ITEM:		ACTION ITEMS
14.	INVESTIGATION INTO DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCES
Meeting Date:			November 17, 2008	Budgeted:	No
From:			Darby Fuerst	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared by:			Darby Fuerst	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: Yes
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: On September 22, 2008, the District Board prioritized exploration of alternative water supplies to meet existing water demands and directed staff to develop a plan of action for moving ahead on this priority. In this regard, “alternative” water supplies include recycling and reuse of greywater, harvesting and reuse of rainwater, and storage and reuse of stormwater. As discussed at the September 22 meeting, this investigation of alternative supplies is meant to run in parallel with the District’s investigations regarding the feasibility of a seawater desalination project in the former Fort Ord area, i.e., “95-10 Project”, and be pursued with similar urgency and effort. It is recognized that many of the proposed alternative supplies such as reuse of greywater for indoor or outdoor above-ground irrigation are not allowed under existing regulations and practices. Therefore, to implement these types of alternative supply projects, regulations will need to be changed and new technologies may need to be proven.

Because of constraints on staff time, staff has not developed a plan of action. Staff has met with representatives from the Monterey County Health Department (MCHD) to clarify MCHD’s position on the reuse of greywater for outdoor irrigation. In addition, staff has discussed developed of a questionnaire that would be sent to each jurisdiction with the District to ascertain each jurisdiction’s regulations, requirements, and practices regarding potential storage and reuse of greywater, rainwater, and stormwater. Staff also arranged a teleconference on New Developments in Greywater Irrigation and Funding that was held at the District office on October 27, 2008, and scheduled a presentation on greywater recycling technology by Brac Systems for the November 17, 2008 Board meeting. Terry Black, Regional Sales Representative for Brac Systems, is available to provide information on the Brac greywater recycling systems.

RECOMMENDATION: District staff recommends that the Board assign development of the plan of action for alternative water supplies to the District’s Water Demand Committee. This action will provide improved focus for this priority. Staff further recommends that the Committee report back to the Board with a plan of action at the January 29, 2009 meeting.

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