FINDINGS
F1.
The MPWMD has effectively communicated the need for consumers to
conserve water.
F2.
Reduced funding for the MPWMD rebate program may impact
participation in the voluntary retrofit
of home appliances.
F3.
Water conservation efforts for the MPWMD are nearly maximized;
further efforts may conserve an additional 500-1,000 acre-feet per year.
F4.
Although water sources are sufficient for existing MPWMD
communities and customers, this will change with the execution of Order 95-10 and enforcement of the State’s
Cease and Desist
Order Cal Am to decrease pumping from the Carmel River.
F5.
Although current water sources are sufficient to serve existing
MPWMD customers, these sources
are not sufficient to allow for growth.
F6.
The MPWMD supports the current Cal Am proposal to construct (and
so own) a desalination facility and has agreed to access low-cost funding for
this project on behalf of Cal Am.
F7.
The MCWD has sufficient water to serve existing customers but
will need reliable sources of additional water if proposed developments in Ft.
Ord are to move forward.
F8.
2014 groundwater legislation could affect the MCWD’s current
allocation of water from the Salinas Valley Basin.
F9.
A lack of permanent senior management at MCWD has led to
instability within the organization.
F10.
Individuals elected to the MCWD Board of Directors are not
required to undergo formal training
in governance, procedure, and chain of command.
F11.
The technology exists to track water use in real time, alerting
technicians to serious water leaks;
however, MCWD does not have this technology in place.
F12.
Excess surface water from the Carmel and Salinas Rivers could be
used to recharge the aquifers,
providing a method for “storing” water that would otherwise flow to the ocean. MPWMD is currently capturing water from the
Carmel River.
F13.
The MOU signed by both districts and the Monterey County Water
Resources Agency, the Monterey
County Regional Water Pollution Control Agency, and the City of Salinas may lead
to a more efficient use of reclaimed and treated wastewater across the county,
provided the
MOU results in a signed agreement.
F14.
Conservation offset programs that involve conservation
agreements between developers, water
districts, and cities have significant potential to benefit both conservation
efforts and city
planning.
RECOMMENDATIONS
R1.
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) continue
conservation efforts to achieve additional water savings, with the goal of conserving an additional 500
acre-feet per year by the end of 2016.
R2.
MPWMD seek additional funding to offset reduction in rebate
program budget by the end of 2015.
R3.
MPWMD offer incentives for retrofitting multi-family laundry
facilities by the end of 2016.
R4.
MPWMD mandate installation of pressure reducers on all water
supply lines by the end of 2016.
R5.
MPWMD institute offset programs for new residential and
commercial developments that offer incentives for builders to pay for conservation efforts in other structures as
part of permit
approval beginning in January 2016.
R6.
MPWMD install water saving devices (low-flow toilets, water-efficient
washers and dishwashers, aerators) in low-income housing units in conjunction
with offset programs.
R7.
The Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) continue conservation
efforts to achieve additional water savings.
R8.
MCWD install technology to track water use in real time by the
end of 2016.
R9.
MCWD hire additional personnel to expand current conservation
efforts by September 2015.
R10.
MCWD institute offset programs for new residential and
commercial developments that offer
incentives for builders to pay for conservation efforts in other structures as
part of permit approval beginning in January 2016.
R11.
MCWD hire permanent General Manager and District Engineer as
soon as possible to stabilize operations.
R12.
MCWD provide mandatory and ongoing training for all board
members, effective immediately.
R13.
MPWMD and MCWD keep abreast of new technology for conservation
and desalination and utilize such technology when economically feasible.
R14.
MCWD and MPWMD make all possible efforts to form an agreement
with the signers of the wastewater MOU with the goal of having such an agreement in place by the end of
2015.
RESPONSES
REQUIRED
Pursuant
to Penal Code Section 933.05, the Grand Jury requests a response as indicated
below from the following governing bodies:
Monterey
Peninsula Water Management District Board of Directors:
•
Findings F1 thru F6, F13, F14; Recommendations R1 thru 6, R13, R14
Marina
Coast Water District Board of Directors:
• Findings F7 thru F14; Recommendations R7 thru R14.
A GLASS HALF FULL? THE MONTEREY PENINSULA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND THE MARINA COAST WATER DISTRICT
June 5, 2015
(16 pages)
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