The city of Davis faces a moment of reckoning: Does it want to back away from a water deal with Woodland that is vital to the future of both cities?

Even more importantly, do Davis residents and leaders realize the potential costs of delaying or derailing this water deal? Are they aware that a cleaner source of water is essential for reducing salts in the city's wastewater? Are they aware that, without cleaner water, the city could face onerous state penalties and costs for building new wastewater treatment facilities?

Many of these questions were front and center a year ago, when Davis and Woodland seemed to be working together toward a regional fix for their water and sewage challenges. That solution involved construction of a new water treatment plant and pipeline that would bring Sacramento River water to Woodland and Davis, reducing the reliance of both cities on groundwater pumping that is depleting the aquifer.

This new treatment plant would not come cheap – $325 million – but it would serve the dual purpose of improving drinking water and wastewater discharges for both cities.

Three months ago, Davis seemed on board as the City Council approved a 14 percent increase in water rates to pay for its share.

Since then, opponents have attacked the proposed plan and rate hikes for various reasons – some legitimate, some less so. Many complain the water rate increase is overly complicated, with residents unclear about what type of rate tier may apply to them.

That may be a concern, but one that could easily be fixed with further education, outreach and rate adjustments.

Yet opponents aren't stopping there. They have shown they can easily collect signatures for an initiative that would kill the project, regardless of consequences. Faced with this prospect, the City Council on Wednesday was forced to backtrack, repeal the water rate increase approved three months ago and initiate a new rate study. Under Proposition 218, it appears the city will be forced to hold a June election on the rate increase, which will delay matters, but not disastrously.

But what if that June vote is delayed or Davis voters decide to reject the rate increase, and thus, the project itself?

That would be a serious setback. For drinking water reasons alone, the new treatment plant could save Davis huge sums in maintaining water wells.

As for wastewater, here's what Ken Landau, deputy executive director of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board had to say in June:

"Both Davis and Woodland have real problems with salinity in their wastewater. State and federal law requires us to get you to fix it. The water supply project has the advantage of fixing the wastewater problem and providing other benefits to the community in terms of water supply, quality and reliability.

"In terms of calling our bluff, our RWQCB generally isn't all that excited about shutting down communities. There's a point at which, particularly with mandatory penalties and even beyond mandatory penalties, those can't just go on forever or we will have to take stronger enforcement action. If you come up with another project that takes a year or longer, we might be fine with that. If you come up with another project that takes five or 10 years longer, I doubt it."

It doesn't get much clearer than that for Davis voters and city leaders. Either they launch a project in the next year or so, or risk being "shut down" by state and federal environmental laws.

With proper outreach, we suspect the citizens of Davis will ultimately do the right thing. If they don't, the consequences for the city's finances environmental reputation will not be pretty.

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