A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
August 30, 2007
2. Supply
GROUNDWATER SUPPLY:
City goes with the flow of new groundwater wells; Supply-boosting drilling has begun -
Water rate hike OK'd for farmers -
Western Ventura farmers balk over 53 percent water hike - Associated Press
SUPPLY FEE INCREASE:
Paso: Locals petition to lower water fee; If the council doesn’t roll back fees, some Paso residents want voters to approve the city’s $60 flat rate; SLO man is conducting similar drive - San Luis Obispo
WATER CONSERVATION:
Palmdale water board orders conservation measures - Los Angeles Times
SSJID: No farm water after Oct. 10 -
Water conservation on minds of planning commissioners - Desert Sun
GROUNDWATER SUPPLY:
City goes with the flow of new groundwater wells; Supply-boosting drilling has begun
By Michael Burge, staff writer
It's drilling for something precious in the thirsty West: water.
The San Diego County Water Authority has teamed up with
The region is in the midst of a long dry spell, and the water authority is asking consumers to reduce daily consumption by 20 gallons. And to reduce dependence on outside sources of water, the authority is backing efforts to expand the supply through conservation, recycling and new sources.
“It's part of diversifying the local water supply,” authority spokesman Scott Robinson said.
The water is brackish, so the city will pump it a half-mile to the Mission Basin Groundwater Purification Facility. That plant filters water and forces it through reverse-osmosis membranes to remove minerals and add it to the city's drinking supply.
The city typically pumps and treats 2 million gallons a day – about 7 percent of the city's need – from the wells in the basin, but that amount is down because of contamination by the chemical 1,2,3-trichloropane, said Scott Tucker, an Oceanside water treatment supervisor. A city consultant said the likely source of the chemical was soil fumigants used when the valley was a rich farming area.
Tucker said the city is installing carbon filters to correct that problem.
With the addition of two wells, the city expects to triple its groundwater output to 6.3 million gallons a day by next year, Tucker said. That's about 20 percent of the city's needs; the rest comes from Northern California and the Colorado River by way of
“Every bit we can produce at this site takes pressure off the aqueduct,” Tucker said. “I think groundwater and seawater are the future.”
Dan Dierh, a geologist and water resources specialist with the water authority, said drillers bored an exploratory hole to 295 feet. He said the best level to draw water is 80-130 feet deep, and the well will go to 170 feet.
Workers will sink an 18-inch-diameter steel pipe into the ground and pack that with a gravel mix to filter large particles from the water.
“We'll keep observing water levels after they go into production,” Dierh said. “If you pump too much from this basin, we'll start drawing seawater in.” The wells are about 3½ miles from the ocean.
The city will reimburse the authority the $1 million cost of drilling the wells, Dierh said.
The only other location in the county that produces a significant amount of groundwater is the Sweetwater Authority's Richard A. Reynolds plant in
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20070830-9999-1mi30wells.html
Water rate hike OK'd for farmers
By Zeke Barlow, staff writer
The Casitas Municipal Water District board Wednesday voted unanimously to raise water rates for farmers by 53 percent, citing repair needs.
More than 30 farmers packed the district boardroom to oppose the increase, saying it will help drive them out of business, thereby changing the rural, agricultural feel of the
"It's just one more nail in the coffin with this substantial water increase," said James Varney, who is getting out of the orange business and into flowers after most of his crop was lost in this winter's freeze.
Farmers will now pay about $312 for an acre-foot of water, compared to about $207 under the old rates. They were paying about one-third of what residential customers pay. Residential rates remain the same.
General Manager Steve Wickstrum said even with the increase, farmers are paying substantially less than those in
Farmers tried to fight the increase under Proposition 218. The measure allows voters to stop increases if more than half of the residents take up their cause. Farmers account for only 257 of the district's 3,000 meters and only about 75 letters of protest were filed — far short of the number needed.
Avocado farmer Roland Messori said that while the increase of about $4,000 won't force him out of business, it's one of the many costs that continue to add up. "This is not the end in water rate increases," he said, citing farmers paying twice his rate in
Indeed, board chairman Russ Baggerly said that as water becomes an even more precious commodity, rates will go up. "Rate increases will happen every year," he said. "It's very difficult."
The district has many pumps and tanks that are in need of repair and have never had much maintenance in the district's 50-year history.
"When I hit 50, things started falling apart," Bill Hicks said. "It's kind of like that for the district."
Another user who can't afford the increase is the city of
Ventura Director of Public Works Ron Calkins said the city didn't budget the extra $400,000 it faces for its increase of about 30 percent. He said the city would have to buy only 4,800 acre-feet of water and get the rest from either the
Farmers urged the board to work with them next year so that another hefty increase doesn't occur, and the board agreed. #
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/aug/30/water-rate-hike-okd-for-farmers/
Associated Press – 8/30/07
More than 30 farmers showed up for Wednesday's meeting to oppose the hike, predicting the higher cost will drive them out of business and change the rural character of western Ventura County areas.
