SUSTAINABLE PACIFIC GROVE
POSTITION PAPER
SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
May 1, 2008
“Sustainability is achieved when the needs of the present are met without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
UN World Commission on Environment & Development
A NEW VISION FOR WATER
Sustainable Pacific Grove is committed to finding a sustainable solution to its water needs, whereby to the extent possible, its inhabitants use water from locally available sources derived from rainfall, condensation and groundwater. Reliance on regional supplies is to be further reduced through conservation and reuse of water.
For a moment, imagine a new future with a sustainable supply.
Sometime In the Near Future….
Imagine that we have rediscovered the local watershed in Pacific Grove. We start by learning to value the 18 inches of water that falls each year to the ground in Pacific Grove. We open up creeks and streams that have diverted our water into rain gutters, culverts, storm drains, and the sewer. Instead of treating this water as “waste”, we recognize that it must play a major role in providing water for local residents and for wildlife. We install cisterns and tanks in our yards. By removing lawns and ornamental plantings and replanting with natives, we are able to have enough water to run drip lines to home gardens to produce some of our food. We rebuild the old reservoir on David Avenue and we use reservoir water to water school yards, parks, the golf course, and to recreate areas of natural wetlands. We work together to daylight creeks that once ran free so that they provide wet areas for birds, and other wildlife. The creeks are also able to provide water for areas to recreate and to grow fruit trees and community gardens.
School children are able to help in tending gardens and trees that are irrigated by water that once flooded the school yard. They also can learn of the importance of water in the natural environment.
Imagine that we learn to use water more than once in our homes and business. Water from our sinks is used to flush toilets. Instead of pouring clean water down the drain, we use it to run our washing machines or to grow vegetables.
Imagine also that we stop polluting water with chemicals and pesticides and that we protect our ground and surface water so that it will not harm the bay. Before this clean water even reaches the bay imagine that it is retained in small ponds and later provides water for gardens, recreation areas, and natural habitats. These wetlands act as natural cleaners, filtering out harmful contaminants that would otherwise harm the marine environment.
Imagine that we can take pride in our reduced dependence on the Carmel River Watershed and that by limiting our importation of distant water we have also done our part to help to reestablish the Carmel River habitat. We have learned to use the water that falls naturally within Pacific Grove and we have learned to respect each drop, making sure that it can replenish people, plants and animals before it reaches the bay.
SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY DEFINED
A truly sustainable water supply is one that is based on the water available within the local watershed and derived from water captured from rainfall that would otherwise flow through local waterways to the sea or from groundwater aquifers that are replenished through natural seepage or injection. For the historical town of Pacific Grove, development has already occurred that exceeds the natural carrying capacity of the local watershed. The result is that Pacific Grove will need to continue its dependence on the Carmel River and Seaside Basins for some portion of its water supply. Pacific Grove can, however, do much more to enhance retention and use of locally available water, and ensure more careful stewardship of water coming from distant sources.
Creating a sustainable water supply in Pacific Grove will mean planning for a water supply that will be available during all times of the year, during extended droughts, and during periods with energy disruptions due to inclement weather or other unforeseen events. It also means increasing household and community water storage as a part of the City’s emergency preparedness plans for times of drought, earthquake, homelands security and other disasters. Additionally, to have a sustainable supply will also require taking into account the potential impacts of climate change and energy shortages. We must find ways to save and use water carefully and avoid water choices that will increase our energy use. A sustainable water supply will also mean local management of water resources. By placing the decision making authority with those who are most directly impacted, there is an inherent sense of stewardship to both protect water supplies and maintain infrastructure for today and for future generations.
The ultimate aim of a sustainable water supply is to become as self-reliant as possible and to recognize that water is not to be wasted rather is to be treated as a precious resource in which every drop counts.
