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Joint water project still on tap; Tehama Colusa Canal possible alternative to Sacramento River
Woodland Daily Democrat -
November
07,
2007
By Lizeth Cazares
Joint water project still on tap; Tehama Colusa Canal possible alternative to Sacramento River
Woodland Daily Democrat – 11/8/07
By Lizeth Cazares, staff writer
As the multi-million Davis-Woodland Water Supply Project is being reviewed by both cities, the Woodland City Council is making sure that all options are open to ensure the city has a reliable water supply.
On Tuesday night's City Council meeting, the councilmen received the project's Final Environmental Impact Report by city staff and voted to continue working on acquiring its water rights.
The $300 million project will help provide Woodland, Davis and UC Davis with a reliable source of water from the Sacramento River. This is a much needed expenditure since many of the city's wells are aged and have high levels of nitrogen and boron.
But before council could discuss the project or the report's findings, Jeff Sutton, executive director for the Tehama Colusa Canal, spoke to the council about using the Tehama Colusa Canal as a less expensive resource for surface water.
The canal currently runs to Dunnigan and provides irrigation and drinking water to farmers near the area. Sutton suggested to extend the canal to Woodland and use the surface water from the canal instead of piping it directly from the Sacramento River.
"This is a real opportunity to save Woodland, Davis and UC Davis a fair amount of money," he said.
Several councilmen were interested in Sutton's suggestion, especially since it would save the city in infrustructure costs. There were also some doubts whether agreeing to the water supply project would prohibit the city from using the canal as an alternative.
Councilman Jeff Monroe was concerned that once the council agreed to the water supply project the city wouldn't be able to use the canal, even if it becomes a better source for surface water.
Project staff reassured the council that if the canal becomes a more viable alternative the city will have an opportunity to acquire water rights from it. They also told the council it was important for them to pass the resolution at the meeting.
The council unanimously voted for it and to pursue further action to develop the water supply project.
While the council agreed to pursue the project, there was also a consensus to look at alternative water sources.
"We still have to look at these options," Vice Mayor Skip Davies said. #
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_7405239
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