Pacific Progressive

Mission Viejo Animal Services Center Recycled Water Conversion Will Save Millions of Gallons of Drinking Water Annually

Landscaped areas at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center are now being irrigated with recycled water, as part of a continuing City effort to conserve precious drinking water and save natural resources and money.

Converting the area off Hillcrest Drive to recycled water will save more than 10 million gallons of drinking water per year. 

The joint venture between the Moulton Niguel Water District, Santa Margarita Water District and the City of Mission Viejo began last spring. Due to the location and proximity of the recycled water lines to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, the water districts had to enter into a water swap agreement that allowed new water services to be installed by Santa Margarita Water District on Moulton Niguel recycled water lines. 

With the agreement completed in December, the plumbing conversion began and finishing touches were completed late last month.

San Diego County Water Authority Sells $627 M in Bonds

The San Diego County Water Authority  successfully completed bond sales of $627 million to provide continued funding for the Water Authority’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  High investor demand for the bonds helped the Water Authority secure very low interest rates that will save its ratepayers over $50 million in financing costs on a present value basis over the life of the bonds.

The sale, Water Revenue Bonds Series 2010A and 2010B, included $99 million in tax-exempt serial bonds and $528 million in Build America Bonds (BABs).  The order period, originally scheduled to take place over two days, was completed in only three hours.

“The overwhelming investor interest in our bonds, on top of the availability of the Build America Bonds and favorable market conditions, resulted in extremely attractive interest rates to fund essential long-term water reliability projects for our region,” said Eric Sandler, the Water Authority’s Director of Finance.  “The demand from investors is an affirmation of the Water Authority’s strong credit ratings, prudent financial management policies set by our Board of Directors, and our aggressive investor outreach program.”

"The California Water Atlas" Now Available On Line

The Water Resources Center Archives at UC Berkeley has digitized and posted the California Water Atlas (1979.)  This atlas has detailed satellite and aerial photos and maps of key areas in the California's water system.  If you want to learn more about how water works in California, this book is invaluable.  This is the link to the online version: http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/view/search?q=5788

2nd Snow Survey Results for 2009-2010 Winter Released

Manual and electronic readings today indicate that water content in California’s mountain snowpack is 115 percent of normal for the date statewide.    This time last year, snow water content was 61 percent of normal statewide.

"Today’s snow survey offers us some cautious optimism as we continue to play catch-up with our statewide water supplies,” said DWR chief deputy director Sue Sims. “We are still looking at the real possibility of a fourth dry year. Even if California is blessed with a healthy snowpack, we must learn to always conserve this finite resource so that we have enough water for homes, farms, and businesses in 2010 and in the future.”

Lake Oroville, the principal storage reservoir for the State Water Project (SWP) is at 33 percent of capacity, and 50 percent of average storage for this time of year. Lake Shasta, the principal storage reservoir for the federal Central Valley Project, is at 56 percent of capacity, and 82 percent of average for the date.

DWR’s early allocation estimate was that the agency would only be able to deliver 5 percent of requested SWP water this year, reflecting low storage levels, ongoing drought conditions, and environmental restrictions on water deliveries to protect fish species. The agency will recalculate the allocation after current snow survey results and other conditions are evaluated.

The complete news release including measurements is available for the Department of Water Resources.

Delta Smelt Being Reviewed by National Academy of Sciences - Jan 24-28

Ways to protect the endangered Delta Smelt will discussed during a National Academy of Sciences meeting held January 24-28, 2010 at UC Davis.  The meeting is part of the Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-DeltaThe meeting includes sessions open to the public and closed sessions.  The agenda for the public session is posted. The closed session summary will be posted after the meeting. The closed session is for National Resource Council (NRC) committee and staff only.

The committee includes Dr. Robert J. Huggett, Dr. James J. Anderson, Dr. Michael E. Campana, Dr. Thomas Dunne, Dr. Albert E. Giorgi, Dr. Patricia M. Gilbert, Christina A. Klein, Dr. Samuel N. Luoma, Dr. Michael J. McGuire, Dr. Thomas Miller, Dr. Jayantha Obeysekera, Dr. Max J. Pfeffer, Dr. Denise Janet Reed, Dr. Kenneth A. Rose, Dr. Desiree D. Tullos.

Ballot Initiative Update - Jan 2010

Qualified Initiatives -  4

Four initiatives have qualified for the June 2010 ballot and one for the November 2010 ballot.

