Pacific Progressive

Will Orange County's Congress Members Support Critical County Water Projects?

Representatives from Irvine Ranch Water District, Mesa Consolidated Water District, San Juan Capistrano, the Municipal Water District of Orange County and the County of Orange met with Representatives Loretta Sanchez, Ed Royce and Ken Calvert to discuss crucial water projects in Orange County.  Representatives John Campbell, Gary Miller and Dana Rohrbacher sent staff to the meeting.

This issue needs to be watched because how badly the Orange County delegation is in bringing home money to their districts. For instance, Rep. Sanchez brought in the  bucks for dredge the Newport back bay even though the project is in Rep. John Campbell's district.  The Orange County Business Council (OCBC) recently pointed out in an OC Register article that Orange County received $439 per capita in stimulus money compared to $687 for Los Angeles County and $8021 for Sacramento.

The projects that need federal money are:  

• Syphon Reservoir Project at Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) - $7.5-$10 million needed to convert the facility from seasonal to year round use.  $40-$50 million is needed to increase the storage capacity from 500 acre feet to 5000 acre feet.  The reservoir is currently used for irrigation water and would be used for recycled water once the work is completed.
• IRWD is seeking to use Clean Renewable Water Supply bonds (CREWS) to finance water recycling, desalination and groundwater contamination clean up projects.
• Mesa Consolidated Water District (MCWD) wants $1 million to upgrade the Colored Water Treatment Facility which uses ozone and biofiltration to remove a sulfur smell and amber color from groundwater to make the water drinkable.

Fate of 6000 Orange County Transit and Construction Jobs in Gov's Hands

The California Legislature passed Solorio-sponsored legislation (AB 11 X8) that allows the California Transportation Commission to sign $410 million in agreements with local transportation agencies allowing them to seek state reimbursement later for projects they jumpstart today. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) asked Assemblyman Solorio to work on the bill in the Assembly while senators Bob Huff and Lou Correa advocated for AB 11 X8 in the Senate.

The bill passed with broad, bipartisan support.  The bill now moves to the Governor's office for his signature.  Fax a letter or call  the Governor to ask him to sign the bill and bring much needed jobs to Orange County. Gov. Schwarzenegger can be reached at 916-445-2841 (phone) and 916-558-3160 (fax).  Public pressure can get the Governor to sign this much needed bill.

Money is included for Positive Train Control, GPS based satellite control system for trains which can stop a train if a red signal is ignored and bypassed.  Positive Train Control is now required by federal law because of the Chatsworth crash in 2008 where a rush hour Metrolink commuter train collided head on with a Union Pacific freight train. 25 people were killed in the crash.

The breakdown of the over 6000 jobs that could be created if Governor Schwarzenegger signs the bill are: 

• 522 jobs for the Fullerton Transportation Center Parking Structure
• 297 jobs for the Tustin Rail Station Parking Expansion
• 828 jobs for the Sand Canyon Avenue Grade Separation 
• 2754 jobs for the Metrolink Service Track Expansion and Grade Crossing Improvements
• 424 jobs for the Orange County Metrolink Fiber Optics Installation
• 1328 jobs for Positive Train Control

Orange Considering How to Handle Sale of East Orange County Water District - Jan 12

What to do with the East Orange County Water District (EOCWD)?  The district has decided they want to go out of business and are selling the infrastructure and service rights.  On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, the City of Orange will discuss possible actions.  

EOCWD is an old agricultural district that now includes parts of Tustin, North Tustin, East Tustin, Red Hill, Lemon Heights, Cowan Heights, Orange Park Acres, and Panorama Heights.  The service area is intertwined with the City of Orange, Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) and Tustin.  

The big prize in buying the district is the right to buy water from the Colorado River Aqueduct and the State Water Project.  

City staff have presented three recommended actions:

1. Pursue the consolidation of the EOCWD's Wholesale Zone as part of the team with the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) and the City of Tustin
2. Pursue consolidation of the EOCWD's Wholesale Zone as part of the team with the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC)
3. Direct staff to work with the successor agency to the EOCWD's Retail Zone to negotiate the transfer of approximately 86 water services now served by EOCWD and inside the City limits to the City's water service.

The staff report is here Download EOCWDPurchase

Tustin Votes to Apply for Grant to Fix Rawlings Reservoir - Gavello Votes Against Grant

On Tuesday, January 5, 2010, the Tustin City Council voted 4-1 to apply for a grant to rebuild the collapsed Rawlings Reservoir.  Tustin is applying for $10 million, the maximum allowed under the program, to go towards the estimated $16 million needed to rebuild Rawlings Reservoir.  Tustin's water system needs about $45 million in repairs just to keep the system running at a sufficient capacity to pump and store groundwater to avoid buying more expensive imported water.  

