Attachment A Quarterly Water Issues Update

Transcription

1 QUARTERLY WATER ISSUES UPDATE May 2006 Issues related to Palo Alto s water supplier, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), and the agency representing the wholesale customers of SFPUC, the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), are discussed below. I. Water Supply Issues Water Availability SFPUC s latest Hydrological Conditions Report contains information about the regional system s water supply reliability. The Hetch Hetchy precipitation index (computed using six Sierra precipitation stations indicating wetness of the basin) for the 2006 water year to date (October 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006) was inches, or 135% of the average season-todate precipitation. The March precipitation was inches, or 205% of the average. The water received in the SFPUC s Tuolumne Basin reservoirs (Hetch Hetchy, Eleanor and Cherry Lakes and the New Don Pedro Water Bank) from inflows and precipitation for the 2006 water year to date was about 471,000 acre-feet. San Francisco s total entitlement for the 2005 water year (October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005) was 1,600,000 acre-feet (compared to 331,555 acre-feet for the 2004 water year). San Francisco s water bank in New Don Pedro Reservoir was full at 570,000 acre-feet as of April 1, The total water in storage in New Don Pedro, the mountain system and the local systems was about 1,205,000 acre-feet as of April 1, 2006, leaving about 226,000 acre-feet of available storage capacity in the system. II. Water Quality Chloramine Disinfectant Although BAWSCA is not a public health organization and does not have the expertise to address questions from the public about the safety of chloramine as a disinfectant, it sent letters to the State EPA, the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) and the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) asking whether any of these agencies is aware of studies on the health effect on humans of chloramine in the water. The AWWARF says it knows of no epidemiological, dermatological and respiratory effects from chloraminated water. CDHS indicated it is not aware of any specific studies on the human health impacts of chloramines used as a drinking water disinfectant and recommends that individuals with suspicions that their illnesses are related should consult their physicians. In addition, BAWSCA has requested that those concerned convey those concerns directly to the SFPUC as BAWSCA is not responsible for the additive. Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 1 of 12

2 III. SFPUC Issues Water System Improvement Program Per AB 1823 SFPUC is required to notify the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) and the California Seismic Safety Commission (CSSC) of any changes to its WSIP. After adopting a new WSIP on November 29, 2005, SFPUC provided the state with a notice of a change to its WSIP on January 19. CDHS and CSSC must provide to the legislature, and the public, a report evaluating the significance of the changes to public health and safety. Water System Improvement Program Performance Tracking Now that the SFPUC has adopted the WSIP, progress can be tracked using the adopted schedule and budget as the performance benchmark. To assist with this, SFPUC presented its first quarterly report on February 14, BAWSCA was consulted in preparation of the report s format and information provided. BAWSCA s General Manager Art Jensen describes the report as useful and helpful. This first quarterly report and, therefore, it can t really be used to mark progress since the program just started (WSIP approved 11/29/05. As expected at this early date, the program is generally on schedule. The environmental review and permitting work is behind schedule while the design work is somewhat ahead of schedule. WSIP Program EIR For the SFPUC s WSIP PEIR, the additional demand from San Francisco and the BAWSCA agencies is about 35 million gallons per day (MGD) by The SFPUC s preferred water supply option is to supply an additional 25 MGD from its existing water rights on the Tuolumne River and to achieve 10 MGD from additional efficiency programs and recycled water programs in San Francisco. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors directed the San Francisco Planning Department (the agency that is completing the PEIR) to analyze a water supply option that uses no additional surface water supplies, including those from the Tuolumne River. This alternative, Regional Water Supply Option No. 4 (RWSO4), relies entirely on expanded water efficiency programs, expanded use of recycled water, and expanded use of renewable groundwater. SFPUC worked with the BAWSCA agencies to identify and evaluate an expanded group of efficiency programs and recycled water projects to determine the potential for additional savings is for San Francisco and each of the BAWSCA agencies. The report analyzing RWSO4 concluded that the alternative does not meet objectives and, therefore, cannot be analyzed in the PEIR. Even if all projects (even those in very preliminary stages) proceed at maximum levels, the 35 MGD cannot be found. BAWSCA also noted that RWSO4 does not address availability in droughts and does not meet objectives for drought supply either. However, the projects identified may be called on to meet additional loads, even if they cannot replace all 35 MGD of increased demand. SFPUC WSIP Financing Plan On February 15, 2006, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the sale of $525 million in revenue bonds to refund the $120 million it has spent so far on WSIP projects using commercial paper and to fund the next 18 months of WSIP project expenses. Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 2 of 12

