Press Releases

PG&E may turn off electricty when extreme fire danger conditions are forecasted
 

(SEPT. 17, 2019) SCOTTS VALLEY, CA – The Scotts Valley Water District (SVWD) today announced the District has taken important steps to prepare for the possibility of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) by PG&E this fall.

Water production increased at other well sites to make up for loss of top-producing well; new well to be drilled

(SEPT. 13, 2017) SCOTTS VALLEY, CA – The Scotts Valley Water District today announced one of its wells has failed due to a cave-in of the well column at approximately 900 feet underground. The 25-year-old well located at the Orchard Run Treatment Plant site was the district’s top-producing well, providing 30-40% of the district’s potable water. Following an investigation and evaluation of the damage, repair of the well was deemed impossible. To make up for the loss of this source, production has been increased at other district-owned well sites.

“Though we are frustrated to have suffered the problem of aging infrastructure at this scale, we remain confident we can continue to meet customer demand while developing our plan of action for a replacement well,” said Piret Harmon, district general manager. “In the months ahead, the district will proceed with drilling a new well near the old one. We expect to have this work completed by the end of this year. In the meantime, we will rely on other sources and we ask that customers continue to use water efficiently.”

In order to be prepared for anticipated fall hot weather, district staff will have replacement pumps and motors pre-positioned in case they are needed for repairs to any of the district’s other production wells. Additionally, the district is prepared to activate the emergency intertie with San Lorenzo Valley Water District. The intertie was completed in 2016 and was intended specifically for situations such as a well failure, though the district has not needed to rely on it yet.

ABOUT THE NEW WELL

Pacific Coast Drilling has been selected to perform the drilling work.
Drilling is expected to take approximately two weeks, with work taking place 24 hours a day during this time.
The new well is projected to have a depth of 1,400 feet and capacity of up to 500 gallons per minute.
The emergency project cost is estimated to be $1.6 million and it will be funded from district reserves.

PROACTIVE MOVE IS PART OF NEW STATE REQUIREMENT THOUGH CALIFORNIA’S DRINKING WATER IS GENERALLY AT LOW RISK FOR LEAD CONTAMINATION

New System Allows for Water-Sharing in Emergency Situations

OCT. 4, 2016 SCOTTS VALLEY, CA – The Scotts Valley Water District (SVWD) and San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) announced today they have completed the Regional Emergency Intertie Project, a joint effort between the two districts and the Mount Hermon Association, to allow the agencies to share water resources during emergencies.

Four interties were constructed:

• Scotts Valley Water District and San Lorenzo Valley Water District South System

• San Lorenzo Valley Water District South System and San Lorenzo Valley Water District North System

• San Lorenzo Valley Water District and Mt. Hermon Association

• San Lorenzo Valley Water District North System and San Lorenzo Valley Water District Felton System

The interties include pipeline and pump stations that are to be used on an emergency basis. Construction of the water system interties allows SLVWD and SVWD to share water resources in emergencies such as water main breaks and natural disasters like earthquakes, fires, and landslides.