Manteca’s water capacity will significantly increase by 7,000 acre-feet of water a year thanks to the expansion of the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID).
Photo Credit: City of Manteca
Deputy Director of Engineering Somporn Boosalat presented the ‘2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan’ (UWMP) at a Manteca City Council meeting.
The UWMP, when stress-tested against a normal year, a single year of drought, and five years of drought, projects that no water shortage will occur over the next 25 years.
"And just as a note, the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID), when it is expanded, we’re going to get an additional 7,000 acre-feet of water a year," Boonsalat said.
The referenced document outlines that water providers serving more than 3,000 customers or supplying at least 3,000 acre-feet a year are required by the State of California to have the ‘UWMP’ in the event of a water shortage.
Being that the City clearly crosses this threshold, it is mandatory Manteca has a plan in place.
The City’s extensive drinkable water system consists of 16 active potable groundwater wells extracted from the East San Joaquin Sub-basin and 3.8 million gallons of storage from various reservoirs that unify through 350 miles of pipeline running under Manteca’s streets.
Alongside this, Boonsalat continued, “ It’s important to note for sustainability and reliability, we do also have a recycled water facility that treats the water to ‘Title 22’ drinking water standards."
Photo Credit: City of Manteca
He noted before the Council that in actuality, it isn’t drinkable water, but is instead intended for irrigation use to aid in various other projects that require it. With this, he further stated that the use of this recycled water aids in limiting, conserving, and reserving potable water for drinking.
The conservative nature comes from the ‘2009 Water Conservation Plan’ which aimed to reduce the per capita water use by 20% to which Manteca met this requirement.
“Some of the new regulation we're looking at right now that's coming down the pipes is a focus around conservation as a way of life in California ”, the Deputy Director pointed out.
Speaking on the contingency plan, Boonsalat highlighted that per California state standards, there are six levels that the city would adhere to in the event of drought emergencies, each level imposing tighter restrictions regarding water usage.
Photo Credit: City of Manteca
In response, council member Morowit said, “We have contingency with water conservation methods in the event that we go through another drought, which is possible in 20 years. We've lived through a couple of them.” He also mentioned "false information people spread" stating there isn’t enough water, which ends up leaving people concerned.
Deputy Director Boonsalat noted that five additional wells for Manteca will be in place, which will only increase the City’s water capacity. Mayor Gary Singh posed a question to Boonsalat regarding when the expansion for SSJID will occu,r and whether they were reliant on it.
The Director stated he was unsure of when the plans for expansion will begin, but reassured Mayor Singh the City isn’t reliant upon it.
To add to or correct any information in this report please contact me at yikaileau.w@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below with your thoughts.
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