3 Economic Impact of Droughts The SFPUC has agreed to join with BAWSCA to commission a new study of the economic impact of drought shortages on the region. The report will be completed by the Bay Area Economic Forum (BAEF). The SFPUC will make its consultants available to assist BAEF in the study. Wholesale Water Rate Projections In March 2006, the SFPUC provided new wholesale rate projections that are higher than those projected in March of 2005 and November In the near term, higher rates are projected as water sales have declined due to wet weather conditions. In addition, the $8-10 million costs for the WSIP PEIR will be expensed, rather than capitalized as assumed earlier. Longer-term differences are attributable to the SFPUC s revised WSIP. $1,800 SF's Wholesale Water Prices Commodity Cost ($/AF) $1,600 $1,400 $1,200 $1,000 $800 $600 $400 $200 $0 Actual Rates March 2005 Projection March 2006 Projection Drain Hetch Hetchy The study being prepared by the State Department of Water Resources (DWR) that was originally expected last fall has been delayed indefinitely. No new schedule has been released. Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 3 of 12

4 IV. Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency Activities BAWSCA s Assessment of SFPUC s WSIP BAWSCA reviewed the report SFPUC submitted to the state advising it of changes to its WSIP and submitted comments to the CSSC (with copies to CDHS) including: SFPUC s report minimizes the delays in significant project schedules. Instead SFPUC reports that the overall program completion is accelerated from the 2002 CIP schedule. BAWSCA recommends that the CSSC evaluate the increased exposure to risk from the delays of individual projects in the WSIP, the importance of those projects to the operation of the regional water system and the potential significance of delays to public health and safety. When assessing potential impact to public health and safety related to project schedule changes, the CSSC should consider how likely it is that the schedule can actually be achieved. The Parsons/CH2MHill assessment noted that the project schedules contain very little float and therefore include a significant amount of risk. Parsons also noted that SFPUC s organizational structure needs improvements and made specific recommendations for keeping the program on schedule. BAWSCA recommends that the CSSC review SFPUC s plans to implement each of the recommendations from Parsons. Changes to three projects warrant close review by the CSSC. o For the Crystal Springs/San Andreas Transmission System Project, the original scope included building a new pumping station and a new pipeline from Crystal Springs Reservoir to San Andreas Reservoir. The new scope relies more on existing facilities. The Parsons assessment said that the most reliable alternative would be building a redundant pipeline on a separate alignment and for the pump station to be replaced or seismically rehabilitated. BAWSCA recommends that the CSSC evaluate the significance of the potential changes in scope and schedule relative to public health and safety for this project. o The schedule for the Bay Division Pipelines Nos. 3 and 4 at Hayward Fault Project is being done later than previously planned. Parsons notes that these pipelines are susceptible to failure in an earthquake since they cross the three known traces of the Hayward Fault. BAWSCA recommends that the CSSC obtain reliable current information from SFPUC about what exactly is planned for the vital and vulnerable BDPLs 3&4. o SFPUC s original capital program included major seismic rehabilitation or replacement of the Bay Division Pipelines No. 1 and 2 and the wooden trestle which supports the portions traversing marshlands on either side of the Bay. This project was deleted from the WSIP and, instead, SFPUC plans to build new pipelines and a tunnel paralleling BDPLs 1&2, rather than a new BDPL 5 that was originally planned. The change will require that BDPLs 1&2 remain in service until the new pipelines and tunnel are complete in 2014, when they will be decommissioned. However, the WSIP contains no budget or schedule for carrying out repairs needed to maintain reliable service until The pipelines are old (No. 1 was built in 1925, No. 2 in 1936). BAWSCA recommends that the CSSC obtain reliable current information from SFPUC about what exactly is planned for the vital and vulnerable BDPLs 1&2. The report s seismic risk profile comparison is extremely unclear. Graphs presented in the report are not explained. Level-of-service goals appear to be referred to, but SFPUC has never formally adopted any such goals and they are subject to change without notice. Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 4 of 12

