October 13, 2014

Transcription

October 13, 2014

AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LA PUENTE VALLEY COUNTY WATER DISTRICT
112 N. FIRST STREET, LA PUENTE, CALIFORNIA
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2014 AT 5:30 PM
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Rojas____ Vice President Escalera____ Director Aguirre____
Director Hastings___ Director Hernandez____
4.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Anyone wishing to discuss items on the agenda or pertaining to the District may do so now. The Board may
allow additional input during the meeting. A five-minute limit on remarks is requested.
5.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Each item on the Agenda shall be deemed to include an appropriate motion, resolution or ordinance to take
action on any item. Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted after distribution of the agenda
packet are available for public review at the District office, located at the address listed above.
6.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
There will be no separate discussion of Consent Calendar items as they are considered to be routine by the
Board of Directors and will be adopted by one motion. If a member of the Board, staff, or public requests
discussion on a particular item, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered
separately.
A.
Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors held on
September 22, 2014.
B.
Approval of Expense Reports for President Rojas, Directors Hastings and
Hernandez for attendance of the CSDA 2014 Annual Conference on September
29 – October 2, 2014 in Palm Springs, CA
C.
Approval of District Expenses for the Month of September 2014.
D.
Approval of City of Industry Waterworks System Expenses for the Month of
September 2014.
E.
Receive and file the District’s Water Sales Report for September 2014.
Page 1 of 3
7.
8.
F.
Receive and file the City of Industry Waterworks System’s Water Sales Report for
September 2014.
G.
Receive and file the Report on Director Expenses for the Third Quarter of 2014.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Consideration of Proposal from Stetson Engineers for the Evaluation of Efficiency
Improvement to the District’s Large Air Stripper Carbon Absorber.
Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to proceed with the work
detailed in Stetson Engineers’ Proposal.
B.
Update on the potential recycled water system to serve irrigation users on Don
Julian Road, west of Hacienda Blvd. (Oral report)
Recommendation: Board discretion.
C.
Consideration of the Puente Valley Operable Unit Intermediate Zone Project
Proposed Water Treatment and Delivery Agreement Term Sheet.
Recommendation: Authorize the General Manager to sign the Proposed Water
Treatment and Delivery Agreement Term Sheet.
D.
Discussion on the History of the Main/First Street Property and Identification of
Real Property Negotiators for Potential Acquisition of New District Offices.
Property: 108-112 N. First Street and 15841-15843 Main Street, La Puente:
Assessor Parcel No. 8246-009-008.
124 N. Second Street, La Puente: Assessor Parcel No. 8246-008-012.
Agency Negotiator: Greg Galindo
Negotiating Parties: Charles Klinakis
Recommendation: Authorize Negotiator Named to Serve as Real Property
Negotiator in Connection with the Purchase, Sale, and Exchange of Real Property
for the District.
E.
Update on Painting a Logo on the Main Street Reservoirs. (Oral report)
Recommendation: Board discretion.
FIELD OPERATIONS REPORT
Recommendation: Receive and file report.
9.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Recommendation: Receive and file report.
10. GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT (Oral Report)
11. OTHER ITEMS
Page 2 of 3
A.
Upcoming Events.
B.
Correspondence to the Board of Directors.
C.
Newspaper Articles.
12. ATTORNEY’S COMMENTS
13. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
A.
Report on events attended.
B.
Other comments.
14. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
15. CLOSED SESSION
A.
Pursuant To Government Code§ 54956.9(d)(2). Pending litigation (one case)
B.
Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code §54956.8.
Property:
108-112 N. First Street and 15841-15843 Main Street, La Puente:
Assessor Parcel No. 8246-009-008.
Agency Negotiator: Greg Galindo
Negotiating Parties: Charles Klinakis
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment.
16. REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
17. ADJOURNMENT
POSTED:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014
PRESIDENT WILLIAM R ROJAS PRESIDING.
Any qualified person with a disability may request a disability-related accommodation as needed to participate
fully in this public meeting. In order to make such a request, please contact Mrs. Rosa Ruehlman, Board
Secretary, at (626) 330-2126 in sufficient time prior to the meeting to make the necessary arrangements.
Note: Agenda materials are available for public inspection at the District office or visit the District’s website at
www.lapuentewater.com.
Page 3 of 3
Page 1 of 6
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the La Puente Valley County Water District was
held on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 5:30 at the District office, 112 N. First St., La Puente,
California.
Meeting called to order:
President Rojas called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Rojas led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Directors present:
William Rojas, President, Charlie Aguirre, Director; John Escalera, Vice President; David
Hastings, Director and Henry Hernandez, Director.
Staff present:
Greg Galindo, General Manager; Rosa Ruehlman, Board Secretary and Roland Trinh District
Counsel.
Others Present:
No members of the public were present.
Adoption of Agenda:
President Rojas asked for the approval of the agenda.
Motion by Vice President Escalera seconded by Director Hernandez, that the agenda be adopted
as presented.
Motion approved by following vote:
Ayes: Rojas, Escalera, Aguirre, Hastings and Hernandez,
Nays: None.
Consent Calendar:
President Rojas asked for the approval of the Consent Calendar:
A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors held on
September 8, 2014.
Motion by Director Aguirre seconded by Director Hastings, that the agenda be adopted as
presented.
Nays: None.
Financial Reports:
A. Summary of Cash and Investments as of August 31, 2014.
• Mr. Galindo presented the cash balances and investments for La Puente is $2,518,769
and Industry is $167,113. He added the City of Industry was reimbursed from the
proceeds for managing the water system for 2013 and $72,000 balance from the prior
year is still due and will remain in the operating account to cover the monthly expenses.
Minutes – September 22, 2014
Page 2 of 6
Motion by President Rojas, seconded by Director Hastings to receive and file the Summary of
Cash and Investments as of August 31, 2014 as presented.
Nays: None.
B. Statement of the District’s Revenues and Expenses as of August 31, 2014.
• Mr. Galindo provided a summary of the District’s financials; revenues are at $2,445,484
and expenses are $2,422,978 for a net operating income at month end is $6,081.
Motion by President Rojas, seconded by Vice President Esclaera to receive and file the
Statement of the District’s Revenues and Expenses as of August 31, 2014 as presented.
Nays: None.
C. Statement of the City of Industry Waterworks System’s Revenues and Expenses as of
August 31, 2014.
• Mr. Galindo provided a summary of the CIWS financials; revenues are at $1,126,787 and
expenses are $1,023,611 for a net operating income at month end is $103,176 which is
28% of the budget.
Motion by Director Aguirre, seconded by President Rojas to receive and file the Statement of the
City of Industry Waterworks System’ Revenues and Expenses as of August 31, 2014 as
presented.
Nays: None.
Action/Discussion Items:
A. Legislative updates. (See attachment)
• Mr. Galindo summarized a couple of legislative updates provided by the District’s
Lobbyist, Bob Reeb Government Relations. Mr. Galindo provided a summary of the
Lobbyist involvement on landmark Water Bond and Groundwater Management legislation.
Mr. Galindo expressed that this year was a very busy year for water legislation and it was
very helpful to have a lobbyist involved in the shaping of legislation.
• Mr, Gallindo will keep the Board updated on legislative items.
Information only, no action required.
B. Sponsorship for the City of La Puente’s 23rd Annual 5/10K Main Street Run on Sunday,
October 26, 2014 at 7:00 am.
• Mrs. Ruehlman reported that staff received a letter from the City of La Puente regarding
their upcoming 5/10K run requesting sponsorship.
After Board discussion, by Board consensus, that the District is not able to sponsor at this time,
but staff will pass this information to Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.
Discussion only, no action required.
C. Consideration of revised proposal for the Well No. 3 repairs. (See Memorandum)
• Mr. Galindo reported, that on August 25, 2014, the Board authorized the General Manager
to enter into an agreement with Layne Christensen and to negotiate a cost not to
exceed $68,000 to recondition Well No. 3, to replace pump, pump assembly recondition
motor and reinstall. Since that meeting, he further reviewed and discovered there were
Page 3 of 6
some items not included in the proposal. He also requested some additional items to be
added to the revised proposal. He spoke with the motor contractor who will perform the
motor reconditioning and shared with him how it was being used and it was
recommended that a full rewind of the motor be done. Mr. Galindo shared specifics on the
need for additional motor work.
• Mr. Galindo provided a revised estimate for the additional items requested and for items
not included in the first estimate. The revised estimate is $78,000 , which Mr. Galindo
requested approval for. He added that this does not include brushing and bailing work
that was previously approved. He also added that he hopes to have the well running by
next month.
• Mr. Galindo also shared that he applied for SCE incentives, since this pump was not
efficient and we are eligible to receive up to $8,000.
After a lengthy discussion, motion by Vice President Escalera, seconded by President Rojas to
authorize General Manager to enter into an Agreement for repairs for Well No. 3 with Layne
Christensen for the pump and motor not to exceed $80,000.
Nays: None.
D. Discussion of EPA Region 9 Puente Valley Operable Unit and potential District
involvement in the Intermediate Zone Remedy thereof. (See attachment)
• Mr. Galindo presented some background of the EPA designated San Gabriel Valley
Superfund Site Area 4, Puente Valley Operable Unit (PVOU). In 1998, EPA recorded an
interim decision (the ROD) stating they have identified contamination and those parties
responsible for the contamination. He provided a background of the PVOU, that in March
21, 2002, EPA issued an administrative order that TRW Incorporated, which is now owned
by Northrop Grumman Corporation is responsible for the cleanup of the groundwater
contamination . He also provided an overview of the potential for the District to be involved
in the groundwater cleanup project for the Intermediate Zone of the PVOU Remedy. He
stated that the proposed Intermediate Zone PVOU Treatment Plant site is located on
Stafford and Hudson Ave. Mr. Galindo shared a few exhibits showing some of the
proposed extraction well locations for the Intermediate Zone Remedy.
• Mr. Galindo reviewed the timeline of the project and the District’s involvement with the
Board. He had some prior discussions with a consultant a year and a half ago, about our
potential involvement with the PVOU. On the week of August 11, 2014, he received a
phone call to schedule a meeting with consultants working on behalf of Northrop
Grumman. On August 14th he met with two key consultants for the project and they asked
if the District would be interested in being involved with the PVOU Project and they
wanted to know how we could take the water on a continuous basis. Mr. Galindo informed
them that it would require an option to deliver the surplus water to Rowland Water District.
Mr. Galindo then shared that he met with Rowland Water District and Walnut Valley Water
District to discuss partnering options. Rowland Water District and Walnut Water District
work together through their joint agency the Puente Basin Water Agency. After that
meeting, Mr. Galindo was designated as the contact person and to proceed drafting a
Term Sheet of what we expect this project to be, what we are willing to do to help
Northrop Grumman with the remedy and what we are willing to pay for the water that is
produced from the proposed treatment facility.
• Mr. Galindo shared that he drafted the Term Sheet, submitted to Rowland and Walnut
Valley Water Districts for their comments. He received their comments back and
forwarded a draft Term Sheet to Northrup Grumman representatives. He later met with
Northrop and Rowland Water District on two occasions in September to review the various
components of the Term Sheet.
Page 4 of 6
•
He then provided a draft Term Sheet to the Board, which detailed the general terms upon
which the parties would agree to operate the PVOU Intermediate Zone Treatment Plant.
He reviewed some of the components of the Term Sheet; the understanding of the PVOU
Project, the Management and Operations; Water delivery; compensation for the water
delivered from the IZ WTP; and reimbursements.
• Mr. Galindo also shared a map of the San Gabriel Basin with all the different operable
units and connections.
• Vice President Escalera asked if water from the PVOU site would go directly to serve
Rowland Water District from the Main Street Reservoir. Mr. Galindo responded yes, it
would or also served through the Industry Hills system. Mr. Escalera asked will we need to
back off how much water will be coming in. Mr. Galindo responded that we will take in the
same amount of water and any excess that comes from the BPOU goes to Suburban
Water Systems. Mr. Escalera asked if Rowland Water has a reservoir to take that water.
Mr. Galindo responded Rowland Water can take that water anytime with no issue.
• Vice President Escalera asked what kind of treatment it would consist of. Mr. Galindo
responded it would be the same type of treatment as the BPOU except for the air
strippers that treat VOC’s. Voc treatment will be done by GAC treatment. It is estimated
that the GAC vessels would be changed out about every 60 days. It will also include and
Ion Exchange System for perchlorate removal along with Oxidation and UV for 1,4
dioxane and NDMA destruction. To address total dissolved solids (TDS), which is higher
in the proposed area of the basin, reverse osmosis will be required to reduce the TDS.
This will be a more difficult treatment plant to operate than the District’s BPOU Facility.
• President Rojas asked if Northrop will construct the plant and pump systems. Mr. Galindo
responded that yes, this will be pumped water from 6 wells pumping about 400 to 500
gpm each. He added that Northrop will need to construct a big enough reservoir so when
water leaves the plant it will have sufficient contact time before it enters our system. Mr.
Rojas asked how big of a reservoir. Mr. Galindo responded he estimates it will be at least
three quarters of million gallon reservoir.
• Mr. Galindo recommended that President Rojas consider forming an Ad hoc Committee to
discuss the District’s involvement and then report back to the group.
• Vice President Escalera asked if Industry will continue to supply water to San Gabriel and
back. Mr. Galindo responded yes, that will stay the same, and shared that he contacted
the City of Industry about the discussions regarding the PVOU to let them know there is a
potential to use part of the Industry system. Their response was favorable. Mr. Galindo
stated that the way the Term Sheet is presented, there is no cost to the District except for
staff time to work on the project negotiations.
• Director Hastings asked what rating will the treatment plant be rated at. Mr. Galindo
responded he is not sure, it is possible, it could be rated a T-5 and if that is the case, staff
will need to acquire additional certification.
After a very lengthy discussion, President Rojas assigned Vice President Escalera and Director
Hastings to serve on the PVOU Ad hoc Committee.
E. Discussion on Real Property Sites for Possible Development of District Offices.
• Mr. Galindo stated at the last Board meeting, the Board reviewed the three options, 1)
remain at the current location, 2) utilize lower section of the Main Street Reservoir
property to construct a District office, or 3) build a new District office on Second Street.
The Board selected option 3, to build a new district office on Second Street and directed
Staff to negotiate with the property owner. The Board also directed staff to acquire the
easement of the lower section of the Main Street reservoir site.
• Mr. Galindo met with the property owner to discuss some options. He also obtained and
presented an updated proposed site layout and plan of the proposed exterior elevations of
the new proposed 3,800 square foot district office. He provided an update on the
Page 5 of 6
negotiations with the property owner in regards to a property swap with the First and Main
St. property.
There was some discussion with Board and Staff regarding the cost for a full set of plans for the
Second Street property and the cost of the property.
By Board consensus, Staff is to continue to work with the builder on getting a better cost for the
plans and may utilize District Engineer, Civiltec, to get what their cost would be to prepare plans
to make sure it is a good value. Also, Staff will provide a report that will state why we are moving
forward in the direction of building a new District office, the steps that will be taken and what the
cost differential will be by using the District’s reserves.
Discussion only and no action is required at this time.
General Manager’s Report:
Mr. Galindo had no report.
Other Items:
President Rojas stated that there are upcoming events, some news articles and information items
for the Board to look over.
A. Upcoming Events.
• Mrs. Ruehlman provided an updated memo listing all the upcoming events that have been
approved by the Board at prior meetings and who are attending. She informed the Board
Annual District’s Christmas party was rescheduled to December 12, 2014.
B. Correspondence to the Board of Directors
C. Newspaper Articles.
Attorney comments:
• Mr. Trinh had no report
Board member comments:
• Director Aguirre asked if there were any updates from the City of La Puente regarding
placing a City logo on the District’s reservoir. Mr. Galindo responded that to date he has
not received any response from the City.
Future agenda items:
• Director Aguirre requested an update on a possible City of La Puente Logo painted on the
Main Street reservoir tank.
Closed Session:
A. Pursuant to Government Code Section §54956.9(d)(2), Pending litigation (one case)
Report on Closed Session:
• Mr. Trinh reported that the Board met pursuant to Government Code Section
§54956.9(d)(2) pending litigation, one case. The Board was briefed on the situation and
no action was taken.
Adjournment:
There being no further business or comment, the meeting was adjourned 7:31 pm.
