MMWD’s 2013 Water Main Flushing Program Starts Today in San Geronimo and Ross Valleys

An MMWD employee “flushes” a water main by releasing high velocity water from a hydrant.

MMWD’s annual water main flushing program to help maintain water quality gets underway today, January 9, in Fairfax. The 2013 program also includes the San Geronimo Valley, San Anselmo and Ross. Flushing will occur most Wednesdays through March 13 between approximately 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Water main flushing is recommended by the California Department of Public Health to remove sediment buildup in transmission and distribution pipelines because the sediment can impair water quality.

Each year MMWD “flushes” approximately 20 percent of its water mains. To flush a water main, selected hydrants along a section of the main are opened. The high velocity of the released water scours the main, removing any collected sediment. After the chloramine is removed by dechlorination tablets, the water is released onto the street and enters the storm drain system. Flushing averages about 15 minutes for each hydrant.

In the past, MMWD performed flushing at night to minimize the impact on residents. In 2011 the district began flushing the pipes during the day to save the overtime costs of sending crews out at night. This year the district will again be flushing the mains in the daytime to reduce costs without compromising water quality.

In addition to water in the street, during flushing customers may notice effects on their own plumbing, including slight pressure drops, air in the lines or “dirty” water. If you notice these effects, we recommend restricting water use during flushing and then running the cold water for a short time afterward to remove any loosened sediment in the pipeline. Be assured the temporary discoloration is not a health concern.

2013 Water Main Flushing Schedule

January 9: Western Fairfax

January 16: Southeastern Fairfax; San Geronimo Valley Floor (Lagunitas/Forrest Knolls); Upper Woodacre

January 30: Town of Woodacre; Cascade and Scenic areas of Fairfax; Oak Avenue in San Anselmo

February 6: Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Butterfield to “the Hub”

February 13: The Alameda, Oak Springs and Fawn Drive in San Anselmo; Sky Oaks area of Fairfax

February 27: Sleepy Hollow; Scenic Avenue in San Anselmo

March 6: Downtown Ross and San Anselmo

March 13: Oak Manor and top of Fairfax Manor in Fairfax; Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Ross; Laurel Grove in San Anselmo/Ross

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PayPal Option Now Available for Annual Watershed Parking Passes

You can now purchase an annual parking pass to the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed using our website and PayPal. You don’t need a PayPal account to make your purchase. It’s fast, convenient and safe, and we’ll send your parking pass by standard mail directly to your door.

The passes are valid for one year from the date of issue and allow visitors to park in designated areas of the watershed that are accessed via Sky Oaks Road off Fairfax-Bolinas Road. The cost is $60 for Marin residents, $100 for out-of-county residents and $30 for seniors. Click this link for more information and to purchase an annual pass.

You can also purchase annual passes in person at our office at 220 Nellen Avenue in Corte Madera from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or you can download a parking pass form from our website and mail a check.

The Mt. Tamalpais Watershed encompasses 18,500 acres on the slopes of the mountain and offers incomparable opportunities to enjoy nature including hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife viewing and picnicking. Visitors will find scenic vistas, oak woodlands, meadows, evergreen forests, lakes, waterfalls and 150 miles of hiking trails and unpaved roads. The watershed is also home to great natural diversity including over 900 species of plants and 400 species of animals.

MMWD owns and manages the land as a primary source of drinking water for residents of central and southern Marin, with five of our seven reservoirs located on Mt. Tam. The watershed is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. Daily vehicle passes are $8.

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MMWD Reservoirs Reach 100 Percent Capacity

This year’s early, heavy rains have produced substantial runoff, bringing MMWD reservoirs to 100 percent of capacity. Water is now flowing over the spillway at Kent Lake, the district’s largest reservoir and the last to fill. In the past 20 years, the reservoirs have filled to capacity in December three other times: 2010, 2005 and 1996. More typically, the reservoirs reach their highest levels in late March. Here are the current water statistics:

Reservoir storage as of December 28

Reservoir Levels: As of December 28, reservoir storage is 100 percent of capacity, or 79,566 acre-feet.* The average for this date is 72 percent, or 57,377 acre-feet.

