sustainable water resources management in california: a planner

Sustainable Water Sustainable Water Resources Management in Resources Management in

California: A PlannerCalifornia: A Planner’’s s PerspectivePerspective

Jeff Jeff LouxLoux, Director, DirectorLand Use and Natural ResourcesLand Use and Natural Resources

UC Davis ExtensionUC Davis ExtensionFaculty, UCD Environmental DesignFaculty, UCD Environmental Design

Water and Land Use: why donWater and Land Use: why don’’t we plan and t we plan and design them together?design them together?

Fragmented jurisdictions Fragmented jurisdictions ––

special special

districts and agencies involved in water, districts and agencies involved in water, cities and counties involved in land usecities and counties involved in land useVast geographic territory and budget Vast geographic territory and budget issuesissuesDifferent missions and decisionDifferent missions and decision--

makersmakersDifferent professional cultures and Different professional cultures and approachesapproachesDifferent planning horizons and Different planning horizons and planning toolsplanning toolsFear of each otherFear of each other’’s technical black s technical black boxesboxesFear of being caught up in the Fear of being caught up in the ““growth growth warswars””

Is this a land use and does it influence land uses?

How can better land use planning linked to water How can better land use planning linked to water resources help?resources help?

By carefully connecting future By carefully connecting future growth to water needs means less growth to water needs means less costly infrastructure, less impact to costly infrastructure, less impact to aquatic resources aquatic resources Higher levels of water conservation Higher levels of water conservation and reuse means reduced need for and reuse means reduced need for additional water, less costly additional water, less costly infrastructure and reduced impact infrastructure and reduced impact on streams, wetlands and ground on streams, wetlands and ground water water Connecting water needs with source Connecting water needs with source quality means lower cost and reduced quality means lower cost and reduced water use (e.g. raw water or recycling water use (e.g. raw water or recycling for green space and industrial use)for green space and industrial use)

How can better land use planning linked to water How can better land use planning linked to water resources help?resources help?

■■Low impact development solutions for storm Low impact development solutions for storm water mean easier permitting, reduced water water mean easier permitting, reduced water quality impacts and ground water rechargequality impacts and ground water recharge

■■Protection and restoration of reservoirs, Protection and restoration of reservoirs, watersheds, streams, creeks, drainages,watersheds, streams, creeks, drainages,wetlands and ground water recharge areaswetlands and ground water recharge areas

■■

State funding is increasingly tied to regional State funding is increasingly tied to regional collaboration , integrated water resources collaboration , integrated water resources planning , water conservation performanceplanning , water conservation performance

■■Education and awareness of the links between Education and awareness of the links between land use and water lead to better decisionland use and water lead to better decision--

making and better projectsmaking and better projects

What We What We Learned in Learned in SchoolSchool

••Play well with others; share Play well with others; share toys (and do it regionally!)toys (and do it regionally!)••Learn to count (keep a good Learn to count (keep a good water balance sheet)water balance sheet)••Think first, then act (plan Think first, then act (plan considering long term considering long term consequences)consequences)••Take care of what we have Take care of what we have (conserve, reuse)(conserve, reuse)••Clean up our messes Clean up our messes ••Connect the dots (land use, Connect the dots (land use, water, wastewater, habitat, water, wastewater, habitat, flood controlflood control……))

At the Regional Level

Regional water resources collaborations like an Integrated Water Management Plan or more specific like the Sacramento Water Forum

Regional Land Use and Transportation “Blueprints” going on in numerous regions including Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley, Monterey, San Diego, etc.

Regional Ground Water Plans

Watershed Management Plans and Programs

SACOG regionSACOG region

Its members include the counties of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba as well as their constituent municipal governments.

How to Best Manage How to Best Manage Growth?Growth?