William R. Rojas, President
Rosa B. Ruehlman, Secretary
La Puente September 2014 Disbursements Check #
Payee
2159
2160
2161
2162
2163
2164
2165
2166
2167
2168
2169
2170
2171
2172
2173
2174
2175
2176
2177
2178
2179
2180
2181
2182
2183
2184
2185
2186
2187
2188
2189
2190
2191
2192
2193
2194
2195
2196
2197
2198
2199
2200
2201
2202
Alliance Communications Services
CCSInteractive
Chevron
Consolidated Electrical Distributors
Eva's Cleaning Service
Ferguson Enterprises
G. M. Sager Construction
Grainger
Griffith Air Tool
Hach Company
Industry Public Utilites
McMaster‐Carr Supply Co
Merritt's Hardware
MetLife
O'Reilly Auto Parts
Resource Building Materials
San Gabriel Basin WQA
SC Edison
So Cal Water Utilities Association
Underground Service Alert
United Traffic Services & Supply
Verizon
Vulcan Materials Company
Weck Laboratories
Hopkins Technical Products
Stetson Engineers Univar USA
Weck Laboratories
Weck Laboratories
Petty Cash
ACWA/JPIA
American Express
Bank of America‐Visa
Calif Dept of Public Health
CCSInteractive
InfoSend
Jack Henry & Associates
Jiffy Lube My Fleet Center
Lagerlof, Senecal, Gosney & Kruse
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
Platinum Consulting Group
Reeb Government Relations
San Gabriel Valley Water Company
Amount
$ 57.50
$ 54.40
$ 2,557.15
$ 46.22
$ 410.00
$ 45.24
$ 9,427.50
$ 43.03
$ 174.00
$ 236.43
$ 20,752.00
$ 60.03
$ 383.32
$ 456.94
$ 165.00
$ 460.51
$ 7,861.50
$ 9,807.95
$ 225.00
$ 51.00
$ 6.54
$ 132.16
$ 1,176.14
$ 185.00
$ 267.84
$ 937.25
$ 3,409.23
$ 4,668.50
$ 876.50
$ 148.97
$ 17,209.40
$ 967.95
$ 710.38
$ 60.00
$ 32.50
$ 940.04
$ 43.12
$ 98.75
$ 719.60
$ 499.44
$ 618.75
$ 250.00
$ 31.66
$ 224.58
Description
Answering Service
Monthly Website Hosting
Truck Fuel
Field Supplies
Cleaning Service
Field Supplies
Field Expense‐ Asphalt
Well 5 Motor Controls Troubleshooting
Field Supplies
Field Supplies
Web Payments August 2014
Field Supplies
Field Supplies
Life Insurance
Truck Maintenance
Field Supplies
Pumping Rights Assessments FY 2014/2015
Power Expense
Seminar Registration‐ Staff
Line Notifications
Field Safety Supplies
Telephone Expense
Field Expense‐ Concrete
Water Sampling
Field Supplies
Engineering Support
Chemical Expenses
Water Sampling
Water Sampling
Office/Field Expense
Auto & General Liability Insurance
Conference & Administrative Expenses
Field & Administrative Expenses
D‐2 Certification Renewal ‐ Cesar Ortiz
Website Expense
Billing Expense & Conservation Inserts
Web E‐check Fee's
Truck Maintenance
Attorney Fee's
Disability Insurance
Administrative Support
Leglislative Advocacy
Field Expense
Water Service @ Treatment Plant
La Puente September 2014 Disbursements ‐ continued
Check #
Payee
Amount
2203
2204
2205
2206
2207
2208
2209
2210
2211
2212
2213
2214
2215
2216
2217
2218
2219
2220
2221
2222
2223
2224
2225
2227
2228
2229
2230
2231
2232
Online
Autodeduct
Autodeduct
Autodeduct
Autodeduct
Online
Online
Online
Online
Sign Depot
Staples The Weeks Group
Valley Vista Services
Weck Laboratories
Western Water Works
Arturo B Briseno Jr
ACWA/JPIA
CalPERS
County of LA‐Auditor Controller
Dive/Corr
Eaton Corporation
Industry Hose & Fasteners
InfoSend
Lagerlof, Senecal, Gosney & Kruse
MetLife
Peck Road Gravel
T‐Mobile
Trench Plate Rental Weck Laboratories
Western Water Works
Verizon Wireless
Cla‐Val Service Training
Sonia Baez
Hach Company
SC Edison
Verizon
Waste Management of SG Valley
Industry Public Utilities Home Depot Bluefin Payment Systems
Wells Fargo Wells Fargo First Data Global Leasing
Lincoln Financial Group
CalPERS
Employment Development Dept
United States Treasury
Total Payables
$ 600.92
$ 404.76
$ 1,375.00
$ 281.30
$ 70.50
$ 6,618.71
$ 187.45
$ 30,480.78
$ 31,250.00
$ 37.40
$ 3,300.00
$ 1,357.05
$ 97.50
$ 129.11
$ 6,892.50
$ 236.72
$ 560.00
$ 42.91
$ 209.40
$ 159.50
$ 3,273.25
$ 273.35
$ 400.00
$ 50.00
$ 334.52
$ 25,623.61
$ 284.62
$ 173.62
$ 312.73
$ 374.93
$ 419.05
$ 396.32
$ 166.98
$ 61.04
$ 2,624.00
$ 9,499.08
$ 4,196.40
$ 30,215.64
$ 250,459.67
Description
Field Supplies
Office Supplies
Property Appraisal Trash Service
Water Sampling
Field Expense‐ Inventory
Clothing Allowance Reimbursement
Health Benefits October 2014
Employer Contribution‐ OPEB
Field Expense
Reservoir Inspection
Driver Board Replacement
Equipment Maintenance
Billing Expense
Attorney Fee's
Life Insurance
Asphalt & Concrete Disposal
Air Card
Equipment Rental
Water Sampling
Valve/Hydrant Replacement
Cell Phone Expense
Training Expense
Spanish Translation ‐ Conservation Door Hangers
Field Supplies
Power Expense
Telephone Expense
Trash Service
Invoice Reimbursement
Field Supplies
Web Merchant Fee's
Bank Fee's Merchant Fee's Credit Card Machine Lease
Deferred Comp
Retirement Program
California State & Unemployment Taxes Federal, Social Security & Medicare Taxes
La Puente September 2014 Payroll Check #
Employee
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
10297
10298
10299
10300
10301
10302
10303
10304
10305
10306
10307
10308
10309
10310
10314
10315
10316
10317
10318
10319
10320
10321
10322
10323
10324
10325
10326
10327
Charles Aguirre
David H Hastings
Henry P Hernandez
John P Escalera
William R Rojas
Charles Aguirre
David H Hastings
Henry P Hernandez
John P Escalera
William R Rojas
Albert J Vazquez
Arturo B Briseno Jr
Cesar A Ortiz
Gina M Herrera
Gregory B Galindo
Keith R Bowman
Miguel A Molina
Raymond R Arvizo
Rosa B Ruehlman
Santiago E Loera Jr
Shaunte L Maldonado
Tiffany Y Groves
Vanessa L Koyama
William D Clark
Albert J Vazquez
Arturo B Briseno Jr
Cesar A Ortiz
Gina M Herrera
Gregory B Galindo
Keith R Bowman
Miguel A Molina
Raymond R Arvizo
Rosa B Ruehlman
Santiago E Loera Jr
Shaunte L Maldonado
Tiffany Y Groves
Vanessa L Koyama
William D Clark
Total Payroll
Amount
Gross
$ 117.85
$ 117.84
$ 117.84
$ 117.85
$ 107.85
$ 117.85
$ 117.85
$ 117.85
$ 117.85
$ 107.85
$ 1,429.56
$ 1,750.93
$ 4,591.10
$ 1,709.39
$ 4,015.45
$ 2,237.45
$ 1,984.24
$ 1,737.05
$ 2,341.34
$ 1,899.62
$ 1,326.91
$ 488.85
$ 615.34
$ 2,293.14
$ 1,740.64
$ 2,529.37
$ 3,022.00
$ 1,680.99
$ 4,015.45
$ 2,007.52
$ 1,858.08
$ 1,788.15
$ 2,341.34
$ 1,774.70
$ 1,284.06
$ 506.44
$ 655.68
$ 2,539.58
$ 127.61
$ 127.61
$ 127.61
$ 127.61
$ 127.61
$ 127.61
$ 127.61
$ 127.61
$ 127.61
$ 127.61
$ 1,989.26
$ 2,038.03
$ 4,981.68
$ 2,934.71
$ 5,534.18
$ 3,520.05
$ 2,733.85
$ 2,575.79
$ 3,288.56
$ 2,740.53
$ 1,937.40
$ 662.76
$ 999.61
$ 2,868.82
$ 2,527.56
$ 2,796.66
$ 3,892.32
$ 2,885.52
$ 5,534.18
$ 3,117.05
$ 2,566.08
$ 2,664.82
$ 3,288.56
$ 2,568.82
$ 1,866.42
$ 686.71
$ 1,051.73
$ 3,218.04
$ 57,322.85
Total September 2014 Disbursements $ 307,782.52
Invoice No. 4- 2014-09
October 1, 2014
BPOU Project Committee Members
RE: BPOU O & M Expense Reimbursement Summary
The following cost breakdown represents O & M expenses incurred by the LPVCWD for the month of September 2014.
BPOU Acct No.
Description
Invoice No.
Vendor
LP.02.01.01.00
Power
2-15-629-6188
2-03-187-2179
SC Edison
SC Edison
$ 13,773.30
$ 11,850.31
Amount
Subtotal
$
25,623.61
LP.02.01.02.00
Labor Costs
Sep-14
LPVCWD
$ 14,368.35
$
14,368.35
LP.02.01.05.00
Transportation
Sep-14
LPVCWD - 1259 miles @ .56
$
705.04
$
705.04
LP .02.01.07.00
Water Testing
W4I0080
W4I0082
W4I0084
W4I0101
W4I0389
W4I0706
W4I0711
W4I0712
W4I0801
W4I1242
W4I1243
W4I1685
W4I1706
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
Weck Labs
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
307.00
691.50
691.50
35.00
239.00
35.00
452.00
691.50
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
691.50
$
3,974.00
9/13/2014
Verizon -September 14
$
284.62
$
284.62
LA046932
LA049478
LA051852
LA054426
LA056691
Univar
Univar
U
i
Univar
Univar
Univar
$
$
$
$
$
323.34
449.69
449
69
622.59
658.50
621.26
$
2,675.38
9023783124
9003964
81590
7001405519
14-Sep
Airgas
HACH
Merritt's Hardware
Staples
Bank of America - Visa
$
$
$
$
$
1,315.46
334.52
21.78
202.38
288.00
$
2,162.14
LP.02.01.10.00
Operations Monitoring
LP.02.01.12.00
Materials/Supplies
LP.02.01.12.06
Sodium Hypochlorite
LP.02.01.12.15
Other Expendables
LP.02.01.12.17
Sulfuric Acid
LA049513
Univar
$
2,364.22
$
2,364.22
LP.02.01.17.00
Insurance
10/1/14-2015
ACWA-JPIA
$
3,350.45
$
3,350.45
LP.02.01.80.00
Other O & M
3284
3301
157221
8886202-2519-1
So Cal Industries
Waste Management
Total Expenditures
District Pumping Cost Deduction
Total O & M
Total Capital Cost Reimbursable
Total Cost Reimbursable
$
$
$
$
82.50
82.50
140.00
173.62
$
$
$
$
$
$
478.62
55,986.43
7,173.33
48,813.10
48,813.10
Industry September 2014 Disbursements
Check #
Payee
1166
1167
1168
1169
1170
1171
1172
1173
1174
1175
1176
1177
1178
1179
1180
1181
1182
1183
1184
1185
1186
1187
1188
1189
1190
1191
1192
1193
1194
1195
1197
Autodeduct
Autodeduct
Alliance Communications Services
CCSInteractive
County of LA Dept of Public Works
Grainger
Hach Company
Merritt's Hardware
San Gabriel Basin WQA
Stetson Engineers Underground Service Alert
Vulcan Materials Company
Weck Laboratories
ACWA/JPIA
Civiltec Engineering
InfoSend
La Puente Valley County Water District
Weck Laboratories
Jack Henry & Associates
InfoSend
San Gabriel Valley Water Company
SC Edison
The Gas Company
Verizon
Verizon Wireless
Weck Laboratories
Sonia Baez
Wells Fargo Merchant Fee's
First Data Global Leasing
Amount
$ 57.50
$ 13.60
$ 973.00
$ 6,600.00
$ 43.03
$ 118.22
$ 63.72
$ 5,515.00
$ 2,893.25
$ 51.00
$ 1,176.13
$ 107.50
$ 10,664.59
$ 2,120.00
$ 3,454.50
$ 541.15
$ 40,274.89
$ 617.50
$ 107.50
$ 38.13
$ 496.13
$ 145.67
$ 43,750.00
$ 174.13
$ 968.99
$ 14,169.72
$ 14.30
$ 57.67
$ 273.35
$ 107.50
$ 50.00
$ 64.66
$ 61.04
Total September 2014 Disbursements $ 135,763.37
Description
Answering Service
Monthly Website Hosting
Permit Fee's
Field Supplies
Field Supplies
Field Supplies
Pumping Rights Assessments FY 2014/2015
Engineering Support
Line Notifications
Water Sampling
Auto & General Liability Insurance
ACE Grade Separation Project
Billing Expense
Labor Costs August 2014
Administrative Support
Water Sampling
Web E‐Check Fee's
Web CC & Bank Fee's Reimbursement
Billing Expense
2nd Quarter 2014 O&M Fee's
Purchased Water‐ Salt Lake
Power Expense
Gas Expense
Telephone Expense
Cell Phone Expense
Water Sampling
Spanish Translation ‐ Conservation Door Hangers
Merchant Fee's
Credit Card Machine Lease ‐ Monthly
WATER SALES REPORT LPVCWD 2014
LPVCWD
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
YTD
1,188
1,223
1,188
1,222
1,184
1,225
1,183
1,222
1,184
-
-
-
2,408
2014 Consumption (hcf)
38,646
67,979
32,813
65,786
44,866
85,193
54,764
94,412
51,184
-
-
-
535,643
2013 Consumption
(hcf)
C
i
(h f)
35,104
35 104
55,072
55 072
31,954
31 954
64,384
64 384
44,559
44 559
84,505
84 505
57,034
57 034
94,987
94 987
52,969
52 969
96,188
96 188
47,061
47 061
68,221
68 221
732,038
732 038
8 Year Average Consumption
(hcf)
38,091
62,772
33,188
61,081
43,516
84,538
55,464
103,259
57,774
92,703
45,143
66,996
744,523
No. of Customers
2014 Water Sales
$
65,658
$
119,921
$
55,246
$
116,143
$
77,129
$
151,425
$
95,525
$
168,445
$
88,919
$
2013 Water Sales
$
55,519
$
91,155
$
50,465
$
106,696
$
71,868
$
141,221
$
93,554
$
159,289
$
86,642
$
2014 Service Fees
$
43,035
$
51,189
$
43,102
$
51,252
$
42,981
$
51,386
$
42,898
$
51,154
$
43,064
$
2013 Service Fees
$
41,493
$
49,407
$
41,630
$
49,698
$
41,598
$
49,572
$
42,129
$
49,338
$
41,594
2014 Hyd Fees
$
950
$
950
$
950
$
950
$
950
$
950
$
950
$
950
$
2014 DC Fees
$
286
$
6,253
$
286
$
6,253
$
286
$
6,247
$
286
$
6,253
2014 System Revenue
$
109,928
$
178,313
$
99,584
$
174,597
$
121,346
$
210,009
$
139,659
$
226,801
-
$
-
$
$
81,193
$
-
$
-
$
$
49,723
$
43,012
950
$
-
$
$
286
$
-
$
133,219
$
-
161,735
-
$
938,409
$
1,219,754
-
$
420,061
$
51,248
$
550,443
-
$
-
$
8,550
$
-
$
-
$
26,436
$
-
$
-
$
120,417
1,393,457
110,000 $240,000 100,000 $220,000 $200,000 90,000 $180,000 80,000 $160,000 70,000 $140,000 60,000 $120,000 50,000 $100,000
$100,000 40,000 $80,000 30,000 $60,000 20,000 $40,000 10,000 $20,000 ‐
$‐
January
February
March
8 Year Average Consumption (hcf)
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
2013 WS and SF Revenue
November
December
2014 WS and SF Revenue
WATER SALES REPORT CIWS 2014
CIWS
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
YTD
954
849
953
847
956
848
954
847
955
-
-
-
1,803
60,857
28,585
51,593
29,800
67,225
36,695
83,072
39,554
79,633
-
-
-
477,014
48,634
22,900
46,586
25,880
68,617
37,003
85,367
44,244
81,120
40,475
72,424
27,874
601,124
8 Year Average
Consumption (hcf)
52,688
27,519
52,498
28,341
64,172
37,738
81,319
46,765
83,357
40,923
66,675
30,669
612,663
No. of Customers
2014 Water Sales
$
118,796
$
54,742
$
108,256
$
61,733
$
142,942
$
77,137
$
178,284
$
83,409
$
170,302
$
-
$
2013 Water Sales
$
87,040
$
43,499
$
90,353
$
49,362
$
135,077
$
71,857
$
169,624
$
86,777
$
160,934
$
78,939
$
2014 Service Fees
$
45,451
$
34,490
$
51,107
$
38,925
$
50,951
$
38,804
$
51,127
$
39,703
$
51,087
$
-
$
2013 Service Fees
$
39,558
$
34,183
$
45,467
$
34,266
$
45,391
$
34,278
$
45,445
$
34,321
$
45,312
$
34,266
2014 Hyd Fees
$
1,575
$
225
$
1,575
$
275
$
1,575
$
225
$
1,575
$
225
$
1,575
$
2014 DC Fees
$
7,283
$
1,452
$
8,897
$
1,579
$
8,897
$
1,788
$
8,897
$
1,825
$
8,897
$
173,105
$
90,908
$
169,834
$
102,512
$
204,364
$
117,954
$
239,883
$
125,161
$
231,861
2014 System Revenue
-
$
-
$
53,333
-
$
-
$
401,645
$
45,440
$
34,387
$
472,312
-
$
-
$
-
$
8,825
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
49,512
$
-
$
-
$
-
$ 1,455,583
142,612
$
995,601
$ 1,169,407
100,000 $240,000 $230,000 $220,000 $210,000 $200,000 $190,000 $180,000 $170,000 $160,000 $150,000 $140,000 $130,000 $120,000 $110,000 $100,000 $90,000 $80,000 $70,000 $60,000 $50,000 $40,000 $30,000 $20,000 $10,000 $‐
90,000 80,000 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 ‐
January
February
March
8 Year Average Consumption (hcf)
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
2013 WS & SF Revenue
November
December
2013 WS & SF Revenue
Directors Expense Summary for 3rd Quarter 2014
Date
Description
Charles Aguirre
John P. Escalera
Henry P. Hernandez
David Hastings
Number
Compensation
of days
Number
Compensation
of days
Number
Compensation
of days
Number
Compensation
of days
William R. Rojas
Number
of days
Compensation
Total
Per Diem Summary:
July - Sept 2014
07/10/14
07/24/14
08/13/14
$127.61 per day of Service
Regular Board Meetings
Ad hoc Committee
SCWUA Lunch Meeting
S.G Valley Water Association
6
$
765.66
1
1
$
$
127.61
127.61
$
6
1
1
1
$
$
$
$
765.66
127.61
127.61
127.61
1,020.88
$
1,148.49
$
$
$
25.00
25.00
750.00
$
$
$
25.00
25.00
750.00
$
800.00
$
$
3,503.22
$
6
$
765.66
6
$
765.66
1
1
$
$
127.61
127.61
765.66
$
$
800.00
4,530.81
6
1
1
1
$
$
$
$
765.66
127.61
127.61
127.61
$
$
$
$
1,020.88
$
1,148.49
$
5,104.40
750.00
$
$
$
25.00
25.00
750.00
$
$
$
25.00
25.00
750.00
$
$
$
100.00
100.00
3,750.00
$
750.00
$
800.00
$
800.00
$
3,950.00
$
2,183.61
$
5,979.30
$
1,811.37
$
18,008.31
$
Total:
07/24/14
08/13/14
9/29-10/2/14
Other Related Costs:
SCWUA Lunch Meeting
S.G Valley Water Association
CSDA Conference Registration
Total:
July - Sept.2014 Benefits(Med, Dental, Vision,Life)
$
3,828.30
255.22
510.44
510.44
—
STAFF REPORT Meeting Date:
October 10, 2014
To:
Honorable Board of Directors
Subject:
Evaluation the District’s Large Air Stripper Carbon Absorber
SUMMARY
Purpose -
To secure professional services for the Evaluation of Efficiency
Improvement to the District’s Large Air Stripper Carbon Absorber.
