Inder Singh, Director, Policy, Planning and Analysis, Water Services Nermine Tawfik, Acting Program Manager, Public Involvement, Water Services

Transcription

1 5.3 To: From: Utilities Committee Inder Singh, Director, Policy, Planning and Analysis, Water Services Nermine Tawfik, Acting Program Manager, Public Involvement, Water Services Date: November 2, 2016 Meeting Date: November 10, 2016 Subject: Water Shortage Response Plan Review Update RECOMMENDATION That the GVWD Board: a) Receive for information the report titled Water Shortage Response Plan Review Update, dated November 2, 2016; and b) Direct staff to consult on the proposed changes to the Water Shortage Response Plan. PURPOSE To update the Committee and Board on the status of the Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP) Review and obtain authorization to consult on the proposed changes. BACKGROUND The WSRP was developed in 1993, and updated in 2004 and 2011, to manage demand for drinking water, and to conserve limited water supplies during the dry summer months when water consumption increases significantly due to outdoor use. The WSRP is also intended to manage demand during periods of drought, or in times of emergency, when limited supplies of water are available. At its meeting of November 27, 2015, after the dry, hot summer, the Board approved a process to review and update the 2011 Plan and adopted the following resolution: That the GVWD Board: a) Approve the Water Shortage Response Plan Review Process outlined in the report titled Water Shortage Response Plan Review Process, dated November 5, 2015; and b) Authorize amending the activation period for Stage 1 of the Water Shortage Response Plan from June 1 September 30 to May 15 October 15. As presented in November 2015, the Plan review and update process included two phases. Phase 1 involved the amendment, ahead of the 2016 summer season, of specific elements within the Plan to address key implementation concerns raised by local governments, businesses, and the public during the summer of Phase 2 included a comprehensive technical review and stakeholder consultation program to produce an updated Plan for Board consideration in spring 2017.

2 At its February 26, 2016 meeting, following completion of the Phase 1 review, the Board adopted the following resolution: That the GVWD Board authorize amending the Water Shortage Response Plan as follows: i. Amend Stage 2 to allow water to be used by commercial cleaning services for aesthetic cleaning; and ii. Amend Stage 3 to allow previously issued local government exemption permits to water new lawns or for treatment to control the European Chafer Beetle to remain valid. Following the Board s authorization to amend the Plan in February 2016, Metro Vancouver has conducted a comprehensive technical review of the Plan guided by lessons from the implementation of the Plan during the summer of 2015, feedback received from the public consultation in the fall of 2015, input from local government staff, and the Board Strategic Plan. The technical review included: A review of other jurisdictions including neighbouring BC local governments, other North American cities, and international jurisdictions with experience implementing similar drought/water shortage response plans; A review and assessment of the effectiveness of Stages 1, 2, and 3 watering restrictions in reducing water use and estimating water use reductions for the new proposed changes; and A workshop for Local Government and Metro Vancouver staff to review the project findings and provide advice for revising the Plan. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE PLAN Table 1 details the proposed amendments to the WSRP for each stage. Table 1- Proposed Amendments to the WSRP WSRP Stage Stage 1 Activity Current (2016) Proposed Amendment Activation period for May 15 to October 15 May 1 - October 15 Stage 1 Lawn watering Three mornings per week Two mornings per week Watering of flowers, planters, shrubs and trees (using a sprinkler) Watering of school yards, sports and sand-based playing fields Restrict to morning lawn watering hours, any day. Watering by hand is allowed any time on any day. This restriction does not apply to vegetables. Restrict to 7:00 pm - 9:00 am, any day.

