BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glen Acosta, President Jim Haselton, Vice President Matt Disston, Director Mike Safranski, Director Ed Mandich, Director GENERAL MANAGER Don Chadd

ON TAP

TCWD's Water Sources: Part Three

The two previous issues of ON TAP have discussed the source of TCWD’s water supply. We have talked about the Colorado River water as a major source of the District’s water. Also, we have noted that some of our water comes from the State Water Project supply system from northern California.

We do have one additional source of water for the District; in many ways, it is our best source of the water. The District owns two wells. You have probably seen them, but may not recognize them as wells. If you have ever traveled along Live Oak Canyon Road near the northern end of O’Neill Regional Park, you can see these wells. They are housed in two block buildings on the Trabuco Creek side of Rose Canyon Road. One well is known as the Rose Canyon Well (named after the road). The other is the Lang Well, named after a local resident in the canyon.

These two wells are a wonderful source of water when the local area experiences average rainfall. Combined, the wells can pump nearly 25% of the District’s water demand. Usually, the wells will begin providing water about three weeks after the first significant rainfall and can continuing providing water until late July, although the quantity of water will steadily diminish as the weather becomes warmer.

So, why are the wells the District’s best source of water. There are two reasons.

The first reason is the water quality is excellent, both from a health and taste perspective. The water is so delicious we actually bottled it in the summer of 2005 and have made these bottles available to local non-profit community groups. If you ever visit our administrative office, we invite you to take a couple of complimentary bottles of this delicious well water. More information about the District’s Bottled Water Program is available from our website.

The second reason the wells are the District’s best source of water is much more practical. It is almost free. We still treat the water at the wells, and there is the electrical cost of pumping the water, but the District does not need to pay any other agency for this water. This assists the District in keeping its rate structure consistent. One of the challenges the District has concerning its rate structure is the fact that the District’s service area is at a relatively high elevation. Water that is imported, as noted in previous ON TAP articles, incurs the cost of pumping to this elevation. Well water that is procured at the service level elevation for the District is a tremendous savings in electrical costs.

So this completes our series about “Where does our drinking water come from?”

Does the District have any other sources of water? Yes, but it is not used for drinking. We’ll provide more information about this water in a future ON TAP.

California Friendly Re-Landscaping Project

TCWD is pleased to announce that we have begun our California Friendly Re-Landscaping Project at our District Administrative Facility. Please pardon our mess as we re-landscape this facility with California friendly plants that are water efficient and will grow well in this climate.

The District’s front parking lot will be used as a staging area much of the time, so we ask that you be cautious in and around the facility.

We will provide more details in the future about this project. TCWD’s Board and staff invite you to drop by to see our work in progress.

The Regular Board Meeting is held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office located at 32003 Dove Canyon Drive, Trabuco Canyon. The public is encouraged to attend.

Board Highlights

• October 18, 2006 – Adopted the Orange County Regional Water and Wastewater Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Adopted a Resolution Designating a Representative for Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Application.
• Approved the rehabilitation of the influent flow equalization basins and the replacement of the aluminum covers.
• Approved a formula of funding the Water and Sewer Rate Stabilization Funds at 15% of the prior year audited water and sewer revenues (when possible) and to continue to fund the Working Capital Fund at one-eights of the annual operating and maintenance budget.
• Adopted a Resolution of Intention to Approve an Amendment to Contract Between the Board of Administration, California Public Employees’ Retirement System and the TCWD Board of Directors.
• Adopted an Ordinance amending Section 10.4 of TCWD’s Rules and Regulations regarding claims against the District.
• Approved the purchase of media screens.
• Conducted three Closed Sessions.