Four California Water Managers — Ken Willis, Randy Van Gelder, Robert DeLoach, Michael Camacho — Speak Their Minds on “Perfect Storm” Drought: Price of Imported Water will Increase 20% in 2009!!! (SanBernardinoSun)

Mar.01, 2009 in Drought, Public Works, Water Conservation, Water Industry, Water Management, Water Rights

(Feb. 28, 2009, The San Bernardino Sun)

Water is one of California’s most vexing challenges.

Most of the state’s rainfall comes in Northern California and its snowpack is in the Sierra Nevada range. But most of the users are in Southern California and the Central Valley, where agriculture is the main consumer.

There are obstacles at every step in capturing, storing and delivering enough water to meet the state’s needs. This year, the challenges are coming to a head in the third straight year of below-normal precipitation and with court rulings restricting the pumping of water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The State Water Project plans to deliver just a fraction of its normal contribution to Southern California, and the federal government is shutting off deliveries to Central Valley farms.

We asked four local water managers what consumers need to know about the water situation. Collectively, they represent agencies that sell water wholesale and retail, manage groundwater and wastewater, and provide recycled water over an area from Pomona to Yucaipa.

Local solution to the crisis

Ken Willis

As I look out my window to see the mountains draped in snow, I begin to understand why I am starting to hear comments from friends, neighbors and, regrettably, the mass media about the possibility that the drought is over. Despite their optimism, the truth is that the water crisis in Southern California and much of the state is far from over.

In fact, we could have a better than average year in rainfall, and our water problems will still not be resolved. Fact is that it will take a number of wet years before the storage levels in our surface water reservoirs and groundwater basins recover to pre-drought conditions. A combination of factors such as a long period of drought in the western United States, increased population, climate change and environmental constraints on the movement of water through the Sacramento Delta, have all contributed to the crisis. No one element by itself is to blame. It is what you might call the “Perfect Storm Drought.”

So how do we deal with the crisis? Just like the problem, the solution is multifaceted. First and foremost we need to continue our push to build the long overdue bypass facility around the Sacramento Delta. The so called “Dual Conveyance” project will provide a reliable supply of water to agencies south of the delta and improve the quality of the water we receive. In addition it will provide operational flexibility that will help solve some of the environmental issues in the delta.

Next we need to look at those strategies that we can control. Those include the use of recycled water for both direct use and groundwater recharge, increased capture of storm water to replenish our groundwater, increased pumping of the impaired water in the southern portion of Chino Basin and most importantly – conservation. A combination of those locally controlled strategies along with a statewide effort to solve the issues in the delta will ensure that the next generation’s water is protected.

The Chino Basin Watermaster and its partner water agencies are already well on our way to implementing these local strategies. Watermaster and our partners, the County of San Bernardino, the Chino Basin Water Conservation District, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency as well as local retail pumpers, have spent more than $50million to expand our ability to capture more storm water. Facilities that were converted from strictly flood control to a dual use will enhance conservation by building up our groundwater table. That investment so far has allowed us to capture millions of gallons of water annually that previously would have flowed to the ocean. Those same agencies are planning for the next phase of the program that will add to our ability to capture even larger storm flows.

In the southern end of our basin, the agencies that make up the Chino Desalter Authority have agreed to expand the facility by nearly 50 percent to provide a safe, reliable water source for their residents. The expansion, estimated to cost $120million, has the secondary benefit of cleaning up the water impaired by decades of agricultural practices for beneficial use.

The Inland Empire Utilities Agency, working with cities and water agencies within the region, is expanding the recycled water distribution system so we can take potable water being used for watering lawns, golf courses medians and instead use highly treated recycled water. This allows the potable water to be used for consumption by all of us.

The last local strategy being implemented is conservation. It’s simple, the more we save the longer our supply will last. The governor has asked that California residents reduce their potable water demand 20 percent by the year 2020. The so called 20/20 plan is realistic, and water agencies have begun to spread the word about easy and effective ways of saving water in and around your homes and businesses. Use of low-flush toilets, the installation of water-saving devises and using timers on your irrigation can provide enough of a reduction that we can meet the governor’s goal.

So when you look up at those beautiful mountains covered in snow, know that the drought is as yet not over. The water agencies that serve the residents of the Chino Basin are already working to make sure future generations will have a safe and reliable water supply, but only if we act wisely and act now!

Chino Basin Watermaster facilitates development and use of the Chino Groundwater Basin.

Sharing the responsibility

Randy Van Gelder

Once again California finds itself in a drought.

