Current Fair Oaks Water District News
Fair Oaks Water District's New Administrative and Customer Service Center To Compliment Fair Oaks Village Charm
A graphic rendering of the selected building design concept, developed by the architectural firm of Murray & Downs.
'The New District facilities should evoke a sense of civic pride and serve as a community cornerstone.'
The Fair Oaks Water District (FOWD) recently completed a series of public meetings, receiving input and suggestions from Fair Oaks community members regarding the architectural design “look and feel” of FOWD’s new Administration and Customer Service Center (ACSC), as well as the proposed FOWD Corporation Yard update plan.
At the first meeting, District representatives asked the public probing questions regarding the Fair Oaks community, the role of a “Civic” building, and their opinions of an “appropriate architectural expression” for a public building in Fair Oaks. Using the input received at the first meeting, three design concepts were developed. These three design concepts were presented at the second public meeting hosted by the Fair Oaks Water District. After recording all ideas, suggestions and concerns, and viewing three different building concepts and architectural renderings, the participating community members selected one conceptual design scheme they felt best represented the Fair Oaks community, and complimented the Fair Oaks Village.
Now that the public has provided input on a new building design concept, the FOWD design team and Board are now pleased to be moving forward with the development of the new FOWD ACSC (to be located at the former “Racy’s Garden Decor and Furniture Center,” at 10330 Fair Oaks Boulevard in Old Fair Oaks Village), and the FOWD Corporation Yard (on the site that is presently the FOWD administration office complex). Upon completion, the new FOWD ACSC will allow the FOWD to provide rate-payers with upgraded services, and ultimately better traffic flow and parking.
The FOWD was already in the planning stages of constructing a new facility when the Racy property became for sale. The FOWD Board chose to purchase the property when it was determined by both the FOWD management, and the new building architects, to be ultimately less expensive and less impactful on FOWD’s customers and employees to simply build on the vacant property across the street, while continuing operations at the present facilities.
Debra L. Smith, Senior Project Architect for the firm of Murray & Downs, made the following statements after review of the available information. “We determined that the cost of building at the Racy site will be less than the replacement of facilities on the existing site. Having this site across the street will allow the District to build a new administrative center, while remaining in the existing facilities without incurring interim facility costs…The site will allow the District greater flexibility in the time schedule to develop their existing property, and will allow their existing property to better serve the vehicular traffic for operations.”
“It’s our hope that the new Fair Oaks Water District Administration offices will eventually act as gateway or welcome point as the community and visitors enter Old Fair Oaks,” commented Tom Gray, General Manager of the Fair Oaks Water District. “We now look forward to constructing new facilities at the site across the street, while continuing our day-to-day operations at our current site, allowing us to save thousands of rate-payer dollars in the process. When construction is finally completed, the District will have wonderful new administration and customer services facilities on one side of the street, and storage, vehicle and service operations on the other side of the street. It will be better for our customers and add a valuable new asset to the community – everyone wins.”
San Juan Water District Proposes Increasing Rates
The San Juan Water Distract (SJWD) is proposing significant increases in rates over the next five years for the purchase of treated surface water. FOWD currently purchases treated surface water from SJWD, and delivers the water to approximately 14,000 residential and non-residential service connections through 180 miles of pipe. The water purchased from SJWD currently accounts for approximately 94 percent of the water delivered to FOWD customers.
The proposed annual increases in the cost of water purchased from SJWD would result in an increased cost to deliver water to our ratepayers of $2.2 million over the next five years. How this significant increase in the cost of water will directly relate to FOWD rates has yet to be determined by the FOWD Board of Directors.
SJWD has scheduled a rate hearing (open to the public), to be held at the SJWD offices (located at 9935 Auburn-Folsom Road), at 7:00 p.m. on June 13, 2007, to further discuss the proposed rate increase.
Fair Oaks Water District Raises Over $4,000 during Relay for Life
On June 2-3, 2007, FOWD and Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District teamed-up to participate in the Fifth Annual American Cancer Society's "Relay for LIfe." The event is a 24-hour community race for those dedicated to finding a cure for cancer and was held at Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks. The FOWD volunteers took shifts, running and walking around the school's track nonstop for a full 24 hours, ultimately raising over $4,000 in donations and pledges for their efforts.
As the Fair Oaks Water District is dedicated to its employees and the community , we were proud to assemble a team to participate and raise money for the cause and cure for cancer. FOWD looks forward to fielding an even larger team next year!
