Several items filled the Idyllwild Water District’s (IWD) last board meeting agenda. The proposed FY 2021/22 budget can be accessed at the district’s website, idyllwildwater.com, and is included with the April 21 agenda.

Monthly legal services from Aleshire & Wynder cost the district $7,467.23.

Director Dave Hunt commented the new flow chart (included with the story) is interesting but the water loss (3%) did not match the monthly operations report for March, which says 6%.

General Manager Leo Havener responded the water loss should be 3%.

Workshop

IWD customers are invited to attend a workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 15. The district wrote for last week’s newspaper the workshop is for customers and residents “to be involved in the budget process, provide input, ask questions, share concerns and have direct access to your elected board members.” A lunch and tour of the Foster Lake facility will take place from noon to 1 p.m. after the workshop. RSVP is required for lunch and can be sent to office@idyllwildwater.com.

Strawberry Creek diversion

The district is working with a property owner in its consideration of two routes for the diversion project. Havener told the board he spoke with the owner who is receptive to one of the two options. Havener was hoping to have the decision the following week. The line will be buried. After the decision between the two options is made, an environmental assessment will need to be completed.

A map with both options is included with the story. According to Havener, the blue line option (bottom) requires less digging and the yellow line option (top) cuts straight across.

Currently, the line is above ground on the creek side. The district will hire a contractor to complete the project. Havener projects the installation of the pipeline will cost the district $50,000 to $100,000 and that he does not have an accurate cost due to the boring required to determine the geology of the path.

Water emergency in other counties

Havener discussed Gov. Gavin Newsom declaring an emergency in Mendocino and Sonoma counties. He said Foster Lake is down but the wells are good.

Havener mentioned the district is tracking what is being taken out but that it needs to better track the static levels of the wells.

“I am not too concerned at this moment,” Havener said regarding the water levels and added, “We see the numbers and they are good.”

Visiting Joshua Tree

Staff reviewed the wastewater treatment plant feasibility study and board members received a copy. The district was scheduled to tour the Joshua Tree Upflow Sludge Blanket Filtration (USBF) plant the week after the meeting to ask questions and see how it runs.

The district reviewed two models. The USBF, the current staff recommendation, will cost the district $1,874,000. The Model R Oxigest Treatment System would cost the district $3,184,400.

Rain gauge purchase

The district is purchasing a Davis Instruments Weather Station for $465. It will not be an official weather station. The staff report reads: “The weather station is a non-budgeted item but funds are available for its purchase.”