The Corcoran City Council got an update on its water system Monday evening, as well as a report on new state regulations regarding water usage.
So far, all appears well with the local water supply and storage. Work continues on several wells, including 4B, which is now back on line and producing 1,900 gallons of water per minute. Repairs are also completed on well 9B, which has passed water sampling and is also on line.
Well 8B is down—and will be pumped out so seized bearings can be worked on, hopefully later this week, according to Joe Faulkner, manager of the city’s water plant. And Pacific Gas and Electric Company is discontinuing power to well 7A, which will undergo extensive repair.
Currently, the working wells are providing more water than consumers are using.
The city is also working on replacement of its chlorine tank at the water treatment plant, said Faulkner.
The council was also told by Public Works Director Steve Kroeker about new requirements from the State Water Board and Governor Jerry Brown posed by the continuing drought. The city is updating its own water ordinance to remain in compliance with the new regulations. The revised ordinance will include a framework for enforcing water conservation compliance.
Kroeker shared upcoming important dates with the council, including:
–April 17, when the State Water Board will release its draft requirements for informal public comment; April 26, release of the emergency rule-making formal notice; and May 5 or 6, when the board will hold a hearing and adopt the regulations.
City Manager Kindon Meik told the council staff have spotted flaws in the local ordinance since the new regulations have been announced. Currently, he noted, the city is on phase 1 of conservation, which is voluntary mode. Before the end of the current week, however, he said the city could well be in phase II, which requires residents to conserve water.
Next steps will include notification to the public of the changes in the local conservation efforts, notably in the outdoor watering schedule, along with approving a method of enforcing those rules.
The Governor has set his sights on a 25 percent reduction in water use, a target the city will attempt to meet. Currently, noted Kroeker, the city has attained last year’s goal of 20 percent reduction a few times, and hovers at about 18-19 percent savings in water use. Hanford and Lemoore are closer to a 10 percent reduction.
“Trying to achieve that goal is fine, but there are things we have to do…that are mandatory,” noted Councilman Jim Wadsworth. “We have to make sure we are addressing those mandatory issues.”