Recommendation -
Review proposal and authorize the General Manager to proceed with
the work detailed in Stetson Engineers’ Proposal.
Fiscal Impact -
The 2014 Treatment Plant Budget appropriates $60,000 for
Professional Services. The proposal from Stetson estimates the cost
of the evaluation at $10,500. This is within 2014 Budget
appropriation. The cost for the ion exchange resin replacement
services is a BPOU Project expense and shall be 100% reimbursed
by the Cooperating Respondents.
Previous Related Action - None.
Background
The District’s Groundwater Treatment Plant includes two air stripping towers for the removal of
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from water produced from the District’s three active wells. The
Air Strippers are operated in accordance with a State Water Resources Control Board Division of
Drinking Water Permit Amendment. This requires that a minimum air to water ratio must be met
while the Air Strippers are in operation. Air Stripper No. 1 is the smaller of the two towers measuring
8 feet in diameter and filled with approximately 20 feet of 2-inch Hiflow Ring packing material. Air
Stripper No. 1 is required to operate at a minimum 36:1 air to water ratio. Air Stripper No. 2 is 10 feet
in diameter and filled with approximately 24 feet of 2-inch Jaeger Tripack packing material. Air
Stripper No. 2 is required to operate at a minimum 70:1 air to water ratio. The air stripper units
consist of the towers, air blower units and vapor phase carbon adsorber units utilized for air stream
treatment.
The vapor phase carbon adsorber units are fixed bed systems that remove VOCs from the air stream
that has passed through the air stripping tower. The vapor phase carbon in these units is removed
from the units and fresh regenerated carbon is installed when air quality samples indicate that
replacement is required. Over the last three years the carbon beds have been changed out at about
every twelve (12) months. Previous to that the carbon bed change outs were performed every seventy
(70) days. The change in carbon change out frequency was studied and reviewed by the EPA and it
Page 1 of 2
was concluded that a longer carbon bed life provided a cost savings by reducing the use of carbon and
still provides effective VOC treatment of the air stream.
Discussion
With the change in carbon bed change out frequency, the District’s water treatment staff identified that
after a fresh carbon bed was placed into service, air flow through the unit was at its highest and then
reduced over the periods of weeks. The reduction in air flow required treatment plant staff to reduce
the volume of water through Air Stripper No. 2, in order to meet the minimum air to water ratio. This
in turn reduced the water treatment capacity of the plant by as much as 300 gallons per minute.
Although, this reduction of flow does not impact the District, since out water system demand is lower
than the reduced plant capacity, it does however impact how much water is delivered to Suburban
Water Systems. It also impacts the amount of contamination removed annually, which is concerning
to the District, EPA and the Cooperating Respondents.
District staff has concluded that as the moisture content of the carbon bed increases, a reduction in air
flow occurs. When carbon change outs were performed every 70 days, the moisture content never
reached a level that reduced air flow to the extent that water flow was reduced. Staff believes that the
remedy to this issue will require either the addition of heaters to the air stream treatment or a redesign
of the carbon absorber. District staff has requested that Stetson Engineers evaluate options of how to
improve the efficiency of Air Stripper No. 2’s Carbon Adsorber. Stetson has provided a proposal for
this work, which is enclosed for the Board’s consideration.
Recommendation
Staff requests the Board authorize the General Manager to proceed with the work detailed in Stetson’s
proposal for an estimated cost of $10,500.00, contingent upon BPOU Committee approval.
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg B. Galindo
General Manager
Attachments
-
Stetson Engineers Proposal to Evaluate the District’s Large Air Stripper Carbon Adsorber
Efficiency.
Page 2 of 2
08-001
Reply to: Covina
September 15, 2014
Mr. Greg Galindo
General Manager
112 N. First Street
La Puente, CA 91744
Subject:
La Puente Valley County Water District Large Air Stripper
Carbon Adsorber Efficiency Improvement
Dear Mr. Galindo:
Stetson Engineers Inc. (Stetson) is pleased to provide La Puente Valley
County Water District (LPVCWD) with this Scope of Work and Budget to update the
evaluation and cost estimate for installation of a heater for improving the
efficiency of the air stripper vapor phase carbon adsorber for the Air Stripper No.
2. Stetson is familiar with LPVCWD’s air strippers and off-gas treatment systems and
worked with treatment equipment vendors to prepare the design for air strippers and
off-gas treatment systems at the San Gabriel Valley Water Company Plant B6 and
Valley County Water District (VCWD) Lante Treatment Plant.
LPVCWD has been conducting carbon change outs approximately every
12 months, however, the change outs have been required due to accumulation of
moisture in the carbon beds, causing reduced air flow rates. LPVCWD is also facing
difficulty with the air flow measurement due to high moisture in the off-gas air stream.
Two previous studies were conducted to address improvement of the efficiency of
operation of the LPVCWD air strippers and the off gas treatment. The first study
(March 2007), was conducted by Trinity Consultants which recommended installation
of heaters with an estimated pay back time of 4 to 8 years. Trinity Consultants
estimated that carbon change out frequency for LPVCWD would change from 70 days
to approximately 180 days with installation of heater and insulation of the carbon
adsorber. At the time LPVCWD was changing vapor phase carbon every 70 days.
Yorke Engineering (Yorke) provided the subsequent study (January 2009) which
recommended installation of heaters with a pay back time of 2.5 years or less. Yorke
used the operating data and carbon change out frequency of the existing VCWD water
treatment plant to estimate the pay back time for LPVCWD. At the time of Yorke’s
evaluation, carbon bed life at VCWD’s treatment plant was approximately 11 months.
Yorke extrapolated the operating data of VCWD (11 months) to estimate a 9 month
carbon bed life for LPVCWD.
L I C E N S E D
W A T E R
B Y T H E
R E S O U R C E P R O F E S S I O N A L S
S T A T E B O A R D O F C O N S U M E R
A F F A I R S
Mr. Galindo
September 15, 2014
Page 2
Stetson will coordinate with Yorke to estimate the carbon bed life (beyond
the existing 12 month life) with the installation of an off-gas heater. Yorke has
confirmed that they can provide this input under their existing budget for providing
support to Watermaster for BPOU air quality issues.
The following Scope of Work reflects the anticipated work tasks.
Task 1 – Evaluate Installation of Heater on the Existing Off-Gas System
Under Task -1 Stetson will evaluate the following:
• Stetson will evaluate the needed capacity (Btu/hr) and physical size of the heater
for Air Stripper No. 2.
• Stetson will evaluate feasibility of installation of the air heater within the existing
layout conditions of the air stripper and the existing carbon adsorber. It is
assumed that the heater would be powered by natural gas.
• Stetson will evaluate the impact of the increased pressure drop as a result of
heater addition and will evaluate the means to increase the head and capacity of
the fan without major modifications of the fan or the existing electrical system.
• Stetson will evaluate the possibility of installation of an air flow meter on the
heater assembly which will be insensitive to the moisture of the air stripper offgas.
• It is anticipated that electrical power required to operate the heater and controls
are available at the site.
• Stetson will evaluate the physical impact of heater installation on the existing
layout of the fan, carbon adsorber, and noise panels. It is likely that noise panels
will require relocation to accommodate the heater and ductwork.
• Stetson will prepare a cost-benefit analysis for installation and operation
of a new heater based on current carbon change out criteria. Stetson will
coordinate with Yorke on actual and anticipated carbon bed life for this
cost-benefit analysis.
The estimated budget for Task 1 is $ 6,000.
Task 2 – Alternative Carbon Adsorber Design
Under Task 2 Stetson will evaluate the following:
• Stetson will evaluate an alternative design for the carbon adsorber with the goals
of reducing accumulation of moisture, lowering the pressure drop, and lowering
the potential for carbon entrainment.
• The alternative design of the carbon adsorber will consider a combined stack to
reduce air monitoring costs.
Mr. Galindo
September 15, 2014
Page 3
•
•
•
•
Stetson will evaluate the carbon adsorber with insulation to increase the
efficiency of VOC removal.
Stetson will evaluate the installation of air flow monitor and humidity monitor to
facilitate the optimum operation of the carbon adsorber.
Stetson will evaluate the impact of new carbon adsorber design on the existing
fan capacity and identify the needed modifications, if any, to the existing fan.
Stetson will prepare a cost-benefit analysis for installation and operation
of a new carbon adsorber based on current carbon change out criteria.
Stetson will coordinate with Yorke on actual and anticipated carbon bed
life for this cost-benefit analysis.
The estimated budget for Task 2 is $4,500.
We will submit to LPVCWD a draft Technical Memorandum summarizing
the evaluations and cost benefit analyses. We anticipate approximately four weeks to
conduct the evaluations and prepare the draft Technical Memorandum for Tasks 1 and
2. Following receipt of comments from LPVCWD, Stetson will address comments and
submit a revised draft Technical Memorandum to the Baldwin Park Operable Unit
(BPOU) Project Committee and Cooperating Respondents (CRs). Comments from the
BPOU Project Committee and CRs will be addressed and Stetson will prepare a final
Technical Memorandum.
Please feel free to contact Reaz Ahmed or me should you have any
questions.
Sincerely,
Stephen B. Johnson, P.E.
Vice President
Stetson Engineers Inc.
LPVCWD-AirStripper-Heater-Proposal 091514.docx
Memo
To:
From: Rosa Ruehlman, Office Administrator and
Greg Galindo, General Manager
Date: 10/07/14
Re:
PVOU Ad hoc Committee Report
At the last Board meeting, Staff provided some background on the potential of the
District’s involvement in the Puente Valley Operable Unit Intermediate Zone clean
up effort (PVOU) and also provided a draft Term Sheet for a proposed water
treatment and delivery agreement (Term Sheet), for the PVOU Intermediate Zone
Project between the District, City of Industry, Puente Basin Water Agency and
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation. At that meeting, President Rojas
designated Vice President Escalera and Director Hastings to serve on the Ad hoc
Committee to further discuss the District’s involvement in PVOU project.
On October 7, 2014, Vice President Escalera and Director Hastings met with
Staff, Greg Galindo and Rosa Ruehlman, for the first meeting of the PVOU Ad
hoc Committee.
At the Committee meeting, Mr. Galindo provided a summary of the PVOU
Intermediate Zone clean up effort. He then presented a revised draft Term Sheet
Mr. Galindo reviewed each section of the draft Term Sheet with the Committee.
The Committee had no issues or reservations about the contents of the Term
Sheet at this time and Staff will continue to provide further updates.
On October 8, 2014, Mr. Galindo had a phone conference with Northrop Grumman
and Rowland Water District, where they discussed the draft Term Sheet and minor
modifications were agreed upon. Mr. Galindo discussed the modifications to the
Term Sheet with the Committee members. A final Term Sheet was then distributed
on October 9th to the Puente Basin Water Agency and the District. The
modifications to the term sheet were to remove the option to deliver the PVOU IZ
Treatment Plant water through the Industry Hills System.
The final Term Sheet is attached for the Board’s consideration. At the upcoming
meeting, Staff will provide an overview of the final Term Sheet along with staff’s
recommendation to move forward.
If you have any questions on the information provided or would like additional
information, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
October 8, 2014
Term Sheet
Proposed Water Treatment and Delivery Agreement
Puente Valley Operable Unit Intermediate Zone Project
La Puente Valley County Water District and Puente Basin Water Agency
and
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
This Term Sheet sets forth the general terms upon which the parties would agree to operate the Puente Valley
Operable Unit Intermediate Zone Water Treatment Facility and to receive potable water from said facility. The
provisions of this Term Sheet are for discussion purposes only, to facilitate negotiations, and are not binding on any
party until a separate fully negotiated formal agreement is executed on behalf of the parties by their authorized
signatories.
LEGAL02/35134667v2
Defined Terms
Environmental Protection Agency – EPA
Industry Public Utilities – IPU (Potable Water System Owned by the City of Industry)
IZ Water Treatment Plant – Treatment Plant
La Puente Valley County Water District – LPW
Main San Gabriel Groundwater Basin – Basin
Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster – Watermaster
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation – Northrop Grumman
Puente Basin Water Agency – PBWA (members include the Rowland Water District and the
Walnut Valley Water District)
Puente Valley Operable Unit Intermediate Zone – PVOU IZ or IZ
Puente Valley Water Group – PVWG (Members are LPW, RWD & WVWD)
State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water – DDW
Rowland Water District – RWD
Three Valleys Municipal Water District – TVMWD
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District – USGVMWD
Walnut Valley Water District – WVWD
A.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT:
1.
EPA entered into a Consent Decree with Northrop Grumman to clean up
groundwater from the PVOU IZ. Under EPA oversight, Northrop Grumman has
or will have installed seven groundwater extraction wells designed to produce
water to remove contamination and to mitigate contaminated plume migration.
Water from these wells will be treated at a new Treatment Plant that will be
constructed by Northrop Grumman within the City of Industry.
2.
Northrop Grumman shall cause its engineering contractors to design, obtain
construction permits and construct the Treatment Plant at its own cost. Northrop
Grumman at all times shall own the Treatment Plant. The proposed Treatment
Plant shall be designed to treat extracted groundwater to non-detect levels for
volatile organic compounds, 1,4-dioxane, and perchlorate. Concentrations of
1 PVOU IZ TERM SHEET ‐ PVWG & NORTHROP GRUMMAN LEGAL02/35134667v2
October 8, 2014 other constituents in finished water shall comply with applicable drinking water
standards set by EPA and the State Water Resources Control Board Division of
Drinking Water (DDW), including secondary drinking water standards for total
dissolved solids, chloride, and sulfate. In addition, finished water shall have a
slightly positive Langlier Saturation Index and a calcium carbonate precipitation
potential between 4 and 10 milligrams/liter.
3.
The proposed Treatment Plant shall produce water in accordance with cleanup
performance objectives for the PVOU IZ. The system will be designed to treat
extracted groundwater in an amount up to 2,000 gallons per minute (gpm). The
finished water flow rate will be less than this amount reflecting outages and
discharge of waste products. It is estimated that finished water will range (on
average) between 1,200 and 1,600 gpm. To maximize cleanup performance, the
goal is to operate on a continuous basis (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). The
proposed Treatment Plant will also have the capability to discharge finished
water under all applicable permits to a local Los Angeles County Flood Control
District facility. Northrop Grumman will only extract as much water from the
PVOU IZ as necessary to meet the remedial requirements of its Consent Decree
with EPA. The parties understand that over time the amount of water that will
need to be extracted (and the corresponding amount of finished water) will
change.
4.
LPW shall agree under a contract with Northrop Grumman to be responsible for
staffing and operating the treatment plant to meet all applicable drinking water
standards, as well as for delivering the finished water to end users.
5.
Northrop Grumman shall retain responsibility for managing extraction of the
impacted groundwater, satisfying regulatory requirements for remediation
thereof, and paying the costs for the remedial program.
6.
Northrop Grumman shall pay the cost necessary to operate the Treatment Plant
to produce finished water that meets applicable drinking water standards.
Northrop Grumman’s cost obligations shall be offset in part by payments from
water users for finished water. The details regarding these payments will be
worked out in the definitive agreement(s).
7.
Finished water shall be made available by LPW in accordance with scheduling
procedures and water services regulations established at LPW’s discretion.
Water may be made available to any eligible users in accordance with applicable
laws, regulations, permits and other government approvals. To assure that all of
the finished water will go to a beneficial use, PBWA has agreed to take as much
of the finished water as is available.
8.
Certain water system improvements are required in order for LPW and PBWA
to receive the finished water. Those improvements shall be constructed by those
water users, and the cost of construction shall be borne by Northrop Grumman
subject to certain reimbursement obligations as described in Section E, below.
October 8, 2014 9.
B.
C.
The definitive agreement(s) will have a specified duration with certain
termination rights, which will be detailed in the definitive agreements.
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE TREATMENT PLANT
1.
Northrop Grumman shall be responsible for the design, permitting and
construction of the Treatment Plant, except that LPW shall be responsible for
obtaining the necessary approval from DDW. The members of the PVWG shall
cooperate with Northrop Grumman in the design, permitting and construction of
the Treatment Plant.
2.
All LPW labor and administrative costs associated with the operation of the
Treatment Plant shall be reimbursed or paid for within an Operation and
Management Fee to be negotiated between Northrop Grumman and LPW. In
addition, all costs for the operation and maintenance of the Treatment Plant
(power, chemicals, outside services, permits, insurance, etc.) shall be reimbursed
by Northrop Grumman within 60 days of being invoiced by LPW, paid for
directly by Northrop Grumman and/or prefunded by Northrop Grumman.
3.
LPW shall operate the Treatment Plant according to best industry standards and
operational efficiency. LPW shall operate the Treatment Plant in accordance with
all applicable laws, regulations and permits. LPW shall provide to Northrop
Grumman operational status reports per a schedule to be determined in the
definitive agreement(s). Northrop Grumman shall retain the right to review
information concerning LPW’s operation of the Treatment Plant upon reasonable
request to LPW. LPW shall be responsible for entering into the third party
contracts (e.g., chemical suppliers, maintenance service providers, and engineers)
reasonably necessary to operate the Treatment Plant in accordance with the above
standards. LPW shall provide copies of such third party contracts promptly after
execution of the contracts.
4.
Term of the Operation and Management Agreement for the Treatment Plant shall
be no less than twenty (20) years, but shall include ‘for cause’ termination
provisions.
5.
All waste streams generated through the IZ project shall be owned and will be the
responsibility of Northrop Grumman. No PVWG member shall be listed as a
generator on any waste manifest for waste generated from Treatment Plant
operations.
WATER DELIVERY
1.
Water from the Treatment Plant may be delivered by LPW as operator of the
Treatment Plant into the LPW potable water system.
2.
The finished water shall be made available by LPW in accordance with
scheduling procedures and water services regulations established at LPW’s
October 8, 2014 discretion. Water may be made available to any eligible users in accordance with
applicable laws, regulations, permits and other government approvals. To assure
that all of the finished water will go to a beneficial use, PBWA has agreed to take
as much of the finished water as is available.
3.
Subject to the requirements of the necessary government permits, approvals and
regulations, LPW shall make a good faith effort to provide continuous flow of
water (>.5cfs) to RWD’s system when the Treatment Plant is in operation.
4.
The LPW water system shall be used to transfer part or all of the water that enters
its system from the Treatment Plant to PBWA through RWD’s system, with any
applicable wheeling charges to be paid by the receiving agency. This shall be
accomplished by:
(a)
5.
D.
