BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Update on 2020 Water Supply Conditions and Initial 2021 Outlook Scenarios.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Receive, review, and discuss information on water supply conditions.
Body
SUMMARY:
On January 31, 2017, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) Board of Directors (Board) adopted a resolution to continue the call for a 20 percent reduction in water use and to limit the irrigation of ornamental landscapes with potable water to no more than three days per week. The resolution is in effect until further notice. This memorandum provides an update on water use reduction, 2020 water supply conditions, and initial 2021 outlook scenarios.
Water Use Reduction
During the most recent drought, the community and local water retailers did an excellent job in reducing water use, as shown in Table 1 below. Normally water use reductions achieved during a drought would dissipate over time once the drought is over. However, locally we are not seeing this. 2019 data indicates that water retailers in Santa Clara County achieved a 21 percent reduction in water use compared to 2013. Preliminary 2020 data through May indicates that water retailers achieved a 17 percent reduction in water use compared to 2013. If the remaining monthly reductions in 2020 reach 22 percent, the year-end cumulative reductions will meet the current 20 percent end of year target.
Table 1. Annual Retailer Water Savings
Calendar Year
20141
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Annual Retailer Water Savings (compared to 2013)
13%
27%
28%
21%
20%
21%
1 Retailer reporting to Valley Water began February 2014.
Valley Water is currently in the process of updating its long-term demand projections to account for this persistent water savings. The updated projection will be presented to the Board in the fall as part of the Water Supply Master Plan Monitoring and Assessment Plan (MAP) item.
2020/21 Winter Outlook
As of May 2020, El Ni?o conditions remai...
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