VENTURA : Group Urges City to Build Water Pipeline

A western Ventura County citizens group is urging the city of Ventura to hook into the state water project at Castaic Lake instead of building a desalinating plant.

Members of the group We Want Water said Wednesday that building a water pipeline would be the least expensive of the two options.

“I think it would be deleterious to the water users of the city of Ventura if the city decided to do only a desalination plant,” said group member Roy Wilson, a Santa Paula rancher.

“The water would be considerably more expensive.”

According to a city report, constructing a pipeline or a seawater desalinating plant would cost up to $100 million each. But the cost of operating the desalination plant would drive up the price of water.

Despite the expense, members of the Ventura Citizens Water Advisory Committee--appointed by the City Council--decided last week that the city should opt for the desalinating plant because it would be more reliable than the state project. The council is expected to make a decision on the issue sometime in June.

Wilson said the report by the city’s citizens group prompted members of We Want Water to push for the pipeline. The group has about a dozen active members, including former Ventura City Councilman John McWherter. It was formed about five months ago to study the state water issue.

Councilman Gary Tuttle quickly discounted We Want Water’s recommendation, saying group members did not have the necessary facts and figures to make an informed decision.

“They’re speaking off the top of their heads,” Tuttle said. “I want water too, but I’m not necessarily sold” on a pipeline.