MARIPOSA PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT GENERAL INFORMATION

Transcription

1 MARIPOSA PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT GENERAL INFORMATION November 2016 The Mariposa Public Utility District (MPUD) was established in 1947 under the "Public Utilities Act of 1921", as contained in Sections through of the California Public Utilities Code. The District was formed in response to a report and recommendation prepared by the Mariposa County Planning Commission. At issue was the provision of public water, sewer and fire protection services for the community of Mariposa. The documents which establish the MPUD do not delineate any specific purposes or functions for the District. Under Division 7 of the California Public Utilities Code, a public utility district has the following powers: 1. It can acquire and operate works for supplying the District's inhabitants with light, water, power, heat, transportation, phone or other means of communication, or means for disposition of garbage sewage or refuse. 2. It may purchase and distribute such services and commodities and acquire and operate a fire department, ambulance service, street lighting system, public parks, playgrounds, golf courses, swimming pools, recreation and other public buildings and drainage works including street improvements. MPUD provides water, wastewater and fire protection services to the town of Mariposa. The District currently has 722 water and wastewater service connections and services a population of approximately MPUD is an independent district; policy is established by a Board of Directors. The Board consists of five members elected at large. Directors must be a resident and qualified elector of the District. Directors meet the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM. Generally the meetings are held at the MPUD office at 4992 Seventh Street in Mariposa. MPUD is basically an enterprise district. The Board sets charges for services provided by the District. These charges are collected on a monthly basis for each department. The General Manager (also Clerk to the Board) is appointed by the Board and has full charge and

2 control of the construction of the works of the District and their maintenance and operation (PUC 16114). MPUD WATER SYSTEMS: MPUD has been providing public drinking water services since The operation and maintenance of the public water systems is financially supported by fixed monthly service charges adopted by Ordinance by the Board of Directors. The last rate increase for water was adopted in 2014 with incremental yearly increases through July of The District does administer a special assessment district to secure and retire bonds for the Saxon Creek Project. The bonds were sold to the USDA Farmers Home Administration. Source of Supply Saxon Creek Water Project (Merced River): MPUD owns and operates a pump station adjacent to the Merced River near Saxon Creek. The pump station is equipped with two 1,000 horse power pumps expandable to include a third pump. The current capacity of the pump station is 2,400 gallons per minute, expandable (with the third pump installed) to 3,200. The entire pump station is constructed under the historic Yosemite railroad bed (now an access road for the BLM recreation area) approximately 1 mile west of Briceburg. Immediately south of the pump station on the south side of the river, the District operates a 75 KVA to 4160 volt electrical substation accessed by Rancheria Creek Road. The pump station supplies a 43,000 foot long, 12" transmission main that extends to a 10" pipeline located at the Stockton Creek dam. At the high elevation point of the pipeline there is a one million gallon raw water, steel storage reservoir. The pumps in the river are called on or off based on the water level in the one million gallon reservoir and the time of day. The water treatment facility draws water directly from the transmission main and the million gallon reservoir. In addition and/or as alternative, water can be diverted from the Saxon Creek project pipeline directly to the Stockton Creek Reservoir for storage. The Saxon Creek water project is a diversion of water from the Merced River in Mariposa County. The project title was derived from the point of diversion being located near the confluence of Saxon Creek and the Merced River. The actual water right for the Saxon Creek project is held by the Merced Irrigation District (MID). In February 1995, the MID water 2

