Janine Marnien
The Crescenta Valley Water District has one more option available
if it encounters future water shortages.
The city of Glendale has approved a connection between the two
agencies, enabling the Crescenta Valley Water District to import an
additional 3.5 million gallons per day in emergency situations, water
district General Manager Mike Sovich said.
"We just wanted to have the option, but we hope we don't have to
use it," he said. "It's going to be very expensive water."
Due to changes in the Metropolitan Water District's rate structure
that took effect Jan. 1, member agencies will be allocated a certain
amount of water. If they use more than 90% of it, they will be
charged more.
Glendale is a member agency of MWD, and the Crescenta Valley Water
District will pay for all water supplied that pushes the city over
its allotment. The Crescenta Valley Water District is already facing
a 1% to 5% increase per acre-foot due to MWD changes, but officials
do not anticipate rate increases for customers this year.
The Crescenta Valley Water District would pay $650 per acre-foot
of water imported from Glendale. An acre-foot would supply two
families of four in the Southern California area with water for a
year.
The district has implemented a voluntary water-conservation
program, hoping to reduce consumption by 25%. To date, the district
has recorded a 1.8% reduction and is considering a mandatory
conservation policy. Sovich said there was a possibility water from
Glendale would have to be used.
Construction on the connection could be completed by the end of
the year, he added.
Supplying water to the Crescenta Valley Water District would not
affect Glendale customers, said Don Froelich, water services
administrator for the city.
"Their contract does have a term, and most likely we'll be able to
extend it from time to time," he said.
The term of agreement is 20 years, according to a staff report.
