LACSD Focuses on Recycled Water
An update on Lake Arrowhead Community Services District's (LACSD) Recycled Water Program was reported with a power point presentation by Tetra Tech Inc. representatives Howard Arnold and John Robinson during the water district's regular board meeting held on Tuesday, Sept. 28.
"It is LACSD's goal to utilize all of its treated wastewater for beneficial uses. The district wastewater system produces between 1,500 to 1,700 acre-feet per day (1.34 to 1.52 million gallons per day) of treated wastewater per year," Arnold reported.
In 2003, a Water Demand and Supply Report was prepared by Tetra Tech Inc. This report included the evaluation of all known alternatives for the beneficial use of the district's treated wastewater such as: exchange treated wastewater for potable water, recycled water phase I, recycled water phase II and indirect potable reuse.
Tetra Tech Inc., after doing research and several studies concluded that exchanging treated wastewater for potable water was not a viable project. The Stakeholders Advisory Group (SAG) Committee - an organization comprised of several members from the community - agreed to the conclusion.
Recycled Water Phase I - which would provide 200 acre-feet per year of recycled water - if implemented would serve Lake Arrowhead Country Club's golf course and adjacent areas with irrigation water. The Country Club has agreed to look at the possibility of accepting recycled water, but would not commit by contract last November at the time they signed well digging agreements with the LACSD.
In a letter sent to the LACSD from the Lake Arrowhead Country Club, Club President Mike Astle wrote: "We pledge that we will reserve judgment as to the practicality of the application of recycled water [for irrigation of our golf course] until we have jointly reviewed considerable amounts of scientific and economic data and satisfied ourselves that it would not be detrimental to the health of our most valuable asset, our golf course."
Arnold also reported improvements are required at the Grass Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant. These improvements would include new pipelines, pumps, storage and modification to golf course and adjacent areas for irrigation system.
SAG also recommend ed this project because of the lower cost and direct benefit to the community. The LACSD board of directors authorized implementation of this project.
RECYCLED WATER
PHASE II PROGRAM
On July 13, LACSD board of directors requested a presentation of the Recycled Water Phase II program.
Tetra Tech Inc., recycled water experts Howard Arnold and John Robinson were present during the July 27 meeting and again on the Sept. 28 meeting to explain the final report.
Recycled Water Phase II program - which if implemented will provide 250 acre feet of water per year - was explained by Robinson. This program, although expected to serve large irrigation customers throughout the district, requires construction of a recycled water distribution system.
In a power point presentation (during the July 27 meeting), Tetra Tech Inc. showed the potential irrigation users for Phase II program. These include: parks and playgrounds, school yards, ornamental nurseries and those with large areas of residential landscaping.
The cost for Recycled Water Phase II program was estimated at $13.5 million which includes the distribution system, water treatment and retrofits. According to Arnold, there are specific reasons why LACSD set aside the possibility of moving on to Recycled Water Phase II. One of the reasons stated was the lack of the ability of consumers to be trained and certified to develop the use of recycled water. "It is a financial and educational commitment," Arnold continued, "Retrofitting one site would cost between $6,000 and $15,000."
Tetra Tech's report recommended the Recycled Water Phase II program as a Milestone 3 project. SAG, on the other hand, rejected this project because the cost to the community "did not justify the limited benefits."
SAG recommended Milestone 2 to immediately proceed (which includes Recycled Water Phase I, but not Recycled Water Phase II) in their report concerning the Water Demand and Supply Study.
In SAG's report which was submitted to the water district, it was noted that Recycled Phase II was rejected because of very poor cost-benefit rations... a great deal of costs sunk into an expensive pipeline system and property retrofits, measured against a minimal acre-feet savings. Also, public acceptance, runoff prevention and monitoring problems are similar to Indirect Potable Reuse, but again with far less water supply savings.
According to SAG chairman Wes McDaniel [quotes taken from July 27 meeting], "The proposed short-term contract with CLAWA and SBVMWD is the immediate solution. Recycled Water Phase II would cost the district $13 million and would only produce 250 acre-feet of water. Phase I costs $6.5 million and produces 200 acre feet of water. To pay another $6.5 million for additional 50 acre feet just doesn't seem to make sense."
The SAG report added that on a cost-benefit standpoint, Recycled Water Phase II program didn't meet requirements.
LACSD board of directors requested further evaluation of Recycled Water Phase II project.
