APPLE VALLEY HEIGHTS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT

The Town of Apple Valley is an incorporated area encompassing 78-square miles in Victor Valley in the County of San Bernardino. It is located east of Victorville and Hesperia along State Route 18 (SR-18). The AVHCWD does not serve within the limits of the Town of Apple Valley.

AVHCWD (Public Water System No. CA3600009) is a special district of the State of California that was formed  in 1957 to provide potable water service to the population within its service area. The AVHCWD is governed by a five-member board of directors elected for four-year terms. AVHCWD currently serves approximately 316 residential service connections. AVHCWD does not have any industrial or commercial service connections. The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water, District 13 (DDW), is AVHCWD’sregulatory agency.  AVHCWD is located within the Victor Valley of unincorporated western San Bernardino County, less
than 0.5 miles southeast of the Town of Apple Valley, California. AVHCWD’s service area is approximately 10 miles southeast of Victorville, 25 miles north of San Bernardino, and covers an area of approximately 1.4 square miles. A Location Map is provided Click Here. AVHCWD’s service area ranges in elevation from 3,110 to 3,640 feet above mean sea level, sloping downward generally to the north. The main land uses in this area are  residential, small commercial, and small agricultural. Residences utilize individual septic systems for wastewater treatment and disposal. The climate of the area is designated as semi-arid, with has an annual average precipitation of 6.2 inches. Additional historical weather information provided on The Weather Channel’s website (https://weather.com/) documents an average summer high temperature of 97°F and an average low winter temperature of 34°F. 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES PRESENT

AVHCWD is located within the Upper Mojave River Valley (Basin No. 6-42) of the South Lahontan Hydrologic Region of California. According to California DWR Bulletin 118 (updated 2003), the primary constituents of concern in the hydrologic region are inorganics and radiological contaminants. The Upper Mojave River Valley is classified as a Groundwater Budget Type A, which indicates one of the following: (1) a groundwater budget exists for the basin or enough components from separate studies could be combined to give a general indication of the basin’s groundwater budget, (2) a groundwater model exists for the basin that can be used to calculate a groundwater budget, or (3) actual groundwater extraction data exist for the basin.  For other environmental resources present within AVHCWD’s service area, refer to environmental documentation prepared by others.

MOJAVE WATER AGENCY

Mojave Water Agency (MWA) is a regional wholesale water provider whose boundary encompasses
approximately 4,900 square miles in San Bernardino County. MWA is the Watermaster for the adjudicated Mojave Basin. As Watermaster, MWA monitors and verifies water production from various water service providers. AVHCWD pumps water from the adjudicated basin and reports its water usage to MWA. 

HISTORY

AVHCWD currently serves approximately 316 residential  service connections. AVHCWD does not have any industrial or commercial service connections.  AVHCWD owns and operates two active wells that pump into a potable water storage and distribution system that  consists of 4 storage tanks, a booster pump station, and pipelines of various sizes and materials. AVHCWD’s distribution system has two pressure zones, designated the Upper and Lower Zones. The Upper Zone serves approximately 60% of AVHCWD’s service connections (approximately 190 connections), with the remaining connections served from the Lower Zone (approximately 126 connections).  AVHCWD’s pipeline system was installed in 1958.  Portions of the pipeline system are 66 years old and have been prone to failure. These pipeline breaks have generally occurred along Mesa Vista Street, which is a primary alignment for the delivery of water from AVHCWD’s wells to the rest of our water system. Water produced from AVHCWD’s wells is delivered directly to the distribution system at Ocotillo Way, with excess water filling the Mesa Vista tanks. AVHCWD does not have a dedicated transmission pipeline for the full length necessary to directly connect its production and storage facilities. Lack of a transmission pipeline reduces the level of cycling that occurs at the Mesa Vista tanks.  Water produced from AVHCWD’s wells is delivered directly to the distribution system at Ocotillo Way, with excess water filling the Mesa Vista tanks. AVHCWD does not have a dedicated transmission pipeline for the full length necessary to directly connect its production and storage facilities. Lack of a transmission pipeline reduces the level of cycling that occurs at the Mesa Vista tanks.  AVHCWD entered into agreements with BLM in 1968 (amended in 1991) for the use of the Mesa Vista and Central Tank properties. AVHCWD’s Mesa Vista Storage Tank Site is the location of three bolted steel thanks that were constructed in 1958 and are reaching the end of their useful lives. Interior inspections of these tanks in 2015 by Inland Potable Services showed high levels of corrosion that had not been present in inspections conducted in 2011. The Mesa Vista tanks pressurize AVHCWD’s Lower Zone, which also provides the source of water for the Roundup Booster Station to transfer water to the Upper Zone (including the Central Tank). Failure of one or more of the Mesa Vista tanks would cause a significant disruption to AVHCWD’s operations, as well as cause AVHCWD to fall out of compliance with Drinking Water Standards storage capacity requirements.

GROUND WATER SUPPLY

AVHCWD owns, operates, and maintains two permitted production wells, Well Nos. 3 and 4. These wells are both located on the same  AVHCWD owned property.  Well No. 3 was drilled in 1990 to a depth of 500-feet and has a static water level of 270-feet.  Well No. 3 has a pumping rate of approximately 200-gpm. Well No. 4 was drilled in 2003 to a depth of 504-feet and has a static water level of 273-feet. Well No. 4 has a pumping rate of approximately 190 gpm. Well Nos. 3 and 4 pump directly to AVHCWD’s distribution system, with excess water entering the Mesa Vista storage tanks, located approximately 1.5-miles south of the wells. AVHCWD, was approved by DDW to provide chlorination to its groundwater sources in 2012. Both wells are metered using ultra-sonic flowmeter. The wells are in generally good operating condition. The pumps/motors of the wells were replaced in 2013. The well screens were cleaned and videoed at the same time as the pump/motor replacements. Water produced from the wells does not contain regulatory contaminants at levels near Drinking Water MCLs.

