The state of California requires every water agency that serves over 3,000 customers submit a report called an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) in years ending in 5 and 0. In 2005, as the CCSD was completing its UWMP, we became a member of the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC). As a member of CUWCC, Cambria Community Services District has had access to a wide range of supportive and instructive resources in water planning and management, including excellent support in preparing its Urban Water Management Plan.
All members of CUWCC sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines fourteen best management practices (BMPs) for water conservation and efficiency. To date, more than 350 water agencies have become signatories. The Council also tracks the progress of implementing the BMPs and asks for reports every other year. The MOU and BMPs are not binding on the District, but since the point of CUWCC is to expedite and simplify improved water efficiency, not working toward the goals seems like a waste.
According to the reports available on the CUWCC website, the Cambria Community Services District is not on schedule to meet the targets as recommended for most of the BMPs, with a few not even started. For example, BMP 1 is to implement Water Survey Programs for Single-Family and Multi-Family Residential Customers. Home water surveys involve calculating water use, teaching you to read your water meter, surveying the irrigation system, and showing you simple ways to save water both in and outside the home. In San Fransisco, a survey is estimated to take about 45 minutes. To meet the goal that would keep them on track, the District would have had to complete 55 single family residential surveys and 1 multi-family survey( 1.5% of each). To date, they have completed none.
On the plus side, the District is meeting the goals for auditing and fixing system leaks, all accounts are metered, read and charged by volume measured and has one staff member (well, 50% of one) assigned as conservation coordinator (Cori Ryan). The next report is due April 2010.
As a member of CUWCC and a community already facing water supply emergencies and a moratorium, shouldn’t we be more focused on these best management practices? Instead, we’ll soon see the rebate programs end as more money is spent on desal lobbyists and attorneys defending against litigation caused by the programs of the Water Master Plan.
Being a member of CUWCC isn’t cheap. In March 2007, the District’s membership dues were 2,252.70. In 2008 we paid 2,335.90 in fees and $350 registration for a workshop/training conference attended by Cori Ryan. It’s no small fortune, but seems like a waste if we aren’t going to work on it. Does the Board support this membership, the MOU signed by the General Manager and the associated BMPs of the Council? Ms. Rudock is not required to get Board approval to join and sign the memorandum of understanding, but a supportive board could make funding the required programs and staff much easier. After all, the BMPs could all be considered policies – which are the domain of the Board.
Bottom line: Conservation and increased efficiency may not solve all our water woes here in Cambria, but they are the most cost-effective path toward a more reliable water supply for all CCSD customers and our visitors. The CUWCC is a resource that the District should take better advantage of for our community.
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Last 5 posts by Amanda Rice
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