Westside Enterprise

Per Acre Allotment Unchanged
Despite Low Watershed Runoff

Although watershed runoff so far this year has been the lowest since 1912, the Salt River Valley Water User's Assn. has announced that the per-acre water allotment will remain at three acre-feet.

Association president Victor I. Corbell says the allotment can remain the same because of more efficient water distribution methods and conservation practices which have reduced seepage and evaporation losses throughout the system.

The association's board of Governors approved a preliminary 1962 budget of $8,445,898 Monday.

The budget includes $6,108,252 for operation and maintenance of the irrigation system and $2,337,646 for irrigation construction. It will receive final approval at next month's board meeting.

Application of almost $5 million from power income has reduced the total budget to make it possible for the board to set the water assessment for 1962 at $2.50 per acre, the same as this year. Other charges will also be the same.

The budget was prepared on the basis of having a total water storage in the reservoirs of 750,000 acre feet as of Jan. 1, 1962 and an estimated water storage of 750,000 at the end of 1962.

Funds earmarked for the Assn. 1962 irrigation construction program will be underground water plant, $345,587; transmission, $204; distribution, $1,623,425; improvement to drainage facilities, $107,200; miscellaneous, $18,345 and $39,089 for the Association's share of the Salt River Project's general construction.

The budget covers only the Water Users Association and not the Salt River Power District, although both organizations make up the Salt River Project.