FOWD'S New Website Takes Top Prize in SPRA Awards!
FOWD General Manager Tom Gray and staff recently launched a new FOWD website that is more interactive, more informative and better reflects the unique culture and community of Fair Oaks. Immediately following the launch, the webiste was honored with a "Gold Cappie Award of Excellence" by the Sacramento Public relations Association (SPRA) during the Associations' recent awards gala.
The "Gold Cappie Award of Excellence" - SPRA's highest honor - was granted for the "New Media - Worldwide Website" category to FOWD, and FOWD vendor and website developer Drisha Leggitt & Company Communications, in recognition of excellence website content, design, development and results.
Developed to address concerns raised by customers (regarding the FOWD's former website), as well as provide additional information, links, references and resources for FOWD customers, the new FOWD website features an ongoing slide show displaying photos of the Fair Oaks Community. The new site also easily links customers to bill paying options and dates, updated information regarding regional wells and new FOWD building construction, links to water conservation teaching materials and games, and posts important FOWD documents (such as the District's most recent Water Quality Report, Board agendas, and various customer applications, among others).
FOWD is always interested in customer's suggestions and comments on our website. Please send feedback to customerservice@fowd.com.
District Moving Forward – Civil Complaint Filed
While performing routine financial management tasks regarding inventory through December 31, 2004, an abnormal number of items were listed in inventory that could not be accounted for by the Fair Oaks Water District (FOWD).
Upon further research into the situation, unusual spending patterns by the former management team at the District were discovered. In order to determine the magnitude of the issue, the current management team completed an independent audit of District spending for the period of 2000 to 2004. Based on the results of this audit, the District initiated criminal investigations that are being lead by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. While the criminal investigations are ongoing, the District has launched a concurrent program of civil complaint and public disclosure.
On December 9, 2005, the District filed a Civil complaint in the California Superior Court against certain former management employees. The filing was based on the results of aforementioned audit.
Please be assured that the FOWD is prepared take all steps required to secure every ratepayer dollar that may be in question. In addition, the goal of the District is address this situation in a truly clear and transparent manner. The current FOWD team, including the entire Board of Directors, management and staff, are committed to full disclosure and to this course of action.
For further information regarding the aforementioned investigation and complaints, please see our December 2005 Public Disclosure notice.
District Plans New Office Construction
Behind the rustic facade of the Fair Oaks Water District (FOWD) office building lurks a giant barn built between 1920 and 1930!
In 1979, the FOWD purchased the site located at 10317 Fair Oaks Boulevard from the Diamond International Company, which had previously used the facility as a lumberyard. Years of patch work repairs have kept the building together, but in the past few years, the building has reached a point of no longer being worth the investment.
After carefully considering many different options, internal staffing needs – and most importantly, to increase the quality of service we provide to our customers – the option of simply rebuilding the offices was determined to be the most practical and cost -effective solution for the long-term. Therefore, the current building will soon be demolished to build a new and better office building at the same location.
The District is excited about this opportunity to contribute a substantial public facility, which will better compliment the eclectic feel of the Old Town Village, to the community of Fair Oaks. FOWD projects that the final designs for the new building, and the required permits, should be completed and approved by the end of the year.
Opportunities for public comment or suggestions on the proposed FOWD Building Project will be available through public meetings and the District’s web site: www.fowd.com.
Meters and Your Water Bill
In accordance with federal and state laws, all California residences must have water usage monitored by a meter, and be billed accordingly. In September of 1999, The Reed Consulting Group presented the FOWD with a Meter Implementation Plan (MIP), outlining the timeline and execution of installing meters within the District. All FOWD customers will have a meter installed by 2010, and the MIP estimates that by the end of 2011, all will be charged based on the actual volume of deliveries, as measured by their water meter.
Based on the information provided in the 2005 District Budget, approximately 20 percent of the District’s revenues from water sales are used to install meters per the MIP. Stated another way, $104 dollars of the current $520 annual flat rate water bill is used to install meters.
While metering is new to some areas of Sacramento and the Central Valley, it is a common and long-standing practice in almost every other city and region of California.
Groundwater Contamination Update
Over the past year, you may have noticed water Well drilling by GenCorp/Aerojet taking place within the Fair Oaks Water District service area. The purpose of the GenCorp/Aerojet Well drilling is to monitor and measure for any potential contaminants, such as N-nitrosodimethylamine (“NDMA”) and trichloroethylene (TCE).
