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Stockton East Water District Ag-Water Report for Spring - Summer 2008

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SEWD Receives PG&E Rebate!

On September 4, 2007, Board President Melvin Panizza was presented with a rebate check from PG&E in the amount of $160,123.00. This amount represents about 50% of the variable frequency drive equipment cost used as part of the finished water pumping station enhancement project. The efficient equipment is projected to save over $275,000.00 per year, and use over 2.5 million kilowatt-hours less electricity with a 328 kilowatt load reduction.

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Adjacent to Surface Water But Don't have a Pump?

With the help of the Corps of Engineers, the district plans to purchase two trailer pumps to help you take advantage of the surface water adjacent to your property. Whether your irrigation requirement is 500 or 3,000 gallons per minute, we soon hope to be able to provide you with surface water pumping services to meet your irrigation needs. Our objective is to convert current groundwater pumpers to surface water irrigators when surface water is available. We recommend that all surface water users keep their wells operational in the event of a dry year when surface water is scarce. Using surface water in-lieu of groundwater helps us meet our mission of conjunctively managing all of our water resources to assure a sustainable water supply for the benefit of all users. If you have been thinking about how you can help the district meet this obejctive, today may be a good time to call the district and begin the process.

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Hurray! Program Receives Funding in 2008!

Thanks to our elected representatives in Washington, the Farmington Program has received funding for the current year. The amount that will benefit this Program through the Corps of Engineers' budget is not yet certain, but is expected to be between $500,000.00 and $1.1 million. In addition to buying portable pumping equipment, these funds will complete a 35-acre recharge site at the district's drinking water treatment plant site, and design a distribution system in the agricultural area of the district that will bring surface water to more lands currently using groundwater. Stay tuned.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What will be the 2008 water rates? The 2007 groundwater rate was $4.29 per AF, the surface water rate was $20.00 per AF, the domestic rate was $36.00 per unit (occupied or not); M&I rate was $137.28 per AF ($4.20 for groundwater prodution assessment and $133.08 for the rate equalization). The 2008 rates will be adopted April 2008 and are likely to increase by approximately 3%.

When is the bill due? Payment is due upon receipt. Unpaid final bills/domestic assessments become past due after April 30, 2008. Unpaid progress bills become past due after October 31, 2008.

Why am I assessed for groundwater pumping?The purpose of this assessment is to fund supplemental surface water to lessen the groundwater overdraft and seek solutions to restore and protect the groundwater basin. This work benefits all the groundwater users. Every groundwater pumper will benefit from higher aquifer levels

How does the district's efforts benefit my well? Excessive groundwater pumping has caused a critical decline in groundwater levels and saltwater intrusion from under the delta. Imported supplemental surface water use rechargers the aquifer and slows these negative impacts. This benefits all groundwater users and ultimely each well.

Why do I have to fill out the Owner's Water Use Statement (OWUS) every year? The district requires all OWUS to be filled by January 15th of each year. The district uses the OWUS to determine your groundwater assessment/surface water bill. The prior year information is printed on the form. Please review it for accuracy, make any necessary changes and return the completed form with your signature, date and telephone number to the district

Why has my domestic groundwater assessment increased? Domestic groundwater assessments are used for a similar purpose as groundwater assessements. All groundwater pumping has contributed to the critical overdrafted condition of the aquifer and made it susceptible to further saline intrusion. Costs of addressing this problem have increased significantly over the past 10 years and therefore this assessment must increase as well

On or before April 15th of each year, at a meeting open to the public, the district examines all water assessments and determines the rates for that year.

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What is the San Joaquin County & Delta Water Quality Coalition?

The purpose of the Coalition is to represent enrolled landowners before the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) in order to ensure compliance with the State's Conditional Waiver. The Coalition is an acceptable watershed approach for those landowners who have enrolled to comply with the monitoring, testing, reporting, and development of best management practice requirements for irrigation or storm runoff.

Although meeting compliance and understanding the positions of the RWOCB remains a challenge, the SJC and Coalition steering committee of water agencies, the Farm Bureau , and other interested parties have had a successful year. Although organized and having raised funds through landowners wishing to be represented by the Coalition, much work remains to be done including raising additional funds to meet the compliance expectations of the RWQCB. We expect to continue our successes over the next year.

If you are a landowner and have not enrolled in the Coalition or taken other action to comply with the Conditional Waiver, you are likely in violation and subject to enforcement actions of the RWQCB. Questions regarding the Coalition can be directed to the District or the RCD at 472-7127 x3.

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Owner's Water Use Statements

The District Act requires the Owner's Water Use Statement (OWUS) be filed annually. To make it easier for owners, last year's information is pre-printed on the form. Please review it for accuracy, make any necessary changes and return the completed form with your signature, date and telephone number the District can contact you at. The information is shared with other agencies and provides information for projecting future water needs.

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