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409 Mr. Dixon replied that an agreement is entered into with the purveyors which allows them to drill wells, whether for drinking or for landscaping irrigation, but limits the amount of water they can pump from the wells. He added that water pumped from large wells would be considered part of the community's independent pumping quota. He continued that creek water is regulated by the State Water Resource Control Board. He explained that all the water in the creeks have already been filed for and may not be diverted when they are flowing. Mr. Mercer inquired if the creeks could be dammed so that water released from the Del Valle reservoir could back up to those dams and recharge the groundwater basin. Mr. Dixon replied that the Del Valle reservoir is one of Zone 7's recharge areas and that it recharges the groundwater basin without the use of dams. Mr. Tarver inquired if Zone 7 feels comfortable with its margin of safety in terms of the manner in which water is pumped and supplied and its ability to recharge the groundwater basin. Mr. Dixon replied that Zone 7 is not comfortable with its current 60% pumping capacity, which is why it is seeking additional wells. He stated that Zone 7 changed its policy this year to have a pumping capacity that would meet 75% of its demand without any State water, to ensure the community that Zone 7 would be able to supply water from its normal pumping system should the State lose its ability to deliver water for whatever reason. He continued that once the wells are built and with the present pumping capacity, Zone 7 would be able to deliver nearly 200% of the normal daily demand, with 125% from the treatment plants and 75% from the well fields that will be put in. Ms. Mohr inquired if any consideration is being given to limiting the agricultural water supply for those crops that are already in surplus quantities. Mr. Dixon said yes. He added that most of the crops in surplus are grown with Federal water. He continued that in the current State system, farmers pay the same price as urban users; however, the State is looking at a tiered pricing system in which the farmers may take water only when there is an abundant supply because they would not be able to afford the more expensive water. Ms. Mohr inquired if farmers would be able to draw water from both the Federal and State supply, which could take away from the entitlement of those communities that have a groundwater supply. - 17 - 8-20-91