Avalon staff is expected to bring the City Council specific proposals and costs for relieving drought conditions here, probably on Oct. 18, according to City Manager David Jinkens. Staff is expected to propose four specific actions.
The council discussed several possible options this week.
Avalon staff is expected to bring the City Council specific proposals and costs for relieving drought conditions here, probably on Oct. 18, according to City Manager David Jinkens. Staff is expected to propose four specific actions.
The council discussed several possible options this week.
But those plans could take a year or more to implement. Councilman Joe Sampson wants the city to consider having water shipped to the island and distributed free to residents to provide immediate relief. Sampson said some water allocations are down to 15 to 20 gallons a day. Sampson predicts Avalon would be in Stage 4 (75 percent water use reduction) in six months. He isn’t sure Edison is fully committed to what the city wants to do.
Sampson also wants a long-term solution so Avalon isn’t in the same position 30 years from now.
Residents who spoke to the council also called for immediate relief.
This week, City Attorney Scott Campbell presented the city’s proposals for addressing the water problem: dig another salt water well for the desalination plant (the existing well isn’t enough); build a 2 million gallon storage tank on Pebbly Beach Road and, ask the state to change the rules for water rationing on Catalina Island.
According to both Campbell and Jinkens, the Avalon water shortage is essentially artificial because water restrictions are based on the level of water in the Thompson Reservoir. The reservoir measured 135 acre feet as of last Thursday. But Avalon gets most of its water from the two desalination units. According to Campbell, if the two desalination units were converting seawater at the same time, there would be enough water to meet Avalon’s needs.
But according to Jeff Lawrence, senior project manager for Edison, changing the water restrictions would be a long-term goal.
Lawrence said Avalon staff’s projections of desalination production were based on both units running at 100 percent capacity at the same time.
Lawrence said Edison is waiting for a report from an expert in desalination before determining what size water tank should be built on Catalina and where it should be placed.
Avalon and Edison officials have agreed to apply jointly for grant money for water improvement projects rather than compete for a particular pool of grant funds. Edison would be free to seek grant money Avalon has not applied for.
Campbell said staff is confident there is grant money available from the state.
Recently, federal grant money for water projects has also become available.
Edison and the city agree on the need for another saltwater well for the desalination plant.
Campbell also brought up the subject of connecting Hamilton Cove to the desalination plant. Hamilton Cove draws its water directly from Thompson Reservoir. However, he said that would cost “millions.”
If money becomes available, the city will look at that option.
