HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-05-1996 Joint Study Session CC/EVMWD. MINUTES .
70INT,STUDY SESSION:
LAKEELSINORE CITY COiTNCIL/
ELSINORE VALLEY MUrTICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
3131$ CHANEY STREET
LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFO1tNIA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1996
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CALL TO ORDER
The 7oint Study Session was called to order at 3'00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBER5:
BOARDMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
BOARDMEMBERS:
ALONGI, BRINI.EY, KELLEY, METZE,
PAPE
ANDERSON, ATTRIDGE, JEFFRIES,
WICKE
NONE
THOMAN
Also present were: City Representativea - tlssistant City Manager Watenpaugh, Administrative
Services Director Boone; Community Development Director Leslie, City Engineer O'Donnell and
City Clerk Kasad. Water District Representatives - General Manager Hoagland and Clerk of the
Board Matson.
1. Future Water Sup~ly Issues for the EVMWD Service Area. (F: 164.1)
General Manager Hoagland noted that the Board has wanted to meet with the Council for
a while, and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to discuss significant water issues.
He explained the current water supplies being local groundwater wells producing 9,600
acre feet/year; surface runoff from San Jacinto River Basin (Canyon Lake ) 3,000 acre
feeUyeaz; imported water from Lake Skinner (Auld Valley Pipeline) 5,500 acre feet/year;
for a total of 18,100 acre feet/year. He e~cplained that there is only about 10 feet of excess
water in Canyon Lake. Councilwoman Brinley questioned the current water level in
Canyon Lake. General ManagerHoagland indicated it is presently at 1372' elevation.
Mr. Hoagland explained the current demands for water, being 36 million gallons per day
on peak days . He explained the potential for approximately a 7% loss in water; and
noted a situation in the downtown area which was a cost effective approach to the
leakage. He explained the complicating factors of ~vater quality and the cost of supplies
from the Colorado River. He also explained the level of salts and phosphates in these
waters which already exceed the salt discharge level when they purchase the river water.
He advised that local ground water is very high quality and low in minerals, but noted
problems with water from Canyon Lake. He stressed the balancing act to address these
complicating factors. He detailed the availability and cost factors for each type of
supplies; and stressed the benefit of using local water. He addressed the future needs and
presented graphs for wet and dry year scenarios based on a 3% per year growth rate; and
stressed the limitations on the long range supply. He noted that one well on the island has
water suitable for their use and explained potential assistance from the wetland project and
the Temescal Valley project. He stressed the need for additional supplies by the year 2001
or 2002. He presented a diagam of the Temescal Valley pipeline project and explained
the plan to address the needs for the development in Horsethief Canyon. He detailed the
back basin runoffrecovery project and stressed that this would be the lowest cost
PAGE TWO - STUDY SESSION MINUTE5 - NOVEMBER 5, 1996
alternative for providing the necessary water supply.
_/ Councilman Alongi questioned the Eastlake Project Area. Mr. Hoagland showed it.
i~ Boardmember Attridge questioned use of water for a golf course. Councilman Metze
questioned the ownership of property in the azea. N1r. Hoagland indicated that they do
not own the property at this time. He noted that the Eastlake Development will increase
the demands on the system by 50%, and they will need to mirigate that impact; and will be
discussing that to determine how both parties can meet their objectives. He stressed the
potential opporhxnity to use low cost local resources to meet the need. Mayor Pape
questioned the depth proposed in the back basin. Mr. Hoagland indicated that there
would be no significant changes to the topography, but it could be up to 10 or 15 feet
deep. Mayor Pape questioned the possibility of using the area for sailboats. Mr.
Hoagland indicated that it would probably be too shallow. Mayor Pape inquired whether
this body would go dry in the summer. Mr. Hoagland confirmed that would be the goal
and further detailed the project. There was general discussion with regard to the project,
water quality and the improvements required to facilitate it.
Assistant City Manager Watenpaugh questioned the potential need for excavation and fill
to begin this project. Mr. Hoagland confirined that will be needed and expressed
willingness to work with the developer to mitigate the impacts on water supply.
Boardmember 7effries noted that there has been limited discussion of this topic by the
Board, to date. Mr: Hoagland confiuned and explained that this is a component of the
water master plan. Mayor Pro Tem Kelley questioned the capacity of the Temescal
- Pipeline Project. Mr. Hoagland indicated that the daily capacity will be approximately
26.8 million gallons a day. Boazdmember 7effries noted the total cost for the project.
