Research, Tools, and Programs Supporting Improved Water Management in the West

William Steele Southern California Area Manager The Mediterranean City Conference June 26, 2012

Bureau of Reclamation

Bureau of Reclamation
The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.

Challenges
Water for Future Needs Brine Concentrate Management Environmental Needs Implementing the Colorado River Plan Support CALFED/Bay Delta Tribal Needs Growing Demands Diminishing Supply Reliability Local Water Augmentation Strategies Emerging Rural Demands Drought

Future Water Supply Portfolio

New Water Supplies
Seawater/Brackish Water Desalination Reclaimed Water Projects Stormwater Augmentation

Improved Use of Existing Supplies

Water Conservation Ground/Surface Water Conjunctive Use Watershed/Integrated Resources Plans

Reallocation of Existing Water

Water Banking/Water Transfers Indian Water Right Settlements

SECURE Water Act

Science and Engineering to Comprehensively Understand and Responsibly Enhance

Passed in 2009 The SECURE Water Act authorizes federal water and science agencies to work together with state and local water managers to:
Plan for climate change and the other threats to our water supplies; and Take action to secure our water resources for the communities, economies, and the ecosystems they support

The SECURE Water Act is implemented through the WaterSMART Program

Basin Study Program

West-Wide Climate Risk Assessments (WWCRA) Basin Studies

Basin Studies Secure Water Feasibility Studies

Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs)

West-Wide Climate Risk Assessments

Conducted by Reclamation Reconnaissance-level water supply and demand analyses in eight Reclamation river basins Projections of climate change impacts to water supply and demand and baseline risk assessments to evaluate the impacts of climate change to water uses Baseline for more in-depth analyses performed through Basin Studies

Basin Studies
Purpose to work with state and local partners in the 17 Western States to evaluate future water supply and demand imbalances in a changing climate Basin Studies Include: Assessments of the risks and impacts of climate change on water resources, and Development of potential mitigation and adaptation strategies to meet future demands

Elements of a Basin Study

1. Projections of future supply and demand, including the impacts of climate change 2. Analysis of how the basins existing water and power operations and infrastructure will perform in response to the projections of future water supplies and demands 3. Development of options to improve operations and infrastructure to supply adequate water in the future 4. Trade-off analysis of the options identified, findings, and recommendations as appropriate

Santa Ana River Basin Watershed Study

Background
Partnership with Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority Authorized by P.L. 111-11, Secure Water Act

Purpose
The Basin Study will: Update the One Water One Watershed Plan Address impacts and adaptation strategies for climate change Assess increased energy demands Ensure that future water quality and supply needs are met

Budget: $2,300,000 with 50/50 cost share

Landscape Conservation Cooperatives

Established by Secretarial Order No. 3289 Management-science partnerships that inform integrated resource management actions that address climate change and other stressors within and across landscapes Reclamation and FWS coleads and participants in the Southern Rockies and Desert LCCs

WaterSMART
Secure and Manage Americas Resources for Tomorrow

WaterSMART Program
Implements the SECURE Water Act Established by Secretary Salazar in 2010 Focus
improving water conservation sustainability helping water resource managers make sound decisions about water use
strategies to ensure that this and future generations will have sufficient supplies of clean water for drinking, economic activities, recreation and ecosystem health adaptive measures to address climate change and its impact on future water demands

Reclamations Components of WaterSMART

WaterSMART Grants
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants System Optimization Reviews Advanced Water Treatment Pilot and Demonstration Projects Grants to Develop Climate Analysis Tools

Water Conservation Field Services Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program Basin Study Program
West-Wide Climate Risk Assessments Basin Studies Landscape Conservation Cooperatives

WaterSMART Clearinghouse

System Optimization Reviews (SOR)

A System Optimization Review is a broad look at system-wide efficiency focused on improving efficiency and operations of a water delivery system, water district, or water basin. The Review results in a plan of action that focuses on improving efficiency and operations. Grants are available to States, Indian tribes, irrigation and water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority.

Other WaterSMART Grants

Advanced Water Treatment and Pilot and Demonstration Projects
Address the technical, economic, and environmental viability of treating and using brackish groundwater, seawater, impaired waters, or otherwise creating new water supplies within a specific locale Eligibility States, Indian tribes, irrigation and water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority

Grants to Develop Climate Analysis Tools

Focused on the information gaps detailed in the joint Reclamation and United Stated Army Corps of Engineers Report titled Addressing Climate Change in Long-Term Water Resources Planning and Management: User Needs for Improving Tools and Information (Section 3) Eligibility Universities, non-profits, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority

Water Smart Program Websites

WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow)
http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/index.cfm

Cooperative Watershed Management Program

http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/cwmp/index.html

Funding Opportunity Available for Efforts to Establish or Expand Watershed Groups

http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?Record ID=39935

WaterSMART Clearinghouse http://www.doi.gov/watersmart/

Accessible to the public All suggested content will be subject to policy and technical review In 2011 Content suggestions will be limited to government entities In future years public contribution to website content will be encouraged

Urban Waters Federal Partnership

Los Angeles River Watershed Pilot
Background
7 pilot locations (Los Angeles, Denver, New Orleans, Baltimore, Anacostia, Bronx, NW Indiana) Nationwide announcement end of May/early June LA Partners EPA, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife, Economic Dev. Corp, Parks Service, USGS To coordinate Federal actions and support local watershed revitalization efforts

Purpose

Budget: None to date

FY 2012 WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants

Natomas Central Mutual Water Company, Dodge Crossing Automation Project Reclamation Funding: $240,100 Total Project Cost: $480,300 The Natomas Central Mutual Water Company, near Sacramento, California will
automate the Dodge Crossing control structure, including a full Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions station with flow meters at the nearby Chappel West Pump Station to improve operations. The project also includes installation of a hydraulically balanced control gate to minimize fluctuating water levels. The project is expected to result in water savings of 430 acre-feet of water annually, which will remain in the Sacramento River. The project is also projected to reduce energy consumption by approximately 15,300 kilowatt hours per year by avoided pumping currently required to capture operational spills.

FY 2012 WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants

Delhi County Water District, Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency & BioGas Production Project Reclamation Funding: $500,000 ($1,485,000 over 3 years) Total Project Cost: $3,332,693
The Delhi County Water District, near Turlock, California, will install a biogas collection system at its existing wastewater treatment facility. The improvements will allow the recovery of between 20,000 and 40,000 cubic feet of methane-rich biogas each day, or roughly 300 gasoline equivalent gallons of biogas per day for use as a compressed natural gas transportation fuel or for use in power generation. In addition, the project includes construction of a pipeline and pumping system to deliver treated water for use at a nearby sod farm. The project is expected to result in water savings of 701 acre-feet annually by replacing water currently supplied through other sources.

FY 2012 WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants

City of Corona, City of Corona Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project Reclamation Funding: $300,000 Total Project Cost: $1,359,610
The City of Corona, California, will install 5,560 advanced water meters, resulting in real-time meter reading capabilities at residential, commercial, and landscape sites. adjustments can be made during peak periods and leaks and other water losses can be addressed as soon as possible. The project is expected to result in water savings of 592 acre-feet annually, which will allow the City to reduce its water imports. The City estimates that approximately 1,776 megawatt hours of energy per year will be saved by the project as a result of reduced pumping needs.

water users will be able to monitor usage through a secure customer website so that

Questions?

Bill Steele 951-695-5310 wsteele@usbr.gov