REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 25, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
Continuation of Water Conservation Programs - Various County Service Area Water Systems
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of County Service Area 42 Oro Grande, County Service Area 64 Spring Valley Lake, County Service Area 70 CG Cedar Glen, County Service Area 70 F Morongo Valley, County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills, County Service Area 70 W-3 Hacienda, and County Service Area 70 W-4 Pioneertown, approve continued education and water conservation rebate programs for customers during the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, to advance water conservation efforts.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Costs associated with the water conservation programs will not exceed $30,000 annually for three years for the seven water districts. Adequate appropriation for the water conservation programs is included in the 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets for each applicable County Service Area (CSA).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On August 11, 2015 (Item No. 37), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved water conservation programs (education and rebate programs) for customers within all CSAs and their zones that provide water services. This action was in response to the Best Management Practices in the CSA Urban Water Management Plans and the water conservation reporting requirements to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
The water conservation programs, which include providing public education to customers through workshops, classroom education, water conservation fairs, and supplying rebate incentives, were initially approved for the period of August 12, 2015 through June 12, 2016. Since then, the Board has annually approved an extension of the water conservation programs. The most recent Board approval occurred on June 27, 2023 (Item No. 126), which extended the programs through June 30, 2024.
Due to the ongoing drought conditions in California, the Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department) is requesting Board approval to continue the water conservation programs and rebate incentives for three additional years. The water conservation program has been successful in reducing water use across the CSAs and their zones. The rebate incentives designate a fixed dollar amount to provide monetary water account credits to qualified customers that replace existing outdoor and indoor items, including weather-based irrigation controllers, irrigation sprinkler heads, toilets, bathroom sink faucets, and showerheads with efficient water-wise products as established by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Sense Program and the SoCal Water Smart Program.
On May 9, 2016, the Governor of California signed Executive Order B-37-16 “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life”. This Executive Order continues to be in full force and effect and has permanent prohibitions. Continuation of the water conservation programs for the various CSAs with water systems aligns with the Governor’s Executive Order.
The Department will continue to be diligent about promoting rebates and educating the public that water conservation remains the way of life.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 21, 2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on June 4, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, Officer, 387-5423) on June 7, 2024.