3 right license #2685 was amended to include the Mariposa Town Planning Area in the place of use and the Saxon Creek pump station as an additional point of diversion. The water right license provides for a maximum diversion of 7 cubic feet per second (cfs) (3,150 gpm) and 5,000 acre feet per year. A significant requirement of the amendment restricts the diversion based on stream flow. Licensee shall, during the period from January 1 through December 31 by-pass a minimum of 50 cfs in the Merced River at the point of diversion for water intended for delivery to Mariposa Town Planning Area. The total stream flow shall be by-passed whenever it is equal to or less than 50 cfs. Other permits such as Bureau of Land Management (and use) and California Department of Fish Wildlife (stream alteration) have restrictions and requirements. The 50 cfs limitation is the most significant. Historically, the 50 cfs limitation has been applicable from late August to December during low Sierra snowpack years. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has issued curtailment orders on certain water right licenses in June of 2014, April of 2015 and 2016 as a result of extreme drought conditions resulting in shorter term pumping opportunities. Stockton Creek Reservoir: MPUD owns and operates a 440 acre foot reservoir on Stockton Creek approximately one mile from the town of Mariposa. The Stockton Creek dam was built in 1949/1950. There is a 7,000 foot long 10" pipeline from the dam to the water treatment facility near town. The District uses Stockton Creek as a primary water source of supply. The California SWRCB has issued two licenses for diversion and use of Stockton Creek to the MPUD. Permit #7453, License #7743 provides for a diversion of 320 acre feet and maximum withdrawal of 245 acre feet per year. Permit #10395, License #10582 provides an additional diversion of 108 acre feet with withdrawal of 57 acre feet per year for a total of 428 acre feet diversion and 302 acre feet withdrawal. In the event of low run-off in the Stockton Creek watershed, the District can divert water from the Saxon Creek water project to the Stockton Creek Reservoir. Water Wells: The District currently has four water wells in operation located within the District boundaries. The wells are connected directly to the water distribution system. All wells are equipped with chemical feed equipment that injects chlorine when the wells are operated. The capacity of the four wells is approximately 360 gallons per minute (pumped less than 12 hours per day). Two of the wells supply pressure zone 3 and two wells pump directly to Zone 1 of the distribution system. 3

4 The existing sources of water are adequate for future growth of the District, probably for the next ten to twenty years. Major changes in the town s growth rate and water quality/water rights requirements could affect the future capacity of these sources. Stockton Creek Watershed Preserve and Trails The District, in collaboration with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) and the Sierra Foothill Conservancy (SFC) acquired 410 acres of land in 2011 adjacent to and upstream of the Stockton Creek Reservoir. MPUD and SFC have been constructing public use trails and sponsoring fuel reduction projects and organizing tours in the watershed. Over 4 miles of trails and two trail head kiosks are available for public access to the preserve. Over time the project is expected to reduce risk of catastrophic fire, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat in the watershed. Water Treatment Facility: The District completed construction of a new surface water treatment facility (SWTF) in August of The design capacity is one million gallons per day. All surface water sources are treated at the SWTF. The SWTF is permitted under the SWRCB Division of Drinking Water. The operations staff is individually certified through the SWRCB Water Treatment Operator Certification Program. The primary components of the new facility include a clarifier/flocculation tank, membrane filters, granular activated carbon reactors, emergency power generator, chemical feed systems and a new operations building. The new facility treatment capacity is one million gallons per day and is required to meet a.1 ntu turbidity standard. The SWTF also provides corrosion control water conditioning to meet the lead and copper drinking water requirements at the customers tap. The facility will enable the District to consistently meet current safe drinking water standards adopted by the USEPA and the SWRCB Drinking Water Program. Water Distribution System The water distribution system consists of four pressure zones. Pressure zone 1 is supplied by a one million gallon water tank near the WTF. Pressure zone 1 includes the downtown area, Bullion Street, Jones Street, Jesse Street and the Howard Street areas. In MPUD replaced all of the steel water mains originally installed in with 17,000 feet 4

