Mary Ann Melleby, a representative from the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, pointed out the fact that, as more housing developments are added in the region, someone better determine who will pay for additional water delivery infrastructure, without thrusting the majority of costs onto existing customers.
With all the new homes planned in this area, “Who is going to pay for the additional water” that will be needed, Melleby said, explaining during the most recent monthly meeting of the San Gorgonio Pass Water Alliance that her organization does not believe that current customers should have to bear the brunt of paying for water access to newcomers.
“A lot of things in government rely on spreading out costs,” said Calimesa city councilman Jeff Hewitt. “People without children help pay for schools,” for example. “If you put all the burden on the developers, it’s like a tiered pension system where the new guys don’t get to reach what the old guys get. This is a commodity we can’t live without.”
George Jorritsma, president of the South Mesa Water Company in Calimesa, said, “Existing customers have borne the costs of the infrastructure that got the water here. There needs to be a mechanism” to keep existing frameworks and water rates in place, while being able to add to it. “A lot of us have gained as developers have come, and the tax base increased. New development makes demands” on water supply “we never anticipated, but must be met. We don’t want developers to come in, make their money, and leave us with problems” such as how to sustain a water supply to everyone they brought with them to town. “I would support capacity fees of up to $3,000 per house,” which Jorritsma said would be a small percent of the overall cost of a new home. “Your house is worthless without water” access, he said.
Each city has to struggle with growth in its own way: Hewitt said that, as developers come to his area, there’s an issue that they need the growth to help pay for services, but need to have the services in order to accommodate growth.
Stan Houghton, of the High Valley Water District, which serves the Twin Pines and Poppet Flats area, pointed out that his region does not currently have its own water supply to draw from, and relies on cooperation from regional water partners.
Obtaining and sustaining a stable water supply, and cooperation among the agencies tasked with making that happen, appeared to be the highest priorities to the organizations that make up the San Gorgonio Pass Water Alliance.
The determination was among several regional concerns that need to be addressed, put forth by the committee’s members at its monthly meeting Feb. 24, held at Banning’s city hall.
Also on the list: monitoring the Sustainable Ground Water Act; obtaining grants for projects; more internal and external communication between agencies and the public; and reigning in water costs.
Some agency representatives expressed needs that are more specific to their region, such as alliance chairwoman, Banning mayor Debbie Franklin’s hope to see action taken between various entities working on restoring Banning’s flume.
Alan Hamdorf, of the Banning Heights Mutual Water Company, also wants to see progress with the flume.
Calvin Louie and Maxine Israel, of the Cabazon Water District, pointed out the fact that their organization “relies on cooperation with other agencies.”
“Whatever happens upstream affects us downstream,” Louie said. “Someday, we’ll have to import water” from outside the community.
San Gorgonio Pass Water Alliance meets the last Wednesday evening of each month, starting at 6 p.m. at Banning’s city hall.
Meeting times are scheduled to change; keep track online at www.passwateralliance.com.
Staff Writer David James Heiss may be reached at
dh****@re***********.net
or (951) 849-4586 ext. 114.