The lone dissenting vote was cast by Deborah Gavello, the lone Democrat on the Council.  The vote is consistent with her pattern of voting against previous rate increases which would have provided funds to fix the aging water system.  During meetings in September and October 2009, Gavello refused to provide the third vote needed to allow any rate increase, along with repairs and financial stabilization of the system, to occur. The two consistent votes to fix the water system came from then-Mayor Doug Davert and Councilmember John Nielsen, both Republicans.  

There is also the unanswered question about what is there not to like about having a ready supply of cheap water on hand. Also, during an economic downturn like the one we are in now, public works projects provide a significant boost to the local economy as tax dollars turn into construction paychecks which turn into groceries, clothes, cars, gas,  and restaurant meals.  And remember that public works jobs train apprentices, which gives upward economic mobility to many people (some of whom are single mothers like Deborah Gavello.) The money spent is multiplied in the community while the community also gets improved water service.  Maybe the next time the vote comes up, there will be a more thought put into the matter and the water system will get fixed.

Tustin Won't Fix Water System and Risks Defaulting on Bonds

In a move that benefited no one in Tustin, the Tustin City Council voted 3-2 on all 6 proposals presented by staff to fix the water enterprise system.  Currently, Tustin's water system needs $45 million in improvements, including rebuilding a collapsed reservoir, fixing wells dating back to 1926 and rebuilding cash reserves.  As of tonight, Tustin's water company continues to operate at a loss and is subsidized by the General Fund.  On all motions on the 6 rate proposals, Mayor Doug Davert and Councilmember John Nielsen voted in favor; Councilmembers Jim Palmer, Jerry Amante and Deborah Gavello voted against all proposed fixes to the water system.

Tustin is now is a very difficult and potentially dangerous situation.  The bonds used to finance previous improvements to the water system have covenants regarding the solvency of the water enterprise. Tustin could default on bonds, which can trigger a whole set of financial problems for the City.    Tustin is also left with a potential safety problem if there is a large fire or other disaster requiring large amounts of water in a short period of time.  Tustin is missing a reservoir (the collapsed Rawlings Reservoir) and could lack surge capacity.  Even though there are interconnects to other water systems that could be turned on in an emergency, those valves cannot be opened without permission, and there is no guarantee that permission would always be given.

The possibility of the IRWD taking over the Tustin water enterprise was brought up by Councilmembers Palmer and Gavello.  There are several issues that make the takeover by IRWD difficult.  One is that IRWD receives property taxes from the users of their system.  The other issue if IRWD would actually want to take over the aging Tustin water system.  The reality is if IRWD were to take over the Tustin water company, Tustin users would still see a rate hike to pay for making the $45 million in improvements needed.  Doesn't matter who operates the water system, the water system still needs to be fixed and paid for.  

Orange County Sanitation District to Address Cost Recovery and Potential Chemical Shortages

The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) treats the wastewater from the cities of La Habra, Brea, Fullerton, Anaheim, La Palma, Buena Park, Los Alamitos, Stanton, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Westminster, Garden Grove, Cypress, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Orange, Villa Park, Tustin Placentia, Yorba Linda and Irvine.  OCSD is the agency responsible for maintaing the outfall pipes offshore. and is the third largest wastewater agency west of the Mississippi River.

OCSD is working on an update to the strategic plan to address the potential shortage of chemicals and getting better cost recovery from other agencies.  Both of these issues are key to the successful future operation of the District.

A reliable supply of quality chemicals is a requirement of operating a wastewater treatment facility.  Chemicals are used to mitigate odors, enhance settling of solids, reduce bacteria formation, and disinfect then dechlorinate the effluent prior to discharge.  

Water Rebate Programs Starting Up Again - Sept 21

Two water rebate programs will be starting up again on September 21, 2009. 

SoCal Water$mart is for residential water customers.  People who live in houses are eligible.  You are also eligible if your apartment, townhome, condominium or mobile home complex has four or fewer dwellings and is not represented by a home owners association.

High efficiency clothes washers, high efficiency toilets, weather based irrigation controllers (smart controllers), rotating irrigation nozzles, and synthetic turf are eligible for rebates under this program. A list of qualifying models and products is on the website.  

Rebates are limited and are first come, first served.  Purchases must be made on or after September 21, 2009 to be eligible for this round of rebates.  The rebates are offered thru the Metropolitan Water District. If your local water agency is not a member or has chosen to not participate, you may not be eligible for the rebate program.  Check the website for all of the details.

