HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix D Refuge Water Supply Assessment Water Supply Verification D
Appendix D
Water Supply Assessment
(Available on City website)
1
Water Supply Assessment
and
Water Supply Verification
for the Proposed
Refuge Specific Plan
Prepared for:
Coachella Valley Water District
P.O. Box 1058
Coachella, CA 92236
Prepared by:
Terra Nova Planning and Research
42635 Melanie Place, Suite 101
Palm Desert, CA 92211
August 2022
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Table of Contents
List of Figures................................................................................................................................................. 4
List of Tables .................................................................................................................................................. 4
1 Summary and Requirements ................................................................................................................ 5
1.1 Regulatory Requirements ................................................................................................................... 5
1.1.1 Senate Bill 610 .............................................................................................................................. 6
1.1.2 Senate Bill 221 .............................................................................................................................. 7
1.1.3 Senate Bill 1262 ............................................................................................................................ 7
1.2 Water Management Planning Documents ......................................................................................... 7
1.2.1 Urban Water Management Planning Act .................................................................................... 7
1.2.2 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act .............................................................................. 8
1.2.3 Groundwater Replenishment ...................................................................................................... 9
2 Public Water System ........................................................................................................................... 11
2.1 Coachella Valley Water District ........................................................................................................ 11
2.1.2 Coachella Valley Water District – Potable Water Distribution Systems .................................. 12
2.2 Coachella Valley Hydrology .............................................................................................................. 13
3 Public Water System – Existing Supply and Demand ........................................................................ 15
3.1 Groundwater ..................................................................................................................................... 15
3.1.1 Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin ........................................................................................ 15
3.1.2 Groundwater Demand ............................................................................................................... 17
3.1.3 Groundwater Sustainability....................................................................................................... 17
3.2 Imported Water ................................................................................................................................ 21
3.2.1 Colorado River Water ................................................................................................................ 21
3.2.2 State Water Project .................................................................................................................... 24
3.2.3 Other SWP Water ....................................................................................................................... 25
3.3 Surface Water .................................................................................................................................... 26
3.3.1 River/Stream Diversion ............................................................................................................. 26
3.3.2 Stormwater Capture .................................................................................................................. 26
3.4 Wastewater and Recycled Water ..................................................................................................... 27
3.5 Conservation ..................................................................................................................................... 27
3.6 Landscape Ordinance ........................................................................................................................ 28
3.7 Water Shortage Contingency Planning ............................................................................................ 28
4 Public Water System – Projected Supply and Demand ..................................................................... 29
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4.1 Projected Urban Demand and Supply .............................................................................................. 29
4.2 Normal, Single-Dry, Multiple-Dry Year Comparison ........................................................................ 30
5 Project Description .............................................................................................................................. 33
6 Project Water Demands ...................................................................................................................... 36
6.2 Projected Indoor Commercial Water Demand ................................................................................ 37
6.3 Projected Outdoor Water Demand .................................................................................................. 37
6.4 Projected Total Water Demand ........................................................................................................ 38
6.5 Projected Water Sources .................................................................................................................. 39
6.6 Conservation Measures .................................................................................................................... 39
7 Assessment and Verification – Availability of Sufficient Supplies .................................................... 40
7.1 Water Supply Assessment ................................................................................................................ 40
7.2 Water Supply Verification................................................................................................................. 40
8 References ........................................................................................................................................... 41
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List of Figures
Figure 2-1: Coachella Valley Water District Boundary and Cities ............................................................. 12
Figure 2-2: Coachella Valley Water District Domestic Water Service Areas ............................................. 13
Figure 3-1: Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin and Subbasins .............................................................. 16
Figure 3-2: Historical Annual Change in Groundwater Storage in the Indio Subbasin ............................. 18
Figure 3-3: 12-Year Change in Groundwater Elevation from Water Year 2008 -2009 through Water Year
2020-2021 in the Indio Subbasin .............................................................................................. 19
Figure 3-4: Historical Annual Change in Groundwater Storage in the Mission Creek Subbasin ............. 20
Figure 3-5: 12-Year Change in Groundwater Elevation from Water Year 2010 -2011 through Water Year
2020-2021 in the Mission Creek Subbasin ............................................................................... 21
Figure 5-1: Project Regional Location Map ................................................................................................ 33
Figure 5-2: Project Vicinity Map ................................................................................................................. 34
Figure 5-3: Planning Area Map ................................................................................................................... 34
List of Tables
Table 2-1: Current and Projected Population for CVWD’s Service Area ................................................... 13
Table 2-2: Monthly Average Climate Data for Palm Springs ..................................................................... 14
Table 2-3: Monthly Average Climate Data for Thermal............................................................................. 14
Table 3-1: Groundwater Storage in the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin ........................................ 17
Table 3-2: CVWD Groundwater Demand in the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin ............................ 17
Table 3-3: CVWD Colorado River Entitlements (AFY) ................................................................................ 23
Table 3-4: Colorado River Deliveries to CVWD at the Imperial Dam/Coachella Canal ............................ 24
Table 3-5: CVWD Groundwater Recharge of Colorado River Water ......................................................... 24
Table 3-6: State Water Project Table A Allocations ................................................................................... 25
Table 3-7: CVWD and DWA Groundwater Recharge of State Water Project Exchange Water ............... 25
Table 3-8: Wastewater Treated by CVWD ................................................................................................. 27
Table 3-9: Recycled Water Produced by CVWD ......................................................................................... 27
Table 3-10: Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan Shortage Levels .................................................... 28
Table 4-1: CVWD Projected Urban Retail Demands .................................................................................. 29
Table 4-2: CVWD Projected Urban Water Supplies ................................................................................... 30
Table 4-3: Normal Year Supply and Demand Comparison ........................................................................ 30
Table 4-4: Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison .................................................................... 31
Table 4-5: Multiple-Dry Years Supply and Demand Comparison .............................................................. 32
Table 5-1: Project Land Use Summary........................................................................................................ 35
Table 6-1: Projected Indoor Residential Water Demand .......................................................................... 36
Table 6-2: Projected Indoor Commercial and Industrial Water Demand ................................................. 37
Table 6-3: Projected Outdoor Irrigation Water Demand .......................................................................... 38
Table 6-4: Projected Total Water Demand ................................................................................................ 38
Table 6-5: Projected Water Sources ........................................................................................................... 39
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1 Summary and Requirements
The environmental review of the Refuge Specific Plan (Project) is being prepared in compliance
with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. The City of Palm Desert is the Lead
Agency for the planning and environmental review of the propose d Project. The City of Palm
Desert has identified the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) as the Public Water System
(PWS) that will supply water for the proposed Project, and has requested that CVWD assist in
preparing a Water Supply Assessment/Water Supply Verification (WSA/WSV) as part of the
environmental review for the Project.
The Project is located in the central portion of the Coachella Valley within the City of Palm Desert,
Riverside County. The Project proposes a Specific Plan to guide the development of up to 969
single-family and multi-family dwelling units on approximately 106.4 acres of vacant land.
Common recreation facilities such as pools, spas, club houses, management offices, barbecues
and other facilities appropriate for future development may be included. Project-level landscape
plans are currently unknown, however it is assumed that up to 30 percent of the total Specific
Plan area, or 31.92 acres, may be landscaped with a mix of drought tolerant landscaping and
minimal turf for open space, retention basins, and private yards. It is also assumed that 60
percent of all private residential lots will have private pools, for a total of 240 private pools in
addition to 3 community pools.
This WSA/WSV determined that the total projected water demand for the Project is up to 246.58
acre-feet per year (AFY), or 2.32 acre-feet per acre. This WSA/WSV demonstrates that sufficient
water supplies exist, or will exist based on current water planning assumptions, to meet the
projected demands of the Project, in addition to current and future projected water demands
within CVWD’s service area in normal, single -dry, and multiple-dry years over a 20-year
projection. This WSA/WSV will be reviewed every five years, or in the event that the water
planning assumptions have changed, until the Project completes construction to ensure it
remains accurate and no significant changes to either the Project or available water supply has
occurred. This WSA/WSV does not relieve the Project from complying with all current or future
applicable state, county, city, and local ordinances or regulations including the CVWD Landscape
Ordinance, and indoor water use performance standards provided in the California Water Code
(CWC) which may result water demand lower than projected in this WSA/WSV.
1.1 Regulatory Requirements
This WSA/WSV provides an assessment and verification of the availability of sufficient water
supplies during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years over a 20-year projection to meet the
projected demands of the Project, in addition to existing and planned future water demands of
CVWD, as required by Senate Bill 610 (SB 610), SB 221, and SB 1262. This WSA/W SV also includes
identification of existing water supply entitlements, water rights, water service contracts, or
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agreements relevant to the identified water supply for the Project and quantities of water
received in prior years pursuant to those entitlements, rights, contracts, and agreements.
This WSA/WSV has been prepared in compliance with the requirements under SB 610, SB 221,
and SB 1262 by Terra Nova Planning and Research in consultation with CVWD and the City of
Palm Desert. This WSA/WSV does not relieve the Project from complying with all applicable state,
county, city, and local ordinances or regulations, including the CVWD Landscape Ordinance and
indoor water use performance standards provided in the California Water Code (CWC). This
WSA/WSV will be reviewed every five years, or in the event that the water planning assumptions
have changed, until the Project completes construction, to ensure it remains accurate and no
significant changes to either the Project or available water supply has occurred. The Project
applicant shall notify CVWD when construction begins. If neither the Project applicant nor the
Lead Agency contacts CVWD within five years of approval of this WSA/WSV, it will be assumed
that the Project no longer exists and the WSA/WSV provided by this document will become
invalid.
