Full Biography for Al Vargas

Candidate for
Board member; El Dorado Irrigation; Division 5

I have 16 years of experience in water pollution control, water quality, and environmental compliance. I have worked for engineering consulting firms and for a State regulatory agency. This type of experience will be an asset to the EID Board since the present Board does not have an appreciation for compliance with state regulations. Lack of compliance has puts public health at risk and cost ratepayers over $0.5 million in fines and lawsuit settlements.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Water Resources and Master of Science degree in Soil Science.

I am the only candidate with a record of activism on-behalf of ratepayers. Since moving to the county 5-years ago I have been involved in EID issues. Five years ago, I presented the EID Board a petition for third party review for the upgrade and expansion of the sewer plants. This third party was to answer to ratepayers. The goals was to make sure the costs were reasonable and that ratepayers did not pay for costs related to expansion to accommodate new growth. The petition was denied and eventually ratepayers did pay for expansion of the plants; hence the exorbitant sewer rates.

I supported Measure K (The Water & Traffic Initiative) through collection of signatures to place the measure on the ballot. I supported this measure because it brought common sense to water allocation planning and protected EID water users from the over allocation policies of EID. I have also provided to the EID Board on numerous occasions' testimony on statewide rate surveys to remind the Board how out of line our rates are. My goal has been to educate the public on the unfair rate structure and the exorbitant rates and to keep the heat on the EID Board.