Local News Valley People Water 

The Long Road to Lompico – Lois Henry Retires From SLV Water District’s Board

By Jayme Ackemann My colleague and new friend Lois Henry is retiring from public service. Her term on the Water District Board began in 2018 but her story starts years before the road to Lompico was paved. Lois and Les Henry settled their family in San Lorenzo Valley’s Lompico Canyon community more than 50 years ago. They built their home… Read More
san lorenzo valley water district Local News Water 

SLV Water District: Understanding Capital Obligations

By Bob Fultz In earlier articles, we examined SLVWD’s operating expenses, which have skyrocketed over the last decade in excess of inflation. This resulted, over the last 25 years, in almost $40 million dollars diverted to operating expenses rather than being used for infrastructure improvements and rate relief. In this article, we’re going to close the loop on how that… Read More
San Lorenzo River Ben Lomond California Commentary Local News Water 

Commentary: Examine the SLV Water District’s Finances when Deciding How to Vote on the Surcharge

By Bob Fultz I’m a member of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors, but I’m speaking only for myself in this letter. As someone who has had a professional career in technology strategic planning and finance, where we constantly look for the critical items that move an organization forward, the first step in that journey is understanding… Read More
SLV Water District Lyon Treatment Plant Fire Recovery Local News Water 

SLV Water and CZU Fire Recovery: An Update from the San Lorenzo Valley Water District

July 8, 2021 By Julie Horner An interview with Rick Rogers, Director of Operations and Nate Gillespie, Water Treatment & System Supervisor at San Lorenzo Valley Water District On Wednesday, July 7, the San Lorenzo Valley Water District hosted a media tour of the Lyon Surface Water Treatment Plant and offered an update on progress since the CZU fire nearly… Read More
Scotts Valley Community Barn Columns History Water 

A History of Scotts Valley Water

By Randall Brown August 1958. The Scotts Valley Barn was practically empty on the night the residents were invited to learn about the upcoming water election. Engineers, county officials’ consultants, and public-relations men nearly outnumbered the ten interested citizens. There would be one question on the ballot, according to a spokesman: “Do you wish to buy a reserve water supply… Read More
Local News Water 

Jayme Ackemann Appointed to SLV Water District Board Seat

Jayme Ackemann has been appointed to the San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors. She fills the seat vacated by Tina To who resigned in March just three months into her four-year term. Ackemann is a public affairs consultant and freelance writer. She has worked on major capital investments and water infrastructure capital construction projects for organizations such as… Read More
Big Basin Water Company Columns Local News Water 

Officials Urge Big Basin and SLV Water Districts Merger

By Jayme Ackemann As early as this summer, Big Basin Water Company customers could see water shortages or other impacts based on an alarming new order just issued by California’s State Water Resources Control Board. Since the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, Big Basin has operated its system from a single well. Much of the company’s water treatment and storage infrastructure… Read More
Local News Water 

McPherson, Stone, Laird urge Big Basin Water Co Merger with SLVWD

April 19, 2021 letter from Supervisor Bruce McPherson, Assemblymember Mark Stone, and Senator John Laird to Jim Moore, owner/manager of Big Basin Water Company strongly urging a merger of their company with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District stating, “as the county and state elected officials representing your company and its customers, we implore BBWD to immediately and earnestly engage… Read More
City of Santa Cruz Water Department Local News Water 

City of Santa Cruz Water Department Petitions to Modify its Use of San Lorenzo River Water

Summary and Commentary Prepared by Friends of San Lorenzo Valley Water April 2, 2021 Introduction The Santa Cruz City Water Department (SCWD) has submitted five separate petitions to the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) seeking changes to its permits and water rights associated with the San Lorenzo River.  The State Water Board oversees water rights throughout… Read More
San Lorenzo River photo by Mary Andersen Local News Water 

San Lorenzo Valley Groundwater Basin and Water Rights

By Mary Andersen During the recent community discussion on a potential consolidation between SLV and Scotts Valley water districts, there were statements made that “we all drink from the same source.” While we are all part of the greater watershed, a close look at specifics yields a different and more accurate picture. The Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin is a triangle… Read More