Corte Madera, CA February 2015

The Inside Source is produced by Marin Municipal Water District to inform local decision makers and opinion leaders on issues affecting Marin's water, people, and environment.

Features

Capital Projects Enhance Water Reliablity

Latest Annual Financial Reports Available

Spread the Word

MMWD Board of Directors

Jack Gibson

President

Cynthia Koehler

Vice President

Larry Bragman
Armando Quintero
Larry Russell

Regular meetings of the MMWD Board of Directors are held at 7:30 pm the first and third Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noticed in the District Board Room, 220 Nellen Avenue, Corte Madera. Additional meetings are scheduled as needed. All board meetings are open to the public.
(415) 945-1455

Krishna Kumar
General Manager

Upcoming Public Meetings

Tues., March 3, 7:30 p.m.

BOARD MEETING

Board Room

Tues., March 17, 7:30 p.m.

BOARD MEETING

Board Room

OUTSTANDING CONSERVATION EFFORTS CONTINUE

MMWD water production figures show that customers have not let up on their conservation efforts right through the winter months when consumption is typically at an annual low. January 2015 consumption showed an impressive 18% decrease since January 2014.

In fact, our running 12-month water production number is the lowest it has been since 1993, which was the final year of a six-year drought. Our sincere thanks go to all customers for doing their part to reduce water use.

Here are the current water statistics:

Reservoir Levels - As of February 22, reservoir storage is 78,474 acre-feet,* or 99% of capacity. The average for this date is 69,738 acre-feet, or 88% of capacity.
Rainfall - Rainfall this year to date (July 1, 2014 - February 22, 2015) is 36.86 inches. Average for the same period is 37.82 inches; last year on this date we had 20.34 inches.
Water Use - Water use for the week of February 16-22 averaged 15.95 million gallons per day, down from 14.64 million gallons per day for the same week last year.
Creek Releases - During the month of January 2015 MMWD released 593 million gallons, or 1,821 acre-feet, into Lagunitas and Walker creeks in west Marin for habitat enhancement.

Water use and reservoir figures are updated weekly and can be found on our Water Watch page.

*One acre-foot is 325,851 gallons

7 MILES OF LARGER PIPE THANKS TO FIRE FLOW PROGRAM

The MMWD Board of Directors recently received last fiscal year's annual report on water system improvements funded by the fire flow program. Approximately 36,000 feet, or nearly 7 miles, of new, larger pipe was installed in fiscal year 2013-14 as part of the fire flow program. The 2013-14 expenditures totaled $5.27 million.

Funding for the fire flow program is provided by an annual $75 parcel fee. The fee began in 1997 and was extended in 2012 through the year 2031.

Since the fire flow program began, approximately $86.5 million has been invested in the water system to improve its fire-fighting capacity and seismic stability. Improvements include the installation of more than 75 miles of pipe and seismic retrofits of the water treatment plants and critical tanks and pump stations.

Click here for more information about the fire flow program.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM HELPS MAINTAIN WATER SYSTEM'S RELIABILITY

Currently MMWD has several projects "in the pipeline" as part of the district's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP involves the renovation of existing facilities such as pipes, tanks, pump stations, and more, as they reach the end of their useful life to ensure the reliability and integrity of our water system.

With nearly 900 miles of pipe in the ground, much of it dating back decades, replacing old pipes is a primary focus of our CIP. The CIP budget for fiscal year 2014-15 is $19 million. The CIP budget is separate from the fire flow program budget.

Current CIP projects include pipeline projects in Belvedere, Mill Valley, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito, and Tiburon. Another current CIP project involves a water storage facility upgrade in San Rafael. Click here for more information about current projects.

MMWD'S LATEST ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS ONLINE

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal years 2013 and 2014 were recently posted to MMWD's website and are now available here. The CAFR includes the audited financial statements, which, in accordance with state law, were audited by a qualified independent certified public accountant. MMWD received an unqualified opinion from Badawi & Associates of Oakland that the statements fairly present the financial condition and results of the operations of the district as of June 30, 2014.

Noteworthy items include the following:

Unrestricted cash and investments increased by $1.2 million to approximately four months of budgeted operating expenses.
Designated cash and investments increased by $8.6 million. Designated cash includes the capital funds, reserves for self-insurance and workers compensation claims and amounts for the Rate Stabilization Fund. The Rate Stabilization Fund accounted for $4.9 million of the increase in designated cash and investments.
Net operating income decreased by $5.6 million.
Net income decreased by $4.6 million.
The district's debt service ratio was 1.5x annual debt service for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 after the transfer to the Rate Stabilization Fund of $4.9 million.

NEW BLOG POSTS

Weeds, unfortunately, our inevitable. But tending to them early pays multiple benefits. Read on for our garden expert's weeding tips.
Vulnerable native frogs and turtles on the Mt. Tamalpais can use your help. Train to become a docent! If your schedule doesn't allow for that, please do visit the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed this spring to "say hello" to these small, beautiful creatures.

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 colleagues and constituents. Thank you.

Libby Pischel, Public Information Officer
Marin Municipal Water District
lpischel@marinwater.org
(415) 945-1421