Water system
Water quality
Every month the company collects water samples for bacteriological testing by a certified laboratory.
If the test results indicate the presence of total coliform bacteria, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is notified, and 12 repeat samples are taken and sent to the laboratory to determine the source of contamination.
If the repeat samples are free of bacterial contamination, the assumption is that the first samples were contaminated during their collection and therefore there is no water-quality problem.
If some of the repeat samples are contaminated and the others are not, the company gets an indication of where the contamination could be happening. At that time the CDPH usually recommends that the water supply be chlorinated, and a Boil Water Notice issued to consumers by delivering both printed and email notices.
Once the source of contamination is isolated and eliminated, follow-up samples are collected. The Boil Water Notice is rescinded when there is an absence of total coliform bacteria.
Cross-connection control policy
backflow prevention
This mandatory control program is pursuant to the State of California Administrative Code, Title 17 Public Health, entitled “Regulations Relating to Cross-Connections.”, which stipulates that it is unlawful for an individual or entity to create or allow, whether temporarily or permanently, a cross-connection between pipes or water fixtures of a public water system and any alternate water source. It is also prohibited to install or maintain a sanitary fixture or related appurtenance that, due to its design, could result in backflow of water or other substances into the public water system or into the service pipes or fixtures of customers of the water system.
The purpose is to protect our potable water supply from contamination caused by undiscovered or unauthorized unprotected cross-connections, and to eliminate current and future unprotected cross-connections between our potable water system and water sources that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption.
Water conservation policy
Adopted by the OVMWC Board of Directors on July 29, 2022
System infrastructure
OVMWC’s water system consists of:
- Two vertical wells on the valley’s floor (one in the village’s parking lot, the other at the edge of the golf course), which tap aquifers below the valley.
- A pump house on the valley’s’ parking lot.
- A horizontal well on the mountain, which taps a stream.
- Two water storage tanks near each other above Summer Place.
- A distribution network of pipes and water usage meters.
Most of the water year-round is supplied by the horizontal well, which directly feeds the upper storage tank. The lower tank replenishes the upper tank when the horizontal well does not supply sufficient water. The lower tank is replenished with water pumped from the two vertical wells on the valley’s floor.
Water to homes is supplied either by gravity from the tanks when they have sufficient water supplied by the horizontal well or otherwise pumped up from the vertical wells on the valley’s floor.
Water system maintenance & improvements
OVMWC’s system was constructed in the 1950s. In 2005 OVMWC started major projects to replace and improve the system’s seriously deteriorating storage and distribution infrastructure to ensure reliable operation and reduce extensive leakage. The improvements were finished in October 2023. The system’s ongoing maintenance and improvement are guided by 10-year plans that are updated annually.
Standard details
Standard Details Summary – 8/30/19:
- Typical Residential Meter Installation
- Residential 2″ Fire Service Meter Installation
- Service Lateral Trench Sections
- Traffic Rated Cover For Residental Meter Box
- Typical Waterline Trench Section
- Pavement Repair Details
- Typical Water/Sewer Crossing Details
- Fire Hydrant Assembly