In June 2010, the initiatives about seismic retrofitting not raising property taxes on a home, open primaries and public financing of elections have been on the qualified list for a while. The newest entry is a two-thirds requirement for local communities to provide electricity thru a community choice program or provided services to new areas. This initiative was written by the electrical power industry to reduce competition from community based programs which allow bulk purchases of electricity and use of renewable energy sources.  

In November 2010, the water bond will be up for a vote. There are good things (like infrastructure) and bad things (like giving too much authority to state water banks and growers of pomegranates) in the bond.  

In for Signature Verification - 1

The measure sponsored by Mercury Insurance allowing insurance companies to give a discount to drivers who have continuously maintained auto insurance in for signature verfiication.  It is due out on Feb 5, 2010. (#1381)

Initiatives are currently in circulation - 62

Public Employee Pay, Pensions, Political Contributions

1435 - Limits Pension Payments That New Public Employees May Receive Upon Retirement. Initiative Statute. 

1434 - Reduces Public Pension and Retirement Health-Care Benefits.

1433 - Reduces Public Pension and Retirement Health-Care Benefits. 

1404 - Imposes Political Contribution Restrictions on Public Employee Labor Organizations 

1403 - Makes Illegal the Use of Public Employee Wage Deductions for Political Activities 

Parental Notification & Fetal Personhood

1411 - Requires Parental Notification Before Terminating Pregnancy of Female Under 18 

1410 - Requires Parental Notification Before Terminating Pregnancy of Female Under 18. 

1409 - Requires Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Terminating Pregnancy of Female Under 18. 

1407 - Requires Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Terminating Pregnancy of Female Under 18. 

1400 - Changes Constitutional Definition of a Person to Include Fertilized Human Eggs. 

Sponsors Needed for Children's Water Education Festival

Organizers of the Children's Water Education Festival are seeking businesses and individuals to sponsor the annual event that caters to kids across Orange County.

For the past decade, Orange County has been home to the largest water education festival of its kind. From laboratory experiments to water relays, Orange County children have been learning first-hand about water and our environment, and how they can conserve our limited natural resources. 

The Festival is a free field trip hosted by the Orange County Water District, Disneyland Resort, National Water Research Institute, Municipal Water District of Orange County and Orange County Water District Groundwater Guardian Team.

On March 24 and 25, more than 5,000 fourth, fifth and sixth grade students from across Orange County will attend the Festival at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation in Yorba Linda. 

Sponsorship opportunities range and begin at $25.  

For more information, call Gina Pineda at 714-378-3323.

Water Education Foundation Sponsoring Bay-Delta Tour - July 14-16

The 3 day, 2 night tour takes you to the wheres and whats of California water policy.  You will get a firsthand look at water facilities, rivers and regions key in the water policy debate.  A wide range of speakers representing a wide range of viewpoints will meet with the group.  

Day 1 - Port of Sacramento, North Delta farms, Delta Cross Channel, Staten Island Conservancy Farm, Ryde, Sherman Island, Land subsidence sites, Twitchell Island, Port of Stockton Stockton

Day 2 - South Delta farms, Jones Tract flooding site, Skinner Fish Screens on state Clifton Court Forebay, Federal Jones Pumping Plant, Los Vaqueros Dam, Contra Costa Water District Bollman Water Treatment Plant, Dinner in Sausalito

Day 3 - Bay-Delta Model, Sausalito-San Francisco Ferry, San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, Suisun Marsh, return to Sacramento

To register, to to Water Education Foundation.

La Palma Meeting on Proposed Water Rate Increases - Feb 9

The City of La Palma will conduct a community meeting on February 9, 2010, to discuss the results of a recently completed water and sewer rate study, which recommends increasing rates and implementing a tiered water rate structure. The workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Royal Palm Room of the La Palma Community Center, 7821 Walker Street, La Palma. 

The community meeting will be an opportunity for the residents of La Palma to hear about the proposals and provide comments before they are considered by the City Council. Depending on which rate model is ultimately selected, the typical residential customer in La Palma would pay between 13% and 30% more per month for water.

The City of La Palma's current water and sewer rates were established in 2005 and have not been increased since then. Over the last five years, wholesale water costs have increased approximately 50%. Further, California is experiencing one of the worst water shortages in recent times and water supplies are being limited due to the drought and environmental restrictions. The tiered rate structure is intended to help encourage water conservation by charging higher rates for increased levels of consumption. Consumers using the least amount of water will pay the lowest per unit rates.