1.1.1 Senate Bill 610
On January 1, 2002, Senate Bill 610 (SB 610) was enacted and codified in CWC Section 10910 et
seq., requiring the preparation of a Water Supply Assessment (WSA) for certain new
development projects. As stated in SB 610, the purpose of a WSA is to determine whether the
PWS’s “total projected water supplies available during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry water
years during a 20-year projection will meet the projected water demand associated with the
proposed project, in addition to the PWS’s existing and planned future uses, including agricultural
and manufacturing uses.”
CWC Section 10912 defines a “project” as any of the following:
• A proposed residential development of more than 500 dwelling units;
• A proposed shopping center or business establishment employing more than 1,000
persons or having more than 500,000 square feet of floor space;
• A proposed commercial office building employing more than 1,000 persons or having
more than 250,000 square feet of floor space;
• A proposed hotel or motel, or both, having more than 500 rooms;
• A proposed industrial, manufacturing, or processing plant, or industrial park, planned
to house more than 1,000 persons, occupying more than 40 acres of land, or having
more than 650,000 square feet of floor space;
• A mixed-use project that includes one or more of the projects specified in this
subdivision; or
• A project that would demand an amount of water equivalent to, or greater than, the
amount of water required by a 500 dwelling unit project (about 250 acre-feet per
year).
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The intent of SB 610 is to improve the link between information on water supply availability and
certain land-use decisions made by cities and counties.
1.1.2 Senate Bill 221
On January 1, 2002, Senate Bill 221 (SB 221) was enacted and amended Section 11010 of the
Business and Professional Code. SB 221 also amended Section 65867.5 to add Section 66455.3
and 66473.7 to the Government Code. SB 221 establishes the relationship between the WSA
prepared for a project and project approval under the Subdivision Map Act. Pursuant to CWC
Section 66473.7, the PWS must provide a written verification of sufficient water supply prior to
the approval of a new subdivision. SB 221 states that “a Water Supply Verification (WSV) is
required prior to approval of a tentative subdivision map, or a parcel map for which a tentative
map is not required, or a development agreement for a subdivision of property of more than 500
dwelling units, except as specified, including the design of the subdivision or similar type of
improvement.” The proposed Project proposes up to 969 dwelling units, involves a Tentative
Parcel Map and, therefore, a WSV is required.
1.1.3 Senate Bill 1262
On January 1, 2017, Senate Bill 1262 (SB 1262) was enacted and amended CWC Section 10910,
requiring that information regarding the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) be
included in a WSA if the water supply for a proposed project includes groundwater from a basin
that is not adjudicated and was designated medium- or high-priority by the California
Department of Water Resources (DWR).
1.2 Water Management Planning Documents
CVWD has prepared long-term planning documents to project future water use and manage the
water supplies within its service area. These planning documents can be used for compliance
with SB 610, SB 221, and SB 1262, and are discussed in further detail in the following sections.
1.2.1 Urban Water Management Planning Act
The Urban Water Management Planning Act (UWMPA) was established by Assembly Bill 797 (AB
797) on September 21, 1983, and passage of this law recognized that water is a limited resource
and that efficient water use and conservation would be actively pursued throughout the State.
The UWMPA requires that municipal water suppliers providing either directly or indirectly to
more than 3,000 customers, or supplying more the 3,000 acre-feet per year (AFY), prepare and
adopt an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) every five years which defines their current
and future water use, source of supply, source reliability, and existing conservation measures.
1.2.1.1 Coachella Valley Water District Urban Water Management Plan
CVWD prepared and adopted its 2005, 2010, and 2015 UWMPs to document CVWD’s projected
water demands and plans for delivering water supplies to its water service area during normal,
single-dry, and multiple-dry years over a 20-year projection.
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The six urban water suppliers in the Coachella Valley (CVWD, Coachella Water Authority, Desert
Water Agency (DWA), Indio Water Authority (IWA), Mission Springs Water District (MSWD), and
Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Company) collaboratively prepared the 20 20 Coachella Valley
Regional UWMP, including regional and individual agency content and other necessary elements
as set forth in DWR’s 2020 UWMP Guidebook. The 2020 Coachella Valley Regional UWMP was
submitted to DWR on July 1, 2021. DWR accepted CVWD’s portion of the Regional UWMP on
May 17, 2022.
1.2.2 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
In September 2014, Governor Brown signed three bills into law: Assembly Bill 1739, Senate Bill
1319, and Senate Bill 1168, which became collectively known as the Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act (SGMA), creating a framework for sustainable, local groundwater management
for the first time in California history. DWR evaluated and prioritized the 515 groundwater basin s
identified in Bulletin 118, and 94 of these groundwater basins were designated as high- or
medium-priority basins, as of December 2019, requiring them to be sustainably managed within
20 years. SGMA required local authorities to form local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies
(GSAs) by June 30, 2017 to evaluate conditions in their local groundwater basins and adopt
locally-based Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs), or Alternatives to a GSP (Alternative
Plans), tailored to their regional economic and environmental needs.
As defined by DWR, the subbasins of the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin are the Indio,
Mission Creek, San Gorgonio Pass, and Desert Hot Springs Subbasins. CVWD’s service are a
overlies the Indio, Mission Creek, and Desert Hot Springs Subbasins. The Indio and Mission Creek
Subbasins have been designated medium-priority by DWR and are subject to the requirements
of SGMA. The Desert Hot Springs Subbasin has been designated very l ow-priority by DWR and is
not subject to the requirements of SGMA. The Project is located within the Indio Subbasin, which
has been designated as a medium-priority groundwater basin by DWR under SGMA.
1.2.2.1 Alternative Plan for the Indio Subbasin
Twenty years before the adoption of SGMA, CVWD began the development of the initial water
management plan for the Coachella Valley in 1994 after recognizing the need to sustainably
manage the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin. The original planning docume nt is the 2002
Coachella Valley Water Management Plan (CVWMP). The 2002 CVWMP was updated in 2010 and
adopted in 2012.
CVWD, DWA, CWA, and IWA, are the Indio Subbasin GSAs designated by DWR for their respective
service areas. On December 29, 2016, CVWD, DWA, CWA, and IWA collaboratively submitted the
2010 CVWMP Update as an Alternative Plan for the Indio Subbasin, with an associated Bridge
Document and supporting documents, to DWR for review and evaluation. On July 17, 2019, DWR
determined that the Alternative Plan for the Indio Subbasin satisfies the objectives of SGMA and
notified the Indio Subbasin GSAs that the Alternative Plan was approved, and that they would be
required to submit an assessment and update of the Alternative Plan pursuant to the SGMA by
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January 1, 2022 and every five years thereafter. The 2022 Alternative Plan Update for the Indio
Subbasin was submitted to DWR on December 29, 2021.
On February 1, 2018, DWR notified all GSAs who submitted Alternative Plans that they would be
required to submit annual reports pursuant to SGMA by April 1, 2018 and every year thereafter.
CVWD, DWA, CWA, and IWA have collaboratively prepared and submitted the Indio Subbasin
Annual Reports for Water Years 2016-2017 through 2020-2021.
1.2.2.2 Alternative Plan for the Mission Creek Subbasin
In 2004, CVWD, DWA, and MSWD created the Mission Creek Subbasin Management Committee
(Management Committee). The Management Committee jointly prepared the 2013 Mission
Creek-Garnet Hill Subbasin Water Management Plan (2013 MC-GH WMP).
On December 29, 2016, CVWD, DWA, and MSWD collaboratively submitted the 2013 MC-GH
WMP as an Alternative Plan for the Mission Creek Subbasin, with an associated Bridge Document
and supporting documents, to DWR for review and evaluation. On July 17, 2019, DWR
determined that the Alternative Plan for the Mission Creek Subbasin satisfies the objectives of
SGMA and notified the Management Committee that the Alternative Plan was approved, and
that they would be required to submit an assessment and update of the Alternative Plan pursuant
to SGMA by January 1, 2022 and every five years thereafter. The 2022 Alternative Plan Update
for the Mission Creek Subbasin was submitted to DWR on December 30, 2021.
On February 1, 2018, DWR notified all GSAs who submitted Alternative Plans that they would be
required to submit annual reports pursuant to SGMA by April 1, 2018 and every year thereafter.
CVWD, DWA, and MSWD have collaboratively prepared and submitted the Mission Creek
Subbasin Annual Reports for Water Years 2016-2017 through 2020-2021.
1.2.3 Groundwater Replenishment
State Water Code (SWC) 31630-31639 provides CVWD with the authority to levy and collect
water replenishment assessments to implement groundwater replenishment programs (GRPs)
within its jurisdictional boundary. Groundwater replenishment is necessary to mitigate overdraft
of the groundwater basin and associated undesirable results. The jurisdictional areas that benefit
from the GRPs, and where CVWD levies replenishment assessments on groundwater production,
are termed Areas of Benefit (AOBs). There are three AOBs within CVWD’s boundary: the Mission
Creek Subbasin AOB, the West Whitewater River Subbasin AOB, and the East Whitewater River
Subbasin AOB. GRPs are essential to the water management plans that were developed to
prevent overdraft conditions and any associated undesirable results in all three AOBs.
