A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
May 30, 2007
2. Supply
CONSERVATION:
Water cuts asked - Calaveras Enterprise
WATER BANKING:
AV's water bank faces opposition - Antelope Valley
CONSERVATION:
Water cuts asked
Calaveras Enterprise – 5/29/07
By Mike Taylor, staff writer
Calaveras County Water District officials are asking customers to curtail their water usage this summer.
After lower-than-average rainfall, and a far lower snowpack than usual, came to
"CCWD is hoping more customers will take on voluntary water conservation efforts this summer," the release said.
The snowpack in the Sierra is lower than it's been in 20 years and, according to the California Department of Water Resources, this year it's at 40 percent of normal.
But light rainfall totals aren't the entire picture.
"It's not rainfall, but system design capacity that is the main culprit affecting water availability to our customers," said David Andres, CCWD general manager.
When planning water treatment facilities, agencies use an average amount to calculate how large treatment plants should be. "Staying within the design capacity of water system facilities - a maximum usage of 1,500 gallons per household, per day - can help delay the need for new or expanded facilities," CCWD said.
During last summer's heat wave, usage in the Rancho Calaveras subdivision outside Valley Springs averaged more than 1,700 gallons per day, CCWD said. When the district sent out a request asking customers to curb their usage, voluntary conservation efforts showed an immediate reduction in daily water use.
"Recharging the system takes time," said Bill Perley, director of utilities for CCWD. "One goal of conservation is to keep water use at a more level rate."
"CCWD is strongly urging all customers to engage in voluntary conservation by watering outdoors only between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.," the agency said. It asked customers with odd addresses to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and even addresses are asked to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
"Water conservation efforts help level out peak usage by spreading water use over a wider range of time," CCWD said.
"We have plenty of water right now," said
To the south, the Tuolumne Utilities District - which only received 29 percent of normal precipitation this year - has asked its customers to cut back 20 percent.
Cutting back on water use in the residential setting doesn't mean there can't be greenery in the front yard.
Mike Schmitz, owner of Murphys Nursery, said he and his staff always "... try to encourage our customers to look at conserving water."
He said that doesn't necessarily mean that a lush lawn can't be planted.
"Lawn has its place," Schmitz said. That place isn't under a pine tree, he insists. "Lawns need six hours of bright sun or else they get diseases."
Proper placement of the grass can simply be another thing to consider when planting a landscape. Schmitz said he's often surprised at the vast expanses of lawn some residents in the county plant because they draw their water from wells. Those can run dry in dry years, too, he cautioned.
He also suggested using a lawn fertilizer that's not as high in nitrogen as some brands.
"It's like feeding your kids sugar bombs," he joked, "the lawn wants more of it sooner."
To capture the same green effect, Schmitz recommends carpet manzanita. It's drought tolerant once it is established and does well at higher elevations.
"It doesn't mind being buried under the snow for a long time, either."
Ornamental strawberries also do a good job covering larger areas with a pleasing green.
CCWD has added links in the "Water Conservation" area of its Web site, ccwd.org, where visitors can explore conservation options that vary from appliances to plantings.
"For example," the statement said, "aerators, available for a few dollars, can reduce water use at faucets by as much as 60 percent while still providing a strong stream. Growing plants suited to the area can save more than 50 percent of the water normally used to care for landscape.
CCWD Customer Service Supervisor Doug Wilson remarked that conserving water is an exercise in changing water-use habits. Ratepayers have choices to make in helping to control their water bills, he said.
http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/articles/2007/05/29/news/news02.txt
WATER BANKING:
AV's water bank faces opposition
By Alisha Semchuck, staff writer
PALMDALE - Will plans for the
It's too soon to tell: administrators and directors of the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency will await an environmental impact report that will look into whether the project's percolation ponds would draw birds that could pose a hazard to low-flying airplanes or would create other environmental hazards such as damage to septic tanks or roads.
More than 50 people crowded the AVEK boardroom Tuesday night and overflowed into the hall for a "scoping" meeting in which people who live near the site voiced their concerns and suggested issues for the environmental impact report to cover.
The project is proposed southwest of Rosamond on roughly 1,400 acres owned by longtime Valley onion and carrot farmer John Calandri.
"All the questions raised at the meeting will be addressed," said AVEK General Manager Russ Fuller, who estimated the draft report will be finished sometime in late June.
Escrow had been set to close May 29 on the project's site, which consists of several parcels along
Initially, the water agency board opted to file a negative declaration - asserting that an initial study concluded the project would have no significant effect on the environment - rather than complete a full environmental impact report, said community resident John Goit, a director for Sundale Mutual Water Company.
"I notified a lot of people in this room as to what's going on," Goit said. "I'm not against the project. I want it done responsibly.
The board bought this land without one iota of public comment."
Kern County Planning Department official Lorelei Oviatt said
Oviatt said the plans require a "complete and thorough discussion of growth impacts. We look forward to a legally sufficient environmental impact report. We're looking forward to working with you to resolve issues."
People at the meeting said they were worried about the water flooding their septic tanks, heavy construction equipment damaging local roads and noise from water pumps.
Goit contended that much of the property contains large clay layers near the surface, between the ground and the water table, meaning that the water intended for banking cannot percolate down and would be lost to evaporation.
As Goit put it, "percolation is inhibited." He also disagreed with an assertion in the original "negative declaration" documents that states water flows from east to west. "I've been there. It flows from west to east.
"It says you're not in a flood plain," he added. "Everyone in this room is paying flood insurance for the entire area.
"Within 1,000 feet of the border of this project, there are 275 parcels that could drill their own wells. If you're on the other side of
Another resident agreed with the flood and septic tank issues.
"I don't know how you're going to get water through the clay. You'll flood my septic tank. It's going to cost me money. FEMA says it's a flood plain," the man said. "If you put a berm on 65th, you're going to flood my house. I don't think this is a very smart idea. There's a reason why people are not using this property. If it was good, there would be development."
Birds and airports don't mix, according to Goit. Also, some private air parks exist nearby, like one at Avenue D-8 and
Phil Schultz said he has been operating that airport 27 years, and the permit he received said the property was compatible with a flood zone. "It's a waste of taxpayers' money to build a project like this."
Randy Scott lives in the area and agreed. In fact, he pointed out that low-flying aircraft pass through the area "several times a week" en route to or from Edwards Air Force Base.
Though the report said no earthquake faults were nearby, Goit said, "Three miles north, you'll find the Garlock fault." #
http://avpress.com/n/24/0524_s3.hts
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