Integrated Water Management at the Peri-Urban Interface: A Case Study of Monterey, California

Water, Multidisciplinary Publishing Institute (MDPI) | December 21st, 2020

Climate change, drought, and chronic overdraft represent growing threats to the sustainability of water supplies in dry environments. The Monterey/Salinas region in Cali

Climate change, drought, and chronic overdraft represent growing threats to the sustainability of water supplies in dry environments. The Monterey/Salinas region in California exemplifies a new era of integrated or “one water” management that is using all of the water it can get to achieve more sustainable supplies to benefit cities, agriculture, and the environment. This program is the first of its kind to reuse a variety of waters including wastewater, stormwater, food industry processing water, and agricultural drainage water. This study investigates the partnerships, projects, and innovations that shape Monterey’s integrated water network in order to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing California communities as they seek to sustainably manage peri-urban water supplies.Water reuse in the Monterey region produces substantial economic and environmental benefits, from tourism and irrigation of high-value crops to protection of groundwater and increases in environmental flows and water quality.Water resource managers in other communities can learn fromMonterey’s success leveraging local needs and regional partnerships to develop effective integrated water solutions. However, key challenges remain in resolving mismatched timing between water availability and demand, funding alternative water supplies, and planning effectively under uncertainty. Opportunities exist to increase Monterey’s recycled water supply by up to 50%, but this requires investment in seasonal storage and depends on whether desalination or additional recycling forms the next chapter in the region’s water supply story. Regulatory guidance is needed on seasonal subsurface storage of tertiary-treated recycled water as distinct from potable recharge. By increasing the supply of recycled water to Monterey’s indirect potable use system, the region’s potential need for seawater desalination may be delayed as much as 30 years, resulting in cost and energy savings, and giving the opportunity to resolve present planning concerns.

Integrated Water Resources Plan 2015 Update

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) | January 1st, 2016

In California water, uncertainty comes with the territory. Being unprepared for tomorrow, however, is simply not an option. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern C

In California water, uncertainty comes with the territory. Being unprepared for tomorrow, however, is simply not an option. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California prepares for tomorrow with an evolving long-term water strategy known as its Integrated Water Resources Plan, or IRP. The inaugural IRP was adopted in 1996, with updates in 2004 and 2010. The 2015 IRP Update continues the tradition of assessing and adapting to changing conditions facing Southern California. The fundamental goal of the IRP is for Southern California to have as reliable a water system for tomorrow as the region has enjoyed for decades, regardless of the challenges that emerge along the way. Metropolitan plans to meet this goal through an adaptive management strategy that is the cornerstone of the 2015 IRP Update. Metropolitan was authorized by the California Legislature in 1928 to advance a regional approach to water supply in Southern California. Metropolitan’s initial mission was to construct the 242-mile Colorado River Aqueduct to its service area on the Southern California coastal plain. Metropolitan’s service area had an assessed property valuation of approximately $2 billion at the time. Now Metropolitan serves a six-county service area with a property valuation of approximately $2 trillion. Metropolitan imports supplies from both the Colorado River and Northern California via the State Water Project while investing in a variety of storage, local supply and conservation initiatives. Metropolitan has a long record of promoting alternatives to imported water supplies, dating back to the 1980s. With the IRP, that process became more formalized as a long-term strategy and official policy. Metropolitan has steadily diversified the future water portfolio for Southern California with each revision to the IRP. This update is no exception. Investments to maintain the reliability of imported supplies are complemented by an expansion of local supply development along with a reduction in demand through a variety of conservation and water-use efficiency initiatives. The necessary suite of actions evolves over time based on the water conditions of tomorrow. Updating the IRP creates a new baseline for managing into the future.

LA Sustainable Water Project: Los Angeles City-Wide Overview

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | February 1st, 2018

This report assesses the potential to improve water quality standards while integrating complementary One Water Management practices that can increase potential local wat

This report assesses the potential to improve water quality standards while integrating complementary One Water Management practices that can increase potential local water supplies for the City of Los Angeles (the City).  This final report summarizes the current practices and future opportunities at the City-owned Water Reclamation Plants and underlying groundwater basins and highlights the importance of considering all aspects of integrated water management even when dealing with water quality or supply-focused projects. Implementing watershed-scale best management practice programs to meet stormwater permit requirements will significantly improve water quality in all watersheds.  However, additional mechanisms such as increasing Low Impact Development implementation and comprehensive source tracking and source control mechanisms will be required to potentially eliminate water quality exceedances.  There are multiple efforts occurring in the City and the region to increase the recharge of recycled water into the ground and the volumes of remediated groundwater extracted. This research further assessed the impacts of potential water supply portfolios, with greater volumes of locally-supplied water, on GHG emissions and energy needs of supplying LA’s water.  Conservation will be another powerful tool to decrease our dependence on imported water.  This research demonstrates the complex interrelationships between all aspects of urban water management, including, for example, stormwater management and local water supply.

