CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH DROUGHT RESPONSE IMPLEMENTATION

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Jack Chandler
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1 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH DROUGHT RESPONSE IMPLEMENTATION ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL COALITION SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 Photo courtesy of Visit Huntington Beach Surf City USA

2 Background 28 Square Miles 197,000 Residents 53,000 Metered Connections 44,600 Single Family Residences 4,100 Multi Family Structures 29,500 Acre-Feet Yearly Demand 20,600 AF Groundwater 8,900 AF Imported Water Currently Use Uniform Water Rate - $1.75/CCF Moving to Tiered Rate Within Eighteen Months

3 Background April Water Management Plan (WMP) with permanent water restrictions adopted by City Council August WMP amended to add Levels 1, 2 and 3 April 2009 Level 1 Shortage was confirmed by City Council June Level 1 Shortage discontinued and permanent water restrictions remained in place Majority of the workload handled by Water Conservation Coordinator and one consultant with some assistance from other staff members No citations or fines issued

4 Permanent Conservation Measures Prohibit excessive water run-off and waste Prohibit the washing of concrete and other hard surfaces, including driveways, walkways and parking areas, except as required to maintain health or safety, unless a cleaning machine equipped to recycle water is used. Require automatic shut-off valves on hoses or use of a bucket when washing vehicles or other items outside. Turn off decorative fountains, ponds, lakes and pools unless a water recycling system is used. Eliminate draining and refilling of decorative ponds and fountains unless necessary for health and safety reasons.

5 Permanent Conservation Measures (Continued) Schedule irrigation times between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Adjust sprinklers and irrigation systems to avoid over-spray, run-off and waste. Do not allow water to run off landscaped areas into adjoining streets, sidewalks, parking lots or alleys. Restaurants shall serve drinking water only upon request. Check faucets, toilets, pipes, irrigation systems for leaks and repair within five days. Violations are subject to a fine of up to $1,000

6 Level 1 - Additions To Permanent Conservation Measures Restricts Watering with Sprinkler Systems Three days per week from April to October Two days per week from November to March Leaks must be repaired within 72 Hours

7 Initial Drought Implementaation Activities SWRCB adopts Emergency Drought Ordinance on July 15 Telephone hot line set up in late July to handle increased number of calls City Council declared Level 1 Water Shortage on August 18 Council action became effective on September 1

8 Sprinkler System Watering Schedule Locations Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Single Family Even X S X Single Family Odd X S X Multi Family Residential X S X HOA Common Areas X S X Business X S X Schools X S X Parks X S X Medians X S X City Facilities X S X X - Watering Allowed All Months of the Year S - Watering Allowed April Through October Only

9 Notification to Residents and Businesses Water bill inserts and mailers Advertisement in Huntington Beach Independent and Orange County Register Channel 3 City Manager Weekly Report City Website and Water Conservation Facebook page Letters to Home Owner Associations Communications to Chamber of Commerce and highest volume water users Working with Public Information Office Water Conservation Hotline (714)

10 Mailer

11 Mailer

12 Education and Enforcement Focus on educating residents and business owners Talk to residents and business owners for first offense; If not available, issue door tag warnings Make every effort to meet face to face Cease and Desist letter warning of fines for continued violations and/or failure to correct problem(s) Fines of up to $1,000 per HBMC. Fines can only be issued by Sworn Officers

13 Door Hanger

14 Handling the Increased Workload Increase in Turf Removal Rebate Applications 2 per week in September 2013 Up to 20 per week in September 2014 Increase in Questions and Complaints Water Conservation Hot Line 20 calls per day Pipeline Requests City s web based customer service system Phone calls through Utilities Division front desk Tracking Communications with Public and Field Activities Work order system Pipeline Log Sheets for all activities Water Conservation Coordinator, consultant and recurrent (part time) workers

HB Water Conservation Activities Rebate Programs for Residents

Series) 1) Design, 2) Soils and Plants, 3) Irrigation Systems,

Inserts Rebates, Events National Mayor s Challenge - Wyland

15 HB Water Conservation Activities Rebate Programs for Residents and Businesses California Friendly Landscape Classes (3-part Series) 1) Design, 2) Soils and Plants, 3) Irrigation Systems, Watering & Garden Maintenance Rainwater Harvesting Classes Bill Inserts Rebates, Events National Mayor s Challenge - Wyland Foundation OC Garden Friendly Event at Home Depot Surf City Nights Green Expo 15

16 Rebate Programs to Encourage Water Conservation for Residents Turf Removal - $2 /sq. ft. Smart Timer Irrigation Controllers up to $380 ea. Irrigation nozzles - $4 ea. Clothes Washers start at $ 85 Toilets - $100 Soil Moisture Sensor System - $80 or $25 per station for larger properties Rain Barrels - $75

17 Potential Future Actions Level 2 Restrictions Limits watering with sprinkler systems of lawns, landscapes or other vegetative areas with potable water to one day per week from November to March, two days per week from April to October. Watering would be on the same schedule as the Level 1 Winter schedule Requires leaks, breaks and other malfunctions be fixed within 48 hours. Prohibits filling of artificial lakes and ponds, except those with aquatic life. Prohibits filling of more than one foot of residential swimming pools or spas with potable water; prohibits initial filling of residential pools or spas.

18 Potential Future Actions Level 3 Restrictions No watering of lawns or vegetation with a sprinkler system. Leaks must be fixed within 24 hours. No new water service will be established except to addresses with a valid building permit. No new annexations (except when annexation will not result in any increased water use).

19 Questions?

SOLANO COUNTY DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS

SOLANO COUNTY DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS For more information regarding water restrictions in your area please call your cities water service; phone numbers are provided below. State Prohibitions: Landscape