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Local News

Mammoth water board appoints a new member

Mammoth Community Water District Board of Directors Appoint New Member

Local architect and 14-year community member, Robert Creasy fills vacant Board of Director seat

submitted by the Mammoth Community Water District

At a special board meeting on October 15, the Mammoth Community Water District’s Board of Directors appointed Robert Creasy to fill the vacant board position following the passing of Director Gordon Alper.  Mr. Creasy is an architect and has in lived in Mammoth the past 14 years.

Mr. Creasy is a graduate of Stanford University with an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Policy after which he received a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University. His education focused on the principles of water and energy sustainability, their economic influences, their engineering solutions, and their architectural applications. Mr. Creasy is excited to serve the community by applying his knowledge and experiences as an MCWD board member.

The MCWD welcomes Mr. Creasy to the board and is confident his skills will help to represent the community of Mammoth Lakes and to benefit the Mammoth Community Water District.

rcreasy
Robert Creasy, photo submitted

About Mammoth Community Water District
MCWD provides water and wastewater utility service to the Town of Mammoth Lakes and surrounding areas. MCWD strives to provide reliable, affordable utility service to our customers and to conduct our operations in a manner reflecting our stewardship role. We encourage our customers to practice responsible use of our limited water resources, and to take advantage of the information and services available to support this goal.

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Local News

Mammoth cuts water use

Mammoth Community Water District Customers Reduced Usage by 38 %

Water Supplies Remain Critical:
Level 3 Water Shortage Conditions Still in Effect.

Information provided by the Mammoth Community Water District

In July, Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) customers used 85.6 million gallons less than July of 2013. This 38 percent reduction exceeds the MCWD’s Level 3 reduction goal of 30 percent.  General Manager Pat Hayes remarked, “These savings demonstrate the whole community understands the severity of the drought and they are pitching in to help our water supplies last through the summer. We’re still in a critical position with our water; everyone needs to keep up the conservation effort.” The year 2013 is being used as the baseline for comparison purposes by the state and MCWD.

The July rains and cooler temperatures in Mammoth Lakes did not replenish groundwater or surface water supplies used by MCWD for the community, according to MCWD Operations Superintendent, Karl Schnadt. As a result, MCWD customers remain under Level 3 Water Shortage conditions.

The MCWD has been almost entirely dependent on groundwater supplies from nine production wells since last year. After four years of below average runoff and higher than normal pumping, the water table is showing the effects of the drought.  Three wells are operating on a limited basis due to low groundwater levels and a fourth is approaching the same status. Currently, the available surface water supply is being saved for emergency uses.

Under Level 3 restrictions, parks, schools and golf courses are operating under conservation plans that have been submitted to MCWD.  These recreational facilities have reduced their irrigation usage by more than 30 percent in June and July and are allowed to irrigate outside of restricted days of the week and hours as long as they adhere to reductions outlined in their conservation plan.  All customers are encouraged to visit the MCWD website for a list of the current restrictions.

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Local News

Brown is the new Green

MCWD says “Brown is the new Green”

Mammoth Community Water District Joins California’s Conservation Efforts with the “Brown is the New Green” Lawn Sign Campaign.

Free lawn signs with the new message available to customers

The Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) implemented Level 3 Water Shortage Conditions this year in early April when the runoff year started with just 2 percent of normal conditions. Reducing irrigation demand is critical to ensure they meet their 30% reduction target and have a reliable potable water supply. With irrigation starting up and water resources at critical levels, the MCWD is hoping lawn signs sporting the new conservation message, “Brown is the New Green” will encourage more customers to reduce landscape water use. The current irrigation schedule of 2 days a week with significantly reduced times, should allow for enough water to keep landscapes alive, but customers should expect to see some signs of stress.

“We’d like our customers to make sure their irrigation systems are running efficiently and find ways to cut back on their irrigation consumption where possible,” said Pat Hayes, General Manager at MCWD.

Simply turning back the run time for each cycle will likely do the trick. For example if you are running 10-minute cycles, dial it back to 7 minutes. Betty Hylton, GIS Specialist with MCWD, added, “If a customer is letting their lawn turn a little brown or die this summer, they can advertise their commitment to conservation with our new signs. We are hoping our customers evaluate whether their lawn is necessary and consider replacing it with plants that don’t need spray type sprinklers and use minimal water. These conversions will conserve our water resources every summer, not just during the drought.”

