Marin Coalition for Water Solutions
Dec. 1, 2021
We Need A Solution for Reliable Water
Since the gangbuster drought in 1976-77, there have been multi-year droughts from 1986-1992, 1999-2004, 2006-2010, 2011-2017 and, of course, the one we’re in now. Frequent droughts, wildfires, and limited water supply are becoming increasingly dire throughout the state. Our precious reservoirs on Mt. Tamalpais are lined up like pins in a bowling alley. A major wildfire would wreak havoc on their pristine quality.
Instead of planning for reliable water in a district known for extreme drought, MMWD relies on a “living paycheck- to-paycheck” approach: Conservation. Some call it rationing. We’re currently at 40% mandatory rationing. MMWD thinks 50% mandatory rationing now and then is acceptable.
Of course, conservation is not a bad thing. At least 50% of water used in Marin irrigates landscaping. Some of that greenery might be more at home on the water rich East Coast. Drought-tolerant landscaping here makes sense. Most of us have water wise appliances and fixtures, so we’ve almost exhausted that kind of water savings. Conservation is just one option in a constellation of many to improve water resiliency.
Water resiliency includes recycling and reuse, desalination, forest and watershed management, groundwater banking, improved pipeline infrastructure and water storage. These solutions are being used effectively in other drought-stricken areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas which have built or are planning to build plants for sustainable water recycling and desalination.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently released a study that said the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada could disappear in 25 years. Many water districts throughout California rely on the melted snow to feed their rivers and reservoirs. If the Richmond Bridge pipeline is built, we would be relying on that snow, too.
MMWD needs a reliable water supply plan to protect our health, safety and the beauty of our County. We can’t just ask our neighboring water districts to bail us out when they face water restrictions themselves. While regional cooperation is commendable, building a pipeline that costs nearly $100 million (originally estimated at $65 million – and it’s not even built yet) and carries 40% less water than planned is not the way to go. Plus, our neighboring water districts would require the pipeline only be used during drought emergencies. That’s a lot of money to spend on something with so many restrictions. MMWD isn’t planning. It’s panicking.
When taking a closer look at MMWD’s Water Resources Plan 2040, completed in 2017, and the more recent 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, resiliency is suggested but doesn’t go far enough.
For example, the 2020 UWMP plan suggests how climate change may affect our water supply, including:
“There might be less, but total precipitation is not projected to change significantly.
“Earlier runoff will affect reservoir storage.
“Variability in annual precipitation is expected to continue, with … droughts and dry periods.
“More intense storms…may affect surface water runoff and storage and stored water quality.
“Sea level rise could inundate some of the developed low-lying areas and increase flooding regularity in other areas.” (Not to mention many of Marin’s water treatment sites.)
“Based on the (Water Resources Plan 2040), there were no predicted shortages through 2040 under the modeled climate change scenarios.”
Does MMWD have blinders on? Water rates are going up. Water supplies are going down. Climate change is happening now. Are the actions of the Board of Directors in our best interests? Out of five members on the board, one has served for 7 years, two have served for 17 years and one has served for 26 years. Our water supply hasn’t become any more reliable in that time. It should be noted, three members are up for re-election in 2022.