"It's just one more nail in the coffin with this substantial water increase," grower James Varney said. He lost most of his citrus and flower crop to a winter freeze.
Farmers will now pay about $312 for an acre-foot of water, compared to about $207 under the old rates. They were paying about one-third of what residential customers pay. Residential rates remain the same.
The Casitas Municipal Water District supplies water to about 60,000 people and hundreds of west county farms. The cities of
The district said pumps and tanks need repair.
Another user who can't afford the increase is the city of
http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/352120.html
SUPPLY FEE INCREASE:
Paso: Locals petition to lower water fee; If the council doesn’t roll back fees, some Paso residents want voters to approve the city’s $60 flat rate; SLO man is conducting similar drive
San Luis Obispo
By Leah Etling, staff writer
Several Paso Robles residents are circulating petitions demanding that the city repeal recent water rate increases intended to pay for the city’s portion of the Nacimiento Water Project. If the City Council refuses to do so, they want the voters to decide.
The drive is the latest sign of consumer unhappiness with the cost of the 45-mile, $178 million pipeline, which would deliver water from Nacimiento Lake to Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Templeton and Cayucos.
Paso Robles would be the largest participant in the project, and the city is depending on the pipeline to secure a reliable supply of water for its customers.
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If the fees are not rolled back in Paso Robles, organizers want the voters to determine whether water rates should go up to a $60 flat rate by 2010, which the city approved to pay for its share of the pipeline.
The initiative in Paso Robles is based on organizer John Borst’s belief that the city violated state Proposition 218, a law that states, in part, that revenues from government agency fees shouldn’t exceed the costs of what they are supposed to pay for — in this case, the pipeline project.
Borst, an educator who has lived in Paso Robles for 12 years, argues that, based on his calculations, a monthly water user fee of $18.95 would be enough to pay for the city’s portion of the project.
City Manager Jim App said that Borst’s math is incorrect. App said that with 10,300 ratepayers, a $60 flat fee assessed for 12 months each year will yield the city just over $7 million annually, enough to pay the $65 million it needs for construction and maintenance of the pipeline, the city’s treatment plant, and interest on the debt incurred.
“They have the right to file and attempt to place a referendum. The reality is that we have signed a contract. The community is contractually bound to participate, and we have partners in that contract that are legally bound to us and we to them. The obligation remains, regardless of the outcome of this referendum,” App said.
Speakers at a public hearing in July said the increase would be too steep for those on fixed incomes, and that it is not fair to make the rate increase a flat fee rather than a usage-based assessment. Single-family residences and businesses will pay the same flat fee.
Acknowledging those concerns, the City Council has asked its staff to analyze whether a usage-based fee structure could be implemented in place of the flat fee increase at a later date. App said it will be several months before such a change could be considered. Bonds for the project will go on sale next month.
“We promised everybody we would come back with a rate structure that would address that, and we will,” Mayor Frank Mecham said. He feels that the argument over the pipeline is not about whether it is needed, just how it will be paid for.
Organizers must collect 1,500 signatures—about 10 percent of the city’s 14,444 registered voters—to qualify for a spot on a city ballot. The petition must be submitted to the city by Sept. 7, 30 days after the fee increase was passed. Mohan needs to get the same percentage of voters for his petition in
If the petition is deemed sufficient and the City Council does not roll back the fees, the issue would be decided by voters in a general or special election at an undetermined date.
“I would support anything that would make Paso Robles allow people to ultimately vote on this. And if people vote on it, and it passes, I’d never say another word,” said Gary Peters of Paso Robles, who has spoken out against the increases.
If the petition fails, Borst said his group may consider taking legal action against the city.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/story/129367.html
WATER CONSERVATION:
Palmdale water board orders conservation measures
By Ann Simmons, staff writer
The Palmdale water board voted unanimously Wednesday to clamp down on customers who ignore the city's voluntary water conservation policy, but rejected a resolution that would have imposed mandatory rationing -- at least for now.
Under the plan, Palmdale Water District customers will have to adhere to such measures as watering no more than three days a week, on alternate days, and before 6 a.m. or after 6 p.m.; not allowing water to run off landscape areas; and not using water to water to wash down sidewalks.
Commercial nurseries, golf courses, parks, schoolyards and other open public spaces will not be allowed to water landscaping more than five days a week. Hand-held nozzles must be used for rinsing cars and other equipment, unless reclaimed wastewater is used.
