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The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Los Altos-Mtn. View Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Water Conservation,
Excessive Use,
Urban Water Users Assoc.
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What measures would you take to assure water conservation so the district will meet its requirements?
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Answer from Ernest Solomon:
Implement a landscape review plan for applicants for new homes and remodels. (This would be done with the cooperation of the town of Los Altos Hills.)
Continue programs to educate home owners on approaches to water conserving landscaping.
Answer from Diane A. Brauch:
Work with the 25% of Los Altos Hills homeowners who use 50% of the water to find possible ways to help them cut back while maintaining their beautiful landscaping.
Work with all residents on controlling water run off from their landscaping.
Answer from Robert N. "Bob" Anderson:
Build a strong community water conservation education network, using tools such as a web site, where customers can track their water use and get timely district water usage and comparison information. Develop a community outreach program to inform through both web forums and education series the value and need for individual responsibility for water conservation and management.
Answer from Maynard B. Stevenson:
Ratepayer awareness efforts, eg, billing envelope flyers and newsletter articles are well-worn and perhaps not particularly effective techniques (I always read mine) but I don't have any bright ideas yet. Perhaps using new, or novel means of apprisement, or offering rewards in billing (eg rebates) following a serious long-term conservation effort would be worth considering.
It is more difficult to correct excessive water use than to prevent it in the first place. Every new home built in Los Altos Hills has the potential for extravagant water use (I noticed one "typical" home nearing completion has a 2" water service!) The Town Planning Commission should have an obligation to prevent or at least discourage such use before it occurs by;
Disallowing truly inappropriate landscaping in the context of water
conservation
Insisting on certifiably engineered, reliable, irrigation systems programmed
to optimize water use.
Answer from Daniel F. "Dan" Seidel:
Promoting water conservation is a continuing program of the District that I support and will expand. I propose creation of a water saving demonstration garden at the District's new Operations Center, and hiring an intern to assist customers in applying conservation measures. The District is finalizing a drought emergency water conservation plan for adoption in the next few months.
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2. Since it is evident that the water district currently exceeds its allotments of Hetch Hetchy water, what proposals do you have for addressing excessive water use by individual homeowners?
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Answer from Maynard B. Stevenson:
I have no magic answers, but if the usual variable billing rates, even exponentially increasing ones aren't effective, then how about a "monthly allotment meter", which shuts off after X units for the most flagrant users, installed and serviced at their cost?
Answer from Diane A. Brauch:
Personal letters and visits to homes where runoff is causing flooding on pathways, nearby ditches, etc. Find beautiful, green plants that are low water users and be sure residents planning new landscapes have a list.
Answer from Robert N. "Bob" Anderson:
As part of an effective education and individual water user outreach plan, help the community more efficiently and effectively manage irrigation water, which is one of the biggest demands of the water allotment of the district. Advise heavy use consumers on improving irrigation efficiency. Stress the priority of using the high quality Hetch Hetchy water effectively for personal use. Look for alternatives for heavy users for irrigation needs, such as desalination, or sourcing alternatives.
Answer from Ernest Solomon:
Seek to work with high water users to review, evaluate, and reduce their water consumption through: elimination of water wasting practices; reduction of extensive lawn area; inclusion of drought tolerant landscaping, use of drip irrigation.
Answer from Daniel F. "Dan" Seidel:
A water waste prevention ordinance was enacted earlier this year to address excessive water use, but this is only part of the supply problem. I will continue to work 1)to increase our allotment from the San Francisco PUC, 2) develop a supplemental and emergency groundwater supply, 3) purchase water from local cities in exchange for making a District commitment and investment in their water reclamation programs.
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3. Many water agencies in the Bay Area have signed the MOU supporting the California Urban Water Users Association's BMPs (Best Management Practices) for conservation. Would you support Purissima Hills signing the MOU? If not, why not?
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Answer from Robert N. "Bob" Anderson:
Yes. I support the MOU, which has been signed.
Answer from Daniel F. "Dan" Seidel:
The District signed the MOU four years ago and has implemented many of the BMPs. Our just-completed Water Supply Master Plan emphasizes further conservation measures that I fully support. Focus will be on applying technology to reduce irrigation demands, providing on-site water use audits, review all new landscaping plans, and recognition of those who demonstrate exemplary conservation.
Answer from Maynard B. Stevenson:
I would support PHW signing the MOU.
Answer from Ernest Solomon:
Yes. The District has signed the MOU.
Answer from Diane A. Brauch:
Purissima Hills signed the Memorandum of Understanding some time ago.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Until noon on September 24 candidates must limit their answers to 300 words total for all questions so that a paper Voters Guide may be published. After that time word limits will no longer apply. Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League or by Smart Voter.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