Seven principles of smart Seven principles of smart growthgrowth

BasecaseBasecase ScenarioScenario

PreferredPreferred ScenarioScenario

Water Demand AnalysisWater Demand Analysis

% Difference

Region

ResidentialIncremental Demand -38%

Demand Per Unit -42%

EmploymentIncremental Demand -9%

Demand Per Employee -20%

TotalTotal Incremental Demand -31%589,973

408,362

0.50

181,611

0.18

860,942

661,125

0.86

199,817

0.22

Base Case Preferred Scenario

(acre-feet/year) (acre-feet/year)

DWR’s “Pyramid of a Successful Water Future: Integrated Regional Water Management Plans

Sacramento Water Forum: Sacramento Water Forum: watershed scale focus on water supply and watershed scale focus on water supply and

ecological restorationecological restoration

Jeff LouxJeff LouxCenter for Collaborative Policy and UC Davis Center for Collaborative Policy and UC Davis

ExtensionExtension

The Water Forum includes the entire The Water Forum includes the entire American River Watershed (and even American River Watershed (and even

touches the Cosumnes River watershed)touches the Cosumnes River watershed)

But the lower American River But the lower American River is the focus of the planis the focus of the plan

What Are the Problems the Water Forum What Are the Problems the Water Forum was set up to solve?was set up to solve?

The lower American River habitat needs The lower American River habitat needs improvement and its aquatic resources are improvement and its aquatic resources are not protected by an adequate flow standardnot protected by an adequate flow standardThe region is growing rapidly and needs The region is growing rapidly and needs additional surface and ground water to meet additional surface and ground water to meet increasing demand and reliabilityincreasing demand and reliabilityLocal aquifers are experiencing stress and Local aquifers are experiencing stress and contaminationcontaminationThe agencies and stakeholders were in The agencies and stakeholders were in various lawsuits for 25 years; they were various lawsuits for 25 years; they were fragmented and could not work togetherfragmented and could not work together

Who are the Water Who are the Water Forum Stakeholders?Forum Stakeholders?

40 STAKEHOLDER 40 STAKEHOLDER SIGNATORIES:SIGNATORIES:

Environment Environmental Council of Sacramento Friends of the River Save the American River Sierra Club Motherlode Chapter

Business Associated General Contractors AKT Development Building Industry Assn. Sacramento Assoc. of Realtors Sacramento Metro. Chamber of Commerce Sac Sierra Bldg/Construction Trade Council

Public City of SacramentoCounty of Sacramento League of Women Voters Sacramento County Taxpayers League Sacramento Co. Alliance of Neighborhoods Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Water Arden-Cordova Water DistrictCal American Water Co.Carmichael Water DistrictCitrus Heights W.D.City of FolsomCity of RosevilleClay Water DistrictDel Paso Manor Co. W.D.El Dorado County W.D.El Dorado Irrigation DistrictFair Oaks W.D.Florin County W.D.Galt Irrigation DistrictGeorgetown Divide P.U.D.Natomas Mutual Water CompanyOmochumne-Hartnell W.D.Orange Vale Water Co.Placer County W.A.

Rancho Murieta C.S.D.Regional Water AuthorityRio Linda/Elverta W.D.Sacramento Suburban W.D.Sacramento County Farm BureauSan Juan W.D.

The Water Forum Way: InterestThe Water Forum Way: Interest-- Based CollaborationBased Collaboration

40+ signatories and many other 40+ signatories and many other ““partnerspartners””6 years of intensive collaboration (19946 years of intensive collaboration (1994--2000) 2000) followed by 10 years of implementation followed by 10 years of implementation (2000(2000--2010)2010)4 primary 4 primary ““interestinterest--basedbased”” caucuses: caucuses: business, environmental, water supply and business, environmental, water supply and publicpublicYear 2000: historic detailed agreement Year 2000: historic detailed agreement followed by onfollowed by on--going Successor Effortgoing Successor Effort

Two Coequal Two Coequal Objectives Agreed Objectives Agreed

Upon Early and Upon Early and Referred to OftenReferred to Often

Provide a reliable and safe water supply Provide a reliable and safe water supply for the regionfor the region’’s economic health and s economic health and planned development through the year planned development through the year 2030.2030.

Preserve and enhance the fishery, Preserve and enhance the fishery, wildlife, recreation, and aesthetic wildlife, recreation, and aesthetic values of the Lower American values of the Lower American River.River.