Groundwater replenishment is accomplished through two mechanisms: direct replenishment, by
which imported surface water is percolated directly into the aquifer, and in -lieu replenishment,
by which imported surface water or recycled water is provided to groundwater pumpers for
irrigation purposes, thus reducing or eliminating their use of pumped groundwater. Historical
declines in groundwater levels in the three AOBs led to joint management agreements between
CVWD and DWA. The GRP for the West Whitewater River Subbasin AOB was formed in 1976, the
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GRP for the Mission Creek Subbasin AOB was formed in 2003, and the GRP for the East
Whitewater River Subbasin AOB was formed in 2004. The Project is located within the West
Whitewater River Subbasin AOB.
1.2.3.1 Annual Engineer’s Reports
CVWD is required to prepare and present to its Board of Directors annually an Engineer’s Report
on Water Supply and Replenishment Assessment reporting on the conditions of the groundwater
supplies and recommend Replenishment Assessment Charges (RACs) to be levied upon
groundwater production greater than 25 AFY within each AOB in accordance with SWC 31630-
31639. The Engineer’s Report must include the following information: a summary of the
conditions of groundwater supplies; the need for replenishment; a description of the
replenishment programs, including the source and amount of replenishment waters, the costs
associated with the GRP, the areas directly and indirectly benefited by the GRP, and the amount
of groundwater produced in each area during the prior year; and a recommendation for the RAC
to be levied on each AOB. The 2022-2023 Engineer’s Report on Water Supply and Replenishment
Assessment was prepared and presented to CVWD’s Board of Directors on April 26, 2022.
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2 Public Water System
The City of Palm Desert is the Lead Agency for the planning and environmental review of the
proposed Refuge Specific Plan (Project). The City of Palm Desert has identified the Coachella
Valley Water District (CVWD) as the Public Water System (PWS) that will supply water for the
proposed Project, and has requested that CVWD assist in preparing a Water Supply
Assessment/Water Supply Verification (WSA/WSV) as part of the environmental review for the
Project.
2.1 Coachella Valley Water District
CVWD was established in 1918 under the County Water District Act provisions of the California
Water Code. CVWD provides water related services for domestic w ater, wastewater collection
and treatment, recycled water, agricultural irrigation water, drainage management, imported
water supply, groundwater replenishment, stormwater management, flood control, and water
conservation. CVWD’s boundary encompasses approximately 640,000 acres as shown in Figure
2-1, mostly within Riverside County, but also extending into northern Imperial and San Diego
Counties.
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Figure 2-1: Coachella Valley Water District Boundary and Cities
2.1.2 Coachella Valley Water District – Potable Water Distribution Systems
CVWD has two domestic water service areas that serve potable water to its local communities:
the Cove Communities system and Improvement District No. 8 (ID -8) as shown in Figure 2-2.
CVWD previously had three water systems, but ID -11 was consolidated into the Cove
Communities system in March 2021. CVWD had approximately 112,609 domestic water
connections and served approximately 93,648 acre-feet (AF) of water in 2021. CVWD serves all
of the Cities of Rancho Mirage, Thousand Palms, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta, and a
portion of Indio, Coachella, and Cathedral City. Other areas served with domestic water by CVWD
include a portion of lands near Desert Hot Springs and the Indio Hills. CVWD also serves other
unincorporated communities including Thermal, Mecca, Oasis, Desert Shores, Salton Sea Beach,
Salton City, North Shore, Bombay Beach, Hot Mineral Springs, and other portions of
unincorporated Riverside and Imperial Counties. The Project is located within CVWD’s Cove
Communities domestic water distribution system.
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Figure 2-2: Coachella Valley Water District Domestic Water Service Areas
The 2020 Regional UMWP projected that population in CVWD’s urban water service area would
increase as shown in Table 2-1.
Table 2-1: Current and Projected Population for CVWD’s Service Area
Population
Served
2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
268,952 292,077 315,202 338,274 360,813 383,300
Source: 2020 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan
2.2 Coachella Valley Hydrology
The bulk of natural groundwater replenishment comes from runoff from the adjacent mountains.
Climate in the Coachella Valley is characterized by low humidity, high summer temperatures, and
mild dry winters. Average annual precipitation varies from 3 to 6 i nches of rain on the Coachella
Valley floor to more than 30 inches in the surrounding mountains. Most of the precipitation
occurs between December and February, except for summer thundershowers. Prevailing winds
in the area are usually gentle, but occasionally increase to velocities as high as 30 miles per hour
or more. Mid-summer temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (oF), frequently
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reach 110oF, and periodically reach or exceed 120oF, and the average winter temperature is
approximately 60oF as shown in Table 2-2 and Table 2-3.
Table 2-2: Monthly Average Climate Data for Palm Springs
Source: 2020 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan
1 National Weather Service Forecast, Station Palm Springs Airport, 1998-2020
2 CIMIS Station 208 – La Quinta II, 2007-2020
Table 2-3: Monthly Average Climate Data for Thermal
Source: 2020 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan
1 National Weather Service Forecast, Station Desert Resorts Regional Airport, 1990-2020
2 CIMIS Station 218 – Thermal South, 2010-2020
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Max (oF)1 71 73 80 86 94 104 108 107 102 90 78 69 89
Min (oF)1 47 49 54 59 65 73 80 79 74 64 53 46 62
Rain (in)1 0.95 0.92 0.36 0.10 0.02 0.00 0.25 0.14 0.20 0.20 0.26 0.70 3.80
ETo (in)2 2.5 3.4 5.6 7.1 8.3 8.7 8.1 7.5 6.2 4.7 2.9 2.2 67.2
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Max (oF) 1 71 74 81 87 95 103 107 106 101 91 79 69 89
Min (oF) 1 39 43 49 55 63 69 76 75 68 57 45 38 56
Rain (in)1 0.64 0.61 0.34 0.08 0.01 0.01 0.13 0.12 0.32 0.19 0.17 0.34 2.96
ETo (in) 2 2.7 3.9 6.4 8.0 9.3 9.3 9.6 9.1 7.1 5.3 3.2 2.4 70.2
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3 Public Water System – Existing Supply and Demand
Currently, all of Coachella Valley Water District’s (CVWD’s) urban potable water uses are supplied
using groundwater. In addition to groundwater, CVWD has imported water supplies from the
State Water Project (SWP) and the Colorado River, and recycled water from water reclamation
plants. These imported and recycled water supplies are used to meet CVWD’s non-potable water
demands and to replenish the groundwater basin.
3.1 Groundwater
Groundwater is the principal source of potable supply in the Coachella Valley and CVWD obtains
groundwater from both the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins of the Coachella Valley
Groundwater Basin. CVWD has the legal authority to manage the groundwater basin within its
boundaries under the County Water District Law (California Water Code section 30000, et seq.)
and as a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) under the Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act (SGMA).
Groundwater is also used by other domestic water suppliers and private pumpers for crop
irrigation, fish farms, duck clubs, golf course irrigation, greenhouses, and industrial uses in the
Coachella Valley.
3.1.1 Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin
The Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin is bounded on the north and east by the San Bernardino
and Little San Bernardino Mountains, on the south and west by the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto
Mountains, and on the south by the Salton Sea. At the west end of the San Gorgonio Pass,
between Beaumont and Banning, the basin boundary is defined by a surface drainage divide
separating the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin from the Beaumont Groundwater Basin of
the Upper Santa Ana Drainage Area.
The southern boundary is formed primarily by the watershed of the Mecca Hills and by the
northwest shoreline of the Salton Sea running between the Santa Rosa Mountains and Mortmar.
Between the Salton Sea and Travertine Rock, at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the
southern boundary crosses the Riverside County Line into Imperial and San Diego Counties.
Although there is interflow of groundwater throughout the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin,
fault barriers, constrictions in the basin profile, and areas of low permeability limit and control
movement of groundwater. Based on these factors, the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin has
been divided into subbasins and subareas as described by DWR in 1964 and 2003, and by the
United States Geological Survey (USGS) in 1974.
3.1.1.1 Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin – Subbasins
As shown on Figure 3-1, the subbasins of the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin are the Indio,
Mission Creek, San Gorgonio Pass, and Desert Hot Springs Subbasins. The subbasins are defined
without regard to water quantity or quality. They delineate areas underlain by formations which
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readily yield stored groundwater through water wells and offer natural reservoirs for the
regulation of water supplies.
The boundaries between subbasins within the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin are generally
defined by faults that impede the lateral movement of groundwater. Minor subareas have also
been delineated based on one or more of the following geologic or hydrologic characteristics:
types of water-bearing formations, water quality, areas of confined groundwater, forebay areas,
groundwater divides, and surface drainage divides.
