Issues

Measure U threatens to undermine the current tiered water rate structure and potentially jeopardize water affordability and conservation efforts all while our capital improvements come to a grinding halt.

Managing and supporting the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the CZU Lightning Complex fires, including addressing infrastructure damage and community needs.

Addressing the need for adequate and skilled personnel, including replacing key senior staff who have left. This involves ensuring that positions offer competitive and living wages to attract and retain qualified staff, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of SLV Water.

Effective watershed and groundwater basin management requires collaboration with nearby water districts, such as Scott’s Valley and the City of Santa Cruz, especially as we move forward with the San Lorenzo Valley Watershed Conjunctive Use Agreement. By working together, we can optimize the use of both surface and groundwater resources, ensuring a more reliable and sustainable water supply for our communities. This type of regional cooperation is essential for addressing shared challenges like drought resilience, water quality, and environmental impacts on streamflows. Partnering with neighboring districts will allow us to leverage resources, share expertise, and create a unified approach to preserving the health of our watershed and securing water reliability for future generations.