Water Forum Water Forum Agreement Agreement --

Seven Integrated Elements Seven Integrated Elements Each Linked and Each Linked and

Interdependent on the Interdependent on the OthersOthers

Increased Increased Surface Water Surface Water

DiversionsDiversions

Actions to Meet Actions to Meet CustomersCustomers’’

Needs While Needs While Reducing Reducing Diversion Diversion

Impacts in Drier Impacts in Drier YearsYears

An Improved Pattern An Improved Pattern of Fishery Flow of Fishery Flow Releases From Releases From

Folsom ReservoirFolsom Reservoir

Lower American River Lower American River Habitat ManagementHabitat Management

Cosumnes River Watershed ProtectionCosumnes River Watershed Protection•• Negotiated with County, three ag Negotiated with County, three ag

water districts, environmentalists water districts, environmentalists and Nature Conservancyand Nature Conservancy

•• Provide water supply to Provide water supply to ““prepre--wetwet”” the dewatered channel in low flow the dewatered channel in low flow times (late fall)times (late fall)

•• Water to come from Aerojet Water to come from Aerojet remediated ground waterremediated ground water

•• Supports conjunctive use, Supports conjunctive use, agriculture, riparian habitat, agriculture, riparian habitat, fisheries and water quality goalsfisheries and water quality goals

Water Conservation and RecyclingWater Conservation and Recycling

Groundwater ManagementGroundwater Management

Sustainable Yield= 131,000 AF

Sustainable Yield= 273,000 AF

Sustainable Yield= 115,000 AF

Conjunctive Use of Surface and Conjunctive Use of Surface and GroundwaterGroundwater

Wet AboveNormal

BelowNormal

Dry Critical

Dry following Critical

Groundwater

Surface Supply

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Safe Yield

IncreasedPumping

YEAR TYPE

WA

TER

DEM

AN

DS

Water Forum Successor Effort: Water Forum Successor Effort: continue collaboration and continue collaboration and

working together working together

WATER FORUM: A FEW TANGIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENTSWATER FORUM: A FEW TANGIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Expansion of Five Water Treatment Plants and Expansion of Five Water Treatment Plants and IntakesIntakes

Groundwater Management Plans and GovernanceGroundwater Management Plans and Governance

Removed the pumps at Auburn and river restorationRemoved the pumps at Auburn and river restoration

$30 million in state and federal funds for environmental, water $30 million in state and federal funds for environmental, water and ground water projectsand ground water projects

Approval for Freeport Water Intake facility and County Water Approval for Freeport Water Intake facility and County Water master plan for conjunctive usemaster plan for conjunctive use

Influenced other collaboratives such as the Yuba River AccordInfluenced other collaboratives such as the Yuba River Accord

Begun to address the ground water contamination problems on Begun to address the ground water contamination problems on a regional basisa regional basis

Assisted in restoration of surface water sources for the Assisted in restoration of surface water sources for the neighboring Cosumnes Riverneighboring Cosumnes River

Groundwater Management Plans: Groundwater Management Plans: AB 3030, SB 1938 and recent legislationAB 3030, SB 1938 and recent legislation

Regional programs for Regional programs for monitoring and monitoring and managing groundwatermanaging groundwaterOver 100 agencies, Over 100 agencies, districts, cities and districts, cities and counties have plans counties have plans (many in the Central (many in the Central Valley)Valley)e.g. Turlock area e.g. Turlock area includes 14 agencies, 3 includes 14 agencies, 3 cities and 2 countiescities and 2 counties

Required Components of Groundwater Required Components of Groundwater Management PlansManagement Plans

Required ElementsRequired ElementsPublic participationPublic participationBasin objectivesBasin objectivesMonitoring and Monitoring and management of water management of water levels, quality, levels, quality, subsidence, surface subsidence, surface flow changes, water flow changes, water quality changesquality changesPlan to involve other Plan to involve other agenciesagencies

Monitoring program to Monitoring program to track data to meet track data to meet objectivesobjectivesMap of the basin and any Map of the basin and any local agency boundarieslocal agency boundariesCan levee assessments, but can not require limitations in pumpingNew law requires local or New law requires local or regional ground water regional ground water monitoring and reportingmonitoring and reporting

Types of Policy/Management Issues:Types of Policy/Management Issues: Groundwater Management PlansGroundwater Management Plans

-- Control of salt water intrusionControl of salt water intrusion -- Management of wellhead protection and recharge Management of wellhead protection and recharge

areasareas -- Regulate migration of contaminated groundwaterRegulate migration of contaminated groundwater -- Well abandonment programWell abandonment program -- Mitigation of overdraftMitigation of overdraft -- Replenishment of groundwaterReplenishment of groundwater -- Facilitate conjunctive use operationsFacilitate conjunctive use operations -- Monitor groundwater (levels of storage)Monitor groundwater (levels of storage) -- Well construction policiesWell construction policies -- Construct and operate cleanConstruct and operate clean--up, recharge, up, recharge,

storage, conservation, recycling, and storage, conservation, recycling, and extraction projectsextraction projects