WATER STORAGE TANKS

The AVHCWD system has four existing bolted steel potable water storage tanks. AVHCWD has a combined storage capacity of 260,000 gallons. The storage tanks pressurize AVHCWD’s distribution system pressure zones while the system’s wells are off. The tanks are located on two separate properties owned by the BLM. The Mesa Vista Tank Site is located at the southern terminus of Mesa Vista Street and has an approximate elevation of 3,440 feet above mean sea level. The Mesa Vista Tank Site has three storage tanks that each have a maximum storage capacity of 20,000 gallons and serve AVHCWD’s Lower Zone. As previously described, the system’s wells supply water directly to the distribution system, with excess capacity filling the Mesa Vista tanks. When water demands exceed the supply from the wells, the tank level drops. The Central Tank Site is located at the southern terminus of Central Road and has an approximate elevation of 3,645 feet above mean sea level. The Central Tank Site has one bolted steel storage tank that has a maximum capacity of 200,000. An abandoned tank is also located at the site. The Central Tank serves AVHCWD’s Upper Zone. The Central Tank is  delivered water from the Lower Zone via the Roundup Booster Station. The Lower Zone pumps water to the Upper Zone, with excess supply filling the Central Tank. The Central Tank is able to deliver water through the Upper Zone back to the Lower Zone through a combination pressure reducing/pressure sustaining valve located at the Roundup Booster Station. 

PIPELINES

AVHCWD’s distribution system consists of pipelines, standpipes, valves, meters, and other appurtenances. It is estimated that AVHCWD has approximately 13 miles of water pipelines, which range in size between 4 to 8-inches in diameter. The majority of the pipelines are concrete lined steel. The system does contain limited sections of PVC piping, mainly from repairs. Per DDW’s 2010 Sanitary Survey, the distribution system operates at pressures ranging from 40-60 pounds per square inch (psi). AVHCWD’s water system pressure exceeds the minimum standard pressure of 20 psi (see DWS Section 64602(a)). The pipeline system is generally looped but does contain multiple dead ends. AVHCWD has designated sample stations located in its distribution system.
AVHCWD’s steel pipelines were generally installed in 1958 and have recently become prone to failure, causing system outages and water losses. Numerous water outages due to breaks in the transmission/distribution line along Mesa Vista Street occurred between July 2013 and November 2014. This section of pipeline is one of the primary alignments connecting AVHCWD’s wells to the rest of its potable water system.

PUMP STATION

AVHCWD operates the Roundup Booster Station. The booster station is housed within a small wood frame building located north of Roundup Way between Buena Vista Street and Central Road. The site is enclosed by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire and is accessible through a man-gate. The pump station was  rehabilitated in 2014. As mentioned previously, the booster station conveys water from the Lower Zone to the Upper Zone, with excess supply filling the Central Tank. The booster station operates on a simple on/off SCADA
system based on the water level in the Central Tank.

WATER METERS

Each active customer connection is metered and manually read monthly.  In 2013 a meter replacement program was initiated replacing  at that time 280 water meters.  The common lifespam of residental water meters is  +/-10 years and in 2021 a water service line and meter replacement project began.  This program consists of replacing all 316 water service connections that are over 15 years old, ugrading each water service connection to 1" with a 1" water meter, check valve, and courtesy valve (customer side shut-off valve).  The water district is going hi-tech using the Master Meter's Sonata residential ultrasonic water meter with Master Meter’s 3G Mobile AMR drive-by technology. Utilizing advanced ultrasonic flow measurement, the Sonata greatly improves low flow measurement compared to residential mechanical meters.  This makes it an ideal solution for addressing Non-Revenue Water (NRW).   Benefiting from the full capabilities of the new Master Meter's Sonata residential ultrasonic water meter and Master Meter’s 3G Mobile AMR  softwate will give both the District and its customer the water management tools necessary to combat water waste.  Future plans involve a customer web portal + Smart Phone Intergration.   My Water AdvisorTM The online application allows for convenient access to up-to-date hourly usage information. The chart view allows for daily, monthly, and yearly review of water usage and also shows a comparison to the user for real accountability. This full-featured water portal allows the user to set up alerts for on-premises leak detection, over-budget notifications, and gives the ability to set vacation periods to be notified of unusual, unauthorized usage while a customer is away.

SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

AVHCWD owns, operates, and maintains its water supply, storage, and distribution systems. The system does not have water system deficiencies that are the result of inadequate attention or capabilities of the AVHCWD’s operators or management.

WATER QUALITY

Apple Valley Heights Water District routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water.  Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.  The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.  More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or on the EPA's website:(www.epa.gov/safewater).

For additional water quality or operational clarification, please see our annual Consumer Confidence Report or contact the District Office at (760) 247-7330.  We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility.  If you want to learn more, you are invited to attend any regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings held every third Wednesday of the month.  The meetings are held with Open Session discussions at 6:00 p.m.  All meetings will be held at the District office located at 9429 Cerra Vista Street, Apple Valley, CA 92308.