Temporary impacts to water supply also include a well undergoing rehabilitation and a well replacement project
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) is asking its South System customers to reduce their water use significantly as the District completes infrastructure improvements that temporarily impact water supply.
A trifecta of infrastructure projects, paired with very dry rainfall year, has resulted in less water available for customers in the South System, which includes areas of Pasatiempo Pines, Scotts Valley and the Mañana Woods neighborhood.
The projects include:
- Probation Tank Replacement — A new 500,000 gallon steel tank will replace the “Probation Tank,” an old, leaking, 100,000-gallon redwood tank, and will allow firefighters to have adequate water resources in the area. This replacement may impact water pressure for some of our customers in the south system during the high water demand in the coming months. Construction is anticipated to be completed by June 2019.
- Well replacement — Pasatiempo Well 6, which went into service in 1990, has reached the end of its life expectancy. The well, a significant water producer for the District, has suffered from structural problems for several years including age-related failures of the casing. The replacement process has begun and it is anticipated that drilling of the new well will begin in June. It is estimated the new well will be 800 feet deep with a flow of 350 gallons per minute.
- Well rehabilitation — The Pasatiempo Well 7 well is offline until June 1 for rehabilitation, following discovery that the well screens were plugged with iron and manganese deposits, which block the flow of water. The well was taken out of service to be scrubbed and treated.
“We are making significant progress in the ongoing ratepayer-funded effort to repair and replace our aging infrastructure,” District Manager Brian Lee said. “In the mean time, we ask that customers use water efficiently and be vigilant about water waste.”
Current average water use in the South System and Mañana Woods is 235 gallons per household per day. Water usage typically increases significantly on holiday weekends, and on the warmest summer days. These peak water use times will strain the water system and may result in a drop in pressure. The District is asking these customers reduce their water use by 20-35 percent per household during the infrastructure improvement period especially during peak water use times.
The District also commends customers for successfully achieving as much as 40 percent conservation during the worst periods of the recent drought, and is asking for help once again.
ABOUT THE SAN LORENZO VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District is located in the mountains of northern Santa Cruz County. The district serves more than 7,800 metered connections. Established in 1941, the district supplies water to the communities of Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Zayante, Scotts Valley, Mañana Woods, Felton and Lompico. For more information, visit www.slvwd.com or www.facebook.com/slvwaterdistrict.