HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Water Resources Advisory Committee - 07/26/2002 Minutes
Water Resources Advisory Committee
July 26,2002
11:30 a.m.
City Hall 6th Floor Conference Room
Members Present: Members Absent:
Lena Coleman Maribel Bermudez
Herman R. Johnson Conrado Garcia
Capt. Paula Hinger Jon Kiggans
Kimberly Stockseth Bob Kent
Carola Serrato Visitor: Capt. Paula Hinger
Staff Present:
Ron Massey,Assistant City Manager
Yolanda Marruffo,Management Assistant III, Water Department
Gloria Cantu, Management Aide, Water Department
Meeting called to order at 11:45 a.m. It was determined that a quorum was not present. Ms.
Marruffo stated that the agenda items would be presented, however, the meeting would not be an
"official meeting" unless Mr. Kiggans or Mr. Kent arrived. Capt. Paula Hinger introduced
herself to committee. Ms. Marruffo stated that Capt. Hinger's name would be submitted to the
City Secretary's office to replace Capt. Rick Marcantonio. Mrs. Marruffo stated that Conrado
Garcia and Maribel Bermudez requested resigning from the committee.
Water Resources Advisory Committee Duties
Ms. Marruffo presented the members with a draft copy of the committee member duties. Mrs.
Serrato requested that the word "advise" be changed to read"advice". Mrs. Serrato questioned
the phrase "but not limited to". Mr. Massey explained that the committee would have the
opportunity to review a range of water-related topics. Mr. Massey expressed his support to an
open communication with committee members. The duties will be officially approved at the
next meeting.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Election of officers was postponed until the next scheduled meeting.
Status of the Reservoir System
Ms. Marruffo distributed a copy of the July 26, 2002 daily pass through report as prepared by the
staff at Wesley Seale Dam. The report is posted daily on the Water Department web site. Ms.
Marruffo explained that the reservoirs were at 100% of capacity. Mrs. Marruffo reported that
reservoir operators were releasing 13,600 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Lake Corpus Christi.
Choke Canyon was releasing 325 cfs per second. The Frio River and San Miguel Creek flow
into the Choke Canyon Reservoir causing flows just under 2,000 acre-feet a day. Mr. Massey
also explained that between now and the end of the year, we would probably lose more water to
evaporation than to customer consumption. Mr. Massey reported that 964,641 acre-feet of water
was measured leaving Lake Corpus Christi and going through the Nueces River and into the
Nueces Bay estuary. Some of the water was pumped from the Nueces River for in-city use. If
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the reservoir levels had been higher, and we had all these complaints about how much fresh
water we had to release, it would not have made any difference how much fresh water we
released because of the maximum water flow. More water would've spilled into the basin
estuaries had we held more water before verses had we not sent any water out to the basin
estuaries. So, at a time like this it wouldn't matter how much water you sent to the basin
estuaries. Mr. Johnson asked if it would be cheaper to use the water flowing over the dam verses
using the water from Lake Texana? Mr. Massey explained that there would be a moderate
increase of electric cost by taking it out of the Texana vs. pumping it out of the river. When the
Nueces River runs over like this, and you have maximum debris and dirt in the water due to run
off, the water quality goes down. So, for this reason, it would be good to bring the water out of
Lake Texana where the water is not as turbulent. The difference is your maginal cost on
electricity.
Mrs. Coleman asked how long the water from Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon was
expected to last? Mr. Massey explained that the last time the reservoirs were full was in 1993
and the drought contingency plan had to be implemented in 1996. He stated that we expect the
water to last more than 3 years because Lake Texana now supplements our water supply.
However, the longer the water sits in the reservoirs, and the hotter the temperatures get, we will
lose water to evaporation.
Mrs. Serrato asked if the additional water in the reservoir system would affect the timeline for the
extension of the Garwood Irrigation pipeline or the desalination project, as well as the request to
approach to the state.. Mr. Massey explained that it is something that will be revisited annually.
As far as.the desalination project is concerned, it will depend upon the `findings of the
preliminary engineering effort. A lot of that has to do with the ground water's availability,
reliability, and quality.
Mr. Massey made the members aware of a salinity provision. There is an opportunity of a salinity
credit. If between the 15th and the 22nd of the month for those days the salinity level is below the
minimum, the releases are totally suspended for the next month. We will at least get credit for
half of next month because of all the water we had this month. As we go into August and we still
have low salinity, then there won't a release for the month of September. Mr. Massey also
explained the measurement of salt in the estuaries and freshwater. In the estuary area there is a
gauge that measures the amount of salt. The Rincon channel creates a circulation. Before you
would have the river that would come down to the estuary. The river would come way down
near the Nueces Bay, but near route 77 is where the upper regions of the estuary. When the tide
goes out and comes back and then out, the water leaves behind pockets. That water would
evaporate and leave behind the salt. With the channels full it leaves the ability for some
circulation. Mrs. Serrato mentioned that the important not to deprive the estuaries of freshwater,
but to utilize the water that is available efficiently.
Water Conservation Plan Review
A copy of the City's Water Conservation Plan was distributed to the committee members. The
City developed the first water conservation plan in 1986,which was seen as a model for the state
of Texas. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission developed Chapter 288 Rules
and Regulation on Water Conservation Plan. Mrs. Marruffo stated that the City's plan meets the
state guidelines and_addresses the supply and demand for our customers. The plan identifies
outreach programs that concentrate on school education, public outreach and media resources.
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Mrs. Serrato asked which Texas city was similar in size that could be compared to Corpus
Christi's per capita water use? .Mrs. Marruffo stated that based on the goals identified in the
water conservation plan, Corpus Christi would compared its per capita water use with cities
located in the same climatological region. Mr. Massey explained that a city's annual rainfall
influenced their water use. This is the biggest variation when it comes to some of our water use.
We also need to look to see if there is a way with billing system that facilitates to the customer to
find what their per capita usage is. We need to equip water customers with the necessary
resources so that they may be able to translate their water bill. For example, if you don't like the
price you are paying for water, you as the customer can figure out a way to reduce water usage.
Mrs. Stockseth asked Mr. Castaneda if there is a program that can tie into our current billing
system that can help educate the public into reducing their water usage. Mr. Castaneda explained
that there are different utility programs; it's a matter of customer preference. Different cities
prefer different approaches to education. Ms. Marruffo provided an explanation for the per
capita water use calculations. The figures were based on the Utilities Business Office annual
water consumption for residential and commercial customers, divided by the City's population
and divided again by the number of days in the year.
New/Old Business
Items of discussion for the next meeting include:
1. Finalize the election of officers
2. Members discussed meeting once every two months. Members had agreed at the June
2002 meeting to meet on the fourth Thursday of the month.
Mrs.Marruffo mentioned the gray water brochure as discussed at the previous meeting was being
developed with the support of the Building Inspections Department and would be posted to the
Water Department's web site.
The Committee had recommended the development of a Public Utility welcome kit. Mrs.
Marruffo reported that the Water Department was working with the Public Utilities office to
develop a packet for new utility customers.
The next meeting date will be on Thursday, September 26, 2002.
With no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 1:20 pm.
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