WSP12679 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SERVICE AND FLEXIBILITY RESULT IN BETTER WATER MANAGEMENT One thing learned early in water conservation by liD staff was that flexibility to the end user (the farmer) will yield cooperation and innovation. With that axiom in mind, the District offered new programs and expanded others to encourage better water manage- ment without having to add to the cost to water users. The District worked in 1994 to standardize services in all areas of the Valley. There are many services offered by the District of which growers may not be aware. For exam- ple, in most cases, farmers can order extra water to finish a run. Water can also be shut off early. Automation and reservoirs make these services more readily available. To gain the cooperation desired, greater communication between farmers and the District was stressed in 1994. To that end a new publication was instituted in 1994 specifically for water managers. Dialogue provides a forum for the District to allow water managers to be aware of changes in water delivery and drainage systems, and allow water managers to share practical water management experience with the District and fellow water managers. Through greater communication, flexibility and cooperation, the District expects sys- tem-wide efficiency to increase over the years. WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE BALANCED BY ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS The IIDjMWD Water Conservation Agreement, which began in 1990, set construction schedules and programs to be instituted over five years. At the end of 1994 projects have yielded just under 75,000 acre feet of verified conserved water. During 1993 the Regional Water G~uality Control Board expressed concerns regarding increased levels of selenium occurring in drains of the District. These concerns were that water conservation projects may be contributing to these increased selenium lev- els by reducing the dilution water in drains. The District goal to conserve water under the IIDjMWD Agreement was threatened. In an aggressive move the District launched a full blown Environmental Impact Report process to document affects of projects current and future. In May of 1994 the report was completed with detailed information on impacts and mitigation measures neces- sary to continue some or all of the conservation programs. Once again the District has taken the lead by finding a way to balance the needs of the local environment with water needs of those of urban areas of the state. This detailed information now allows the District to proceed with those projects which not only save water but are cost and environmentally conscious. 9