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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-10; Ad Hoc - Water Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: WATER COMMISSION DATE OF MEmNG: TIME OF MEETING: 1:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: November 10,1993 (Regular Meeting) 5950 El Camino Real CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Henley called the Meeting to order at 1 :07 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Commissioner Melideo. Commissioners Henley, Kubota, Louis and Maerkle PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Commissioner Louis. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None. * OLD BUSINESS: 101 0-01 The Desian to Line and Cover the Maerkle Reservoir Facilities (aka Squires Reservoir) Bob Greaney stated that Mr. Coates would detail the information contained in the Commission packet. The Consultant will review the recommendations made by John Powell & Associates, Inc. Bob Coates stated that at the time of the 10 percent design report to the Commission on July 28, 1993, certain concerns were expressed by the Commissioners. These were: Do we really need to do this project; what was on record from the State Health Department on the need for the covering; the question of using alternatives--such as pressure filters or other types of filtration; and the liner of asphalt versus concrete. Mr. Coates referred to his letter dated August 4, 1993, to Ms. Toby Roy, District Engineer, Department of Health Services, asking for information about a possible exemption. Ms. Roy answered this letter September 8, 1993, and supplied information about how to comply with the regulations. After this letter was received, staff asked John Powell & Associates to investigate filtration methods versus liner as to costs and to look at asphalt versus concrete as the liner. Commissioner Louis stated he did not feel that the letter from Ms. Roy had specifically said that an exemption was not possible, if Carlsbad complied with the sampling procedures. Commissioner Kubota stated he shared Mr. Louis’ view of Ms. Roy’s letter. He said there is nothing in the letter that says Carlsbad doesn’t have the option to pursue whatever is necessary to meet the requirements. November 10, 1993 WATER COMMISSION Page 2 OLD BUSINESS: (Continued) Commission discussion determined that the Commissioners would like to have Ms. Roy invited to a Commission meeting to answer the questions in person. Mr. Greaney stated that this project has gone through several stages; first, the decision was made to line and cover the reservoir many years ago. The first phase involved the construction of the ten million gallon concrete storage reservoir. The reservoir was constructed in a way that two five million gallon compartments can be run. The second phase was the pump facilities and the third was the actual lining and covering. Rusty Powell, President of John Powell & Associates, Inc., stated their firm had been retained to design the cover for this reservoir. He said Commissioner Kubota is correct in the statement that the Health Department does not close the door on exemption from filtration, but there are some big 'if's'. Some of the things they want you to prove may be impossible. To seek an exemption would require careful evaluation with the Health Department to see which techniques they would allow. Mr. Powell said that the cost to comply with what the State would require could be significant. Mr. Powell reviewed the problem of filtration versus liner, and explained how the water would go through the treatment plant and the treatment process. He also explained the different types of filters and concluded that portion of his presentation stating that the cost would be 25 to 27 million dollars, more than covering and lining option. Mr. Powell discussed the concrete versus asphalt liner, stating that their original recommendation for an asphalt liner was based on the fact that a porous asphalt liner would give a smooth surface for the cover to rest on, and the cleaning of the reservoir would be much easier. Concrete could be used, but with concrete an under drain system must be installed to eliminate the build up of pressure. The life of a concrete liner would be 30 to 40 years, while the asphalt would have a shorter time of 20 to 30 years. However, the asphalt liner would require no sub-drain, as it doesn't keep water from passing through. The main purpose of the liner is to provide a smooth surface to place the cover on and for cleaning. The concrete cost would be about 2.7 million dollars. The asphalt liner would cost less than one million dollars. In reply to query regarding whether the reservoir could be covered and not lined, Mr. Powell stated that was discussed and considering the rough nature of the rock there, they did not feel that would be feasible. Commissioners Maerkle and Kubota stated they were not aware of any rock there. Mr. Powell stated that some re-configuring of the reservoir would be necessary, and to do that would require some blasting. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Maerkle, the Water Commission directed staff to put this matter on hold and to write a letter to Toby Roy and invite her to come here to attend a meeting. AVES: Henley, Kubota, Louis and Maerkle Mr. Greaney stated that the Water Authorii had a break in the aqueduct the beginning of November west of Lake Hodges. Carlsbad does not have a ten-day storage available now. November 10, 1993 WATER COMMISSION Page 3 Mr. Jim MeRon, Liaison to the Carlsbad Water District from the Water Authority, stated that a week ago Friday, around midnight, there were pressure losses and it took two hours to find the break point. This break was a mile or two west of Lake Hodges by Del Dios Highway. There was a 36 acre feet of water loss. The replacement pipe has been delivered and will be replaced today or tomorrow. They expect to be back in service Saturday or Sunday. Commissioner Kubota stated he would like more information on the water emergency supplies. Commissioner Kubota left the meeting at 2:14 p.m. Chairman Henley declared a recess at 2:14 p.m., and the Commission re-convened at 2% p.m., with three Members present and Commissioners Kubota and Melideo absent. WATER COMMISSION: Report on Presidents & Manaaers Meeting Commissioner Maerkle stated there was no meeting due to a fire at Stoneridge. Report on ACWA Conference Commissioner Maerkle reported on the ACWA Conference, stating that the Conference was well-attended. ACWA is revising its committees to reduce them to only eight, with a total of about twenty-five members on all the committees. Report on WateReuse Conference Commissioner Louis reported on the Conference, stating that filtration was discussed, and this was more the reuse of treated sewage rather than raw water. ReDort on AWA Conference Commissioner Louis reported that this Conference was about water reuse rather than surface water use. Water reuse was discussed as the salvation for California. He commented that this was a good meeting, held in Reno, but the attendance was down from the usual number. GENERAL MANAGER REPORTS: Report on California Water Policv 111 Conference Bob Greaney reported on the Conference, stating the issue discussed related to the water quality situation in the Delta and getting water from northern California. He said his opinion was that there will be no water sharing among the environmental, agricultural and municipal interests until a crisis occurs. November 10, 1993 WATER COMMISSION Page 4 Water Authoritv Meeting Mr. Greaney continued his reports, stating the discussion at this meeting today was about changing the rate structures and how to finance the improvement program. Three different rate structures are being considered; one would be a ready-to-serve charge on each agency. A second charge would be to finance the capital program with a capacity acquisition charge that would require growth to pay its own way. Each agency would be charged $1,000 per acre foot for additional water over and above the base year. The increase due to growth would be charged on a per acre foot basis for the additional water. For example, Carlsbad uses 17,000 acre feet, and if the next year showed 18,000, this additional 1,000 acre feet would be billed at $1,000 per acre foot. One problem with this structure would be if an agency experienced a Santa Ana and used more water, Metropolitan would look for the capactty acquisition charge and the agency would have no money to pay, because the increase in water usage was due to weather, not growth. A third charge would be a treated peaking charge, to limit the amount of peaking that agencies do off of the aqueduct. The aqueduct is at capacity now and the Water Authority can't afford to be running any more water through the pipe. Mr. Greaney said the Water Authority wants the details first and then the new law, and would like Metropolitan to delay this for one year. General Mananers Meeting At this meeting, the Department of Health Services was verbally supportive of an interesting concept called direct reuse of reclaimed water. There is a reclamation water facility being constructed in San Diego near the 1-5 and 805 split, with the possibility of taking reclaimed water to advanced treatment and discharging it to the San Vincente Reservoir. It would stay there six months and then be withdrawn and treated and used for drinking water. The concern is how involved the Water Authority will become. Mr. Greaney stated he had received a telephone call from Mr. Beauchamp, who has a concern about the present policy of the City sewer charge made on apartments whether or not they are occupied. He said there is about a 33 percent vacancy rate and the sewer charge has to be paid on the number of units, including those not occupied. Mr. Greaney stated he will place this item on the agenda and invite Mr. Beauchamp to attend the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Maerkle, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held August 25, 1993, were approved as presented. AYES: Henley, Louis and Maerkle ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of November 10, 1993, was adjourned at 3:06 p.m. Minutes Clerk