Save A Buck is back for commercial users.  This program includes commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family water customers.  If your apartment, townhome, condominium, or mobile home complex has five or more units and is represented by a home owners association, this is your program.  

Commercial high efficiency toilets, waterless urinals, commercial and multi-family high efficiency washing machines, connectionless food steamers, air-cooled ice machines, pre-rinse spray valves, pressurized waterbrooms, weather based irrigation controllers, and rotating spray nozzles are some of the products which qualify for rebates.

Each type of user has a separate application and qualifying standards. See the Save A Buck website for all of the details.  Rebates are limited and are first come, first served. Save A Buck is being offered thru the Metropolitan Water District.

Fixing the Delta with Five Bills

“Our first priority when we return in August is to restore the draconian cuts to Health and Human Services.  Our second priority will be to take the next major steps on fashioning a set of solutions to our state’s water challenges: fixing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; establishing enforceable water conservation standards; better managing our groundwater and surface water supplies; providing funding for those new investments needed to bring the state’s water system into the 21st century,”  Caifornia Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said.  

Both the State Senate and Assembly are working towards finding a long term solution for the Sacramento River Delta.  Twenty five million Californians (two thirds of the state's population) rely on the Sacramento River Delta for the water they need for their lives and businesses.  

A set of five bills has been offered to bring solutions to the problems with the Delta.  The Delta area faces ecological problems with endangered species, problems with levees which may break and cause flooding, possible ocean saltwater intrusion of the Delta after an earthquake which renders the now salt water Delta unusable for drinking water, and other infrastructure issues.

The five bills being considered are:

AB 39 (Huffman) - Delta Plan

AB 49 (Feuer-Huffman) - Water Efficiency

SB 12 (Simitian) - Delta Stewardship Council

SB 229 (Paveley) - Delta Interim Actions, Water Rights, Groundwater

SB 458 (Wolk) - Delta Conservancy, Delta Protection Commission Revisions

California Water Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Materials Available

Water is critical for California.  Problems with water - who has it, who doesn't, and how to move it, are in ongoing negotiation as the population of the state grows.  The state Department of Water Resources manages works with local water agencies on planning water use.

The most recent meeting was held on August 13, in Sacramento.  During the meeting, topics discussed included Preparing for a Dry 2010, the California Drought Contingency Plan, an update on the work of the Climate Change Technical Advisory Group, Central Valley Flood Management Planning, update on November Tribal Water Summit and results of work on Quantification of Scenarios.

The presentations and documents are available on line.  The next meeting, the Plenary Meeting, will be held on October 14-15, 2009 in Sacramento.  Water is used by everyone, but few people take the time to understand the underlying issues and how decisions being made now will impact their lives in a few months and years.  If citizens better understood water issues, they could discuss the decisions made by local water commissioners and find solutions which work better for their local communities.

Update on California Drought Conditions

California's Department of Water Resources issues monthly updates on California's water supply.  Here are some key facts from the July 2009 report.

•  Statewide precipitation for water year 2008-09 (October 2008 - September 2009) is 17.26 inches compared an average of 21.94 inches.
• Statewide reservoir storage of 83% of average for date, as of end of June 2009.

Storage levels in reservoirs are down.

•  Shasta Reservoir at 52% of capacity, averages 71% of capacity
• Trinity Lake at 48% of capacity, averages 58% of capacity
• Lake Oroville at 45% of capacity, averages 60% of capacity
• Folsom Lake at 65% of capacity averages 87% of capacity
• Don Pedro Reservoir at 81% of capacity, averages 106% of capacity
• Exchequer Reservoir at 58% of capacity, averages 85% of capacity
• Pine Flat Reservoir at 38% of capacity, averages 69% of capacity
• Castaic Lake at 74% of capacity, averages 69% of capacity
• Pyramid Lake at 97% of capacity, averages 103% of capacity
• Millerton Lake at 87% of capacity, averages 132% of capacity
• New Melones at 51% of capacity, averages 84% of capacity
• San Luis Reservoir at 18% of capacity, averages 35% of capacity - San Luis Reservoir stores water which has been transferred thru the Sacramento River Delta for the State and federal water projects.

In the Central Valley, groundwater pumping has increased

California Water Crisis Hearing - August 21 in Fountain Valley

Jose Solorio chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Regional Approaches to Addressing the State's Water Crisis.  On Friday, August 21, 2009, the committee will hold a hearing at the headquarters of the Orange County Water District/Metropolitan Water District of Orange County (OCWD and MWDOC) from 9 AM to 1 PM.  The headquarters are located at 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.