Mr. Hoagland indicated that the worst case scenario for the pipeline is about $30 million
in project costs, with an additional $18 million in connection fees. Mr. 7effries noted that
part of the problem is who will pay for the project; and suggested it would either require a
large development fee or a general assessment. There was general discussion of water
sources and the related costs. Mr. Hoagland stressed the cost of imported water. Mr.
Watenpaugh questioned the timing for the diversion of water,' and whether the wetland
project would be lined. Mr. Hoagland indicated that there would be no lining, but the
water would be allowed to sit on the ground without soaking in. Mr. Watenpaugh
questioned the potential for trading wetland azeas for this are. Mr. Hoagland noted the
difficulties, in that it would not have water yeaz round, but they are working to see what
will be the most beneficial approach.
2. Reclaimed Water Use for Level Maintenance in Lake Elsinore. (F:164.1)(X: 92.1)
General Manager Hoagland noted that Boardmember Anderson requested this discussion.
He stressed the unportance of understanding the scope of watei issues to Lake Elsinore,
and addressed the background, requirements, supplies, costs and other issues.
He explained the requirement that the Lake be maintained in an operating range of 1240
to 1249, and noted that there is approximately another two yeazs of evaporation in the
Lake right now. He noted the Agreement to Fill and Operate and advised that a lot of the
issues have been resolved and are being resolved, with the remaining issue being the
addition of water to maintain the level.
He explained that there is an annual evaporation rate of 14,000 acre feet/year, and stressed
tHe impabt of the requirement for body contacY quality water. CouncIlwoman Brinley
questioned the level of water quality: Mr. Hoagland clarified that the intent is to use
tertiary treated water or a three part process. He explained the three levels, and clarified
that'it canbe used for anything but dnnking. He stressed ihat the water is completely
disinfected. 1Vlayor Pro Tem Kelley questioned other lakes which aze presently using this
type of water. Mr: Hoagland indicated that Lake Irvine and some others are presently
PAGE THREE - STUDY SESSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 5, 1996
using it. Councilwoman Brinley questioned previous parasite problems in that area. Mrs.
Kelley inquired if he knew of one with recreation uses. Mr. Hoagland indicated that he
did not,. but stressed the wnsistently high water quality levels. Councilwoman Brinley
inquired if this was infended as a pilot program: Mr. Hoagland indicated that it was not
but noted other pilot programs including one in San Diego to provide treated drinking
water. , Boardmember Attridge noted a project in Fountain Valley and stressed the millions
of gallons of water a day from tfiat plant. Mr. Hoagland addressed the supply issue, and
explained that d~inldng water would require 80% of current total annual production to
maintain Lake Elsinore's water level. He further indicated that about 2,000 acre feet of
reclaimed water is available from Eastern Water District in 1998; in addition to the
EVMWD 3,000 acre feet of reclaimed water. He noted that Eastern will have more
available in the future, but only about 30% of the water required is cunently available. He
also noted an issue before the Water Board to consider a feasibility study to apply for a
NPDES Pemtit to discharge reclaimed water from multiple sources into Lake Elsinore .
MayorPape questioned the evaporation rate vs. The water available and questioned where
the additional water will come from. Mr. Hoagland concurred that tlvs was an area of
concern, He compared the cost for Drinking water of $S million/ Year vs reclaimed water
of $.85 million/year. He stressed the difficulty of ineeting the requirements.
Councilwoman Brinley questioned how to sell reclaimed water to the public and stressed
the honor stories of diseases contracted. Mr. Hoagland indicated that no one has ever
gotten sick swimming in reclaimed water, and stressed that it is treated and filtered.
Councilman Metze questioned the water in the Domenigoni facility and reclaimed water.
Boardmember Anderson indicated that would be drinking water. Councilwoman Brinley
stressed the need for a thorough education process for the public. Boardmember Attridge
indicated that this has been addressed previously. , Boardmember Anderson stressed that it
is a lot closer in timing, than originally anticipated. Boardmember Attridge stressed that
the issues should be gone at this point. Councilwoman Brinley reiterated the need to
address it as a near future issue. Councilman Alongi questioned what is done with the
reclaimed water now. Mr. Hoagland indicated that it is used for agricultural users.
Councilman Alongi questioned the safety factors xo.ensure proper purification. Mr.
