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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-11; Water Commission Ad Hoc; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: WATER COMMISSION (Regular Meeting) DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: 2:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: September 11, 1996 5950 El Camino Real CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Maerkle called the Meeting to order at 2:07 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Cap, Henley, Louis and Maerkle Commissioner Kubota arrived at 3:40 p.m. Absent: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Commissioner Cap. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: There were no requests to address the Commission. NEW BUSINESS: 1. IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT PRESENTATION BY SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY Patricia Tennyson, Director of Public Affairs, San Diego County Water Authority, gave a report on the Imperial Irrigation District water transfer program they are involved in at this time. She stated that 90 percent of the water for San Diego County is imported from various sources outside of the county, and the water demand is projected to increase 50 percent over the next 20 years. Ms. Tennyson stated that the problem is where to get a water supply. The entitlements on the Colorado River are such that soon Metropolitan’s aqueduct will have a “big hole” in terms of available capacity to transfer additional water from IID. Other states are taking their cntitlements and the Secretary of the Interior has declared a surplus of water. Nevada has 300,000 acre feet; Arizona has 2,800,000 acre feet and California, 4,400,000 acre feet. Ms. Tennyson stated that there must be a long-term reliable water resource. There is the emergency storage project, which is proceeding on track, but there is a need to diversify the water sources. She said the real question is how can the water resources be best diversified for a better mix. September 11, 1996 WATER COMMISSION Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Ms. Tennyson stated that 90 percent of the water for the County comes from Metropolitan, and the County Water Authority would like to become like most of Metropolitan’s customers, and only get 60 percent from Metropolitan, by using water transfers and local water supplies for the remainder. She said that Metropolitan will always be a part of the water supply for the County. Ms. Tennyson reviewed the draft terms, stating this is not an agreement with IID. There will be public review of these terms, as they want people to comment on this proposal. She stressed that the public review period will be at least 60 days, but will continue as long as necessary to get as much input as possible. Ms. Tennyson stated that the County would contract for 100,000 acre feet from IID, with the first right of refusal up to 500,000 acre feet. She said that IID would not have all that water available, but this would begin in 1999, at 20,000 acre feet per year, and in ten years would increase up to the 200,000 acre feet of water. IID would have no requirement for retirement of any farm land, but would institute a program of conservation for its customers. She said that IID would retain its water rights, and the Authority would go to the Federal Government to get delivery of water to them. Ms. Tennyson said the initial price (excluding transportation costs) would be $200/AF in 1999 and increase to $306/AF in 2008. At the end of the ten year period, the cost would be reviewed to determine what the market price for water was at that time. Then, the price for the next ten years would be negotiated. Ms. Tennyson said they expect to use the Colorado Aqueduct; however, Metropolitan has no wheeling price at this time. By November, the County should know the wheeling price. She said the County feels that $75 per acre foot is adequate to bring water through the aqueduct, and has capped the transportation costs at that price. She said that the $200 plus the $75, would result in a cost of $275 per acre foot. Metropolitan has projected a cost of $355, and the County feels the cost from IID would result in a stabilizing factor for water costs in the region. At the end of the ten years, they would be slightly under Metropolitan’s costs at that time. Ms. Tennyson stated that the Water Board needs to make an investment decision. Over 25 years, they will spend eight billion dollars for water, and need to decide where to spend it-whether to spend all of it with Metropolitan or some with Metropolitan and some with other water suppliers, such as IID. She said they have been making presentations throughout the County at meetings of all types, and have information available at libraries. They want everyone to have the information and make comments. September 11, 1996 WATER COMMISSION Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Ms. Tennyson explained that it costs more now to purchase water from MWD than it would from IID. Mr. Plummer stated that the Carlsbad Water District