-- Review of land use plans and coordination with Review of land use plans and coordination with land use agenciesland use agencies

Comprehensive Watershed Planning, Management and Implementation

Watershed Management Planning: Free Ecosystem Watershed Management Planning: Free Ecosystem Functions and Services from the WatershedFunctions and Services from the Watershed

1.1. Flood water storageFlood water storage2.2. Water quality filteringWater quality filtering3.3. Habitat for many species Habitat for many species

(floodplains are often essential to (floodplains are often essential to to juvenile fish)to juvenile fish)

4.4. Soil deposition and nutrient Soil deposition and nutrient cycling; farming valuecycling; farming value

5.5. Water supplyWater supply6.6. Rivers are the water supply Rivers are the water supply

infrastructure (conveyance)infrastructure (conveyance)7.7. Recreation and aestheticsRecreation and aesthetics8.8. Ground water rechargeGround water recharge9.9. Sediment transport and Sediment transport and

depositiondeposition

Sustainable Water Resources

OVERVIEW OF WATERSHEDS

A River?

Napa River Watershed Plan:

Working together to solve problems

Before

After

What can be done at the City, Community or General Plan Level

General Plans: Addressing Water General Plans: Addressing Water

Required for all cities and counties – 7 elements

Constitution for growth and conservation

Develop GP land use map alternatives that address water resources issues directly

Determine “where you grow”

Determine “how you grow”

Incorporate water management policies in the GP

Analyze water issues carefully in the EIR

Develop a Water Element as part of the GP or in Conservation or Public Facilities Element

Example of Determining How Much to Grow and Where: Santa Barbara’s General Plan Process Addressing Water Supply

Complex and Integrated Portfolio Water Complex and Integrated Portfolio Water Management Means Careful Water Management Means Careful Water Accounting (The Water Balance)Accounting (The Water Balance)

Need for Accurate Demand Need for Accurate Demand Estimates and ProjectionsEstimates and Projections

Long range supply planningLong range supply planningSystem facilities sizing and schedulingSystem facilities sizing and schedulingRevenue forecasts for rate studiesRevenue forecasts for rate studiesConservation and recycling planningConservation and recycling planningMeeting the tests of water/land use laws Meeting the tests of water/land use laws like 221 and 610like 221 and 610Other land use and infrastructure planning Other land use and infrastructure planning like wastewaterlike wastewaterBeing as careful as we can with waterBeing as careful as we can with water

Determine Land Use Categories

Develop Existing Polygons

Develop Future

Polygons within SOI

Identify Unique Water

Users

Phase Future

Polygons

Apply Unit Demands to Land Use Polygons

WATER DEMANDS

Develop Unit Demands from Consumption

Data

Adjust to Reflect Density Ranges

Modify to Reflect Future Conservation

Land Use ApproachLand Use Approach

Use Same Land Use Data Base for Water, Land Use Same Land Use Data Base for Water, Land Use, Wastewater, Habitat Conservation, Use, Wastewater, Habitat Conservation,

TransportationTransportation……

Base MapBase Map

BoundariesBoundaries

Existing Land UsesExisting Land Uses

General Plan Land UsesGeneral Plan Land Uses

Increased DensitiesIncreased Densities

Nodal PolygonsNodal Polygons

• Hydraulic Model Pipe Nodes• Selected Demand Nodes • Redevelopment

• Infill• Mixed Uses• TODs

• Planned Land Use Designations

• Phase in 5 Year Increments

• City Limits orService Area

• Sphere of Influence• Study Area• Pressure Zones

• Actual Residential Densities

• Irrigated Park• Industrial Grouped

by Water Use

• Streets• Parcels• Pipes

GIS Layers Needed for Demand Estimating

Example of Demand Calculation Tool

Urban Water Management Urban Water Management PlansPlans

Urban Water Management PlansUrban Water Management Plans: : WhatWhat’’s in them?s in them?