Treatment Plant finished water enters the LPW water system and flows to
the LPW Main Street Reservoir Facility. From this facility the water will be
pumped via a newly constructed booster pump station into a newly
constructed 7,400 foot waterline that connects to RWD's system. (Refer to
Exhibit A).
For water to be delivered to any other eligible users, the LPW water system will
be used to transfer part or all of the water that enters its system from the
Treatment Plant to other agencies through existing connections. Any applicable
wheeling charges will be paid by the receiving agency.
COMPENSATION
1.
For water delivered from the Treatment Plant and used within the LPW water
system, compensation shall include the cost that would have been paid by LPW
for power and chemicals associated with producing the same quantity of
groundwater that requires only the addition of sodium hypochlorite as treatment.
Except for assessments levied on brine discharge, which shall be paid by Northrop
Grumman, compensation shall also include all production assessments for water
produced from the Basin that is charged by the Watermaster, including:
(a)
Administrative Assessment
(currently at $15.00 per acre-foot for the 2014-15 production year)
(b)
In-Lieu Assessment
(c)
Water Resources Development Assessment
(d)
Replacement Water Assessment for water produced by entities within the
USGVMWD service area; or cover the same quantity of water with the use
of LPW’s annual production rights; or water stored within their cyclic
storage accounts. The current rate for replacement water through the
October 8, 2014 USGVMWD, when available, is $673.00 per acre foot.
Total current assessments= $15 + $2.05 + $20 + $673 = $710.05 / AF
Note: The estimated costs for power and chemicals associated with
producing the same quantity of product water is currently $55.00 /AF.
2.
For water delivered from the Treatment Plant and transferred through the LPW
water system to the RWD water system, compensation shall include the cost that
would have been paid by PBWA for power associated with delivering the same
quantity of water to the same zone within its water system. Except for assessments
levied on brine discharge, which shall be paid by Northrop Grumman,
compensation for this quantity of water will include all production assessments
charged to any producer in Basin by the Watermaster, including:
(a)
Administrative Assessment
(b)
In-Lieu Assessment
(c)
Water Resources Development Assessment
(d)
Replacement Water Assessment for water produced by entities within the
TVMWD service area; or to cover this quantity of water with the use of
PBWA’s production rights; or water stored within their cyclic storage
account. The current rate for replacement water through the TVMWD,
when available is $593.00 per acre- foot.
Total current assessments= $15 + $2.05 + $20 + $593 = $630.05 / AF
Note: The costs for power will need to be studied before an accurate cost
estimate can be provided. This shall be done as part of the process for
preparing the definitive agreement(s).
E.
WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
1.
The permitting, designing and constructing of the water system improvements
described in E.1(a) shall be undertaken by LPW and those described in E.1(b)
shall be undertaken by PBWA, with the costs to be paid solely by Northrop
Grumman. A preliminary list of the improvements needed is provided below. As
part of the process for preparing the definitive agreement(s), each of these
improvements will need to be studied and a preliminary design developed before
an accurate cost estimate can be provided. In addition, there may be ancillary
improvements needed that have not yet been identified. The parties shall
cooperate with each other in preparing joint engineering studies that will identify
October 8, 2014 all of the needed water system improvements and the cost to design and construct
those improvements. That engineering evaluation must be completed prior to the
execution of the definitive agreement(s), and each party retains the right to not
sign the definitive agreement(s) based on the results of the engineering studies.
(a)
Improvements Required for LPW to Receive Water from the Treatment
Plant
1)
2)
Interconnections at Hudson Avenue (Treatment Plant).
a)
Construct metered connection to LPW's 14-inch
distribution/transmission line.
b)
Construct metered connection from LPW’s system to IPU's
18-inch transmission line.
Upgrade 16-inch interconnection at Industry Hills Pumps Station No.
1 between LPW and IPU.
Note: The interconnections between LPW and IPU shall provide additional
reliability in delivering water to LPW’s Main Street Reservoir Facility.
Water deliveries between LPW and IPU water systems will be in
accordance with LPW and IPU’s Water Supply Agreement.
(b)
Improvements Required for RWD’s System to Receive Water from the
Treatment Plant
1)
Facilities at LPW’s Main Street Reservoir Facility.
a)
Construct a new booster pump station (2,000 gpm capacity)
at LPW Main Street Reservoir Facility.
b)
Construct a new interconnection between LPW and RWD
at the new booster pump station.
c)
Construct approximately 7,400 feet of waterline from
LPW’s Main Street Reservoir Facility to RWD’s system in
Azusa Ave. and Hurley St.
2)
Construct a new sodium hypochlorite injection system to increase
chlorine residual (as determined by RWD) for water delivered to
RWD’s system.
3)
Construct a new aqueous ammonia injection system to provide an
optimum, ammonia to chlorine ratio (as determined by RWD) in
the water delivered to RWD’s system.
October 8, 2014 4)
F.
Reimbursement of Percentage of Realized Savings—PBWA
acknowledges that upon its receipt of finished water, PBWA shall
reimburse Northrop Grumman for the capital costs unique to the
improvements required for PBWA to receive the finished water,
which reimbursement shall be based on a percentage of PBWA’s
actual savings in water costs relative to its cost of receiving other
water that is displaced by use of water from the Treatment Plant.
(The formula for determining the amount of the reimbursement
shall be set forth in the definitive agreement(s).)
ADDITIONAL PERMITTING, OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL MATTERS
1.
The parties shall cooperate with each other in securing all government and
administrative approvals necessary for the extraction, treatment and re-use of the
impacted groundwater, including compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act, the necessary approvals from EPA and Watermaster, and the
necessary operating permit from DDW.
2.
All members of the PVWG shall be fully indemnified from any third-party claims,
causes of action, suits, etc., as a result of operating the IZ wells or the Treatment
Plant or from the receipt and delivery of IZ water, unless such claims are
attributable to the willful act or negligence of a member of the PVWG. The
definitive agreement(s) shall also provide for LPW to obtain the requisite
insurance to cover its operation of the Treatment Plant, the cost of which shall be
paid for by Northrop Grumman.
3.
Accounting of water deliveries shall be done on a monthly basis and
compensation for water deliveries shall be paid as follows:
(a)
Power and treatment portions to be paid on a quarterly basis.
(b)
Watermaster Assessment portion to be paid within 90 days of the end of
Watermaster's fiscal year (production year), or as applicable based on
Watermaster requirements.
4.
The parties shall cooperate with each other in preparing the definitive
agreement(s) necessary to create enforceable obligations among one another.
5.
The operation and maintenance of the metered connection between LPW and
RWD’s system along with operation and maintenance of the sodium hypochlorite
and aqueous ammonia injection systems will be the responsibility of PBWA.
6.
The costs to maintain the metered connections required to ensure continuous
delivery of water from the Treatment Plant shall be reimbursed by Northrop
Grumman.
October 8, 2014 G.
EXECUTION OF TERM SHEET AND PREPARATION OF DEFINTIVE
AGREEMENTS
1.
By executing this Term Sheet, neither Northrop Grumman nor any member of the
PVWG has become contractually bound to execute any definitive agreement.
However, the parties executing this Term Sheet have agreed to work in good faith
in negotiating and preparing the definitive agreement(s) needed to effectuate the
provisions of, and the parties’ intent reflected in, this Term Sheet.
2.
Since each of the parties’ obligations and rights concerning the Treatment Plant
and the treatment and delivery of water therefrom will vary, the parties recognize
that multiple and separate definitive agreements may be necessary. The parties
intend that all necessary definitive agreements must be executed by their
respective authorized signatories before any definitive agreement will become
effective.
October __, 2014
______________________________________
By:
Greg B. Galindo
Its:
General Manager
PUENTE BASIN WATER AGENCY
October __, 2014
______________________________________
By:
Mike Holmes
Its:
Administrative Officer
ROWLAND WATER DISTRICT
October __, 2014
______________________________________
By:
Ken Deck
Its:
General Manager
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
October __, 2014
______________________________________
By:
Its:
October 8, 2014 Exhibit A
Red- 16" IPU Waterline
Blue- 16" LPW Waterline
Green-16" New Waterline
miles
km
1
2
LAGERLOF, SENECAL, GOSNEY & KRUSE, LLP
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Board of Directors, La Puente Valley County Water District
FROM:
Legal Counsel
DATE:
October 10, 2014
RE:
Main/First Street Property History and Status
As the Board is well aware, the District’s current offices located at 112 N. First Street is
part of a larger parcel which includes the properties commonly known as 108 to 112 N. First
Street and 15841 to 15843 Main Street (APN # 8246-009-008; hereinafter referred to as the
“Property”). The District purchased the Property in the early 90s, and as the District did not
need the entire space for its purposes, it has consistently leased portions of the Property.
In the summer of 2002, the District obtained a Structural Evaluation Report which
concluded that the Main Street portion of the Property (15841-15843 Main St.) qualified as a
potentially earthquake hazardous building under Chapter 96 of the Los Angeles County Building
Code because of its unreinforced masonry bearing walls. The Report recommended that the
Main Street portion be structurally retrofitted. The First Street portions of the Property (110-112
N. First St.) did not fall under Chapter 96 of the Los Angeles County Building Code and
therefore did not need any structural retrofit.
Shortly thereafter, the District decided it wanted to look into subdividing the Property in
order to sell the portions of the Property beyond the District’s use of 112 N. First Street. To that
end, the Board instructed District staff and legal counsel to explore the possibility of subdivision
in late Spring of 2003. After numerous discussions and meetings with various representatives of
the City of La Puente, it was concluded at the recommendation of the City that a variance would
have to be applied for from the City because of certain parameters set forth in the City
Subdivision Ordinance dealing with square footage requirements. The District applied for said
variance which was heard at the City Planning Commission meeting on November 4, 2003. The
Commission decided that the application was improper because a variance is for zoning matters
only, and because the application lacked a proper parcel map as required by the subdivision map
act process. While the City Planning Commission’s reasoning was not entirely clear nor settled,
it appeared that the Commission simply did not want to rule on the District’s application and for
all intents and purposes the variance application was ultimately denied.
Unable to proceed with the subdivision of the Main Street properties, the District
proceeded to lease that portion of the Property in “as-is” condition. Jose Mancilla, dba
P:\Board Memos\2014 Memos\Memo by RT re Main St-1st St property History 10-2014 CLEAN.doc
1
Mancilla’s Quality Printing, entered a lease for the Main Street properties on April 8, 2004 for a
ten year term. Mr. Mancilla was fully informed of the structural issues of the properties, and was
notified to post signs regarding the building’s status as an unreinforced masonry building. Mr.
Mancilla is still a tenant and recently exercised his right to renew the lease for another ten year
term, now set to expire March 31, 2024. There have been no issues with the Main Street
properties during his tenancy.
In the summer of 2010, the Board asked District legal counsel to assess the potential
liability of the District in connection with the Property. Legal counsel prepared a memo for the
Board addressing the District’s earthquake liability exposure regarding the Property dated May
21, 2010. The memo’s findings were:
1) the lease transferred liability to the lessee to the extent possible (lessee took “as-is”;
insurance required of lessee and District named as additional insured; liability exemption
clause) and provided adequate protection to the District (indemnification provision);
2) the Government Code1 requires that the District take reasonable action to protect
against the risk of injury to be free of liability resulting from a dangerous condition,
taking into account the time and opportunity to take action and by weighing the
probability and gravity of potential injury against the practicability and cost of safety
measures; and
3) the City of La Puente adopted a Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan which identified the
Property as one of approximately 20 unreinforced masonry buildings in the downtown
area that were considered to be structural earthquake hazards.
Consequently, the District further explored options with regards to the Property,
including subdivision alternatives and seismic retrofit. In a memo to the Board from General
Manager Greg Galindo on September 21, 2012, the subdivision options were outlined and
included the following:
1) Division for Condominium Project - preliminary application fees of $7,673 and
seismic retrofit upgrades to the Property to qualify;
2) Division for Planned Development Project - preliminary application fees of $7,673
and likely required seismic retrofit upgrades to the Property to qualify;
3) Apply for variance from the City Planning Commission (although informed by the
City once again that it was unlikely to be granted as there has been no change to the
City’s Code).
The matter was discussed by the Board at its regular meeting held on September 24,
2012. It was discussed and decided that subdivision of the Property is likely the most onerous
option, given the uncertainty and because the City would require the Property be up to code
(thereby requiring a seismic retrofit). The Board decided that the cost of retrofit must be
1
Government Code 835.4(b).
2
explored before any further decision could be made. In the meantime, District staff was
instructed to verify insurance policies on the Property and to confirm that the lessee continues to
post signs on the premises showing that it is an unreinforced masonry building.
A cost estimate for seismic retrofit was done by Civiltec engineering in May of 2014. The
total cost of the seismic retrofit according to Civiltec was $192,000. This estimate was presented
to the Board at its regular meeting on May 27, 2014. During the discussion, legal counsel
informed the Board of additional costs that would be involved above and beyond the actual costs
of retrofit because the Main Street properties are leased – i.e. relocation costs, business
interruption, potential breach of lease, and other possible consequential damages. Thus, the
actual cost to the District of retrofit could be significantly higher than just the retrofit work of
$192,000. The Board thoroughly discussed the matter at the Board meeting, weighing the
probability of injury against the practicality and costs of retrofit. District staff felt the cost was
significant given the District’s size and budgetary restraints, and that other options should be
explored as the Main Street properties continue to be leased. The Board decided at this meeting
that it could not absorb the costs of retrofitting the Property at this time, and that all other
avenues regarding the Property will continue to be explored.
One possible solution that has always been on the table is the sale of the Property in “asis” condition. That would of course, entail the relocation of the District’s offices. In the
Summer of 2014, in a rather fortuitous turn of events in connection with the District’s
exploration of options in connection with a different property (the Main Street Reservoir site),
the District was propositioned with a potential real estate transaction in which it would be able to
exchange the Property for another parcel on Second Street, just a block away in Downtown La
Puente. After initial discussions and some preliminary assessment of costs and need, the
discussion has progressed to a point where the Board may potentially sell the Property at its
maximum appraised value of $525,000 in a real property exchange transaction with Mr. Charles
Klinakis. In exchange for the Property, the District will obtain the empty parcel on Second
Street along with a newly built office space constructed by Klinakis Construction Co., which the
District utilized to renovate its current office in 2003 and to construct a field office in 2013. This
transaction would not only fulfill the District’s desire to sell the Property and avoid the expenses
associated with any seismic retrofit, it would also allow the District to expand the size of its
offices to better and more efficiently as its current offices are not of optimal size given the
increasing activities of the District with the City of Industry Waterworks System and potential
partnership in the Puente Valley Operable Unit. In sum, Mr. Klinakis will receive the Property
at a value of $525,000 and the District will obtain a new parcel and new office building on
Second Street at an initial estimated cost of $880,000 under this proposed transaction (the
Second Street parcel alone being valued at approximately $250,000).
The District has explored avenues to pay for the difference in cost to ensure that the
expense of obtaining the new property and office will not be passed on to or borne by its
customers. Those options at this time are: 1) Sell the Main Street Reservoir property; 2) apply
for a loan; 3) pay out of reserves. Ultimately, whether a loan is taken or reserves are dipped into
to pay for the transaction at the outset, it is projected that the new property will come at little to
3
no cost to the District, as the Main Street property will be sold and its proceeds applied towards
the acquisition of the new property.2
It is anticipated that the Board of the District will further discuss this matter at the regular
meeting of the Board on October 13, 2014. Upon approval from the Board, District staff will be
authorized to proceed with real property negotiations with Mr. Klinakis under the basic
framework set forth above. Should everything proceed as planned, the District will no longer
have to deal with and again reconsider the structural safety issues in connection with the
Property that have consistently surfaced throughout the years.
2
This does not account for the rent the District collects for leasing out the Main Street properties, the current gross
value of which is approximately $32,250 annually.
