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Water thievery threatens Carpinteria
Beach blanket bingo
By MauReen Foley
Rumors abound of residents in water-poor places like Montecito purchasing trucked in water for high dollar amounts. This may be enticing some locally to make a tidy profit off water.
everyone knows a massive, multi-year drought is squeezing water reserves for cities all across California. Carpinteria, meanwhile, remains in relatively good shape, water wise, thanks to a robust underground supply and a droughtinspired reduction in customer water use. this water availabili t y, h o w e v e r, m a y be a mixed blessing, enticing water theft and sales of private reserves. First, the good news. beneath Carpinteria lie four natural underground aquifers that hold a maximum of 125,000 acre-feet (For perspective, CVWD customers use a total of about 4,000 acre feet annually). It’s a “phenomenal groundwater basin,” said CVWD boardmember June Van Wingerden. also, since the declaration of a stage one drought last February, which included a request by CVWD that residents voluntarily reduce water consumption by 20 percent, Carpinterians have cut their use by 24 percent. Carpinteria has become something of a green oasis in a sea of thirsty desperation, as nearby cities like Montecito and Santa Barbara scramble to find new water sources. “We’re in better shape than some of the other districts,” concluded Charles Hamilton, CVWD General manager. Now, the bad news. It turns out that this same sense of local abundance has lured at least one water robber into the area. Van Wingerden said that about three months ago, bob mcDonald, a CVWD engineer, discovered a thief siphoning water from a concrete channel off Franklin Creek. the aquatic burglar was reported to the California Fish and Game Department because a permit is required for diversions of public water. Kathie Smith, Public Information Officer for the State Water Resources Control Board, confirmed that it is illegal to pull water from a public waterway without a “water right.” she said that the Water resources Control board would investigate a report of someone
SELLING WATER continued on page 3 DRE#01372868
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Garrett Combs
Carpinteria city lifeguard Ryan Kell scans the beach last Saturday as beach-goers pack into the sand for the long holiday weekend. Fog burned off early all weekend, treating locals and visitors alike to a Fourth of July weekend for the record books. For more images of oceanside fun and festivities, see page 11.
Union Bank turns 150
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The first 150 years of Union Bank’s long history came to a close and the next chapter opened with the symbolic snip of the giant Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce scissors on July 7. the ribbon cutting was one of numerous ways that the bank, a relatively new addition to Carpinteria, celebrated its century and a half of staying power. Guests to the local branch enjoyed cupcakes and other treats to mark the grand anniversary.
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