The agenda includes smart irrigation systems, approaches to tiered rates and water report cards, how to sell conservation, groundwater replenishment systems, seawater desalination, options for near and long-term water sustainability, and building water consciousness in the business community.  An update on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan will also be presented.

If you want to attend, you must reserve a seat.  Call Kim Nguyen at 916-319-2069 or email at kim.nguyen(at)asm.ca.gov to reserve a seat.

Irvine Ranch Water District Fast Facts

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD)

www.irwd.com

15600 Sand Canyon Avenue

Irvine, CA 92618-3102

949-453-5300

Irvine Ranch Water District provides both drinking water and sanitation.  IRWD also produces recycled water.  The district supplies both groundwater and imported water to users.  

Service Area

Irvine, portions of Tustin, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange, Lake Forest and some unincorporated areas of Orange County.

Meetings

Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 5:00 PM at headquarters at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA.

Board of Directors

Douglas J. Reinhart, President

Peer A. Swan, Vice President

Steven E. LaMar

Mary Aileen Matheis

John B. Withers

Facilities Operated

• Michelson Water Reclamation Plant  
• San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (Duck Club and Audobon House)
• Los Alisos Water Reclamation Plant
• Irvine Lake (aka Santiago Reservoir)
• Dyer Road Wellfield
• San Joaquin Reservoir
• 12 additional recycled water reservoirs
• 34 domestic (water produced by IRWD) reservoirs

Central Valley Groundwater Levels Dropping

A recent study by the US Geological Survey (USGS) shows that the aquifer under California's Central Valley is changing.  The over 400 mile long Central Valley is home to California's agriculture industry.  Under the valley is the nation's largest groundwater basin which contains one-fifth (20%) of all the groundwater pumped in the nation.  

Several sources of data were used for the study:  water well driller logs going back to the early 1900''s, ground water data from 1962 to 2003 and surface water data from 1962 to 2003. 

The USGS study shows the strains California's growing population is putting on the underground aquifer:

•  Groundwater levels are declining in the Tulare Basin portion of the  southern San Joaquin Valley.  More water is being pumped out than is being put into the basin.  The geology of the southern San Joaquin valley, coarse-grained soils and alluvial-fan sediments, make the basin a potential candidate for becoming a groundwater recharge basin.
• Groundwater levels in the Sacramento Valley and the northern portion of the San Joaquin Valley are generally stable.
• Drilling for water, which is driven by the continuing below-average precipitation, is causing groundwater levels to drop.  

As part of the study, the USGS has developed an enhanced computer model, the Central Valley Hydrological Model,  of water flows below ground. The model shows how water flows under ground, in the groundwater basins, and how the flows connect with rivers and other bodies of water on the surface. The Central Valley Hydrological Model provides a new scientific tool to track changes in surface and groundwater availability and make more informed water management decisions.

Why We Have No Water - Timeline of the Current California Drought

A timeline showing milestones in the current California drought is posted by the Department of Water Resources.  The drought timeline starts with the latest Delta Smelt ruling.  The increase in development, population, number of golf courses or other large uses of water are not mentioned.  Does anyone know of a city or county which has ever used a lack of available water as a reason to restrict or reduce development?

March 2007 - Snowpack at 70% of average.

December 2007 - Federal Judge Oliver Wanger issues pumping restrictions to protect Delta Smelt.

May 2008 - Snowpack at 65% of average.

December 2008 - US Fish and Wildlife Service ruling to protect Delta Smelt by curtailing pumping.

March 2009 - Snowpack at 80% of average.

 

MWDOC Open Seat - Division 6 - How to Apply

Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) has a vacant seat which will be filled by appointment. The vacant seat is in Division 6.  

Where is Division 6?

MWDOC Division 6 covers Santa Margarita Water District, Trabuco Canyon Water District, Santiago County Water District, and part of Irvine Ranch Water District.  Eligible zip codes include parts of: 92602, 92610, 92618, 92620, 92630, 92673, 92675, 92676, 92679, 92688,  92691, 92692, 92694,  92780, 92782,  92862, 92869.  Check your eligibility with the Registrar of Voters. 

Who is Eligible?

•  At least 18 years old.
• A citizen of the State of California
• Registered to vote in Division 6 and qualified to vote for the office

• Eligible to take oath of office

How to Apply

Submit a letter, resume, letters of reference, and other biographical materials of your choosing. However, the MWDOC Board asks your consider the time it has to complete the selection process and keep your submissions brief and specific.  The Board requests that you adhere to many of the same guidelines that would apply to a Candidate's Statement submitted for this office:

• Include name, age, occupation
• Discuss your education and qualifications
• Do not reference your party affiliation, if any, or membership or activity in partisan political organizations
• Make no reference to another potential appointee