The District is stepping up water conservation enforcement. Customer data is reviewed daily and those who are not following the time of day and day of use requirements will be issued violation notices. After two violations, those not in compliance will be faced with a $50 per day fine and ultimately have water restrictors or shutoff occur.

To encourage and support customers decreasing irrigation during the drought, the MCWD is making a limited number of lawn signs available free to its customers. Ms. Hylton remarked, “the first ‘Brown is the New Green’ lawn sign will be planted in MCWD’s previously green lawn.”

MCWD_LawnSign

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Local News

Level 3 Restrictions Remain for MCWD

Mammoth Community Water District Level 3 Water Shortage Conditions Still in Effect

Rain in May Helped Conservation Efforts But Fail to Replenish Surface Water Supplies.

Statement from the Mammoth Community Water District:

Conservation, cooler temperatures and rainfall in May contributed to a significant reduction in water consumption by Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) customers compared to May 2013.  Unfortunately, not enough rain fell to raise Mammoth Creek flows to levels that would allow MCWD to store water in Lake Mary or to divert water to customers.  As a result, MCWD would like to remind customers that water supplies remain at a critical level as we start the summer irrigation season.
May water demand from MCWD customers this year was 54 percent lower than May 2013, saving 55 million gallons of water.  This reduction exceeds the MCWD’s Level 3 reduction goal of 30 percent.  Although this May received an inch more rain than in 2013, the savings is still significant.  General Manager Pat Hayes remarked “Our customers are keenly aware of their environment and are seeing the effects of the drought.  It seems this connection is translating into turning down the spigot.”  The year 2013 is being used as the baseline for comparison purposes by the state and MCWD.
The MCWD has been almost entirely dependent on groundwater supplies since last year.  Surface water has been limited or unavailable as Mammoth Creek flows have been too low to divert for drinking water supplies.  These limits to storage and diversions are embedded in MCWD’s water right permit and licenses to protect Mammoth Creek resources.  Fortunately, the MCWD can turn to their nine groundwater production wells this summer to supply the community.  MCWD is keeping a close watch on groundwater levels this summer as we transition into the irrigation season.  For MCWD customers, Level 3 Water Shortage Restrictions remain in effect until conditions improve.  All customers are encouraged to visit the MCWD website for a list of the restrictions.
http://www.mcwd.dst.ca.us/

cover photo courtesy of the Mammoth Community Water District

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Community News, Local News

Mammoth CWD construction

Mammoth Community Water District begins Summer Construction

The Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) takes pride in providing quality water and sewer services to the community of Mammoth Lakes. This construction season, the MCWD will be making water and sewer distribution improvements throughout the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

The replacement and improvement schedule for this summer includes water service lateral replacements in the Sierra Valley Sites and Tamarack Lane areas, connecting new pressure reducing control valves at Timberidge pump station, installing water distribution system isolation valves and replacing the remaining small sections of steel water mainlines.

MCWD Construction Crews have started work on the Summer 2015 Water Lateral Replacement Project. Currently the crews are working along Mono Street between Dorrance Drive and Meridian Blvd. Next week, the crews will also be working along Manzanita Road between Dorrance Drive and Meridian Blvd.

District crews will be working between the hours of 7:00am – 5:00pm. Please drive carefully, be alert in construction areas and use alternative routes when possible to keep our crews safe. Visit our website at www.mcwd.dst.ca.us to follow the progress of our summer crews. These construction projects improve the reliability of the water and wastewater systems, improves fire safety and reduces water loss in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. If you have any questions or comments contact Nick Holt at 760-934-2596 ext. 290.

submitted by the Mammoth Community Water District

cover photo by MCWD

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Community News, Local News

Mammoth Elevates Water Restrictions

MCWD Increases Water Use Restrictions

Mammoth Pass snowpack 98 percent below normal conditions; District Expects to Rely Fully on Groundwater Wells to Meet Customer Needs

 

Mammoth Lakes, CA – The Mammoth Community Water District’s (MCWD) Board of Directors voted to raise the District’s water shortage conditions from Level 2 to Level 3 at a special meeting on April 1st. The Level 3 restrictions will go in to effect on April 10th.  In addition to the Level 3 irrigation restrictions, the District is also urging customers to reduce indoor water use by 30 percent.  The meeting was convened following the mechanical failure of two of the Water District’s groundwater production wells and a record low snow-pack water content measurement on Mammoth Pass, which found that conditions were 98 percent below normal conditions.

