Chandler Water Resources and Policy Update Presentation
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Chandler Water Resources & Policy Update: Protecting our Water Future City Council Work Session – Feb. 3, 2025 Agenda • Chandler’s Diverse Water Supplies • Salt & Verde System Update • Colorado River System Update • Phoenix AMA Groundwater Management • Water Policy Update • Sustainable Water Allocation Policy • Drought Management Plan • Next Steps Surface Water Snow and rain runs off into rivers, lakes and streams. The water is stored in reservoirs behind dams. Groundwater Water stored underground in the space between sand and gravel. Where does our water come from? Diverse Water Supplies Drinking Water • Colorado River • Salt & Verde Rivers • New Conservation – Raised Roosevelt Dam • Roosevelt Flood Control Space • Roosevelt Water Conservation District • Groundwater Reclaimed Water • Gila River Indian Community Exchange • Direct use – over 400 customers • Aquifer recharge Salt & Verde Rivers 2025 Reservoirs ~ 70% full Delivered via Salt River Project (SRP) canals Chandler’s SRP water 57% of annual supplies Colorado River 2024 - 2026 Tier 1 Shortage Delivered via Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal Chandler’s CAP water 37% of annual supplies Groundwater 33 Active Wells 72 MGD capacity Groundwater 6-10% of total annual use Water Demand Trends 1980 Groundwater Management Act (GMA) Created groundwater regulation for “Active Management Areas” or AMAs. Goal is a balance between well pumping and aquifer recharge Recharge & Replenishment The GMA requires water providers (in AMAs) to replenish the water they pump or recharge CAP water (or effluent) prior to pumping and accrue underground storage credits. Sustainable Water Management 100-Year Assured Water Supply Annual Reporting Limits on well pumping Conservation Programs Colorado River Post-2026 Colorado River Post-2026 Hope for the best and plan for the worst… Colorado River Post-2026 Planning for the best (and the worst)… Regional projects provide additional operational flexibility Regional Partnerships and Infrastructure Roosevelt Dam Flood Control Space Five-year pilot program to optimize the use of Roosevelt flood control space. Opportunities for planned deviations from normal operations, extending from 20 days to 120 days. Restore lost capacity due to sedimentation and add height to increase available storage space Bartlett Dam Modification Proposed Dam Alignment Provides operational flexibility to deliver supplies to stored in the Salt River Project system into the Central Arizona Project Canal system SRP/CAP Interconnect Facility Temporary Deviation from the Flood Control Manual extends to 120 Days Roosevelt Dam Flood Control Space Chandler will benefit from this project by gaining access to a new water supply that can be stored in the SRP system and used to meet customer demand in portions of our service area that currently receive Colorado River water. Water Conservation Successes Since increasing our grass removal incentives in October 2023, all programs have seen a significant increase in participation. Water Efficient Technology Rebate– Actively working with roughly a dozen customers on projects not yet complete. Four rebates complete since Oct. 2023, totaling $13,500. Upgrades to Chandler’s water treatment capabilities and replacement of wastewater and reclaimed metering infrastructure 2024 Water Infrastructure Investments Reclaimed Water Interconnect Facility (RWIF) – First deliveries, in Oct. 2024, to a new membrane treatment facility constructed to increase Chandler’s aquifer recharge deliveries, as well as provide additional water for industrial cooling at Intel’s expanded facilities. Two new aquifer injection wells at Tumbleweed Park for Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) and improvements to the reclaimed water conveyance infrastructure between the RWIF and Tumbleweed. Pecos Water Treatment Plant upgrades to improve water quality – new Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filters Wastewater and reclaimed water metering infrastructure upgrades Chandler Reclaimed Water Interconnect Facility – Opened October 2024 Focus on Assured Water Supply Program and solutions to address unmet demand for groundwater in the Phoenix AMA 2024 Legislative Session Work with lawmakers, stakeholders and other leaders to support policies that: Water Policy Water Policy Preparing for Shortages With increasing pressure on our local aquifer and uncertainty of future Colorado River availability, it is a good time to review the steps we are taking to prepare: Drought Management Plan– Update drought plan triggers to match more current water supply expectations and further evaluate demand management strategies 2015 Water Allocation Policy Additional water needed? Allocation Policy - Proposed Amendments As Chandler approaches build-out, changes in water availability and land use may require amendments to the sustainable water allocation policy: Reclaimed/Landscape Water– Add applicability for *all* types of water use, including reclaimed and landscape meters. Planning Design Construction Warranty ACTIVE CLOSED PENDING Conceptual Completed Allocation Policy Procedures DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LIFECYCLE Implementation of Chandler’s Sustainable Water Allocation Policy requires early coordination between multiple city departments - Public Works & Utilities, Economic Development, and Development Services (Planning, Civil Engineering, and Building Safety). Policy amendments will involve updates to the timing of when a proposed project is asked to submit a sustainable water use application. Pre-Tech Site Application, Pre-Tech Meeting, Zoning Application Development Plan Review, P&Z Commission Approval, City Council Approval Civil Plan Review, Building Plan Review, Plan Approval, Permitting Construction Inspection, Final Inspection, C of O, As-Built Plans Letter of Acceptance End of One-Year Warranty Period Allocation Policy Amendment Goals The 2015 policy was designed to address non-residential development of vacant land. As redevelopment becomes more prevalent, amendments are needed to ensure Chandler’s finite water resources are allocated as planned. Reclaimed/Landscape Water– The current policy excludes reclaimed water and water served through landscape meters. These are valuable and limited water supplies which require careful management. Drought Management Plan – Proposed Updates Update drought plan triggers to match current water supply expectations, remove reclaimed exemption and update outdated language Expiration of Drought Stage– One year after issuance or January 1st of a normal water supply year. Current plan does not address procedures to determine when a drought stage expires. Current triggers for Stage 2 and Stage 3 are no longer appropriate Drought Plan Triggers – Proposed Updates Declaration Current Triggers New Triggers Responses Stage 1 Water Resource Manager A surface water shortage is predicted. A surface water shortage is likely. Increased public information and education Stage 2 Municipal Utilities Director SRP reduced to less than 1.8 AF/acre (about 40%) and/or CAP supplies reduced 10% A surface water shortage occurs Mandatory water restrictions for municipal operations. Stage 3 City Manager SRP reduced to less than 1.5 AF/acre (about 50%) and/or CAP supplies reduced 15% A surface water shortage occurs, reducing surface water supplies by more than 50% Mandatory water restrictions for municipal operations. Voluntary water reductions for businesses and residents. Stage 4 City Council Conditions where it is unlikely that the City will be able to deliver sufficient water to meet all demands. A surface water shortage occurs, reducing surface water supplies by more than 60% and/or supplies are insufficient to meet customer demands Mandatory water restrictions for municipal operations, businesses and residents. Next Steps Regional Infrastructure– Participate in feasibility of Bartlett Dam Modification, construction of the SRP/CAP Interconnect Facility, and maximize investments in the temporary deviation for Roosevelt Dam Flood Control Space Questions? Thank you!