SAN CLEMENTE : Tap on Pipeline by Neighbor Disclosed

A city water pipeline has apparently been tapped without authorization by a neighboring water district for the past 13 years, officials from both agencies have acknowledged.

Although both parties are still digging through old records, officials estimate that city water valued at about $40,000 has been used by the Capistrano Beach County Water District since 1980.

The city and the water district say they are negotiating amicably to settle the debt.

City Manager Michael W. Parness said he considers the incident minor.

“I don’t know all of a sudden why it’s a big deal,” Parness said, adding that the water district discovered the problem last December and notified San Clemente promptly. “We’ll work this out.”

The San Clemente line was used to bolster water pressure for about 20 homes on Calle Juanita, a Capistrano Beach neighborhood at the border of the two communities.

Water District Board Member Jim Hayton said the tapped pipe “was probably the result of a handshake deal (between district and city officials in 1980) that someone forgot to monitor over the years. There was no theft going on.”

Hayton said the Capistrano water district realizes that “we’re going to have to pony up for what we owe.”

However, the district’s top administrative position has been vacant for several weeks, and Hayton said that situation will cause a delay in settling with San Clemente.

The district fired General Manager Dennis Erdman last month, and his replacement, Donald Mischka, resigned last week before his official first day on the job.

Sam Lentine, the general manager of the Capistrano Beach County Water District in 1980, retired last year and moved to Australia. He was not available for comment.