Avalon’s city manager and city attorney are expected to discuss fresh water issues today with state Public Utilities Commission officials in San Francisco. Southern California Edison and the city differ on several issues, such as how much water storage is needed. City staff also believes the local drought has been aggravated by rationing rules that are tied to the Middle Ranch Reservoir and predate the desalination plant.
Avalon’s city manager and city attorney are expected to discuss fresh water issues today with state Public Utilities Commission officials in San Francisco. Southern California Edison and the city differ on several issues, such as how much water storage is needed. City staff also believes the local drought has been aggravated by rationing rules that are tied to the Middle Ranch Reservoir and predate the desalination plant. However, Edison representatives argue that the city’s water projections are based on both desal units operating at 100 percent capacity. In other water news:
• According to Edison, the reservoir now holds 123 acre feet of water. The measurement was taken before Thanksgiving and before last weekend’s rains. The previous measure was 121 acre feet.
• The City Council recently discussed bringing water to the island, but the cost has tabled that discussion.
• Public Works crews have reseeded the cemetery, which has been damaged by the drought. The city will use a combination of its fresh water allocation and non-drinking water that the Santa Catalina Island Company recently gave to Avalon.
• The council also considered giving away non-drinking water, but Edison claims water rights on water under city land. The city attorney recently sent the council a confidential memo on the matter.