 The MCWD Board’s decision to increase the level of water restrictions coincided with Governor Jerry Brown’s announcement of first ever statewide mandatory water restrictions calling for a 25 percent reduction in water use. The Governor’s proclamation includes specific reduction measures, such as prohibiting irrigation of public street medians, replacing lawns and non-water efficient fixtures, and numerous additional requirements.

 “This is clearly a call to action to make the most efficient use of our water supplies during this severe drought.  Our intent in implementing Level 3 restrictions is to stretch out our resources and maintain a reliable water supply until we see a significant improvement in our water situation,” said MCWD General Manager Pat Hayes. “Reducing our water use is a partnership, and we urge MCWD customers to visit our website and take advantage of our water-efficient fixture rebate program and landscape classes.”

 Increasing the District’s water use restrictions to Level 3 will require increased conservation measures that will aid MCWD in achieving the Governor’s call for mandatory reductions. However, the level of water shortage in the Mammoth area has reached an extreme level, as illustrated by a March 30 LADWP report finding only 1.0 inch of water on Mammoth Pass. This measurement represents the lowest April 1st reading ever recorded since 1931 and is just 2 percent of average conditions.

 “MCWD relies on the area’s surface and ground water to provide our community with drinking water, but the recent reports showing record low water content, combined with the mechanical failure of two groundwater production wells, have placed increased strain on the District. It is likely that we will need to rely solely on the water produced by our groundwater wells this year,” Hayes added.

 During normal conditions, surface water provides about half of the water supplied to customers. But, due to drought conditions, MCWD has been forced to depend heavily on groundwater sources, which provided 94 percent of the water last month.

 “Our groundwater wells have been a crucial safety net as surface water supplies ran short during the drought, allowing us to continue to meet the supply needs of our region. However, with the recent well failures and the likely reality of sole reliance on groundwater in the months ahead, it’s more important than ever that we focus on conservation,” Hayes stated.

 Under Level 3 restrictions, irrigation will only be allowed two days a week during the hours of 10 pm to 9 am and golf courses, schools and publics parks are required to develop conservation plans.  MCWD is also relying on all customers to achieve indoor savings by carefully monitoring and reducing their water use.  Dropping demand by 30 percent under Level 3 Water Shortage Conditions will allow MCWD to ensure a reliable supply to the Mammoth Lakes community through the high water demand irrigation season.

 Under the increased restrictions, MCWD urges all customers to consider what they can do to increase conservation measures. MCWD is also incentivizing customers to save water by offering a rebate program for indoor and outdoor water fixtures, providing free efficient showerheads and actively engaging with irrigation customers to increase landscape irrigation efficiency.

 More information on water conservation are available from the MCWD website, www.mcwd.dst.ca.us.

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Community News, Local News

MCWD ups Water Restrictions

MCWD Board of Directors Approve Raising Water Restrictions to Level 2

Water content of the Mammoth Pass snowpack is more than 70 percent below normal conditions. Customers are requested to reduce water use by 20 percent.

 Mammoth Lakes, CA – On February 19, the MCWD board unanimously approved moving from Level 1 to Level 2 water shortage restrictions.  The board’s decision was based on the water content of the Mammoth Pass snowpack, about 70 percent below normal, and MCWD staff estimates of water supply availability.  The goal of the Level 2 restrictions are to achieve a 20 percent reduction of customer water demand.  Customers of the MCWD have been under Level 1 restrictions since the drought began in 2012.  The MCWD board will continue to reassess snowpack conditions and the status of the groundwater production wells water supply conditions through the coming months.

Level 2 water restrictions will be in effect March 9th.  Under these restrictions, outdoor irrigation will only be allowed from 8:00 pm to 9:00 am, water for construction is limited to recycled water, significant leaks must be repaired within 3 days of notification or discovery, and no new lawns may be installed, even when a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle is used for irrigation.  Indoor savings are expected to result from voluntary measures taken by customers.