CURRENT SITUATION
Pacific Grove is located on an arid peninsula prone to periodic drought, with limited rainfall (18-20 inches a year on average) largely spread over six months of the year. Currently there is no system to capture naturally occurring streams, springs, rainfall, and heavy condensation within its boundaries, and there is scant natural groundwater storage capacity within Pacific Grove. Therefore, the local water supply is now almost totally derived from the Carmel River and wells in the Seaside Groundwater Basin. These regional water supplies are wholly dependent on rainfall and have natural storage in groundwater sufficient for an estimated 18-24 months during a drought.
Pacific Grove is subject to the same restrictions as other cities within the regional water management district when emergency rationing or moratoriums are put in place. In 1995 the State of California declared that California American (Cal Am), the regional water purveyor, was over-pumping to the detriment of the biological resources of the Carmel River, and was exceeding its legal water rights (by 75%) in Order 95-10. In early 2008 the State reiterated that over-pumping must stop and has warned that they may order existing use be reduced by 15% beginning October 2008, with a 50% reduction by October 2014.
To address the problem of over-pumping, a number of regional proposals have been introduced and a number are now being investigated. Of these, Sustainable Pacific Grove supports those proposals that focus on increased local harvesting of rainwater, wastewater reclamation and conservation. Alternatives that focus on the desalination of water have less merit. This is because desalination requires high amounts of energy to both treat and pump water long distances. As the cost of oil and natural gas continues to rise, relying on energy intensive technology will mean extremely high water bills and have a large impact on the local power gird. While the use of alternative renewable energy sources (e.g. methane gas from the land fill) may offset some of the energy related impacts, it is questionable that such sources are currently available in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of a large-scale desalination facility. Before we consider adoption of energy intensive and expensive water alternative, we should first turn to the far less costly alternatives of rainwater harvesting, wastewater reclamation and conservation.
WATER COLLECTION POTENTIAL
Pacific Grove has the potential to harvest a large amount of water from a neglected source which can contribute significantly towards increasing water security for its residents, especially during prolonged drought, and compliance with Order 95-10. This water source is rainfall which to date is mainly lost through runoff into storm drains which empty into the Monterey Bay.
At present, minimal amounts of storm water run-off are retained or stored in Pacific Grove. While a small portion of the city now has an urban runoff collection system tied into the local sewers, this system, developed as a pollution prevention measure to protect the local marine environment, operates only during the dry season and is actually designed to send away local water away from our local watershed.
As we begin to consider ways to augment our water supply, the opportunity to collect, store, and reuse water within Pacific Grove must be explored. Preliminary rough estimates indicate that between 60-120% of local irrigation needs for the City’s golf course, parks, and cemetery along with residential uses could be met by capturing between 25-50 percent of the annual rainfall falling on roofs, roadways, and other impervious surfaces. By opening streams and creeks, restoring local watersheds, building local holding ponds, installing cisterns and holding tanks, and building swales, we can divert water from gutters and streets, recharge local aquifers, and provide water for irrigation of parks, golf courses, school grounds, and residential yards. Cisterns and holding tanks to capture rainwater in winter months can also be used to collect heavy condensation from fog during other months.
Currently, the average family in Pacific Grove uses about 130 gallons of potable water per day. However, rainwater harvesting and use could potentially serve the needs of much of the residential irrigation uses which account for about 25% of residential use, thereby reducing stress on the current water supply and dependence on a single water purveyor (Cal-Am).
Though some rainwater will always be lost through ground percolation, transpiration, and unstoppable seepage, a vast amount of rainwater can be harvested within Pacific Grove’s landmass (including from storm drains, roofs, pavements, etc.), and even some ground percolation may be recoverable through the tapping of natural springs and/or groundwater wells. With a area of 700 acres of impervious surface (1830 acres of total land area) and an annual average rainfall of 18 inches, approximately 960 acre feet (or 950,000 gallons a day average) of rainwater falls on Pacific Grove’s roofs, roads, etc. of which there is potential to harvest up to 50 percent of that water. One acre-foot of water is equal to 325,850 gallons, enough water to supply over six single family dwellings in Pacific Grove for a full year (with an average daily consumption of about 130 gallons).
