Addressing the Statewide Drought

1. Addressing the Statewide Drought Water Efficiency Strategies 2014

2. Overview “On average, 75 percent of the state’s average annual precipitation occurs between November and March, with half of it occurringbetween December and February” (CA Water Board, 2012). • Introduction • Terminology • Currently • Water Conservation Efforts • Results • Risks and Exposure • Q&A Currently we are at 20% of average precipitation… trends suggest that by the close of the precipitation period in March we will be see the driest year on record in the state!

3. Introduction Moral of the Story: Fresh water is rare and precious.

4. Introduction

5. Terminology • CCF: Measure of liquid volume referring to one hundred cubic feet or 748 gallons. • Drought: “There are many ways that drought can be defined. Some ways can be quantified, such as meteorological drought (period of below normal precipitation) or hydrologic drought (period of below average runoff), others are more qualitative in nature (shortage of water for a particular purpose). There is no universal definition of when a drought begins or ends. Drought is a gradual phenomenon” (CA Water Board, 2012).

6. Terminology: State of Emergency • State agencies, led by the Department of Water Resources, will execute a statewide water conservation campaign to make all Californians aware of the drought and encourage personal actions to reduce water usage. This campaign will be built on the existing Save Our Water campaign (www.saveourh20.org) and will coordinate with local water agencies. This campaign will call on Californians to reduce their water usage by 20 percent.

7. Terminology: State of Emergency • Local urban water suppliers and municipalities are called upon to implement their local water shortage contingency plans immediately in order to avoid or forestall outright restrictions that could become necessary later in the drought season. Local water agencies should also update their legally required urban and agricultural water management plans, which help plan for extended drought conditions. The Department of Water Resources will make the status of these updates publicly available.

8. Terminology: State of Emergency • State agencies, led by the Department of General Services, will immediately implement water use reduction plans for all state facilities. These plans will include immediate water conservation actions, and a moratorium will be placed on new, non-essential landscaping projects at state facilities and on state highways and roads.

9. Currently: Water Usage

10. Currently: Gross Square Footage

11. Currently: Water Charges

12. Currently: Cost Per CCF* *Does not include applicable surcharges

13. Currently: Cost Per CCF* *Includes all applicable surcharges

14. Water Conservation: Process in Summary

15. Currently: In Summary • The District spends over $600,000 annually on water • ~50-60%goes to irrigation • The remainder is used for filling and maintaining fountains and pools, flushing toilets, and operating showers, labs, and drinking fountains • The Cost of water is rising • Many steps can be taken to increase efficiency • These steps can accomplish student/community engagement goals, be integrated into various class curriculums, and help fulfill our commitment to operational excellence

16. Established Water Conservation Efforts • Installation of Artificial Turf • Installation of Weather-Based Irrigation Systems • Planting of Native and Drought Tolerant species • Installation of Dual flush and low flow toilets • Installation of low-flow faucets • Created Sustainability Plans with Water Efficiency Goals

17. Immediate Water Conservation Efforts • Reduced Irrigation Times at All three campuses by 25% • Posted signage and alerted the campus communities through various channels • Identified key locations for metering devices • Identified key strategies for further reductions • Cover Pools Regularly • Shut down Fountains • Sub meter irrigation and identify key watering issues

18. Next Water Conservation Efforts • Turn off fountains • Drain fountains where infrastructure will not be affected • Increase outreach and communication efforts • Comprehensive Irrigation Audits • Commission existing systems • Design for future drought conditions • Landscape • Buildings • Curriculum

19. Expected Results • Minimum 25% reduction in water usage District-Wide • Increased awareness and broader stakeholder engagement • Established Water Efficiency benchmarks • Improved access to information of usage increases and related costs/risks exposure

20. Risks and Exposure • Mandated Water Rationing • Effects on Campus Aesthetics • Fountains and Other “Non-essential” features • Lawn, tree and shrub health impacts or death • Long Term water shortages • Limitations on water supply to campus • Pools • Water-cooled systems

21. Question & Answer www.smccd.edu/facilities José D. Nuñez, LEED AP Vice Chancellor Facilities Planning, Maintenance & Operations (650) 574-6512 nunezj@smccd.edu Karen Powell Director of Maintenance and Operations Facilities Planning, Maintenance & Operations (650) 358-6808 PowellK@smccd.edu Joe Fullerton, LEED AP Energy Management Coordinator Facilities Planning, Maintenance & Operations (650) 358-6848 Fullertonj@smccd.edu