Customers of Lassen County Waterworks District No. 1 has received several questions and concerns regarding the current water conservation rules and would like to provide important background and clarification.
First, it is essential to note that water conservation rules have been in place since at least 2019. The recent change has been the removal of specific watering days, now restricting watering during the peak evaporation window of 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This update aims to reduce system strain, improve water efficiency, and help preserve service reliability during high-demand periods.
The rationale behind these restrictions is clear: our system has physical and operational limitations that we are committed to managing responsibly. For example:
- This month, the district has pumped approximately 910,000 gallons of water, a figure that will increase as summer approaches.
- We operate with limited storage capacity; our water tower holds only 30,000 gallons, which must serve the entire community and maintain emergency reserves.
- Ongoing discussions about new housing developments within the district will further strain our existing water and sewer infrastructure.
- The district is facing increased utility rates from PG&E, particularly during the 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM timeframe, classified as peak energy usage. Operating our wells and pumps during these hours significantly raises costs and strains our budget.
While these restrictions may sometimes feel inconvenient, they are crucial for protecting the system from overload, maintaining water pressure, and ensuring water availability for every household, particularly during power outages and heat waves when demand spikes.
We are also actively pursuing long-term solutions, including:
- Securing funding to replace the entire water and sewer system.
- Developing a new well to enhance system output and reliability.
- Planning for a new water storage tank to increase capacity and meet future demand.
We appreciate our customers who continue to cooperate with these efforts. Your participation and conservation efforts are vital in protecting this essential service for everyone.
For further questions or to get involved, please contact the District Office or attend an upcoming board meeting. Your input is always welcome.
Sincerely, Lassen County Waterworks District No. 1 Board of Directors 301 Bridge St P.O. Box 363 Bieber, CA 96009 (530) 278-6476
