Trout Gulch Mutual Water (TGW) is a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation and is member owned and managed since 2008.
Mission Statement
TGW is dedicated to managing water, a precious resource, through production, storage, and distribution in the safest and most cost effective manner possible. Our Board of Directors shall assure good stewardship of company operations entrusted to them by its members and remain transparent with each and every action and activity undertaken. Decisions shall reflect integrity and fairness to all members served.
Brief History of TGW
The original water
company was started sometime in the mid 1920's.
The Forrest Glen subdivision was formed in the 1920's. The homes were
located among the redwoods between Trout Gulch Creek and Valencia Road.
The Mar Vista Water Company was created to supply water to the homes in this
subdivision. The company was formed and owned by Jimmy Smith Sr, the
father of Jimmy Smith Jr and Herb Smith. Jimmy Smith's (senior) primary
occupation was the owner of Jimmy Smith Plumbing which has been active in Santa
Cruz County for decades. He installed the water system for most of the
Seascape residential area.
A well (well #1) was drilled to
provide water to the Forrest Glen homes in 1932. Over time, the
watersystem expanded to include homes in the surrounding area along Trout Gulch
Road, up Skyward Drive, and Old Farm Lane.
In 1980 most of the system's
mains were upgraded per the design of the local engineering firm of
Washington-Jensen. In 1986, the Meadow Ranch Estates subdivision was
created. A partnership was formed between the Meadow Ranch Estates
developer and Jimmy Smith for Jimmy Smith to provide water to the new homes in
this subdivision. At this time a second well was activated and a second
storage tank was installed above Meadow Ranch Estates.
Some time in the late 1980's or
early 1990"s, ownership and operation of the water system was passed on
from Jimmy Smith Sr. to his son Jimmy Smith Jr. and ownership of Jimmy Smith
Plumbing was passed on to another son, Herb Smith.
Expansion of the system since the
Meadow Ranch development has been slow. Aptos Heights, a mini subdivision
was created about 2004 of the five residential parcels. Jimmy Smith Jr., the owner of Mar
Vista Water Company, also ran a tractor service, and decided to put his company
up for sale in 2007.
Acquisition of Mar Vista Water
Company
In late 2006 one of Mar Vista Water
company customers accidentally learned that Mar Vista was for sale and that
California American Water Co (Cal Am was interested in purchasing the company.
In January 2008, Jim Brownson contacted Ellen Pirie for assistance and
organized a meeting for all Mar Visa Water customers. Felton FLOW discussed the issues that Felton
FLOW had with Cal Am. Other options were presented and discussed one being the
recommendation that the customers put together an interim board of directors
that night and purchase Mar Vista Water.
Aptos Flow was then born. The
Board of Directors worked diligently on the purchase of Mar Vista,
which was completed by July 1, 2008.
TGW INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENTS
2008:
-
Trout Gulch Mutual Water Company was founded on July 1, 2008
- Transfer of knowledge and assets
- Freitas Engineering Report
2009:
-
Soquel Creek Intertie for emergency water. 700 feet of 6 inch main from Soquel Creek intertie to 275 Valencia. 110 feet of 6 inch main bridge across the creek to Trout Gulch Rd with 2 new Fire Hydrants.
- New Meadow Ranch Well #3 installed
- 4 new meters installed
2010:
-
New Storage Facility Building at Meadow Ranch Well Site and Security fence
- Emergency member contact system
- 2 new meters installed
- Rate Study conducted
- 1 new membership
2011:
Norman Tank: Clean, recoated inside
of Tank and painted exterior. Security fence and gate added.
Meadow Ranch Tank: Cleaned
Installed Electronic tank monitoring
system (SCADA) for both tanks with phone alert.
Electrical Box upgrade for Meadow Ranch
Well and pumps
Installed 27 New Radio Read Meters as
of July 1st.
2012:
Installed 29 New Radio Read Meters (95% complete)
Lower Valencia extension main.
upgraded to 4 inch with wharf head
Emergency Training implemented and
Operating Procedures updated and posted at Wells
Utility Building and pipes
painted. Additional storage space added.
New Website layout! www.troutgulchwater.org
New
3 Water Volume Teir Structure rates
FY2013-14:
Meadow Ranch Tank: Cleaned, Recoated
& Exterior Painted
2013 TGW members voted by the rules outlined in Title 22 of
the California Health and Safety Code, to not treat and filter
our water to further reduce Mn levels. TGW has a treatment waiver, issued by
Santa Cruz County EHS, to distribute water with Mn up to 150 ppb (greater than the 50 ppb MCL
set by the State).
Norman Tank ceiling Repaired and
Recoated
New Emergency Generator for power
outages
Well #2: New Motor & Pump
New SCADA with Shut Off and On
features enabling TGW to keep up with demand during tank reconditioning.
TGW Emergency Drill Held.
FY2014-15:
- New Bypass Valve
- New Fence & Retaining Wall at the Lower Creek Crossing
- New 6 inch Water Main from Valencia Rd. Intertie to Lower Trout Gulch with Fire Hydrant
- New 6 inch Water Main on Mid Trout Gulch Rd. with Fire Hydrant
- New 6 inch Water Main on Cherokee Lane with Fire Hydrant
- 99% Meters installed
- Water conservation 26%
FY2015-16:
- Valencia & Trout Gulch Roads slurried and stripped
- 2 connections moved to Lower Trout Gulch
- USDA Phase 2 Project: Engineering Plan and Specification completed
- Chlorination system installed
- Norman and Meadow Ranch Tanks cleaned
- Meadow Ranch Security fence installed
- Water conservation 21%
FY2016-17:
- Obtained 4 easements for the Skyward Tank, Skyward pump station & new water mains
- Valencia Rd. Emergency Work: 2 inch by water line, cut and cap Valencia main
- Connected Trout Gulch Rd. main to Old Farm Lane
- Met USDA letter of conditions
- Storage building remodeled into Office
- 9 Meadow Ranch & Trout Gulch meters replaced
- Breakaway valve on Trout Gulch Hydrant
- Indian Hollow Leak Repair
- GIS mapping of system
FY2017-18:
- Closed USDA loan for $2.9M. Paid off all other bank loans and Construction begins!
- Installed Skyward Tank
- Installed Well #4
- Installed New 6 inch Water Mains & Hydrants on Hayward & Robideaux Rd.
- Installed New 6 inch Water Mains on Norman-Valencia Backyards
- Installed New 6 inch Water Mains & Hydrant on 700 Valencia Block
- Extended & enforced Norman Tank Concrete pad, & Cleaned Tank
- Electrical upgrades for New Well & Skyward Pump Station
FY2018/19- Installed new 2 inch Skyward Tank fill line and 6 inch main from Trout Gulch road to top of Skyward Dr. with 6 Fire Hydrants
- Well #3 new Motor & Drop pipe replacement
- Valencia Rd Storm damage FEMA/CALOES mitigation: 910 feet of new pipeline to connect Old Farm Lane to Lower Trout Gulch
- Valencia Rd Storm damage FEMA/CALOES Repair: Replaced 160 feet of 6 inch main on Valencia Rd.
- New Chlorination system.
- Upgraded SCADA system and Skyward internet line.
- Norman Tank replumbing
FY2019/20- New fence around Meadow Ranch yard.
- New roof over electrical and chlorination system.
