WATER DEMAND COMMITTEE
3.	CONSIDER PARTICIPATION IN JOINT WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM WITH MARINA COAST WATER DISTRICT
Meeting Date:		June 12, 2014	Budgeted:	N/A
From:		David J. Stoldt	Program/	N/A
		General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:		Stephanie Locke	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: MPWMD staff is interested in partnering with Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) in an application for Proposition 84 funds recently offered by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) as part of the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) grant program. The project would involve replacement of high water use clothes washers in multi-family and common laundry rooms with water efficient clothes washers. In partnering with MCWD, the project would reach both the Monterey Peninsula area of the IRWM and the greater Monterey County area of the IRWM, making the project more desirable. Staff will be meeting with MCWD before the Water Demand Committee meeting.

On January 17, 2014, Governor Brown proclaimed a Drought State of Emergency and on March 1, 2014, the Governor signed legislation to assist drought-affected communities and provide funding to better use local water supplies. The Governor and Legislature have directed DWR to expedite the solicitation and award of $200 million (of the $472.5 million) in IRWM funding to support projects and programs that provide immediate regional drought preparedness, increase local water supply reliability and the delivery of safe drinking water, assist water suppliers and regions to implement conservation programs and measures that are not locally cost-effective, and/or reduce water quality conflicts or ecosystem conflicts created by the drought.

The top two statewide priorities are projects that (1) effectively address long‐term drought preparedness by contributing to sustainable water supply and reliability during water shortages and, (2) projects that result in more efficient use and reuse of water. Desirable proposals will promote water conservation, conjunctive use, reuse and recycling and achieve long term reduction of water use, among other things.

Projects that are eligible to receive funds through the 2014 IRWM Drought Grant Solicitation must be consistent with an adopted IRWM plan, and must provide one of following primary benefits:

· Projects and programs that provide immediate regional drought preparedness

· Increase local water supply reliability and the delivery of safe drinking water

· Assist water suppliers and regions to implement conservation programs and measures that are not locally cost‐effective

· Reduce water quality conflicts or ecosystem conflicts created by the drought

RECOMMENDATION: The Water Demand Committee should discuss staff’s proposal and provide direction if needed.

EXHIBIT

None

U:\staff\Board_Committees\WaterDemand\2014\20140612\03\item3.docx