NCSD Half Truth #14: “The project is only for an existing shortage”

NCSD often makes statements like:

“The project is only for an existing shortage”

 

In reality NCSD will be making existing customers subsidize new development with the Water Intertie Project.

Subsidy #1a:

The current project is phase 1 and 2 of the pipeline. NCSD claims that phase 1 is 2,500 AF for an "existing shortage” and phase 2 is for infill development within the NCSD boundaries.

NCSD claims phase 3 is for 6200 AF for future development and annexations to NCSD

But there is a subsidy because the middle of the pipe is sized for 6200 AF under the river.

The cost of the first two phase is now at about $29 million dollars,

The cost of the second phase is currently estimated at $18 million dollars.

The first two phases will be at a cost of $29 million dollars divided by 3000 AF or $9666 per AF

The third phase will be at a cost of $18 million dollars divided by 3200 AF or $5625 per AF

a considerable projected savings for future development.

Subsidy #1b:

The middle of the pipe is rated for 6200 AF per year and costs $5,861,000 on page 81 in the Concept Design Report
April 2009, Half of that capacity will be used for New annexations and future development in the third phase of the project.

Subsidy #2a:

NCSD claims the customers in the "Golden State Water Company (GSWC) area" need to pay for 208 AF for there "share" of the "existing shortage”. There is no water for future development planned for new customers. But in the NCSD meeting on 2/1/12 people were told that undeveloped parcels would get a "guaranteed water right". Where is that water coming from? Answer: it will reduce the effect of the GSWC 208 AF "share" resulting in a deficiency in the future.

Subsidy #2b:

GSWC pumping history is

1380 AF in 2008, see page 28 in the 2009_0400_NMMA_TG_2008_Annual_Report.pdf

1290 AF in 2009, see page 32 in the 2010_0600_NMMA_TG_2009_Annual_Report.pdf

1060 AF in 2010, see page 18 in the 2011_0600_NMMA_TG_2010_Annual_Report.pdf

So GSWC customers have already reduced it's pumping 320 AF 23% from 2008 which is more then there share of the WIP of 2,500 AF * 8.33% or 208 AF

There is no requirement that new development with in the GSWC area will need to bring in additional water so it will rely on the exiting water supply effectively being subsidized by current customers pumping reductions or payments for there "share" of 208 AF.

Subsidy #3a:

To the extent that customers reduce there pumping by conservation they would not need to bring in "supplemental water" NCSD has claimed the per person reduction has been 27% since the 2,500 AF number was placed in the settlement. That reduction is not reserved for current customers and will be used to subsidize future development.

Subsidy #3b:

To the extent that NCSD has over estimated the "current shortage" because it has not considered the fluctuations in the water table with rain fall the current customers could have reduced there need to bring in "supplemental water". That extra water is not reserved for current customers and will be used to subsidize future development. See NCSD Half Truth #12: “water levels beneath the Nipomo Mesa have fallen significantly”