While fog collection potential is not currently included in calculations, it too can contribute to the local irrigation water supply for some limited applications.
It is not unrealistic to assume that residents could immediately take action to harvest about 10 percent of their needs through simple roof-catchments and storage techniques. In addition, the city could capture a large portion of storm-water for reuse.
WATER CONSERVATION
Most residents and business are currently conserving water in Pacific Grove. However, there is much more that can be done. Within the community, there continues to be a wide disparity between the highest and lowest users. If water conservation efforts were targeted at the highest users the greatest results can be achieved. These users should pay much higher rates and have strong disincentives to limit their use to levels appropriate for their household or business size. Widespread use of drip irrigation systems, rain sensitive timers, nozzles, and low flow devices can be encouraged through direct neighborhood marketing efforts.
Additionally replanting programs should be developed and promoted to encourage property owners to move away from lawns and water intensive ornamental plantings. Programs that encourage converting lawns to edible plantings or drought tolerant gardens have been undertaken throughout more arid areas of the United States. One program in Las Vegas notes that "lawns may be a luxury we can't afford" and pays homeowners $1.50 per square foot to remove their lawns and put in climate-friendly landscapes.
Additional steps to inform visitors of the real water problems in Pacific Grove can also be taken. In working with local hospitality owners, Pacific Grove can consider the adoption of local ordinances that requiring reduce laundry in hotels and inns. These steps are being taken by other cities and provided needed support for owners to inform guests of the conservation imperatives in the area.
WATER REUSE
County and city rules now limit the use of grey water in homes and businesses. Currently, water "touches" one activity while a sustainable water use program allows water to "touch" several activities. For example, water use for showering allows one "touch." But a grey water system allows that "used" water to "touch" again in the soil, into ornamental plants. In other counties it is becoming more and more common to see fixtures that capture water in the washbasin and divert it to the toilet tank. Thereby, making sure that the water has at least two touches. By working with county officials, opportunities for reusing water can be explored. Shower and bath water along with laundry water are the candidate sources for consideration in the development of grey water systems.
CONCLUSION
With time, Pacific Grove can dramatically increase its local water supply and use. This local water potential can be optimally increased through:
• Improved attitudes - placing a higher value on water by recognizing it as a finite resource vital to sustaining the local environment and eco-systems, contributing to solutions to global warming, essential to social and economic development; and looking at rainwater and “grey water” as a valuable resource instead of “wastewater” and “runoff.”
• Improved behavior – applying water conservation practices (reduction, reuse and recycling) to every aspect of life in Pacific Grove, making appropriate revisions to water codes and permit processes to provide incentives, and encourage sharing of examples, experience and improved technologies.
• Working together – to make this vision a reality requires grassroots groups, individuals, business owners, hospitality workers, government departments (including building, health, public works, schools, etc.), and others work together to set priorities towards a common goal, map out what needs to be done, who is best positioned or equipped to address it, when it needs to be done, what resources are needed to do it, costs, etc. It also needs political will and commitment to facilitate the process.
TERMS
Rainwater from roof - has few pollutants other than particles of roof debris, and possibly bacteriological contaminants e.g., bird droppings. Rainwater from roofs usually need only simple filtration and is excellent for direct garden and laundry use without further treatment. It is a good source of soft water and is the least complicated recycle option. For domestic hygiene, e.g., showers, it is suggested to further treat/disinfect roof rainwater.
Household grey water - is the product of laundry, dishwashing, food preparation, and showering. It contains, fats, soap, detergent, nitrates, and is usually biologically contaminated in different degrees. Therefore grey water needs treatment to filter and disinfect it, e.g., remove fats, salts, and kill pathogens, etc., depending on its end use. The ideal use of gray water is for flushing toilets, but with simple treatment could be used for irrigation.
Storm water runoff - is rainwater that runs off roads, sidewalks and lawns and usually contains contaminants such as fertilizers, pesticides, oil, heavy metal, and other chemicals. This water needs filtration as well as treatment depending on what it will be used for. The ideal use of storm water runoff is for flushing toilets. It can be used for irrigating non-food gardening (e.g., grass, shrubs, ornamental trees, etc.)
