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River water for Woodland; Davis, UC Davis could join up to use surface water
Woodland Daily Democrat -
October
25,
2007
By Lizeth Cazares
River water for Woodland; Davis, UC Davis could join up to use surface water
Woodland Daily Democrat – 10/26/07
By Lizeth Cazares, staff writer
With the majority of Woodland's ground water wells past their expected life range, city staff is making sure there will be plenty of water for its residents in the future.
On Tuesday night, during a special City Council session, staff informed the council of the benefits of becoming a part of the Davis-Woodland Water Supply Project.
Through a partnership between Woodland, Davis and UC Davis, the $300 million project would work to move high-quality surface water from the Sacramento River to augment water supply of the cities. By using surface water instead of ground water, city civil engineer Doug Baxter said the cities will have a clean and reliable source of water.
This is much needed, he said, because at least 14 of the city's wells are more than 30 years old and many have elevated nitrate and boron levels in the water. Additionally, the wells' pumping capacity is barely keeping up with the city's growing population.
"Over the past 20 years, the population has grown 44 percent and our pumping capacity has remained the same," said Baxter.
By using surface water, the city can keep water pressure up and lower boron, salinity and nitrate levels.
"We're trying to look at this in long term goals," said Baxter. "What's going to be better and less expensive for the city in the future."
Even if the city chooses not to go ahead with the program, Baxter said the city will end up paying hundreds of thousands for well repair and maintenance in the near future. And if nitrate and boron levels continue to increase, the city will also have to pay penalty fees from the state.
While it is going to be less expensive for the city to work on these water issues now, it won't be cheap.
Woodland is scheduled to pay for 52 percent of the total project and future maintenance, about $199 million by 2020. To pay for the cost, the city will have to raise water costs from $24 to between $40 and $50 per month.
Even with the added fee increase, however, the monthly costs for the city's water will be lower than many cities in the Central Valley and Bay Area.
"Not only do we have the cheapest water, but even with what's being projected, when we hit $48 to $50, we're still lower than the cities in the Bay Area," said Councilman Bill Marble.
The council agreed that there should be steps taken to make sure the city can provide quality water for its residents.
"We've had national publicity about our smell; we don't want national publicity about our water," said Marble, referring to the odor that plagued parts of Woodland in August and September.
But there were concerns expressed by other members.
Councilman Art Pimentel said he was concerned about the Davis City Council's position on the project. Baxter said the Woodland can participate in the surface water program without the support of Davis, but that it would be more expensive.
"This is something we can't put our fingers on in one night," said Mayor Dave Flory. "This will take a period of time to discuss, but it looks like something we seriously would support."
The staff will continue to inform the council on the project in later meetings.
Both Woodland and Davis city councils are expected to certify an Environmental Impact Report for the project by their Nov. 6 meeting. #
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_7278249
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