FVWD seeks new director, water supply good

The March 26 meeting of the Fern Valley Water District Board of Directors was quick and no major issues were apparent.

The board met with four directors since former director Mike LaFata resigned after the February meeting. If interested in joining the Board, a letter of interest and resume should be submitted to the FVWD Office by April 9. The Board intends to choose the new director at its April 17 session.

The code section of the State water laws under which the FVWD was established requires its directors to own land in the district.

In his General Manager’s Report, Victor Jimenez told the Board that the District’s wells were performing well. “In fact, well number four is up 4 and a half feet,” Jimenez added.

Another indication of the current water situation is the streamflow continues to be strong. In the General Manager’s Report, groundwater provided only 7.8 % of production this month compared to 59 % in 2024. Local streams still have a consistent flow despite the very dry fall and spring.

When asked about the stream’s flow, Jimenez replied, “I really couldn’t say, the mountain just keeps giving us water. I expected them to dry up a long time ago, but they just keep flowing.”

However, once again, Jimenez expressed concerned over the reported loss of water during the most recent billing cycle – January and February – which was 25 percent. For the same period in 2024, unaccounted for water was 13 %. Although the 12-month average had declined from 15.1 % a year ago to 14.7 % this month.

Although there were two leaks and water loss from a broken pressure valve, he felt that the water loss from these events was insufficient to account for the total. While he will continue to monitor the district’s pipelines and hydrants, Jimenez is concerned that the methodology for accounting for water loss maybe contributing to the larger value.

“One pressure valve blew, blowing hard and a couple of leaks of unknown length, but something is going on with the methodology,” he told the Board. “The margin of error with tank level measurements has bothered me for a long time. It is not precise when the tank level is higher than us.”

In his development of a 10-year capital improvement plan, Jimenez alerted the Board that there may be a tank project, other than cleaning, in the future. This might be the construction of a new tank or enlargement of an existing tank.

In early April, Jimenez will meet with the Board’s Planning Committee, comprised of directors Jon Brown and Robert Krieger, in preparation of the 2025-26 budget to be presented in May.