After unsuccessfully petitioning district staff, the long-time Carpinteria resident appealed his denial and presented his case to the full board.
Director Korey Capozza requested an explanation of the development of the deposit requirement.
No members of the public appeared to speak during the open comments section of the board meeting.
District staff reported on developments in the solar energy installation underway throughout the CVWD.
Although detailed cost estimates were unavailable, Director Case Van Wingerden raised the numerous benefits of battery storage technology, recent advances that allow for long-lasting solar batteries capable of 2,000 production cycles, roughly 3,000 days, before requiring replacement.
Vice President Matthew Roberts strongly agreed, characterizing the system as one with “greater sustainability, a smaller carbon footprint,” which “doesn’t end up costing our ratepayers anything.” Officials then turned to the status of the advanced metering infrastructure work being undertaken by the district.
District staff estimated that 100 of roughly 4,500 meters in Carpinteria are misreporting usage levels, at an average rate of 9 percent, but expressed confidence that all units will be operating at full accuracy within two months.
Local hydrogeologist Michael S. Burke, representing Pueblo Water Services, presented a fact-filled annual report on district compliance with Assembly Bill 3030, provisions for local groundwater management.
As Burke noted, water level data is “extremely important, it’s how things manifest the groundwater world.” The hydrogeologist gave an expansive description of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP), an ambitious project to systematize well quality monitoring, and reported that “water quality has remained stable, with no significant trends.” Board President Polly Holcombe, noting “We were never out of the drought, the governor might have said we were out of the drought but we never were,” noted the effect of 2017’s above-average rainfall, which has led to water level recovery at most area wells.
Board members also passed Resolution #1049, recognizing long-time district employee Alonzo Orozco.