Water quality standards are always part of the continuing dialogue at Amador Water and local city meetings, and for good reason. According to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, the City of Jackson avoided a 201,000 dollar penalty by completing 234,000 dollars in improvements at its wastewater treatment plant. Although the AWA’s foresight prevented hefty fines, the fate of other nearby city agencies has not been so lucky. For example, Placerville faces 270,000 dollars in penalties from the Control Board for alleged water quality violations dating back to Jaunary 1st, 2001. The Control Board said it may charge minimum mandatory penalties for violations in treated wastewater at the Hangtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Separately, the Control board has proposed assessing a 411,000 dollar penalty against Nevada County Sanitation District’s Cascade Shores plant. The Central Valley Board’s duty and goals are to enforce and oversee water quality standards throughout our area. They check for violations in chlorine residual, nitrate, pH, and cloudiness, among a host of other more technical terms. Toxic substances and high populations of certain microorganisms can present a health hazard for drinking and non-drinking purposes such as irrigation, swimming, fishing, rafting, boating, and industrial uses. Water quality has become a larger issue in the public eye after EPA authorities conducted a five-month inquiry and discovered that traces of pharmaceutical drugs were recently detected in the drinking-water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas serving at least 41 million people. It is duly noted that these were microscopic amounts. Nevertheless, officials in Amador County say they are committed to providing a quality water supply for Amador residents.

Summer is fast approaching, and the City of Jackson has adopted new pool rates for the 2008 season.  Daily rates for children and seniors will now be $2.00, and adult rates increased to $2.75. Swim lesson rates also went up, with the new rates for a two-week session at $40, up from $37, and the one-week session at $21, up from $18.50.  Season and monthly pass rates also increased, and lifeguard staff hourly rates were raised to accommodate rising utility and labor costs, and to raise some of the wages above the California minimum wage of $8.00 per hour.

Operation Care, a local non-profit organization providing domestic violence and sexual assault support services, is offering a 10-week support group for women survivors of  Domestic Violence. The workshop is intended to provide a confidential setting for women to connect with each other and build healthy friendships. Discussion topics will include the cycle of violence, the effects of violence on children and building healthy relationships. Amador County has received reports of domestic violence, and at least 3 fatalities resulting from violence against women in the last decade. These figures may be skewed, as many victims of Domestic Violence do not report abuse. The first session begins on Thursday, February 21 at 5:30pm. For those interested in attending, please call  Denise at 223-2897. For the Operation Care 24-hour crisis hotline, call 223-2600.