COSTA MESA : Residents Object to Proposed Reservoir

Costa Mesa residents packed a board meeting of the Mesa Consolidated Water District last week to voice their objections to a proposed 20-million-gallon underground reservoir at Lindbergh School, arguing that the project would decrease property values and increase dangers to children living near the construction area.

The $15-million, three-year project was scheduled to begin in September, but water district board member Trudy Ohlig said construction will probably be delayed because concerns raised by residents have extended the public-hearing process.

Residents packed a meeting Thursday to express their concerns about the project. They said they feared construction will increase traffic and dust in the area, in turn decreasing their property values. Residents also cited a potential safety hazard to children playing in areas where heavy equipment will be operated.

A final public hearing on the reservoir construction project will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the water district offices, 1965 Placentia Ave.

Plans call for the underground reservoir to be 41 feet deep and 296 feet in diameter. The water district maintains that the reservoir is needed to increase production of high-quality ground water, which would decrease dependence on imported water and increase local emergency supplies.

“It is a significant community project . . . just as road construction is necessary for a city. The need for the project was identified a long time ago,” said water district board member Henry Panian.

Residents, however, question the need for the water storage facility, to be financed through 30-year bonds. The project is expected to increase the average monthly water bill from $38 to $45 within 10 years.

In addition to the project itself, land to be purchased from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District is expected to cost $4 million. An agreement between the water district and the school district would allow the school district to lease back the land when it needs to occupy Lindbergh School, in 1994-95.

Although the school district is not currently using the facility, it is occupied by Vineyard Christian School under a lease agreement with the Newport--Mesa district that will expire in August.