Figure 3-1: Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin and Subbasins
Source: Indio Subbasin Annual Report for Water Year 2020-2021
The following is a list of the subbasins in the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin as designated
by DWR in Bulletin 118:
• Indio Subbasin (Subbasin 7-21.01)
• Mission Creek Subbasin (Subbasin 7-21.02)
• San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin (Subbasin 7-21.03)
• Desert Hot Springs Subbasin (Subbasin 7-21.04)
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DWR designated the Indio, Mission Creek, and San Gorgonio Pass Subbasins as medium-priority,
and the Desert Hot Springs Subbasin as very low priority. None of the subbasins are adjudicated
or in a state of overdraft.
In 1964, DWR estimated that the subbasins in the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin contained
approximately 39,200,000 acre-feet (AF) of water in the first 1,000 feet below the groundwater
surface. The capacities of the subbasins are shown in Table 3-1.
Table 3-1: Groundwater Storage in the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin
Subbasin/Subarea Storage (AF) 1
Indio Subbasin
Palm Springs Subarea 4,600,000
Thousand Palms Subarea 1,800,000
Oasis Subarea 3,000,000
Garnet Hill Subarea 1,000,000
Thermal Subarea 19,400,000
Indio Subbasin Subtotal 29,800,000
Mission Creek Subbasin 2,600,000
San Gorgonio Subbasin 2,700,000
Desert Hot Springs Subbasin 4,100,000
Total 39,200,000
Source: DWR Bulletin 108 (1964)
1 First 1,000 feet below ground surface. (DWR, 1964)
3.1.2 Groundwater Demand
Groundwater is the principle source of potable supply in the Coachella Valley and CVWD obtains
groundwater from both the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins of the Coachella Valley
Groundwater Basin. CVWD‘s groundwater demand in the Coachella Valley Groundwa ter Basin
for 2017 through 2021 is shown in Table 3-2.
Table 3-2: CVWD Groundwater Demand in the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin
Groundwater Production (AF) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Indio Subbasin 93,798 96,176 93,130 96,661 98,484
Mission Creek Subbasin 2,917 2,786 2,642 3,182 3,062
Total 96,715 98,962 95,772 99,843 101,546
3.1.3 Groundwater Sustainability
Long-term sustainability is typically assessed based on changes in groundwater storage over a
period on the order of ten to twenty years that includes wet and dry periods.
3.1.3.1 Indio Subbasin
Figure 3-2 shows the historical annual change in groundwater storage from 1970 through Water
Year (WY) 2020-2021 in the Indio Subbasin. The figure also shows annual inflows, outflows,
groundwater production, and 10-year and 20-year running-average change in groundwater
18
storage. During periods of high artificial recharge, the change in storage tends to be positive. I n
dry years or periods of high groundwater pumping, the change in storage can be negative.
As shown in Figure 3-2, annual inflows to the Indio Subbasin are highly variable with years of high
inflows corresponding to wet years when SWP delivery volumes were greater. Higher inflows in
the mid-1980s occurred when the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD)
commenced large-scale advanced water deliveries to the Indio Subbasin. After an extended
period of decline, both the 10-year and 20-year running-average change in storage have shown
positive trends since 2009, and the 10-year running-average has been positive since 2017.
Figure 3-2: Historical Annual Change in Groundwater Storage in the Indio Subbasin
Source: Indio Subbasin Annual Report for Water Year 2020-2021
As shown in Figure 3-3, groundwater levels have increased significantly in the Indio Subbasin
from WY 2008-2009 to WY 2020-2021. The 2022 Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan Update uses
2009 water levels as a metric of sustainability because historical low groundwater levels occurred
in the years around 2009 throughout most of the Indio Subbasin. The Indio Subbasin shows a
long-term positive trend in sustainability resulting from implementation of the Indio Subbasin
Alternative Plan.
19
Figure 3-3: 12-Year Change in Groundwater Elevation from Water Year 200 8-2009 through
Water Year 2020-2021 in the Indio Subbasin
Source: Indio Subbasin Annual Report for Water Year 2020-2021
3.1.3.2 Mission Creek Subbasin
Figure 3-4 shows the historical annual change in groundwater storage from 1978 through WY
2019-2020 in the Mission Creek Subbasin. The figure also shows annual inflows, outflows,
groundwater production, and 10-year and 20-year running-average change in groundwater
storage. During periods of high artificial recharge, the change in storage tends to be positive. In
dry years or periods of high groundwater pumping, the change in storage can be negative.
As shown in Figure 3-4, after a period of decline, starting in 2004 both the 10-year and 20-year
running-average change in groundwater storage have shown positive trends. Annual inflows to
the Mission Creek Subbasin are highly variable with years of high inflows corresponding to years
when SWP delivery volumes were greater. The 20-year running-average change in storage shows
that the Mission Creek Subbasin has been in balance since 2012.
20
Figure 3-4: Historical Annual Change in Groundwater Storage in the Mission Creek Subbasin
Source: Mission Creek Subbasin Annual Report for Water Year 2020-2021
Groundwater levels have increased significantly in the Mission Creek Subbasin over the past 10
years from WY 2008-2009 to WY 2020-2021 as shown in Figure 3-5. The 2022 Mission Creek
Subbasin Alternative Plan Update uses 2009 water levels as a metric of sustainability because
historical low groundwater levels occurred in the years around 2009 throughout most of the
Mission Creek Subbasin. The Mission Creek Subbasin shows a long-term positive trend in
sustainability resulting from implementation of the Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan.
21
Figure 3-5: 12-Year Change in Groundwater Elevation from Water Year 2010-2011 through
Water Year 2020-2021 in the Mission Creek Subbasin
Source: Mission Creek Subbasin Annual Report for Water Year 2020-2021
3.2 Imported Water
CVWD has two sources of imported water available: Colorado River water delivered via the
Coachella Canal and SWP water exchanged for Colorado River water delivered through the
Colorado River Aqueduct. These imported water sources are used to recharge the groundwater
basin and as an alternative source to meet non-potable demands from irrigation of agriculture,
golf, and urban uses that would have otherwise been met by pumping groundwater. In the
future, if urban demand significantly increases relative to non-potable uses, Colorado River water
may be treated and delivered directly to customers through CVWD’s potable water distribution
system.
3.2.1 Colorado River Water
Colorado River water has been a significant water supply source for the Indio Subbasin since the
Coachella Canal was completed in 1949. CVWD is the only agency in the Indio Subbasin that
receives Colorado River water allocations. The Colorado River is managed and operated in
accordance with the Law of the River, a collection of interstate compacts, federal and state
legislation, various agreements and contracts, an international treaty, a U.S. Supreme Court
decree, and federal administrative actions that govern the rights to use Colorado River water
22
within the seven Colorado River Basin states. The 1922 Colorado River Compact apportioned the
waters of the Colorado River Basin between the Upper Colorado River Basin (i.e., Colorado,
Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico) and the Lower Basin (i.e., Nevada, Arizona, and California).
The 1922 Colorado River Compact allocates 15 million AFY of Colorado River water as follows:
7.5 million AFY to the Upper Basin and 7.5 million AFY to the Lower Basin, plus up to 1 million
AFY of surplus supplies. The Lower Basin’s water was further appor tioned among the three Lower
Basin states by the 1928 Boulder Canyon Project Act and the 1931 Boulder Canyon Project
Agreement, typically called the 1931 Seven Party Agreement, which allocates California’s
apportionment of Colorado River water among Palo Verde Irrigation District, Imperial Irrigation
District (IID), CVWD, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), City of Los
Angeles, City of San Diego, and County of San Diego. The 1964 U.S. Supreme Court decree in
Arizona v. California established Arizona’s basic annual apportionment at 2.8 million AFY,
California’s at 4.4 million AFY, and Nevada’s at 0.3 million AFY. Mexico is entitled to 1.5 million
AFY of the Colorado River under the 1944 United States -Mexico Treaty for Utilization of Waters
of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande . However, this treaty did not specify a
required quality for water entering Mexico. In 1973, the United States and Mexico signed Minute
No. 242 of the International Boundary and Water Commission r equiring certain water quality
standards for water entering Mexico. California’s Colorado River supply is protected by the 1968
Colorado River Basin Project Act, which provides that in years of insufficient supply on the main
stem of the Colorado River, supplies to the Central Arizona Project shall be reduced to zero before
California will be reduced below 4.4 million AF in any year. This assures full supplies to the
Coachella Valley, except in periods of extreme drought.
The Coachella Canal is a branch of the All-American Canal that brings Colorado River water into
the Imperial and Coachella Valleys. Under the 1931 Seven Party Agreemen t, CVWD receives
330,000 AFY of Priority 3A Colorado River water diverted from the All -American Canal at the
Imperial Dam. The Coachella Canal originates at Drop 1 on the All-American Canal and extends
approximately 123 miles, terminating in CVWD’s Lake Cahuilla. The service area for Colorado
River water delivery under CVWD’s contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) is
defined as Improvement District No. 1 (ID-1), which encompasses 136,400 acres covering most
of the East Valley and a portion of the West Valley north of Interstate 10. Under the 1931 Seven
Party Agreement, CVWD has water rights to Colorado River water as part of the first 3.85 million
AFY allocated to California. CVWD is in the third priority position along with IID.
