Zone 7 Flood Control District Candidate Questionnaire

By James Concannon

Responses to the Zone 7 Candidate Questionnaire

I do not support direct injection of reverse osmosis reated sewage into the district's groundwater.

2. Should Zone 7 make water available to farmers? If so, should it be at market rates or subsidized, and why?

Since the Zones conception water has been available to the Agriculture Community.
The Zone Agriculture Committee is presently meeting with untreated water users to study this major issue in regard to the cost of new water. I look for a suitable solution to be resolved from this dialogue.

3. How should Lake Del Valle be operated in a drought?

We should do everything possible to keep the water level at a reasonable height for recreation and environmental concern. I would propose a consultant be hired to make a study of the impact on the environmental, as well as, economic concerns of Lake Del Valle.

4. Should Zone 7 become independent from Alameda County?

The Zone 7 Board has contracted with an independent consultant to study this matter. They will be reporting back their finding within this year.

5. What changes would you seek to improve flood control?

A joint effort must be made by Zone 7, F E M A, Corps of Engineers, State agencies, and local municipalities to work on an impartial plan. We are talking about a large revenue output.

6. Do you support increasing impact fees for customers in order to provide more services?

New development will pay the cost of delivery of new water. If the entire community wants an upgrade in certain services it will be paid by water rate increases which have been extremely low in recent years.

7. What are the major issues facing districts with regard to water quality?

The major issue is increased salt retention in the water supply basin. Conjunctive use is the answer. Increased pumping of our water basin and at the same time replacing the ground water with imported water which has lower salt levels. If needed we can demineralize the well water at the time of extraction.

8. What can be done, or what is being done, to improve water quality?

As explained in the previous question, we are using conjunctive use and if necessary demineralize the salts in the water at the well head.

9. How do you feel about submitting water resource issues to public vote?

I believe the residents have elected the board members to make decisions for the welfare and best interest of the community. Public hearings should always be held to obtain the input of the voters on major issues before the board makes a decision.

10. Water is essential to growth. Where should resources for water come from for that growth?

Water is available for purchase. Zone 7 has just completed signing a long term agreement in purchasing 15,000 acre feet from the Kern Water Agency.