It has been confirmed that GenCorp/Aerojet has a contaminate plume that is moving in the direction of Fair Oaks Water District. As of yet, no contaminates have entered FOWD’s Wells or groundwater basin. As a proactive measure, FOWD is meeting with GenCorp/Aerojet and regulatory agencies to develop a mitigation strategic plan. Protection of the high-quality, safe water you receive is FOWD’s highest priority.
Groundwater Contamination Clean-Up Update
Background:
In the mid-1990’s tricholoroethylene (TCE) was found to have crossed under the American River to the edges of the Fair Oaks Water District (FOWD) service area. In an effort to extract and treat the affected groundwater, Aerojet/GenCorp. installed several extraction wells in and around Sailor Bar, in accordance with direction from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Currently, water extracted from these wells is sent to the south side of the river for treatment and discharge (to the river) and the Sacramento County Water Agency for municipal needs south of the river. The EPA is currently reviewing Aerojet’s/GenCorp’s extraction and treatment plans for additional TCE plumes not captured by the Sailor Bar facilities, and FOWD is providing feedback on the plans
FOWD Objective Statements on Groundwater Contamination:
- FOWD has a primary interest in ensuring that groundwater contamination plumes are captured and cleaned-up in our service area.
- Furthermore, FOWD is insisting that the remedy proposed by Aerojet/GenCorp. And the EPA retains the flexibility for FOWD to use groundwater as a resource to manage for local and regional water supply needs; and that the remedy does not constitute an unacceptable increase in the extraction of groundwater from the sub-basin north of the American River.
- FOWD is requesting full recognition that groundwater pumped from our service area for any proposed remedy be directly put to beneficial use within the FOWD service area, or otherwise replaced to ensure FOWD is not adversely impacted.
What is TCE and why is it a health concern?
- “Trichloroethylene,” commonly referred to as TCE, is a volatile, chlorinated hydrocarbon widely used as a solvent, paint stripper, and degreasing agent. A drinking water source with a TCE concentration greater than 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) must be reported, but is not considered by the State of California to pose a significant health risk.
- Drinking water systems with contamination exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Level, currently set by the State at five ppb, are required to provide treatment that lowers TCE concentrations to levels below five ppb. A treated water supply with a TCE concentration lower than five ppb, all other relevant standards having been met, is considered by the California Department of Health Services (DHS) to be a potable water supply.
- TCE is different from “Perchlorate” and “NDMA,” both of which have contaminated aquifers underlying areas of Rancho Cordova and Carmichael, but neither of which are present in aquifer utilized by FOWD.
Treatment is a proven and widely used solution for removing TCE from drinking water sources
- TCE is effectively removed from groundwater using simple treatment methods such as “Granular Activated Carbon.”
- “Granular Activated Carbon” treatment systems are permitted by the DHS throughout California to successfully remove TCE from drinking water systems.
FOWD is aggressively pursuing the inclusion of conditions in the EPA clean-up plan that would ensure FOWD’s groundwater supply reliability is not compromised.
- FOWD has invested in groundwater wells to provide its customers with a reliable water supply in the event of surface water supplies being interrupted or reduced due to emergency outages or droughts.
- FOWD has also made regional commitments to help implement the Water Forum Agreement’s (http://www.waterforum.org/AGREE.HTM) co-equal objectives: (1) Provide a reliable and safe water supply for the region’s economic health and planned development to the year 2030; and (2) Preserve the fishery, wildlife, recreational and aesthetic values of the Lower American River.
The intended use of the treated water will impact the nature and scope of the clean-up plan, and therefore the FOWD Board of Directors and ratepayers must consider the following questions:
- Should the treated groundwater be a regular part of the FOWD drinking water supply?
- Should the treated groundwater be made available as a supply to neighboring water purveyors – north or south of the river – in exchange for other supply reliability measures for FOWD?
- Should the treated groundwater simply be discharged to the river with no requirement for reliability measures for FOWD?
FOWD is working closely with the EPA and Aerojet/GenCorp., as well as other regional participants and regulators, to refine the proposed remedy for groundwater contamination that is in the best interest of our ratepayers and community.
For further information or answers to frequently asked questions, check our Groundwater Contamination Clean-Up FAQs.
