Adopt a resolution declaring a level three drought response and ask for a 30% water use reduction for residents and operations within the Wild Wings County Service Area. (No general fund impact) (Echiburu/Villa)

Adopt a resolution declaring a level three drought response and ask for a 30% water use reduction for residents and operations within the Wild Wings County Service Area.

The State of California is in the third consecutive year of extremely dry conditions due to historically low rainfall totals.  While storms in October and December improved the drought status, 99.3% of the State remains in Moderate Drought, and 66.4% (including Yolo County) in Severe Drought as defined by the U.S. Drought Monitor.  With the ongoing drought conditions, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency on May 10, 2021 in 41 counties and since expanded the drought emergency to all counties in the State.  This executive order called on Californians to voluntarily reduce water usage by 15% of their 2020 levels.  On July 27, 2021 the Yolo County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 21-99 urging a voluntary 25% reduction of water usage within Wild Wings County Service Area (CSA).  On September 14, 2021 the Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved a water conservation ordinance (Attachment A - Ordinance No. 1540) pursuant to Water Code section 375, et seq, which establishes six drought response levels in the Wild Wings CSA with increasing restrictions at each level, similar to the water shortage contingency plans adopted by urban water suppliers.  At that time, a Level 1 drought response was adopted which set  permanent water use restrictions including watering landscape between the hours of 6:00pm - 9:00am and use of landscape water in a manner that results in no more than incidental runoff. 

Due to the ongoing drought conditions, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted Resolution 2022-0002 on ,4, 2022 moving to further reduce the "wasteful and unreasonable water uses." On March 28, 2022, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-22 emphasizing the ongoing drought and calling for greater conservation efforts due to the on-going drought.

Utilizing the adopted drought response structure, staff incorporated the drought response levels to the static water level in the Pintail well based on the time of year. Since Wild Wings CSA utilizes only ground water, the static water levels fluctuates throughout the year based on when rainfall increases the water levels within the aquifers.   The water tier triggers (Attachment B) outline the drought response level in accordance to the current Pintail well static water level.  It also includes the water conservation percentage the community aims to achieve and the additional restrictions in each drought response level.

Currently, the static well level in Pintail is 177 feet, and experiencing a weekly 5-foot decline. This is 38 feet below the same time last year.  Under the voluntary conservation request, the community obtained a 20% reduction of water usage compared to 2020 usage.  However, additional water conservation is necessary due to the lower Pintail well levels to ensure that the Pintail well does not go dry during the summer months.  Consistent with the 2021 Board-adopted conservation ordinance, the proposed resolution (Attachment C) calls for mandatory water conservation of 30%, compared to 2020's levels, limiting landscape irrigation to no more than two days a week between 6:00pm - 9:00am, and other restrictions specified in the attached resolution.  Adoption of the Level 3 drought response will allow the County to enforce the water conservation measures if necessary but the primary goal will be working with residents to achieve voluntary compliance. 

Staff recommends the adoption of the Level 3 Drought Response resolution enacting further water conservation efforts in the Wild Wings community.

County Counsel, Wild Wings County Service Area