Key HOA Board members ask, “Is there a water crisis?”

A tour of Santa Margarita Water District informs on critical issues such as supply reliability, conservation and urban runoff.

Santa Margarita Water District ratepayers have not seen an increase in rates in nearly fourteen years, as the District has been able to absorb rising costs from its suppliers. Still, many inquire about the future of water.

HOA Board members have come together with the District in order to learn more about water supply issues.

Board Members from Ladera Ranch Community Services (LARCS), Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation (LARMAC), Talega Maintenance Corporation and Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation (SAMLARC) recently toured the Water District facilities to get a behind the scenes look at where your water comes from.

The tour, hosted by General Manager John Schatz and Chief Engineer Dan Ferons, began at the District headquarters with a presentation that gave an overview of the District’s responsibilities within the community as well as the current water issues facing the state and the region. Included were concerns with urban runoff, the need for water conservation despite alternative sources of supply, and its plan to tackle upcoming threats of a water shortage.

The Board members learned that although the District is at the forefront of innovative ways to obtain new supplies of water, it is crucial that homeowners cut back on water usage whenever possible. John Schatz says, “Although we have several reservoirs to pull from, we continue to push conservation.”

The District is also highly proactive in finding new ways to recycle water. Board members took a bus to visit the Chiquita Water Reclamation Treatment Plant where they learned about the reclamation process. The plant is comprised of state-of-the-art technology that transforms runoff and wastewater into usable water or water that is safe to enter the ocean. Two phases of the plant are completed and the third phase is next in line.

In addition, the District has identified the need for above ground water storage. Plans to build a $38 million water-storage facility called Upper Chiquita Reservoir are underway. The reservoir would provide enough of a reserve supply of water to sustain the demands of the community in case of an emergency or unplanned service disruption. A pending approval of a draft environmental impact report will determine when construction will begin.

Schatz says, “It’s so important that there is a strong communication between SMWD and the HOA’s because they can really be a successful link to keeping our ratepayers informed.”