A measure enabling Davis to draw water from the Sacramento River through a $245 million, two-city project was leading in the initial returns reported Tuesday night.
As of 8:30 p.m., Measure I was ahead by a 55 percent to 45 percent margin with nearly 13,000 ballots counted, according to the Yolo County Elections Office. It was one of two Yolo races decided through a special all-mail election, and officials tallied most ballots ahead of Tuesday's 8 p.m. close.
The Surface Water Project is designed to supply 30 million gallons of water a day to the cities - 12 million to Davis, 18 million to Woodland.
Supporters said the new river water source ensured Davis a clean, long-term water supply while saving millions of dollars by working with Woodland.
The two cities worked since 2009 on the ambitious plan, made more urgent, both cities’ leaders said, by aging wells, deteriorating water quality and fast-approaching deadlines for state and federal clean water requirements.
But opponents said the project and associated rate hikes were far too costly, came at the expense of other regional alternatives and overstated the condition of the wells that supply the city’s water. Davis’ share of the project is projected as high as $116 million before water purchase, operations and other costs.
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