News of the Arroyo
Title: | Agency Calls for Immediate Reductions in La Cañada Water Use |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2007-06-07 |
Summary: | June 7, 2007 - Foothill MWD is calling for local residents to take strong conservation steps. |
Author: | Elaine La Marr |
Publication: | La Ca�ada Valley Sun |
Content: | By Elaine La Marr The year 2008 could be a very difficult year for water supply, says a serious Jay Malinowski, following the announcement by the Foothill Municipal Water District that they are reinstating their water conservation alert system and are requesting residents in local communities serviced by the FMWD to immediately begin a plan for personal water conservation. Malinowski is interim general manager of the Foothill Municipal Water District, which serves not only La Cañada but several other foothill communities as well. Valley Water, which services the La Cañada community, is one of the agencies, which purchases water from the FMWD. According to Valley Water General Manager Bob Fan, water conservation could become mandatory this summer depending on variables involved and general overall conditions. \"We hope that won\'t be the case and we have always encouraged people to conserve water,\" said Fan. The water conservation announcement came on the heels of notification that wholesale water rates to local foothill agencies will also be raised in January 2008. The reasons for increased costs relate directly back to the higher cost for water paid by FMWD to Metropolitan Water and for necessary maintenance or replacement of existing equipment in the FMWD. \"Cost and money are irrelevant at this point,\" Malinowski said. \"What is relevant is that we are going into the sixth year of the driest in seven years, with only one wet year in between to break it up. Water reserve storage on the Colorado River is extremely low and the State Water Project up near Sacramento, which relies solely on Lake Oroville, is not in any better shape than the Colorado. According to Malinowski, even with good ground water supplies, it really won\'t change the outcome since the aquifer is adjudicated, which in essence means that districts can legally only take so much water from the aquifer. Above and beyond that, they must buy water from the FMWD; with the ground water being the least expensive source and purchased water costing more. Fan explained that purchased water goes first goes to a reservoir at the Valley Water site and is blended with the existing well water supply, which originates from the Raymond ground water basin. \"Our water is always a combination of well [water] and purchased,\" said Fan. Water conservation alert postings will be placed strategically throughout La Cañada and other local communities similar to fire danger warning signs. They will also be published on page 2 of the Valley Sun in coming weeks. The FMWD requests that residents check the postings weekly to see if red, yellow or green warnings are posted. A green sign indicates normal water conservations techniques such as shorter showers, washing full loads of dishes or clothing should be performed. A yellow sign indicates water conservation is of greater necessity. Watering every other day, or according to address numbers of homes and businesses, is necessary. Red postings signify a severe need to conserve water and it the FMWD advises watering only a maximum of two days a week. Community members can check www.bewaterwise.com for additional water conservation suggestions and methods. |
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