CENTRAL
SACRAMENTO COUNTY GROUNDWATER FORUM
Southgate Recreation and
Park District
Issues and Interests
Statement
GROUNDWATER POSITION STATEMENT
Whereas, the Southgate Recreation and Park District maintains more than thirty-five different facilities including thirty parks and mini-parks, four recreation/community centers, an eighteen-hole golf course and two swimming pools; and
Whereas, water is essential to the operations of the District and the District pays approximately $300,000 per year to the four purveyors which serve our area: California-American Water Company, Fruitridge Vista Water Company, Florin County Water District and Sacramento County (Zone 40). In addition, we pump our own groundwater using four wells to irrigate some of our larger parks, e.g. Churchill Downs; and
Whereas, in addition to providing parks and recreational services to current residents, the District must provide facilities and programs for new residents. The eastern area of the District is experiencing substantial growth and the District is under a legal requirement to provide five acres of park for every thousand people; and
Whereas, the District’s primary sources of revenue are property taxes, assessment districts, user fees and grants. Developer fees may be used for land acquisition and construction of facilities but they may not be used to support operations. The District is also constrained by the fact that, unlike some entities, we cannot simply pass on any increase in costs to customers or rate-payers; and
Whereas, given these facts, the District has the following important interests:
· Contain the cost of water. The District is a water-intensive operation: trees, grass, golf course, etc. The public wants their parks to be green, not brown. Further, as the population of the area expands, our water use will increase. The future cost of water is of paramount concern to the District.
· Ensure an adequate supply of water to serve the area’s needs. An adequate supply is essential if the District is going to be able to obtain water at a reasonable cost and serve a growing population. Consequently, the District would like to see greater use of surface water in the area which in turn would promote recharge of the groundwater basin.
· Facilitate appropriate use of reclaimed water. Reclaimed water can be used on median strips, on the tees and fairways of golf courses, etc. Such use, however, must be planned for in advance and planning should be undertaken now if reclaimed water is going to be a viable option.
· Make sure treated water is put to beneficial use within the area. Groundwater from sites such as Aerojet and Mather should be treated and then put to use in ways that will benefit the groundwater basin rather than being shipped out of the area.
The District wants to see the Groundwater Forum succeed in its work and the time and energy that people have put into it produce results that will benefit the community.