In 2003, CVWD, IID, and MWD successfully negotiated the 2003 Quantification Settlement
Agreement (2003 QSA), which quantifies Colorado River allocations through 2077 and supports
the transfer of water between agencies. Under the 2003 QSA, CVWD has a base entitlement of
330,000 AFY. CVWD negotiated water transfer agreements with MWD and IID that increased
CVWD supplies by an additional 123,000 AFY. CVWD’s net QSA supply will increase to 424,000
AFY by 2026 and remain at that level until 2047, decreasing to 421,000 AFY until 2077, when the
agreement terminates. As of 2021, CVWD’s available Colorado River water diversions at Imperial
Dam under the QSA were 399,000 AFY. This includes the base entitlement of 330,000 AFY, the
MWD/IID Transfer of 20,000 AFY, IID/CVWD First Transfer of 50,000 AFY, an d IID/CVWD Second
Transfer of 28,000 AFY. CVWD’s QSA diversions also deducts the -26,000 AFY transferred to San
23
Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) as part of the Coachella Canal Lining Project and the -
3,000 AFY transfer to Indian Present Perfected Rights. Additionally, under the 2003 QSA, MWD
transferred 35,000 AFY of its State Water Project (SWP) Tabl e A Amount to CVWD. This SWP
water is exchanged for Colorado River water and can be delivered at Imperial Dam for delivery
via the Coachella Canal to the eastern portion of the Indio Subbasin or at Lake Havasu for delivery
via the Colorado River Aqueduct to the western portion of the Indio Subbasin at the Whitewater
River Groundwater Replenishment Facility (WWR-GRF). The 2019 Second Amendment
guaranteed delivery of the 35,000 AFY from 2019 to 2026, for a total of 280,000 AFY of water to
the WWR-GRF during that timeframe. MWD can deliver the water through CVWD’s Whitewater
Service Connections (for recharge at WWR-GRF) or via the Advance Delivery account.
The MWD/IID Transfer originated in a 1989 agreement with MWD to receive 20,000 AF of its
Colorado River supply. The 2019 Amended and Restated Agreement for Exchange and Advance
Delivery of Water defined the exchange and delivery terms between MWD, CVWD, and DWA.
The 2019 Second Amendment to Delivery and Exchange Agreement reduced CVWD’s annual
delivery of the MWD/IID Transfer to 15,000 AFY, for a total of 105,000 AF, if taken at the
Whitewater Service Connections (for recharge at WWR-GRF) between 2020 and 2026. For those
seven years, MWD keeps the remaining 5,000 AFY, after which CVWD’s allocation increases ba ck
up to 20,000 AFY. CVWD’s total allocations under the QSA, including MWD’s transfer of 35,000
AFY and the MWD/IID Transfer, will increase from 424,000 AFY in 2020 to 459,000 AFY by 2026
and remain at that level for the remainder of the 75-year term of the QSA. Table 3-3 lists total
Colorado River entitlements under existing agreements.
Table 3-3: CVWD Colorado River Entitlements (AFY)
Source: 2022 Alternative Plan Update for the Indio Subbasin
1 The Second IID/CVWD Transfer began in 2018 with 13,000 AF of water. This amount increases annually by 5,000 AFY for a
total of 53,000 AFY in 2026.
2 The 35,000 AFY MWD/CVWD SWP Transfer may be delivered at either Imperial Dam or Whitewater River and is not subject to
SWP or Colorado River reliability.
3 Accounts for -5,000 AFY reduction in MWD/IID Approval Agreement deliveries from 2020-2026 per the 2019 Amendments
with MWD.
Diversion 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Base Entitlement 330,000 330,000 330,000 330,000 330,000 330,000
1988 MWD/IID Approval Agreement 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000
IID/CVWD First Transfer 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000
IID/CVWD Second Transfer1 23,000 48,000 53,000 53,000 53,000 53,000
Coachella Canal Lining -26,000 -26,000 -26,000 -26,000 -26,000 -26,000
Indian Present Perfected Rights Transfer -3,000 -3,000 -3,000 -3,000 -3,000 -3,000
QSA Diversions 394,000 419,000 424,000 424,000 424,000 424,000
MWD SWP Transfer2 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000
Total Diversions 429,000 454,000 459,000 459,000 459,000 459,000
Assumed Conveyance Losses (5%) -21,200 -22,700 -22,950 -22,950 -22,950 -22,950
MWD/IID Approval Agreement Transfer3 -5,000 -5,000 0 0 0 0
Total Available Deliveries 402,800 426,300 436,050 436,050 436,050 436,050
24
The Colorado River deliveries to CVWD at the Imperial Dam/Coachella Canal from 2017 through
2021 are shown in Table 3-4.
Table 3-4: Colorado River Deliveries to CVWD at the Imperial Dam/Coachella Canal
Diversions (AF) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Imperial Dam/Coachella Canal 335,321 338,035 343,971 350,618 357,543
Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado Region, Colorado River Accounting and Water Use Reports for Arizona,
California, and Nevada. 2021 data is provisional.
CVWD’s recharge volumes of Colorado River water from 2017 through 2021 are shown in Table
3-5.
Table 3-5: CVWD Groundwater Recharge of Colorado River Water
Groundwater Recharge (AF) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Thomas E. Levy GRF 34,614 33,348 36,143 37,536 37,971
Palm Desert GRF 0 0 7,757 9,700 10,633
Total 34,614 33,348 43,900 47,236 48,604
Source: 2022-2023 CVWD Annual Engineer’s Reports on Water Supply and Replenishment Assessment
3.2.2 State Water Project
The SWP is managed by DWR and includes 705 miles of aqueduct and conveyance facilities
extending from Lake Oroville in Northern California to Lake Perris in Southern California. The SWP
has contracts to deliver 4.172 million AFY to the State Water Contractors. The State Water
Contractors consist of 29 public entities with long-term contracts with DWR for all, or a portion
of, their water supply needs. In 1962 and 1963, DWA and CVWD, respectively, entered contracts
with the State of California for a total of 61,200 AFY of SWP water. SWP water has been an
important component of the region’s water supply mix since CVWD and DWA began receiving
and recharging SWP exchange water at the WWR-GRF. Starting in 1973, CVWD and DWA began
exchanging their SWP water with MWD for Colorado River water delivered via MWD’s Colorado
River Aqueduct. Because CVWD and DWA do not have a physical connection to SWP conveyance
facilities, MWD takes delivery of CVWD’s and DWA’s SWP water, and in exchange, delivers an
equal amount of Colorado River water to the Whitewater Service Connections (for rech arge at
WWR-GRF and Mission Creek Groundwater Replenishment Facility). The exchange agreement
was most recently re-established in the 2019 Amended and Restated Agreement for Exchange
and Advance Delivery of Water.
Each SWP contract contains a “Table A” exhibit that defines the maximum annual amount of
water each contractor can receive excluding certain interruptible deliveries. DWR uses Table A
amounts to allocate available SWP supplies and some SWP project costs among the contractors.
Each year, DWR determines the amount of water available for delivery to SWP contractors based
on hydrology, reservoir storage, the requirements of water rights licenses and permits, water
quality, and environmental requirements for protected species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin
River Delta (Delta). The available supply is then allocated according to each SWP contractor’s
Table A amount.
25
CVWD’s and DWA’s collective increments of Table A water are listed in Table 3-6. Original Table
A SWP water allocations for CVWD and DWA were 23,100 AFY and 38,100 AFY, respectively, for
a combined amount of 61,200 AFY. CVWD and DWA obtained a combined 100,000 AFY transfer
from MWD under the 2003 Exchange Agreement. In 2004, CVWD purchased an additional 9,900
AFY of SWP Table A water from the Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District (Tulare Lake Basin)
in Kings County. In 2007, CVWD and DWA made a second purchase of Table A SWP water from
Tulare Lake Basin totaling 7,000 AFY. In 2007, CVWD and DWA also completed the transfer of
16,000 AFY of Ta ble A Amounts from the Berrenda Mesa Water District in Kern County. These
latter two transfers became effective in January 2010. With these additional transfers, the total
SWP Table A Amount for CVWD and DWA is 194,100 AFY. Table 3-7 shows the recharge of SWP
Exchange Water from 2017 through 2021.
Table 3-6: State Water Project Table A Allocations
Original SWP
Table A
(AFY)
Tulare Lake
Basin 2004
Transfer
(AFY)
Metropolitan
Water District
2003 Transfer
(AFY)
Tulare Lake
Basin 2007
Transfer
(AFY)
Berrenda
Mesa 2007
Transfer
(AFY)
Total
(AFY)
CVWD 23,100 9,900 88,100 5,250 12,000 138,350
DWA 38,100 0 11,900 1,750 4,000 55,750
Total 61,200 9,900 100,000 7,000 16,000 194,100
Source: 2020 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan
Table 3-7: CVWD and DWA Groundwater Recharge of State Water Project Exchange Water
Groundwater Recharge (AF) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Whitewater River GRF 385,994 129,725 235,600 126,487 15,006
Mission Creek GRF 9,248 2,027 3,688 1,768 0
Total 395,242 131,752 239,288 128,255 15,006
Source: CVWD 2022-2023 Annual Engineer’s Reports on Water Supply and Replenishment Assessment
3.2.3 Other SWP Water
There are other types of SWP water that can be purchased, such as individual water purchase
opportunities and transfers/exchanges. These may be conveyed to CVWD and DWA as
available, but no commitments exist.
