Should hotels have more water?

This week Avalon City Manager Dave Jinkens emailed Southern California Edison’s corporate offices to ask the utility company to provide water rationing waivers to businesses such as hotels. Edison had not replied by the Islander’s deadline.

The council also directed staff to provide non-drinking water in the city’s water trailer and give that water to residents.

This week Avalon City Manager Dave Jinkens emailed Southern California Edison’s corporate offices to ask the utility company to provide water rationing waivers to businesses such as hotels. Edison had not replied by the Islander’s deadline.

The council also directed staff to provide non-drinking water in the city’s water trailer and give that water to residents.

A specific date and location hasn’t been determined yet. Earlier this week, the City Council directed staff to seek waivers for essential businesses, and to ask Edison to revise its water rationing rules. The council directive was the conclusion of a staff update on continuing negotiations between the city and Edison representatives.

Edison and city staff agree on the outlines for releiving the impact of the drought, but not the details. City staff believes Avalon needs a 2 million gallon water tank to store drinking water. Edison wants the city to wait for a desalination expert to complete a study before determining the size and location of storage tanks.

Staff wants Edison to have the California Public Utilities Commssion change the drought regulations so the rules are based on the outpout of the two desalination plants on Catalina. Jeff Lawrence, an Edison senior project manager, said Edision has flexibility in setting the percentage of water rationing.