Right now, Davis and Woodland rely entirely on groundwater for
water service. But the thing about groundwater is, it's high in
salt concentrations.
"That is posing a problem with the cities' waste water
discharge permits."
Kim Floyd is with the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency. She
points out - both cities are under a state mandate to improve the
quality of sewage water by 2017.
"The most cost-effective way to do that is to improve the
quality of their source water. And so the introduction of surface
water, which is lower in natural salts, will make a huge
difference."
That surface water will come from the Sacramento River. To
make that happen, a new water treatment plant will have to be built
along with pipelines to get the water to Davis and
Woodland.
Ratepayers will be expected to foot the bill. Monthly rates
could more than double over the next five-years.
A public meeting on the issue is set for tonight at the
Woodland Community and Senior Center.