A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
July 27, 2007
2. Supply
WATER METERING:
Palm Springs sues agency over water meters; Devices intended to prevent theft could impair sprinklers, fire officials say - Los Angeles Times
WATER CONSERVATION:
Residents asked to cut back on water; Voluntary program aimed at reducing use by 15% from 2004 - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
WATER METERING:
Palm Springs sues agency over water meters; Devices intended to prevent theft could impair sprinklers, fire officials say
By Jonathan Abrams, staff writer
What started as an attempt to thwart water thieves in
According to the Palm Springs Fire Department, the proposed new water meters could be a safety risk if they malfunctioned in an emergency.
According to the Desert Water Agency, which serves the city, the gauges, by preventing people from stealing water from unmetered lines, will keep costs down for customers.
"They decided the Fire Department doesn't have any jurisdiction," Palm Springs Fire Chief Blake Goetz said of the water agency. "Our position is we do, because we are trying to protect the public's safety. I expected us to have an amicable working relationship, but they've put their foot down and refused to negotiate."
In January, the agency began rejecting building proposals approved by the Fire Department that called for separate lines for domestic use, such as sinks and water used for fire sprinklers. The agency instead backed meters that used the same line and could monitor the systems.
Goetz said he had enlisted the aid of California State Fire Marshal Kate Dargan for her interpretation of the rule and was awaiting a response. State law requires that all water service be metered. At issue is what meter to use.
The city fears that it could be liable for deaths and damages caused by malfunctioning sprinklers.
"The whole purpose of this for the city is to avoid potential liability," said M. Lois Bobak, an attorney representing the city. "We want to prevent the fire from happening in the first place, and that's what residential fire sprinklers should do."
Goetz agreed. "It worries me quite a bit when I'm charged with protecting safety, and putting in a machine that could render water meters useless isn't exactly doing my job," he said.
The water agency has never had a problem with the meters and the city is overstepping its legal authority, Desert Water Agency General Manager Dave Luker said.
"The city's decision to file litigation was unnecessary and imprudent," he said. "However, now that the city has elected to do so, the agency further believes that it is inappropriate and unfair to the taxpayer to also try the case in the court of public opinion."
The water agency's attorney, Michael Riddell, said that outcome could affect water agencies across
"If the city's position is true, it would provide one water meter service for every water purveyor in the state" and increase costs, he said. "The agency has been using these meters for a long time. It has never had a problem delivering the water necessary for firefighting anywhere in
The case is to be transferred to Los Angeles County Superior Court because of
At least six development projects in
"This is pretty serious,"
Developer Wallace "Wally" Hrdlicka said both sides needed to come to an agreement as soon as possible. He has 12 residential and two commercial units in limbo.
"It's kind of like bureaucratic baseball — one throws the pitch to the other one, and then the other wants to see how fast he can throw it back," said Hrdlicka, president of Desert Design Builders. "I'm anticipating it's going to get worse before it gets better. They seem like they are hopelessly deadlocked." #
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-meters27jul27,1,7749381.story?coll=la-headlines-california
WATER CONSERVATION:
Residents asked to cut back on water; Voluntary program aimed at reducing use by 15% from 2004
Santa Rosa Press Democrat – 7/27/07
By Clark Mason, staff writer
Cloverdale, which mandated water conservation measures last year after it experienced problems with its municipal wells, is again asking its residents to save water.
This time, though, the program is voluntary. And there is no growth moratorium as there was before, when new sewer and water hookups were put on hold.
"Citizens are conserving," said Vice-Mayor Jessalee Raymond. "We're asking them to try a little harder."
Next week, Cloverdale officials will send out a notice to homes and businesses urging a reduction in water consumption.
The goal is to cut water use by at least 15 percent from 2004 levels, similar to what the Sonoma County Water Agency is requesting of its contractors, including
Because Cloverdale has its own wells that are not controlled by the Water Agency, it is not under the same state order to reduce diversions from the
But the Water Agency is seeking the cooperation and participation of all agricultural and municipal
Cloverdale officials said Thursday that even with growth during the past couple of years, the city has been able to reduce overall water consumption.
Public Works Superintendent Bob Crabb said Cloverdale reduced its per-capita water use by 14 percent from August 2004 to August 2006 after mandatory conservation went into effect.
"If the town grows and you have a decrease in water usage, you're doing a good job. That's what we have," he said.
In August 2006, the city used 59.2 million gallons, down from the 64.3 million gallons it used in August 2004, according to Crabb. Water use decreased even though the city grew by more than 450 residents in that period, going from a population of 7,983 in 2004 to 8,435 in 2006.
The mandatory conservation program was put into place in late July of last year because of siltation and pumping problems with city wells and poor production of a new well. City officials were concerned that the dwindling water supply could make it difficult to fight a major fire.
After overall water use was cut, city officials lifted the mandatory program and growth moratorium in December.
Cloverdale City Councilman Bob Jehn said Thursday that the city began eyeing a voluntary conservation plan in March or April, before the Water Agency's request.
"We were all just cognizant water levels in
"We might be looking this fall at significant problems with the aquifer, given the rainfall we've had," he said.
Under Cloverdale's conservation plan -- similar to last year's program -- the city is divided into two areas. Outdoor water use is allowed every other day, depending on which part of the city customers are located in.
Essentially, the north section of the city is asked to irrigate Wednesday, Friday or Sunday, beginning at 9 p.m..
The southern half is requested to water Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, beginning at 9 p.m.
No outdoor use is advised between 6 a.m. Monday and 9 p.m. Tuesday. #
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070727/NEWS/707270329/1033/NEWS01
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