HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 101-22 to Approve Participation in Regional DESAL PlanRESOLUTION NO. 101-22
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE
DESALINATION EXECUTABLE SOLUTION AND LOGISTICS (DESAL) PLAN
THE CITY COUNCIL
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, adequate water for the people, economy and environment in San Luis Obispo
County is needed in perpetuity; and
WHEREAS, conflicts surrounding use of the limited existing water supplies are increasing,
including limitations on groundwater use and transfers, limitations on surface water diversion and
State policies that lead to water system consolidation mandates; and
WHEREAS, water use efficiency practices, low impact development, stormwater capture
and recycled water have been implemented to help extend the limited water supplies but are
insufficient to overcome long term shortages and cannot be relied upon to sustainably meet future
additional needs and maintain a reasonable quality of life; and
WHEREAS, despite conservation efforts which have reduced per capita consumption
from 231 gallons per day to 146 gallons per day over the last 25 years', the County remains highly
vulnerable to water shortages due to its isolated location and dependence on rainfall; and
WHEREAS, the future reliability of existing water supplies and infrastructure that depend
on rainfall, such as groundwater and surface water reservoirs and streams, is uncertain due to
changing hydrologic patterns, land use, environmental regulations, population growth and aging
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, water -purveying agencies, including the City of Morro Bay, are best
positioned to develop and utilize water supply projects that will reduce dependence on
groundwater and surface water and can thereby relieve competition with individual well owners
and the environment for those water supplies; and
WHEREAS, due to proximity to the ocean, and future water supply quantity, quality and
reliability needs, the 2019 San Luis Obispo County Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
and 2012 Countywide Master Water Report identify desalination as a water resource
management strategy to pursue; and
WHEREAS, while desalination can provide a local, reliable, and sustainable water supply
for decades to come, desalination projects take a long time to plan for, permit and construct; and
https://www.ppic.org/publication/water-use-in-california/
WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
intends to develop the DESAL Plan over the next several years via a public process that, when
complete, will ultimately contain balanced recommendations related to responsibly advancing the
implementation of a regional desalination project that will benefit the people, economy and
environment in the County; and
WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
will be the lead agency and contract administrator for the DESAL Plan and is requesting that
water -purveying agencies that wish to be evaluated during the development of the DESAL Plan
adopt resolutions approving participation.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Morro Bay wishes to be included in the development of the
DESAL Plan and to be evaluated as a potential partner in such a regional desalination project in
the future in order to inform our decision makers and constituents.
SECTION 2. The Public Works Director, or designee, of the City of Morro Bay is hereby
authorized and directed to participate in the development of the DESAL Plan, and to bring forward
related recommendations.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay at a regular
meeting thereof held on the 22nd day of November 2022 by the following vote:
AYES:
Headding, Addis, Barton, Ford
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Heller
ABSTAIN:
None
RECUSE:
None
JOHN A DIN or
ATTEST:
DANA SWANSON, City Clerk