CALAFCO Annual Conference 2011

THE EXPANDING ROLE of RECYCLED WATER The Need, Benefits and Cost Effectiveness MakeRecycled Water an Increasingly Valued Resource

Harry Ehrlich, SDA Principal

Project Resource Specialists

RECYCLED WATER – A VALUABLE COMMODITY in the WATER SUPPLY PORTFOLIO

Historical Perspective of Recycled WaterWastewater OR A VALUABLE COMMODITY ?Reuse of Water Versus Developing New

Supplies?Investing in Local Community InfrastructureEncouraging Reuse as an Environmental

BenefitOne Tool in MSR and Reorganization Review

ProcessDeveloping a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY

POLICYSUMMARY

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE of RECYCLED WATER

WASTEWATER EFFLUENT DISPOSAL Streams, Lakes and Ocean OutfallsSeptic Systems in Small Use Situations

FEDERAL CLEAN WATER ACT -1972 Restricts Discharge of Contaminated Waters

STATE of CALIFORNIA PORTER COLOGNE ACT

Established Discharge Limitations – 1969STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL

BOARD Formed – 9 REGIONAL BOARDS

WASTEWATER or VALUABLE COMMODITY ?

Waste Discharge Effluent Considered a Liability and Cost Item

Cost of Water Supply Increased Dramatically

IN 1970-1990-2010 TIMEFRAMESSAN DIEGO REGION IMPORTED WATER

COST • 1970 - $ 150 af • 1990 - $ 400 af • 2010 - $ 750 af

Development of Local Water Supplies - URGENT

REUSE OF WATER VERSUS DEVELOPING NEW SUPPLIES?

COST OF NEW IMPORTED SUPPLY – $ 750 af

MWD Forecasts Cost Increases of 10-20 % a YEAR

Cost of DESALINATED Water Supply - $1,600 af

Availability of Groundwater DECREASING Due to Over Drafting of Local Basins

Drought Cycles Recurring – EACH 7-10 YEARS

Environmental Impacts and Habitat Preservation

Limits on Secondary & Tertiary Wastewater Discharges

New Technology for Advanced Treatment Systems

INVESTING IN COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

PRINCIPLE OF BALANCED SUPPLY & USESB X7X (2009) – 20 % Reduction by Year

2020Drought on Colorado River BasinReduced Supply From State Water Project

WatershedLimits on Pumping in DeltaValue of Future Sustainability of SupplyTechnology of Conservation (Green is Better)Improved Tertiary & Advanced Treatment

MethodsLess Dependance Upon Imported Supplies

ENCOURAGING REUSE THROUGH RECYCLED WATER AS ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT

Development of Local Supply ResourcesRelease of Imported Supply for Other UsesReduced Energy Use for Pumping (30 % of

Use)Offsets Loss From Storage and Delivery

System (10% OR MORE)

Conjunctive Use for Agriculture and M & I Users

Groundwater Basin Recharge Seawater Intrusion Barrier Injection

RechargeDrought Impact Reduction BUFFER

TOOLS IN MSR AND REORGANIZATION PROCESS

Municipal Service Reviews -PLANNING TOOLS

Sphere of Influence ReviewsPotential for Service Agency ReorganizationsAUTHORITY –

GC 56668 (k) – “timely availability of water supplies”

GC 65332.5 – “close coordination between California’s water supply and land use approval agencies”

Urban Water Management Plan developmentGC 56425 (e) (2) & (3) – need, capacity and

adequacy of public facilities and services

DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY POLICY

GC 56300 (a) – “adopt written policies and procedures and exercise its powers pursuant to this part” that “encourages and provides planned, well-ordered, efficient urban development patterns.”

GC 56301 – “make studies and to obtain and furnish information…contribute to the logical and reasonable development of local agencies in each county” and “shape the development of local agencies…to provide for the present and future needs of each county.”

GC 56425 (a) – “enact policies designed to promote the logical and orderly development of areas within the sphere.”

DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY POLICY – con’t

GC 56425 (i) (1) & (2) – the commission shall…: (1)Require existing districts to file written

statements with the commission specifying the functions or classes of services provided by those districts, and;

(2)Establish the nature, location, and extent of any functions or classes of services provided by existing districts.

GC 56824.12 (a) – Proposal by special district to provide new or different function or class of services

GC 56133 (a) & (e) - request and approval by commission to serve via contract to other agency(ies) outside its (agency) jurisdictional boundaries

Exemption for “transfer of nonpotable water” but not for providing service of water delivery

Establishing Policy and/or Guideline for Water Supply Reliability

Sets Intent and Goals of the CommissionAllows Affected Agencies to Provide InputSets Ground Rules for Future Proposals &

StudiesShould Allow for Data and Information

SharingProvides Baseline for MSR and SOI ReviewsSan Diego LAFCO Water Supply and

Reliability Policy Guideline - 2009

DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY POLICY – con’t

Developed after Water Supply WorkshopsDrafted with Input and Approval of Special

Districts Advisory Committee and Regional Water Agencies

Adopted by Commission Unanimously to Guide Future Proposal Reviews

Revised Proposal Applications to Include Water Supply and Recycled Water Availability and Planning Data

Factor to be Utilized in Reviewing Proposals by Staff

Copy of Policy Guideline Available Here and on Webpage at www.sdlafco.org

DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY POLICY – con’t

DEVELOPING a WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY PLANFOR RECYCLED WATER

SUMMARYWATER SUPPLY & REUSE ARE CRUCIAL

ISSUESC-K-H ACT REQUIRES LAFCO TO REVIEW

WATER SUPPLY AVAILABILITY AND SERVICES

C-K-H ACT ALLOWS LAFCO TO STUDY WATER SUPPLY ALTERNATIVES FOR EFFICIENCY

RECYCLED WATER IS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF WATER SUPPLY PORTFOLIO

EACH LAFCO SHOULD DEVELOP A WATER SUPPLY & RELIABILITY POLICY OR GUIDELINE

PLAN NOW FOR THE SOON TO BE FUTURE!