Dear Guild Water Customer,

As you learned in previous mailings, we are tight on water supply this fall. The flow in Mindego Creek is too low for us to divert water from that source on October 1, which we typically do to recharge the reservoirs after the long summer. This means that the water remaining in the reservoirs, together with the flow we are able to divert from upper Woodhams Creek are our only sources of water until the winter rains restore flow to Mindego Creek. Based on historic patterns of water demand, Woodhams flow, and estimated evaporative losses, we predict that we will run through the reserves in the Upper and middle reservoirs in mid December.
 

Fortunately, we also have water stored in the Lower reservoir, which we do not typically put into service because it also serves as a reclamation pond for the backwash cycles of the filter treatment plant. By putting this water into service, we will have access to approximately an addition month’s supply of water. The water in the lower reservoir has been tested with consultation and guidance from the California Department of Public Health and has been determined to be drinking water quality. While we expect high water flow to be restored to the creeks in December, there is enough uncertainty about expected weather patterns, continued rates of flow in Woodhams, and our estimations of stored volumes of water that Chief Water Operator, Public Works Manager and Board feel it is necessary to reduce water consumption to ensure that we do not run critically low on water.

Three conservation notices have been sent to Guild water customers but we have seen no diminishment in water use. The only option left to reduce water consumption is to impose a rationing plan. On September 16th the Cuesta La Honda Board of Directors passed an emergency Operating Procedure to impose a water rationing plan beginning on October 4, 2008. The rationing plan will remain in effect for 120 days, or until the Board has evidence that it is safe to lift the rationing plan.

The following rate schedule will apply, beginning Oct. 4, 2008:

 For reference, 1200 cubic feet per month is the current allotment. This table was designed to encourage a reduction of 30% in overall water use, or about 1 month’s supply of water over a three month period. If you do not know your rate of water use, we encourage you to check your meter reading right away, then check again at weekly intervals. The meters read in cubic feet. Six hundred cubic feet a month is 20 cubic feet a day.

In addition to the rationing plan, the Guild is attempting to increase water supplies this fall by completing the well, which is currently waiting on County permits, and by restoring the damaged collection system from the lower diversion point on Woodhams Creek. Over the following two years, we plan to increase reservoir capacity by clearing decades of accumulated silt from the upper reservoir and by cleaning out the lower reservoir, which has not been cleaned to our knowledge since it was constructed.


Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

The Cuesta La Honda Guild Board of Directors.