Water Use: Water use for the week ending December 23 averaged 16.0 million gallons per day, somewhat lower than last year’s average of 18.4 million gallons per day. Last December was unusually dry.

Supply Source: Last week we averaged 10.6 million gallons per day from our reservoirs and 5.4 million gallons per day from the Russian River.

Creek Releases: During the month of November 2012, MMWD released more than 300 million gallons, or a total of nearly 1,000 acre-feet, into Lagunitas and Walker creeks in west Marin. We release water throughout the year to maintain adequate flows for the fishery per our agreement with the State of California.

Current water use and reservoir figures can be found on our homepage.

*One acre-foot is 325,851 gallons.

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Got Water?

One of the easiest yet most essential steps you can take to prepare for an earthquake or other disaster is to set aside an emergency water supply. Every household should keep at least a 72-hour (three-day) emergency supply of water handy. Store one gallon per person per day, or a total of three gallons per person, for a 72-hour period. Store extra water for pets and family members with special needs.

Tap water from MMWD can be safely stored in well-sanitized, food-grade containers such as plastic soda bottles. Avoid used milk jugs and containers that will decompose or break. Seal tightly, then label and store in an easily accessible, dark, cool, dry area away from solvents and chemicals. Replace every six months. Don’t forget your other emergency supplies (find a list at ready.gov).

See our emergency preparedness brochure for additional steps you can take to be water-ready in an emergency.

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Is Iggy Wasting YOUR Water?

Believe it or not, we see this culprit at work every day during the winter in Marin, wasting water and running up water bills. Don’t let this happen to you!

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Good Start to 2012-13 Rainy Season

Rainfall measured at Lake Lagunitas July 1 – November 20. Average annual rainfall (July 1 – June 30) is 52.65″.

The 2012-13 rainy season is off to a strong start, with recorded rainfall already above average for the year to date. As of November 20, rainfall at Lake Lagunitas measured 10.96 inches while average is 7.40. Total rainfall last year on the same date was 7.29 inches. Here are the current water statistics:

Reservoir Levels: As of November 20, reservoir storage is 74 percent of capacity, or 59,104 acre-feet.* The average for this date is 64 percent, or 51,096 acre-feet. Total capacity is 79,566 acre-feet.

Water Use: Water use for the week ending November 18 averaged 17.8 million gallons per day, slightly lower than last year’s average of 18.3 million gallons per day.

Supply Source: This past week we averaged 12.3 million gallons per day from our reservoirs and 5.5 million gallons per day from the Russian River.

Creek Releases: During the month of October MMWD released 266 million gallons or a total of 817 acre-feet, into Lagunitas and Walker creeks in west Marin. We release water throughout the year to maintain adequate flows for the fishery per our agreement with the State of California.

Current water use and reservoir figures can be found on our homepage.

*One acre-foot is 325,851 gallons.

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Volunteers Help Keep Water Tanks Graffiti-Free

Before: Graffiti on an MMWD facility (photo courtesy of John Lannom)

Graffiti is on ongoing challenge for MMWD. We do our best to clean up obscenities and respond to customer complaints. But with over 200 storage tanks and pump stations throughout our 147-square-mile service area, including many in remote locations, the district simply doesn’t have the staff and resources to remove every tag.

After: The same site after graffiti was painted out. Thank you to MMWD’s awesome neighbors who help keep our tanks graffiti-free!

However, a small group of volunteers is making a difference in their own neighborhoods, “adopting” their local tanks and painting out graffiti when it appears. MMWD supplies the paint and equipment, while these unsung heroes give their time and labor. One dedicated volunteer has been keeping his local tank graffiti-free for eight years.