Hoagland stressed the redundancy within the plants to assure adequate treatment and
backup systems, and noted that it had not historically been a problem. He also stressed
the monitoring factor and the impacts of runoff. Councilman Alongi questioned whether
the water would be stored elsewhere before putting it into the Lake. Councilwoman
Brinley questioned the monitoring of this water. Boazdmember Anderson indicated that
the water is not cunently being used. Mayor Pape inquired whether this suggestion had
been discussed with Eastern Water District. Mr. Hoagland indicated that it has been
discussed, but there is cunently no pernut to put water in Lake Elsinore. Mayor Pape
inquired whether the pipelines will accommodate this future capacity. Mr. Hoagland
indicated that in 14 months they will need a place to put the water from the pipeline.
Councilwoman Brinley inquired if the intent was to buy and store reclaimed water in the
Lake; and the future potential that they would sell the water from the Lake. Assistant
City Manager questioned the Fill and Operation Agreement which requires that the City
pays for one-half of the fill water. Mr. Hoagland confirmed, and explained that he hopes
that the reclaimed water will make the level a non-issue. Councilman Alongi questioned
what would be done with the excess reclaimed water. Mr. Hoagland indicated that they
would send it down stream. Councilwoman Bririley questioned when the process would
start. Mr. Hoagland indicated that it would take almost two years to get ~ discharge
perrnit; which would probably be about the right timing to address th ; neeJ. `~h:.r~ was
general discussion with regard to Council concurrence on placing rec:vn ~u v~:z}ar in the
lake and discussion of the concerna for recreational uses. There v~a~ emnhasis ~l~.ced on
the joint interest and impact of the lake. Boardmember Ander~on-sfress. ~ t'~° neeii to ~et
the study going to meet the needs in the ne3rt two yeazs. Boari;r::.;mberAttridge
suggested concunence of the boards. Boardmember Wicke clari`~ec! the import:zr.~r; of the
study to
PAGE FOUR = STUDY SESSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 5, 1996
start the process; and indicated that Council would be asked to agree with starting a study.
Mayor Pro Tem Kelley questioned the potential for a special education project.
Boardmember Anderson suggested consideration of tours of the plant to assist in this area.
Councilman Alongi stressed the responsibilities of the water district. Boazdmember
Attridge stressed the education effort which has been made previously. Boardmember
Anderson further discussion tours of the plant to show the processing and the changes in
the water. ' Mayor Pape questioned the nitrogen and phosphorus levels of the water to be
dischazged. Mr. Hoagiand explained the remova} of nutrients from the reclaimed water;
and indicated that he believes that the questioned has been answered through tests and
results. He detailed the recent obsecvations with regard to lake algae, lake turnover , the
presence of various nutrients and the problems in removing these substances. Mr.
Hoagland explained the need to compile this information into a model to see the impacts
of phosphorous on the lake. Mr. Hoagland noted that a large part of good quality water
as a result of the 1995 winter exchange of water; and noted that is needed on a more
regular basis. He stressed that the whole point of lake management was to cause more
frequent spilis from the iake and dilution of the sediments. Councilwoman Brinley
stressed,the need to educate the public on reclaimed water and give them a comfort level
with the program and assure that all precautions have been taken. Councilman Metze
noted that much of that is both bodies showing the same thing. Boardmember Attridge
commented that it is impossible to educate everyone, but the education process is still
importanf for other agencies and both boards. Councilman Metze concurred that it is
important to put forththe effort. Mayor Pape'noted a recent effort to put reclaimed water
in the Newport Bay. Mr. Hoagland advised that is still an issue, but partially
misinformation. Boardmember Attridge indicated that the back basm is polluted all the
time. City Treasurer Knapp questioned studies on channel fish and algae.' Mr. Hoagland
concurred that much research has been done in this area and most fish don't like the type
of algae in the Lake. He noted unsuccessful efforts to find a nauve fauna to help control
the algae. Mr. Knapp questioned the possibility of plants to assist with this effort. Mr.
Hoagland e~cplained that would require thousands of acres of plants. He noted the
difficulty of the heavy rain and upstream flows over a short period; and noted previous
research with regard to the prevention of evaporation. He stressed that the besY approach
would be to pump it up to the treatment plant for processing:
The Boards thanked each other for the opporiunity to meet jointly.
ADJOURNMENT
THE 70INT STUDY SESSION WAS AD70URNED AT 4:25 P.M. '
~
~~
V W. P E, MAYOR
OF LAKE ELSINORE -
ATTE5T:
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ViCKI KASAD, CIi';' CLERK
CITY aF LAKE ET„SINORE