Rethinking resources

摘要

In 1995, fast-paced development and competing demands for dwindling ground-water resources in California's central valley forced the cities of Manteca, Escalon, Lathrop, and Tracy to study alternative sources of drinking water. As part of their investigation, they contacted the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID)-a local government agency established in 1909 to provide a reliable and economical source of irrigation water for local agriculture. Due to water conservation measures taken by the district's agricultural customers, SSJID had water available to allocate to nonagricultural purposes. Through coordination with SSJID, the cities were able to agree on a system for delivery of treated surface water, and the South County Water Supply Program was established. After years of planning, SSJID is now in the process of implementing the South County Water Supply Program in a series of phases designed to address present and future water demand in the cities. This work involves the construction of a new water treatment plant with state-of-the-art membrane technology, nearly 40 miles of pipeline, and associated pumping stations. By early this summer, work on the first phase will be complete, and SSJID will begin delivery of water to Manteca, Lathrop, and Tracy, with plans to deliver to Escalon by 2012.