Two years of below-average precipitation, depletion of water in storage reservoirs and, recently, severe pumping restrictions imposed to protect endangered species in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta have led to a potentially catastrophic drought.

This year, the State Water Project, which serves largely urban customers here in Southern California, will deliver only about 15 percent of the water requested. The federal Central Valley Project is providing no – nada, zero – water to its largely agricultural customers in the San Joaquin Valley.

As a result, water agencies are cajoling their constituents to conserve water and are considering implementing programs to encourage the efficient use of limited supplies through pricing incentives.

Why are we in this mess? Is agriculture the problem? It uses the majority of the state’s water and surely a small improvement in irrigation practices could result in more water for other uses.

Or are people and their lifestyles the culprit? There are too many people, in remote, dry areas, and they shouldn’t have lawns and swimming pools anyway. Surely there could be water savings from changes in the “California lifestyle.”

These savings could be applied for other uses, for example environmental improvements and/or recreation. Or are the environmentalists the problem? They think that everything should be saved, and even with allocating all of the water to the environment, some species will still become extinct. Surely they need to be more reasonable.

Trying to place blame won’t produce more water, just endless court battles. If we’re going to solve this crisis, we will have to do it together. We will all need to use the most efficient means to supply the water needed, but not more than is needed.

Improvements in irrigation practices, on the farms and in the neighborhoods, are vital. Indoor water conservation is now the norm for new construction and retrofits to low water-consuming fixtures in older homes are subsidized by the local water agencies. Operation of our major statewide water distribution systems – including the construction of surface storage, groundwater banking and the Peripheral Canal – will need to be more closely coordinated with meeting reasonable goals for environmental uses while meeting the needs of the people to live, work and play.

We will all need to share in the responsibility – and the sacrifices – of ensuring that we have a reliable water supply.

San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District imports water and manages groundwater storage and wastewater disposal from Rialto to Yucaipa.

Retail agency perspective

Robert DeLoach

As a local retail water provider, water is the life-blood of our organization. It’s the commodity that Cucamonga Valley Water District produces and sells to a population of more than 185,000 consumers within the cities of Rancho Cucamonga and portions of Fontana, Ontario, Upland and unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County.

Unfortunately, not all of our water supply is developed locally. More than 50 percent of our water is imported from Northern California. Although CVWD’s objective is to reduce long-term reliance on imported water supplies by investing and further developing local supplies of groundwater and recycled water, access to a supplemental supply of imported water remains essential to meeting the needs of our customers.

A reliable water supply is necessary to support economic development while ensuring access to quality housing, commerce and employment opportunities for residents and businesses within the communities we serve.

Water supplies in our region are under continued pressure due to the dry weather patterns we have experienced over the past several years. Our goal, as a water provider, is to continue to contribute to the economic vitality of the region. To do so, will require dramatic changes in how we manage and use our water resources, which will have a significant impact on how we choose to live our lives on a daily basis.

In essence, when it comes to water use in our region, it is imperative that we create a “new normal.” CVWD is committed to educating present and future generations of customers on changing behaviors and habits to help ensure the sustainability of our future water supplies. The foundation of this new normal is supported by the three R’s of water: recycle, reduce and rates.

Recycle: Development of alternative water supplies will be imperative for our region to move forward. A completely separate system of pipes and reservoirs is necessary to deliver recycled water to landscape and industrial customers. This is a growing component of CVWD’s water supply that will help to satisfy more than 10 percent of future water demands. Currently, more than 30 customers are connected to our recycled water supply system and over the next several years, as new recycled water facilities are completed, additional irrigation customers will be added, including Cal Trans, Victoria Gardens and Quakes Stadium.

Reduce: All classes of customers must commit to using water more wisely. Tremendous savings can be gained by re-evaluating and changing outdoor landscapes and irrigation practices. About 60 percent of water used in the home is used outdoors and modest reductions in outdoor watering contribute significantly to increasing the sustainability of our water supply. CVWD offers residential landscape classes, rebate programs, and in-home water audits in an effort to assist customers and encourage them to make changes that will help save water.

The last R stands for Rates. The two most significant cost components of our rate structure are the cost of our imported water supply and the cost of electricity for pumping and treating the water we deliver to our customers. As previously noted, nearly 50 percent of our water supply is imported from Northern California by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. As these supplies become increasingly less reliable due to dry weather patterns, environmental factors and federal court orders affecting exports from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the cost of imported water continues to rise.

Between 2004 and 2008 the price of imported water increased 8 percent. In January of this year it jumped another 18 percent and now it is projected that rates for imported water will increase more than 20percent in the coming year.