4
L a Puente Valley County Water District
PRODUCTION REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2014
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
July
Aug
Sept
Well No. 2
8.78
0.01
4.07
2.72
28.64
103.12
39.44
0.00
Well No. 3
15.80
94.37
38.00
16.19
43.45
135.47
50.52
Well No. 5
266.06
100.75
218.25
265.98
215.78
34.88
3.26
2.74
3.26
2.18
2.27
Subtotal
293.91
197.87
263.58
287.06
Interconnections to SWS
130.64
59.65
135.61
Interconnections to COI
13.11
6.25
Interconnections to Others
0.00
Subtotal
Total Production for LPVCWD
Oct
Nov
Dec
2014 YTD
2013
146.03
332.81
55.26
0.00
0.00
393.80
74.19
174.65
232.91
9.94
1519.20
3406.75
4.43
17.52
40.80
23.58
100.04
340.06
290.14
277.91
282.13
273.71
179.56
2345.86
3876.26
126.95
96.67
85.40
83.16
86.35
25.56
829.98
1657.86
7.06
11.97
17.53
13.03
3.58
0.74
2.62
75.89
240.26
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
143.75
65.90
142.67
138.92
114.20
98.43
86.74
87.09
28.18
0.00
0.00
0.00
905.88
1898.12
150.15
131.97
120.91
148.14
175.94
179.48
195.39
186.62
151.38
0.00
0.00
0.00
1439.98
1914.57
148.66
138.41
145.37
144.46
148.13
145.07
146.39
145.10
133.12
1294.71
1852.66
0.50
0.48
0.47
0.51
0.66
0.59
0.61
0.64
0.82
5.28
7.03
100.43
88.78
92.68
107.45
127.72
131.79
156.15
173.41
157.26
1135.67
1379.38
SGVWC Workman Mill Rd
0.67
0.52
0.43
0.22
0.04
0.01
0.06
0.02
0.10
2.07
132.67
Interconnections from LPVCWD
13.11
6.25
7.06
11.97
17.53
13.03
3.58
0.74
2.62
75.89
239.99
Subtotal
114.71
96.03
100.64
120.15
145.95
145.42
160.40
174.81
160.80
1218.91
1759.07
Interconnections to LPVCWD
3.26
2.73
3.05
2.18
2.27
4.43
10.26
34.86
21.49
84.53
340.06
Total Production for CIWS
111.45
93.30
97.59
117.97
143.68
140.99
150.14
139.95
139.31
1134.38
1419.01
LPVCWD PRODUCTION
Interconnections to LPVCWD
0.00
0.00
0.00
CIWS PRODUCTION
COI Well No. 5 To SGVCWD B5
Interconnections to CIWS
SGVWC Salt Lake Ave
SGVWC Lomitas Ave
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
MONTHLY ACTIVITIES REPORT ‐ SEPTEMBER 2014
January
LP
CIWS
No. of Samples from Distribution System
18
30
No. of Samples from Treatment Plant
160
February
LP
CIWS
18
30
March
April
LP
CIWS
20
35
May
LP
CIWS
28
31
June
LP
CIWS
16
27
July
LP
CIWS
28
31
August
LP
CIWS
44
36
LP
CIWS
16
27
September
LP
CIWS
20
33
October
LP
CIWS
November
December
LP
LP
CIWS
CIWS
2014 YTD 2013 Total
LP
CIWS
208
280
LP
CIWS
276
422
Water Quality Monitoring
132
148
137
142
137
168
132
152
1308
1943
Distribution Maintenance
Repair/Replace Service Line 0
3
4
3
0
1
0
1
1
2
3
1
4
3
7
1
4
1
26
26
25
57
Repair/Replace Main Line 0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
1
1
3
5
3
8
Replace Curb/Angle Stop
2
2
1
2
1
0
0
2
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
1
0
4
7
13
16
8
New Service Installations
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
2
1
0
2
Install New Air Release or Blow Off
2
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
8
3
3
Concrete/Asphalt Patch Repairs ‐ Staff
3
2
9
15
3
12
1
20
0
3
8
11
0
1
29
10
0
4
53
78
34
26
Concrete/Asphalt Patch Repairs ‐ Vendo
3
2
2
1
2
5
0
0
0
3
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
8
14
12
22
Reset Meter Box to Grade
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
5
2
2
0
Replace Slip Can/ Valve Lid
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
1
Fire Hydrant Repairs/Replaced
1
0
2
1
0
2
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
0
1
0
6
6
6
5
Valves Exercised
1
0
0
17
0
12
0
10
0
0
0
76
1
32
0
0
0
0
2
147
0
68
Hydrants / Dead Ends Flushed
0
0
0
0
0
15
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
17
49
64
Meter Maintenance
Replaced Register/Meter/Guts
5
4
4
0
2
6
0
0
2
1
4
5
6
8
1
4
1
0
62
65
60
46
Replace Meter Box/Lid
0
0
0
2
0
11
1
2
0
4
0
2
1
3
0
2
2
4
4
30
24
10
Removed Meter
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
3
3
5
3
Repaired Meter Leaks 0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
0
1
1
3
1
8
4
9
7
Re‐Reads for Billing
0
0
0
0
0
1
7
1
0
2
15
1
0
1
1
3
3
3
26
12
16
16
Read for Open/Close
4
4
6
3
4
4
4
5
5
2
8
0
4
5
7
2
3
1
45
26
63
23
Turn Off/Lock
8
5
6
4
13
9
7
8
11
1
19
3
11
5
4
5
9
7
88
47
110
62
Turn On
18
14
11
6
12
10
11
19
19
8
15
6
15
9
7
11
13
16
121
99
146
143
Door Hangers ‐ Miscellaneous
10
8
4
1
6
3
3
5
7
0
7
0
5
8
1/2
3/2
5
4
14
1
62
39
Door Hangers‐ Delinquents
88
164
80
99
76
117
73
84
105
122
130
95
84
129
76
77
72
118
784
1005
1032
1362
13
4
19
3
Shut Off ‐ Non‐Payment
Shut Off ‐ Customer Emergency/Request
10
24
10
14
7
10
10
17
11
18
13
18
13
21
11
15
11
26
96
163
156
227
3
4
1
3
2
4
0
4
2
3
1
1
2
1
0
2
4
3
15
25
33
22
Locate for USA USA's ‐ Underground Service Alerts Marked
27
27
32
23
21
32
16
24
31
22
29
29
19
24
25
21
30
14
230
216
152
213
1
3
10
13
1
4
1
3
2
9
7
3
4
5
11
4
6
1
43
45
29
56
Check for Creeping
9
16
12
6
7
8
13
11
16
14
12
13
16
22
18
13
19
9
122
112
173
135
Customer Service
Door Hangers ‐ Conservation
MONTHLY ACTIVITIES REPORT ‐ SEPTEMBER 2014
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
LP
CIWS
LP
CIWS
LP
CIWS
LP
CIWS
LP
CIWS
LP
CIWS
LP
CIWS
LP
CIWS
LP
CIWS
Check for Leak
2
14
5
3
7
14
5
12
5
8
9
6
15
12
11
9
10
Check for High/Low Pressure
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
3
1
2
0
Check for Meter Tampering
0
6
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Check for Stopped Meter
27
14
13
6
15
13
11
7
14
13
16
5
13
13
9
Retro Fit Program Verification
0
0
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
Misc ‐Other including UHET Toilet Verification
3
1
12
2
10
6
4
1
5
1
3
1
7
1
Water Quality ‐ Odor/Color/Taste
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Fire Flow Test
0
2
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
October
LP
CIWS
November
December
LP
LP
CIWS
CIWS
2014 YTD 2013 Total
LP
CIWS
LP
CIWS
11
69
89
92
84
1
1
10
5
8
14
0
1
1
11
3
6
6
17
24
135
101
148
135
0
0
3
0
8
0
23
0
1/2
1
5
0
49
15
99
5
0
0
0
0
3
2
3
3
0
0
0
0
3
5
4
3
0
0
Safety Activities
Safety Inspection of Facilities
0
0
17
18
Monthly Safety Meeting
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
9
0
11
0
Weekly Tailgate Safety Mtg
4
3
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
30
0
41
0
Administrative Report
To:
From: Rosa Ruehlman, Office Administrator
Date:
RBR
10/08/2014
The following report represents activities for the prior month of September 2014, along with the
current status of various items listed under the appropriate heading:
Administrative:
• All submitted applications for Premier Access application for dental insurance coverage to be
effective November 1, 2014.
• Working on Injury and Illness Prevention Policy and Security Policy.
• Reviewed the Record Retention Policy.
Meetings attended:
• September 18 - participated in the Target Solutions webinar and attended the SCWUA Vendor’s
Fair
th
Future Board Meetings/Events:
• Monday, October 13, 2014 - Regular Board of Directors Meeting at 5:30 pm.
• Monday, October 27, 2014 - Regular Board of Directors Meeting at 5:30 pm.
• Monday, November 10, 2014 - Regular Board of Directors Meeting at 5:30 pm.
• Monday, November 24, 2014 - Regular Board of Directors Meeting at 5:30 pm
• Friday, December 5, 2014 – Annual Downtown Christmas Parade at 6:00 pm.
• Monday, December 8, 2014 - Regular Board of Directors Meeting at 5:30 pm.
• Friday, December 12, 2014 – Annual District Christmas Party at 12:00 pm.
• Monday, December 22, 2014 - Regular Board of Directors Meeting at 5:30 pm.
If you have any questions on the information provided or would like additional information, please
contact me at your earliest convenience.
Upcoming Events
To:
From: Rosa Ruehlman, Office Administrator
RBR
Date: 10/13/2014
Upcoming Board Approved Events for 2014:
Day/Date
Event
Thursday,
October 16
SCWUA monthly luncheon at 11:30 am at the
Pomona Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Sunday &
Monday,
October 2627
ACWA Region 8, 9, and 10 joint tour and program
in San Diego, CA
Wednesday,
Nov. 12
San Gabriel Valley Water Association Quarterly
Luncheon at 11:30 am at the Swiss Park in Whittier,
CA
Thursday,
Nov. 20
SCWUA monthly luncheon at 11:30 am at the
Tues -Friday,
Dec 2-5
Thursday,
Dec. 11
Friday,
Aguirre
Escalera
Hastings
X
X
X
Hernandez
Rojas
X
ACWA Fall Conference in San Diego, CA
SCWUA Christmas luncheon at 11:30 am at the
District’s Christmas Party
All Directors, past directors and employees
Dec. 12
NOTE:
Southern California Water Utility Association (SCWUA) Meetings are every 4th Thursday of
each month except November and December which are held on the third Thursday of those
months.
If you have any questions on the information provided or would like additional information, please
contact me at your earliest convenience.
California Drought 2014 A Result Of Global Warming? Extreme Dryness Made Worse By Cli... Page 1 of 1
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California Drought 2014 A Result Of Global Warming? Extreme Dryness Made Worse By Climate Change
[REPORT]
By Philip Ross
 @ThisIsPRo
3
 [email protected]
on October 01 2014 12:48 PM
2
Parched soil, dangerous wildfires and severe water shortages have marked California’s record drought and were exacerbated by manmade climate change, according to a study published
Monday by the American Meteorological Society. The research, which fingered abnormal atmospheric conditions over the Pacific Ocean as causing California’s ongoing drought, provides
further evidence of humans’ role in extreme weather events, including record-low rainfall and persistent heat in parts of the U.S.
The state is in its third year in a row of unusually dry conditions with 2013 topping the charts as the driest calendar year since recordkeeping began nearly 120 years ago. For the past few
years, a vast ridge of high atmospheric pressure over the northeastern Pacific Ocean has blocked typical winter storms from reaching California. The effect is like a “large boulder in a
small stream," study author Daniel Swain, a PhD student in environmental earth system science at Stanford University, which led the research, told Reuters.
Swain dubbed the ridge the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge. “One could call it the Region of Unusually Persistently High Geo-potential Heights Over the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, but I
think Ridiculously Resilient Ridge is shorter,” Swain said. The result of the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge, researchers said, is California’s worst drought in over 100 years.
Snow cover in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California in January 2013, left, and January 2014 is compared in this combination of NASA satellite photos. California governor Jerry
Brown declared a drought emergency in January, a move that will allow the parched state to seek federal aid as it grapples with what could turn out to be the driest year in recorded state
history. Reuters
The new study was published as part of a series of reports on extreme weather events in 2013 and is one of the most comprehensive reports yet linking California’s drought and climate
change. The high pressure phenomenon over the Pacific has pushed rain as far north as the Arctic Circle and caused storms to bypass not only California but also Oregon and Washington.
The economic impacts of California’s ongoing drought have been sorely felt throughout the state, costing billions in lost farm revenue and thousands of jobs, economists found earlier this
year. Researchers say California is expected to lose $2.2 billion this year as a direct result of the drought. Over 17,000 seasonal jobs in the Central and San Joaquin Valleys, the center of
California’s agricultural production, have been lost.
A secret service agent looks over a farm field as U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to the media on California's drought situation in Los Banos, California, Feb. 14, 2014 . President
Obama pledged to speed federal assistance to help California recover from a crippling drought that is threatening the critical agriculture industry in the No. 1 farm state. Reuters
In the face of severe water losses, increased groundwater pumping and low snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the state’s water control board mandated water restrictions in
urban areas and for some in the agriculture sector. Wildfires have gotten worse because of increased dryness in wildfire-prone regions. Even the very geography of California has changed
– a net loss of 63 trillion gallons of groundwater has caused the ground underneath the Sierra Nevada to rebound, literally moving mountains by as much as 0.6 inches (15 millimeters,)
according to Scientific American.
However, researchers stopped short of saying California’s extreme drought was directly linked to human induced climate change. "There is so much variability in rainfall," Thomas
Peterson, principal scientist at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climactic Data Center and one of the report's editors, told Reuters. "Finding a signal and
attributing how much of the signal is climate change is difficult."
Cattle graze on hay in a landscape that would normally be covered in green grass on the Van Vleck Ranch in Rancho Murieta, California, Feb. 12, 2014. California's ongoing drought has
greatly increased feed costs for ranchers, forcing some to sell their cattle. Reuters
The new research piggybacks off of a study published last week that found that warming in the Pacific Northwest was linked to changing wind patterns in the region rather than human
activity. The study suggests that in the past century, winds there have weakened and shifted direction, leading to increases in ocean surface temperatures that have affected overall
temperatures in the Northwest. But whether or not the changing winds themselves were the result of human-induced global warming was not addressed.
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http://www.ibtimes.com/california-drought-2014-result-global-warming-extreme-dryness-made-... 10/01/14
http://www.sgvtribune.com/government-and-politics/20140922/central-basin-water-district-board-begins-evaluation-of-general-manager
Central Basin Water District board begins evaluation of general
manager
By Mike Sprague , Whittier Daily News
sgvtribune.com
Central Basin Municipal Water District General Manager Tony
Perez during a board meeting at the district’s office in
Commerce on Monday. The Central Basin board is in the
process of conducting a performance review of Perez. The
closed-session meeting will resume on Wednesday. leo
jarzomb - staff photographer
COMMERCE >> Central Basin Municipal Water District board
members began a performance evaluation of General
Manager Tony Perez, but didn’t finish after more than two
hours in closed session Monday afternoon.
Directors said they will come back at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in
a special meeting to finish Perez’s evaluation.
“It was too long of a process to finish today,” said Director Leticia Vasquez. “We have an obligation to
evaluate the general manager.”
Perez declined to comment.
Monday’s evaluation came after the board had received a letter from Perez defending his leadership. He
warned that firing him could cost the district more than $1 million if he decided to sue for wrongful
termination.
He also wrote the district might lose its insurance, key staff members might leave, and the district’s bond
rating could fall, making it more difficult to sell the measures.
Perez, who was hired by the district in April 2013, said board President Phil Hawkins asked him to write
the letter after two board members — unnamed in the memorandum — asked for a special board meeting
to evaluate and dismiss him.
However, Vasquez and Director Robert Apodaca have denied any intention of firing him.
“We’re required by his contract to evaluate him every year,” she said.
Perez has been under fire for writing a $16,000 check from district funds to pay a woman injured in a 2010
car crash involving Director Art Chacon.
In addition, Chacon received $597 in a monthly car allowance without a valid driver’s license and Perez
never did anything to stop it. Chacon, who obtained a driver’s license in August, had been driving without
one since Sept. 30, 2003, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Before the evaluation, Vasquez asked Perez if he wanted to do the session in public but he said no.
“The past practice has been to conduct evaluations in closed session,” Perez said. “At this time I wouldn’t
choose to deviate from past practices.”
Hawkins
Page
1 of 3
and Chacon stayed for only about 20 minutes of the closed session. NeitherSep
returned
callsMDT
23, 2014phone
09:18:24AM
Hawkins and Chacon stayed for only about 20 minutes of the closed session. Neither returned phone calls
seeking comment.
Before the board went into closed session, Hawkins said he didn’t like the process.
“It should go to committee and then be reviewed by the board,” he said. “That’s a proper way of doing it.
We’re shooting from the hip.”
While none spoke at the meeting, about five people were present holding signs in favor of Perez keeping
his job.
The signs said, “I support Tony,” and “Tony is doing a good job.”
Before the special afternoon session, the board held its regular meeting in the morning and aired much of
its dirty laundry in open session as four of the five board members squabbled before eventually passing a
bond refinancing and awarding a contract to install a new computer system.
Vasquez complained that Hawkins wouldn’t place items she wants on the board agenda.
“One was a discussion of why a current director was driving without a license and still getting his car
allowance,” Vasquez said, referring to Chacon. “It was an issue of concern to many members of the
community.”
Hawkins said he doesn’t know what Vasquez was talking about.
“I’ve never received one phone call from a director asking for an item to be placed on the agenda,”
Hawkins said.
But then Chacon jumped in, attacking James Roybal, Vasquez’s ally on the board. Chacon asked why
Roybal was in the Los Angeles Unified School District’s “teacher jail,” the term used to describe the facility
where teachers under investigation by the district report. The teachers continue to receive their pay but
perform no work while an investigation is ongoing.
“I’m not in teacher jail,” Roybal said. “Make your comments and grow up finally. You’ve got a picture.”
Roybal was referring to a picture of himself at Education Service Center East on North Soto Street in El
Sereno that once served as the district’s “teacher jail.”
In August, Gayle Pollard-Terry, LAUSD spokeswoman, reported that Roybal had resigned from his job as
a teacher.
Pollard-Terry in a May 22 email had said the investigation involved claims Roybal attended water board
meetings during work time.
The board was able to take two actions. One included a vote to refinance $9 million of a 2010 bond that is
expected to save $1.5 million from fiscally years 2018-22. Without the refinancing, the district would need
to increase its rates by as much as 634 percent or reduce staff by 65 percent or some combination of both,
said Richard Aragon, district finance director.
The board also awarded a $380,400 contract to Infor of New York, N.Y., to install a computer system to
monitor and control its recycled water system.
The
Page
2 ofsystem
3
must be installed by Oct. 31 in order to get reimbursed by the U.S. Department
of Energy,
saidMDT
Sep 23, 2014
09:18:24AM
The system must be installed by Oct. 31 in order to get reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Energy, said
Aragon.
Central Basin, a water wholesaler, has been under increased scrutiny since receiving a subpoena from the
FBI as part of the investigation into former state Assemblyman Tom Calderon, D-Montebello.
Calderon had a $12,000 monthly consulting contract with Central Basin until February 2013 but now faces
federal charges of money-laundering. His brother, Ron, a state senator, faces bribery charges in a massive
federal corruption case.
In recent months, the district also has lost its insurance carrier, the Associate of California Water Agencies’
Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA).
In June, JPIA paid $670,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the district and Apodaca, a
former aide to both Calderons.
Also in June, Central Basin agreed to pay $875,000 to Pacifica Services, a Pasadena engineering
company, to settle a legal claim that the company was overpaid by the district.
Reach the author at [email protected] or follow Mike on
Twitter: @WHITREPORTER.
Full bio and more articles by Mike Sprague
Back to top
Mike Sprague
Page 3 of 3
Sep 23, 2014 09:18:24AM MDT
http://www.sgvtribune.com/government-and-politics/20141009/central-basin-water-district-board-fires-general-manager
Central Basin Water District board fires general manager
sgvtribune.com
Central Basin Municipal Water District General Manager Tony Perez during a
board meeting at their Commerce offices on Sept. 22, 2014. File photo. (Leo
Jarzomb/Whittier Daily News)
COMMERCE >> Following months of bitter conflict over questionable payments,
management style and ethics, the Central Basin Municipal Water District
Thursday voted 3-2 to fire its General Manager Tony Perez.
Board President Robert Apodaca and Directors James Roybal and Leticia
Vasquez voted in favor of firing him, while Directors Art Chacon and Phil Hawkins
voted no.
The vote came 15 days after the board placed Perez on paid administrative leave.
Apodaca said the board made Perez a financial offer to leave the district.
“He turned down the offer,” Apodaca said. I can’t tell you what it was but it was fair. He said he needed to
talk to his attorney. He’s got to tell us now. Why should we wait?”
Perez said he needed time to talk to his attorney and thought he had 21 days to review the offer.
The board’s motion noted Perez’s employment contract lists a number of reasons that allowed them fire
him without paying his annual salary of $195,000 as severance.
