HOW
WATER
WORKS
The backflow device is attached to the private
property owner’s pipes to ensure that water
used in a private system, such as water used for
fire suppression, doesn’t accidentally flow back
into the City’s treated water supply. There are
approximately 2,900 back-flow devices helping
to protect the Santa Cruz water system.
Blow-Off Assembly
FREQUENTLY, THE WATER DEPARTMENT
RECEIVES CALLS FROM CUSTOMERS
with questions about system
infrastructure. Some of the
infrastructure is ubiquitous
and some of it is more random.
Perhaps you’ve wondered
what some of these things are
yourself…
What is
that thing?
Back-Flow Device
The back-flow device is used on all
commercial hook-ups, and on residential
hook-ups where an auxiliary source such
as wells or a grey-water system is used.
It’s also used to protect treated water in
the system from hazards such as industrial processes and on-site chemical usage.
Pressure Regulating Valve
Because much of the Santa
Cruz water system is gravity
fed, there are areas in the
city where water pressure
is much greater than other
areas. High water pressure
can be damaging to pipes
and appliances. Many
residents in high-pressure
areas have installed pressure
regulating valves on their
own, however pressure
regulating valves are now
required for building
permits if the water pressure is above
80 psi (pounds per square inch.)
Pump Stations
No, this isn’t a gathering of people to ignore
someone. Blow-off assemblies are found at
points in the system where pipes end. Because
there’s no circulation through these points, it
also becomes the “oldest” water in the system
and most vulnerable to bacterial growth or
change in taste.
As part of our flushing program, the City
annually flushes out “old” amounts of water in
the system through blow-off assemblies. There
are approximately 472 assemblies throughout
the Santa Cruz water system.
Air Release Valve
Air release valves
are used at the
highest points in
the system. As air
becomes trapped
in the system,
it needs to be
released for water
to flow properly.
Air release valves
do just that —
they automatically
release accumulated air in the
pipes. There are
approximately
200 air release valves used throughout the
system.
Santa Cruz is a hilly community, and because
much of the water system is gravity-fed, there
are areas where the water needs a “boost.”
So pumps are used throughout the system to
move water up in elevated areas to residents.
There are 17 pumps and pump stations
throughout Santa Cruz neighborhoods.
Valve Boxes
Valve boxes are ubiquitous.
Basically, they cover access
to valves which control the
flow of water in pipes. It is
important to have a broad
range of access to shut
water off, in case of leaks, maintenance, or
construction. There are thousands of valve
boxes throughout Santa Cruz.
Water Conservation News
2
A Message from the
Water Director
O
UR LONG-TIME DIRECTOR,
Bill Kocher, bid us farewell in
September. Bill was the director of
the department for 28 years and led us through
a major earthquake, droughts, improvements
to one hundred year-old infrastructure, as well
as into being one of the top water conserving
communities in the state. We wish Bill all the
best in his well-deserved retirement. He will
be missed!
As the year draws to a close, it’s
a good time to reflect on some
of the Water Department’s major
accomplishments in 2013.
In addition to our core mission of providing
about 10 million gallons daily of clean,
safe drinking water to our customer base
of 93,000, the department also completed
several upgrades to the community’s water
infrastructure. Some examples of projects
include:
•Completion of the first of two 6 milliongallon permanent replacement tanks at
the Bay Street Reservoir.
•Replacement of the water main under
portions of the Seabright neighborhood.
•Beginning construction on a new well and
water treatment plant, “Beltz 12,” which will
be capable of delivering up to 500 gallons
per minute.
The department also completed the longawaited draft of the EIR for the desalination
plant; completed a study to provide a baseline
for how much water our customers use, so that
we can plan for future reductions; supported
endangered species protection through
new instream flows and the completion of a
June Beetle Habitat Conservation Plan; and
began the master-planning process for future
recreational opportunities at Loch Lomond.
We also answered the phone 44,000 times
when our customers called, and visited farmers
markets to share information on ways to
conserve water.
There’s a lot to the business of delivering
clean, reliable water 24/7. I hope you’ll
take advantage of some of the educational
opportunities we’ll be offering to learn more
about your water supply, about how your
system operates and about how you can help
conserve water.
