LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Special Districts has completed a project meant to improve technology and costs for the Spring Valley Lakes community’s water system.
County officials called the Pueblo Trail well and water treatment center a “critical infrastructure project” that introduces state-regulated water redundancy, modernized filtration technology, and significant long-term cost savings to the Spring Valley community.
"By adding this second source of water, we're doing more than just adding a new well," said Adam Alfinda, capital project manager. "We're securing the future of the Spring Valley community and doing everything we can to keep clean, safe water flowing straight to your tap."
The Pueblo Trail project addresses historical vulnerabilities in Spring Valley's older, failing water system, which previously placed a heavy financial and operational burden on local residents.
The project includes an enhanced water source in the form of a new 560-foot deep well with an 8-inch stainless steel casing, pulling approximately 200 gallons of water per minute.
Its advanced filtration technology includes the integration of automated green sand filters running in parallel to maximize efficiency and seamlessly remove contaminants like manganese.
In partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric, the site was outfitted with a new 400-amp breaker, power transformer, storage tanks, and an automated distribution system.
Funded in part by resourceful grant-seeking by the Special District's team, the new well eliminates the need to purchase external water from Yolo County, driving down utility costs.
During the project's ribbon-cutting ceremony, Special Districts Administrator Robin Borre expressed immense gratitude for the local contractors who worked through severe weather conditions to deliver the project on time and on budget.
Key partners included Weeks Drilling (well installation and filtration analysis), Caltech (filter installation), and Case Excavating.
District 3 Supervisor E.J. Crandell praised the technological upgrades and the resourcefulness of the project team. "This new equipment is going to eliminate a lot of those costs because they don't have to pump the water so far," Supervisor Crandell noted. "It's a real benefit for the community."
The Special District Project Team includes Alfinda, Area Superintendent Christopher Becker, Derrin Morris, Gabriel Padilla, Kattrina Fesmire, and Jesus (Jesse) Salmeron.
The newly released video, shown above, provides an inside look at the facility's inner workings, the advanced filtration processes and the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