Attachment A
PACIFIC GROVE - A SUSTAINABLE WATER PILOT PROJECT
Pacific Grove can serve as a model community for testing and developing concepts related to water harvesting, collection, conservation, and reuse. By reclaiming the water that comes to Pacific Grove in the form of rainfall, we can also showcase how streams and creeks can be restored providing both habitat areas and areas for gardens. Through this project, we hope to demonstrate proven, new, and emerging methods to conserve, collect, store, and reuse water with an emphasis on developing safe, affordable and easily manufactured devices and systems for household, hospitality and business use. By developing sound and low-cost systems we can conserve water while also protecting public health, sustaining the environment, and stimulating the local economy.
The project envisions grants and private contributions funding the acquisition of needed equipment (tanks, pipes, plumbing, and pumps) and that local agency will join with Pacific Grove in a partnership in redrafting regulations that currently constrain conservation efforts.
This project will:
• Determine how much water is used currently by government, residential, commercial and other uses in Pacific Grove and consider areas where the most impact can be achieved.
• Identify as many methods as possible to reduce, reuse, and recycle available piped and naturally-sourced water. Review water saving products that are available for use in city buildings, residences, and commercial properties.
• Network with other like-minded cities and communities to learn from experiences and share lessons learned. Learn of successes and failures and develop list of incentive/disincentive techniques.
• Establish partnerships with concerned regulatory agencies to redraft regulations concerning water quality, storage, conveyance, and reuse to maintain public health and safety whilst optimizing conservation.
• Encourage and promote the use of low-water, drought tolerant and xeroscape gardening (currently approximately 25% of all water consumed in Pacific Grove goes to gardens and other external uses). Develop inventory of areas of throughout the city currently in lawn (golf course, parks, cemetery, schools, and other large areas). Develop program to encourage removal of unneeded lawns and replacement with drought tolerant and edible plantings.
• Promote collection and storage of storm water in publicly-owned reservoirs for treatment and use (e.g. golf courses, parks, school yards, etc.).
• Identify and map other potential water collection opportunities (creeks, streams, urban runoff areas,) and map locations in the city for storage facilities. Develop a watershed plan to maximize the use of local water from natural springs and creeks for habitat restoration, and irrigation.
• Review and update previous regional reclamation/reuse project and irrigation proposals for wastewater reuse by the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency and others to identify irrigation needs.
• Promote/develop home and community “rainwater harvesting”. Identify available source and types of cisterns and tanks, water saving plumbing fixtures, drip irrigation, low-flow nozzles, screens. Consider a sponsoring a bulk buying program.
• Evaluate the potential for the collection of condensation through “fog catchers”.
• Promote/develop the safe reuse of “grey water” (e.g., for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation). Meet with regulatory agencies to redraft regulations concerning water quality, grey water usage, rainwater storage, conveyance and reuse. (City of Pacific Grove, County, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, State Health Department);
• Seek changes in ordinances that prevent further water saving steps or reduce incentives to conservation or innovation. Amend building code to incorporate Green Building concepts and promoting water conservation (e.g. allowing curb cutaways, permeable pavement materials, green roofs, catchment and storage).
• Promote water conservation in the business and hospitality sectors (e.g., reduced laundry in hotels and restaurants, “go green” concept); Develop model pilot program concepts to test effectiveness with different user groups (highest users, more moderate users, etc.)
• Seek grants and private contributions to fund equipment, technologies and expertise (including educational institutions) for designing and developing water collection, storage treatment and conveyance systems. Seek funding to assist property owners with installation, including bulk purchase programs. Prepare instruction manuals, illustrating materials needed, plumbing, and installation.
• Promote the project and its experience as a model for replication on the Peninsula and elsewhere in California. Prepare informational material to assist other cities and communities in developing more sustainable water supplies and practices.
|
