RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Conserving existing water and identifying new sources for Rancho Murieta dominated the discussion at the March 3 meeting of the Rancho Murieta Community Services District Improvements Committee.

Committee members discussed a proposed electromagnetic survey to locate groundwater, a study of the Rio Oso water tank, the need for a leak detection study and the likely demolition of the district’s deteriorating Safety Center building.

The committee – composed of Directors Randy Jenco and Bill Gere along with Interim Operations Manager Travis Bohannon, Interim General Manager Amelia Wilder and staff – reviews infrastructure issues in detail and makes recommendations to the full board.

Jenco, who also chairs the district’s Water Vision Working Group, reported they would meet the following day to hear a presentation from hydrogeologist Patrick Dunn about using a geophysical electromagnetic survey to identify potential groundwater sources.

“He has some ideas on where it would be beneficial for us to spend some money to do that so that we zero in more closely on where the water is,” Jenco said.

Dunn prepared an extensive groundwater study for the district in 2014. He was recently hired as a consultant by Rancho Murieta Properties, which is developing the Rancho North subdivision.

A geophysical electromagnetic survey measures differences in electrical conductivity in underground soils and rock formations to help identify areas more likely to contain groundwater.

Jeff Pearson, the RMP project manager and a member of the working group, said the process involves placing a conductor in the ground and measuring electrical resistance across a large area.

Different soil types conduct electricity differently, Pearson said. Water-bearing alluvial soils exhibit an electrical signature distinct from that of clay or other formations. Mapping those differences helps engineers to identify formations more likely to hold groundwater before drilling wells. Pearson said a similar electromagnetic survey has already been conducted in the west of the Anderson Ranch area west of Rancho Murieta. 

Jenco said that after hearing Dunn’s presentation, the group will decide whether to bring the concept back to the Improvements Committee and, eventually, to the full board for consideration.

Jenco also reported that a water-use analysis is being conducted by Tom Shewchuk, a member of the Water Vision Working Group.

Using district billing records, Shewchuk is analyzing water use by neighborhood and home type. Preliminary findings suggest older homes use significantly more water than newer ones, largely because modern plumbing fixtures and landscaping are more efficient.

Jenco also noted that the district’s overall water use has declined as conservation and efficiency measures have taken hold over the past 20 years.

“That’s a mixed blessing,” Jenco said, noting that while conservation reduces pressure on water supplies, it also reduces district revenue because customers are billed largely based on water consumption.

Jenco said the district will need a water attorney to assist with several complex issues tied to long-term water planning.

One involves the possibility of re-permitting Lake Clementia so it could again be used as a drinking water source. Another involves negotiating agreements with property owners where groundwater wells might be located. Because both issues involve complicated areas of water law, specialized legal expertise will be needed before the district proceeds.

Wilder said District Counsel Patrick Enright has been asked to provide a list of attorneys who specialize in water law so the board can review potential candidates.

The committee also reviewed a proposal to study the condition of the Rio Oso water tank.
 Bohannon asked the committee to recommend board approval for a $24,780 study to determine whether the tank should be rehabilitated or replaced.

Domenichelli & Associates would inspect the tank and prepare a report recommending whether repairs or full replacement would be the best option.

The study would provide an independent evaluation before the district commits to a costly project.

Committee members also discussed conducting a water leak detection study, particularly in the pressure zone served by the Rio Oso tank.

Bohannon said pumps serving the tank appear to run continuously, even late at night when water demand should be minimal. 

“I’ve actually been there at night,” he said. “The percentage doesn’t go down.”

Because irrigation typically begins early in the morning, the constant pump activity raised questions about whether water was escaping from the system.

Bohannon said a leak detection study and improved monitoring equipment could help to determine whether water is being lost through underground leaks. Utility Supervisor Corey Carskaddon is getting estimates for the work.

During public comment, The Residences Developer Bob Keil raised concerns about the unavailability of the district’s contract engineer, who has been having health issues.

Keil said his engineer has been trying for two months to obtain revised numbers from Joe Domenichelli, following earlier estimates for tank size and gallons per day calculations that he had agreed were too high. 

“I’m not blaming him, but we need a Plan B,” Keil said. “We’re going to be months and months.

Wilder said Domenichelli has returned to work and is feeling better.

The condition of the district’s aging safety center was also discussed.

The small trailer across from the district office once housed the James L. Noller Safety Center, with an office, lockers for patrol officers and space for Volunteers in Partnership with the Sheriff.

Wilder said the structure has extensive dry rot and water damage and that parts of the exterior are literally falling apart. Mold has also been detected in the building.

At one point, the district considered rehabilitating the structure and even ordered replacement windows for the project. But after contractors inspected the building, they determined the damage was too extensive for repair. As a result, the district still has 10 unused vinyl windows purchased for the project that Wilder wants to sell as surplus.

Committee members briefly discussed whether the building could be sold or given away if someone agreed to remove it. But Jenco cautioned that doing so could create liability issues because of the known structural damage.

Staff said the district previously received a demolition estimate of about $16,000, which could drop to roughly $15,000 if furniture and electronic waste are removed first.

The committee agreed to forward the issue to the full board for direction.

In other business, the committee reviewed continuing the district’s annual Veolia service contract for technical support of the membrane water treatment plant, discussed installing a backup system for the plant’s SCADA monitoring system, and reviewed storm damage to a road and a damaged pipe in the Lake Clementia spillway.

Bohannon also recommended installing two fire hydrants on Murieta Parkway so a long section of water main can be flushed more effectively to maintain water quality. The board will decide whether to spend around $11,000 for the improvement.