5 BAWSCA recommends that the CSSC should consider whether level-of-service goals have been changed and whether those changes increase or decrease public health and safety. In addition, the CSSC should request information on what seismic planning and design criteria are being used today and to review these criteria to assess the possible increased risk to public health and safety. V. City of Palo Alto Utilities Issues Recycled Water Market Survey Preliminary results from this study have calculated the amount of recycled water that can be used in the City is about the same as found in the 1993 Recycled Water Master Plan about 1,400 acre-feet/year. The preliminary capital cost estimate is about $19 million including standard contingencies. The final report will be provided to the UAC when it is complete, which is expected to be in June Capital Improvement Program Status Update The Phase I Improvements Project entails preliminary design, final design, related studies (e.g. environmental CEQA compliance, geotechnical evaluations) and construction-phase services for various capital improvement projects related to improving distribution system water quality and the reliability of the water supply system. The asset management system will be a tool to help City staff in operating and maintaining the new facilities, including operating the upgraded booster pump stations in an efficient manner and the kickoff meeting is scheduled Wednesday, 4/12/06 to go over milestone tasks and schedule to completion. The first three projects described below are approximately 70% complete as of April 12, 2006 and scheduled for completion mid-summer Reservoir Booster Station Improvements This project consists of upgrading and replacing the mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment at the following pump stations: Quarry (70% completed), Corte Madera (10% completed), Boronda (10% completed), Park (95% completed), and Dahl (95% completed). In addition, this project will provide a secondary (grid or looped) connection/supply to Pressure Area 4 (the area generally bounded by Foothill Expressway, Page Mill Road, Arastradero Road, and Deer Creek Road). 2. Distribution System Water Quality Enhancement This project consists of constructing reservoir mixing systems at Monte Bello, Dahl, Park, and Mayfield reservoirs, and ammonia feed at the Hale, Rinconada, and Peers Park well sites. In addition, Carollo provided the City with a water quality monitoring program and recommendations for mobile dechlorination equipment that is used during the City s annual water system flushing operation. This project is part of the larger package including the two projects described in 1. above and 3. below. Mayfield and Park (100% completed), Montebello (95% completed), existing wells (50% completed). Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 5 of 12

6 3. Existing Booster Station Improvements This project consists of designing pressure regulator upgrades at the Quarry, Corte Madera, Boronda, Park, and Dahl booster stations. These improvements are necessary to improve the City s ability to manage water quality in the Foothills Area, as well as supply emergency water demands during a shutdown of SFPUC s Hetch-Hetchy aqueduct system. This project is part of the larger package including the two projects above. Dahl booster station has been completed and Park booster station is 95% complete. 4. Emergency Water Supply Project These projects consist of these major components: A. Reservoir, Pump Station, and Phase 1 Well the new reservoir, pump station and well, which were recommended in the report entitled Water Wells, Regional Storage, and Distribution System Study (1999 Study), will help bring the City's system in compliance with the CDHS recommended supply criteria of meeting at least 8-hours of maximum day demand while maintaining fire suppression reserves; and B. Existing and New Wells and Mayfield Pump Station rehabilitating the City s existing wells to enhance the supply reliability for on-going demands during a shutdown of the SFPUC Hetch-Hetchy aqueduct system. This project also includes augmenting the Mayfield pump station to deliver water to the urban residential, commercial, and industrial areas in the event of such a shutdown. Consultant access for field reconnaissance activities for the proposed reservoir and well sites will start in early May. A scoping meeting for the Draft EIR was held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 to address the public s concerns and to help define the Draft EIR. Design work for the improvements will not start until after the EIR is complete. The projected date for EIR certification is currently scheduled for completion in December El Camino Park Monitoring Wells: two additional monitoring wells are scheduled for placement on El Camino Park for groundwater monitoring the week of April 24. A Right of Entry permit has been granted from Stanford and permits will be obtained from Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) by the end of April. Agency EIR Coordination: The City of Menlo Park has forwarded a letter to Palo Alto requesting to be on the Draft EIR circulation list. Issues Menlo Park raised were related to effects on the groundwater aquifer as it relates to Menlo Park s ability to construct a well. Groundwater impacts of Palo Alto s proposed well operations would be analyzed during the Draft EIR to address Menlo Park s concerns. Water Efficiency Programs Four Palo Alto Parks (El Camino, Hoover, Juana Briones, and Seale) recently completed Irrigation Technical Assistance Program (ITAP) surveys, as part of the City s cost-sharing agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Staff will review the surveys with the Parks department and discuss the next step participation in the Irrigation System Hardware Rebate Program to help improve the efficiency ratings of the irrigation system at each park. Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 6 of 12

