Over a year into the process first initiated in April of 2008, the Big Bear City Community Services District is one step closer to having an updated Water Master Plan since adopting one in 1991. At last night’s meeting of the Board of Directors of the Community Services District, the draft Water Master Plan was presented by hydrogeologists, engineers and infrastructure specialists from Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Civiltec Engineering and ID Modeling. Hydrogeologist Jordan Kear first noted, “This study was very comprehensive and seemingly miniscule details were considered for recharge.” Though there had been a study done by GeoScience in 2006, the Daniel B. Stephens-led survey of Valley-wide water sources was done “from scratch” and included independent estimates; Kear pointed out that, per their thorough estimations, water supply in Big Bear is about triple the estimate given in the 2006 study. That said, Daniel B. Stephens’ Senior Vice President Steve Cullen told CSD, “You should have plenty of water sources to draw from. All said, I think you have plenty of water supply to meet the projected demand.” This information, which could alleviate the need to investigate wastewater recharging, prompted CSD Director Marge McDonald to add, “I am so thrilled that what Rick [Ollila] has been saying all along has been confirmed.” In addition to a survey of water sources within the Big Bear basin, the draft Water Master Plan for CSD highlighted strenghths and weaknesses of the current CSD water system overseen by Tim Moran, and proposed capital improvement projects (and potential funding opportunities) for the district. Current highlights for the water system include an existing surplus of .74 MGD, a proactive maintenance program, a well-developed mainline system, and the good condition of storage facilities; some weaknesses include aging, undersized steel pipelines and old, inefficient water meters. That said, suggested CIPs include (but are not limited to) replacing both meters and 10 miles of pipeline, as well as enhancing the flouride blending system. Of many of the CIPs, however, noted Engineer Shem Hawes of Civiltec, “These improvements don’t need to be made unless development drives it.” As the overall scope of projects totals a projected $16.3 million over 21 years, CSD Director Jeff Newsome said, “It kind of makes my eyes pop out when I think how we’re going to fund it.” Still, as this is a draft plan, CSD General Manager Mike Mayer suggested that adoption would not be likely until at least August, saying, “These numbers are really a first look for us, and there are a lot of details behind it. We need to see if these [projects] are a real need.”
In other news from CSD’s meeting of June 1, the budget for fiscal year 2009/2010 was unanimously adopted by the four Directors in attendance.
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