REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to be in Effect through June 30, 2016 Declaring a Continued Water Emergency, Increasing Stage 1 Water Reduction Target from 15 Percent to 30 Percent, Re-Implementing Stage 1 Water Restrictions, Adding Additional Water Use Restrictions Including Enforcement Actions as Recommended by the State Water Board, and Approving Budget Modification No. 45 adding $230,000 for Water Conservation and Enforcement Efforts, and Amending the Master Fee Schedule to Add Administrative Fines; Find the Action Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Guideline 15378(b)(2)
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
The State is requiring water providers and water users take actions to reduce water use. This report presents the actions recommended by staff to both meet the State mandates and go beyond the requirements. Sunnyvale is required to set a goal of reducing water use by 16%. Staff is recommending setting a more ambitious goal of 30% to be in line with goals set by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and to match our neighboring cities, and to send a message about the importance of water conservation.
Sunnyvale has already taken many of the actions required by the State. The additional required actions are to prohibit water use during and within 48 hours after a rain, to require hotels to offer the option of non-laundering, to implement requirements on new buildings, and to prohibit irrigation on street medians. In addition, staff is recommending limiting the number of days watering is allowed to two days per week, and four actions with a budgetary impact totaling $230,000:
$ 35,000 Additional outreach
$100,000 Additional turf removal incentives
$ 15,000 Additional incentives for gray water installations
$ 80,000 Enhanced enforcement
BACKGROUND
State Actions
On July 15, 2014, the State Water Board issued a resolution mandating that water suppliers take a set of actions designed to reduce wate...
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