7 Next month three City facilities will receive an extensive indoor water audit: City Hall, Cubberly, and the Municipal Service Center. These audits are free to the City and will give baseline information on indoor water use as well as provide water saving recommendations specific to each site. As the rains continue to fall it is important to remind customers that saving water resources needs to happen year round. Bill inserts in March and May highlighted the City s water conservation programs and Outdoor Water Saving Tips. Staff has been involved with reviewing a number of new construction projects that must comply with the Landscape Water Use Efficiency Standards. Bay Area Water Forum The Bay Area Water Forum (BAWF) has finalized a Memorandum of Understanding to support the work of BAWF and has completed a work plan for Agencies, including local governments, will be asked to sign the MOU in the next several months. One of the main goals of BAWF is to foster regional cooperation between Bay Area agencies to increase the chances that projects in the area can receive state grant funding. BAWF s Water and Land Use Committee intends to work on developing model ordinances and developing general plan language regarding the water supply/land use nexus. The committee has reviewed the sustainability goals of the Sonoma County Water Agency and may develop a recommendation for other local agencies to adopt similar goals. The Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) is working to complete an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) for the Bay Area. The group received $838,000 in Proposition 50 planning grants to prepare the IRWMP and must complete the plan by January 1, The IRWMP will cover four functional areas: 1) water supply and water quality, 2) wastewater and recycled water, 3) storm water and flood protection, and 3) watershed and ecosystem. The first (of four) public IRWMP workshop was held on March 24 in San Francisco. The workshop was focused on determining the plan s objectives to address concerns in all functional areas. These objectives include: 1) Improve water supply reliability, 2) Protect and improve hydrologic function, 3) Protect and improve water quality, 4) Protect public health and property, 5) Protect and enhance environmental resources and habitats, and 6) Promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Three more public workshops will be conducted on the IRWMP: 1) April 24 to discuss integration of the four functional areas, 2) June 26 to discuss implementation, and 3) October 23 to review the draft Bay Area IRWMP. Other public involvement efforts include meetings with businesses, environmental, and environmental justice agencies, and local government agencies. Fact sheets, flyers, and press releases will be developed. Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 7 of 12

8 VI. Operating Measures The four attached charts describe water utility operating measures for FY to date (July 2005 through March 2006): Water System O&M - Mainline Leak Repairs Water Main Leaks by Type of Pipe Water Main Shutdowns and Customers Affected Unplanned Water Service Disruption Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 8 of 12

9 Water System O&M Mainline Leak Repairs FY (as of March 2005) Number of Hours to Repair Target 4 Hours or Less Break Number 100% services restored in 4 hours or less Total No. of breaks: 9 Avg. Hrs. to Repair: 3.33 Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 9 of 12

10 Water Main Leaks by Type of Pipe Material Failure Only (FY as of March 2005) PVC Number of Leaks AC Other 5 Cast Iron / / / / / / / / / / /06 Miles of CI: 59.1 (31%) Miles of PVC: 22.1 (5%) Miles of AC: (56%) Miles of CCP: 17.3 (8%) Total Miles of Main: 226 Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 10 of 12

11 Number of Shutdowns & Customers Affected Water Main Shutdowns & Customers Affected Planned and Unplanned FY Jul-05 Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov Dec-05 Jan-06 Customers Affected Number of Shutdowns 20 Feb-06 Mar-06 Apr-06 May-06 Jun-06 Total Customers Affected: 140 Total Shutdowns: (Planned - 0, Unplanned - 9 ) Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 11 of 12

12 Unplanned Water Disruptions By Cause/Main Lines Only Number of Outages Material Failure 3rd Party City Crews Jul-05 Aug-05 Sep-05 Oct-05 Nov-05 Dec-05 Jan-06 Feb-06 Mar-06 Apr-06 May-06 Jun-06 Total Material Defect: 6 Total 3rd Party: 2 Total City Crews: 0 Total Disruptions: 8 Item 1: Utilities Quarterly Report Update Attachment A: Water Page 12 of 12