Linette Almond
Interim Water Director
How Much Water Did We Use This Summer?
T
HANKS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS FOR DOING YOUR PART TO CUT BACK on your
water use this summer. With the exception of May, which was an unseasonably warm month,
we met or exceeded our target goals for restricted use all summer long. Meeting our goals
for use ensures that the Loch Lomond reservoir will stay as full as possible in case dry weather
continues into 2014.
This was the second year in a row that the City imposed Stage 1 water restrictions. Restricting your
use not only stretches the current supply — which comes from local rainwater, only — but it also
protects the City’s reservoir from depletion. Should the City continue to face water shortages and
drought, the Loch Lomond reservoir is our only back-up source of water.
HOW MUCH WATER DID WE USE THIS SUMMER?
Between 10 and 11 million gallons per day, depending upon weather.
Consumption Goal
Actual Consumption
MAY
JUNE
JULY
305
328
326
325
344
338
AUGUST SEPTEMBEROCTOBER
333
332
AVERAGE DAILY
10.6 10.8 10.8
CONSUMPTION
New Online Tool
Helps You Learn
Where to Conserve
I
F YOU’VE LIVED ON THE CENTRAL
COAST FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME,
you’ve probably learned about the fragility
of our water supply. Most of us know not to
let the water run when we brush our teeth and
not to waste water hosing down driveways, etc.
But if you have a sense that you could do more
to save water, but aren’t sure how, the Water
Department has a new online tool to help you
determine where you can cut back.
A new “Water Calculator” has been installed
on the Conservation page of the Water
Department’s website. The calculator guides
you through a visual process and online
survey that compares your water use to a
similar efficient house in your region. The
Water Calculator also estimates the carbon
footprint of your hot water usage, and helps
identify specific areas for improving overall
household water efficiency. The calculator
is easy and fun to use and can help you get
started saving right away!
To use the Water Calculator, log onto www.
surfcitysaves.com, click on the Conservation
tab on the left, and then click on the icon
for the Water Calculator on the right. The
Water Calculator
is a collaborative
project of The
Alliance for Water
Efficiency and the
Field Museum of
Chicago.
10.7 305
301 10.0
288
—
—
Water Conservation
Master Plan
W
E’RE NEARING THE MID-POINT
of the planning process for the City’s
new Water Conservation Master
Plan, expected to be available after the first
of the new year. Nine months in the making
with the consulting firm of Maddaus Water
Management Inc., the plan will include the
progress the city has already made in water
savings, ideas for new technologies to consider
for additional savings, and insight into the next
generation of water conservation programs
that will be coming on-line. The Master Plan
will provide a roadmap to help our community
achieve maximum and practical water use
efficiency.
Our thanks to community members
who attended meetings and
contributed water-saving ideas for
consideration in the Master Plan.
The Master Plan will include a broad range
of ideas for saving water. Though the City of
Santa Cruz is one of the top conserving cities in
the state, we still have room for improvement.
If you’d like to learn more about what will be
included the Master Plan, please come to the
December Water Commission meeting when
the commission will get a preview of new
conservation programs that may be proposed
to help save additional water.
To find out more information on upcoming
Water Commission meetings, visit the City’s
website at www.cityofsantacruz.com, click on
the “City Government” tab and look under
“Advisory Bodies.”
October 2013
No. 56
Public Works News
3
FOR CITY OF SANTA CRUZ RESIDENTS ONLY
ONLY SCHEDULED PICKUPS WILL BE COLLECTED
Bulky Item Pickup Scheduled for
Saturday, November 16
N
OVEMBER IS THE TIME TO CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE
and get rid of those large, unwanted items. You can schedule
an appointment to have your bulky items picked up right at the
curb in front of your house!
City crews will pick up bulky items such as washers, dryers, stoves,
water heaters, microwaves, and refrigerators as well as mattresses,
box springs, couches, recliners, chairs, hide-a-beds, dressers, exercise
machines, and tables.
Residents must pay the fees for removal and safe disposal of hazardous
materials from appliances, and for special processing of certain bulky
items. You may use your Free Service Tags to cover these charges.
Two tags are required for freezers, air-conditioners, and refrigerators.
