The rate-hike dance which the Santa Clara Valley Water District
has perfected has to stop. There are better ways to handle the
challenge of conservation and supply which don’t involve hand
wringing and a rate increase on a clockwork six-month schedule.
1. Expanding the distribution lines for recycled water would make sense
The rate-hike dance which the Santa Clara Valley Water District has perfected has to stop. There are better ways to handle the challenge of conservation and supply which don’t involve hand wringing and a rate increase on a clockwork six-month schedule.
For starters here in Gilroy, the water district should work with the city to expand the distribution lines for recycled water that is tertiary treated. There are millions of gallons that could be used from our sewer plant, but aren’t because of a weak distribution system. That’s a waste.
2. The water district needs to look to its own budget and cut 15%
Currently, both the Eagle Ridge and Gilroy Municipal golf courses are irrigated with recycled water.
Cutting agency costs is the second item on the list. SCVWD salaries and benefits are the most generous of any public agency in the county, and that’s saying quite a bit. Cut 15 percent from the budget, decline to ask for a rate increase for at least two years and go to work re-investing that savings in promoting water-savings programs. Hey, Noah, what’s needed is a consistent advertising message coupled with an effective rebate program for homeowners, contractors and public agencies.
Third, there’s the issue of local storage. In the Ripley’s believe it or not category, the fact is that the SCVWD has water stored in Bakersfield.
3. It’s unfathomable but true – the SCVWD has water in Bakersfield
The cost just to deliver that water must be astronomical, but it again brings up the question of local storage. The county simply doesn’t have enough. Yet for decades the water district has planned and mapped and studied multiple locations for another reservoir, but nothing – except spending money on planning – gets done.
Of course, that’s a huge undertaking which takes leadership and vision. It’s a lot easier to shout the familiar refrain, “There’s not enough water,” and hike the rates than it is to widen distribution lines, build a reservoir or hold the line on costs.
Yet, the people keep electing the same comfortable politicians to the water board and that’s shame. If it keeps up, water costs will rapidly escalate and the broader issues will never be addressed.