Oso Creek Restoration Underway with Stimulus Money

The first phase of the roughly $1 million Oso Creek Restoration and Protection Project is underway. Mission Viejo obtained $1,045,000 in federal funding for the project through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 



The initial phase entails installing new satellite-based irrigation controllers that will reduce runoff in the Jeronimo Open Space. The controllers automatically adjust irrigation rates based on the weather and allow City staff to control the irrigation system remotely.



The project is administered by the State Water Resources Control Board. A required sign notifying the public of the project will be installed next week on the south side of Jeronimo Road, between Silleros and Olympiad Road.

For more information about the project, call 949-470-8419.
 

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

La Palma Considering Conservation Pricing Tiers for Water and Sewer Rates

The city of La Palma is considering a new, tiered rate structure for water and sewer rates which has built-in incentives to stay within a water budget.  The item was heard at the December 22, 2009 city council meeting. Council directed that the public involvement part of the process begin, so look for hearings, study sessions or other forms of outreach regarding the plan.  

La Palma operates their own water enterprise system using both groundwater and imported water.  The Orange County Water District (OCWD) manages the groundwater basin and sets limits for pumping of groundwater.  Imported water is purchased from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan or MWD) thru the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC.)  

For FY 2009-10, La Palma will receive slightly less water from MWD than in the past - about 95% of the previous year's purchase.  For water purchases from MWD within the 95% allotment, the price is $249/acre foot.  If the City goes over their quota, the price goes up to $1981/acre foot.  The 5% loss of allocation cannot be made up simply by pumping more groundwater because the OCWD has allocated each city their share of groundwater, which cannot be exceeded.

As a way of keeping the City within the water budget and not getting a huge water bill for going over budget, a new tiered pricing structure for water and sewer rates is proposed.  Single family users will have three tiers, the first tier being fairly low cost to encourage people to stay within their water budget and the third tier is over twice as expensive as the first tier.

Multi-family and non-residential users will be divided into groups based on meter size and will have two tiers of service.  The second tier will be over twice as expensive as the first tier. 

Sewer services will also be tiered because the amount of discharge generated is proportional to the amount of water used.  

The dates of the public input sessions have not been announced yet.

The report with the proposed rate increases is available here Download LaPalmaWaterSewerRateStudy

2010 Sustainability Workshop Kick-Off Forum - Jan 14

Join the Water Authority and other agencies at the 2010 Sustainability Workshop Series Kick-Off Forum on Thursday, January 14 at Balboa Park at the San Diego Natural History Museum and Museum of Photographic Art. This is a community-wide event hosted by the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, and sponsored by the Balboa Park Learning Institute, city of San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric, and other organizations. Last year more than 500 supporters of Balboa Park and sustainability practices attended the event.

San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria will kick off the event. He will be joined by David Wylie of ASW Engineering, and Erik Caldwell, policy advisor to San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. The event will feature the following presentations:

• Balboa Park Sustainability Progress Report
• Save Energy, Save Money Workshop
• Luncheon Presentation: Clean Generation
• Efficient Air Conditioning and Energy Management Systems Workshop

Here is the flyer.

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.

Coachella Valley Water District Hosting Water Management Seminar in Spanish - Jan 27

Beautiful lawns and gardens in the desert are the handiwork of hundreds of local gardeners and landscapers. But a statewide water crisis is permanently changing their irrigation practices and outdoor water use in the Coachella Valley. 

“Because up to 80 percent of water used in the Coachella Valley is outdoors, conserving waterin yards, gardens and landscaped areas is the most important step businesses and residents can take in the desert,” said Steve Robbins, CVWD general manager–chief engineer. “Last year, CVWD created water budgets to guide customers on what is efficient water use. Residents have responded enthusiastically; still, the district recognizes many homeowners andcommunity associations rely on professionals to control sprinkler systems, choose desert-friendly plants and pick the best irrigation products.” 

In order to meet the valley's growing demand for water-savvy gardeners and landscapers, theCoachella Valley Water District will host its third Water Management for Landscape Professionals seminar on Wednesday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of California Riverside's Palm Desert Graduate Center (75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert). Instruction for this six-hour seminar will be entirely in Spanish. 

“This district wants to engage directly with professional gardeners and landscapers to teach them the water industry's best water management practices. Those who control outdoor water use can make the biggest contribution to conservation,” said Robbins.