Avalon could go into Stage 2 water rationing in January if there is no rain, according to a Southern California Edison representative.
In Stage 2, businesses and homeowners would be placed on fixed rations of how many gallons of water they may use daily.
Ron Hite, who manages electricity, water and gas for Edison on Catalina Island, gave the City Council an update on the water situation Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The water level in the Thompson Reservoir is now 476 acre feet, Hite said.
Avalon could go into Stage 2 water rationing in January if there is no rain, according to a Southern California Edison representative.
In Stage 2, businesses and homeowners would be placed on fixed rations of how many gallons of water they may use daily.
Ron Hite, who manages electricity, water and gas for Edison on Catalina Island, gave the City Council an update on the water situation Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The water level in the Thompson Reservoir is now 476 acre feet, Hite said.
An acre foot is enough water to cover an acre of land 1 foot deep in water.
Hite said Stage 1 water restrictions begin when the water level drops below 600 acre feet.
In Stage 1, the uses of water are restricted. For example, restaurants will only serve water to customers if asked. The hours for watering lawns are regulated. There are rules for washing cars and boats.
He said Stage 2 water rationing begins at 300 acre feet. Fresh water from fire hydrants may only be used to fight fires.
Hite said the desalination plant is now online and generating about 200,000 gallons of water a day—or about 18 acre feet of water a month.
The water from the desalination plant does not go into the reservoir, but it offsets the use of the water from the reservoir.
Hite said that at the current consumption rate, assuming there is no rain, Avalon could go into Stage 2 rationing in January.
He said the desalination plant is running at capacity.
He said Edison was running the plant with ratepayer funds.
Hite said Edison was advertising tips for saving water and encouraged residents to follow those tips.
“We’re meeting the needs of the community today,” Hite said.
Mayor Bob Kennedy disagreed. He said the community’s needs are not being met when they are being asked to use less water. Kennedy said it was a management issue and asked to meet with Edison to discuss it.
Mayor Bob Kennedy suggested a hotline for reporting water use violations.
City Attorney Scott Campbell said the first time violation of the Avalon Municipal Code regulating water usage would be a $50 fine. He said a second offense within a year would be a misdemeanor.
Former Councilman Tim Winslow said if the Santa Catalina Island Company or another major company wants to build something, they should pay “a big chunk” of the cost of the water. Winslow urged the council to come up with a new formula for giving out building permits.