Lessons from California’s 2012–2016 Drought

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) | October 1st, 2018

California’s 5-year drought has ended, even as its aftermath lingers. From 2012–2016 much or all of California was under severe drought conditions, with gre

California’s 5-year drought has ended, even as its aftermath lingers. From 2012–2016 much or all of California was under severe drought conditions, with greatly diminished precipitation, snowpack, and streamflow and higher temperatures. Water shortages to forests, aquatic ecosystems, hydroelectric power plants, rural drinking water supplies, agriculture, and cities caused billions of dollars in economic losses, killed millions of forest trees, brought several fish species closer to extinction, and caused inconvenience and some expense to millions of households and businesses. The drought also brought innovations and improvements in water management, some of which will better prepare California for future droughts. This paper summarizes the magnitude and impacts of the 2012–2016 California drought. The paper then reviews innovations arising from the drought in the larger historical context of water management in California. Lessons for California and for modern drought management are then discussed. Droughts in modern, well-managed water systems serving globalized economies need not be economically catastrophic, but will always have impacts and challenges, particularly for native ecosystems. In California and every other water system, droughts usefully expose weaknesses and inadequate preparation in water management. In this regard for California, managers of ecosystems and small rural water supplies had the most to learn.

Los Angeles Basin Stormwater Conservation Study: Plan of Study

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | February 28th, 2013

Imported water supplies to Los Angeles County, California, are uncertain due to periodic droughts in northern California and the Colorado River Basin, court decisions r

Imported water supplies to Los Angeles County, California, are uncertain due to periodic droughts in northern California and the Colorado River Basin, court decisions related to endangered species in the Bay Delta, and potential allocations of Colorado River water. Changing demographics, climate variability, and the competing interest for available water present additional long-term risks to the stability and reliability of imported water. Accordingly, various Los Angeles area agencies with water management authority, such as the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD), are actively pursuing a strategy aimed at achieving water independence by developing local water resources such as stormwater. The LACFCD is the primary agency for conducting groundwater replenishment operations in Los Angeles County. In typical years, the LACFCD infiltrates more than 270,000 acre-feet of captured stormwater, imported water, and recycled water into the various groundwater basins in Los Angeles County. In wetter years, that number can exceed 700,000 acre-feet and, in drier years, may be little more than 150,000 acre-feet. LACFCD partnered with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) Southern California Area Office to study long-term flood control and water conservation impacts from projected population and climate conditions. The Los Angeles Basin Stormwater Conservation Study (Basin Study) will recommend potential changes to the operation of stormwater capture systems, modifications to existing facilities, and development of new facilities that could help resolve future flood control and water supply issues. The Los Angeles River, San Gabriel River, Ballona Creek, South Santa Monica Bay, North Santa Monica Bay, and Dominguez Channel/Los Angeles Harbor watersheds (Watersheds) are the focus of this Basin Study (figure 1). This study incorporates the entire watershed boundaries, including where they extend outside Los Angeles County. The Watersheds share attributes such as overlapping municipal and water agency boundaries, an interconnected flood control system, and a common planning purpose with major ongoing planning efforts like the Greater Los Angeles County Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP), Gateway IRWMP and the Metropolitan Water District Integrated Resources Plan. Related links: Los Angeles Basin Study Summary Report Task 2: Water Supply and Demand Analysis Click here for Reclamation's index of inter-related LA Basin Study reports and appendices.

Los Angeles County Water Plan 2023

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACDPW) | December 5th, 2023

Over 200 agencies in Los Angeles County manage a complex network of water systems to meet the needs of our communities and environment. To achieve sustainability, resilie

Over 200 agencies in Los Angeles County manage a complex network of water systems to meet the needs of our communities and environment. To achieve sustainability, resilience, and equity, cross-sector teamwork and a holistic approach to best leverage natural systems and infrastructure are essential. This plan is a living document. The targets, strategies, and actions are a starting point in this effort. The CWP is not intended to address every water-related issue in Los Angeles County. Instead, it builds upon and complements the many existing local and regional water planning efforts by focusing on four key focal areas where new or additional regional collaboration can add value. These four key focal areas were established through a gaps analysis, which included a review of local and regional planning documents, along with initial stakeholder discussions encompassing a variety of perspectives. For each of the four key focal areas, the CWP describes shared desired outcomes, identified by Public Works through discussions with numerous groups and individuals. During our gaps analysis, Public Works evaluated disparities in water resilience throughout the County and specifically selected a focal area to address a pressing need. The CWP provides an approach for achieving these desired outcomes through collaboration and a platform for measuring progress.

