At its regular meeting on May 25, the Borrego Water District (BWD) Board of Directors voted to rescind Ordinance 16-01, which required that landscape irrigation be limited to two days a week.

Recent changes in State law grant local water districts more control over their conservation measures, rather than facing fines for noncompliance with State mandates as was previously the case. General Manager Jerry Rolwing emphasized, however, that residents are still encouraged to conserve water.

The District must file a report with the State in December, outlining conservation measures since the mandate was lifted.

In other business, at the May 17 workshop meeting, the Board approved fee increases and changes recommended by Raftelis Financial Consultants. These are not part of the upcoming Proposition 218 process, which deals with water and sewer rates and includes public hearings and a protest procedure. The fees approved include penalties for late payments and returned checks and various meter charges for such services as disconnect/lock, unlock/reconnect, construction meters and backflow inspection.

The May 17 meeting also included a report on the successful operation of the new Solar array at the wastewater treatment plant. During the first three months of operation, the District paid less than $22 per month to San Diego Gas & Electric Company, all in administrative fees. The total savings in electricity could be up to $30,000/year. The system is working at 98 percent efficiency, and the three-month checkup showed everything is operating satisfactorily.

Additional good news – the District is now Number Two on the waiting list for a $65,000 rebate for Solar installation!

The search is underway for a new General Manager to take over upon Rolwing’s retirement in July. Spearheaded by consultant Harry Ehrlich and the BWD Personnel Committee (President Beth Hart and Secretary/Treasurer Joe Tatusko), there has been good response to the widespread advertising. A recommendation to the full Board is expected on June 22. Jerry Rolwing will certainly be missed by everyone and is sure to be a hard act to follow, but with the support of the Board, BWD staff and District ratepayers it will hopefully be a smooth transition into a new era.