Uncategorized Archives - North Marin Water District

(Posted September 14, 2022)

An unprecedented heat wave significantly impacted California over Labor Day weekend. With the Governor of California declaring a state of emergency, like many residents and organizations in Marin, North Marin Water District responded to calls for voluntary energy conservation to help reduce power demands within California while prioritizing public health and safety.

For the week beginning 9/2, we temporarily shut down all of our pumping activities from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m with the exception of the hydropneumatic zones, monitored filter maintenance and water heater adjustments. We will monitor the situation and continue to adjust our pumping activities to accommodate energy conservation priorities. In addition, we continue to utilize the solar system at Stafford Lake, which reduces our overall dependency on the electrical grid.

Adjust Your Thermostat
- During peak hours or when you’re not home, remember to set your thermostat at 78° (degrees) or higher. Setting your air conditioner 5 degrees higher can save up to 20 percent on cooling costs.
- Pre-cool your home by running air conditioning at 72 degrees in the early part of the day (when it is more efficient) then turn your system to 78 degrees or higher during the hottest part of the day when demand is the highest.
- Use smart or programmable features to help maintain energy savings when you’re not home.
Close Windows and Doors
- Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled or heated air.
- On summer nights, open windows to let cooler air in when safe. In the morning before the day starts to heat up, close windows and blinds to keep warm air out. c. Tilt blinds up and close drapes and shades on windows that receive direct sunlight.
Smart Energy Use
- Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task or desktop lamps with LEDs instead of overhead lights.
- Enable “power management” on all computers and turn off when not in use.
- Unplug phone charges, power strips (those without a switch) and other equipment when not in use. Taken together, these small items can use as much power as your refrigerator.
Access and Functional Needs
- Check in on neighbors, friends and family who may be at risk.
- Charge medical devices in off hours and have a back up plan for if the power goes out.
- In addition to traditional community support channels, individuals with access and functional needs should reach out to local government for assistance.
- Contact local utilities companies if you are dependent on power for assistive devices.
Major Appliance Use
- Postpone using major appliances like the oven, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer until cooler times of the day to avoid heating up your home.
- Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when full. Wait until after 10 p.m. to use these and other major appliances.
- When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90 percent of the energy used in a clothes washer goes to water heating.
Clean or Replace Your Filters
- A dirty filter forces your air conditioner and furnace to work harder, wasting money, using more energy or natural gas.
Adjust Your Water Heater
- Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees or the “normal” setting. Water heating accounts for about 13 percent of home energy costs.
Conservation Programs
- Consider participating in your utility’s demand response program. These voluntary programs are short, temporary measures to reduce energy consumption when power supplies are critically low, and a Flex Alert has been issued. Contact your local electric utility to learn about your utility’s program and incentives they may offer to participate.

For more information on state-wide Flex Alerts and power conservation, visit https://energyupgradeca.org/flex-alert

(Updated August 25, 2022) Thanks to everyone who came out to the Pop-Up Event this past Saturday. We had a good response and hope to do it again sometime in the future.

We are having a Drought Tool Kit Pop-Up event on August 20, 2022 at Pini Ace Hardware from 10am to 2pm (out in front). Here are the details:

Saturday, August 20, 2022
From 10am-2pm
Pini Ace Hardware 1535 S Novato Blvd., Suite A

Make sure to pop by and get your FREE Drought Tool Kit which may include:

Bucket
Showerhead
Sink aerator
Shower timer
Hose nozzle
Toilet leak detection tablets

For more information, please contact the District’s Water Conservation Hotline at (415) 761-8944 or email at waterconserve@nmwd.com.

(Updated 6/28/22) The North Marin Water District (District) has temporarily relocated offices while an upgraded Administration and Laboratory building is being constructed. The temporary office is located at 100 Wood Hollow, Suite 300 and will be open to the public initially by appointment only. We can be reached during normal business hours , Monday through Friday (8am to 5pm), at 415-897-4133.