One tag is required for most other appliances or bulky items. There is
no charge for televisions and computers. If you do not use your Free
Service Tags, you will be required to authorize adding the additional
fee to your utility bill when you call for your pickup appointment.
To schedule your November 16 Pickup appointment
call 831-420-5220 before 5 pm on Wednesday,
November 13
REMINDER: Free Service Tags are good only for the May and
November curbside pickup. Tags are not accepted as payment at the
Resource Recovery Facility.
Keep your recycling loose.
Recycle Right — Keep It Loose
D
O NOT PLACE RECYCLABLES IN ANY BAG. Recycling
material in your blue cart must be loose and unbagged to be
hand sorted by Resource Recovery Staff. We often find bottles
and cans bagged in plastic bags. When sorters have to pause to rip open
bags to empty the contents, the process is slowed down.
Be an informed recycler. Don’t put your recycling in any kind of bag
— keep it loose!
Single plastic bags are a problem because they are light and can fly
into the environment. You should bag your plastic bags in one bag and
tie it before placing it in your blue carts. Plastic bags are the only material that should be bagged. Thank you for recycling right!
FOR CITY OF SANTA CRUZ RESIDENTS ONLY
Call to Reserve Your Weekend Special Debris Box
S
AVE TIME AND MONEY ON YOUR NEXT
HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT by
taking advantage of the City of Santa Cruz
weekend rate for debris boxes. Boxes are delivered
Friday afternoon and picked up Monday.
Just call us at 831-420-5220
24 hours in advance to reserve
your box; it’s that easy.
Pictured is a 10-yard box. Think of the possibilities!
•Debris boxes fit conveniently in your
driveway (not allowed onstreet).
•No driving back and forth to the landfill.
•Containers are dropped off at your home
or job site.
•Great for roofing jobs, plumbing and
remodeling projects, and yard clean-up.
•No Hazardous Materials allowed in boxes.
Within the Santa Cruz city limits, roll-off debris boxes must be provided by the City Resource
Recovery Collections division. Private companies are not allowed to operate roll-off box services.
SCMU Review No. 56, November 2013
Toby Goddard, Editor
Kyle Petersen, Utilities Supervisor
Written and published twice a year by
City of Santa Cruz Municipal Utilities
212 Locust Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
www.cityofsantacruz.com
Customer Service: (831) 420-5220
[email protected]
PRST STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
SANTA CRUZ, CA
PERMIT NO.11
Changes to SCMU Billing Practices
S
ANTA CRUZ MUNICIPAL UTILITIES is
making changes to our collection, notification,
and disconnection practices to conform to the
minimum timelines authorized by the California Public
Utilities Commission. Beginning in 2014, customers
will no longer receive Reminder Notices. Instead, a Late
Notice with a late charge will be sent to customers who
do not pay by the due date.
Currently, a “grace period” of approximately 17 days
spans between the bill Due Date and Late Payment Date.
While useful to some, paying by the Late Payment Date
generates a Reminder Notice that is costly to produce,
un-­green to deliver, and often confused with the second
monthly bill issued to inside-­City customers.
Paying by the Due Date will make it easier for customers
to track their balances from month to month, as well as
save on the costs — economic and environmental — of
collecting late payments.
For some, these are difficult financial times, and
service disconnection is not an action we take lightly.
SCMU accepts one-time payment arrangements from
customers who are having difficulty paying their bill
on time. A payment arrangement can be a helpful,
temporary tool that allows customers to build up a cash
surplus that, in turn, allows them to pay future utility
bills on time. Current Billing Schedule
DAY 1
DAY 22
First monthly Due Date
bill is issued
to customer
DAY 24
DAY 27–33
DAY 39
DAY 45
DAY 47…
Reminder
Notice is
issued
to customer
Second
monthly bill
is issued to
customer
Late
Payment
Date
48-hour
Notice is
issued
to customer
Customer
is subject to
disconnection
DAY 24
DAY 27–33
DAY 37
DAY 39…
Late Notice
and charge
is issued to
customer
Second
monthly bill
is issued to
customer
48-hour
Notice is
issued
to customer
Customer
is subject to
disconnection
Beginning 2014
DAY 1
DAY 22
First monthly Due Date
bill is issued
to customer