During the eight years I sat on the City Council, I served as the City and Council’s representative on the Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County, and for many years, as that Agency’s Vice President. Over those years, I recall how smug I often felt in the knowledge that water from Lake Casitas, the Ventura River, and our groundwater wells allowed our City to avoid many of the challenges other communities faced.
Those days are behind us. Due to a variety of factors, water from Lake Casitas, the Ventura River, and our groundwater wells can no longer be looked at as a long-term solution to our water needs. More frequent and prolonged droughts have put Ventura’s 100% local water sources at risk.
Simply stated there is no alternative. Water is life – not only for us as human beings, but for our economy. For me, it’s a simple decision: Ventura’s residents should support, and Ventura’s Council should approve, a fair level of water rates that can finance the projects needed to ensure our water supply and infrastructure allow our community to evolve without impediment, and as we choose. Read full article.
