Message from the Board President
One aspect that we take great pride in at the Yorba Linda Water District, is our commitment to our community. Each month the YLWD team remains committed to partner with organizations and local events around the District. It is through local events, that we are able to build an even stronger relationship with our customers.
This past month, we were honored to be recognized as the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce’s “Business of the Month”. This recognition demonstrates our continued commitment to both businesses and residents in our community. It is a great privilege to not only be a member of the chamber but to actively participate in chamber events throughout the year.
As spring approaches, we will be working with several local organizations and their events. On Sunday, March 15, 2020, the District will be present at the R.E.A.C.H. Foundation’s “Shamrock N’ Run” offering water for all its runners. This amazing event assists with the funding of many programs for students in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. It is a great cause and we hope that we see you at the event.
The R.E.A.C.H. Foundation is just one example of our involvement with schools and local organizations. Throughout the school year, the District’s Bottled Water Donation Program provides local schools and non-profit organizations with bottled water for fundraisers and events. While we can’t be at every event, we hope our bottled water can help organizations get one step closer to their goals.
Finally, we want to make sure you mark your calendars for May 16, 2020. On this day the District will be hosting our Annual Open House event to celebrate Water Awareness Month. We invite all of our customers to this free, family-friendly event to learn more about water. We will have public tours of our facilities, live demonstrations, games, face painting, music, and food. The event will take place from 9 AM – 3 PM at the Yorba Linda Water District’s office at 1717 E. Miraloma Ave., Placentia, CA 92870.
Phil Hawkins, Board President
Infrastructure Tour Recap
When you wake up in the morning to brush your teeth or brew your coffee, are you thinking about the Yorba Linda Water District? Chances are, no. More than likely, you are envisioning your day with to-do lists and a myriad of other tasks. YLWD probably pops up in your life around once a month in the form of a water bill. For us, our customers need to know what goes into delivering safe and reliable water to your home. The many steps that it takes to have water so that you can brush your teeth, brew your coffee, wash your many loads of laundry, fill your pool, and yes, irrigate your yard.
“We’re a victim of our own success,” says General Manager Marc Marcantonio, “We bury our best work underground.”
Our District is proud of its over $1 billion worth of infrastructure. Most of the time, our customers do not even know where to look to find the infrastructure that delivers them safe and reliable water. Over the past few weeks, customers were invited to tour designated locations at YLWD. The PFAS Pilot Study at Well 21, Highland Booster Pump Station and Reservoir, Fairmont Booster Pump Station and Reservoir, and the helicopter hydrant at Santiago Reservoir. The YLWD team delivered a two-hour crash course of all the District projects.
Our tour attendees had varying levels of water knowledge, from the longtime resident to the seasoned water professional, yet the tour opened up a fruitful discussion on their water.
The PFAS Pilot Study will allow the District to test different methods to treat PFAS in local groundwater in preparation for a future PFAS treatment facility. The group also visited the Highland Booster Pump Station and Reservoir where they learned more about water production and the cost to operate both gas-powered and electric-powered pumps. At the newly constructed Fairmont Booster Pump Station, attendees learned about the District’s ability to switch from groundwater to imported water at this point.
Finally, the group traveled pass the neighborhoods that were impacted by the 2008 Complex Fire to the District’s helicopter hydrant at Santiago Reservoir. While many of the empty lots are somber reminders of wildfires, they also illustrate the need to develop innovative solutions to battling wildfires in urban wildlife interfaces. In response to this need, the District partnered with Whaling Fire Line Equipment and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) to design and install an opened water tank with a 2,700-gallon capacity on Santiago Reservoir, a fire-prone region of the District. OCFA and OCSD helicopter pilots or ground crews can trigger the helicopter hydrant remotely to fill the helicopter tanks. Since the installation of the helicopter hydrant, OCFA, and OCSD have conducted successful helicopter training at night-time and during Santa Ana high winds. The helicopter hydrant will save valuable time when battling a wildfire when minutes matter the most.
At YLWD, we take great pride in being able to deliver you and your family, safe and reliable drinking water every single day.
PFAS UPDATE
On Thursday, February 6, 2020, the Division of Drinking Water changed its response levels for PFOA and PFOS. With this change, the Yorba Linda Water District will transition its water source from groundwater to import water to comply with the State Water Board’s Division of Drinking Water recommendations. Our top priority is to continue delivering safe and reliable drinking water.
What to expect? As the District transitions from one source to another, you may notice fluctuations in the water’s hardness, taste, and/or odor. You may see this contrast continue for a duration of time as we complete the transition. Rest assured, we will continue to monitor our water to provide the highest quality water possible. We appreciate your understanding in this matter as we make these necessary adjustments. As always, if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at (714) 701-3000 so that we may be able to answer your questions.
