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Coachella Valley’s water issues require thorough planning now, editorial urges

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on April 5, 2008 at 7:44 am

From MyDesert.com, this commentary, written by Jim Smith, a public works director and engineer for the city of Indio and the Indio Water Authority:

Our aquifer [in the Coachella Valley] has been in this condition known as “overdraft” since the 1960s. This problem must be addressed immediately if we expect to meet the needs of the growing population of the Coachella Valley, and to maintain the kind of environment locally that residents, visitors, and business owners expect when they move here, vacation here or start a new business here.

The Coachella Valley cannot survive without a sustainable and safe water supply. Water managers and elected officials who are charged with ensuring the safety and sustainability of our local water supply need to get together and do the right thing. What we need is an integrated plan that addresses how and where best management practices are applied to recharge the aquifer, capture surface water, conserve resources and fully cooperate as equal partners on proven water principles.

Mr. Smith feels that what is desperately needed is “a comprehensive integrated water strategy that serves the needs of its residents and business owners now and well into the future,” and this:

The Coachella Valley Water District has failed to prioritize the long-term sustainability of the Valley’s water supply. CVWD’s approach has been short-sighted and narrow, offering Band-Aid solutions to problems that require more attention, commitment and responsibility. Years of using more water from the aquifer than is being put back in is a failed system that has compromised the Valley’s infrastructure and is causing parts of the Valley to sink. Ironically, the closer we get to a crisis, the closer we might get to a real solution.

Read the rest of this story from MyDesert.com by clicking here.

April 5, 2008 · Filed Under Coachella Valley, Other Water Agencies, Water Agency News (all)

Comments

One Response to “Coachella Valley’s water issues require thorough planning now, editorial urges”

  1. Edward Mugits on April 5th, 2008 12:16 pm

    Jeff, I would suggest you begin knocking on the doors of our Senator’s Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA)
    Get in line and Start grabbing some of that $3.4 Billion in appropriations money these two have access to assit your efforts.
    Here’s a snap shot:
    The Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Authorization ActThe bill would help seven Bay Area communities increase their municipal water supplies through innovative and much-needed water recycling projects.  These seven projects are estimated to make 12,205 acre-feet of non-drinking water available annually in the short term, and 37,600 acre-feet annually in the long term, all while reducing demand on the Delta and on existing water infrastructure.The following projects are included in the bill:  * Antioch Recycled Water Project (Delta Diablo Sanitation District, City of Antioch);  * North Coast County Water District Recycled Water Project (North Coast County Water District);  * Mountain View/Moffett Area Water Reuse Project (City of Palo Alto, City of Mountain View);  * Pittsburg Recycled Water Project (Delta Diablo Sanitation District, City of Pittsburg);  * Redwood City Recycled Water Project (City of Redwood);  * South Santa Clara County Recycled Water Project (Santa Clara Valley Water District, South County Regional Wastewater Authority); and  * South Bay Advanced Recycled Water Treatment Facility (Santa Clara Valley Water District, City of San Jose).Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Representative George Miller (D-Calif.), together with Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Mike Honda (D-Calif.), Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), Pete Stark (D-Calif.), and Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.).

    North Bay Water Reuse Program Act of 2007 This legislation would authorize the construction of pipelines to irrigate local vineyards with recycled water from five wastewater treatment facilities. And it would limit the federal cost-share for this phase of the project to $25 million or 25 percent of the total cost, whichever is less.

    I believe there’s still money left for those outside of the Bay area, L.A and San Diego, Speak up Jeff.

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