Sustainable water supply?

I was really excited to see most of the Tehachapi City Council candidates list water issues and aging infrastructure among their top concerns. TCCWD just turned 50, and you can bet 50-year-old pipes pumping water up the mountain under pressure is one of our top concerns!

I wonder if people get why the candidates would have water as a top concern. You turn on the faucet and water comes out. As long as you pay your bill - no problem.

Sustainability is quite the buzz word lately, but what does that really mean for Tehachapi Valley water supply? Among a variety of definitions, the dictionary includes “a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.”

Tehachapi Valley has not had a sustainable water supply for well over 150 years. A 1961 study showed that our aquifers were badly overdrawn, with groundwater levels dropping as much as 100 feet. We’ve been so fortunate to have an alternative water source to import - water from the California Aqueduct. Currently, about half of Tehachapi Valley water gets pumped up the mountainside. The rest comes from rain and snow. In addition to your water bill, you see the cost of this imported water every time you get your property tax bill. We’re a long way from having a sustainable water supply.

Is our imported water supply reliable? There’s a short answer that is another question, when is the next big earthquake? The Aqueduct is so vulnerable in our earthquake prone state.

Here’s another answer. In these ongoing drought years, TCCWD’s allocation of aqueduct water dropped as low as 5%. To date, we’ve kept up with local demand because we had been storing imported water in the Tehachapi aquifers during the wet years. We’ve had to withdraw from the bank during the drought years, but the program is ongoing.

We also kept up with demand because so many of you reduced your daily water use. As a community, we achieved a 25% reduction. As individuals, you passionate water conservers probably saved double that to make up for your neighbors with the emerald green lawns. I’m really proud of you! Way to go.

It seems to be human nature to use up resources until we create a crisis. I continue to hope we can be smarter than that. My job as water conservation coordinator is to put myself out of a job!