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ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE FINDINGS AND DECLARE A WATER SHORTAGE DROUGHT EMERGENCY NO LONGER EXISTS IN THE CITY OF STOCKTON WATER SERVICE AREA
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 13.32.
2. Declare that a Stage 2 Water Shortage Emergency no longer exists in the City of Stockton Water Service Area.
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Summary
Over the past several years, the State of California has experienced severe multi-year droughts that have impacted water supplies for municipal, agricultural, and environmental use. To help apply increased water conservation measures throughout the State, on March 28, 2022, the Governor issued Executive Order N-7-22 mandating a 20 percent reduction in overall water usage for all water suppliers, statewide. On July 12, 2022, the City Council approved Resolution 2022-07-12-1503 declaring a Stage 2 Water Shortage Emergency, which enacted water conservation measures including a 20 percent reduction in municipal water use required under the Governor’s Executive Order.
Following record rain and snowfall throughout the State in 2022-2023, the Governor issued Executive Order N-5-23 terminating the March 28, 2022 Drought State of Emergency for all counties throughout the State. This past winter season has produced additional snowpack and water supplies to the State’s reservoirs providing additional confidence that drought conditions have been abated and a shortage emergency no longer exists.
It is recommended that the City Council approve findings and adopt a resolution declaring a Stage 2 Water Shortage emergency no longer exists and encourage customers of the City’s water system to continue to use water wisely and to take measurable actions that “Make Conservation a California Way of Life”.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of Stockton’s surface water supplies originate from various sources including the Delta and eastside foothill reservoirs. The City purchases treated surface water from the Stockton East Water District and treats surface water from the Delta under the City’s water right permit and Mokelumne River through a water purchase contract with the Woodbridge Irrigation District. Groundwater from approximately 20 wells supplements City surface water supplies in times of high demand and drought. Since the early 2000s, in conjunction with the development of the drought-resistant Delta supply, the City made a conscious effort to promote urban water conservation and groundwater sustainability. As experienced during the recent droughts, water deliveries from contracted supply sources were curtailed, but water supplies from the Delta and groundwater remain reliable and sustainable for the future under the City’s conjunctive use efforts.
On March 28, 2022, the Governor of California declared and proclaimed a State of Emergency existed due to severe drought conditions (Proclamation N-7-22, Attachment A). To comply with the Proclamation, on July 12, 2022, the City Council declared, by Resolution 2022-07-12-1503, a Stage 2 Water Shortage Emergency and 20 percent reduction in water use in comparison with 2020.
Significant rainfall and snowpack in the winter season of 2022-2023 has brought the State of California out of a severe multi-year drought. As a result, on March 24, 2023, the Governor issued Executive Order N-5-23 (Attachment B) terminating the Drought State of Emergency in all counties. In addition, the winter season of 2023-2024 has also provided significant rain and snowfall to further improve water supplies in the State.
Present Situation
Adequate water supplies are available for the City, which provides for a reduction in mandated water conservation measures. The State Water Board will continue to review water conservation savings from water suppliers throughout the state, and depending on the results, may impose additional restrictions in the future.
Findings
Pursuant to SMC section 13.32, the City Council approves the following findings which support a declaration that a Stage 2 Water Shortage Emergency no longer exists:
1. On July 12, 2022, the City of Stockton the City Council declared a Stage 2 Water Shortage Emergency and 20 percent reduction in water use.
2. On March 24, 2023, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-5-23 terminating the March 28, 2022 Stage 2 Drought State of Emergency for all counties.
3. Adequate water supplies are available for the City of Stockton, which provides for a reduction in mandated water conservation measures.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is no impact to the General Fund, or any other unrestricted fund, from this action.
Attachment A - Governor’s Executive Order N-7-22
Attachment B - Governor’s Executive Order N-5-23