City Pacts to Improve Port Hueneme Water

Oxnard’s City Council has approved two key agreements that will help bring top-quality drinking water to 56,000 residents in Port Hueneme and surrounding areas.

As part of a council vote on Tuesday, city leaders agreed to pay Port Hueneme Water Agency $196,000 to locate a new, high-tech water treatment facility near Oxnard’s waste-water reclamation plant on Perkins Road. The agency, which is spearheading a massive $15-million water project, had wanted to build its desalination plant elsewhere in Oxnard.

But Oxnard water officials have persuaded the agency to build its plant in south Oxnard and decided to pay some money for the relocation. “This way, we will be able to share technology for future use,” said Richard Eccles, Oxnard’s water production supervisor.

Oxnard will also be making some cash from the deal. Council members approved a second agreement Tuesday that will allow the Calleguas Municipal Water District to lease excess capacity in two city pipelines for about $205,000 annually. As part of the overall project, Calleguas will send high-quality water to the new treatment facility, where it will be blended with treated water.

Oxnard, which enjoys good drinking water, will not be affected by the project. But residents in Port Hueneme, the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District and the Navy bases in Point Mugu and Port Hueneme will receive softer and tastier water. Water rates in Port Hueneme are expected to double, but officials say residents will save money because they will be able to stop buying bottled water and softeners.

Port Hueneme Water Agency officials said the project will guarantee a constant water supply as the state increases restrictions on ground-water pumping.