11.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 06/30/2020
- Co-Submitter:
- Ryan Roberts
- From:
- Erin Young, Water Resources Manager
TITLE
Water Resources Master Plan Update - Reclaimed Water Component & Selection of Stakeholder Committee
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Information only.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff will provide an update on the Reclaimed Water component of the Water Resources Master Plan. Staff is using the Reclaimed Water Master Plan as an opportunity to build and educate an informed community group on reclaimed water issues. Staff is securing a Reclaimed Water Stakeholder Committee of 10 community members with a goal for a balanced and representative group of all in Flagstaff. Led by a facilitator and our consultant, Brown & Caldwell, the Committee is tasked with narrowing down seven reclaimed-water management options to four options for inclusion into the Water Resources Master Plan.
The final work of the Citizens Committee will be brought back in front of Council as a recommendation on the four options to be included in the final Water Resources Master Plan.
Staff will be looking to Council for its input and direction on this proposed process.
The final work of the Citizens Committee will be brought back in front of Council as a recommendation on the four options to be included in the final Water Resources Master Plan.
Staff will be looking to Council for its input and direction on this proposed process.
INFORMATION:
Reclaimed water use has made a significant impact in reducing potable water use for most of the high-volume outdoor water demands in Flagstaff since the system was expanded in the mid 1990's. Roughly two-thirds of our recycled water each year does not come back into Flagstaff's system as a water resource benefit to the community. The remaining volume of water averages about 4,000 acre-feet per year. To put this in perspective the community uses about 10,000 acre-feet of both potable and reclaimed water each year. This water is available in all but the dry months of the year, May and June being the peak season for reclaimed water demand.
Staff retained Brown and Caldwell to assist the City in narrowing down seven options for managing Flagstaff's excess reclaimed water to four options for inclusion into the Water Resources Master Plan (reviewing options against water conservation and Red Gap Ranch). With reclaimed water as an important and valuable resource to the Flagstaff community, it is appropriate to have informed community members provide their assessment of options for expanding the use of the resource. The benefit and cost to the community of each alternative come with their share of complexities and considerations that are operational and economical in nature, including whether the development of a water quality standard beyond regulations is necessary for some of the options. Brown and Caldwell will lead a stakeholder process with the objective to narrow down the following list of options into four scenarios that will be carried into the Water Resources Master Plan:
The Committee will be provided materials ahead of time to prepare for in-depth analysis and discussion on reclaimed water topics including considerations on water budgeting, operations and infrastructure, water quality, economics, and public input. The minimum commitment is four hours a month for 6 months. The committee must attend two half-day workshops (likely virtual), and other meetings as requested by the committee, with the goal to provide a recommendation to staff at the end of the second workshop. Staff will schedule other meetings between the two workshops to address topics identified for deeper discussion by the stakeholders in order to make a recommendation.
Staff is soliciting applications to serve on the Reclaimed Water Stakeholder Committee due in July. Applications will be reviewed by a team of city staff for a recommendation for approval by the Water Commission at the August meeting. Staff is targeting a committee of 10 individuals that demonstrate an ability to provide un-biased technical review and recommendations that are best for the community as a whole. To apply, applicants must be residents of the City and submit a short essay describing their interest in the topic, ability to meet criteria, and their representation of the community. They must be able to commit to a minimum of 4 hours of reading or meeting attendance once a month during a six-month time period beginning in September or October 2020.
Staff retained Brown and Caldwell to assist the City in narrowing down seven options for managing Flagstaff's excess reclaimed water to four options for inclusion into the Water Resources Master Plan (reviewing options against water conservation and Red Gap Ranch). With reclaimed water as an important and valuable resource to the Flagstaff community, it is appropriate to have informed community members provide their assessment of options for expanding the use of the resource. The benefit and cost to the community of each alternative come with their share of complexities and considerations that are operational and economical in nature, including whether the development of a water quality standard beyond regulations is necessary for some of the options. Brown and Caldwell will lead a stakeholder process with the objective to narrow down the following list of options into four scenarios that will be carried into the Water Resources Master Plan:
- current and future opportunities for expanding the reclaimed distribution system – referred to as direct reuse
- aquifer recharge through a managed recharge permit (streambed recharge) – a form of indirect potable reuse with or without advanced treatment
- aquifer recharge through a constructed recharge permit (groundwater recharge wells) – a form of indirect potable reuse with or without advanced treatment
- pipeline to Upper Lake Mary – a form of indirect potable reuse with advanced treatment
- drinking water – direct potable reuse with advanced treatment and purification
The Committee will be provided materials ahead of time to prepare for in-depth analysis and discussion on reclaimed water topics including considerations on water budgeting, operations and infrastructure, water quality, economics, and public input. The minimum commitment is four hours a month for 6 months. The committee must attend two half-day workshops (likely virtual), and other meetings as requested by the committee, with the goal to provide a recommendation to staff at the end of the second workshop. Staff will schedule other meetings between the two workshops to address topics identified for deeper discussion by the stakeholders in order to make a recommendation.
Staff is soliciting applications to serve on the Reclaimed Water Stakeholder Committee due in July. Applications will be reviewed by a team of city staff for a recommendation for approval by the Water Commission at the August meeting. Staff is targeting a committee of 10 individuals that demonstrate an ability to provide un-biased technical review and recommendations that are best for the community as a whole. To apply, applicants must be residents of the City and submit a short essay describing their interest in the topic, ability to meet criteria, and their representation of the community. They must be able to commit to a minimum of 4 hours of reading or meeting attendance once a month during a six-month time period beginning in September or October 2020.