October 2009 - South Tahoe Public Utility District

13.3 Regulation Triggered Project Implementation
Regulation may trigger additional application site development or the creation of high use
projects such as wetlands, and sprinkler irrigation systems. Currently regulatory requirements
are not insisting on a change to the distribution and application system, although it is recognized
that buffer zones, tail water, and open conveyances need to be addressed as the population
living in proximity to application areas increases.
The single greatest change in recycled water irrigation area could result from the
implementation of restrictive use setbacks defined in Title 22 of California Water Code (see
section 6.2.2, page 6-43). In addition, a basin-wide Nutrient Management Plan, which may be
required by California‟s proposed Recycled Water Policy, could modify recycled water
application rates and possibly result in the need for additional lands for the District‟s
management of recycled water.
13.4 Diamond Valley Land Use Strategies
The District‟s acquisition of the Diamond Valley Ranch should assist the District in realizing
long-term security and flexibility in meeting future recycled water direct land application needs.
Aside from additional groundwater monitoring wells, the first project to be implemented in
Diamond Valley should be the irrigation fields (Section 9.1, page 9-61). If the state regulation of
preparing Nutrient Management Plans reduces the application rate from the planning value of
3.25 acre-feet per acre per year, more irrigation lands may be needed to manage all of the
recycled water on an annual basis.
Initially this facility is planned to be supported with freshwater resources diverted from the West
Fork of the Carson River, or from existing springs on the property. As the need for recycled
water application areas increases, resulting from production, regulatory, or development
triggers, this facility can be irrigated with recycled water. As shown in Figure 13.1, Contingent
Project Decision Tree (at the end of Section 13), additional lands may be utilized for recycled
water irrigation to complement the land lost to development or regulations and recycled water
production increase.
13.5 Potential Future Master Plan Projects
The Recycled Water Facilities Master Plan includes six projects that may possibly be
implemented in the future. The implementation of these projects is contingent on various
factors affecting District operations and changed conditions in the future. Implementation costs
and potential revenue are not developed for components listed in the “future” category. These
components are considered to be concepts at this time.
13.5.1 Develop Recycled Water Wholesale Program
Implementation of a recycled water wholesale program would provide revenue to the District
and offset the District‟s costs associated with recycled water infrastructure improvements and
system operation and maintenance. The recycled water would be sold to each user by the
District or the District would wholesale the water to parties who in turn would distribute the water
to each individual user.
To implement a recycled water wholesale program an accounting and billing system would have
to be developed. Additional flow monitoring and flow totalizing meters would be installed for
more accurate metering of recycled water volumes for billing purposes. No revenue analysis
South Tahoe Public Utility District
Recycled Water Facilities Master Plan - October 2009 Page 13-95