Where: Valley Center, California
Problem: Contaminated groundwater, aging infrastructure and drought conditions
Solution: RCAC helped the tribe with water conservation, asset management and budgeting

The San Pasqual Tribe operates two water systems. One well is an older, heavily corroded steel storage tank that leaks. Drought and aquifer depletion forced the tribe to supplement its systems through an emergency connection to Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD). During the past few years, RCAC staff has helped San Pasqual with water conservation and setting rates based on use, drought planning and infrastructure improvements. At the request of the San Pasqual water manager, RCAC developed a domestic water business plan based on need and on what the community was willing to pay for water system improvements.

“Working with RCAC has been a huge benefit for the San Pasqual Water Department throughout the years,” says John Flores, San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians environmental director and domestic water manager.

RCAC also helped the tribe revise its water use tracking system, resulting in a reduction of unaccounted-for water use. Moreover, RCAC staff drafted a water conservation flyer for water customers, and revised the tribe’s customer service fee schedule for new connections and related services.

“Working with RCAC has been a huge benefit for the San Pasqual Water Department throughout the years,” says John Flores, San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians environmental director and domestic water manager. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with RCAC.”

RCAC now aims to reduce the tribe’s dependence on expensive imported water, focusing on infrastructure improvement and water recycling and reuse.

The next step is helping the tribe with water recycling, laying more pipe line, and constructing and rehabilitating water storage tanks.