5 of 6", 8", and 10" PVC pipe with ductile iron fittings; fire hydrants and service connections meeting AWWA standards in this pressure zone. Zones 2 and 4 are supplied from Zone 1. Two pump stations pump from Zone 1, each equipped with two, 250 gpm pumps - one at Jones and Bullion Streets and one near the hospital. These stations pump water to a one million gallon water tank approximately one mile north of the hospital (pressure zone 4). Pressure zones 2 and 4 include Hospital Road, the Campbell Tract, the Mueller Tract, Smith Road and the east side of Highway 49 North from Smith Road to the Cal Fire facility. The pumps are controlled by a computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that communicates by radio signal. The default condition (communication and/or power failure) allows full access for flow from the one million gallon tank in zone 4. About 80% of the distribution system in Zones 2 and 4 is relatively new and installed according to AWWA standards. The transmission pipeline between the Jones Street pump station and the Hospital pump station is constructed of 6" ductile iron pipe installed in The one million gallon water tank and 12" main in zone 4 as well of all of Zone 4 are outside of the existing District boundaries to take advantage of elevation for gravity flow from the water tank and future service to the northeast portion of the Mariposa TPA. Zone 3 is supplied by the two wells near Idle Wheels that pump to a 72,000 gallon concrete tank. Zone 2 is connected to zone 3 via a pressure reducing valve. In the event of system failure or large pressure drop (such as fire flow) in zone 3, the pressure regulating valve will automatically open allowing water to flow from pressure zone 2 to zone 3 which accesses the one million gallon tank in Zone 4. Most of the distribution system in zone 3 was constructed in The material used was PVC pipe; however, it does not meet AWWA or current MPUD standard specifications. The combined total length of distribution mains is approximately 75,000 feet. The operations staff is individually certified through the SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Certification Program. 5

6 MPUD WASTEWATER SERVICES The District constructed the first public wastewater collection and treatment facilities in The operation and maintenance of the public wastewater system is financially supported by fixed monthly service charges adopted by Ordinance by the Board of Directors. The last rate increase for wastewater was adopted in 2014 with yearly incremental increases through July of Wastewater Treatment: The current wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) was constructed in Unit processes include flow monitoring, shredding, biological treatment using extended aeration, clarification, disinfection and de-chlorination. Treated water is discharged to Mariposa Creek. The design capacity of the facility is.610 mgd, average daily flow. The facility is operating at nearly 30-40% of design dry weather flow capacity. The operations staff is individually certified through the SWRCB Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification Program. The WWTF discharges treated wastewater to Mariposa Creek. The District operates the facility under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The NPDES permit is renewed every five years. The most recent renewal was in March of The 2014 permit includes discharge limitations that are not attainable with the existing WWTF process. The wastewater facility improvements necessary to meet the permit requirements is estimated to cost over $8,520,000. MPUD has completed applications for funding through the SWRCB Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project is listed in the SWRCB 2016/2017 implementation plan for $6,000,000 grant and $2,520,000 loan. Wastewater Collection: The wastewater collection systems in the older developed portions of town were originally constructed in 1958 and are made up of 6" and 8" vitrified clay pipe (VCP). Collection mains installed after 1975 are constructed with PVC pipe. The combined total length of all public wastewater collection mains is 73,000 feet. The operation of the collection system is regulated under a 5SSO10744 permit issued by the SWRCB (separate from the NPDES permit for the treatment facility). All significant sewer collection system overflows are reported through the SWRCB California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWIQS). MPUD has implemented a routine collection main cleaning schedule to avoid system failures that 6

7 may result in a sewer overflow. The wet weather infiltration of storm water into the collection system does result in high flows to the WWTF during significant rain fall events. MPUD staff monitors and repairs failing collection system mains as they are identified. Environmental Laboratory MPUD operates a water quality laboratory at the WWTF certified under the SWRCB Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). MPUD is able to perform most of the daily, weekly and monthly water quality monitoring for the public water and wastewater system in house. The operation of the laboratory provides the operations staff to more efficiently monitor water quality and operational parameters for the water and wastewater treatment systems. MPUD has also provided bacteriological and nitrate analysis of drinking water for the Mariposa County Schools and the general public. 7

