|
Corte Madera, CA February 2011 | |
The Inside Source is produced by Marin Municipal Water District to inform local decisionmakers and opinion leaders on issues affecting Marin's water, people, and environment.
|
|
| MMWD Board of Directors |
Jack Gibson
President
Cynthia Koehler
Vice President
David Behar
Armando Quintero Larry Russell
Regular meetings of the MMWD Board of Directors are held at 7:30 pm the first and third Wednesday of every month in the District Board Room, 220 Nellen Avenue, Corte Madera. Special meetings are scheduled as needed. All board meetings are open to the public. (415) 945-1450
|
Public Meetings
| |
Wed., Mar. 2, 7:30 pm
BOARD MEETING
Board Room
Wed., Mar. 16, 7:30 pm
BOARD MEETING
Board Room
|
|
|
|
RESERVOIRS REACH 100 PERCENT CAPACITY FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WINTER |
MMWD's seven reservoirs reached 100-percent capacity on December 29, 2010 and did so again on February 17, 2011 after dropping to 99.5 percent capacity in the intervening seven weeks. Although we had unusually dry and warm weather during that period, water consumption did not exceed normal winter use figures. The average reservoir level for February 17 is 85 percent of capacity. Total combined capacity of the district's reservoirs is 79,566 acre-feet.*
As of today, year-to-date rainfall (since July 1, 2010) as measured at Lake Lagunitas was 41.58 inches. Last year on this date we had 39.13 inches; average is 39.41 inches.
Current water use and reservoir figures can be found on the homepage of our website.
*One acre-foot is 325,851 gallons.
|
| BOARD TO CONSIDER ISSUING 4-PERCENT RATE INCREASE NOTICE AT MARCH 2ND MEETING | |
At the March 2nd meeting of the MMWD Board of Directors the board will consider issuing a notice to customers of a proposal for a 4-percent rate increase this spring. If the board moves forward with the notice, a vote on the proposal will be held at a special public hearing on April 27 and the new rates would become effective for meter readings taken on or after May 1, 2011.
The district has made budget cuts in each of the last two fiscal years (4.9 percent and 16.6 percent, respectively) by reducing personnel costs, buying less water, reducing capital spending and reducing spending in all departments including conservation, watershed management and operations and maintenance. Even so, many costs are fixed and other costs will increase when the new fiscal year starts on July 1, 2011. In addition, the district can no longer tap into reserves to help cover costs. Since 2006 we have been spending down our reserves to minimize the impact of higher costs on water rates; however, our reserves are now at a minimum level.
If the rate increase proposal moves forward, this will be MMWD's 7th rate increase in the 18 years since tiered rates were first adopted. Even with the current rate increase proposal taken into consideration, MMWD's rates are below what they would have been if the district had raised rates annually to keep up with the Bay Area CPI (consumer price index).
|
|
|
| WIDE RANGE OF WATER RATE INCREASES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA |
MMWD is not alone in considering a rate increase this year. The majority of water providers in the Bay Area and other parts of northern California have announced rate increases this year. Revenues have been down uniformly due to the poor economic conditions and reduced water use by consumers. Proposed rate increases vary widely, however, depending on local circumstances. On the low side, Contra Costa Water District has announced a rate increase this year of 2.5 percent. On the high side, residents of Sacramento are facing a 40-percent increase and residents of Marysville, outside Sacramento, are facing a 45-percent increase. Closer to home, rates in San Francisco are going up 13 percent.
|
|
WATER RATE TASK FORCE CONVENING IN MARCH |
This spring a new task force of MMWD customers representing various geographic areas and customer categories will begin the process of reviewing the district's current financial challenges with a particular emphasis on water rates. The task force will be looking at revenues from the fixed service charge compared to water sales with the goal of securing a more consistent base revenue stream. Another goal is to evaluate the current rate structure to make sure it allocates costs fairly and accurately across all customer categories. In addition to working with the task force, the district solicit input on this topic from the community at large later this year.
MMWD has had two previous water rate task forces (2002 and 1993) and the assistance each group provided was invaluable. In both cases the recommendations helped the district create rate structures that accurately reflected the district's policies and values while securing the revenue necessary to fund operations.
|
|
AGENCY STAFF AND LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS LEARN ABOUT MMWD'S NEW WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE |
This month approximately 60 agency staff members and landscape professionals attended workshops presented by MMWD on the district's new conservation requirements. The new code ensures that the district is in compliance with the state-mandated California Green Building Standards (CALGreen) that went into effect January 1. The updates also streamline the district's water waste prevention program to conserve water and reduce polluted runoff that can harm local creeks and the Bay.
Among the changes are updates to the district's plan review requirements for new and rehabilitated landscapes. Click here for more information about the requirements.
|
| 8TH ANNUAL WATER CONSERVATION SHOWCASE MARCH 22 |
The 8th Annual Water Conservation Showcase is taking place Tuesday, March 22 at the Pacific Energy Center, 851 Howard Street, San Francisco. This all-day event is being presented by the U.S. Green Building Council - Northern California Chapter in partnership with PG&E and East Bay Municipal Utility District.
This free event is an opportunity to hear from the experts on the latest water conservation issues and technologies, with a particular focus on the built environment and northern California. Exhibitors will display innovative technologies and products, while government agencies and nonprofits will provide information about programs and services. The showcase is attended by thousands of professionals and key decision makers, including architects, brokers, contractors, developers, engineers, energy and sustainability experts, and representatives from government agencies, non-profits, planning departments, product manufacturers, professional associations, utility districts and more. Learn more and register at www.usgbc-ncc.org/wcs
|
| MORE INFORMATION FROM MMWD |
Visit our website at www.marinwater.org where we post information about upcoming meetings and events, including conservation workshops and volunteer events on the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed. The March/April issue of our customer newsletter, On the Water Front, is now available online.
Our blog also is a good source of the latest MMWD news and features a popular weekly post especially for gardeners. MMWD Conservation Specialist Charlene Burgi, a trained landscape architect and former nursery owner, shares her own perspective on water-efficient gardening on the blog every Friday. Facebook users can also connect with MMWD on Facebook.
|
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
| We welcome your comments and need your help raising awareness about water in Marin. Please share this information with your members and constituents. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
