Teresa Barth’s letter to the editor in the North County Times on August 05 states that “…there has been a lot of misinformation regarding this issue [drought level 2 vs. level 1] …” And while I agree that there has been misinformation spread, I contend her letter has been one of the sources of misinformation.
When she writes “…A Level 2 condition applies when the County Water Authority notifies its member agencies that due to cutbacks caused by drought or other reductions in supplies, a consumer demand reduction of up to 20 percent is required …” she is simply not being honest with the public because the ordinance also states that a level 1 is what’s called for when a reduction of up to 10% is called for. The SDCWA (San Diego County Water Authority) is requesting an 8% consumer demand reduction for this next fiscal year. Both SDWD (San Dieguito Water District) and OMWD (Olievenhain Water District) Drought Ordinances say clearly that Level 1 is for consumer demand reductions of up to 10% and that Level 2 is for consumer demand reductions of up to 20%. Last time I checked, 8% was still less than 10% – thereby justifying a return to Level 1, but Ms. Barth conveniently ignores that portion of her own adopted guidelines.
Follow the money! If SDWD reduced its drought level to a level 1 it would have to reduce its water rates back down to Level 1 rates. In this tough economy, as a SDWD Board of Directors member I voted to reduce the drought level to a level1 because there has been no reduction in our allotment of water for next years, and to represent the citizens and businesses we serve, rather than protect the cash flow to the bureaucracy as Ms. Barth chose to. It’s simply wrong to punish our customers with higher rates, mandatory restrictions, and penalties when lower cost and less restrictive Level 1 can be justified.
All rational Californians understand that water supply is a long term challenge for the entire State. Pumping water hundreds of miles to San Diego from the Delta is not a smart or sustainable strategy, and we will need to continue to conserve as we develop alternative local supplies, such as drinking water from ocean desalination; A drought proof water supply alternative that Ms. Barth voted against securing for our water district customers.
In order to maintain trust with our customers, we need to be honest and transparent with them about our current supplies, lift restrictions, and lower water rates when the supply is available, as it is now. It’s a shame Councilwoman / Board Member Barth doesn’t subscribe to this open and honest philosophy. As a result, I fear that our customers will not believe us if we need to ask them to conserve more in the future. The SDWD customers did conserve water as asked; and now the water district should reciprocate by being honest about our water supply allocation, use restrictions, and drought water rates.
After all, if it turns out that more conservation is needed later, Level 2 ca be re-adopted at the next meeting.
Jerome Stocks
City Councilman, City of Encinitas
Former President, San Dieguito Water District
Comments 6
So the eastern half of Encinitas, which is served by OMWD, has lower water rates and fewer onerous restrictions on the people’s right to use water they pay for? Terrific. Barth just seems to be a mean and bitter control freak.
NC,
Let’s resort to calling people names.
Should we call Dalager a mean and bitter control freak? He voted the same way as Barth. How about the rest of the rostra bull pen who are not calling for a return to level 1 drought levels? Are the other districts poorly managing their water or are they run by control freaks?
Author
SDWD is 1 of only 3 water districts in the CWA to actually impose the level 2 water rates. Others waive the increased rates and are considering reducing the reduction demand to a level 1 as OMWD has done.
Jerome,
Oh, my mistake. Thanks for clarified those facts. Why haven’t you addressed Dalager, Bonds, and Houlihan? Didn’t they vote for level 2?
Councilman:
For benefit of those of us who live outside beautiful
Encinitas (and it is beautiful by the way), could you
define the differences between Level 1 and Level 2?
Please give us an idea of how a typical family of
your fine constituents is affected. Thank you.
Author
Hi Jim,
Follow this link for info on SDWD’s level 2 mandatory restrictions vs. Level 1 voluntary restrictions:
http://www.cityofencinitas.org/NR/rdonlyres/41971597-07A9-4C27-99A4-3D7FB4038323/0/5578_SDWD_drought_flyer_WEB.pdf
Residential water rates under level 2 are about 8% higher than normal under level 1. Also, the “Demand-offset fee” for a new residential water meter is $1,800 per unit under level 2 and $0 with level 1.