The contract lists acts of dishonesty or misappropriation of funds, gross mismanagement, actions in
violation of the district’s administrative code, a refusal to perform duties and responsibilities and habitual
neglect of duty, among the reasons.
The directors refused to provide any specifics for the action.
“I can’t talk to you about this,” said Apodaca.
Hired by the district in April 2013, Perez has been under fire after taking district funds and writing a
$16,000 check to pay a woman injured in a 2010 car crash involving Chacon.
In addition, Chacon received $597 in a monthly car allowance without a valid driver’s license and Perez
never did anything to stop it. Chacon, who obtained a driver’s license in August, had been driving without
one since Sept. 30, 2003, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Advertisement
Reaction to his firing was mixed.
“The directors did the right thing,” said Joseph Velasco III, Orchard Dale Water District board president.
“There has to be accountability,” said Velasco, pointing to the $16,000 payment made to Chacon. “This is
not a trough we use for personal matters. This money belongs to the ratepayers and consumers.”
But1 of
Dan
Page
2
Arrighi, water resources manger for San Gabriel Valley Water Co., said PerezOcthad
10, the
2014district
11:43:25AM MDT
http://www.sgvtribune.com/government-and-politics/20141009/central-basin-water-district-board-fires-general-manager
But Dan Arrighi, water resources manger for San Gabriel Valley Water Co., said Perez had the district
moving in the right direction.
“This just adds turmoil to things,” Arrighi said. “We’re in a drought and we need to move forward. This
doesn’t bode well.”
Gil Aguirre, a San Gabriel Valley open-government activist, said the decision was a mistake.
“It strikes me that they’re hell-bent on ruining this agency,” Aguirre said.
“The way they have gone about discharging him sends a message to other public employees. Who in their
right mind with any capability or experience would apply for this job at Centra Basin? The answer is
nobody.”
Central Basin, a water wholesaler, has been under increased scrutiny since receiving a subpoena from the
FBI as part of the investigation into Tom Calderon, D-Montebello.
federal charges of money-laundering. His brother, Ron, faces bribery charges in a massive federal
corruption case.
In recent months, the district also has lost its insurance carrier, Association of California Water Agencies
Joint Powers Insurance Authority.
In June, Central Basin agreed to pay $875,000 to Pacifica Services, a Pasadena engineering company, to
settle a legal claim that the company was overpaid by the district.
Also in June, the insurance carrier paid a $670,000 to settle of a sexual harassment lawsuit brought
against the district and Apodaca, a former aide to the Calderons.
Back to top
Mike Sprague
Page 2 of 2
Oct 10, 2014 11:43:25AM MDT
http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20140927/daily-water-allocation-could-be-the-next-california-drought-strategy
Daily water allocation could be the next California drought strategy
By Steve Scauzillo , San Gabriel Valley Tribune
sgvtribune.com
Complete drought coverage at CAdrought.com.
You probably know your Social Security number, your
driver’s license number and perhaps the latest wrinkle
in mattress marketing, your sleep number.
But do you know your drought number?
The latter represents the amount of water you are
allowed to use per day. If you don’t know it, you probably should. Not knowing could cost you money. As
California’s severe drought moves into a fourth year, state and local water agencies are working on
something called “allocation-based rate structures,” a kind of precursor to water rationing that’s all the
rage in Sacramento and in some areas such as Santa Cruz, Irvine and Santa Monica.
Here’s how it works: Your local water company, special district or city assigns you and your household a
number in gallons — a daily water allocation. Usually, one number applies to maximum indoor water use,
i.e. showers, kitchen and bathroom faucets, dishwashers, clothes washers, etc., and an extra allocation
is assigned for outdoor use such as lawn irrigation.
Using census records, aerial photography and satellite imagery, an agency can determine a property’s
efficient water usage.
At the Irvine Ranch Water District, number of residents, amount of landscaping and even medical needs
are factored into a household’s water allocation or water budget.
“We want you to stay within that budget. That way we know you are using water in an efficient way,”
according to an instructional video on the Orange County water agency’s website.
While some call it a more equal way to meter out mandatory water conservation, others call it social
engineering. Some say the idea simply will not work.
In July, the State Water Resources Control Board passed stage one emergency regulations, giving
powers to all local water agencies to fine $500 per violation.
“We were concerned with the lack of alarm we were hearing,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State
Water Resources Control Board. “Our reservoirs are low. Half of the state’s storage is gone. It’s a
frightening situation.”
Beginning sometime in October, the state water board will have collected sufficient data from local water
agencies to report how much water per person per day residents of the state are using. Already, Marcus
said Los Angeles residents are down to 89 gallons per person per day, from more than 100 earlier in the
year. Sacramento water use has dropped as well, but it is still way higher per capita than Los Angeles,
she said.
Page 1 of 4
Sep 29, 2014 09:45:46AM MDT
After the new numbers are crunched, the state board could order the local agencies to implement
stronger water-use regulations, such as banning all watering of lawns and all decorative fountains, she
said.
Right now, Marcus is recommending that water agencies, particularly retail ones, switch to
water-budgeted allocations. But it is unlikely the state board will assign every resident a drought number.
That would be left up to local agencies and cities.
She said at the very least, water agencies and cities should move toward “incentivizing water use
through different kinds of rate structures” but declined to get more specific.
“Rates send a powerful signal,” she said. “It is one thing to ask for voluntary action ... but that can only
go so far. Rates should be designed so you send a financial signal (to customers)” and to enable them to
know their water use and compare that with their neighbors.
“This winter, we will be looking at this information on water production, specifically gallons per capita per
day. That will give us a better story of what is going on and people can compare themselves with other
communities. We will then consider more regulations,” Marcus said.
Santa Monica model
Some local agencies are implementing a drought number model. In Santa Monica, the City Council
passed a first-reading in August of an ordinance that would apply an indoor water allocation of 68 gallons
per-person-per-capita for every single-family home with four people, said Gilbert Borboa, water
resources manager for the city of Santa Monica.
“A customer uses beyond that allocation, then it is possible some penalties might apply,” he said. Today,
residents are using about 88 gallons per person per day in Santa Monica, he said.
The City Council will vote on the water-allocation plan next month. Santa Monica will work on allocations
for bigger households, apartments and condominiums and for commercial establishments such as
hotels, he said. Indoor use is “essential” for health and safety, while the ordinance labels outdoor use as
“non-essential.”
“Watering plants and lawns make them all look green and pretty, but that is not essential. Essential is for
sustaining life (indoor use),” Borboa said.
The per person allocation is gaining momentum as are other water conservation ideas.
“I believe it is coming. There are agencies already doing it,” said Mike Touhey, a member of the Upper
San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District which serves nearly 1 million residents.
Eastern Municipal Water District, which covers communities in the Inland Empire from Riverside to
Hemet, has enacted a Stage 2 drought plan. Each single-family household with three residents gets 60
gallons per person per day. An outdoor allocation is provided based on whether a house has a pool or
turf or both. Any household going over the total allocation will be charged an “excessive rate,” according
to the plan.
Matt Lyons, director of planning and conservation for the city of Long Beach, said the water allocation
method is deeply flawed. Lyons said calculating an accurate allocation for a household or a hotel can’t
be2done
lies29,
under
a canopy MDT
Page
of 4 because aerial images don’t tell the whole story such as elevation, or what Sep
2014 09:45:46AM
method is deeply flawed. Lyons said calculating an accurate allocation for a household
or a hotel can’t
be done because aerial images don’t tell the whole story such as elevation, or what lies under a canopy
of trees — factors that affect water use.
“No. We have not embraced that at all,” he said. “You can’t do it with any degree of accuracy or without
being intrusive.”
Instead, Long Beach has seen water conservation successes since 2009 through extensive outreach
programs, including paying homeowners $3.50 per square foot to remove thirsty lawns and replace them
with drought-tolerant plants.
So far, 1,400 residents have eliminated their lawns and on average, each uses 22 percent less water, he
said. The city has seen a drop in water use of 10,000 acre-feet from 2007 to 2009, he said. “Behavior
change is driving this water savings,” he said.
Making water hogs pay a top-tier rate is another trend gaining popularity among water agencies.
For example, Irvine charges a “wasteful” rate of $12.60 per hundred cubic feet, well above the $1.34
base rate.
Pasadena City Council member Margaret McAustin said Pasadena Water and Power, like many cities
including Los Angeles, bill customers using tiered water rates. Customers pay more when they use more.
But this doesn’t stop residents who can afford higher bills from wasting water, she said.
“We are talking about putting in a new tier for people who use a lot of water,” she said.
Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of Climate Resolve and a former commissioner at the Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power, likes the water-allocation system.
“This is a terrific idea. People need to live within their water means. That is what a water budget offers,”
he said. He’d like to see cities add more, steeper tiers, charge for excessive water use and re-direct the
revenues into conservation and water recycling.
Lyons, of Long Beach, cautioned against charging too much for water because it could be a violation of
Proposition 218, which says water agencies can only charge for the cost of water service. If a municipal
agency charges more for water, it can’t make a profit, so it will have to charge someone else less. This
leads to inequities, he explained.
He characterized water budgeting as a passing fad. “In water conservation, people are always looking
for or thinking they found the magic bullet,” he said. “We’d rather change the water culture.”
Reach the author at [email protected] or follow Steve on
Twitter: @stevscaz.
Full bio and more articles by Steve Scauzillo
Back to top
Long Beach couple conserves water with native landscaping
As the California drought enters its fourth year, are we doing enough
to conserve water?
Page 3 of 4
Drought plays out differently in various regions ofSep
California
29, 2014 09:45:46AM MDT
Drought busting rain? Fat chance, meteorologists say - CAdrought.com
Page 1 of 2
September 26, 2014 by Dana Bartholomew
Drought busting rain? Fat chance,
meteorologists say
Frank Gehrke, right, chief of snow surveys for the Department of Water Resources, checks the weight of the snowpack
sample on a scale held by Joshua Nelson, of the Dept. of Finance who accompanied Gehrke on the snow survey at
Echo Summit, Calif., Tuesday, April 1, 2014. The survey showed the snow pack to to be 33.7 inches deep with a water
content of 8.1 inches, which is 29 percent of normal for this site at that time of year. (Photo by Rich
Pedroncelli/Associated Press)
For drought relief, skywatchers in the southern Golden State had bowed toward an
equatorial swath of the Pacific Ocean that promised rain.
But the powerful El Niño forecasters had hoped would deliver buckets this winter across
California has cooled. And with weaker ocean surface temperatures to alter the jet stream
comes a weaker chance of knocking out the drought that has engulfed the state.
“Southern Californians are suffering from El Niño fatigue,” said Bill Patzert, climatologist at
the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge. “On again, off again, on again,
now off again.
“It’s a phantom El Niño.”
Through New Year’s and into next summer, the federal Climate Prediction Center forecasts
above-normal temperatures for California and across the West. By summer’s near finish,
that may mean monsoon thunderstorms across inland deserts and mountains.
The added heat may also mean continued fire danger across a once-lush Southern
California.
Nearly 100 percent of the state is now in a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor,
with more than half suffering “exceptional drought.”
http://www.cadrought.com/drought-busting-rain-fat-chance-meteorologists-say/
09/26/14
Drought busting rain? Fat chance, meteorologists say - CAdrought.com
Page 2 of 2
Southern Californians are suffering from El Niño fatigue, said Bill Patzert,
climatologist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada
Flintridge. On again, off again, on again, now off again. Its a phantom El
Niño. (File photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News)
The Golden State has suffered record heat for most of this year. Los Angeles got less rain the
past two years than it normally gets in one.
The drought, now in its fourth year, continues a 15-year pattern, with 11 of the past 16 years
experiencing below-normal rainfall. Of the seven driest years since record keeping began in
1877, four were since 2000.
Scant rain and snowfall has depleted snow levels, streams, rivers, reservoirs, lakes, water
tables and large aquifers from the San Joaquin to the Imperial valleys, with the state water
supply at 40 to 50 percent of capacity.
“In general, California would need about 150 percent of average for the rainy season
(October to April), in order to significantly reduce the drought … and raise the low water
supply in reservoirs and bring soil moisture to near normal levels,” according to Alex Tardy,
a National Weather Service meteorologist in San Diego.
Meteorologists now say if an El Niño arrives this winter, it’s likely to be weak or moderate.
“We’re so desperate for rain, we should change the state motto to Fiat Pluvia — show me
rain,” Patzert said.
Terms and agencies key to understanding the drought
Jet stream: A fast moving air current that stretches over large portions of the Earth. A jet
stream forms where warm air masses meet cold air masses, and they direct the way air and
moisture move across the planet. A jet stream is key in bringing needed rainfall to the state.
Acre-foot: A volume measure for water. One acre foot is the amount of water that covers
one acre of land one foot deep. It equals 325,851 gallons of water or about the amount of
water used by two typical Southern California families in one year.
Spreading grounds: Flat, undeveloped areas of porous sand and gravel used for
percolating runoff or captured water into underground aquifers.
Reclaimed or recycled water: Wastewater that has been treated so that is can be reused
for irrigation purposes or for replenishment of the aquifers.
Watershed: A geographical portion of the Earth’s surface from which water drains or runs
off to a single place like a river. Much of local watershed are in the foothills and up in the
Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains.
Xeriscape: Landscaping with native California or drought-tolerant plants that do not
require very much water.
Sources: California Department of Water Resources, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, LANG
research
Reach Dana Bartholomew at [email protected]. @DN_DanaBart on
Twitter
Tags: El Nino, rain
http://www.cadrought.com/drought-busting-rain-fat-chance-meteorologists-say/
09/26/14
Drought plays out differently in various regions of California - Daily Democrat Online
Page 3 of 6
Drought plays out differently in
various regions of California
Woodland Local Guide
(http://mylocal.dailydemocra
Northern Californians not familiar with extreme droughts
Featured Businesses
By Steve Scauzillo
Karen Ehler Law Office
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
(http://mylocal.dailydemocrat.com/woodland-
CREATED: 10/04/2014 03:31:29 PM PDT
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Most of California is experiencing a "severe" or "exceptional"
Click photo to enlarge
CA/legal/legal-services/Karen-Ehler-LawOffice-530-666-7176)
Food Truck Mania
(http://mylocal.dailydemocrat.com/sacramento-
drought, impacting more than 37 million Golden State residents,
CA/arts-and-entertainment/events/Food-
according to the Drought Monitoring Center at the University of
Nebraska.
Truck-Mania-916-722-6636)
But as Californians know, the state feels more like three states —
(http://mylocal.dailydemocrat.com/woodland-
southern, central and northern — and while there's a shared
CA/services/heating-and-air-
response from residents up and down the state, there are also
significant differences in how the squeeze on water resources
affects each region.
Woodland Heating & Air Conditioning
conditioning/Woodland-Heating-and-Air(/portlet/article/html/render_gallery.jsp?
Conditioning-530-666-4905)
articleId=26664341&siteId=136&startImage=1)
"There's no difference in how each area is handling it. They are all
Rich Pedroncelli-Associated Press file
The sun is reflected off the water
remaining in an...
trying to do the same thing, conserve water. The differences lie in
each area's water interest," explained David Feldman, a professor
at UC Irvine in the Department of Social Ecology and chair of
Woodland Farmers Market
(http://mylocal.dailydemocrat.com/woodlandWI/storage/storage-containers/WoodlandFarmers-Market-360-852-2670)
Taylor Morrison
Planning, Policy and Design.
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Feldman, an expert in water resource management, has studied the allocation of water throughout
the state. The biggest impact is in Central California, more specifically the San Joaquin Valley, with
Morrison-303-656-7692)
CO/arts-and-entertainment/events/Taylor-
farmers fallowing lands and selling and buying water rights.
"Central California is very dependent on agriculture for its economy," Feldman said. "Their worries
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revolve around sustaining agriculture."
As the state enters the fourth straight year of drought, the area has experienced "the greatest
absolute reduction in water availability for California agriculture ever seen," according to a July
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The costs of farms having less surface water are beginning to add up.
Water shortages in the Central Valley — the state's bread basket — will add up to 6.6 million acrefeet in surface water. Farms will replace 5 million acre-feet by pumping more water out of the
ground, according to the study, leaving a net water shortage of 1.6 million acre-feet.
Additional pumping costs come to $454 million. Crop losses will cost the industry $810 million.
Losses from livestock and dairy revenues cost will $203 million in 2014. This adds up to $1.5
billion in direct losses, the study reported.
The study concludes that the drought this year will have a $2.2 billion economic impact in the
industry and displace 17,100 jobs.
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_26664341/drought-plays-out-differently-various-re... 10/08/14
Drought plays out differently in various regions of California - Daily Democrat Online
Page 4 of 6
If the rain stays away this winter and the drought continues into mid-2015 and 2016, the study
predicts more over-drafting of groundwater, higher pumping costs and a price tag on agriculture of
an additional $1 billion per year.
Because the Legislature passed a measure to add controls to groundwater pumping, it could cause
farmers to use more water now, before anticipated regulations take effect, he said.
Already, water sales and water marketing are growing. The UC Davis report found "extremely high
prices" being paid for water in the Central Valley, at least three times higher than water market
transactions in the 2009 drought.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S URBAN AREAS, NAMELY THE BAY AREA, ARE LESS USED TO DROUGHTS
THAN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. "AND SOME WOULD ARGUE, THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE LESS USED
TO IT, THEY ALSO DON'T HAVE CERTAIN MEASURES IN PLACE THAT WOULD MANAGE IT BETTER,"
FELDMAN SAID.
For example, many communities do not keep track of water use because residents, farms and
commercial users often don't have water meters.
In Southern California, the per capita water use has remained the same over the last 30 years,
despite increases in population. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported its
customers used from 139 and 159 gallons per day between 1996 and 2008, about the same amount
as in the late 1970s-early 1980s, said Marty Adams, director of water operations at LADWP.
In 1991, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which imports water from Northern
California and the Colorado River into Southern California, sold 2.5 million acre-feet or about 6
billion gallons to a population of about 14 million. In 2014, under extremely dry conditions, it will
sell 2 million acre-feet to many more people — 19 million people, according to Jeff Kightlinger,
MWD general manager.
Reductions have come from low-flow shower heads, high-efficiency toilets and, more recently,
replacing turf with drought-resistant landscaping.
Some call those measures "low-hanging fruit" because they don't require lifestyle changes. While
Southern Californians have been through the drought drills many times in the last 30 years, this
one could be worse.
"We have done a lot in Southern California to use less water and conserve. But a lot of what we
have done has been relatively easy to do," Feldman said. "The next steps will have to be a bit more
dramatic."
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In grip of drought, let your lawn fade away - CAdrought.com
Page 1 of 2
September 25, 2014 by Donna Littlejohn
In grip of drought, let your lawn fade away
Cactus
A variety of cactusus, including large round
barrel cactuses, are seen at the Huntington
Botanical Gardens in San Marino. The
Huntington is one of many botanical gardens in
the area that can give homeowners tips on how
to plant their own drought-tolerant landscaping.
(Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News)
These are tough times for lawns and those who love them.
Mired in what is now a four-year drought, many of us find ourselves either juggling
designated “watering” days — while casting a wary eye for the water police who now patrol
L.A.’s neighborhoods — or wincing as we watch our once-green yards fade to brown.
What’s a homeowner to do?
Transitioning to a drought-resistant landscape to replace thirsty turf has become a popular
option. So has using synthetic grass. But what if you love your lawn? And some of your
other beloved garden plants and trees? Are there survival tools to help it eke through this
prolonged dry spell?
Ron Akiyama, who owns Sunflower Farms in Gardena with his wife, Wendy, a landscape
designer, says it’s doable with “some judicious watering.”
Most important, he said, is to install timers on any watering system you use — and think of
going drip or soaker irrigation rather than traditional shooting-spray sprinklers.
And remember mulch. Putting a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch on your flower beds reduces
evaporation and protects roots from the heat. Don’t over-prune and don’t overuse
fertilizers. If water is very limited, opt for watering your fruit and landscape trees before
watering the lawn.
For lawns, Akiyama said watering for short periods more frequently — early mornings are
best — beats a long soak once a week.
“The duration of putting water on the lawn is not as important as the frequency,” he said.
Citrus trees take lots of deep watering, especially before they’re established (which takes five
to seven years).
As for citrus trees, soil is a key factor when figuring a watering plan.
“It’s really hard to say, it depends on your soil condition,” said Wendy Akiyama of
Sunflower Farms. “There isn’t really a set pattern for it. The main thing is to make sure the
entire root ball is watered, not just the shallow roots.”
Well-established trees can go for a couple weeks without watering, but again it depends on
variables such as soil.
http://www.cadrought.com/grip-drought-let-lawn-fade-away/
09/26/14
In grip of drought, let your lawn fade away - CAdrought.com
Page 2 of 2
But be careful, it’s also possible (and quite common) to kill these trees with too much water.
And signs of drought stress — wilting leaves, dropping fruit and citrus curl, according to the
website Food Forward – can also be signs of over watering.
Get into the habit of checking soil moisture before watering by digging about 6 inches below
the soil around the tree to see if any is dry to the touch and in need of watering.
Deciduous trees bearing stone fruits – apples, peaches, pears and plums – require less
water than evergreen citrus trees as they are dormant in winter, she said.
“In the winter, when there are no leaves on the tree, they take very little water, if any,” she
said. But if there’s no rain, it might still be a good idea to water a couple times a month, she
said.
Rethinking your lawn
South Bay landscape designer David Latimer said well-established lawns also will fare
better. Some hot-zone species, like Saint Augustine or Bermuda, do better than others.
“I have a lawn that’s pretty much bulletproof,” Latimer said, adding he spends about 20
minutes watering it once every two weeks. “It’s a 50-year-old lawn, and I don’t give it much
love. But it stays pretty green.”
And efforts are ongoing, he said, to develop even stronger, deeper-rooted grass hybrids that
can survive drought spells.
Still, his take on California lawns: Why bother?
“If it wasn’t a lawn that my mom had forever, I’d get rid of it and put in some Mediterranean
plants and succulents,” he said. “I just can’t see giving water to turf.”
Latimer also suggested embracing dandelions.
“A lot of people hate dandelions and we spend all this money getting rid of them; it’s a
billion dollar industry,” he said. “I say be more content with what comes up in your lawn.
Let the stuff that wants to be there be there. Why fight nature?”
Done with the lawn altogether?
The city of Los Angeles offers rebates — recently increased to $3 per square foot — to
remove still-surviving lawns. Rebates also are available on the purchase of replacement
plants that are drought tolerant. It’s best to go with California natives, said Latimer.
“If you go out to Point Vicente (on the Palos Verdes Peninsula), the bluffs are covered with
our native plants and they’re very beautiful,” he said. “They’re going to be able to take the
droughts and they’re a wonderful, viable alternative to lawns.”
Learn from nature, be creative and have some fun with it, said Wendy Akiyama, who helps
homeowners grow beyond their lawns.
“Go out to the desert, look at the mountains,” she said. “Take pictures, see how it’s all laid
out.”
Want to go even more low-maintenance and water-free?
The Akiyamas said the newer, more realistic synthetic lawns are a fast-growing segment of
their landscape contracting business.
“It’s not (the old) astroturf,” Ron Akiyama said. “It’s unbelievable how good this stuff is.”
Sure, it’s fake. But hey. That’s so L.A.
Write Donna Littlejohn at [email protected] | @donnalittlejohn on Twitter
Tags: irrigation, lawn, Synthetic Lawn
http://www.cadrought.com/grip-drought-let-lawn-fade-away/
09/26/14
Prop. 1 bonds a first step in addressing state's water needs - LA Times
Page 1 of 14
Endorsement Prop. 1 bonds a first step in
addressing state's water needs
House boats are docked in the low water at Lake Shasta's Bay Bridge resort near Redding, Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown
and lawmakers are Brown and lawmakers are hoping California's drought will persuades voters to approve Proposition
1. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP)
By THE TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD
OCTOBER 7, 2014, 6:26 PM
E
ven in wet years, there will never be enough Sierra snowpack to give every interest
group and every region in California enough inexpensive water to quench every
thirst and satisfy every ambition. The state has a long way to go before it properly
takes account of its water limits and updates the way it divvies up this crucial natural resource.
Proposition 1, the $7.5-billion water bond on the Nov. 4 ballot, is really just a drop in the
bucket. But it's a start.
It probably took the crippling drought, now in its third year, to even get this measure on the
ballot, given the state's decades-long standoff over water. Starting with an $11.1-billion bond
that was removed from the ballot in 2010 and again in 2012 for being both untimely and too
bloated, lawmakers dickered for months over the measure as special interests around the
Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta fended off even the hint of anything that might help the
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/endorsements/la-ed-end-proposition-1-20141008-story.html
10/08/14
Prop. 1 bonds a first step in addressing state's water needs - LA Times
Page 2 of 14
controversial proposal to build twin tunnels to divert water southward, and as agricultural
interests lobbied for funding to complete several long-sought dams.
The final bond measure that emerged from negotiations includes funding for a range of needed
water projects, including groundwater cleanup. That's likely to help Los Angeles finally make
use of aquifers underneath the San Fernando Valley and rely less on imported water. Similar
projects are proposed for areas around California, including towns in the Central Valley whose
local water supplies are currently so contaminated as to be unusable.
The largest single spending item is $2.7 billion for water storage. That is in essence a kind of
twin to the "rainy-day fund" at the center of another measure on the ballot, Proposition 2; just
as money is saved from years of plenty to tide the state over in economically lean years, storage
can preserve water from rainy years for periods of drought like the current one. The storage
item could perhaps be described as a "not-enough-rainy-days fund."
Proposed storage projects include recharging depleted groundwater basins. To many, though,
storage is a euphemism for dams, even though there's no specific language in the measure
about dams. The mere prospect of new dams, though, was enough to turn some
environmentalists against the measure — because of their damage to rivers and fish migrations,
among other concerns — just as it was crucial to keeping some agricultural interests on board.
In fact, Proposition 1 doesn't make dam construction any more likely but simply moves the
dams-or-no-dams discussion to another time and another forum — a state water commission
that must evaluate spending proposals based on the likelihood that the projects will be built
and will produce enough usable water to make the expenditure worth it. It is a clever
compromise, and makes the bond a package deserving of voter support.
Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times
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http://www.latimes.com/opinion/endorsements/la-ed-end-proposition-1-20141008-story.html
10/08/14
Californians make big cuts in water usage, report says - LA Times
Page 1 of 3
Californians make big cuts in water usage, report says
Rick Silva, a Department of Water and Power employee, tries to trace the source of water running down an alley in L.A.'s Temple-Beaudry neighborhood. Californians have substantially reduced their
water usage. (Luis Sinco, Los Angeles Times)
By MATT STEVENS
OCTOBER 7, 2014, 10:48 PM
A
fter months of appeals to conserve water, Californians appear to be finally getting the message, making substantial cuts in water consumption in the
face of the state's drought.
Some of the biggest savings have come in Southern California, which faced criticism earlier this year for increasing water use at a time when the rest of the state
was cutting back, according to state records released Tuesday.
Southern California increased water use by 8% in May compared to the average during that period from 2011 to 2013. But over the summer, the region saw modest
reductions, culminating in August with a 7.8% decline from August of the previous year, according to a report from the State Water Resources Control Board.
"We wish it had come earlier, but people are responding," said Max Gomberg, the board's senior environmental scientist. "Southern California has roughly half of
the state's population. What happens in Southern California is critical to how things look at the statewide level."
Overall, California cut water use by 11.5% in August, compared to the same month in 2013, the equivalent of 27 billion gallons. It's the biggest drop of the year, yet
still below Gov. Jerry Brown's goal of a 20% reduction.
Officials attributed the conservation in part to stricter local water laws that took effect in recent months, including restrictions on outdoor water use, hosing off
driveways and residential car washing.
One question now is whether California can reach the 20% goal this year. Some water agencies said they are considering tightening water rules and raising rates for
heavy users if the fall brings little rain.
State water board chairwoman Felicia Marcus said it's encouraging that conservation rates have been improving throughout the summer.
"The increments are bigger in each jump; that's telling us that folks are kicking into gear," she said. "Can we get to an average 20%? Absolutely. But it won't happen
in a nanosecond."
Ironically, one concern going forward is fall rains. Light showers would do little to improve the state's water shortage but could prompt residents to reduce their
conservation efforts, officials said.
Residents must "maintain their conservation mindset," Gomberg said. "If it rains, turn off your sprinklers."
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-1008-water-conserve-20141008-story.html
10/08/14
Californians make big cuts in water usage, report says - LA Times
Page 2 of 3
State officials described the August survey of water use as among the most accurate they've done. The May survey was voluntary, and only 63% of water agencies
participated. About 95% provided data for the August survey.
In San Diego County, water use dropped 6% in August after being up slightly in both June and July, the water authority said. It marked a significant improvement
from the first five months of the year when water use rose by 10% compared with the same period in 2013.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported an 8.8% reduction in August.
"Seeing these savings in the middle of the summer during a drought is telling of L.A. residents' commitment to water conservation," DWP General Manager Marcie
Edwards said in a statement.
"I'm grateful that Angelenos are stepping up to address the drought," said Mayor Eric Garcetti, "but we must do more to further reduce our reliance on expensive
imported water."
San Diego and other Southern California cities have complained that earlier surveys did not accurately reflect their savings. Water board officials have since refined
their analysis.
"The state board staff has a better understanding now of water use characteristics and the uniqueness by region that can occur," said Dana Friehauf, a water
resources manager with the San Diego County Water Authority.
The state received data from 394 water agencies. Of urban water suppliers serving populations greater than 40,000, 10 increased their water use in August; nine
are in Southern California, including Compton, Colton and Coachella.
More than 20 water suppliers cut their water use 20% or more in August. The City of Tracy led the way with a 41% reduction.
State officials on Tuesday held out special praise for Long Beach. The city has been aggressive about water conservation for years, but still managed a 6.8%
reduction in August. The city is now recording its lowest water use since 1958, officials said.
"There's a snowballing effect as people see people taking action," said the water board's Marcus. "We can't relent."
[email protected]
Twitter: @MattStevensLAT
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-1008-water-conserve-20141008-story.html
10/08/14
Landmark California Recycled-Water Bill Signed by Gov. Brown as 2014 Drought Persis... Page 1 of 6
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Home > Landmark California Recycled-Water Bill Signed by Gov. Brown as 2014 Drought Persists
Landmark California Recycled-Water Bill
Signed by Gov. Brown as 2014 Drought
Persists
by Christopher Simmons on Wed, 01 Oct 2014
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Most homeowners
want cheaper water bills. If provided the infrastructure, they’d
gladly use recycled water to wash cars and irrigate lawns. Many
cities have vast reservoirs of recycled water. If provided a market,
they’d gladly allow the water to be used for more than just
landscaping medians. Drought-scorched California took bold
action to make these visions a reality, as Governor Brown signed
AB 2282. The ground breaking legislation by Assemblyman Mike
Gatto (D-Los Angeles) would require the state to adopt building
standards for recycled water in newly constructed commercial and
residential buildings.
“The drought is a reminder that we need to make the best use of
our limited water resources,” noted Gatto. “Recycled water is cleaner than most of the water in our natural
aquifers. It’s wasteful and inefficient to dump this water into the ocean when we could use it for productive
purposes.”
It is expected that providing this new source will reduce water bills for many. Gatto’s bill specifically protects
homeowners and businesses by requiring state agencies to consider the cost of various recycled-water
infrastructure and determine which methods will provide the greatest cost savings for consumers.
http://californianewswire.com/2014/10/01/CNW21338_095205.php/landmark-california-rec... 10/01/14
AB 2282 continues Gatto’s legislative efforts to address important water-policy issues. In 2011, the
legislature passed Gatto’s AB 849, which fostered the use of graywater technology, and in 2012, the
legislature passed Gatto’s bill AB 2230, requiring all new carwashes to use 60% recycled water by 2014. In
2012 and 2013, Gatto authored legislation to create CalConserve, a revolving loan fund for efficiency
retrofits.
“Single-family homes use about 60% of their water outside. If people could water their lawns and wash their
cars with recycled water, there would be much more water available for drinking and growing food,” said
Gatto. “I am grateful to the Governor for recognizing the importance of this legislation for the future of
California.”
Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the California State Assembly joint author
of the 2014 Water Bond. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose,
and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los
Feliz, and Silver Lake. www.asm.ca.gov/gatto
Related News Stories:
• Landmark California Recycled-Water Bill Clears Assembly – AB 2282
• Landmark California Recycled-Water Bill Clears First Legislative Hurdle – AB 2282
• Landmark California Water Conservation package heads to Governor Amidst summer 2014 drought
Ballots and Bills, CA Environment, CA Government News, California NEWS INDEX, Newsdesk
About Christopher Simmons
Christopher Laird Simmons has been a creative artist, marketing specialist, working journalist and PR
pro for 30 years (he started as a teenager selling his first article in the music business in 1984). He
founded Neotrope (formerly Mindset) in 1983, and has written widely for numerous national
magazines, and is frequently interviewed by same. He is a member of the PRSA and ASCAP and resides in Los
Angeles County, California. He is the Executive Editor, and Publisher, at CaliforniaNewswire®, a publication of
Neotrope®.
View all posts by Christopher Simmons →
Assemblyman Mike Gatto, drought, recycled water
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http://www.whittierdailynews.com/environment-and-nature/20141003/metropolitan-water-district-official-says-rationing-will-be-needed-if-drought-doesnt-e
Metropolitan Water District official says rationing will be needed
if drought doesn’t ease
WhittierDailyNews.com
Whittier Water District Robert Apodaca. 2010 file photo.
SANTA FE SPRINGS >> If the drought doesn’t ease, water rationing will be
imposed, a Metropolitan Water District official predicted Thursday.
“If we have another dry year, the possibility of looking at water rationing is very
real,” said Gilbert Ivie, assistant general manager for Metropolitan Water District,
said.
“There’s going to be a time where we may have to ask for severe reductions in the
use of water,” Ivie said. “We’re not there yet but the possibility is there.”
Ivie was one of three water officials who spoke to about 60 people at a Central
Basin Municipal Water District water briefing held at Clarke Estate in Santa Fe Springs.
For MWD, water rationing would mean a reduction in the allocation of water to its member agencies, such
as Central Basin, Ivie said. In turn, those entities would have to reduce the amount of water they can sell to
their customers, he added.
How that will occur is now being negotiated between MWD and the agencies that make it up, Ivie said.
Those include Central Basin.
The message was no surprise, said Dan Arrighi, water resources manager for San Gabriel Valley Water
Co.
“There’s a drought and we need more water,” Arrighi said. “If it doesn’t rain or snow, we’ll be in a bit of
hurt. Everyone needs to do their part to conserve water.”
Ivie said the public is starting to take notice of the drought, something it hadn’t done earlier.
“Prior to the drought, (there was) lackadaisical and apathetic behavior of our citizens toward our water,”
Ivie said.
“There never was a sense of urgency even as the drought began,” he said. “It wasn’t until they saw
pictures of the reservoirs showing no water supply that we got the attention of the public.”
Even if there’s a wet season — what’s needed is a year with rainfall of 150 percent of average — people
still can’t go back to the old ways, Ivie said.
Advertisement
“We live in an area where we can’t use all the water we want,” he said. “We need to use the opportunity of
this massive drought to educate the public to change its behavior so we can sure there’s an adequate
supply for now and onto to the future.”
Joseph Velasco, board president for Orchard Dale Water District, agreed with Ivie.
“When
Page
1 of 3
people turn their tap on, it’s sometimes taken for granted,” Velasco said. “Consumers
sometimes
Oct 08, 2014
09:20:16AM MDT
“When people turn their tap on, it’s sometimes taken for granted,” Velasco said. “Consumers sometimes
don’t understand all the factors that are at stake in water getting to their home.”
Mark Grajeda, general manager for Pico Water District, agrees about the need to conserve but also was
interested in whether MWD will be able to sell water for underground replenishment in this area.
“We’re hamstrung,” Grajeda said.
“We can’t get Colorado River water because of the quagga mussels,” he said referring to a small, invasive
shellfish has contaminated the Colorado River and would threaten local water supplies if mistakenly
introduced into Los Angeles area streams by the agency through the water transfer.
As a result, Los Angeles County Public Works Department officials won’t allow Colorado River water to into
the ground water basins where it can percolate into the underground basin.
In an interview after the speech, Ivie said he couldn’t speak specifically about Central Basin issues.
“We are trying to get water to our member agencies,” he said. “We’re trying to work with all of them on their
challenges.”
Robert Apodaca, board president for Central Basin, one of the three speakers, in an interview said he
believes MWD is trying to help.
“We’re doing everything we can to settle that,” said Apodaca, a former aide to state Sen. Ron Calderon
and his brother, Assemblyman Tom Calderon, both D-Montebello. “We’ve got MWD behind us on this.”
In his speech, Apodaca said he believes Central Basin is doing better.
