“A man’s life is his own. His water belongs to the tribe.”
—Frank Herbert, “Dune”
Strict water rationing may begin in July, according to a Southern California Edison representative.
When Stage 2 water rationing begins, residents and business owners will be required to reduce their water usage by 25 percent, based on the water they used from June 2012 to May 2013.
Residents will receive their water allotments in their monthly bills.
“A man’s life is his own. His water belongs to the tribe.”
—Frank Herbert, “Dune”
Strict water rationing may begin in July, according to a Southern California Edison representative.
When Stage 2 water rationing begins, residents and business owners will be required to reduce their water usage by 25 percent, based on the water they used from June 2012 to May 2013.
Residents will receive their water allotments in their monthly bills.
The California Public Utilities Commission established the restrictions.
Hilda Delgado, Southern California Edison’s Regional Public Affairs spokeswoman, described the start date of Stage 2 water rationing as a moving target.
“We’re dealing with natural resources,” Delgado said.
Edison representatives recently told the Avalon City Council that Stage 2 rationing would probably start in mid-June, but Delgado said that water level projections now indicate that Stage 2 might start in late June or early July.
Delgado said that was why Edison was going to have an educational campaign, so businesses and customers are aware of the need to be water-wise.
In related news, Mayor Annie Marshall has volunteered to have a water flow restriction device installed in her home.
Delgado also said that Edison will now begin enforcing the water restrictions that have been in place since Stage 1 water limits were activated last year, when the Thompson Reservoir water level sank to 600 acre feet.
As of Thursday, April 24, 2014, the Thompson Reservoir measured 377 acre feet. This was a 2-acre foot decrease from the previous week. The PUC has mandated that Avalon begin Stage 2 water rationing when the water level reaches 300 acre feet.
At a recent City Council meeting, Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Wayne Griffin questioned the use of the reservoir’s water level as the basis for rationing.
Griffin said Avalon doesn’t draw water from the Thompson Reservoir.
Delgado described the water measuring system. “The wells at Middle Ranch do not draw directly from the reservoir,” she said.
“This is a standard system used by many water utilities and eliminates the need to have the water source covered for protection from natural contaminants,” she said.
According to Delgado, Edison draws water from 70 feet below the surface. The groundwater is hydraulically connected to the reservoir.
She said the reservoir’s water level responds to the groundwater extractions.
“Based on this information, the Middle Ranch reservoir does serve as an adequate gauge for our schedule 14.1 stage Mandatory Water Rationing as it does provide an accurate measurement of our available water supply,” Delgado said.
She said that during the summer, the Catalina Island desalination plant provides 85 to 90 percent of Avalon’s drinking water.
“During our summer peak season when water consumption increases substantially, the desalination plant provides approximately 25 percent of Avalon’s potable water,” Delgado said.
When Stage 2 rationing begins, the state of California mandates that Edison strictly enforce a 25-percent reduction in everyone’s water usage.
The first offense will result in a written warning on the customer’s bill. On the second offense, Edison will install a flow-restriction device that will be removed after three days and the customer has paid a $200 fee. On the third offense, Edison will re-install the water restriction device and leave it there until water rationing is over.
Delgado said Mayor Marshall volunteered to have a water restriction device installed at her home as a test.
Marshall confirmed Delgado’s information.
“I want to see what the community might have to face,” Marshall said. She also said that she hoped the community would not have to face Stage 2 rationing.