Year Water Transfers and Yuba Accord Water at an estimated cost of $775-$883 per AF; however the final allotment of water and cost is still subject to change largely due to State Water Board water right curtailments and consequent water supply planning by participating agencies. The potential purchase up to 1,070 AF could be executed within the existing 2021 authorization.
As of the 1st week in April, during a 90-degree heat wave customer demands increased to 13MGD pointing to an early start of the irrigation season. Staff sent a mailer to all customers, posted information on social media, and started early morning irrigation patrols to inform customers of the ongoing water shortage and limitation on irrigation to two days per week. In the 3rd week of April, due to cooler weather, late season storms, and educated customers, demands are tracking at 10MGD, down 20% from two weeks ago.
On July 20, 2021 City Council adopted Resolution R2021-074 declaring the moderate water emergency. In light of the supply availability, the moderate water emergency remains in effect. Staff will continue to publicize and enforce water use restrictions as necessary to protect and preserve the City’s precious water supply and meet the goal of preserving local supplies in Lake Hennessey.
During the summer months, a 20% reduction in consumption as compared to 2020 is recommended. In 2020 demands were 14,100 AF and our target demands in 2022 are 12,600 AF. After evaporation and required releases, an estimated 1,500 AF could be saved at the end of 2022. This water will remain in our local Lake Hennessey water supply reservoir and is critical to multi-year drought recovery and reaching our goal of maintaining 60% capacity as we enter the rainy season on Nov 1st. The following actions remain in place to achieve the 20% reduction in water consumption:
1. Residential and Commercial Irrigation: City of Napa water accounts are composed of 90% residential customers and 10% commercial and institutional. Based on consumption patterns, peak summer demands due to outdoor irrigation uses are 2.6 times winter demands when customers typically have indoor uses only. The most effective means of reducing water consumption is to reduce outdoor irrigation. Outdoor spray irrigation is limited to two times per week: customers with even number addresses irrigate with City water only on Monday and Thursday, and customers with odd number addresses irrigate with City water only on Tuesdays and Fridays.
2. Temporary Hydrant Meters and Bulk Water from the City’s Corporation Yard: Water use from these sources continues to be limited to (1) Interior domestic residential uses within Napa County, limited to 6,000 gallons per residential parcel, subject to an agreement between the hauler and City that defines the restrictions and limitations including the temporary nature of water availability; and (2) Construction uses solely for construction occurring on a parcel that is currently receiving City water or is authorized to be served by City water. The described restrictions have been in effect since July 20, 2021.
3. Interruptible Agricultural Irrigation Contracts: In July 2021 customers were informed that water was not likely to be available in 2022. On November 1, 2021 customers were turned off for the season and remain off. On February 15th, an official notice was mailed to all contract holders notifying them that water for contract agricultural services is interrupted in 2022.
It is anticipated that the reservoirs around the State that support the SWP system will take several more years to recharge to normal levels. Below average storage in the SWP will result in low allocations for the coming years, and the City will need to rely more heavily on our local resources. Water right restrictions in the delta are being implemented in unprecedented fashion due to lack of snowpack, spring melt, and environmental conditions. Continued water use restrictions to preserve water in our local storage reservoirs is prudent and necessary.
Staff will continue to track customer demands on a daily and weekly basis. As needed, staff will maintain a presence on social media, continue conservation and outreach programs, send direct mailers, hang educational door tags, and only when necessary as a last resort, issue fines for gross violators after staff have made multiple efforts with direct educational contact.
On June 21st staff will return to City Council with an update and official annual water supply report for approval prior to submitting to DWR by July 1st.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
From July through October 2021 at the end of the peak summer demand season staff observed a 23% reduction in demands and corresponding revenue compared to 2020. The projected drought level water consumption is accounted for in the proposed FY2023 revenue budget.
CEQA:
City staff recommends that the City Council determine that the Recommended Action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15307, 15308, and 15329 which exempt actions taken by the City to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment; and exempt actions taken by the City to prevent or mitigate the impacts of an emergency.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - PowerPoint Presentation
NOTIFICATION:
None