Restaurants, hotels and other public places where food is sold will not be allowed to serve drinking water unless customers request it. Hotel, motels and short-term lodging venues will be required to post a notice stating that there is a shortage and list any compliance measures.
In May, the district asked its 25,000 customers to reduce water usage by 15% by voluntarily adopting many of these conservation policies, said General Manager Dennis LaMoreaux. But only a 5% reduction was achieved. The agency is now demanding that customers reduce their usage by at least 10%.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-water30aug30,1,3833246.story?coll=la-headlines-california
SSJID: No farm water after Oct. 10
By Dennis Wyatt, Managing Editor
If 2008 ends up as another dry year, South San Joaquin Irrigation District's decision to cut off the current season for farm water deliveries on Oct. 10 will seem prudent.
The SSJID board Tuesday on a 3-2 split vote with Dale Kuil and Ralph Roos dissenting decided to end the 2007 irrigation season Oct. 10 instead of waiting until Oct. 17.
Differences in farming practices was what prompted the split vote.
Kuil argued that many almond growers like giving their orchards another drink of water after harvesting and before letting them go dormant for the winter. Director Dave Kamper countered he never irrigates trees that late.
"You've got to let the trees go to sleep sometime," Kamper said.
The decision means SSJID will have an extra 4,000 acre feet of water to carry over in its reservoirs higher up on the
SSJID also can't run extra water into Woodward Reservoir located 16 miles northeast of
Woodward Reservoir can't be higher than 205 feet in elevation on Nov. 1 to meet mandated flood stage requirement.
The SSJID will have no problem meeting that as they project 12,800 acre feet of water to be used for irrigation this October with the water treatment plant for the cities drawing down another 1,822 acre feet to drop the elevation to 201.6 feet on Nov. 1.
Urban demands will draw an additional 5,700 acre feet out of Woodward Reservoir between Nov. 1 and March 1. If no water is brought down during the winter, that will leave the storage at the start of March at 14,780 acre feet or an elevation of about 198.5 feet.
A water run from the Tri-Dam Project is problematic at best in the winter.
Tunnel maintenance is done during the winter with a target to complete work by March 1. If there is a winter run, it would require stopping work, removing the equipment and putting it back. That would involve four days. Another four days would be lost as the 5,600 acre feet of water flowed throughout the tunnels and canals toward Woodward Reservoir.
The district has limited carryover storage at New Melones where the bulk of the district's water comes from in a complicated deal brokered between SSJID and Oakdale Irrigation District with the federal government when the Melones Dam the two agencies built together was replaced with the much larger New Melones Reservoir.
It has some carryover but its water essentially is calculated as a percentage of the snowpack run-off each year into New Melones.
http://mantecabulletin.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=54129&SectionID=28&SubSectionID=58
Water conservation on minds of planning commissioners
Desert Sun – 8/30/07
With water conservation heavy on many people's minds, Planning Commission members mulled possible guidelines for water and turf features Tuesday, then asked city staff to draft and bring back a resolution they could endorse at a later date.
La Quinta officials hope to develop more specific conservation policies, giving private developers better guidance as they create projects for city approval.
Commission members previously approved water features that:
Don't use potable water sources.
Are located next to and visible to proposed homes.
Are surrounded by a walking path.
Are useful for recreation as well as the natural habitat such as fish.
Serve some sort of dual purpose including storm water or runoff storage.
The commission also considered recommending stricter city irrigation standards, similar to those in neighboring
"It's a step we need to make now," Commissioner Katie Barrows said.
She said the city should lead by example, especially as many in the valley push to save the nearby
Commission members listened to a presentation by city staff on local water standards.
Principal Planner Andy Mogenson told the commission that the Coachella Valley Water District has a less stringent water conservation standard than
The district allows a "landscaping water coefficient" of 0.6, a score which refers to the amount of irrigation water that can be consumed, he said.
Mogenson then showed the commission slides of different landscaping in
Commissioner Rick Daniels noted that in the desert, less turf does not mean lower quality landscaping and design.
Commissioner Paul Quill suggested that any turf in open space should demonstrate a function.
"I believe that turf is a good thing, in its right location, its right use," he said.
Earlier in the evening, however, the commission voted 3-1 to recommended approval of 19 new two-story Madison Club villas that call for dense hedges and shrubs to block views into nearby single-story homes.
Barrows dissented, and Commissioner Jim Engle was absent.
"I feel a little hypocritical tonight," Quill said.
"It shouldn't happen again," he said of those landscape designs in La Quinta that consume extra irrigation.
Kathleen Fitzpatrick, a nearby Madison Club resident, expressed concerns about the views impacted by the villas' height.
She also said the landscaping resembled an "urban forest" with its evergreen material.
"Most of us moved to the desert for that open feeling," which she said the villas would "completely obliterate." #
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007708300309
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