REREWater Conservation Summit

June 2, 2009Maureen Stapleton

General Manager, San Diego County Water Authority

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Water Authority Background

Wholesale water agency created by State Legislature in 1944

24 member agencies6 cities14 water utility 3 irrigation districts1 military base

Service area920,000 acres97% of county’s population

Water Authority.. The early years

1946Last year local water supply was able to support San Diego county’s population and economy

County population: 552,80491% increase from 1940

San Diego County

Annual Precipitation

San Diego County’s Water Sources (2008)

LAKESHASTA

LAKEOROVILLE

State Water Project

(Bay-Delta) 28%

Colorado River 54%

Local Water Supply Projects

18%

San Diego County imports more than 80% of its water supply

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San Diego Region’s Water Supply Portfolio

Metropolitan WaterMetropolitan WaterDistrict 95%District 95%

Local Surface WaterLocal Surface Water5%5%

19911991

Drought Headlines from 1990-91

Community Outcry: ‘No More Water Shortages!’

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Three Challenges to Our Water Supply

1. DroughtLast three years in California8 of last 10 on the Colorado River

2. Low StorageMajor reservoirs have been drawn down to low levels

3. RegulatoryPumping restrictions are sharply limiting imported water from Northern California

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State Water Project: Lake Oroville

June 2005 – 98% of capacity

Lake Oroville November 2008 1.0 MAF - 29% capacity

Colorado River Hydrologic Conditions

2007 was 8th year of historic drought

2003: surplus water no longer availableCRA half-full

2008 above average117% of normal snow pack

Reservoirs are at ~50%60 MAF capacityWill take many years to refill

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Fish Protections Restrict Pumping

Banks Pumping PlantState Water Project

Additional pumping restrictions expected

Delta smelt

Chinook salmon

Central Valley steelhead

Green sturgeon

Longfin smelt

Pumping Flexibility ReducedWindow restricted even during wet years

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

1313No

Rest

rictio

ns

NoNoRe

stric

tions

Rest

rictio

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Delta Smelt Water Supply Impacts

Drier Wetter

24% lost

40% lost

44% lost43% lost

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Reductions in water supplies from the State Water Project due to Delta smelt pumping restrictions

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Impacts to San Diego County

Metropolitan Water District (MWD) voted April 14 to allocate supplies

13% reduction from MWD

Water Authority voted April 23 to allocate supplies to its 24 member retail agencies

Because of diversification, regional M&I shortfall is 8% Cutbacks to agriculture: 13% to 30%

Moved from “Drought Watch” to “Drought Alert” April 23

Mandatory water use restrictions

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Diversifying San Diego County’s Water Supply Portfolio

2008 2020

Conservation 11%

Canal Lining Transfer

9%

Local Surface Water

7%

Groundwater 6%

Recycled Water 6%

IID Transfer 22%

Groundwater Local & QSA Supplies 29% MWD

29%

Seawater Desalination

10%

MWD 71%

1991Local Supplies: 5%

MWD: 95%

How do we use water?

Fiscal Year 2008: 691,931 acre-feet

17% - Commercial/Industrial13% - Public Sector12% - Agricultural59% - Residential

Prog

ram

s / I

ncen

tives

Education/Outreach

Regulatory \ Rates

Reducing Per Capita Consumption

Addressing the Region’s Water Challenges – Tools in the Toolbox

Water DemandVoluntary and Mandatory ConservationPricing and Tiered Rate StructuresDevelopment and Regulations & Standards

BuildingLandscapingProduction, i.e. manufacturing, energy creationUse restrictions

Additional Approach: Changing Social Norms

Conservation often means deviating from normal activityPromote community support- Changing Perceptions & Expectations

Your neighbors are conserving- Peer/Societal pressure if not conserving

Momentum from resistance to acceptance to a “way of life”

Strategic Partnerships & Pilot Programs

SDCWA Member Agencies

Other Partners

REREthinkthink

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