All plans have gone out the window and the district must handle the emergency at hand. While the district is replacing some of the destroyed structures, it is also a good time to evaluate the district’s needs and think about how to mitigate future emergencies. I’m thinking about ways to plan for future fires, earthquakes, and landslides. How will we maintain safe water when the ground and surface waters get contaminated from the wildfire runoff? The water filtration plant was destroyed. How can we build a more robust system; one that can withstand the challenges of our geography? One of the delays with restoring water is waiting for testing results from labs located in other counties. Can we make this more efficient? I can come up with the questions and ideas, but the product will depend on funds and staff.
The wildfires have created a situation where the Water District needs to work with a variety of partners to have the capacity to provide safe water for the residents of the San Lorenzo Valley. I want to be a liaison between the water district and its partners. I want to create a strong financial position while expanding the Low-Income Rate Assistance (LIRA) program that is currently in its trial phase. This is critical because the water district needs the money to build its infrastructure, prepare for future emergencies, and provide water to all residents, regardless of their ability to pay. Additionally, my environmental knowledge can steer the water district in an environmentally sustainable way.
