Urban Water Institute Water Infrastructure Improvements for the
Urban Water Institute Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Roger K. Patterson Assistant General Manager The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN - S. 612) Enacted December 16, 2016 To provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, and for other purposes Includes Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016
WIIN Act (S. 612) Title I Water Resources Development Act 2016 Water resource infrastructure Title II Water and Waste Act 2016 Safe Drinking Water Act and Solid Waste Disposal Act (Coal Combustion) Economically distressed communities and the prevention of lead contamination and other public health concerns Title III Natural Resources California water supplies Tribal water rights settlements Title IV Other Matters Miscellaneous provisions including amendments to the WIFIA provisions
Key Issues for California Title III – Subtitle J: California Water Authorizes USBR to invest in storage projects for public benefits Title XVI Wastewater Reuse Reform CVP/SWP operational provisions Improved Science Increase San Joaquin River inflow and transfer/exchange capability
Storage Authorizes $335, 000 for Federally owned and State-led storage projects determined feasible and produce federal benefits Federal projects up to 50% State projects up to 25%
Reform of the Title XVI Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act New Water Recycling and Reuse Projects Authorizes additional $50, 000 Municipal, industrial, domestic or agriculture wastewater or impaired ground or surface water Competitive grant program Areas experiencing drought within 4 years of funding Provide more reliable water supply for states and local governments Increase water management flexibility and reduce impacts on environmental resources from projects operated by Federal and State Agencies
CVP/SWP Operational Provisions Enhances supply opportunities Capture peak flows during storm-related events when risks to fish appear small Manage flow patterns toward export pumps (OMR) Expand monitoring
San Joaquin River Enhance flows down the San Joaquin River through voluntary Sales Transfers Exchanges Allow to be pumped at 1: 1 ratio
Delta Operations in 2016 -17
Flows in the Delta Natural flow direction N Reverse flows occur when direct flow to pumps is less than total pumping Sacramento River Flow OMR reverse (negative) flows Exports Delta Map Banks and Jones PP San Joaquin River Flow Direct flow to pumps
Delta Smelt Life-Cycle and Protections FALL WINTER SUMMER SPRING
Delta Smelt Life-Cycle and Protections WINTER RPA 1 Action 1: Dec-Jan • Protect adult migrating smelt • OMR > - 2, 000 cfs SUMMER FALL RPA 1 Action 2: Jan-Mar Triggers • Protect adult smelt prior to spawning • OMR Range: - 1, 250 to -5, 000 cfs Action 1: Turbidity or Salvage Action 2: Following Action 1 SPRING WINTER
Flows in the Delta Natural flow direction N OMR reverse (negative) flows Exports Delta Map Banks and Jones PP Direct flow to pumps
Flows in the Delta – Elevated Risk Scenario Elevated risk of Delta Smelt entrainment when Sacramento flows increase, but San Joaquin flows do not. Turbidity could move into South Delta, attracting Delta Smelt N OMR reverse (negative) flows Exports Delta Map Banks and Jones PP Direct flow to pumps
CVP/SWP Operational Provisions
CFS Sacramento River Elevated risk of salvage in Mid. December 200, 000 160 Flow 150, 000 120 100, 000 80 50, 000 40 Turbidity 0 1 / 12 25, 000 5 1 1 2/ 9 1 2 2/ 2 1 1/ 0 9 6 2/ 2 1/ 20, 000 CFS San Joaquin River 250, 000 15, 000 Flow 10, 000 5, 000 0 /1 12 15 / 12 29 / 12 12 1/ 1/ 9 NTU Elevated Risk Occurred in Dec 2016
Project Pumping CFS Preemptive Action to Elevated Risk in Dec 2016 OMR CFS Responded by reducing exports to limit OMR to -6, 000 cfs mid Dec. – Jan. 1 16, 000 14, 000 12, 000 10, 000 8, 000 6, 000 4, 000 2, 000 0 Banks Pumping Jones Pumping 1 1 -12, 000 1 2/ 2 1/ 1 1/ 2 2/ 9 6 2 9 5 / 12 -10, 000 -8, 000 -6, 000 -4, 000 OMR -2, 000 0 /1 12 15 / 12 29 / 12 12 1/ 26 1/ 9 2/
Benefit to Preemptive Action in Dec 2016 CFS 16, 000 14, 000 12, 000 Project 10, 000 Pumping 8, 000 6, 000 Preemptive action 4, 000 2, 000 much less 0 restrictive than Banks Pumping Jones Pumping 1 USFWS advisory -12, 000 group -10, 000 recommendations 1 1 2/ 1 + ~120 TAF exports CFS -8, 000 OMR Reverse Flow 2/ 2 1/ 1 1/ 2 2/ 9 6 2 9 5 / 12 -6, 000 -4, 000 OMR -2, 000 SWG Recommendation 0 /1 12 15 / 12 29 / 12 12 1/ 26 1/ 9 2/
Limited Smelt Distribution in South Delta 227 Undetermined (100%) Monitoring suggests Delta Smelt distribution remains far from export facilities Males Females Exports Banks and Jones PP
Determination by the Fish & Wildlife Service January 6, 2017 Recognized that provisions outlined in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016 must be taken into account Dec 16 Preemptive measure resulted in OMR of -6, 000 Planned operations appeared to avoid turbidity bridges in OMR with less water supply impact than would have occurred under Action 1 Continue to monitor conditions and seek recommendations from Smelt Working Group Recognized collaborative efforts of agencies to reduce risk to delta smelt
Favorable Conditions Occurred in Jan 2017 Extremely high flows in Sacramento spread Delta Smelt far downstream N High San Joaquin flows allow higher pumping while limiting negative OMR reverse (negative) flows Exports Delta Map Banks and Jones PP Direct flow to pumps
16, 000 14, 000 12, 000 10, 000 8, 000 6, 000 4, 000 2, 000 0 Flow Banks Pumping 1 -10, 000 -6, 000 -4, 000 -2, 000 0 /1 12 15 / 12 29 / 12 12 1/ 26 1/ San Joaquin River Flow High San Joaquin River flows allow increased exports without increased reverse OMR flows OMR -8, 000 CFS 1 1 2/ 2 1/ 1 1/ 2 2/ 9 6 2 9 1 2/ -12, 000 OMR Jones Pumping 5 / 12 32, 000 28, 000 24, 000 20, 000 16, 000 12, 000 8, 000 4, 000 0 CFS Project Pumping CFS Favorable Conditions Occurred in Jan 2017 9 2/
Enhanced Delta Smelt Monitoring suggests Delta Smelt distribution remains far from export facilities Exports Banks and Jones PP
Summary Benefits CVP/SWP water supplies while protecting listed fish species Improves Delta science Provides for Federal investment in storage projects for public benefits Improves Title XVI wastewater program
Roger K. Patterson rpatterson@mwdh 2 o. com Follow us @mwdh 2 o
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