8 FIRE PROTECTION Administration for the District s fire protection services is a function of the General Manager and office staff (total of two personnel). Administration is limited to primarily finance and budget type tasks. The Fire Chief is appointed by the Board of Directors of the District normally followed by a recommendation from the paid call staff. The Fire Chief is a paid call fire fighter (PCF) and not a regular full time employee. The volunteer staff that trains and responds to emergency incidents are also paid call fire fighters. There are no general taxes or property assessments to support the fire department s economic requirements. The MPUD Board of Directors set charges for services through the adoption of a Fire Protection Fee Ordinance. The District collects a monthly fire protection fee from owners of developed parcels. The basic monthly fee is $4.50 per month per single family residential unit. Structures other than single family residential are charged based on occupancy type and size of structure. These fees generate approximately $100,000 per year. The District also receives a small portion of Mariposa County general taxes. This tax increment is subject to a tax shift to fund public schools that may be implemented in any fiscal year by the State. When the District does receive a tax increment, approximately $8,000 is added to the fire department budget. The entire operation including debt service, personnel costs, O&M, training and equipment purchases are fit into an annual budget of approximately $108,000. The last adjustment in fire protection fees was adopted in 1992 and is no longer sufficient to meet the financial requirements of the department. Adjusting fire protection fees requires an engineer s benefit analysis and vote of the electorate within the District. The primary fire apparatus owned by MPUD consists of a one 1000 gpm pumper (2008 Rosenbauer) housed at the District office on 7 th Street, a 1986 Westates 1250 gpm pumper and a 1975 Seagrave 1500 gpm pumper with a 50' ladder/snorkel build-up, both housed at the MPUD fire station at Smith Road and Highway 49 North. MPUD owns and operates a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) filling station. This facility services the SCBA air bottles for MPUD, Mariposa County Fire Departments, Mariposa County Sheriff's Office and Cal-Fire. The MPUD Board of Directors has adopted a fire protection ordinance that provides for 8

9 minimum fire protection requirements and water system improvements for future development within the District. The intent of the ordinance is to maintain a minimum level of fire protection with requirements for fire hydrants and fire flow. An added benefit to customers is the ISO rating of the District. Currently, the ISO rating is a Class 3. (ISO ratings range between 1 and 10, 1 is the most favorable fire protection class and 10 is the least.) MPUD has entered into mutual aid agreements with Cal-Fire and the California Office of Emergency Services. These agreements allow for MPUD personnel and equipment to respond to emergencies throughout the state at the specific request of the state and approval of the MPUD Fire Chief. MPUD and Mariposa County have entered into an automatic aid agreement which provides for initial response dispatch of MPUD equipment to specific areas outside of and adjacent to the District within the County of Mariposa. Sometime before 1986, the California State Fire Marshal (SFM) became aware that the enforcement of building regulations adopted by the SFM were not enforced within MPUD. After some research, the SFM approached MPUD citing Health & Safety Code and stated that MPUD is responsible to enforce above mentioned building standards. The District did not agree and the issue was referred to the California Attorney General s office. Subsequently, the Attorney General provided opinion # In summary, the conclusion of the Attorney General was as follows: A public utility district that provides fire protection services through a private independent fire force that is staffed and operated entirely by volunteers has a duty to see that the building standards and other regulations relating to fire and panic safety that have been adopted by the State Fire Marshal are enforced within the district, either by appointing a chief fire official of the district to enforce them or by formally requesting the Fire Marshal to assume the obligation. MPUD was not in complete agreement with AG opinion #86-406, however, MPUD requested the SFM to assume jurisdiction within the District boundaries for the enforcement of building standards adopted by the SFM. The SFM would not generally assume jurisdiction, but did perform enforcement tasks on a case by case basis. For existing structures, MPUD has requested the SFM to assume jurisdiction. Requests are generated by a citizen complaint, property owner request or a fire department member who may notice questionable conditions within a structure. The SFM has been providing some safety inspections on commercial and public buildings within the District. Enforcement of SFM regulations for new construction is 9

10 currently performed by the Mariposa County Building Department through the County building permit process. 10