3 WSRP Stage Activity Current (2016) Proposed Amendment Stage 2 Watering of flowers, planters, shrubs and trees (using a sprinkler) Restrict to morning lawn watering hours, any day. Watering by hand is allowed any time on any day. This restriction does not apply to vegetables. Watering of school yards, sports and sand-based playing fields Water minimally to maintain areas for use Restrict to 7:00 pm - 9:00 am, 4 days/week, unless operating under an approved local government water management plan. Watering golf courses Golf courses may water greens and tee areas normally; fairways may only be watered once weekly. Where applicable, signage indicating the use of non- GVWD water will be encouraged Allow an alternative fairway watering schedule if operating under an approved local government water management plan. Stage 3 Commercial car washing Restrict to automatic systems that recirculate water, or high-pressure wand facilities. Topping up or filling of hotel, residential strata, and private club pools and hot tubs, with a valid Operating Permit under the BC Pool Regulation Prohibited Allow the topping up or filling of hotel, residential strata, and private club pools and hot tubs, with a valid Operating Permit under the BC Pool Regulation. Watering of school yards, sports and sand-based playing fields Water minimally to maintain areas for use Restrict to 7:00 pm - 9:00 am, 3 days/week, unless operating under an approved local government water management plan. Watering golf courses Golf courses may water greens and tee areas at minimum levels required to maintain areas in usable condition; fairways may not be watered Allow golf courses to achieve comparable Stage 3 water savings if operating under an approved local government water management plan.

4 Rationale for Proposed Amendments to the WSRP Amend the activation period for Stage 1 from May 15 - October 15 to May 1 - October 15 Changing the start date of Stage 1 restrictions from May 15 to May 1 aligns the activation period to that of most neighbouring BC jurisdictions and should help promote water conservation and help reduce water use during unusually dry and hot summers. Reduce lawn watering opportunities from three mornings per week to two mornings per week in Stage 1 One of the key priorities in the Board Strategic Plan is to Consider stricter lawn sprinkling regulations in order to promote water conservation in the region. Currently the plan provides opportunities to water lawns on three mornings per week for a total of fifteen hours. Healthy lawns need only one hour of watering per week. However, many lawns are frequently overwatered, for example, when in-ground automated sprinkling systems are set to water on all three allowable days, regardless if lawns need it or not. The purpose of this proposed change is to reduce inefficient watering practices and the unnecessary waste of high quality treated drinking water, especially as the prevalence of automated sprinkling systems increase. This proposed change is also consistent with several other neighbouring BC jurisdictions. Restrict watering of flowers, planters, shrubs and trees (using a sprinkler) to WSRP prescribed lawn watering hours on any day, in Stages 1 and 2 This proposed restriction eliminates mid-day sprinkling, when a portion of the water is lost to evaporation, to reduce water wastage. It is also consistent with lawn watering restrictions, which simplifies communication and education, and allows for more efficient monitoring and enforcement. This also avoids any ambiguity as to whether sprinkling is permitted, or not, for mixed landscape lots. Under this component of the Plan, hand watering options remain unchanged. Restricting school yard, sports and sand-based playing field (sports field) watering to 7:00 pm 9:00 am in Stages 1, 2 and 3, unless operating under an approved local government water management plan. Sports fields are a public amenity that need to be maintained to remain playable through the summer and in the fall, when the fields are more heavily used again, and to prevent the loss of a public asset. Currently, sports fields can be watered at any time of the day under Stages 1, 2 and 3. This proposed change reduces inefficient watering practices by preventing midday watering when a portion of the water is lost to evaporation. Preventing watering during the warmer periods of the day is also consistent with lawn watering restrictions and promotes public sector leadership since most of those fields are owned and operated by local governments. The proposed restriction still allows plenty of opportunity to water fields that require more watering such as sand-based and artificial turf fields, while not wasting water. It is also proposed that, in Stages 2 and 3, where jurisdictions allow water management plans, operators be allowed to develop a performance-based water management plan specific to their site, rather than meeting the general restrictions on water use in the regional WSRP. Water management plans allow operators a flexible and effective mechanism to manage their irrigation demands without negatively impacting the playing condition of the sports field. Water management plans also allow local governments to monitor and benchmark water use

