September 2019 – Water News
Message from the General Manager
Thank you for taking time to read this newsletter and staying informed of important District news. In this month’s column, I would like to challenge you to contemplate the value of your drinking water. How would your life be different if safe, reliable water was not available to your home, business, or hospital? Is water a human right? Should water be free? Are water problems a local problem, or a larger problem?
A magazine article that was written by Charles Fishman and published in the March 2012 issue of The Rotarian provides valuable insights to the above questions, and is worth your time to read.
As the article points out, “free” water is often expensive. Sure, we can dip a bucket into the local lake or river, and not have to pay for the water. Water is a resource that nature recycles through the hydrologic cycle. Unfortunately, nature does not provide clean, reliable water to your home.
Contrary to first impressions, water utilities do not sell “water.” Your monthly water bill pays for the cost of the treatment, storage, and delivery of safe drinking water to your parcel. This is our public health mission. Local codes require sufficient volume, flow, and pressure to meet fire flow standards. This is our public safety mission. This is why water is not “free.”
Those who think water service should be free, or nearly free, do not truly understand its value, and is the reason water utilities across the nation have crumbling infrastructure. Yorba Linda Water District is committed to providing clean, reliable water service for today and future generations.
Marc Marcantonio, General Manager
Message from the Board President
It’s official, we have entered the 2019 fire season! According to experts, “fire season” is defined as the time of year when wildfires are most likely to ignite, spread, and cause damage and injury. Due to heavy precipitation, brush growth and several other factors, fire danger may be severe in many areas this year.
In an effort to combat potential wildfires, the Yorba Linda Water District will be installing the innovative helicopter hydrant at our Santiago Reservoir. YLWD’s helicopter hydrant will be placed at the northeast part of the district at an elevation of 1000 ft. Some may ask, what is a helicopter hydrant? During a fire, the helicopter hydrant device serves as an open water tank that can be filled on demand by a pilot of a helicopter in order to assist first responders in combating the fire. By placing the helicopter hydrant closer to the wilderness interface and endangered homes, the helicopter can increase its current capability from three to four water dumps per hour to eight to twelve dumps per hour. The addition of this device in our community will increase firefighters’ ability to protect both life and property.
It is our hope that this device will never be needed, but we are confident that its addition will make a significant enhancement in our mission to provide water to support firefighting, and more importantly, allow us to serve our community at the highest level.
Brooke Jones, Board President
Letter from the Director of Public Affairs
One of the goals of our monthly newsletter is to share with our customers some important facts about the Yorba Linda Water District. From our highly skilled staff to the expansive service area, the Yorba Linda Water District works hard to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to you and your family. With service to the cities of Yorba Linda, Placentia, parts of Brea, Anaheim, and Unincorporated Orange County, it takes a lot to make the water flow effectively and efficiently.
One fact that often goes unnoticed is the amount of infrastructure in our District. YLWD has over $1 billion dollars in infrastructure. Yes, billion with a “B”! We often do not think of the infrastructure because it is buried underground. This infrastructure was designed to blend into the community and we do our best to keep it out of sight. It is easy to forget that it takes a lot of work for water to flow when you turn your faucet on, water your lawn or even flush a toilet. What may appear to be a hillside, may, in fact, be one of our fourteen reservoirs. Our customers can count on the pipes, mains, booster pump stations and much more infrastructure working hard to deliver safe and reliable water to your home or business.
Behind the Scenes with Operations Manager, John DeCriscio
“Prepared, Not Scared. Be Ready for Disasters.”
Where were you during the last earthquake or fire? Were you prepared? In most cases, preparing an emergency kit is on the bottom of your list behind so many other important things. All month long, the District will be sharing helpful tips to prepare you for the next emergency.
5 Things To Help Prepare Your Home For An Emergency
- Sign-up for AlertOC and download the ReadyOC app on your mobile devices. Local agencies such as the Yorba Linda Water District, city, fire, police, and the County of Orange will utilize the alert system to provide the community with emergency notifications. It is also important to also subscribe or ‘like’ your local agency pages for real-time evacuation orders and updates.
- Store one gallon of water per person for a 3-day supply in clean and tightly covered containers.
- Stock up enough canned foods and dry goods for several days. Be mindful of your selection since utility service may be limited during an emergency.
- Be sure to have batteries, flashlights, and a phone battery pack in your emergency kit.
- Prepare an evacuation plan with several routes to assist you in leaving the area immediately and safely.
- Posted