Our board must decide April 28 how to respond to the biggest water shortage emergency that has occurred in the 50-year history of the State Water Project. There is regulatory pressure to restrict residential landscape watering to one day per week, or less.
Mandatory water conservation measures are being imposed on us by the State and intermediate suppliers, Metropolitan Water District and Calleguas Municipal Water District. The most impactful requirement, that residential landscape watering be limited to one day per week, was imposed by MWD on April 26. This evening, Calleguas adopted Resolution 2042 imposing that same requirement on all its customers:
For those purveyors [includes Crestview] that do not limit landscape water use, or who inadequately enforce the limitation, a penalty of up to $2,000 per acre foot [which would more than double the cost Crestview’s purchased water] shall be assessed on all potable water provided by Calleguas sourced from Metropolitan’s water supplies. The first phase of the EWCP is effective immediately upon adoption of this Resolution and penalties for non-compliance shall be assessed beginning June 1, 2022. A purveyor can avoid the landscape water use restriction, and the penalties for non-compliance, if it takes, and can demonstrate, sufficient action to eliminate its use of Metropolitan supplies at its designated connections to Calleguas.
There does not appear to be anything in the MWD or Calleguas actions that limits agricultural consumption, and nobody representing agricultural users made public comments.
Crestview’s general manager is proposing to restrict landscape watering to three days per week, which, he estimates, would reduce our consumption enough to eliminate all purchases of imported water. If this does not reduce our consumption by at least 20%, we still have to buy water from Calleguas and be subject to Calleguas restrictions–and our lawns will die. Board issues include whether these cut-backs are enough, whether and how to police and punish violations, and what to do instead of—or in addition to—these proposed actions.
You might also want to comment to the board or ask questions about its illegal failures to schedule an annual meeting, elect officers, or send out FY2021 financial statements. You can participate in the 4:00 p.m. meeting by calling 805-482-2001 or emailing crestviewwater@live.com to request Zoom login credentials.
The water rights and the company belong to us, not the board. Let’s speak up.
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In the spirit of having an open discussion we need to make public the relationship between Crestview and the countryclub. Are they shareholders? How are their tiers constructed? Are there entities getting “free” water for subdivision displays?
what are the channels that I would pursue to get answers to my questions?
In the spirit of having an open discussion we need to make public the relationship between Crestview and the countryclub. Are they shareholders? How are their tiers constructed? Are there entities getting “free” water for subdivision displays?
Crestview Watch understands that Las Posas Country Club has its clubhouse facilities served by Crestview, but that the grounds are watered by LPCC’s own wells. We have no information about how many Crestview shares LPCC has but believe the owner of LPCC is a voting shareholder of Crestview.
Crestview Watch suggests you call the office at 805-482-2001 and ask for Robert Eranio, the general manager. He will take your call, and he will answer some questions but not others. If you are not satisfied with his answers, you might ask him to pass on to our president, Sol Chooljian, a request that he call you to discuss the remaining issues. Sol may or may not call you back. Crestview Watch would be interested in hearing what you learn–by posted comment or by email to Editor@CrestviewWatch.org.