The district is also taking steps to cut down on graffiti, such as putting in plants to cover blank walls and installing security cameras. You can help, too. Keep an eye on the water facilities in your neighborhood—after all, they belong to all of us! If you see vandals at work, contact the MMWD Operations Center at 945-1500, 24-hours-a-day, and we will notify police.

If you are interested in volunteering to clean up graffiti on your local tank, contact our Volunteer Program at 945-1128 or volunteerprogram@marinwater.org.

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Congratulations, QWEL Graduates!

This past month, eleven landscape professionals completed three weeks of training through the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program. The free course—taught in Spanish at San Rafael’s Pickleweed Community Center—covered proper plant selection for our local climate, irrigation system design and maintenance, and irrigation system programming and operation.

Upon passing the certification exam, the most recent graduates will join the ranks of over 500 QWEL-certified professionals who are putting their expertise to work to help reduce landscape water demand. Developed in 2007 through a partnership of landscape contractors, educators and North Bay water agencies, QWEL is one of the first irrigation auditor certification programs in the nation to carry the U.S. EPA’s prestigious WaterSense label. The course at Pickleweed was sponsored by Sonoma County Water Agency and Marin Municipal Water District.

If you are interested in becoming a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper, visit qweltraining.com to learn more and find upcoming trainings.

And if you are looking for a landscape professional who can help keep your garden beautiful and your water bills reasonable, check out the list of QWEL graduates.

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New General Manager Krishna Kumar Joining MMWD in December

Krishna Kumar

The MMWD Board of Directors recently appointed Krishna Kumar, currently the general manager of the Valley of the Moon Water District in Sonoma County, as MMWD’s new general manager. Kumar has extensive experience working in the public sector and in the drinking water business. He will take over at MMWD on December 10.

Kumar was selected from a large field of extraordinary candidates from across the western states. Board President Cynthia Koehler noted that Kumar’s deep local background makes him particularly well suited for the position. Koehler added, “MMWD faces many challenges, including long-term water supply reliability, financial stability, environmental stewardship issues and conservation issues. Krishna’s strong base of knowledge regarding the North Bay water picture, his involvement in many environmentally sensitive issues and his management experience, will be extremely valuable to MMWD. We look forward to having him join us.”

Kumar has been the general manager of the Valley of the Moon Water District in El Verano since 2004. Previously he was a finance division manager at the Sonoma County Water Agency. Before immigrating to the United States in 1992, Kumar served as a senior manager at the Reserve Bank of India.

MMWD Facilities and Watershed Manager Tom Cronin has been serving as MMWD’s interim general manager for the last several months.

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MMWD Begins Environmental Review of Watershed Plan this Fall

This fall MMWD is beginning the environmental review process for the district’s Draft Wildfire Protection and Habitat Improvement Plan (WPHIP). Formerly known as the 2012 Draft Vegetation Management Plan, MMWD has renamed the plan with the launch of the environmental review process to avoid confusion with the district’s 1995 Vegetation Management Plan. The new name also more accurately reflects the plan’s purpose. This new plan addresses fire hazard reduction and biodiversity protection on the 22,000 acres of watershed land managed by MMWD with drinking water protection as the number one priority.

The main goals of the Draft WPHIP, which will replace the 1995 Vegetation Management Plan, are:

• To protect Marin’s communities, water supply and natural resources from catastrophic wildfire;
• To preserve habitats, plants and animals into the future;
• To prepare for and adapt to future changes.

The next step in the environmental review process is the scoping period, during which MMWD will accept comments on what should be included in the environmental review. The 30-day scoping period begins today, November 1, with a scoping meeting at San Rafael City Council Chambers set for Thursday, November 15, 7:00-9:30 p.m. The scoping period ends December 3.

The environmental review process will lead to the release in 2013 of a draft environmental impact report (EIR), which will include an assessment of the potential impacts of implementing various alternative approaches or of continuing the current program without changes. The draft EIR will also recommend the alternative approach that best protects the water supply, Mt. Tamalpais and the communities in MMWD’s service area.

More information on the draft WPHIP is available on MMWD’s website.

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