Needless to say, these increases to the rate CVWD pays for water will have substantial impact to the average consumer. Because of the vulnerable nature of imported water supplies and the impact cost increases have on water rates, it has long been CVWD’s goal to reduce its reliance on this component of our water supply through continued investment in local water supply projects.

CVWD encourages its customers to take advantage of available conservation incentives and reduce nonessential water use. By increasing awareness of the value and vulnerability of our precious water resources we can ensure its long-term sustainability.

We’re in this together, and by continuing to use water wisely we can ensure a reliable supply of water now, and for future generations of customers.

Cucamonga Valley Water District sells water to customers in Rancho Cucamonga, portions of Upland, Ontario and Fontana, and some unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County.

The call for conservation

Michael Camacho

It is imperative that we begin to use water more efficiently. After experiencing two years of drought and the driest spring in recorded history, water reserves are extremely low. Imported water supplies from the Delta are limited because of the current drought, worsening environmental conditions, and court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries.

At a time when our water supply is in question, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency is taking the proper steps to find answers. IEUA has invested heavily in water conservation, groundwater and recycled water development.

IEUA, a municipal water district, supplies supplemental water to the Chino Basin and is the regional wastewater treatment agency. The mission of IEUA is clear: provide a clean, reliable water supply to the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario and Upland in addition to the Cucamonga Valley and Monte Vista Water Districts and the Water Facilities Authority.

IEUA is recognized as a premier water agency in watershed management in California. State-of-the-art water treatment facilities and other water infrastructure projects have been implemented in order to enhance our local water supplies. In addition, IEUA has implemented a 20-year plan to keep water and sewer rates low. This is being done through innovative and cooperative infrastructure investments with utilities and cities within the Chino Basin watershed, therefore preserving our local water resources for our children through the end of the 21st century.

I am very proud that IEUA has the lowest wholesale water and sewer rates in Southern California. The reason is that we have always operated the agency like a private business focused on cost-effective green technology and maximum value to our customers.

In addition, IEUA has taken action to implement projects that diversify the water supply sources and help to drought-proof the Chino Basin economy. One of the most important strategies for the region is the use of recycled water.

Recycled water is a safe, reliable and cost-effective approach to managing Southern California’s limited water resource and plays a large part in expanding water supplies to meet the growing needs of the Chino Basin. Recycled water has a wide variety of uses such as irrigation of golf courses, parks and playgrounds, freeway landscaping, commercial car washes and laundries, dust control and numerous industrial applications. By reusing water treated from our wastewater plants for these purposes, we have the opportunity to conserve our drinking water supplies for our really important uses – inside the home – and to stretch our region’s water supplies overall.

IEUA supports a shared commitment to drought-proofing the region. In December 2008, IEUA received a Department of Water Resources $1 million grant from the Drought Urban Assistance Program. This grant was given to fund the retrofit of recycled water connections for outdoor irrigation. In January, the state froze these grant funds, but because of the importance this program has to help drought-proof the region, IEUA is continuing the project without interruption and providing all interim funding needed.

IEUA and its retail agencies have nearly reached the halfway mark of an ambitious three-year supply plan to supply 50,000 acre-feet/year of recycled water. This, in turn, conserves 20 percent of our water supply. Recycled water is 100 percent water conservation. While California is facing the most significant water crisis in its history, recycled water plays an essential role in assuring there is water available.

For IEUA there is an immediate call to all households and businesses to conserve. We need residents and business owners to recognize the severity of what is affecting us: drought. It’s time to take shorter showers, fix leaky faucets, run the washer only when it is full, and turn off your sprinklers when it is raining outside. These are necessary steps to answering our water woes. Every step counts.

We all need to continue and build on our efforts to use water more wisely; in spite of our challenging economy, water continues to be scarce and more costly.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “When the well’s dry, we know the value of water.” It is time to know the value of water now before the “well’s dry.” It is time to make the conservation effort and prepare for the future before it’s too late.

Inland Empire Utilities Agency supplies imported and recycled water; collects, treats and disposes of wastewater; and provides renewable energy to communities from Chino Hills to Fontana.

HOW TO SAVE WATER

Indoors

Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.

Shorten your showers by one or two minutes.

Fix leaky faucets.

Wash only full loads of laundry.

Talk to your family and friends about saving water.

Outdoors

Water your yard only before 8 a.m. to reduce evaporation and interference from wind.

Install a smart sprinkler controller.

Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.

Check your sprinkler system for leaks, overspray and broken sprinkler heads.

From www.bewaterwise.com

(Original Article Here)