HomeMy WebLinkAboutH Item - Monthly Status of Level of Customer Water Usage Thrr
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
� City Council Interoffice Communication
CIT OF
iiUH 1"IPG i (DI,J BEA Cy. CA
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Z004 APR 12 P 5: 15
From: Gil Coerper, City Council Member 6C,/
bate: April 12, 2004
Subject: H-ITEM FOR APRIL 19, 2004, CITY COUNCIL MEETING —
WATER CONSERVATION
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
I recently met with the Assistant City Administrator William Workman, Director of Public
Works Robert Beardsley, and Utilities Manager Howard Johnson to discuss water
issues and, particularly, water conservation. As summer is nearly upon us, we need to
remember that water in Southern California has always been a concern. This is truer
today than ever before. Our ever-increasing population is faced with a reduction of
water supplies from the Colorado River and a sixth consecutive year of drought. Here
in Huntington Beach, seawater intrusion into our groundwater basin continues to
threaten our water supply. Water conservation has come to encompass our
commitment to water -use lifestyle changes.
Conservation efforts in Huntington Beach have worked remarkably well. The city's
water customers now actually use less water than over ten years ago. We continue to
be one of the most active communities in plumbing retrofits. Our residents have
changed out over 12,000 toilets and over 25,000 showerheads with low flow models.
However, as we look to the future, our efforts need to be continued and, in fact,
intensified.
As part of the update of the Water Master Plan reported on at our January 5, 2004
Study Session, staff and a professional services consultant will be examining a new
conservation -based water rate structure for our consideration in several months. In the
interim, it is important for the residents in our community to be vigilant in their water
conservation efforts.
'RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Since the draft water rate structure component of the Water Master Plan is not
scheduled to be available until this fall, I request that staff (1) provide monthly,status
memos to the Council, assessing the level of customer water usage, to maintain public
awareness through the critical summer months; and (2) expedite the completion of the
Water Master Plan at the earliest possible date.
Xc: Ray Silver
Bill Workman
Connie Brockway
Robert Beardsley
(18) • -April 19, 2004 - Clncil/Agency Agenda - Page 18
On page H-1a.4, (Page 3 of Resolution) —
First line, Insert "All future" at the beginning of the sentence before "written
agreements."
Approved 7-0
H-2a. Submitted By Councilmember Gil Coerper
(City Council) Direct Staff to Provide Monthly Status Memos to Council Assessing the
Level of Customer Water Usage to Maintain Public Awareness Through the Critical
Summer Months - Expedite Completion of the Water Master Plan (1000.90)
Communication from Councilmember Gil Coerper transmitting the following Statement of
Issue: I recently met with the Assistant City Administrator William Workman, Director of
Public Works Robert Beardsley, and Utilities Manager Howard Johnson to discuss water
issues and, particularly, water conservation. As summer is nearly upon us, we need to
remember that water in Southern California has always been a concern. This is truer today
than ever before. Our ever-increasing population is faced with a reduction of water supplies
from the Colorado River and a sixth consecutive year of drought. Here in Huntington Beach,
seawater intrusion into our groundwater basin continues to threaten our water supply.
Water conservation has come to encompass our commitment to water -use lifestyle changes.
Conservation efforts in Huntington Beach have worked remarkably well. The city's water
customers now actually use less water than over ten years ago. We continue to be one of
the most active communities in plumbing retrofits. Our residents have changed out over
12,000 toilets and over 25,000 showerheads with low flow models. However, as we look to
the future, our efforts need to be continued and, in fact, intensified.
As part of the update of the Water Master Plan reported on at our January 5, 2004 Study
Session, staff and a professional services consultant will be examining a new conservation -
based water rate structure for our consideration in several months. In the interim, it is
important for the residents in our community to be vigilant in their water conservation efforts.
Recommended Action:
Since the draft water rate structure component of the Water Master Plan is not scheduled to
be available until this fall, I request that staff;
(1) provide monthly status memos to the Council, assessing the level of customer water
usage, to maintain public awareness through the critical summer months; and
(2) expedite the completion of the Water Master Plan at the earliest possible date.
Public Works Utilities Manager Howard Johnson ws requested by Councilmember
Cook and reported on the Master Plan.
Approved as amended to contact the Metropolitan Water District with a letter of
support for a tiered water program.
Approved 7-0