In an effort consistent with its long history of community support, and with a goal to ease the ongoing burden of water rationing, the Santa Catalina Island Company recently announced an agreement with Southern California Edison to make non-potable irrigation water from the Island Company’s golf course well available to island residents free of charge.
In an effort consistent with its long history of community support, and with a goal to ease the ongoing burden of water rationing, the Santa Catalina Island Company recently announced an agreement with Southern California Edison to make non-potable irrigation water from the Island Company’s golf course well available to island residents free of charge.
As part of this new agreement, the Island Company will pay a fee to Southern California Edison to pump this water for residents to use for watering plants and other routine needs that have become increasingly neglected due to severe drought conditions. “We hope that residents will be able to save even more valuable drinking water by using this free non-potable water to make Avalon a little greener and their patios and golf carts a little cleaner,” said Randy Herrel, Island Company CEO.
The Avalon City Planning Commission has approved a water transfer station, which the Island Company will build and staff at its own expense. Starting Saturday, Nov. 12, residents will be able to pick up water at Pebbly Beach Building Supply, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. A daily limit of 1,600 gallons per user will be applied and there will be a small fee for large users.
Everyone will be responsible for transporting their own containers of water. While generally safe for plants and various cleaning purposes, residents are warned not to use this water for drinking, cooking, bathing or any other activity that might result in its ingestion. Those wishing to take advantage of the Island Company’s Free Water Program must first fill out a waiver releasing Southern California Edison and the Island Company from all liability.
There are also plans to use this water to help the Catalina Island Conservancy provide much needed relief to the island’s bison. However, while tests show the water to be generally safe for large animals, residents should not give it to their pets.