INDIRECT POTABLE REUSE
Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR) is another water management program being considered by LACSD as a measure to provide water to its consumers.
IPR is defined as advance treatment of wastewater to a standard that exceeds drinking water requirements. This project would treat virtually all wastewater and return it to Lake Arrowhead.
Tetra Tech's report recommended LACSD to not move forward with Indirect Potable Reuse. SAG recommends the water district take further engineering and public acceptance studies - a more in-depth study on IPR. The study, however, will take between two and three years to complete - another reason why SAG recommended the purchase of treated water from SBVMWD through CLAWA's facilities.
LACSD board of directors have requested the completion of an initial Public Opinion Survey.
During the July 27 meeting, board director Ted Heyck said according to the recent telephone survey conducted by LACSD, indirect potable reuse was the top most priority property owners stated. "The support for indirect potable reuse was very strong. Purchasing water was the very last option they listed and it seems like we are moving backwards from what the ratepayers wanted," exclaimed Heyck.
Shaw said IPR has been investigated in a preliminary way and SAG is recommending a further investigation on IPR - to decide whether to pursue this measure or not.
Sherman asked who will be governing or who will have the liability in the event IPR is pursued by LACSD. Shaw replied, "One of the district's main responsibilities is to ensure the public's health and safety. Therefore, in the event that this measure has been pursued, LACSD would be responsible for the water management."
The following recycled water program actions have been completed.
On June 2003, LACSD board adopted Ordinance No. 56, or the declaration of mandatory recycled water use. This ordinance requires the water district customers to use recycled water for outdoor irrigation when and where it is feasible and economically practical to do so.
In October of 2003, the LACSD board - after accepting SAG recommendations - authorized implementation of the Recycled Water Phase I program. When completed, this program will supply approximately 200 acre-feet of recycled water to the Lake Arrowhead Country Club and adjacent areas, provided the country club agrees to take it.
Board directors authorized Tetra Tech Inc. in January of 2004 to complete design, environmental review and permitting for the Recycled Water Phase I program.
On March 2004, the board members authorized Tetra Tech to complete the work necessary to obtain a master recycle water permit. When this task is completed, the water district will be allowed to supply recycled water for outdoor irrigation throughout LACSD's service area.
As further background information, it was noted that until recently state regulation, the State Water Resources Control Board, Lahontan Region (SWRCB, LR) Basin Plan prohibited the use of recycled water for outdoor irrigation in Lake Arrowhead and surrounding communities. In January of 2003, LACSD requested an amendment to this regulation to allow for the use of recycled water for outdoor irrigation and in April of 2004 this request was approved.
NEXT STEPS
The next steps for water management projects were discussed at the meeting. These steps include: continue to pursue grant funding, establishing a recycled water rate, and to have a working committee to review in greater detail a recommendation for the balance of recycled water.
"The work has progressed [staff level] to the point where it is timely to move on to the next steps. The district staff is prepared to seek recommendations from the board of directors. We should have an open dialogue to formulate alternatives and make specific recommendations," Shaw stated.
Board director Steve Keefe added, "The only way that we can move on is to allow the public their input. We need to reconvene with SAG to get valid decisions. Anyone has the opportunity to go to SAG meetings."
LACSD AND LAKE ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB
During the power point presentation, Robinson and Arnold noted the water usage of the Lake Arrowhead Country Club (LACC). "LACSD has a water supply of approximately 1.43 million gallons per day (MGD). During Phase I irrigation (used during summer months), Lake Arrowhead Country Club uses 1 million gallons a day.
"We are concerned of the potential shortfall for Phase II usage. After LACC uses 1 million gallons of water per day, there is approximately a half million gallons of water left during peak months. Our main focus is that there isn't enough water available for Phase II project," Arnold stated.
Most of the water being used by LACC comes from groundwater wells LACSD drilled on the LACC property. According to LACSD Operations Manager Ken Nelsen, "Beginning December of this year, 100 percent of the water will go to LACSD's distribution system (after treatment processes). This will now offset the irrigation to LACC and hopefully decline the draw on the lake."
The report added that it is LACSD's goal to use well water for consumption. "I would personally prefer the country club using recycled water for irrigation and groundwater well water be used for consumption and reduce the draw on the lake," Board Director Steve Keefe said.
Shaw also met with Arrowhead Lake Association (ALA) Executive Director Jim Gardner regarding well drilling on an ALA easement. "We are working out an agreement to move forward on drilling groundwater well on ALA property," Shaw reported.