The District’s Administration and Laboratory Upgrade project consists of a new water quality laboratory building addition and the renovation of the existing Administration building. The existing building is over 56 years old and many recognized industry standards, including the American National Standards Institute, establish the useful life of a public building at 50 years. The current water quality laboratory hasn’t been substantially updated since the mid-1970’s. The project scope includes necessary ADA accessibility improvements to the building entrances and interior spaces as well as exterior path of travel for employees and visitors from the parking areas to the building entrances. The new building will have energy efficient heating and cooling systems and a fire alarm and fire sprinkler system, a critical safety feature that the current building lacks. The project will provide a new central location and technological improvements to the District “Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)” systems that will allow Operations staff to monitor the status water distribution system, including pump stations and tank levels.

As a cost control strategy, three alternate bid items are included in the project Construction Documents: 1) Landscaping and Irrigation; 2) Pavement improvements at the entrance and service driveways; and 3) an emergency back-up generator. The construction was awarded to D.L. Falk Construction of Hayward in the amount of $11,614,000 which was under the construction cost estimate of $12,866,000. The landscaping and irrigation alternate was also awarded in the amount of $96,000. District staff are separately working on the extension of the existing recycled water distribution system in Redwood Boulevard into Rush Creek Place, which would better facilitate new landscape irrigation. District staff are also coordinating with the City of Novato on a future paving project for Rush Creek Place; and the District has been approved to submit a grant application for the back-up generator.

(Posted June 2, 2022)

In a move designed to increase reliability and address salinity levels in the water supply, North Marin Water District has begun construction of the new Gallagher Well No. 2, on the Gallagher North Bend Ranch just outside Point Reyes Station.

This new well will complement the existing Gallagher Well, and will increase the supply of high-quality groundwater during times that the district’s other two wells, located near downtown Point Reyes Station, are impacted by seasonal salt water intrusion.

This project coincides with conservation work undertaken on the Gallagher Ranch by the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT). MALT’s Stewardship Assistance Program addressed stream bank stabilization issues with measures that include construction of a log crib retaining wall, and the planting of willows and various native grasses along creek banks. This project will enhance water quality in Lagunitas Creek and protect North Marin Water District’s downstream Gallagher Well No 1. well from potential contamination.

With the first phase of drilling underway, the well is expected to be operational and providing water to customers by late summer. The project was awarded a grant under the California Department of Water Resources Small Community Drought Relief Program which helps offset the majority of the construction costs.

(Posted May 16, 2022)

The District proposes rate increases for the West Marin Water service area for fiscal year 2022-2023. If approved at the public hearing on June 28, 2022, the new rates will go into effect on July 1, 2022.

For more details about the public hearing and the proposed rate increases see the links below.

The key reasons that a 6% rate increase is needed are described below:

Continued investment in water facilities. The District must continue to make investments in facility upgrades and replacements that will benefit the West Marin Water System’s fire protection, water supply, and aging infrastructure. This will help to properly maintain the service area’s treatment plant, 26 miles of pipeline, 7 pump stations, 13 tanks, 3 wells, 168 hydrants, monitoring systems, and more.
Impact of inflation on all costs. The proposed revenue increase is designed to meet all the costs of providing water service. This includes purchasing, treating, and delivering safe, high-quality, reliable water to your home or business without fail, every day and around the clock.

More Information About Proposed Rate Changes

(Posted May 9, 2022) On March 4, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-6-22 (EO) regarding sanctions in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. The EO is located at https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3.4.22-Russia-Ukraine-Executive-Order.pdf.

This serves as a notice under the EO that as a contractor working under a state-funded project, compliance with the economic sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine is required, including with respect to, but not limited to, the federal executive orders identified in the EO and the sanctions identified on the U.S. Department of the Treasury website (https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/ukraine-russia-related-sanctions). Failure to comply may result in the termination of contracts or grants, as applicable.