REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Implementing Stage 1 Water Use Prohibitions as Outlined in the City of Sunnyvale Water Shortage Contingency Plan
BACKGROUND
On July 15, the State Water Resources Board (Board) issued a resolution which mandates that water suppliers take a set of actions designed to reduce water consumption. Failure by a water supplier to take these actions can result in fines of up to $10,000 per day.
Any person who violates the above regulations may be cited for an infraction under California Water Code Section 1058.5 and fined up to $500 per day. The Board may initiate enforcement actions against water agencies that do not adopt the appropriate stage of their Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Specifically, the Board may seek an enforcement order against any water agency that fails to comply. During a drought emergency, violation of a Board enforcement order is subject to the aforementioned $10,000 per day fine under Water Code Section 1845. The penalty applies only when there is a violation of a cease and desist order, which can be issued only after a due process notice and hearing.
The Environmental Services Department operates and maintains the City of Sunnyvale's potable water supply system. The City purchases approximately half of its potable water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's (SFPUC) Hetch Hetchy Reservoir located in Yosemite National Park, and half from the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), which imports its water from the State Water Project in the Sacramento Delta and the Federal Central Project San Luis Reservoir located on Hwy 152 southeast of Gilroy. The City also has seven active wells and one stand-by well that can produce 7 million gallons per day (mgd), and the City's Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) can produce recycled water for irrigation applications.
There are approximately 29,300 connections to the City's potable water system. In FY 2013/14 pota...
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