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NID Makes Money; Water's Just a Hobby
Published Saturday, April 10, 1999

Ever since the dawn of civilization, people had two worries: a source of drinking water and a way to get rid of solid waste.  Funny, but in 1999, we still have the same worries.
 
As in every past age, our lives today depend on an adequate supply of clean water at reasonable rates. Drinking and flushing have not gone out of style.
 
So where does our water come from? In Nevada County, for those without wells, water is distributed and controlled by a secret agency known as the Nevada Irrigation District. I say "secret" because you can't find anything about NID on the internet, where most sensible agencies appear. Using the internet, your can learn about LAFCO, the transportation commission, air quality, or becoming a cook at the jail. You're not going to learn about your drinking water and NID.
 
While we elect NID directors, that's where our involvement with NID stops.  In fact, all accountability stops there. Now these aren't bad people, but they are terribly clumsy, and they have a troubled future in store for them.
 
The biggest criticism: NID has $130+ million in reserves, presumably earmarked for improvements. But our parcel charges were $4.8 million in 1997-1998, and our perception is that rates are always going up. By the way, a portion of our bills goes to taxes.
 
Granted, reserves should be maintained, but how much? Our county government is starved for revenues. Therefore it was a good idea that Supervisor Bruce Conklin proposed tapping into some of that tax money to help our impoverished county.
 
Well, last Wednesday, that idea went down the septic system when it died for lack of a second. Not even a second? Too bad, because the debate would have been worthwhile. I guess the Supervisors think it's OK to have your arm (county government) fall off because of gangrene as long as your leg is healthy (NID).
 
Here's the Dumb Supervisor Quote of the Week: The Union wrote, "Defending tax revenues for the water district, Supervisor Elizabeth Martin said farms need subsidized water or they will be forced out of business and replaced with subdivisions." This is so silly I pray to God that reporter Tim Willis got it wrong.
 
I presume Martin means that we pay more for water so farmers can pay less. Well, no problem. All of California gives raw water to farmers at dirt-cheap prices. But it's stupid to suggest that the county's vast agricultural empire (which doesn't exist) will crumble, and only crackerbox homes will occupy our non-existant wheat and corn fields.
 
NID has other problems besides hoarding money: 1) At least one candidate in last November's election alleged NID doesn't account for expenditures and cannot justify rates; 2) NID wimped out on the ditch trails issue; 3) it can't agree with the supervisors over the Wild & Scenic designation for the Yuba River; 4) it came up short on communication regarding delivering water pressure to fire hydrants; 5) it can't find a satisfactory way to accomplish the Cascade Shores flume replacement; 6) employees are dissatisfied.
 
I love this: "I believe that NID needs to be responsive to the needs of consumers and offer leadership in solving community water problems." That's from Nancy Weber's campaign literature in November, 1998.
 
Is NID responsive to consumer needs?  How would I know? They've never asked what my needs are. I once asked them to locate a payment, but they couldn't, so I sent the check twice. Because I rent, they mail my water bill to a property management company, so the management company can pay another 33 cents to mail it to me. And when (due to a leak between the meter and my house) my water consumption went from 11.66 hundred cubic feet per day to 203.33 HCF per day  (only a 1744% increase, folks), it didn't bother the moronic NID or the idiotic management company a bit. It was fixed four months later.
 
Is it that NID has got us by the taps and they know it? I hope not. I heard Ernie Bierwagen at the candidates' debate. He is a straightforward, honest, plain-talking guy with excellent integrity. He and his family have a long history in the county. I hope he and the other directors will find the best ways to build the right NID for the next century.
 
Barry Schoenborn is a technical writer, and a ten-year resident of Nevada County. You can write to him at barry@wvswrite.com. The opinions of columnists are not necessarily those of The Union.

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