In 2008, CVWD and DWA entered into separate agreements with DWR for the purchase and
conveyance of supplemental SWP water under the Yuba River Accord Dry Year Water Purchase
Program (Yuba Accord). This program provides dry year supplies through a water purchase
agreement between DWR and Yuba County Water Agency, which settled long -standing
operational and environmental issues over instream flow requirements for the lower Yuba River.
The amount of water available for purchase varies annually and is allocated among participating
SWP contractors based on their Table A amounts. CVWD and DWA may purchase up to 1.72
percent and 0.69 percent, respectively, of available Yuba Accord water, in years it is made
available. Yuba Accord deliveries have varied from zero in multiple ye ars to a total of 2,664 AFY
to CVWD and DWA in 2013.
26
Article 21 water (described in Article 21 of the SWP water contracts), “Interruptible Water ,” is
water that State Water Contractors may receive on a short-term basis in addition to their Table
A water if they request it in years when it is available. Article 21 water is used by many contractors
to help meet demands in low allocation years. Article 21 water is not available every year,
amounts vary when it is available, and is proportionately allocated among participating
Contractors. The availability and delivery of Article 21 water cannot interfere with normal SWP
operations and cannot be carried over for delivery in a subsequent year.
3.3 Surface Water
CVWD does not currently use or intend to use any local surface water as part of its urban potable
water supply. Local runoff is captured and used for groundwater recharge.
3.3.1 River/Stream Diversion
Surface water supplies come from several local rivers and streams including the Whitewater
River, Snow Creek, Falls Creek, and Chino Creek, as well as a number of smaller creeks and
washes. Because surface water supplies are affected by variations in annual precipitation, the
annual supply is highly variable. The 50-year hydrologic period from 1970 to 2019 had an annual
average watershed runoff of 52,506 AFY, with approximately 43,300 AFY in natural infiltration.
Runoff during the 25-year period from 1995 to 2019 was below average, with 39,196 AFY in
watershed runoff and 29,200 AFY in natural infiltration. CVWD does not currently use or intend
to use any local surface water as part of its urban potable water supply. Local runoff is captured
and used for groundwater recharge.
3.3.2 Stormwater Capture
The Coachella Valley drainage area is approximately 65 percent mountainous and 35 percent
typical desert valley with alluvial fan topography buffering the valley floor from the steep
mountain slopes. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 30 inches or more in the San
Bernardino Mountains to less than 3 inches at the Salton Sea. Three types of storms produce
precipitation in the drainage area: general winter storms, general thunderstorms, and local
thunderstorms. Longer duration, lower intensity rainfall events tend to have higher recharge
rates, but runoff from flash flooding can result from all three types of storms. Otherwise, there
is little to no flow in most of the streams in the drainage area.
Significant amounts of local runoff are currently captured a t the Whitewater River GRF and in the
debris basins and unlined channels of the western Coachella Valley. Additional stormwater will
be captured when the Thousand Palms Flood Control Project is completed and when flood
control is constructed in the Oasis area. However, limited data exists to estimate the amount of
additional stormwater that could be captured by new facilities in the Coachella Valley.
Nonetheless, large-scale stormwater capture is not expected to yield sufficient water to be worth
the investment as a single purpose project. Small-scale stormwater retention systems located in
areas of suitable geology to allow percolation could capture small intensity storms as well as
street runoff. The potential yield of these system is not known at this tim e, but stormwater
27
capture should are considered in conjunction with projects that construct stormwater and flood
control facilities.
3.4 Wastewater and Recycled Water
Wastewater that has been highly treated and disinfected can be reused for landscape irrigation
and other purposes. Recycled wastewater has historically been used for irrigation of golf courses
and municipal landscaping in the Coachella Valley since as early as the 1960s. As growth occurs
in the eastern Coachella Valley, the supply of recycled water is expected to increase, creating an
additional opportunity to maximize local water supply.
CVWD operates five water reclamation plants (WRPs), two of them (WRP -7 and WRP-10)
generate recycled water for irrigation of golf courses and large landscaped areas. WRP -4 became
operational in 1986 and serves the communities from La Quinta to Mecca. WRP -4 effluent is not
currently recycled, however, it will be in the futur e when the demand for recycled water is
developed and tertiary treatment is constructed. The other two WRPs serve communities near
the Salton Sea. A sixth WRP (WRP-9) was decommissioned in July 2015. The wastewater treated
by CVWD from 2017 through 2020 is shown in Table 3-8. Table 3-9 shows the recycled water
produced by CVWD from 2017 through 2020. CVWD will continue to expand its recycled water
program by connecting additional recycled water customers to meet the non-potable water
demands in the western and eastern portions of the Coachella Valley.
Table 3-8: Wastewater Treated by CVWD
Wastewater (AF) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
WRP-1 19 19 16 18 24
WRP-2 13 12 16 13 15
WRP-4 5,695 5,900 6,065 6,353 6,452
WRP-7 3,124 3,275 3,246 3,236 3,287
WRP-10 9,710 10,124 9,663 9,238 8,980
Total 18,561 19,330 19,006 18,858 18,758
Table 3-9: Recycled Water Produced by CVWD
3.5 Conservation
Water conservation, and the reduced groundwater production associated with water
conservation, benefits the groundwater basin and is an important element of the Alternative
Plans and the 2020 Regional UWMP.
CVWD has utilized several programs to ensure water conservation within its service area. CVWD
has implemented allocation-based conservation water pricing (i.e. tiered rates) to prevent water
Recycled Water (AF) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
WRP-7 1,267 2,246 1,657 1,936 2,136
WRP-10 4,702 7,857 7,100 7,521 7,285
Total 5,969 10,103 8,757 9,457 9,421
28
waste or unreasonable use of water. In addition, CVWD’s indoor rebate programs are designed
to assist homeowners and commercial customers reduce water usage by upgrading toilets,
replacing inefficient devices, and installing new technology to improve efficiency. CVWD also has
outdoor rebate programs that are designed to assist homeowners, homeowners associations,
and commercial customers reduce outdoor water usage by converting turf to desert landscaping,
installing smart irrigation controllers, and improving the efficiency of irrigation systems. CVWD
offers seminars, workshops, and classes to help educate the public regarding the need for water
conservation and the conservation programs that are available.
3.6 Landscape Ordinance
CVWD Landscape Ordinance 1302.5 requires a series of reduction methods, including
requirements that new developments install weather -based irrigation controllers that
automatically adjust watering. Additional requirements include setbacks of spray emitters from
impervious surfaces, as well as use of porous rock and gravel buffers between grass and curbs to
eliminate run-off onto streets. With the exception of turf, all landscaping including groundcover
and shrubbery must be irrigated with a drip system. Also, the maximum water allowance for
landscaped areas through the CVWD service area has been reduced. This reduction goal requires
that developers maximize the use of native and other drought -tolerant landscape materials and
minimize use of more water-intensive landscape features, including turf and fountains.
3.7 Water Shortage Contingency Planning
Based on the experiences from the 2013-2015 drought, CVWD’s domestic Water Shortage
Contingency Plan provides the shortage levels summarized in Table 4-9. The trigger levels used
to determine the water shortage level depend on the local water situation or applicable State
manadates. CVWD has a diverse mix of water supplies and benefits from a large groundwater
basin providing storage. CVWD’s groundwater replenishment program replenishes the basin to
increase groundwater storage during wet years and that supply is available for use during dry
years.
Table 3-10: Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan Shortage Levels
Shortage Level Shortage Range Water Supply Condition
1 Up to 10% Normal water supplies
2 Up to 20% Slightly limited water supplies
3 Up to 30% Moderately limited water supplies
4 Up to 40% Limited water supplies
5 Up to 50% Significantly limited water supplies
6 Up to 60% Severe shortage or catastrophic incident
Source: 2020 CVWD Water Shortage Contingency Plan
29
4 Public Water System – Projected Supply and Demand
Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) projects that a majority of its urban potable water uses
will continue to be supplied from local groundwater. In addition to groundwater, CVWD has
secured imported water supplies from the State Water Project (SWP) and the Colorado River,
and recycled water from water reclamation plants. These imported and recycled water supplies
are used to meet CVWD’s non-potable water demands and to replenish the groundwater basin.
4.1 Projected Urban Demand and Supply
The following tables from the 2020 Regional Urban Water Management Plan (Regional UWMP)
provide the CVWD’s projected water supplies and demands. Potable water demand projections
for the CVWD service area are summarized in Table 4-1.
Table 4-1: CVWD Projected Urban Retail Demands
Projected Water Use
Use Type 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Single Family 60,142 63,824 67,331 69,816 71,695
Multi-Family 6,873 7,245 7,742 8,267 9,045
CII 7,060 7,244 7,438 7,709 7,985
Landscape 34,193 36,205 38,226 39,865 41,516
Other 1,457 1,563 1,670 1,755 1,840
Losses 13,736 14,501 15,222 15,670 16,085
Total 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Source: 2020 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan
A summary of existing and planned urban water supply volumes by source are presented in Table
4-2. It should be noted that the supplies and demands presented in the tables below include
recycled water delivered to CVWD’s non-potable customers based on the DWR standardized
tables and 2020 UWMP Guidebook. DWR requires the supply reliability table to include both
potable and recycled water, however, CVWD’s recycled water is not a potable water supply and
is not delivered to CVWD’s potable water customers. Instead, recycled water is used to offset the
groundwater pumping of private well owners (mainly for golf course and landscape irrigation) to
eliminate overdraft.
