Representatives of Southern California Edison, which owns the local water utility, told the Avalon City Council on Tuesday that recent rains had slightly increased the supply of water in the Middle Ranch Reservoir.
The water level is now 523.88 acre feet, according to Edison’s Luke Shaner. He said water usage this year was 13 percent higher than last year.
Frank Beach, Edison’s utility services manager, said Edison was going to increase water enforcement patrols and issue written warnings. Council Member Pam Albers expressed concern that Avalon drew 170 acre feet this year.
Albers expressed concern that Avalon could be looking at Stage 2 water rationing in late 2019. Avalon has been in Stage 1 mandatory conservation since March 2017, according to the city’s website.
One resident asked what was the point of conserving water if the water bills are increased because of conservation. Albers said the council would discuss that at the next meeting. (She said Edison has not yet filed a request to increase water rates.)
