Board approves Cosumnes River Watershed sanitary‑survey update as debate over water planning continues

The Rancho Murieta Community Services District board on June 17 approved a $37,990 contract to update the Cosumnes River Watershed sanitary survey, a state‑required five‑year review covering watershed and runoff risks. The vote carried after brief discussion and public input.

Developer and resident speakers used the item and the public‑comment period to press the board on broader water‑planning matters. Jeff Pearson, who identified himself as representing Rancho Murieta Properties, recited a long history of agreements and engineered water quantities and urged the district to move from planning to hydrogeologic site identification. Pearson said the district has had more than three decades of commitments to increase raw water supply and argued staff should engage a hydrogeologist to identify specific well sites rather than delay.

During the sanitary‑survey discussion, Pearson asked whether permit changes under consideration for Lake Clementia would require a new sanitary survey or only a modification; staff said they would follow up and provide clarification. Several directors and members of the public asked why a substantial fund balance (cited by commenters at about $2.7 million) had not been used to advance augmentation projects, test wells or emergency storage design. Staff responded that estimates and bids for those items are not yet firm and the budget process can be amended once pricing is available.

The board authorized the sanitary‑survey contract and directed staff to coordinate necessary follow‑up on permitting and reporting obligations. The State Water Resources Control Board’s new maximum contaminant‑level guidance for manganese — effective June 1 — was also discussed; operations staff said the district is currently within limits and will report manganese results quarterly as required.