purchases treated water only from Metropolitan, and if raw water was received, there would have to be a treatment plant. Ms. Tennyson explained the water exchange and purchase commitment program, stating that this would make southern California’s water supply more plentiful and reliable. She said that the Authority is Metropolitan’s largest customer, and this program proposes that each member agency commit to purchase water from MWD every year, giving them a firm financial base. The Agencies could buy more water, but would pay a supplemental charge. Each agency could then use a pro-rata share of the idle capacity in MWD’s delivery system to make water exchanges. At the present time, half of MWD’s system is idle. She said that using that idle water delivery capacity makes good sense both economically and as far as resource management. Ms. Tennyson stated that there may be a recommendation on the IID proposal by the end of this year, but nothing will happen until next year, at the earliest. Vice Chairman Maerkle declared a recess at 2:57 p.m., and the Commission re- convened at 3:07 p.m., with four Members present and Commissioner Kubota absent. NEW BUSINESS: (Continued 2. AB-09.01 - UPdate on Desalination Pilot Plant District Engineer Bill Plummer gave an update on the desalination pilot plant, giving the background for the capacitive deionization process developed by the Laurence Livermore National Laboratory. Mr. Plummer explained the process, using aerogel, that produces a brittle carbon paper that is very durable, and the water flows over its surface. He said there is a tremendous surface area of this paper, and a three inch square has the same surface area as a football field. Mr. Plummer stated that Carlsbad’s involvement at this time is to have a demonstration model to use here to see how it would work on the ground water available. He said the District would like to work through Encina to test this equipment, with a model that could be transported down here from LLNL. September 11, 1996 WATER COMMISSION Page 4 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Mr. Plummer stated that a consortium incorporating Carlsbad had requested an exclusive license, but Livermore is unwilling to give that to any organization. Mr. Plummer showed the features of the system and stated it only takes 10 to 20 psi for the process. At the present time, Livermore is using only distilled water combined with sodium and chloride and Mr. Plummer stated there needs to be a pilot plant to field test the process. He said the District asked to bring the equipment down to Carlsbad to use it one month. This would be mounted on a 40-foot trailer and placed at the Encina Plant. He said our people would have to be trained in the operation of the equipment and an elevated holding tank may have to be constructed to maintain an even flow of water to the unit. Livermore has stated a cost of $41,000 and it would cost approximately $8,000 to $9,000 to develop a testing program and monitoring. He said the total cost would be approximately $50,000 to $70,000. He said Carlsbad agreed to the budget of $41,000 and is preparing an agreement for approval by the City Council; and also got approval for financial assistance from the County Water Authority of $33,000, so $20,000 to $30,000 would be needed. Commissioner Kubota arrived at 4:40 p.m., and assumed the Chair for the remainder of the meeting. In response to query regarding a full-sized plant, Mr. Plurnmer stated that a 200,000 gallon per day pilot plant would cost between three to five million dollars, and a larger plant would be an additional cost. Mr. Plummer said that the equipment has not been tested with “real” water, and if that works, then they would proceed with the program to pursue a larger capacity unit. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Louis, the Water Commission approved recommending to the District Water Board the concept and proposal for testing the Livermore equipment. AYES: Kubota, Cap, Henley, Louis and Maerkle Chairman Kubota stated that this is the fundamental heart of the goal to have a local water source. WATER COMMISSION: Presidents and Managers Meeting Commissioner Maerkle stated he had no report. * September 11, 1996 WATER COMMISSION Page 5 WATER COMMISSION: (Continued) WARAC Chairman Kubota stated that the second Wednesday of the month does have a conflict as far as attending this Commission meeting, but the fourth Wednesday does not. Chairman Kubota stated the WARAC meeting has not been held at this time. He stated that the Water Authority asked for volunteers, and Commissioner Louis and Commissioner Kubota will represent the City at a scoping and briefing meeting on Thursday, September 19, at the Senior Center. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Maerkle, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held July 24, 1996, were approved as presented. -' AYES. Kubota, Cap, Henley, Louis and Maerkle ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of September 11, 1996, was adjourned at 4:lO p.m. arriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk