RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Murieta Community Services District (CSD) Board meeting on May 15 likely provided a preview of the upcoming May 30 town hall on the Integrated Water Master Plan (IWMP). 

During the meeting, two directors and several audience members raised questions about the water supply options proposed by consultants. These options aim to ensure the community will have adequate water to support development over the next 20 years, considering the impacts of climate change and drought.

The options discussed included converting Lake Clementia into a potable water reservoir, digging wells and increasing the use of recycled water to offset potable water needs. Previous extreme drought scenarios also assumed a 30% conservation rate.

Another topic of discussion was a state law requiring communities such as Rancho Murieta to have a backup water supply, which it currently lacks.

Background

Two engineers, Lisa Maddaus and Dan Scalas, are leading the Integrated Water Master Plan preparation. 

Maddaus brings considerable experience to the study, as her California-based firm has undertaken numerous water studies, and she has authored textbooks on the topic. She also assisted in preparing the district’s 2010 water plan.

Scalas, from Adkins Engineering in Klamath Falls, Oregon, conducted sonar surveys of the Calero and Chesbro reservoirs, revealing that both contain less water than previously estimated. Although Scalas participated remotely in both the April and May meetings, Maddaus presented their findings to the board in person.

The Integrated Water Master Plan is being developed in three phases: water supply, water demand and options. The first two phases are already available in a story map format on the district’s website.

In April, Maddaus presented the third phase’s initial findings. She outlined various scenarios, including converting Lake Clementia into a drinking water reservoir and digging wells, all based on the assumption of increased recycled water usage.

Maddaus said their analysis did not incorporate water conservation measures to reduce water demand, even though such measures would be the cheapest to implement and are likely to be required by state regulations.

May 15 meeting

Speaking at the May 15 meeting, Maddaus sought feedback to develop the story map for the third phase of the study. 

“We are into the phase where we get to put together the numbers together with the supplies and demands under various demands,” she said. “As you look at the water balance, you can see some options to bring up the reliability in the ability to meet existing future demands…Then, we will come up with costs.” 

Maddaus also reminded the board that Rancho Murieta currently lacks a backup supply as mandated by Senate Bill 552.

Board comments

Director Linda Butler initiated the board discussion by asking Maddaus a question she didn't specifically answer: "If what we have been presented is not feasible, what are our choices?"

President Tim Maybee identified several issues. The first concerned the "shall" in SB 552. 

"We need to consult legal counsel for their interpretation," he said. "The other issue is distinguishing between what is practical today versus what will be practical down the road.”

Maybee said another driving factor would be a 2014 financing service agreement (FSA) outlining the district’s commitment to the developers. Later in the meeting, Maybee said that it would likely face lawsuits from developers or a community member, regardless of the district's decision.

Maybee also questioned whether groundwater would be the answer. After the 2010 Integrated Water Master Plan was issued, the district conducted about five groundwater inspections. 

“They basically came up with what Mr. Wheeler stated would happen. The board at that point stopped it,” Maybee said.  

Earlier in the meeting, retired geology professor Greg Wheeler read a letter describing two geological formations beneath the community. 

“Even if a suitable aquifer can be found in this area, the cost of drilling is very high, the amount of water will be very limited and availability is regulated by the state,” Wheeler wrote. “I can’t imagine the state approving anything that would withdraw water at the rate proposed.”

Maddaus said she would need further clarification about the earlier inspections noting that a 300-foot test well in 2013 produced groundwater and the district was prepared to go to bid. However, due to the high costs of the bids, the project was put on hold.

Maddaus recommended that the district commission an engineering planning report as the next step toward developing a well.

Booth asked Maddaus to confirm whether the community’s current water system would support all of the anticipated demand in the absence of a drought.

Maddaus responded that it would in an average year under normal conditions. She explained that the consultants utilized data from dry years, specifically 2021, 2022 and 2023, for their analysis. However, in an extreme drought, the current water supply wouldn’t sustain buildout without water augmentation.

“You say in an extreme drought but how do we define the point where our supply no longer provides for the demand,” director Stephen Booth asked her.

Maddaus said she hadn’t calculated that point but had the data to do so.

Booth also inquired about using Lake Clementia as a drinking water source, expressing skepticism about its feasibility. 

"In order to use Clementia, we would have to obtain permits, revise our license, develop infrastructure and probably modify our plant to handle the raw water from the lake," he said.

Maddaus told Booth that she would refer him to the district’s water rights expert for further details regarding the permits and licenses needed for utilizing Lake Clementia.

Booth expressed concerns about the viability of a groundwater well, noting feedback from ranchers, farmers, and landowners around Rancho Murieta indicating that the groundwater isn’t sufficient to meet their relatively smaller demands.

Additionally, Booth questioned the rationale behind the increased use of recycled water, particularly with regard to a proposal involving the country club tapping raw water from the river for irrigation instead of utilizing all of the recycled water produced by the district.

Maddaus acknowledged that many questions remain unanswered. 

“But it doesn’t mean we can’t put together a good, most feasible plan for you at this time with the next steps,” Maddaus said. “Our job is to get you the best numbers on supply and the best numbers on demand, and then give you the most feasible options.”

Director Randy Jenco queried Maddaus about the changes since the 2010 water plan, which had concluded that the community would have sufficient water.

Maddaus responded, saying the 2010 board had authorized the use of Clementia as a water source because it aligned with the original master plan for the community. She added that the state had provided different guidance regarding drinking water at that time. Furthermore, the 2010 plan had recommended augmenting the water supply with wells, a strategy that boards had initially pursued but later abandoned.

Audience comments

During the audience comments, seven attendees yielded their time to Janis Eckard, who highlighted what she perceived as "inaccuracies" in the study concerning water demand, recycled water and conservation.

Maybee asked that she submit her list of questions to [email protected] so they could be addressed at the town hall. Eckard mentioned that she had submitted a similar set of questions in March of the previous year and had received an email from Maybee stating that he had directed staff not to respond to her questions except during meetings.

Another speaker was Maryjane Fatigati, who said, “The board will be negligent in its duties if this faulty and highly misleading study is used as a basis to move forward.”

Jay Hannum, identifying himself as a water industry contractor, expressed gratitude to the board for their efforts regarding the water situation, noting that they did not create the situation. Hannum suggested another alternative could be laying a pipe from the Eldorado Irrigation District or Folsom. He also mentioned that digging a well would cost millions.

Toward the end of the discussion, Maddaus reassured everyone that she was approaching the study as if she lived in Rancho Murieta. 

She emphasized that the consultants were striving to provide the community with options. 

“We are really trying not to leave you in a situation where you are forced to shut off all of your irrigation,” Maddaus said. “Other communities do that. They are willing to risk their landscapes because of the costs…So you have choices.”

The May 30 town hall will be held at the Rancho Murieta Country Club and will begin at 6 p.m. Questions can be submitted before the meeting at [email protected].