FAQ'S
FROM WHOM DOES EL TORO WATER DISTRUCT BUY THEIR WATER?
El Toro Water District purchases water through the MWDOC (Municipal Water District of Orange County) that obtains its water from the MWD of Southern California. This is similar to most Southern OC water districts since we do not have an aquifer beneath this area. The Northern OC communities including Irvine obtain most of their water from the Orange County Groundwater Basin that is beneath the area north of us.
WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES?
MWD of Southern California continues to plan for ensuring Southern California has adequate water supplies into the future. MWD has two sources of imported water. The State Water Project (California Aqueduct), which provides the water from Northern California and the Colorado River Aqueduct that provides water from the Colorado River at Lake Havasu. In addition, future water supplies may be sourced from recycled water, desalination, ground water, exchanges, water banking and conservation. Ensuring water supplies for Southern California is complex, but requires directors on water boards who understand the technical, financial and legal challenges required to ensure that we have affordable potable water.
Presently, MWD is heavily supporting the proposed Single Tunnel "California Water Fix." The "California Water Fix" will allow water to be reliability delivered to the State Water Project while protecting the Bay-Delta resources and fish spawning areas. The project will take nearly 20 years to complete, but ensuring water reliability to Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley is the type of planning required of your water district board and management team.
IS THE DROUGHT REAL?
Yes, Southern California has had below normal rainfall for the past few years and although we filled our reservoirs in 2019, we need to continue conserving our use of potable water and managing our demand upon imported water sources. Unfortunately, the rest of the western US, is also in a drought, so Metropolitan Water District (MWD), the wholesaler of all imported water to Southern California has very limited new supplies. Fortunately, MWD has been expanding local storage capacity and purchasing water resources from farmers who hold priority water rights in Northern California. With effective management of our demand, we have had sufficient water.
WHY CAN’T I HAVE RECYCLED WATER?
A recycled water system requires considerable investment. The system installed in Laguna Woods Village was cost effective because much of the community had been built with the irrigation system separated from the domestic water usage system. So even though potable water was being used for irrigation, the cost was isolated to the “in-street” distribution system. In neighborhoods that have domestic use and irrigation water systems combined, it is much more costly to install a recycled water system. At this time, the capital cost is prohibitive without a significant increase in the water rates, which is not in the best interest of all the districts customers.
WHAT ABOUT INCREASING WATER COSTS?
My experience in both engineering and financial controls can help as we go forward. I support investments that are properly funded and economically feasible. Delivering adequate and safe potable water to the district is important to me while always keeping an eye on costs.
WHO IS FUNDING YOUR CAMPAIGN?
I have filed Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) form 470 to the Registrar of Voters declaring that I am self funding my campaign to less than the statutory limit since this is a non-partisan office. I have not and will not accept any financial support from any individual or political organization.