These projections were based on 2010 U.S. Census Data, DWR’s Population Tool, the Southern
California Association of Governments’ (SCAG) 2020 Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan,
and seasonal occupancy data from the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau .
30
Table 4-2: CVWD Projected Urban Water Supplies
Projected Water Supply (AFY)
Water Supply 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Groundwater 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Total 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Source: 2020 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan
4.2 Normal, Single-Dry, Multiple-Dry Year Comparison
The following tables from the 2020 Regional UWMP provide CVWD’s projected water supplies
and demands in a normal year, single-dry year, and multiple-dry years.
During normal years, CVWD will be able to meet current and future urban water demand needs
projected in the 2020 Regional UWMP through groundwater pumping and recycled water as
shown in Table 4-3.
Table 4-3: Normal Year Supply and Demand Comparison
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Supply Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Groundwater 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Demand Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Potable Water Demand 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water Demand 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Source: 2020 Regional Urban Water Management Plan
Note: CVWD and the other Regional UWMP agencies collaborate on groundwater management plans for long -term
sustainability. During a normal year, single-dry year, or five-dry year period, the agencies could produce additional groundwater
if demands exceeded the estimates shown here.
During single-dry years, CVWD will be able to meet current and future urban water demand
needs through groundwater pumping and recycled water as shown in Table 4-4. Water supplies
during the single-dry year are 100 percent reliable. CVWD’s groundwater replenishment program
replenishes the basin to increase groundwater storage during wet years and that supply is
available for use during dry years. Thus, the supply and demand comparison for the single-dry
year is the same as the normal year.
31
Table 4-4: Single-Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Supply Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Groundwater 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Demand Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Potable Water Demand 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water Demand 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Source: 2020 Regional Urban Water Management Plan
Note: CVWD and the other Regional UWMP agencies collaborate on groundwater management plans for long-term
sustainability. During a normal year, single-dry year, or five-dry year period, the agencies could produce additional groundwater
if demands exceeded the estimates shown here.
During multiple-dry years, CVWD will be able to meet current and future urban water demand
needs through groundwater pumping and recycled water as shown in Table 4-5. Similar to the
single-dry year, the multiple-dry year water supply reliability is 100 percent. Thus, the supply and
demand comparison for the multiple-dry years is the same as the normal year. CVWD and the
other Regional UWMP agencies collaborate on groundwater management plans for long -term
sustainability. During a normal year, single-dry year, or five-dry year period, the agencies could
produce additional groundwater if demands exceeded the estimates shown in Table 4-5.
CVWD’s total current urban water demand was 110,967 acre-feet (AF) for 2021, including
101,546 AF of groundwater and 9,421 AF of recycled water.
32
Table 4-5: Multiple-Dry Years Supply and Demand Comparison
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
First Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Groundwater 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Demand Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Potable Water Demand 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water Demand 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Second Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Groundwater 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Demand Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Potable Water Demand 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water Demand 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Third Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Groundwater 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Demand Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Potable Water Demand 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water Demand 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Fourth Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Groundwater 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Demand Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Potable Water Demand 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water Demand 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Fifth Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Groundwater 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Demand Totals (AFY) 137,061 144,982 152,729 158,981 164,966
Potable Water Demand 123,461 130,582 137,629 143,081 148,166
Recycled Water Demand 13,600 14,400 15,100 15,900 16,800
Difference 0 0 0 0 0
Source: 2020 Regional Urban Water Management Plan
Note: CVWD and the other Regional UWMP agencies collaborate on groundwater management plans for long -term
sustainability. During a normal year, single-dry year, or five-dry year period, the agencies could produce additional groundwater
if demands exceeded the estimates shown here.
33
5 Project Description
The Refuge Specific Plan (Project) is located in the central portion of the Coachella Valley within
the incorporated limits of the City of Palm Desert, Riverside County as shown in Figure 5-1. The
Project will be accessible from Gerald Ford Drive and is bounded by Gerald Ford Drive to the
north, single-family residential homes to the east and south, and Shadow Ridge Road and the
Marriott Shadow Ridge Golf Club to the west, as shown in Figure 5-2. Vitalia Way will intersect
with Gerald Ford Drive and is not yet built but was approved in 2021 as part of the Vitalia multi -
family residential project. The proposed Specific Pl an extends Vitalia Way farther south than
originally approved to access the central and southern portions of the Specific Plan area. The
Project proposes to develop approximately 106.4 acres of vacant land in the Coachella Valley to
include up to 969 single-family and multi-family dwelling units as shown in Figure 5-3 and Table
5-1. Common recreation facilities such as pools, spas, club houses, management offices,
barbecues and other facilities appropriate to future development may be included. Project-level
development and landscape plans are currently unknown, however this WSA/WSV assumes
5,000 square feet of office/leasing/amenities building space and that up to 30 percent of the total
site area, or 31.92 acres, may be landscaped with a mix of drought tolerant landscaping and
minimal turf for open space, retention basins, and landscaping. It is also assumed that 60 percent
of all private residential lots will have private pools, for a total of 240 private pools in addition to
3 community pools.
Figure 5-1: Project Regional Location Map
34
Figure 5-2: Project Vicinity Map
Figure 5-3: Planning Area Map
35
Table 5-1: Project Land Use Summary
Note: Outdoor landscaped and recreational acreage is spread across all Planning Areas.
Planning
Area
Specific Plan/Land Use
Designation
Land
Area
(Acres)
Target Density
(EDUs/Acre)
Estimated
Dwelling
Units (EDUs)
Non-
Residential
Building Area
(ft2)
1 Multi-Family Residential 11.9 22.6 du/ac 269 units NA
2 Multi-Family Residential 16.5 10-18.23 du/ac 165-302 units NA
3 Single Family Residential 24.8 4-5 du/ac 99-124 lots NA
4 Multi-Family Residential 16.7 7-9 du/ac 117-150 lots NA
5 Single Family Residential 24.8 4-5 du/ac 99-124 lots NA
6 Community/Amenity Center 3.9 NA NA 5,000
7 Open Space/Circulation 7.8 NA NA NA
Total 106.4 749-969 5,000
36
6 Project Water Demands
The Refuge Specific Plan (Project) proposes to develop approximately 106.4 acres of vacant land
in the Coachella Valley to include up to 969 single-family and multi-family dwelling units. Future
housing developments may include common recreation facilities such as pools, spas, club houses,
management offices, barbecues, and other facilities. Project-level development and landscape
plans are currently unknown, however this WSA assumes 5,000 square feet of
office/leasing/amenities building space and that up to 30 percent of the total site area, or 31.92
acres, may be landscaped with a mix of drought tolerant landscaping and minimal turf for open
space, retention basins, and paseos. It is also assumed that 60 percent of all private residential
lots will have private pools, for a total of 240 private pools in addition to 3 community pools.
6.1 Projected Indoor Residential Water Demand
The projected indoor residential unit usage for this Water Supply Assessment/Water Supply
Verification (WSA/WSV) is based on indoor water use performance standards as provided in the
California Water Code (CWC) for residential water demand Water Code Section 10910 approved
November 10, 2009, codified in CWC section 10608.20 (b)(2)(A). The projected indoor residential
water demand for the Project totals 128.34 acre-feet per year (AFY) as shown in Table 6-1. SB
606 and AB 1668 established guidelines for efficient water use and a framework for the
implementation and oversight of the new standards, which must be in place by 2022. Based on
results of the Indoor Residential Water Use Study, DWR and the State Water Resources Control
Board jointly recommended that the indoor residential standard remain at 55 gallons per capita
per day (gpcd) through 2024 and decline to 47 gpcd in 2025 and to 42 gpcd starting in 2030.
Table 6-1: Projected Indoor Residential Water Demand
Planning
Area
Land
Area
(Acres)
Estimated
Dwelling
Units
(EDUs)
Estimated
Occupants
per Home 1
Gallons per
Day (gpd)
per
Occupant 2
gpd/EDU
Water
Demand
(gpd)
Water
Demand
(AFY)
1 11.9 269 2.15 55 118.25 31,809.25 35.63
2 16.5 302 2.15 55 118.25 35,711.50 40.00
3 24.8 124 2.15 55 118.25 14,663.00 16.42
4 16.7 150 2.15 55 118.25 17,737.50 19.87
5 24.8 124 2.15 55 118.25 14,663.00 16.42
Total 94.7 969 114,584.25 128.34
1 CA Department of Finance Table 2: E-5 City/County Population and Housing Estimates, 2021 for the City of Palm
Desert.
2 CA Indoor Water Use Performance Standard
37
6.2 Projected Indoor Commercial Water Demand
The projected indoor commercial usage for this WSA/WSV are based on the American Water
Works Association Research Foundations (AWWARF’s) Commercial and Industrial End Uses of
Water. The projected indoor commercial water demand for the Project totals 0.54 AFY a s shown
in Table 6-2 below.
