News of the Arroyo
Title: | Think small, save big |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2007-09-20 |
Summary: | September 20, 2007 - The Star-News discusses the type of solutions needed to meet current and future water needs. |
Author: | Editorial |
Publication: | Pasadena Star-News |
Content: | WATER is both a big issue and a small issue in California. It\'s big when the governor talks about constructing two new reservoirs and expanding a third in central and northern California, all part of a $9 billion bond proposal. It\'s small when discussing creative ideas for guaranteeing reliable water supplies from smaller water agencies and municipalities. While the governor focuses on big water - for big farms, for accommodating big growth in booming Fresno, all wrapped in a ginormous (and questionable) bond measure good for generating big headlines - we think he ought to go small. He should focus on The Small Three: water recycling, water conservation and cleanup of underground water basins. The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District recently supplied recycled wastewater - treated to the highest levels - to South El Monte High School for watering grounds and ball fields. Using the non-potable water for irrigation frees up 40 million extra gallons of drinking water each year - enough to supply 250 households. The district has already brought 1 billion gallons of recycled water to irrigate Rose Hills Memorial Park, Rio Hondo College and Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. Plans are to do the same for the upcoming Big League Dreams ball park in West Covina. Cities of Arcadia and Monrovia are very interested in obtaining recycled water. More agencies should invest in moving recycled water to public and industrial users. Tim Jochem, USGVMWD general manager, told our editorial board there are projects awaiting funding from two previous bond measures passed by the voters. Bureaucratic delays in Sacramento have kept the checks from the mail. \"The money just trickles out of Sacramento,\" he said. We\'d like to see cleanup legislation, more along the lines of that proposed by Sen. Don Perata, that would expedite existing bond funds for water recycling projects. Fact: Southern California uses about the same amount of water today as it did in 1980, despite more population. Water conservation from low-flow shower heads, low-flush toilets, low-water clothes washers and xeriscaping have helped keep the lid on per capita water use. But now, two years of drought and growth will tap the Golden State\'s water supplies further. In addition, a judge\'s ruling to protect an endangered fish will curtail imported water from the San Joaquin-Sacramento River delta to users throughout the state. Hence, more agencies and cities need to offer free low-flush toilets for residents. State grants could fund these capital programs. Also, residents need to understand how to reduce water use now - before rationing measures come. An education campaign similar to those launched during the last drought of the early \'90s is a start. For example, restaurants should go back to curtailing water to customers except upon request. Water recycling Water conservation Ground-water cleanup Much progress has been made in cleaning the San Gabriel Valley\'s polluted underground basin, mostly due to money from the federal government, responsible parties, actions by the U.S. EPA, the local Water Quality Authority and other local water agencies and water companies. However, the state has not contributed its fair share. Once again, projects are ready but sit on the shelf unfunded. We\'d like to see the local basin free of contaminants in 10 years, so the state can store imported water underground and pump it out during drought years. Underground aquifers make the best \"reservoirs\" because no water is lost due to evaporation. And there\'s very few up-front capital costs. It\'s these smaller solutions that need more funding. As the governor and the Legislature meet this week and next in a special session about water, they should think small. |
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