TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file presentation by Water Department regarding water supply update. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Unprecedented legal rulings and weather related conditions are significantly impacting the reliability of southern California's primary imported water sources, the Sacramento Bay Delta and the Colorado River. In fact, due to these factors, southern California has been relying on in-State strategic water reserves to meet even the most basic water needs for the last several months. Due to the City's reliance on these affected imported water supplies (42 percent of our water demand) a citywide Declaration for Immediate and Extraordinary Water Conservation was announced on June 14, 2007, by the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Long Beach. For the last three months, Long Beach Water Department customers have been strongly urged to conserve water.
On Friday, August 31, 2007, United States District Court Judge Oliver Wanger issued a ruling that will intend to mitigate the impact pumping in the Sacramento Bay Delta has on several species of endangered fish, particularly the Delta Smelt. Earlier this year, Judge Wanger ruled that the Department of Water Resources is in violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA). This ruling is significant, and could subsequently lead to reduced imported water deliveries from the Sacramento Bay Delta.
The Long Beach Water Department will be evaluating this ruling and its potential impact on our operations. Subsequent to this evaluation the Board of Water Commissioners may choose to activate its Emergency Water Supply Shortage Plan, triggering increased mandatory prohibitions on potable water use in the City of Long Beach.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KEVIN L. WATTIER
GENERAL MANAGER