Fern Valley jumps from Stage 1 to Stage 3

Based on well levels and a higher level of contaminants in the creek water, Fern Valley Water District General Manager Victor Jimenez made the decision to go into Stage 3 mandatory water restrictions effective Monday, Sept. 20.

In August 2020, FVWD relied on just 35.5% of groundwater as a source. In August 2021, that number was 93%.

Because of the pumps running the wells, the Edison bill was $7,600 for July and August. Director Gary Erb asked if the pumps could be turned off during non-peak hours. Jimenez said the pumps could not be turned off. “Well 6 runs 24/7,” he said.

“I do not anticipate a wet year,” he added. “We don’t have an abundance of water.”

He said contaminants in the creeks are usually at 0.57 to 0.75 total organic carbons (TOC) with the worst being around 5.7 TOC. Right now, they are at 2.5 TOC.

Erb asked him when he would flip the switch to Stage 3 from Stage 1 and he said, “Monday … The sooner people are aware, the better.”

Going from Stage 1 to Stage 3 means customers may not fill their swimming pools except to replace evaporation losses and cannot use fire hydrants. These restrictions caused Jimenez and other directors to question whether the restrictions need to be more stringent. Stage 2 restrictions are more stringent than Stage 1 and apply to Stage 3. Visit http://fernvalleywater.com/water-shortage-requirements/.

Jimenez will send out a newsletter to all customers making them aware of the change and had his crew post signs throughout the community this week.

Jimenez also told the board that blending creek water with well water to reduce the contaminant level would not work out “because of the cost of the labor.”

The highest water demand is on weekends, said Jimenez. He said he is working with Edison to try to get a better rate.

Director Jon Brown asked if there’s any battery or solar power in the pumps. Jimenez said he has tried to get solar quotes but FVWD’s usage was too low. He has another company that potentially may give a quote, “especially now that we’re only on wells.”

Director Walt Bonneau has submitted a rough draft to Jimenez of a rebate program for providing tanks to customers to collect precipitation for landscaping. Jimenez said he is running it by the district’s attorney for any pitfalls and also will circulate it to the rest of the board for discussion at the next meeting.

Three more fire hydrants have been replaced with two or three remaining to be replaced, Jimenez said.

President Richard Schnetzer said he believes the better hydrants will raise the community’s fire safety rating “giving even a better benefit to our customers as to their insurance rates.”

Jimenez said he would check with Idyllwild Fire Chief Mark LaMont on whether that is the case.