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Urban Water Management Plan 2015

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) | July 1st, 2016

The California Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act-effective January 1, 1984) requires that every urban water supplier prepare and adopt an UWMP every five years

The California Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act-effective January 1, 1984) requires that every urban water supplier prepare and adopt an UWMP every five years. The main objective of producing these plans is to confirm that cities are performing the advance planning necessary to provide reliable water service in the future. Specifically, the UWMP forecasts future water demands and water supplies under average and dry year conditions; identifies future water supply projects such as recycled water; provides a summary of water conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs); and provides a single and multi-dry year management strategy. I. Chapters 1-3 Introduction / Water Demands / Water Conservation 2. Chapters 4-8 Recycled Water / Los Angeles Aqueduct System / Groundwater / Watershed Management / Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Supplies 3. Chapters 9-12 Other Water Supplies - Transfers, Brackish Water Recovery, Seawater Desalination / Integrated Resources Planning / Water Supply Reliability and Financial Integrity / Sustainable City pLAn Targets for Conservation and Local Supplies / Water Shortage Contingency Plan / Water Supply Assessments / Climate Change and Water-Energy Nexus Appendix A: Urban Water Management Planning Act Appendix B: Management Plan Checklist Appendix C: Water Rate Ordinance Appendix D: Public Notices, Outreach, Comments Appendix E: References Appendix F: Groundwater Basin Adjudications San Fernando Basin – Judgment 650079 Sylmar Basin – Judgment 650079 Verdugo Basin – Judgment 650079 Eagle Rock Basin – Judgment 650079 Sylmar Stipulation – Judgment 650079 West Coast Basin – Judgment 506806 Central Basin – Judgment 786656  

Memorandum of Understanding by and among Colorado River Basin Municipal and Public Water Providers

Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) | November 15th, 2022

Mojave Region Functionally Equivalent Storm Water Resources Plan

Mojave Water Agency (MWA) | October 4th, 2017

The State of California now recognizes the importance of incorporating storm water as a potential resource in a region’s water portfolio. Historically, storm water was

The State of California now recognizes the importance of incorporating storm water as a potential resource in a region’s water portfolio. Historically, storm water was thought of as a public risk (e.g., flooding) and a source of water quality impairment. Traditional approaches for storm water focused on diverting storm water into the storm drain system which ultimately and efficiently moved said water away from populated areas; the State is now supporting watershed-based approaches where storm water and dry weather runoff can yield benefits beyond flood control, such as water supply, water quality improvement, and habitat enhancement. To incentivize use of storm water, the State of California has linked storm water resources planning to state funding. Storm water and dry weather runoff capture projects seeking funding from any California bond act approved by voters after January 1, 2014 must be included in a Storm Water Resources Plan, which meets California Water Code. Regional water planning has a long history in the Mojave region. In 2005, agencies in the Mojave service area, that share a common concern for the area’s water resources, met and agreed to develop an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP). The Region’s first IRWMP identified, defined, and established strategies to capitalize on all water management opportunities that were present at that time or would become possible in the Mojave Region in the future. Since that time the IRWMP has acted as a forum for regular collaboration. The IRWMP is a living document and the regional objectives as well as strategies to improvement water management are regularly updated. The IRWMP was last updated in 2014. This Mojave Region Storm Water Resource Plan (SWRP) is an extension of the IRWMP process and is meant to bring an integrated and watershed-based approach to managing and creating benefits from storm water. This SWRP is regional and multi-agency. This SWRP includes all components required by the Water Code and will be submitted to the IRWM group. This SWRP will help entities in the Mojave Region identify, prioritize, and implement storm water projects.

Mojave Water Agency 2004 Regional Water Management Plan

Mojave Water Agency (MWA) | December 8th, 2005

This document supplements the Urban Water Management Plan element of the Mojave Water Agency (MWA) 2004 Regional Water Management Plan (RWMP). The RWMP is the master pl

This document supplements the Urban Water Management Plan element of the Mojave Water Agency (MWA) 2004 Regional Water Management Plan (RWMP). The RWMP is the master plan for MWA water management activities through the year 2020. This update provides additional information to meet 2005 Urban Water Management Plan update requirements, especially a projection of supply and demand through at least 2025. The 2005 Urban Water Management Plan is fully described in the 2004 RWMP as updated by this supplement with supply and demand projections through 2030.