LAFCO’s Service Review Responsibilities
State law mandates that LAFCO’s service review include an analysis and written statement of determinations regarding:
- Growth and population projections for the affected area.
- Location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence
- Present and planned capacity of public facilities, adequacy of public services and infrastructure needs or deficiencies including needs or deficiencies related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, and structural fire protection in any disadvantaged, unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence
- Financial ability of agencies to provide services.
- Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities.
- Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies.
- Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by commission policy.
The service review will include recommendations for any changes to water districts, sanitary/sanitation districts, and community services districts spheres of influence, as necessary.
Service Review Focus Issues
Small Water Systems in the Unincorporated Area
The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water (DDW) staff have identified many small water systems in south Santa Clara County that experience technical, managerial, and financial difficulties from time to time. In response, there have been many interagency discussions on potential options for helping these current systems, including the potential consolidation of these struggling systems with better managed or maintained systems located nearby. However, there does not appear to be any readily available solution.
Discussions concerning the feasibility and practicality of consolidation or infrastructure extension to these existing systems noted various challenges, including the long distances involved, terrain challenges, high costs, lack of funding sources, water supply availability, and overall uncertainty. Furthermore, it is important that any such solutions are consistent with LAFCO law, and LAFCO’s mandate to preserve agricultural lands and open space, curb urban sprawl, and encourage efficient delivery of services; and local/affected agencies’ policies.
The Service Review will identify potential options/opportunities for addressing this issue in Santa Clara County and consider the fiscal, economic, political, social and policy implications of each identified option/opportunity.
Other Issues
The Service Review will also consider ongoing and emerging issues, including status of water quality issues in the southern part of Santa Clara County (e.g. septic system concerns, nitrates, perchlorate, etc.); water availability during multi-year droughts, capacity of water systems to fight wildfires (i.e. water supply, flow rate, hydrants, etc.), implications of sea level rise on water service and wastewater service, and stormwater management; and rising demand for water for data centers.
