Background
You may remember the drought that ran from about 2020 and thankfully ended in 2022. Lake Lopez was down to about 10% of capacity and we were all told to conserve water. Our drinking water is a mix of Lake Lopez and pumped aquifer sources.
A well-intended water resiliency project was identified, and it was named Central Coast Blue or CCB. The Cities of Pismo Beach (lead agency), Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach entered into an agreement to take treated wastewater from Pismo Beach, run it through additional treatment at a facility in Grover Beach and inject the water into our aquifer for future use. In order to pay for this project, the partner communities applied for grants, long term financing, and also had to increase our water rates.
As with many well-intended public projects, time passed and construction costs dramatically increased. Grant funding amounts were reduced, costs were growing, and the projected water rates were significant.
Our City Council made a tough but appropriate decision. They backed out of CCB and voted to reduce our water rates.
Scratching Your Head Yet?
So, you may be asking yourself why this G-24 initiative is on the ballot. To be honest, so are we.
This small group is pushing to "be right." And in doing so, they are going to move Grover Beach backwards. By reducing the wastewater (sewer rate), planned capital projects will not move forward.
What's at Risk?
- Planned work on our residential road rehabilitation (K-14) will be delayed as planned infrastructure replacement will no longer be funded
- The risk of ripping up our new roads for emergency wastewater repairs
- The inability to support future development with an antiquated sewer system
And that's just the start of it
Here are a few key points you might consider:
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Impact on Infrastructure: The delay in street rehabilitation and other capital projects due to reduced sewer rates could have broader implications for the community, including potential disruptions and higher future costs if needed infrastructure repair or replacement is deferred due to funding shortfalls. Think about ripping up a new residential street to replace a ruptured sewer line.
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Water Resilience: The decision to move away from CCB might impact future water resilience. Evaluating how other water supply and management strategies could be implemented might be crucial in maintaining long-term sustainability.
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Financial Trade-offs: Balancing the immediate financial relief with the costs of delayed or potentially more expensive infrastructure projects will be essential. Understanding the full financial picture, including potential future costs and benefits, is important for making an informed decision.
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Community Needs: Engaging with the community to understand their priorities and concerns can help in making decisions that align with the broader needs and preferences of the residents. A few don't speak for all.
Rate Truths