MCWD has incentive programs to help customers save water. These programs include an indoor and outdoor fixture rebate program, free efficient showerheads and staff availability to discuss site specific irrigation efficiency improvements. Information on these programs are available on the MCWD website.     MCWD would like to encourage all customers to pay attention to water usage, check for leaking fixtures indoors and out, keep pools and spas covered when not in use, limit shower times and only run full loads of dishes and clothes.

More information on Level 2 restrictions and tips to conserve water is available from the MCWD website, www.mcwd.dst.ca.us.

About Mammoth Community Water District 

MCWD provides water and wastewater utility service to the Town of Mammoth Lakes and surrounding areas.  MCWD strives to provide reliable, affordable utility service to our customers and to conduct our operations in a manner reflecting our stewardship role.  We encourage our customers to practice responsible use of our limited water resources, and to take advantage of the information and services available to support this goal.

photo courtesy of the MCWD website

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Community News, Local News

Mammoth encouraging water conservation

The MCWD Anticipates Need for Increased Conservation Efforts Amid Persistent Drought

While MCWD Customers Exceeded  Conservation Goals in 2014, Efforts will need to Continue as California’s Historic Drought Stresses Surface and Ground Water Supplies.

Mammoth Lakes, CA –Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) today announced the need for increased conservation awareness in 2015 as California’s drought persists into its fourth year. MCWD depends on the region’s snowpack to feed the District’s surface water supply and replenish groundwater aquifers. Unfortunately, the current snowpack water content is only 18 percent of normal conditions and it is not likely that the remaining two months of the precipitation season will make up the shortage.  These drought conditions dictate that MCWD  increase conservation efforts throughout 2015 to stretch the District’s limited water supply.  The February 19th MCWD board meeting includes an agenda item to consider raising water restrictions from Level 1 to Level 2.
“Our customers did a tremendous job reducing water use and investing in conservation measures in 2014, but with the continuing drought, we’ll all need to step up our efforts in 2015,” said Patrick Hayes, MCWD’s General Manager. “Although we’re only halfway through the precipitation months, and we may have a fantastic February or miracle March, we’re forecasting continued shortages.  I ask that customers take extra care not to waste water.  We need to work together to safeguard and stretch our limited water supplies as the drought continues in 2015.”
MCWD customers have been under Level 1 water shortage restrictions since the state’s drought began in 2012.  Customers responded positively to MCWD’s request last year for a 10 percent water use reduction, exceeding the District’s conservation goals by reducing water use by 15 percent when compared to 2013. MCWD’s 74 customers with irrigation meters went one step further, achieving an impressive 33 percent reduction in water use. Last fall, Snowcreek VI, The Town of Mammoth Lakes and Juniper Springs Lodge were recognized as Local Water Heroes for their outstanding effort to increase their irrigation efficiency. Overall, 124 million gallons of water were saved, enough to serve 850 four-person households for a year.
However, as the drought enters its fourth consecutive year and snowpack water content remains at historic lows, MCWD has no alternative other than to increase conservation. The surface and ground water supplies servicing the District’s customers are entirely local. While MCWD strives to maintain a reliable water supply for its customers, the amount of surface water produced from the Mammoth Lakes Basin is dependent upon snowmelt. This water has to be closely managed to keep recreation, fish habitats and riparian vegetation sustainable. Therefore, supply can become severely limited during droughts.
The District also has nine local groundwater production wells that act as an essential supply source when surface water is limited. Unfortunately, several of these wells are showing stress due to the extended drought. MCWD has depended heavily on groundwater sources during the current drought, which provided 68 percent of the water used in 2014. Unfortunately, low levels of snowpack mean that MCWD’s groundwater wells will be under further pressure in 2015.
“Our groundwater wells have been a crucial safety net as surface water supplies ran short during the drought, allowing us to continue to meet the supply needs of our region. However, with further water supply shortages on the horizon, it’s more important than ever that we focus on conservation,” added Hayes.
MCWD would like to encourage all customers to check for leaking fixtures indoors and out, keep pools and spas covered when not in use, limit shower times and only run full loads of dishes and clothes. As part of the effort to ensure water-use efficiency, the District also completed a replacement of the old main water distribution pipelines and is now replacing lateral lines. MCWD is also incentivizing customers to save water by offering a rebate program for indoor and outdoor water fixtures, providing free efficient shower-heads and actively engaging with irrigation customers to increase landscape irrigation efficiency.

More information on water conservation is available from the MCWD website, www.mcwd.dst.ca.us.

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