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Coronavirus

Public water supply in Lakeside remains safe to drink due to robust treatment processes. There is no evidence that coronavirus is transmitted through water.

Inactive Water Systems May Require Flushing – Schools do this after each summer.

For more information about virus prevention and treatment, see the following websites for up to date information.

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/coronavirus/#Protect

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx

As you know on March 4, 2020 Governor Newsome issued Executive Order N-28-20 proclaiming a State of Emergency in California as a result of the threat of COVID-19. The Order set into motion responses related to economic conditions whereby Californians may not be able to pay normal bills due to business closures, and loss of wages due to layoffs. In addition, the State Public Health Officer issued an order to all “Individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of resident except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors, as outlined….”

This order created many difficult decisions for our customers, community and even the District. Our first task was to ensure that District staff would remain healthy. This entailed splitting the operations staff in half and staggering start times. The potential problem for the District is if one person became infected with the virus our entire operations staff would have to isolate and quarantine themselves.

We couldn’t risk this potential problem so we split both our operations and administrative staffing starting times. To date no employees or family members have become infected with the virus.

During the emergency order we also had two pipeline replacement projects under construction. They will both be completed with the Order still in effect. The District does not have another project planned until the fall of this year.

Additionally, we know that our community has endured economic uncertainty. Because of this the Board has implemented policy suspensions that will allow services to remain on and penalty payments to be waived. In addition, on April 2, 2020 Governor Newsome issued Executive Order N-42-20 ordering;

The authority of urban and community water systems, as defined in Health and Safety Code section 116902, subdivision (d), to discontinue residential service, as defined in Health and Safety Code section 116902, subdivision (c), for non-payment under Health and Safety Code sections 116908 and 116910, is suspended.
Water systems not subject to the requirements of Health and Safety Code sections 116908 and 116910 shall not discontinue residential service, as defined in Health and Safety Code section 116902, subdivision (c), for non-payment.

Nothing in the Order eliminates the obligation of water customers to pay for water service, prevents a water system from charging a customer for such service, or reduces the amount a customer already may owe to a water system.

It was decided to suspend District Administrative Code policies section 2.3-3(A) and section 2.6 to allow the recommended actions to remain in effect until the reversal of the Executive Order. The Order leaves it up to the agency to develop repayment methods. Generally, it is proposed that overdue charges be paid before a next billing is sent. But if this order stays in effect longer that one billing period, a longer repayment period may be necessary.

Water Service Reactivation Procedure

When homes are returned to service after an extended period of discontinued service (e.g., weeks or months), an adult should be present in the home to ensure that the meter works, leaks are minimized, wastewater piping is intact, and the building’s plumbing is flushed. A thorough flushing process is appropriate in such situations.

Flushing instructions provided to occupants will vary depending on the structure. However, key elements of existing protocols include:

Remove or bypass devices like point-of-entry treatment units prior to flushing.
2.   Take steps to prevent backflow or the siphoning of contaminants into plumbing (e.g., close valves separating irrigation systems from home plumbing, disconnect hoses attached to faucets, etc.)
3.   Organize flushing to maximize the flow of water (e.g. opening all outlets simultaneously to flush the service line and then flushing outlets individually starting near where the water enters the structure).
4.   Run enough water through all outlets (e.g., hose bibs, faucets, showerheads, toilets, etc.), removing aerators when possible. Typical durations in existing protocols range from 10 to 30 minutes for each outlet (duration varies based on outlet velocity).
5.   Flush the cold water lines first, and then the hot water lines. Note: the hot water tank can be drained directly; it can require roughly 45 minutes to fully flush a typical 40-gallon hot water tank.
6.   Replace all point-of-use filters, including the filter in refrigerators.
7.   Additional precautions may be warranted if there is excessive disruption of pipe scale or if there are concerns about biofilm development. Actions that might be warranted include continued use of bottled water, installation of a point-of-use device, or engaging a contractor to thoroughly clean the plumbing system.

Residents should be reminded that if point-of-use devices are installed, POU devices should be properly installed and adequately maintained, because prolonged building water stagnation can lead to elevated lead, copper, and Legionella levels at the tap.

