Reservoir sale hangs on a promise

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Before it sells the city’s 1.18% share of the San

Joaquin Reservoir, the Newport Beach City Council insisted this week on a

binding agreement that the Irvine Ranch Water District will stick by the

rules of releasing reclaimed water into the bay.

The other six owners of the reservoir have already sold their shares

to the water district.

At its meeting Tuesday, the council voted to delay a decision on the

sale until the city’s Environmental Quality Advisory Committee has had

time to review a proposal to turn the reservoir into a basin for

reclaimed water.

Council members and residents alike have expressed doubts about the

water district’s assurances to abide by the rules without a legally

binding document.

Currently, state water quality control officials allow the water

district to discharge reclaimed water as the result of serious

rainstorms. The permit allows the release of excess water into the San

Diego Creek Channel from its current reclaimed water reservoirs. The

channel feeds into the bay.

While water district representatives have vowed to follow regulations,

some council members said they would rather have proof to go along with a

promise.

“What assurance do we have that a renewal of [the permit] will

happen?” said Councilman Gary Adams. “We have no assurance whatsoever.

... we don’t know who will sit on this board 20 years from now. I can’t

be convinced that we can’t have a binding agreement.”

Environmentalists urging the council to postpone a decision said they

didn’t oppose reclaimed water in principle. They just wanted to make sure

that proper precautions are taken.

“I’m disturbed by the unwillingness of [the water district] to make a

binding agreement,” said water quality activist Jack Skinner. “This

agreement is one based on trust, and one earns trust.”

Water district officials countered that they were committed to abiding

by the regulations.

“We have an agreement,” said Paul Jones, the district’s general

manager. “We welcome monitoring from regional [water quality control]

board. We welcome monitoring from anybody.”

City officials said they would work to address concerns about the

sale.

Using the San Joaquin Reservoir to store reclaimed water “is the right

thing to do,” Deputy City Manager Dave Kiff said Wednesday. “It’s how do

we get there from here. We’ve got to find a way to protect the city’s

interests.”

The City Council is expected to discuss the issue again at its Oct. 24

meeting.