Advocating for Sustainable Water For Tomorrow

Posted by Orozco for Assembly 2012.

Mark Orozco, candidate for State Assembly continued his advocacy for a sustainable water future in the Pass Area with a September 12 tour of Yucaipa’s Water Filtration and Waste-Water Treatment plants. Yucaipa Valley Water District General Manager Joe Zoba hosted the tour and shared with Mark the District’s approach to water management. Reaffirming Mark’s preference for a regional water strategy, Joe described how the YVWD is not only willing but amply capable of contributing to regional needs. Yucaipa’s Filtration facility was designed with the future in mind and has plenty of room for expansion. Spare capacity that the district is more than willing to make available to other local agencies. According to Joe, “there is little point in building a facility which will be out of date before it is ever paid for. If the community is going to spend the money, we might as well invest in a resource that can pay a longer term dividend for all of us.”

Following this mantra, YVWD is using out-of-the-box thinking to make creative use of their water resources. For example, Yucaipa’s filtration facility and waste-water plants are so good, and have so much available capacity, that the district is actually using these resources to attract business to the community, a high priority for Mark Orozco.  Prior to Yucaipa’s recent infrastructure investments, many of the businesses interested in moving into this area faced the daunting costs of investing in a dedicated sewer line to handle their waste-water outflows. Today, such industries need only plumb their facilities into the city sewer line, at regular rates, and the treatment plant handles the rest. Historically, such a convenience could only be found in seaside locations where ocean dumping is permitted. Yucaipa’s plan not only dangles a substantial carrot for interested business but does so in an environmentally responsible way.

Mark Orozco believes that smart investments in the region’s water infrastructure will allow local communities to leverage existing advantages such as a large available workforce, lower land prices, and an inviting business climate,  in their bids to improve Pass Area attractiveness to growing businesses; industries that have the potential to rejuvenate the local economic climate through an influx of new jobs and investments.

It is clear that Yucaipa is on the right track when it comes to water infrastructure and sustainable management. Unfortunately, the District can’t go it alone. Mark agrees with local Water District managers that effective stewardship of our water resources requires the participation of all local agencies along with compelling advocacy in Sacramento; advocacy Mark Orozco plans to provide as our next assembly member.

Progress has been made between the Yucaipa and Beaumont-Cherry Valley water districts but other area hold-outs remain. Unless, and until, the entire Pass Community can commit to working together for clean water tomorrow; the quality and reliability of local water will remain in jeopardy.

Mark Orozco is running to represent the newly redrawn 42nd Assembly District. The 42nd District includes San Bernardino County; 29 Palms, Morongo Valley, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley, Landers, Joshua Tree, and Pioneertown, as well as Riverside County; Beaumont, Banning, Cherry Valley, Cabazon, Calimesa, San Jacinto, Hemet, White Water, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and Rancho Mirage.

For more information please visit http://www.markorozco.com