This week the City Council unanimously directed the city manager to informally ask the state Public Utilities Commission for help with getting more cooperation from Southern California Edison on water storage and rationing.
The two entities part ways on the details of how to improve water storage and delivery.
For example, Avalon officials want Edison to build a 2 million gallon storage tank. Edison officials want to wait for the results of a desalination expert’s study, expected next month, before deciding on the size and location of the tank.
This week the City Council unanimously directed the city manager to informally ask the state Public Utilities Commission for help with getting more cooperation from Southern California Edison on water storage and rationing.
The two entities part ways on the details of how to improve water storage and delivery.
For example, Avalon officials want Edison to build a 2 million gallon storage tank. Edison officials want to wait for the results of a desalination expert’s study, expected next month, before deciding on the size and location of the tank.
City officials want water rationing rules changed to reflect the fact that Avalon has a desalination plant. Edison officials don’t believe a rule change is necessary because the company has flexibility in setting water rationing.
In related news, City Manager David Jinkens recently asked Edison to grant waivers to essential businesses like hotels.
Ryan Stevenson, of Edison’s Regulatory Affairs Department, told the council it would be inappropriate to grant waivers to a broad group of customers when there is a process in place for individual waivers.
The council also discussed bringing drinking water to Avalon, but the lowest price available for a bulk purchase from Vons is $1.32 a gallon. Staff is waiting for an estimate from the City of Long Beach.
