Water Challenges Discussed at Roundtable

Key water district leaders gathered for a meeting hosted by Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) on Tuesday, July 22, to discuss the Inland Empire’s priorities for the state’s upcoming water bond measure. Meeting attendees included San Bernardino County leaders as well as directors and general managers from the Colton Public Utilities, San Bernardino Municipal Water District, Fontana Water Company, Cucamonga Valley Water District, West Valley Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency and Rialto Water Services. “When I go back to Sacramento, I’ll have to vote on a bond to be placed on the November ballot. I want to know how the bond is going to affect the Inland Empire so I can fight for our specific needs,” said Assemblymember Brown. Currently, there are four water bond bills circulating throughout the legislature: AB 1331, which proposes an $8.2 billion bond; SB 848, amended from a $10.5 billion bond to a $7.5 billion bond; AB 2686, a $10.25 billion bond; and SB 1250, a $10.15 billion bond. “The consensus in Sacramento is that an $11 billion water bill is too bloated. We need an acceptable proposal that’s cost effective for the tax payers, protects the Delta water system, addresses water quality concerns and funds storage projects for the future,” said Assemblymember Brown. Among the top priorities discussed, water storage remained the highest. “Water storage is important; not only for Southern California, but also Central and Northern California,” said George Aguilar, commissioner, Colton Public Utilities. “If you have more storage in the good years, we’ll have more water for everybody.” Other priorities mentioned included water supply reliability, groundwater cleanup, updating infrastructure and alternative water sources (recycled water). “Expanding recycled water use is something we’re starting to get into at the Fontana Water Company,” said General Manager Robert K. Young. “Recycled water use is extremely critical and beneficial for irrigation purposes.” Water conservation efforts were also a hot topic of discussion during the roundtable. Just last week, the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District launched a conservation campaign called IEfficient.com, which emphasizes, “Your future is more important than your lawn.” “What’s amazing to me is, when we asked our consumers in a study we conducted on whether they use more water on the inside or the outside, most people thought they use more water on the inside. The fact is, more water is used outside on lawns. At the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, we’ve been working with larger users such as the schools and parks to bring the water use down,” said Ed Kilgore, board director at the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. The IEfficient.com campaign includes participation from 12 local water agencies throughout the Inland Empire with a primary goal to change water use behavior. “We have to change our way of thinking about water,” said Commissioner George Aguilar. “That’s the message that I’ve brought to the Colton Public Utilities. If you want to have sustainability, you have to rethink your water usage. It can’t be business as usual.” Next month when the legislature reconvenes, legislators will take a position on the water bond measure. “When we return from summer recess, water issues will be at the top of our legislative agenda. It’s definitely going to be an interesting time for us,” concluded Assemblymember Brown.