Officials assess water supply
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

WATER EVERYWHERE?- Westlake Reservoir helps provide potable supplies for customers of the Las Virgenes Water District.

Water is precious in arid climates like Southern California's. In summer months, water districts throughout the state, especially in the south, attempt to stretch their supplies by using conservation measures and tapping into stored water from alternate facilities.

As levels run low and the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District draws water from other local reservoirs, some consumers might notice slight differences in the taste and smell of their tap water, said John Mundy, district general manager.

"The changes are usually subtle but they are a normal experience at this time of year," Mundy said. "Many people don't notice it at all, but each year a few call us to ask why it's different."

Several factors affect the seasonal change in water taste, Mundy said. Warm weather triggers algae blooms in supply reservoirs, resulting in an "earthy" odor or taste, even after the water has been treated and filtered.

Although water might taste differently or have a slightly odd scent, Mundy said it is completely safe and healthy to drink.

During summer, the water district meets added demand by drawing supplies from the Las Virgenes Reservoir in Westlake Village.

"No two treatment facilities are alike, so there are small differences some people notice in the water's taste," Mundy said, while renewing the district's familiar call for conservation.

"Because of the dry winter across the state, we're asking customers to reduce their outdoor water use through shorter watering times and by refraining from using water to wash down driveways and sidewalks," Mundy said. "If there is another dry winter, the water we save this year could well be water we need next year."

The last statewide drought occurred in the 19871992 period, according to the California Department of Water Resources. The department says one dry year doesn't necessarily constitute a drought.

Customers in the Las Virgenes district receive water from the State Water Project. The water travels more than 400 miles in pipes and aqueducts from the Bay Delta in the north and serves more than 20 million people in Southern California.

To keep customers abreast of all things concerning water, the district distributes its annual Water Quality Report, which offers a scientific analysis of the water delivered by the district.

Potable water flowing to residents from the Las Virgenes District has no contaminants and is considered "high quality," exceeding state or federal regulatory guidelines.

"Las Virgenes Municipal Water District customers have traditionally enjoyed very high water quality, and this year is no exception," Mundy said.

Because May is Water Awareness Month, the district put several educational programs into place to remind residents about the need to conserve water due to the increased demand that coincides with rising temperatures.

The district conducted several community outreach events during the month, including its annual water awareness poster contest and its 12th annual "gifting" of waterrelated books to local libraries.

At last week's Agoura Hills City Council meeting, community library manager Raya Sagi accepted a wide assortment of books for the Agoura Hills Library from Glen Peterson, a Las Virgenes board director and Metropolitan Water District representative.

The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District serves a population of 65,000 in the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

For further information, visit the district's website at www.lvmwd.dst.ca.us/.