Candidate Response: Alina Layng
5. What responsibilities and challenges do you see for the District in working with neighboring water districts/companies such as Bracken Brae, Forest Springs, Big Basin, Scotts Valley, the City of Santa Cruz, and Soquel Creek and organizations such as the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency?
The biggest challenge in working with smaller, consolidating water companies like Forest Springs and Bracken Brae is securing the necessary funding for mergers. For example, the Forest Springs and Bracken Brae consolidation had to be broken into phases after costs far exceeded initial estimates. Without adequate funding, how do we move forward with the additional phases? It's critical that we do not jeopardize current district customers by assuming the financial burden of consolidating private water companies. Instead, we need to pursue all available grant opportunities and maintain open communication with the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the county, and the state to emphasize the urgent need for funds to support our neighbors whose water systems are failing.
Collaboration with neighboring water districts and organizations brings both responsibilities and challenges. Each district or company has its own priorities and financial capacities, which can lead to conflicts over resource allocation and project timelines. We must recognize that sometimes our district's "wants" may need to take a backseat to other districts' more urgent "needs." Coordinating efforts to manage shared water resources sustainably is crucial. We must also work together to create unified emergency response plans for crises like wildfires, earthquakes, or contamination events, ensuring community safety and the protection of our water resources.
With organizations such as the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency, Scotts Valley Water District, and the City of Santa Cruz, collaboration is essential for implementing the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Additionally, working together on the San Lorenzo River Watershed Conjunctive Use Plan is vital. This plan enhances water supply reliability and protects local ecosystems by efficiently managing surface and groundwater resources. Through proactive partnerships, the District can play a central role in ensuring regional water security and environmental sustainability.