Communicating to commercial customers

Fresh water should be drawn into building water systems and stagnant water flushed out before they are reopened. It’s important to note, however, that each building’s water system is unique. Building owners and operators should be aware of specific information provided in their building plans.

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CONSTRUCTION NOTICE

Valle Vista Rd – Johnson Lk Rd to 11445 Valle Vista Rd,

Serena Rd between 11858 & 11934, and

Vista Camino from Valle Vista Rd to 10721 Vista Camino

The District’s water main replacement project is scheduled to begin. The District will be replacing over 5,100 lineal feet of 1950s water main that has reached its life expectancy as part of our ongoing process to make the water system more reliable for generations to come. We would like to make all homeowners aware of what to expect during construction.

Contractors will begin the process by potholing the locations where work is to be done and setting up temporary high-line plumbing in order to keep everyone in water during the construction. After these initial processes are complete the actual main replacement will begin. This process will require traffic control or detours with the potential for short delays in your regular schedule. The contractors will do their best to ensure that any inconveniences are kept to a minimum.

Part of this process will involve moving or replacing water services. These situations do require a shutdown of your service for a minimal period of time. Either while being switched over to the temporary high line or during the return to the newly replaced water main. You will be notified whenever possible that an outage is to be expected. As with any construction work, there are times when unexpected problems occur and this could lead to either minimal notification or no notice at all that the water service is to be turned off for repairs. We strive to keep these situations to a minimum. When the services are turned off for switch over there may be air introduced into the line. This is easily removed by opening an outside hose bib for a few moments to alleviate the air prior to entering the home. One item to note is that during this construction a larger than normal number of homes will be fed off high-lines. This can lead to low water pressure at high demand times (6-9AM & 5-7PM). If this affects you the best solution is to change watering schedules and/or utilize water devices at times outside these windows.

Once again, the contractor will attempt to make every part of the commute as easy as possible within the scope of the work area. Driveways will remain accessible throughout the project, with the possibility of a momentary delay while the contractor ensures the drivers safety.

Prior to the start of this job Lakeside Water District crews have installed valves that will prepare for the start of this work. Throughout the project the roadway will be temporarily repaired with “cold mix” asphalt. When the job is complete a final “base pave” and “cap”, a two phase system will be the final product. This project is scheduled to be completed in under 190 days.

Any questions or concerns can be sent to QuinnJ@lakesidewater.org or I can be reached at the office number (619)443-3805.

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New State Water-Use Efficiency Regulations

Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668 on May 31, 2018, which set into motion bills that are intended to help the state better prepare for droughts and climate change by directing state agencies to adopt regulations related to water-use efficiency for the first time in the state’s history.

AB 1668 sponsored by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) and SB 606 sponsored by Senator Robert Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys), will implement strict water use limits by June 30, 2022; Together, the two bills establish an indoor, per-person water use goal of 55 gallons per day until 2025 when the limit decreases to 52.5 gallons per day until 2030, and then decreases to 50 gallons per day thereafter. It will be the responsibility of water agencies to work with users to meet the goals.

The laws will also mandate that the state create incentives and objectives for water suppliers to recycle water, and also require urban and agricultural water suppliers to set annual water budgets.

The Department of Water Resources and State Water Resources Control Board will hold hearings with outdoor water agencies and recommend standards that are more flexible, since these agencies have water plans that vary greatly depending on their size and location.

To dispel some inaccurate information that followed shortly after the signing, there is no statewide mandate for individuals to reduce indoor water use to 55 gallons per person per day. The 55 gallon figure is a piece of a complex calculation to set overall water-use objectives for water agencies starting in late 2023.

Potential fines outlined in the new state laws are for water agencies, not for individuals. Under the law, water agencies have discretion about how to achieve state objectives given local conditions.

Continued adoption of water-efficient technology in appliances, irrigation components and other devices, along with mandatory water use restrictions passed in 2017 will allow for a fairly easy transition to comply with the upcoming use requirements.