5 performance and to work with sports field operators on improving their skills, knowledge, and techniques for efficient irrigation. Restrict commercial car washing to automatic systems that recirculate water, or highpressure wand facilities in Stage 3 Research shows that water used to wash a vehicle in a well maintained commercial car wash that recirculates water or a high pressure wand facility is substantially lower than in other types of car washes. This highlights the importance of technological advances and good maintenance practices in achieving greater water efficiencies. This proposed restriction would signal to businesses the importance of water efficiency and good business practices. Additionally, it is not publicly acceptable that an inefficient commercial car wash be operating when the region is experiencing a water shortage. This Plan aims to reduce business disruptions, but at this Stage, it is appropriate for car washing businesses to be conserving water similar to other businesses and residents that are restricted from using water for aesthetic cleaning activities in Stage 3. Several neighbouring BC jurisdictions have similar restrictions on commercial car washes at this Stage. Allow Golf Courses Operating under a Local Government Approved Water Management Plan an Exemption from the Regional WSRP Watering Restrictions in Stages 2 and 3 Currently a few local governments are allowing golf courses to operate under a performancebased water management plan. Water management plans are generally binding agreements with the local government, that establish a baseline water demand for the specific golf course under Stage 1, with targeted reductions in demand to be achieved in Stages 2 and 3. Feedback from the golf course sector indicated that uniform irrigation is essential to maintain turf quality. Research also showed that golf course operators manage irrigation intensively to maintain turf quality, and to reduce water use and costs. Water management plans provide golf course operators with a flexible and effective mechanism to manage their irrigation demands without negatively impacting business. They also allow local governments to monitor and benchmark water use performance and to work with golf course operators on improving their skills, knowledge, and techniques for efficient turf irrigation. Allow the Topping up or Filling of Hotel, Residential Strata, and Private Club Pools and Hot Tubs, with a Valid Operating Permit under the BC Pool Regulation, in Stage 3 Generally, Hotel, Residential strata, and Private Club Pools and Hot Tubs, require a valid Operating Permit under the BC Pool Regulation pursuant to the BC Public Health Act to operate. Generally, these pools and hot tubs are used by many people in the region and are essential for water safety education, physical therapy, recreation and heat relief during unusually hot summers. The benefits of allowing these pools and hot tubs (found in hotels, residential strata, private clubs, etc.) to operate at this stage outweigh the small increase in seasonal water demand. Proposed General Clarifications to the WSRP General clarifications to the Water Shortage Response Plan will include a section on year-round prohibitions to discourage water wastage and a provision exempting local governments from any of the restrictions in the WSRP for the purposes of protecting public health and safety.

6 CONSULTATION PROGRAM The purpose of the consultation program is to receive feedback from GVWD members, the public, and the private sector on the proposed changes to the Plan. The consultation is planned from December 2016 to February 2017 and will include workshops, public dialogues, and an online survey. Following a feedback review period, final adjustments will then be made to the Plan. A report to the Committee and Board to adopt a revised WSRP is planned for spring This report will summarize the results of the consultation process and recommend a revised WSRP for Board adoption. ALTERNATIVES 1. That the GVWD Board: a) Receive for information the report titled Water Shortage Response Plan Review Update, dated November 2, 2016; and b) Direct staff to consult on the proposed changes to the Water Shortage Response Plan. 2. That the GVWD Board receive for information the report titled Water Shortage Response Plan Review - Update, dated November 2, 2016 and provide alternate direction to staff. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS If the Board approves Alternative 1, staff will proceed with consultation on the proposed changes to the Water Shortage Response Plan as outlined in this report. The budget and staff resources to support the consultation program and complete the WSRP review process are included in the 2016 and 2017 Water Services budgets under the Utility Policy & Planning and Public Involvement programs. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION Several changes are proposed to Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the Water Shortage Response Plan reflecting a year-long review process that involved a consultation in the fall of 2015, a comprehensive technical review of the Plan in 2016 and continual feedback from local government staff. As directed in the Board Strategic Plan, this review of the Plan included consideration of stricter lawn sprinkling regulations in order to promote water conservation. If the Board approves Alternative 1, staff will proceed to consult on the proposed changes to the Plan in the December 2016 to February 2017 period and report back to the Board on the consultation results in spring 2017 along with a request to authorize appropriate changes to the Plan