San Juan Water District | Multi-Regional Water Management Pilot Program

Media Release

Background

FAQs

“San Juan Water District’s top priority is to provide all customers with reliable, high-quality water at affordable rates.”

– Shauna Lorance, General Manager

Multi-Regional Water Management Pilot Program

A Win-Win for Our Customers and Partners

San Juan Water District (SJWD) has entered discussions with the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) and San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) to explore a program that:

allows SJWD to transfer and obtain funds for water otherwise unavailable to customers;
supports the state’s water policy favoring water transfers, conjunctive use and conservation measures during statewide water shortages; and
helps SCVWD and SDCWA meet regional water demand when existing supplies are not sufficient.

How the Program Will Work

Q: What water will SJWD potentially transfer?
A: Surface water that is not available for customer use.
As a signatory to the Sacramento Water Forum Agreement (2000), SJWD is required to leave some surface water in Folsom Lake during dry years and use supplemental groundwater to meet customer demand.

The left behind surface water eventually travels downstream to benefit the Lower American River. Once downstream of the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, SJWD can transfer forgone surface water for its customers’ benefit, according to the Water Forum Agreement.

Q: Why is SJWD considering water transfers?
A: To receive benefit from forgone water supplies and support new state policy encouraging cooperation among water providers.
The District would obtain funds for and only transfer up to 7,000 acre-feet.

The funds obtained will help reduce the amount of funds collected from SJWD customers to pay for dry-year facilities, like wells and pumps.

Q: Why is SJWD developing dry-year facilities?
A: To meet customer water demand for decades to come.
As a signatory to the Water Forum Agreement, SJWD has agreed to reduce surface water use during dry years by encouraging water conservation and using supplemental groundwater.

SJWD will develop groundwater wells that ultimately ensure long-term water supplies for all customers and meet the provisions of the Water Forum Agreement.

Q: Will the water transferred deplete customer water supplies?
A: No. Due to existing water agreements, the water slated for transfer is NOT available for customer consumption.

Q: Will this project increase customer water bills?
A: No. Funds obtained from the water transfers will help offset costs SJWD needs to collect from customers for building dry year facilities.

Q: When will the water transfer take place?
A: Participating agencies hope to implement a small-scale, one-year pilot program beginning March 1, 2009.

Questions or Comments?
If you have questions about the proposed pilot program, contact Shauna Lorance at 916-791-0115 for more information. As always, we value your input and want to keep you informed.

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9935 Auburn-Folsom Road, Granite Bay, CA 95746
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