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                      NEWS RELEASE FROM THE

                  CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
April 5, 1995                         Rob Schlichting 916-654-5159


                  MOULTON NIGUEL WATER DISTRICT 
                  HONORED FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY


The Moulton Niguel Water District has been named an Energy 
Efficiency Showcase by the California Energy Commission, which 
praised the district's resourcefulness in saving energy.

Located in Laguna Hills, the district is one of only 10 water 
suppliers to be selected for the Commission's Energy Showcase 
project.  Sixteen wastewater districts were also selected from 
the more than 4,000 water and sewer agencies in California.

"The Showcase program was designed to reward and spotlight 
energy efficient water suppliers like this one," explained 
Commissioner Jananne Sharpless of the Energy Commission.  
"With their dedicated approach to energy use, the operators of 
the Moulton Niguel Water District serve as models for other water 
professionals around the state."

Moulton Niguel provides water to approximately 132,500 people in 
five communities, including portions of Laguna Niguel, Laguna 
Hills, Mission Viejo and Dana Point, as well as the unincorporated
area of Aliso Niguel.  

The district uses a computerized control system to operate 77 
booster pumps which fill 20 storage reservoirs with water 
purchased from the Metropolitan Water District.  Most of the 
water is pumped at night when off-peak electrical rates are 
cheapest.  The reservoirs then supply most of the area's daytime 
water demand by gravity flow.

To help cut its utility costs and save energy, the district 
replaced many of its pump motors with high efficiency models and 
installed variable speed drives which slow down pumps during 
those periods when water demand drops.  
 
Reducing water use also saves significant energy, since less 
water needs to be pumped and treated.  To help its customers 
conserve, the Moulton Niguel Water District operates several 
education programs for school children, homeowners and 
businesses.  It currently runs a rebate program to encourage 
customers to install ultra-low flush toilets.

As a participant in the Energy Showcase project, the Moulton 
Niguel Water District will serve as a demonstration site, 
allowing other water suppliers to learn from its accomplishments.

"The Energy Commission is encouraging every water supplier and 
every wastewater agency in the state to become as energy 
efficient as possible," said Sharpless.  "It makes good 
business sense.  Californians spend over half a billion dollars 
a year to pump and treat their water and sewage.  If every agency 
could cut its energy bill by 10 percent, the savings statewide 
would result in an additional $50 million a year that could be 
used to replace old pipes and aging infrastructure, improve 
water quality and increase the amount of water recycling."


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For more information, contact:

Phillip Lawler, Electrical Supervisor, 
Moulton Niguel Water District (714) 831-1070

Rob Schlichting, California Energy Commission (916) 654-5159


end of file
File Name: 95-04-05_Moulton_Niguel_Water_Honored