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.

Mesa Consolidated Water District Rate Hearing - Dec 22

Water agencies must increase their prices to keep pace with rising costs.  Mesa Consolidated Water District, which serves Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach, and John Wayne Airport, both pumps groundwater and buys water from the Metropolitan Water District.  Mesa does not have a tiered rate structure, like IRWD or San Juan Capistrano, so there is no way to easily give some users a break for using less water and charge heavy consumers a higher rate.  The rate increase must be evenly spread to all users under Mesa's rate structure.    

The details of the proposed rate increase are here.Download Notice of Public Hearing - Rate Increase

November 19 - Tour the Mesa Consolidated Water District Facilities

Get a rare chance to see how a water plant operates.  It's much more complicated than you think!  The Mesa Consolidated Water District is offering tours on November 19, 2009.  

The events are held from 8:30 AM to 1 PM . Continental breakfast, presentation briefings, on-site tours and a light lunch are included. The events are free for the public.  Space is limited and is first come, first served. The event takes place at district headquarters, 1965 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA.

Mesa Consolidated Water District serves Costa Mesa, John Wayne Airport, parts of Newport Beach, and some unincorporated areas of Orange County.

To register, call 949-631-1205 or visit www.mesawater.org.  

 

Behind the Scenes at Mesa Consolidated Water District - November 19

Get a rare chance to see how a water plant operates.  It's much more complicated than you think!  The Mesa Consolidated Water District is offering tours on  November 19, 2009.  

The events are held from 8:30 AM to 1 PM . Continental breakfast, presentation briefings, on-site tours and a light lunch are included. The events are free for the public.  Space is limited and is first come, first served. The event takes place at district headquarters, 1965 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA.

Mesa Consolidated Water District serves Costa Mesa, John Wayne Airport, parts of Newport Beach, and some unincorporated areas of Orange County.

To register, call 949-631-1205 or visit www.mesawater.org.  

 

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

Tour Mesa Consolidated Water District Facilities

Get a rare chance to see how a water plant operates.  It's much more complicated than you think!  The Mesa Consolidated Water District is offering tours on September 10, 2009 and November 19, 2009.  

The events are held from 8:30 AM to 1 PM . Continental breakfast, presentation briefings, on-site tours and a light lunch are included. The events are free for the public.  Space is limited and is first come, first served. The event takes place at district headquarters, 1965 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA.

Mesa Consolidated Water District serves Costa Mesa, John Wayne Airport, parts of Newport Beach, and some unincorporated areas of Orange County.

To register, call 949-631-1205 or visit www.mesawater.org.  

 

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.

Mesa Consolidated Water District Board Vacancy - Apply!

Mesa Consolidated Water District, which serves Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach, John Wayne Airport and some unincorporated areas, is taking applications for a new board member.  The vacancy is for the Division 2 seat, which covers the area (approximately) bordered by Harbor, Placentia, the Santa Ana River and the 405.  Water district board seats are a great way to build your political career - you get budget and planning experience and meet a lot of elected officials.

Letters of interest (there is no formal application, you apply by letter) must be received by 4 PM on Monday, August 17, 2009.  Letters should include your qualifications and reason for interest in serving on the board.  Letters should be sent to:

Shawn Dewane, President 

Board of Directors

Mesa Consolidated Water District

1965 Placentia Avenue

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

If you have questions, contact Coleen L. Monteleone, District Secretary at 949-631-1205.

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.

 

Orange County Water District Fast Facts

Orange County Water District (OCWD)

www.ocwd.com

18700 Ward St

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

714-378-3200

Orange County Water District manages the groundwater basin under Orange County.  The district draws water from the basin for sale and operates the Groundwater Replenishment System to prevent ocean water from creeping into the basin and to allow water recycling.

Service Area

350 square miles of Orange County is covered.  The area served is roughly the area from Irvine and Newport Beach north to the northern county line. http://www.ocwd.com/sitespecific/content/boardofdirectors.aspx

Divisions Served

1 -Garden Grove, Stanton, Westminster, parts of Orange

2 - Orange, Tustin, Villa Park

3 - Buena Park, La Palma, Placentia, Yorba Linda, parts of Cypress

4 - Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Stanton, Westminster, parts of Buena Park, Cypress, Garden Grove and Huntington Beach

5 - Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin

6 - Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, parts of Westminster

7 - Costa Mesa and parts of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Westminster

8 - Santa Ana

9 - Anaheim

10 - Fullerton

Municipal Water District of Orange County Fast Facts

Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC)

www.mwdoc.com

18700 Ward St

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

714-963-3058

This agency buys water, resells and wholesales water to 28 districts/retail water agencies, and represents the interests of 28 districts/retail water districts to the Metropolitan Water District.  MWDOC is building a test ocean desalination facility in Dana Point.  The district had a $128 million budget for FY 2008-09.

Service Area - Orange County.

Meetings

Meetings are at generally 8:30 AM at MWDOC headquarters, 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, CA.

Meetings for remainder of 2009:

• Monday August 3 - 3:30 PM - Planning and Operations Committee
• Wednesday August 5 - 7:30 AM - Workshop Board Meeting
• Wednesday August 12 - 8:30 AM - Administration and Finance Meeting
• Friday August 14 - 8:30 AM - Public Affairs and Legislation
• Wednesday August 19 - 8:30 AM - Board Meeting
• Thursday August 20 -8:30 AM -  Executive Committee
• Wednesday August 26 - 8:30 AM - MWDOC/OCWD Joint Planning Committee 

Meetings past August are not listed at this time.