Amador County – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday heard an informational presentation by Amador Water Agency Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo on the potential benefits of an Inter-Regional Conjunctive Use Project, or IRCUP. As described in an agreement on conceptual terms and conditions pending approval, the IRCUP will “improve the availability of water supplies and provide environmental benefits through inter-regional conjunctive use efforts with new or enhanced ground and surface water storage.” The agreement would take place between the AWA, the Calaveras Water District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Mokelumne River Water and Power Authority, and the San Joaquin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The agreement states this “would provide for mutual support” for regional water projects and “resolve pending protests.” “The Amador Water Agency looks at water needs like a 3-legged stool: water conservation, water reclamation and water supply projects,” said Mancebo, referring to his agency’s desire to balance the three components equally. The agreement focuses on water storage in the San Joaquin ground basin for subsequent extraction in dry years, in order to help meet growing water demand needs. As outlined in a slide presentation, Amador, Calaveras and EBMUD will utilize the additional storage as demand increases, but San Joaquin needs supply as soon as possible to address its “groundwater overdraft” situation. “San Joaquin has been overdrafting their water supply, and as a result has salt water intrusion on their groundwater supply,” said Mancebo. Mancebo said San Joaquin County officials estimate additional storage of up to a million acre feet of water. Supervisor John Plasse asked if there “are enough flows off the Mokelumne River to meet those needs.” Mancebo said the water supplies we currently function off already meet that demand. He added that the State Water Resources Control Board has already listed the Mokelumne as a fully appropriated stream.” Foothill Conservancy Vice President Pete Bell said “we’ve got real problems with the terms and conditions of this agreement” and that “San Joaquin has been over-pumping for over 70 years,” but no other details were provided. No action was taken. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009 00:32
Board Of Supervisors
Amador County – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday heard an informational presentation by Amador Water Agency Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo on the potential benefits of an Inter-Regional Conjunctive Use Project, or IRCUP. As described in an agreement on conceptual terms and conditions pending approval, the IRCUP will “improve the availability of water supplies and provide environmental benefits through inter-regional conjunctive use efforts with new or enhanced ground and surface water storage.” The agreement would take place between the AWA, the Calaveras Water District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Mokelumne River Water and Power Authority, and the San Joaquin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The agreement states this “would provide for mutual support” for regional water projects and “resolve pending protests.” “The Amador Water Agency looks at water needs like a 3-legged stool: water conservation, water reclamation and water supply projects,” said Mancebo, referring to his agency’s desire to balance the three components equally. The agreement focuses on water storage in the San Joaquin ground basin for subsequent extraction in dry years, in order to help meet growing water demand needs. As outlined in a slide presentation, Amador, Calaveras and EBMUD will utilize the additional storage as demand increases, but San Joaquin needs supply as soon as possible to address its “groundwater overdraft” situation. “San Joaquin has been overdrafting their water supply, and as a result has salt water intrusion on their groundwater supply,” said Mancebo. Mancebo said San Joaquin County officials estimate additional storage of up to a million acre feet of water. Supervisor John Plasse asked if there “are enough flows off the Mokelumne River to meet those needs.” Mancebo said the water supplies we currently function off already meet that demand. He added that the State Water Resources Control Board has already listed the Mokelumne as a fully appropriated stream.” Foothill Conservancy Vice President Pete Bell said “we’ve got real problems with the terms and conditions of this agreement” and that “San Joaquin has been over-pumping for over 70 years,” but no other details were provided. No action was taken. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
