Escalon City Council members dealt with a number of issues surrounding water at their regular meeting of Monday, Nov. 21.

Among the actions taken by the panel was approving a resolution opposing the State Water Resources Control Board 2016 revised draft Substitute Environmental Document and calling for sustainable solutions for the Stanislaus River and the region’s economy.

“The draft document includes water cutbacks for the Stanislaus River and based on estimates from SSJID (South San Joaquin Irrigation District), could result in a 10 to 20 percent decease during normal years with a potential of 64 percent in drought years,” noted City Manager Tammy Alcantor.

The council also authorized Alcantor to sign a financing agreement, and execute claims for reimbursement for funding with the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and pledging and dedicating of net water revenues and water enterprise funds for payment of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

“The Council passed the resolution but did direct me to bring back the terms of financing and amount for their consent and approval before executing,” Alcantor said.

On another water front, the council continued an item relating to consideration of adopting a resolution electing to serve as a Groundwater Sustainability Agency. The council agreed to continue that item to the meeting of Jan. 17, 2017.