“It would be insincere to say that our district hasn’t been without its challenges,” he said.
But the district is improving its financial stability by cutting costs, debt and legal expenses, he said.
Apodaca also said Central Basin planned to hold a workshop for its customers and would work for the
lowest rates possible.
Central Basin has been under increased scrutiny since receiving a subpoena from the FBI as part of the
investigation into Tom Calderon.
federal charges of money laundering. His brother, Ron faces bribery charges in a massive federal
corruption case.
The district has had other challenges.
It lost its insurance carrier, Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority.
In June, JPIA paid $670,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the district and Apodaca
Also, in June, Central Basin agreed to pay $875,000 to Pacifica Services, a Pasadena engineering
company, to settle a legal claim that the company was overpaid by the district.
Central Basin also has come under fire for paying $16,000 to a woman injured in a 2010 car crash
involving
Page
2 of 3
Director Art Chacon who went from Sept. 30, 2003 until Aug. 18 of this year Oct
without
a driver’s
08, 2014
09:20:16AM MDT
involving Director Art Chacon who went from Sept. 30, 2003 until Aug. 18 of this year without a driver’s
license.
JPIA also paid $63,000 in a workers compensation settlement to Chacon, who claimed the injury he
suffered while driving the car during the accident occurred when he was on the job.
Back to top
Mike Sprague
Page 3 of 3
Oct 08, 2014 09:20:16AM MDT
http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinion/20140927/plumbing-the-civil-water-wars-between-southern-and-northern-california-larry-wilson
Plumbing the civil water wars between Southern and Northern
California: Larry Wilson
By Larry Wilson , San Gabriel Valley Tribune
sgvtribune.com
It’s SoCal-NorCal. L.A. vs. The City. Us against Them.
This guy who was backing the ballot measure to split California into six states was a Johnny-come-lately.
For generations now, there’s not just been a natural rivalry between Southern California and Northern
California. Every decade or so, there has been a real, if minor, dust-up that leads to someone calling for
“the political boundaries to finally recognize the reality: Culturally and geographically, we are two states,
not one.”
Except, you know what? We’re not. We’re one California. Have been for 164 years. And where would we
draw the dividing line, anyway? Psychologically, for instance, what city could be more Northern than
Santa Cruz? Take a look at a map. It’s pretty much dead in the middle.
Modoc and Siskiyou counties in the great green north, combined population circa 53,000, can petition to
become the 51st state of Jefferson, as they do every few days, all they want. Not going to happen.
But it’s true we’re a really big place, more like an extended family than some private Idaho, and when
you’ve got family, you’ve got feuds. Our favorite sibling rivalry by far is over that most precious earthly
resource, water. If you were to put the spat into the simplest terms, it would be: They’ve got it, and we
want it. It rains up there more than it does down here; snows more, too. And they’ve got a damp Delta.
And again, you would be wrong. There is no them and no us — remember? We are one.
Plus, check this fun fact out, from local water consultant Adan Ortega: In Southern California, “Our per
capita consumption has gone down from about 200 gallons to between 110 to 120 gallons per day. That
is good, during normal times. Northern Californians are struggling to be at 180 gallons per day.”
You know how those Bay Area snobs are always painting us as profligate wasters of the precious H20?
Turns out they should be looking at their own reflections in the sweet little backyard pond first. Thanks to
xeriscaping our yards, low-flow showers and faucets, efficient washing machines and toilets, we’re way
more frugal than they are.
Statistics, of course, simply beg for manipulation. Because of some wasteful agriculture in the desert,
and industrial uses, by one measure Southern California still uses 75 percent of the water in the state.
Well, guess what — we have ... wait, it looks like 63 percent of the population. But, hey, that’s the point
— it doesn’t rain so much down here. Formerly, we pulled stunts like almost draining beautiful Mono
Lake to slake our thirst. Now, we’re restoring it.
It doesn’t mean that we — and they — can’t do better during this devastating drought. And it doesn’t
meant that because they have copped an attitude, that we don’t have one, too. A retired Angeleno water
engineer of my acquaintance says that his ultimate plan for securing water for the Southland involves:
“diversion from North Coast rivers. I realize that I am venturing into an area some consider as sacred
territory. But sometimes problems have no good solutions and the option is to select the least bad
solution. It would be nice to maintain the North Coast as a wild retreat. But is it worth the damage that
may be done to a California economy?”
I say
Page
1 of that
2
we can sustain SoCal life without draining the Klamath and turning Humboldt
brown.
Let’s
Sep 29,
2014 09:51:13AM
MDT
http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinion/20140927/plumbing-the-civil-water-wars-between-southern-and-northern-california-larry-wilson
I say that we can sustain SoCal life without draining the Klamath and turning Humboldt brown. Let’s
smoke a big-tent California peace pipe with our northern sisters and brothers and then find a way to stay
as green and wet together as we can.
Larry Wilson is a member of the editorial board of the Los Angeles News Group.
[email protected]
Reach the author at [email protected] or follow Larry on Twitter:
@PublicEditor.
Full bio and more articles by Larry Wilson
Back to top
Larry Wilson
Page 2 of 2
Sep 29, 2014 09:51:13AM MDT
http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20141002/scientists-say-extreme-heat-complicating-californias-drought
Scientists say extreme heat complicating California’s drought
By Steve Scauzillo , San Gabriel Valley Tribune
sgvtribune.com
Complete drought coverage at CAdrought.com.
Studies show the state’s severe drought is made
worse by rising air temperatures — a secondary
and often overlooked factor that is depleting
reservoir levels through increased evaporation
and accelerating outdoor water use among
homeowners.
Scientists from some of the top universities in the state gave their report on the drought Tuesday to
about 340 attendees at the San Gabriel Valley Water Forum in Pomona, news that water managers
called “depressing” but important for helping Southern California better plan for more heat and drought
but also more wildfires, earthquakes and even floods.
“We will see climate that takes us beyond the envelope of what we’ve seen, according to climate model
projections,” said Dan Cayan, a marine physicist with Scripps Institute of Oceanography and an expert
in western weather patterns.
Scientists agreed that the fourth year of drought is not due to global climate change but a cyclical trend in
semi-arid California dating back 1,200 years. However, the increasing temperatures especially during
summer months are caused by the phenomenon in which carbon dioxide, methane and other
greenhouse gases released by agriculture and industry trap heat and cause warmer temperatures.
The good news is, droughts like the current one that has left state reservoirs at 36 percent of capacity, or
about half as filled as normal for this time of year, are not part of global warming, said Glen MacDonald,
a professor of geography, ecology and evolutionary biology at UCLA.
However, the last six months have produced higher temperatures in every month in California, an
accelerating warming trend that began in the late 1980s, MacDonald said. “We are heading for a
record-breaking warm year in 2014. We are seeing something we haven’t seen over the instrumental
period. When you couple high temperatures and higher evaporation rates with lower precipitation, then
we are indeed off the charts.”
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Besides heat and arid conditions, global climate models predict extreme weather, including wetter wet
years and an increase in wet years in the western states in the next 25 years. The increase in dry years
will occur after 2050, explained Alex Hall, a professor atmospheric and oceanic sciences at UCLA and
one of the authors of the Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change report, which said warming of the
Earth’s climate since the 1950s “was unequivocal” and “unprecedented.”
Cayan’s studies predict the source of 95 percent of the state’s drinking water — the snowpack in the
Sierra Nevada — is disappearing. Snowpack will drop by between one-half and two-thirds by the end of
the1 of
century.
Instead, precipitation will fall as rain in other parts of the state and oftenOct
in large
bursts,
Page
3
03, 2014
09:39:31AM MDT
http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20141002/scientists-say-extreme-heat-complicating-californias-drought
Sierra Nevada — is disappearing. Snowpack will drop by between one-half and two-thirds
by the end of
the century. Instead, precipitation will fall as rain in other parts of the state and often in large bursts,
storm water that is not as easily collected.
“We have to adjust to more rainfall in the spring and less snowpack. We need to build conveyances that
can capture all that, to put more water back into the ground-water basins,” said attendee Rick Hansen,
general manager of Three Valleys Municipal Water District in Claremont, a member of the larger
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
The next few decades will include water agencies going after more storm-water capture, waste-water
recycling and desalination of ocean water, panelists said.
“We are talking about the next few years when we need to be talking about the next 10 to 20 years,” said
Ken Manning, executive director of the Water Quality Authority, an agency overseeing ground-water
cleanup in the San Gabriel Valley.
University of Riverside scientist Kurt Schwabe said water agencies and cities do not know the best way
to get people to conserve water because they haven’t studied what works.
Using water-allocations, i.e. giving a household a certain amount of water per day and then fining or
charging more if they go over, does produce results but more studies are needed, he said. Other studies
say low-flow shower heads lead to longer showers and low-flow toilets result in multiple flushes,
minimizing water savings, Schwabe reported.
Some of the highest water savings are a result of social-norm messaging, whereby cities tell customers
how much water they are using in compared to their neighbors, he said.
Southern California has invested billions since 1994 in new reservoirs, new pipelines and water recycling
as well as installing no-water urinals in places like hotels and stadiums and low-water clothes washers.
These institutional changes kept water deliveries by MWD flat over the past 20 years despite a 5 million
population growth, said Devendra Upadhyay, water manager for MWD.
“We are in a very serious drought but we’ve planned for this,” Upadhyay told the audience. “If those
investments hadn’t been made we would be in wide-scale rationing.”
MacDonald said the chance for a small El Nino is at 65 percent for December. But a drought-busting rain
event is not expected this winter, he said.
If the drought continues next spring, MWD could provide only 40 percent of their allocations to
customers, said Cynthia Kurtz, MWD representative for the city of Pasadena and president and CEO of
the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership.
The next move is up to Mother Nature.
“We either get snow in Sierra Nevada and Lake Oroville (reservoir) or we will have to have mandatory
curtailments next year,” she said. “Everyone will be in a very, very constrained water use,”
Reach the author at [email protected] or follow Steve on
Twitter: @stevscaz.
Page 2 of 3
Full bio and more articles by Steve Scauzillo
Oct 03, 2014 09:39:31AM MDT
Water-conservation message now focuses on lawns, pools - CAdrought.com
Page 1 of 2
September 24, 2014 by Steve Scauzillo
Water-conservation message now focuses on
lawns, pools
http://www.cadrought.com/water-conservation-message-now-focuses-lawns-pools/
09/26/14
Water-conservation message now focuses on lawns, pools - CAdrought.com
Page 2 of 2
While Southern Californians have reduced overall water use in recent dry years, it has not
always been a smooth adjustment.
For example, in May of this year, the region consumed about 8 percent more water than it
had in May 2013.
The increase raised some alarm among water officials, though they attributed it mostly to
warmer temperatures and a belief at the time that wetter weather was on its way.
“We were in the ninth-hottest period on record,” said Richard Hansen, general manager of
the Three Valleys Municipal Water District in Claremont.
“We really didn’t have a winter; it wasn’t as cold and certainly not as wet, so maybe people
kept those sprinklers on.”
The water use increase in the Los Angeles and San Diego urban area was the worst
performance in the state, according to the survey of 400 urban water agencies by the State
Water Resources Control Board.
By contrast, the San Francisco Bay Area reduced water by 5 percent, and the Sacramento
area used 13 percent less water.
In justifying adding a $500 fine for overwatering by urban users, the state board reported
seeing less water conservation up and down the state between February and April “due to
the belief by many that further wet weather is on the way and conservation is not
necessary.”
The report was referring to predictions of a strong El Niño, a warming in the eastern Pacific
Ocean that brings more rain, but since then climatologists have modified their forecasts,
saying if El Niño happens this winter, it is likely to be weak or moderate.
Still, most major water agencies in Southern California have seen drops in usage over the
last six years to seven years.
The Metropolitan Water District, the largest water wholesaler in the United States, has seen
demand drop by 15 percent since 2007. And the Los Angeles Department of Water and
Power has seen a 17 percent drop since 2009.
Water managers say Southern Californians have installed water-stingy toilets, showers and
dishwashers during the past decade, but now they must reduce outdoor water use, which
amounts to half of all urban water usage.
“This is a market transformation,” MWD spokesman Bob Muir said. “It is a lot like you are
changing a lifestyle.”
Tags: lawn, Swimming pools
http://www.cadrought.com/water-conservation-message-now-focuses-lawns-pools/
09/26/14
Water rationing hits California: limit of 50 gallons per person per day or face fines of $500
Page 1 of 4
naturalnews.com printable article
Originally published September 29 2014
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
(NaturalNews) Millions of Californians are about to be hit with strict water rationing -- daily "allocation"
numbers that represent the maximum amount of water you're allowed to use for any purpose. Households
that exceed the allocation limit will face stiff fines of hundreds of dollars per violation.
"In July, the State Water Resources Control Board passed stage one emergency regulations, giving powers
to all local water agencies to fine $500 per violation," reports the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. [1]
Keep in mind that these are only "stage one" emergency regulations. Stages two and three have yet to be
invoked and will only become more severe.
The amount of water each household is allowed by water districts will be determined by government
employees viewing satellite imagery of private properties, then calculating how much water that property
should be allowed to use.
"Using census records, aerial photography and satellite imagery, an agency can determine a property's
efficient water usage," says the SGVT.
50 gallons per person, per day
In some districts, water rationing allocation is also based on the number of persons who are known to be
living at each address based on U.S. Census data. The Irvine Ranch Water District allows 50 gallons of
"indoor" water consumption per person in the home. As explained on the IRWD website: [3]
The indoor water allocation is 50 gallons per person per day and depends upon the number of residents in
a home. Water allocated for landscape irrigation depends upon the type of home.
As the IRWD website explains, those water consumers who the government deems to be "wasteful" will be
charged 160% or higher rates for water consumption. This is on top of the $500 fines for each violation, as
has now been approved by the state.
The 50 gallons per person per day is the maximum allocated amount for all indoor water use, including
laundry, showering, toilet flushing, drinking, washing dishes and hand washing for hygienic purposes.
According to the EPA, the average U.S. citizen currently uses 100 gallons per day, with 70 of those gallons
consumed indoors. [4] The largest users of indoor water are toilets, showers and clothes washers.
Not yet called "rationing" because the word isn't socially
acceptable
Interestingly, the water rationing that's about to be enforced in California isn't being called rationing.
Instead, California's doublespeak wordsmiths have decided to call it an "allocation-based rate
structure" (which simply means that after you hit your ration limit, you are harshly penalized for any
additional consumption).
In explaining why California citizens will be heavily penalized with fines if they exceed their water rationing
http://www.naturalnews.com/z047061_water_rationing_California_drought.html
10/01/14
Page 2 of 4
allocation, all sorts of elaborate doublespeak terms are now being used such as "strong price signals" and
"conservation response."
Here's how the IRWD explains water rationing to its customers without using the term "rationing":
Allocation-based rate structures are the foundation of IRWD's Water Shortage Contingency Plan. This rate
structure allows IRWD to quickly respond to limited supplies through strong price signals, which result in
the greatest conservation response from our customers.
Translation: If we aggressively penalize people for exceeding their water allocation, they will seek to stay
within the limits for the same reason that people try to avoid speeding tickets -- nobody wants to pay
the fines!
Landscape watering limited to two days a week
Some California water districts are also enforcing unprecedented restrictions on water use for "outdoor
watering" applications.
The Irvine Ranch Water District, for example, has publicly announced its intention to "...implement
mandatory outdoor water use restrictions that restrict outdoor watering to two days a week." [2]
California homeowners being paid big bucks to remove grass
in "Remove Green. Receive Green" program
The California drought is so bad that some California homeowners are even being paid cash to remove
their lawns.
The IRWD Turf Removal Program advertises the slogan "Remove Green. Receive Green" and explains
there is no limit to the amount of money a person can be paid under the program. [5]
What's interesting about this Turf Removal Program is that it essentially pays people to restore their yards
to the way they should have been constructed in the first place. Green lawns in desert regions are one
of the most idiotic things modern humans have ever come up with, with green golf courses in
desert regions taking the top prize for sheer environmental stupidity.
10/01/14
Page 3 of 4
Where it's all headed
Water conservation efforts are greatly needed in California and should be applauded. On the other hand,
they only postpone the inevitable -- a mass migration out of the American southwest as the water
runs out across entire regions.
Tearing up your front lawn and replacing it with agave and desert spoon plants doesn't nullify the fact that
much of California is wildly overpopulated to the point of long-term non-sustainability. Even if each person
in the state were restricted to just 25 gallons a day, the water would keep dropping in Lake Mead (which is
already perilously close to outflow restrictions that will impact California and Arizona).
The only way the current population of Californians can live in harmony with the regional water resources
is if most of the people stop taking showers, stop flushing toilets and stop doing laundry. Unfortunately,
this practice is currently limited only to a few UCLA campus frat houses and hasn't yet caught on with the
rest of the citizenry.
Crop yields already in a state of collapse
Honestly stated, the modern-day lifestyle that many people equate with California living simply isn't
sustainable. As a result, a collapse of the water infrastructure has already begun. That's why the crop
yields have also collapsed this year [6], with the Sacramento Bee reporting:
While many crops have yet to be harvested, it's clear that the drought has carved a significant hole in the
economy of rural California. Farm income is down, so is employment... Economists at UC Davis say
agriculture, which has been a $44 billion-a-year business in California, will suffer revenue losses and
higher water costs -- a financial hit totaling $2.2 billion this year.
That financial hit is only going to get worse, and the implosion of crop production will only accelerate.
"Roughly one-fourth of California's rice fields went fallow this year, about 140,000 acres worth, according
to the California Rice Commission," reports the Sacramento Bee.
And the worst part is that farmers have been tapping into underground aquifers in order to grow their
crops this year. But that water is irreplaceable in any human timeframe, and when it's all used up, it's
gone for good. California's agriculture industry has yet to come up with a way to grow food crops without
using water. Until they do, the food producing potential of the entire region is headed for accelerated
collapse.
When the citizens of California truly wake up and realize where this is all headed, real estate prices will
utterly collapse, leading to a collapse of local property tax revenues and the economic devastation of
towns and cities. Many of those once-thriving towns will inevitably return to the desert from which they
sprang.
Sources for this article include:
[1] http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20140...
[2] http://www.irwd.com/liquid-news/irwd-receive...
[3] http://www.irwd.com/services/residential-wat...
[4] http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/indoor.ht...
[5] http://irwd.com/save-water-money/turf-remova...
[6] http://www.sacbee.com/2014/09/28/6739735/cal...
10/01/14
Page 4 of 4
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10/01/14

October 13, 2014

Transcription

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