Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
JUNE 25, 2015
Preamble
Motion by:
MAYOR ERIC GARCETTI
June 18, 2015
Item 52, File ID 2015-0852, Drought Awareness
Currently, the Los Angeles region and the State of California are experiencing an extreme drought and persistently dry conditions since 2011. The Governor has declared a State of Emergency and issued an Executive Order in April to achieve statewide reductions in potable urban water usage.
While MTA has implemented water conservation strategies in new construction since 2003; and has implemented a Water Use and Conservation and Use Policy since 2009 resulting in a Water Action Plan in 2010 that when fully implemented would save MTA over 200 million gallons of potable water;
MTA can and needs to continue its proactive water conservation and management efforts, it is imperative to enhance and focus on additional water reduction efforts;
Title
APPROVED Garcetti Motion that the Board instruct the CEO to:
A. Reduce all potable water use by 20% by 2017 using 2015 as the benchmark.
B. Restrict irrigation using potable water to no more than two days per week. Facilities will be required to post their watering schedules. Drip Irrigation systems are exempt.
C. Remove or limit ornamental turf to reduce water consumption.
1. Initiate a turf removal program using all available rebates.
2. Replace landscaped areas with drought tolerant or California native plants during the renovation of existing facilities.
3. Where possible, limit potable water use to plant establishment.
D. Within 90 days, report back on the status of all 15 water conservation strategies outlined in MTA’s 2010 Water Action Plan and an accelerated implementation plan that identifies additional water conservation efforts that can be implemented since the Plan’s adoption.
E. By October 2015, MTA will disclose, via a public database, water use at all MTA facilities. The database is to be updated with each facility’s water billing cycle. This data shall by integrated into the agency’s Environmental Management System (EMS) training efforts.
F. MTA shall install water sub meters at all facilities to understand and track water consumption for individual operations.
G. MTA shall educate the public on water conservation measures via websites and other exiting information outlets.
H. Identify funding opportunities and collaborate with local and state agencies to implement water-related projects including groundwater re-charge, low impact development, reuse of industrial wastewater, construction of recycling and water reuse facilities, and similar infrastructure.
I. Report back to the Board within one year on the agency’s resiliency to maintain service and reliability in light of diminishing water supplies and limited resources; and MTA’s progress on the development and implementation of alternative technologies, procedures, and design innovations to reduce potable water use in all of the agency’s activities.