WATER, "We have met the enemy..."

By David F. "Dave" Romero

San Luis Obispo has the highest water rates in the area except for Santa Barbara Our current water problems remind me of the words of that famous sage, Pogo. "We 'has' met the enemy, and he is us."

The reasons put forth by the opponents of state water were:

1.Lack of water quality
2.Lack of availability when needed
3.Excessive Cost
4.Lack of Local Control
5.Environmental impacts to the Bay-Delta area
6.Environmental impacts due to pipeline construction
7.Growth inducement

Now that the project is completed and we have firm knowledge, I would like to discuss each of the reasons put forth by the opponents of the project.

1) Lack of Water Quality - As it turns out, state water meets all state standards for drinking water. It is treated as it enters San Luis Obispo County. Currently, Southern California agencies are interested in obtaining a supply of state water to upgrade their Colorado River water.

2) Lack of Availability When Needed - With the exception of two years during the peak of the drought, state water delivery to urban users has been fully met since deliveries began in the 1960s. In those two years, urban users who so desired could obtain backfill water from a state water bank. In my judgment, the water supply can be 100% reliable in the urban areas, if desired.

In the City of San Luis Obispo state water would have been one of multiple sources, therefore, 100% reliability in every year is not necessary.

3) Excessive Costs - According to County records, final water costs for San Luis Obispo would have been approximately $800 per acre foot for treated water. It costs about $150 per acre foot for treatment, therefore, the raw water cost is around $650 per acre foot. This is less expensive than the least costly estimate for any alternative San Luis Obispo is now considering, which are all estimated at approximately $1,000 per acre foot.

4) Lack of Local Control - The state has contracts for water delivery that are binding. Contract conditions are primarily governed by large water users in Southern California. San Luis Obispo has little to say regarding those contracts. At the same time, if conditions are found to be satisfactory before we enter into agreements, they are very difficult to change.

5) Environmental Impacts to Bay-Delta Area - The environmental impacts to the Bay-Delta area have taken place and are continuing to take place whether San Luis Obispo takes its insignificant amount of water from the project or not. San Luis Obispo's actions have no effect on the Bay-Delta area. Very recently, a mitigation process has been proposed that has the backing of environmentalists, farmers, the state, and water users.

6) Environmental Impacts due to Pipeline Construction - The environmental impacts of the construction are completed. Other than the direct connection to the pipeline right at the city limits, San Luis Obispo's participation in the state project would have had no effect on the environmental impacts.

7) Growth Inducement - Whether the community grows or not is a political decision. I believe a community makes a serious mistake in attempting to restrict growth by restricting availability of basic resources. In my view, available water does not induce growth, but, more precisely, accommodates growth. Opponents to growth have distorted the meaning in order to limit growth.

The above analysis indicates that virtually all arguments against state water were fallacious. Nevertheless, a majority of voters were convinced, and this action is politically binding on the City Council, thus limiting the City's flexibility in addressing the water needs of its citizens.

Since 1992, in order to meet the water needs of our citizens as indicated in the General Plan, the City has had to spend a great deal of time, effort and money in pursuing three alternative water supplies so as to have two of them on line prior to the next drought.

These projects are:

1) Water reuse of highly treated effluent from our waste-water treatment plant. Approximate one-time capital cost: $10,000,000. Earliest completion date: 2002. Note: Still awaiting state approval after one year state processing delay.

2) Water brought by pipeline from Nacimiento Lake. San Luis Obispo City share of cost is approximately $3,380,000/year for each year we receive water. Earliest completion date: 2004. Note: Project might not proceed if San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, and Paso Robles do not participate in their full allocation shares.

3) Additional yield that could be obtained by raising Salinas Dam. San Luis Obispo City cost approximately $1,650,000/year for each year we receive water. Earliest completion date: 2003. Note: Project requires approval of the Crops of Engineers, Congress, the County Board of Supervisors, and is opposed by many north County residents.

Meanwhile, San Luis Obispo has the highest water rates in the area except for Santa Barbara (built de-sal plant which is now idle), and Morro Bay (built de-sal plant which is used part of the time). Our current water problems remind me of the words of that famous sage, Pogo. "We 'has' met the enemy, and he is us."