Santiago Reservoir Should Be Saved to Provide Water

The most quotable quote of The Times’ story on drought solutions (“A Deluge of Drought Solutions,” June 21) said it all: “If history has taught us anything . . . it is that when Californians get thirsty, they will use cash, the law, raw political power and, if necessary, the point of a gun barrel to satisfy their thirst.” We’re seeing that today in Orange County.

Santiago Reservoir exists in an undeveloped portion of eastern Orange County. More than 60 years ago the residents of Villa Park had the foresight to construct a reservoir on Santiago Creek, ensuring that future generations would have an adequate water supply.

Today the Santiago Reservoir continues to be a reliable source of water for the residents of Villa Park (and parts of Orange). Almost the entire supply of water distributed by the Serrano Irrigation District is derived from this reservoir.

Yet today, at a time when it is needed so desperately, this indispensable resource is threatened. As other parts of the state are going dry and asking why they did not construct more reservoirs long ago, the Irvine Co. and the city of Orange want to make the reservoir (commonly known as Irvine Lake) the crowning jewel in a massive development.

By turning the reservoir into a recreation-only lake, for use by hotel guests and residents of the homes it will build, the Irvine Co. would deprive the residents of Villa Park of the valuable resource their forefathers originally intended.

The Irvine Co. and the city of Orange propose that the Serrano Irrigation District can get the water it needs from the Metropolitan Water District. Yet isn’t that the agency that keeps telling us it’s short of water, the one that has been asking us to cut back--not increase--our demand?

DAVID H. NOYES

General Manager

Serrano Irrigation District