Water
Mineral County Water District (MCWD)
In June, the MCWD Board of Directors sent a letter to customers announcing a 6% CPI-based water rate increase effective July 1, 2022. The average monthly base rate fee for a residential 3/4" meter (most meters in the District) went from $55.13 to $58.44. Click here to read the letter.
California is feeling the effects of a once-in-1,200-year drought. For the past 10 years, Mineral County Water District (MCWD) has successfully used a flag alert system in cooperation with its customers to maintain tank levels sufficient for basic use and fire protection during times of high demand, fire weather, and decreased source supply due to a steady drop in our State's overall annual precipitation amounts, especially snowfall in the Cascade Range.
Although there are currently no flags up, MCWD asks that customers watch for flags placed at the entrances to Mineral's three subdivisions: Lassen-Alpine Village (Mineral Lodge); Meadowview (Hwy. 36 X Conard Ave.); and Cool Air (Hwy. 36 X Mineral Ave. & Hwy. 172 X Mt. Lassen).
For a PDF of the Water Shortage/Drought Contingency Plan, please contact MCWD.
Mineral County Water District's Flag Alert System
Blue Flag Stage 1 - Watch
Goals: 10% reduction by all tapholders
Focus of Response: Blue Flags - Education/voluntary restrictions
Main Focus: Private Citizens & Businesses - Voluntary conservation. Avoid irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Lodge restaurant will be asked not serve water except upon request.
Main Focus: District - Provide water-wise information and education. Increase leak detection and repair. Limit operational flushing of system.
Yellow Flag Stage 2 - Warning
Goals: <200 GPD per residential tapholder and 10% reduction from historic use averages by the Mineral Lodge
Focus of Response: Yellow Flags - Mandatory restrictions - moderate limitations on non-essential use. violation may result in flow restriction. Overage rates begin at 801 CF/month for residential tapholders.
Main Focus: Private Citizens & Businesses - Mandatory conservation. Landscape watering schedule in effect: Odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday; even-numbered addresses on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. No watering on Monday. Maintain adequate supply for residential and commercial uses as well as fire protection. The Lodge restaurant will not serve water except upon request.
Main Focus: District - Immediately inform all customers via mailing or billing insert. No adjustment for overages. Investigate and repair leaks. Constantly monitor water supply and operate Treatment Plant accordingly. Coordinate with other water suppliers and fire protection agencies, especially Battle Creek Meadow Ranch, Mineral Hose Co. #1, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Eliminate annual flushing program.
Orange Flag Stage 3 - Emergency
Goals: <100 GPD per residential tapholder and 30% reduction from historic use averages by the Mineral Lodge
Focus of Response: Orange Flags - Most non-essential use is prohibited. Violation may result in flow restriction and fine if average use exceeds 100 GPD. Overage rates begin at 401 CF/month for residential tapholders.
Main Focus: Private Citizens & Businesses - Adequate residential and commercial water, with restrictions. Very limited watering of perennials on scheduled days. The Mineral Lodge may be required to supply additional water and to install water-saving devices, if applicable.
Main Focus: District - No hydrant use except for fire safety. Fines will be imposed after two (2) written citations. Investigate water lease or purchase. Reserve the right to hire an additional licensed water treatment operator. Reserve the right to impose a surcharge to cover shortage/drought-related budget shortfalls.
Red Flag Stage 4 - Critical
Goals: <50 GPD per residential tapholder and 50% reduction from historic use averages by the Mineral Lodge
Focus of Response: Red Flags & Door-to-Door Notification - All non-essential use prohibited. Violation will result in a flow restriction and fine if average use exceeds 50 GPD. Overage rates begin at 201 CF/month for residential tapholders.
Main Focus: Private Citizens & Businesses - Maintain minimally adequate supply for essential and emergency use.
Main Focus: District - The Board will call a public meeting. Fines will be imposed after one (1) written citation. Possible water lease or purchase. Possible hire of additional employee or sub-contractor to assist with restriction enforcement. Reserve the right to increase fines and impose or increase a surcharge to prevent related insolvency.
Mineral County Water District
38292 Scenic Ave.
PO Box 206
Mineral, CA 96063
530-595-3479
Read MCWD's current newsletter here.
Governance
The Mineral County Water District is an enterprise special district governed by a board of five volunteers. There is no vacancy on the Board at this time.
Current board members are:
Stephanie Dennis, President
Todd Goodman, Vice President
Mik'el Le Master
Lefty McClellan
Brad Koeberer
Regulatory Oversight
MCWD must meet regulatory standards established by the State of California-EPA in order to provide potable water to our community. The State Water Resources Control Board directly oversees the District in this respect. Go to the District's website and click the CCR tab to access a downloadable PDF of MCWD's current Consumer Confidence Report (2021).
Employees
General Manager: John Frehse
Secretary: Cathie Gasper
Back-up Operator: Tim Taylor (GM, Skyview Water District, Paynes Creek)
Service Area
MCWD provides potable water to 190 active meters within special district boundaries. Services do not extend to the U.S. Post Office, Volcano Country Campground, Stringtown, the USFS Battlecreek Campground, the Assembly of God Church Camp, or the Cal-Trans yard.
Martin Creek Water Intake System Improvements July 23, 2020
By Jim Richardson
Improvements to the Martin Creek water intake system have recently been completed. The improvements benefit not only Lassen Park, but Mineral County Water District and Battle Creek Meadows Ranch. Photos show the historic Martin Creek water diversion (left) and the new cement collection box (right). The light-colored gravel seen in the photo covers the new horizontal infiltration gallery buried adjacent to the creek. The gallery pulls in creek water, which is naturally filtered prior to entering the system. These improvements make maintaining water flow easier and safer, especially during periods of high-runoff from snowmelt or storms.