COSTA MESA : Water District Will Pay for Reservoir Repairs

The Mesa Consolidated Water District has agreed to dip into its emergency reserves and spend $1 million to help pay for repairs to the San Joaquin Reservoir, which was damaged in last winter’s rains.

The agency’s budget has been squeezed by higher costs to buy water from suppliers and the expense of construction projects, officials said. The agency’s board of trustees has been debating how to pay for repairs to the reservoir, which was damaged by mudslides.

Trudy Ohlig, president of the agency’s board, said trustees finally decided that the best option was to use part of the $3 million that it has in reserve.

She expressed concern, however, about how the district would cover any other unanticipated expenses. The district has not ruled out the possibility of selling its stake in the reservoir, Ohlig said.