Table 6-2: Projected Indoor Commercial and Industrial Water Demand
Planning
Area
Indoor Area
(ft2)
Number
of Rooms
Maximum
Interior
Floor Space
per Unit
Water
Demand
Factor
(gal/ft2)1
Water
Demand
(gpd)
Water
Demand
(AFY)
6 5,000 NA NA 35 479.45 0.54
Total 5,000 479.45 0.54
1 AWWARF Commercial and Industrial End Uses of Water, 2000.
6.3 Projected Outdoor Water Demand
The projected outdoor irrigation water usage is based on the Maximum Applied Water Allowance
(MAWA) equation from Appendix D of Coachella Valley Water District’s (CVWD’s) Landscape
Ordinance No. 1302.5, which meets the water conservation goals of the California Department
of Water Resources (DWR) Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). As previously
discussed, Project-level landscape plans are currently unknown. For analysis purposes it is
assumed that up to 30 percent of the total Project area, or 31.92 acres/1,390,435 square feet,
may be landscaped with a mix of drought tolerant landscaping and minimal turf for open space,
retention basins, and paseos.
The projected outdoor recreational water usage is based on the Estimated Total Water Usage
(ETWU) equation from Appendix D of CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance No. 1032.5. It is assumed
that 60 percent of the residential lots in PAs 3, 4 and 5 will be pool lots for a total of 240 private
pools. PAs 1, 2, and 6 will have one shared community pool each.
The projected outdoor water demand for the Project is 117.70 AFY as shown in Table 6-3 on the
following page. Projected outdoor water demand is a best estimate for the purposes of the
WSA/WSV analysis. The Project will need to comply with CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance No.
1032.5 or any other applicable ordinances and regulations that may be in place when CVWD
approves landscape plans for the Project.
38
Table 6-3: Projected Outdoor Irrigation Water Demand
Outdoor
Use Type
Planning
Area
Outdoor Use
Area (ft2)1
ETo
(in/yr)2
ETAF/Plant
Factor3
Conversion
Factor
(gal/ft2)4
Water
Demand
(gpd)
Water
Demand
(AFY)
Landscaping Project Wide 1,390,435 83.34 0.45 0.62 88,575.89 99.22
Recreation 1 3,500 83.34 1.1 0.62 545.02 0.61
Recreation 2 2,000 83.34 1.1 0.62 311.44 0.35
Recreation 3 32,000 83.34 1.1 0.62 4,983.05 5.58
Recreation 4 32,000 83.34 1.1 0.62 4,983.05 5.58
Recreation 5 32,000 83.34 1.1 0.62 4,983.05 5.58
Recreation 6 4,500 83.34 1.1 0.62 700.74 0.78
Total 1,390,435.00 105,082.24 117.70
1 Assumes an average private swimming pool is 400 square feet. Assumes 60% of private lots in PAs 3, 4, and 5 will opt for
pool upgrade for a total of 240 private pools, or 80 pools in each. PAs 1, 2, and 6 will have one shared community pool each.
2 Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) for ETo Zone [X] from CVWD Landscape Ordinance 1302.5, Appendix C
3 Evapotranspiration Adjustment Factor (ETAF) for landscaping and pools is from the CVWD Landscape Ordinance 1302.5.
4 Conversion Factor from CVWD Landscape Ordinance 1302.5, Appendix D
6.4 Projected Total Water Demand
The total projected water demand for the Project is 246.58 AFY, or 2.32 acre-feet per acre, as
shown in Table 6-4 below.
Table 6-4: Projected Total Water Demand
Planning Area Land Area
(Acres)
Indoor
Residential
Demand
(AFY)
Indoor
Commercial
Demand
(AFY)
Outdoor
Demand
(AFY)
Total Water
Demand
(AFY)
1 Multi-Family Residential 11.9 35.63 NA NA 35.63
2 Multi-Family Residential 16.5 40.00 NA NA 40.00
3 Single Family
Residential 24.8 16.42 NA NA 16.42
4 Multi-Family Residential 16.7 19.87 NA NA 19.87
5 Single Family
Residential 24.8 16.42 NA NA 16.42
6 Community/
Amenity Center 3.9 NA 0.54 NA 0.54
7. Open Space/Circulation 7.8 NA NA NA -
Outdoor Use - Overall1 NA NA NA 117.70 117.70
Total 106.4 128.34 0.54 117.70 246.58
1 Outdoor landscaping and recreational acreage and associated water demand are spread across all
Planning Areas.
39
6.5 Projected Water Sources
The Project is anticipated to utilize the CVWD Domestic System to provide water for all Project
demands.
Table 6-5: Projected Water Sources
Planning Area Land Area
(Acres)
Indoor
Residential
Indoor
Commercial
Outdoor
1 Multi-Family Residential 11.9 CVWD Domestic NA NA
2 Multi-Family Residential 16.5 CVWD Domestic NA NA
3 Single Family Residential 24.8 CVWD Domestic NA NA
4 Multi-Family Residential 16.7 CVWD Domestic NA NA
5 Single Family Residential 24.8 CVWD Domestic NA NA
6 Community/Amenity Center 3.9 NA CVWD Domestic NA
7. Open Space/Circulation 7.8 NA NA NA
Outdoor Use - Overall NA NA NA CVWD Domestic
6.6 Conservation Measures
According to the Specific Plan, the Project’s planting and irrigation design shall meet Coachella
Valley Water District (CVWD) standards and the State of California Model Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). Planting selections for shrubs must have 75% of the plant
palette be designated low-water plants from “WUCOLS”—the Water Use Classification of
Landscape Species published by the University of California Cooperative Extension, the
Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation, 2 014.
The Project’s adherence with the CVWD conservation programs, most notably in CVWD
Landscape Ordinance 1302.5, has guided development of the Project landscape plan and will
further enforce the water conservation ideology.
40
7 Assessment and Verificati on – Availability of Sufficient
Supplies
7.1 Water Supply Assessment
Based on the analysis in this Water Supply Assessment/Water Supply Verification (WSA/WSV),
the projected total water demand for the Refuge Specific Plan (Project) will be 246.58 acre-feet
per year (AFY), or 2.32 acre-feet per acre. CVWD’s long-term water management planning
ensures that adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future water needs
within its service area. CVWD’s current urban water demand was 101,546 acre-feet (AF) for 2021,
and the projected urban water demand by 2045 is 148,166 AF. This Project’s water demand of
246.58 AFY accounts for approximately 0.53 percent of the total planned increases in demand of
46,620 AF by 2045.
This WSA/WSV provides an assessment and verification of the availability of sufficient water
supplies during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years over a 20-year projection to meet the
projected demands of the Project, in addition to existing and planned future water demands of
CVWD, as required by Senate Bill 610 (SB 610), SB 221, and SB 1262. This WSA /WSV also includes
identification of existing water supply entitlements, water rights, water service contracts, and
agreements relevant to the identified water supply for the Project and quantities of water
received in prior years pursuant to those entitlements, rights, contracts, and agreements.
This WSA/WSV has been prepared in compliance with the requirements of SB 610, SB 221, and
SB 1262 by Terra Nova Planning and Research in consultation with CVWD and the City of Palm
Desert. This WSA/WSV does not relieve the Project from complying with all applicable state,
county, city, and local ordinances or regulations including the CVWD Landscape Ordinance, and
indoor water use performance standards provided in the CWC now or in the future.
This WSA/WSV will be reviewed every five years, or in the event that the water planning
assumptions have changed, until the Project completes construction to ensure it remains
accurate and no significant changes to either the Project or available water supply has occurred.
The Project applicant shall notify CVWD when construction begins. If neither the Project applicant
nor the Lead Agency contacts CVWD within five years of approval of this WSA /WSV, it will be
assumed that the Project no longer exists and the WSA/WSV provided by this document will
become invalid.
7.2 Water Supply Verification
A WSA/WSV has been prepared for the Project pursuant to the requirements of Senate Bill 221
(SB 221) because it includes a Tentative Parcel Map. This document provides verification that
adequate water supply for the Project is available, as required by California Government Code
Section 66473.7.
41
8 References
American Water Works Association Research Foundation, Commercial and Institutional End
Uses of Water, 2000
California Department of Water Resources, Final State Water Project Delivery Capability Report
2019, August 2020
California Department of Water Resources, Results of the Indoor Residential Water Use Study ,
November 2021
Coachella Valley Water District, Coachella Water Authority, Desert Water Agency, Indio Water
Authority, Mission Springs Water District, Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Company , 2020
Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan, Water Systems Consulting, Inc.,
June 2021
Coachella Valley Water District, 2022-2023 Engineer’s Report on Water Supply and
Replenishment Assessment, Wildermuth Environmental Inc., April 2022
Coachella Valley Water District, Landscape Ordinance 1302.5, July 2020
Coachella Valley Water District, Coachella Water Authority, Desert Water Agency, and Indio
Water Authority, Indio Subbasin Annual Report for Water Year 2020-2021, Todd Groundwater
Inc., February 2022
Coachella Valley Water District, Coachella Water Authority, Desert Water Agency, and Indio
Water Authority, 2022 Indio Subbasin Water Management Plan Update/Alternative Plan
Update, Todd Groundwater Inc., December 2021
Coachella Valley Water District, Desert Water Agency, and Mission Springs Water District,
Mission Creek Subbasin Annual Report for Water Year 2020-2021, Wood Environment &
Infrastructure Solutions Inc., February 2022
United States Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado River Accounting and Water Use Reports for
Arizona, California, and Nevada