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 was damaged in the fires. But according to the details of an order sent to Big Basin owner Jim Moore, the Moore’s water operation has been out of compliance since at least 2018.

The primary issues raised by the Water Board address the Company’s ability to treat and store enough water to supply its customer base when demand is heaviest; the company’s failure to develop an emergency shutoff plan to ensure customers have access to water during power outages; and its ability to restore its system following the damage caused by last summer’s wildfires.

Stefan Catalina, the Chief of the North Coast Section of the Drinking Water Division for the State Water Resources Control Board, sent a letter containing the “Order of Non-Compliance” to Jim Moore on April 9. In it he said, “Big Basin WC has a documented history of failing to administer preventative maintenance, emergency preparedness, and customer complaint programs. This lack of preparation and inadequate customer communication has contributed to Big Basin WC failing to reliably supply its customers with potable water during emergency shutoff events.”

The order sets out a series of monthly deadlines the company must meet between May 10 and September 10, 2021. Failure to meet a monthly deadline could result in fines and penalties to the system in addition to the capital needed to address the deficiencies raised by the report.

State and local legislators sent a letter echoing the concerns raised by the Water Board and encouraging the Water Company’s owners to resume discussions with San Lorenzo Valley Water District about annexing their system into the District’s operation.  

The letter signed by Santa Cruz County Supervisor Bruce McPherson, Assemblymember Mark Stone, and State Senator John Laird, raised several concerns.

“Even before the CZU Lightning Fire, we understood BBWD to be in a state of disrepair…” the letter goes on to echo the deficiencies laid out by the State before raising a troubling new concern for CZU fire victims hoping to rebuild.

“Additionally, as property owners whose homes were destroyed by the fire prepare to rebuild their homes, we are concerned BBWD will not be equipped to provide reliable, safe water – therefore risking the ability of homeowners to gain the needed approvals to rebuild.”

Supervisor McPherson urged Big Basin customers to get engaged, “We are especially concerned about customers who are looking to rebuild after the CZU fire, and we wouldn’t want their permits held up because of water supply uncertainty. Those customers who support exploring annexation can certainly contact Big Basin Water and SLV Water directly to share their thoughts.” He also encouraged customers to reach out to his office with comments and concerns.

The Moore’s are repeatedly chastised for a lack of customer communication in the State’s Order of Non-Compliance. That lack of transparency makes it difficult to know how much capital the owners may be able to access to begin responding to the deficiencies outlined in the document.

But the peak season for water demand – the summer – is nearly upon us and like the rest of California, the Valley has experienced a very dry winter. That combined with the potential for another active fire season means the demand for water is likely to outstrip Big Basin’s ability to supply its customers.

Meanwhile the Moore’s have reportedly been seeking a buyer for the system for some time. The letter sent jointly by McPherson, Laird, and Stone, referenced the negotiations saying that while the owners implied an offer was imminent more than six months ago, no offer appears to have materialized.

Without a potential buyer, Big Basin WC must place the interests of its customers first. If the small family operator isn’t able to finance the work needed to restore the system to compliance it must begin discussions with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District about annexation.

It’s not clear what this would mean for the Water District’s existing service- annexation would require a vote of Big Basin’s customer base – but the Big Basin Water Company is within San Lorenzo Valley Water District’s “sphere of influence,” according to San Lorenzo Valley General Manager Rick Rogers.

Rogers says he’s been in communication with the Big Basin WC’s owners to discuss an emergency tie-in should the water company’s single well be unable to meet the summer demand or in the event of another emergency.

“It could take a year to 18 months to formally bring Big Basin into our system if we began working towards annexation today,” Rogers added. “But there are a few steps Big Basin customers would need to take to do that and there are things our Board would need to consider as well.”

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Read the letter from Supervisor Bruce McPherson, Assemblymember Mark Stone, and Senator John Laird to Jim Moore, Big Basin Water Company at slvpost.com/mcpherson-stone-laird-bbwc-letter.

Read the compliance/noncompliance order from the State Water Resources Control Board at slvpost.com/bbwc-compliance-order.

Jayme Ackemann is a public affairs consultant and freelance writer. Ackemann has worked on major capital investments and water infrastructure capital construction projects in the Bay Area. Jayme has been a resident of Ben Lomond for more than 15 years.