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WATER DEMAND COMMITTEE |
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6. |
DISCUSS METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF
ENHANCED WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES FOR NON-CALIFORNIA AMERICAN WATER
PUMPERS IN THE CARMEL VALLEY ALLUVIAL AQUIFER |
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Meeting Date: |
May 7, 2020 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
David J. Stoldt, |
Program/ |
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General Manager |
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Item No.: N/A |
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Prepared By: |
Stephanie Locke |
Cost Estimate: |
N/A |
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General Counsel Review: N/A |
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CEQA Compliance: This
action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental
Quality Act Guidelines section 15378 |
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SUMMARY: Water use from the Carmel Valley Alluvial Aquifer (CVAA) directly impacts the flow of the Carmel River, including the health of the steelhead trout and California red-legged frogs. As California American Water (Cal-Am) reduces its demand on the system, it would be prudent for the District to look at ways to reduce pumping from non-Cal-Am Wells in the CVAA.
All water Users[1] within the District are subject to the water efficiency standards of Regulation XIV and Regulation XV, including retrofit upon resale requirements, Well metering, and prohibitions on Water Waste. Well Users within the CVAA are also subject to permitting requirements that include establishment of production limits and reductions in those limits when converting from agricultural use to other types of use.
The Board received the District-Wide Annual Water Production Summary Report for Water Year 2019 (“WY19”) at its April 20, 2020 meeting. That report includes information about the location of wells (source area) in the District and the amount of water produced during the period of October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019. District Rules and Regulations require well owners and operators to submit annual water production information to the District. Well production is calculated by either the Land Use or Water Meter reporting method.
There are approximately 200 Wells in the CVAA, with approximately 30 Inactive Wells and another 15 that are non-compliant with the metering/reporting requirements. During WY19, approximately 1,333 Acre-Feet (“AF”) of water was produced from the CVAA, with 236 Wells metered and 74 reporting via the land use method.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Water Demand Committee begin discussion about potential programs to reduce water use from non-Cal-Am producers in the CVAA, including:
1. Requiring Water Meters (and reporting requirements) on CVAA Wells;
2. Target CVAA Well Users with outreach, such as:
a. Residential/Domestic Use: Rebate program and availability of free conservation devices, water-wise landscape concepts;
b. Irrigation Only: Promote use of Automatic Irrigation Controllers and efficient irrigation practices, including availability of rebates and resources. Workshops/training on efficient irrigation. Review permit requirements for agricultural irrigation, including how water rights may preclude or affect efficiency requirements.
EXHIBIT
None
U:\staff\Board_Committees\WaterDemand\2020\20200507\06\Item-6.docx