1. Plan Adoption, Participation, and Coordination1. Plan Adoption, Participation, and Coordination2. History of Growth, Existing Water Facilities 2. History of Growth, Existing Water Facilities 3.3. Past, Current, Projected Water Supply (including Past, Current, Projected Water Supply (including

groundwater and water quality)groundwater and water quality)in 5in 5--year increments, average, dry and 3 year worst caseyear increments, average, dry and 3 year worst case

4. Past, Current, Projected Water Use 4. Past, Current, Projected Water Use 5. Water Conservation Programs5. Water Conservation Programs6. Water Shortage Contingency Analysis6. Water Shortage Contingency Analysis7.7. Recycled Water, Transfers, Conjunctive UseRecycled Water, Transfers, Conjunctive Use

8.8. Excellent tool for 221, 610 and CEQA ReviewsExcellent tool for 221, 610 and CEQA Reviews

Determining How to Grow

Efficient Land Use and Community Design

Sustainable Site Design

Natural Infrastructure

Efficient Water Use

Implementation Principlesiples

The Form and Location of New Development and Redevelopment has a lot to do with Water Resources

Water demand, cost of infrastructure and service, water quality, economies of scale for wastewater and water,

drainage and runoff

“Infrastructure Nightmare”

Development Patterns

Development Patterns

Create a water element for your general Create a water element for your general planplan

Combine all of the hydrologic Combine all of the hydrologic cycle into one elementcycle into one elementIncorporate new water supply Incorporate new water supply requirements by including requirements by including local water purveyors planslocal water purveyors plansIncorporate wastewater and Incorporate wastewater and recycling plans to locate recycling plans to locate demand sitesdemand sitesIncorporate stream and Incorporate stream and wetland protection, as well as wetland protection, as well as retention drainage policies to retention drainage policies to address water quality and address water quality and recharge issuesrecharge issuesSonoma County, Calaveras Sonoma County, Calaveras County and Yolo County County and Yolo County examplesexamples

Contents of a Water ElementWater supply/demandWater supply/demandWater Water quality/wastewater quality/wastewater treatmenttreatmentStorm Water Storm Water ManagementManagementFlood Risk ReductionFlood Risk ReductionWatershed Watershed ManagementManagementProtection of Aquatic Protection of Aquatic ResourcesResources

Benefits of a Water ElementBenefits of a Water ElementAccessible information for Accessible information for the public in one readable the public in one readable documentdocumentUse same data base, Use same data base, assumptions and assumptions and projections for all water projections for all water infrastructureinfrastructureFind linkages between water Find linkages between water use, conservation, recycling, use, conservation, recycling, wastewater, and drainage wastewater, and drainage Assist in storm water and Assist in storm water and related quality permitsrelated quality permitsPromote watershed Promote watershed management approachmanagement approach

Specific Plans, Community Plans & Major ProjectsSpecific Plans, Community Plans & Major ProjectsHydrologic cycle as a major organizing principal Water Supply Management as part of project– Intensive Water Supply/ Demand Analysis– Increased recycled water use – Increased levels of conservation, grey water, storm water

Creative infrastructure standardsCreative financing optionsPhysical Design Standards– Modify project – change mix of land uses, change location of land

uses, change densities, change landscape features or design– Aquifer recharge zoning– Riparian setbacks/protection– Retention and drainage facility standards (multi-use)– Restoration of channels, wetlands, etc.– Low Impact development: bio-retention, pervious surfacing, parking

lot design

Soquel Village Specific Plan, Santa Cruz County

“Green” Road Standards

Green Street ProjectsGreen Street Projects

Water Conservation: what can planners do?Water Conservation: what can planners do?

Most of the Most of the ““easyeasy”” stuff is already stuff is already happening like efficient plumbing happening like efficient plumbing Ways we can further Ways we can further ““squeeze the spongesqueeze the sponge””

Ensure full implementation of Ensure full implementation of established Best Management Practicesestablished Best Management PracticesCompact Growth, Sustainable DesignCompact Growth, Sustainable DesignLandscape Water Savings !Landscape Water Savings !Recycled waterRecycled waterExtraExtra--ordinary ordinary ““greengreen”” building building approaches like rain water capture and approaches like rain water capture and gray watergray waterStorm water retention (LID) Storm water retention (LID)

““Above and BeyondAbove and Beyond””: Water Conservation becomes a : Water Conservation becomes a collaborative institutional issue between land use and water collaborative institutional issue between land use and water

agenciesagencies

Sustainable Water Resources

SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING: Desert Friendly Guidelines??

Apply a holistic approach to landscape and site design, construction and maintenance.