FELTON — The CZU August Lightning Complex fire continues to impact Santa Cruz County water reliability more than one and a half years after the fire erupted, but some customers are getting closer to relief. On Thursday, the San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors accepted a legal document during a meeting that further solidifies a consolidation between the purveyor and two small community water systems that suffered serious fire damage.
Big Basin Water Co. was particularly hard hit in the blaze, losing nearly all its crucial water infrastructure. The company has served some 500 customers off of a single well as result, meaning erratic water service and weeks-long outages. The San Lorenzo Valley Water District also suffered serious damage, with nearly all of its surface water sources burning, but the purveyor has wider access to aquifer sources and more manpower to provide reliable drinking water.
On Nov. 10, 2021 — a week after the Sentinel published a second investigation on Big Basin Water and the lengths customers had to go to in order to get clean drinking water — the state Department of Water Resources awarded San Lorenzo some $3.2 million to fold in some Big Basin customers into its system. While Big Basin as a whole could consolidate with the district, that hinges upon a formal annexation and consolidation. The communities of Bracken Brae and Forest Springs — which accounts for approximately 150 Big Basin customers — is merging with the district through a homeowners association group.
“To me this is a commitment, we’re getting engaged to get married here … I’m taking it in that vein, that it is that serious that we’re actually doing something to consolidate Forest Springs and Bracken Brae,” said San Lorenzo Board member Bob Fultz of the board approving a “Letter of Intent to Consolidate” on Thursday.
As part of the Bracken Brae and Forest Spring consolidation — which is still in the works — a connection will be built between the two small communities and San Lorenzo pipeline. The project is set to be funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Water Resources.
Challenges in the consolidation are playing out, due to tight timelines and inflated parts and labor costs. According to Bracken Brae Homeowners Association representative Nicole Launder-Berridge, the group has secured approximately $1.3 million in FEMA funding. But, they’re on the hook to use those funds within 40 months from when former President Trump declared the statewide lightning fires a federal disaster.
Board member Jayme Ackemann voiced concerns about the timeline — though FEMA could also grant extensions for the work.
“We are planning to work with Bracken Brae to meet those agreements,” San Lorenzo General Manager Rick Rogers said. “We’re going to do everything we can to make that 40-month deadline.”
At the same time, Rogers said he is currently in talks with Department of Water Resources for an increase in grant dollars, and an extension. Contractors estimate the water tie-in will cost around $5.5 million, leaving the groups around $1 million short.
“Construction costs seem to be going up at a phenomenal rate even month-to-month,” Fultz said. “… By the time we get started a few months from now it could be even more, so this is a real problem.”
Rogers said he’s confident the state would commit more money to the project.
“They realize the drought condition and wildfire condition, and I get the impression they will work with the district,” Rogers said.
Source: www.mercurynews.com