Water conservation still essential in Marin

The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) has long been a leader in water conservation and has reduced its per-capita use of water from its peak in 1986 - yet it is still vulnerable to shortage. In a drought year the district could require severe rationing.

Couldn't MMWD just increase its water supply? The problem is that all the easy sources have been exhausted. Increased water from the Russian River might be available in seven to 10 years, but how much would it cost, and what would be the effects of taking more water out of this already severely impacted river? Desalination can produce additional water, but energy is expensive, and there are environmental concerns including brine disposal and impacts on aquatic organisms. MMWD is committed to finding the best economic and environmental source of increased water supply to protect the ratepayers during future drought years. By introducing conservation now, we reduce the need for more expensive water in the future.

The possibilities for conservation are large. On a typical February day in the rainy season, the District uses less than 18 million gallons of water per day (MGD). This amount of water is enough for health, sanitation, and economic needs. On a summer day, use rises to over 40 MGD - more than twice the level of essential use. A small amount of this increase comes from more showers, laundry, and use of swimming pools in warmer weather, but most is from watering lawns and gardens. MMWD simply does not have enough available water to safely sustain such usage.

Recently MMWD adjusted its rate structure so that those using the most water in the summer will pay more. The goal was not to generate revenue, but to encourage people to use less water in summer. The District is also seeking the active cooperation of large water users to work with them on conservation. The new rate structure allows large customers who practice water-conservation techniques to receive a break on their water rates.

Many residents of Marin love to work in their gardens. Gardening not only adds beauty to our environment, but also provides exercise and builds a special connection with the earth. The District is not advocating that people give up gardening in any way, but that they become wiser and more conscious gardeners. Plenty of beautiful plants can be grown with far less water than some of our old favorites. New strains of lawn grass use far less water, while for larger areas there is artificial turf.

The solution to Marin's water problem lies in the hands of its customers. The Sierra Club has been helping with new programs that promote conservation. Two of our Marin Group Executive Committee members have been elected to the MMWD Board of Directors. Alex Forman represents District 2 which includes most of San Rafael. Charles McGlashan has been representing District 4 which includes Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and other areas in Southern Marin. His seat will be open in the coming election because his term ends this year at MMWD, and he is running for the Marin County Board of Supervisors.

What You Can Do

This summer and fall the Sierra Club will be organizing an educational campaign to inform the people of Marin County about our important water issues. We need concerned Sierra Club members to help educate the public about the economic and environmental costs of either a desalination plant or taking additional water from the Russian-Eel River watersheds. The potential impacts of new supply sources need to be carefully weighed against the damage that could be done to Marin's economy if we allow our county to be vulnerable to another major drought. We will also do public outreach on the continuing importance of water conservation. To participate in our outreach campaign, contact us at: http://sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/Marin/ and click on the "About Marin Group" link, or else call Cathleen Sullivan at (415) 596-8083 or Gordon Bennett at (415) 663-1881.

For more information on MMWD go to: www.marinwater.org

Alex Forman, president, MMWD Board of Directors, and chair, Sierra Club Marin Group

Alex Forman is running for re-election to the MMWD Board of Directors, with the endorsement of the Sierra Club.