Water: The Level’s in the Details

* Re “Getting Real About Water Supplies,” editorial, March 19: Senate Bill 901 [requiring developers to demonstrate that they have enough water supply] does need to be strengthened and enforced. The nearly 1,000 water boards that exist statewide should also become more accountable to the public. Identifying your local water board representatives is now more imperative than ever. Water and power will be no small issue for the next decade.

The San Gabriel Valley board where I serve has long had an obsession with public relations. For four months we have been wasting our staff’s time on a resodding landscape project. The project has a lot of local PR pizazz in Baldwin Park but will produce slim water conservation benefits. Meanwhile, an idea to study installation of microturbines and photovoltaic technology to supply power to public buildings in El Monte’s downtown area has languished. Public scrutiny would cure the “pork-barrel politics” and “public be damned” attitudes we observe in the water industry.

The adjustments needed by the public for the next drought will be easier if we plan wisely now. The Assn. of California Water Agencies would benefit from taking The Times’ advice and helping to pass state Sens. Jim Costa’s SB 610 and Sheila Kuehl’s SB 221.

R. WILLIAM ROBINSON

Director, Upper San Gabriel

Valley Municipal Water District

Division 4, West Covina

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Your editorial notes that “the obvious lesson is for California not to act as if it has an endless supply of water.” It says, “There is much that Sacramento needs to do to make sure California is not surprised by a water shortage.” What about the DWP here in Los Angeles? This local department doesn’t seem to have a clue about preventing or repairing broken water mains. In Nichols Canyon it seems that seldom a day goes by that water burbling up through blacktop does not merrily make its way to the sea.

LISA CITRON

Los Angeles