Protect Our Community and Our Water,
While Keeping our Water and Sanitary District Independent
Ten years ago this community bought the water district from the Cal-AM Corporation. Since that time, we have been hard at work rebuilding our district after many years of complete neglect.
We are finally realizing the benefits of a successful and locally controlled water district, with independent and large sources of water.
Please support Jim and Bob. Make sure our district is able to complete the new tanks and excellent distribution system, which will provide a continuous supply of high quality water to the whole community.
- It is important that we remain independent to protect our water system and our community.
- We have ended the long water moratorium and we are waiting for the Coastal Commission to approve a large number of new connections, giving well owners the ability to connect to our system.
- We now operate an independent, plentiful source of water under Montara Mountain. Adjacent districts depend upon Hetch Hetchy water and they will have to reduce their consumption by 20 percent and will soon experience water cost increases of 30%. Our water will remain free, with solar power defraying the pumping cost.
- No major reinvestments are necessary for continued operation.
- Two new tanks will be ready to serve the communities domestic and fire service needs; one above Moss Beach, and a second Alta Vista storage tank.
- We have replaced thousands of feet of both water and sewer main lines and upgraded all of the pumping stations, pressure reducing stations, and the emergency generators.
- We have also upgraded communications and electrical systems throughout the district.
- Contrary to accusations, we have only been involved in lawsuits in order to protect the integrity and rights of our water service area from neighboring district and county intrusions. We have been successful in every case of litigation and there are no others pending.
- Our community continues to benefit from the lowest waste collection charges on the coast. Through our new contract with Recology, new larger containers will be provided along with increased drop times and locations.
- Our financial rating is AAA+. We are in the process of rebuilding our financial reporting systems for greater transparency. We refinanced the bond paying for the system purchase saving 8.6 % on our tax rate and further insuring our low water rates.
- We cooperate with adjacent water districts through testing and an emergency services agreement. Our operations department works closely with adjacent water districts and shares training.
- Building a pipeline connecting us to adjacent water districts would risk our water independence and could cost up to 4 million dollars.
- Our staff lives locally. Even our billing and customer service is staffed at our district offices and residents can walk in and talk to a real person instead of being put on hold through a distant call center.
- In the case of a devastating emergency cutting off water to other water districts, our water source will remain completely safe and independent.
- Even during the most severe storms we can now ensure safe sewer transportation to the sewer plant by building a specialized storage system in El Granada.
- In 2009 we offered both sewer and water service to the Moss Beach Park and that offer will be honored.
There have been many accomplishments by the district in both our sewer and water systems thanks to the hard work of the General Manager, Staff, and Board of Directors:
Water System Achievements:
- Alta Vista well on Montara Mountain drilled and all other wells rehabilitated and further exploration for water planned
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- One new storage tank built and two more under way
- 13 pressure reducing stations repaired or replaced
- All fire hydrants replaced or repaired
- Installation of an Ion Exchange Treatment Plant at the Airport wells to treat Nitrates and optimize water quality when those sources might be needed
- New flow valves and pumps installed throughout system to drastically optimize distribution, quality, and use of water
- Implementation of flushing program to further increase water quality
- The treatment process of the Surface Water Plant was optimized
- The District has kept ahead of the increase in water regulatory requirements to produce the best quality water
- Our bond was refinanced, saving 8.6% on each household's tax charges
- An aggressive public works plan has been approved which is increasing the storage and pumping capacity of the District
- An aggressive water main replacement program which has led to a huge reduction of leaks from over 100 per year to around 10.
- Most electrical and communication systems upgraded
- A new Scada (System control and data acquisition) system installed to keep track of real time water production and flow
- New electronic flow meters installed on all connections which are now monitored for flow and leaks by computer saving labor and water
- The Backflow Prevention Program to monitor State compliance has been taken over by the District which saves customers with the devices $100 per year and increased District revenue by $10,000 per year
- Two cell phone tower lease agreements providing extra revenue
- Unlike our neighbors to the North and South, NO water use restrictions necessary in the last five years
Sewer System Achievements:
- Many miles of pipeline and lower laterals replaced.
- In the last six years, Sanitary Sewer Overflows reduced from 14 to 2 per year
- Replacement of Kannoff pump stations
- Replacement of Vallemar. Airport, and California Ave. generators
- Communication and electrical upgrades
- Wet weather holding facility built at Burnham Strip to provide storage during severe wet weather
- New agreement with Recology to provide the cheapest rates in the entire region
Jim Harvey
Jim is a co-founder of the Montara Moss Beach Water Improvement Association, and has lived and has been active in this community for thirty years participating in many community activities. Since graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, Jim has worked in Medical Research (Pulmonary Physiologist) at Stanford Hospital.
Jim's relevant experience began with the Montara Moss Beach Water Improvement Association (MMBWIA) in the 1980's. The MMBWIA began the process that culminated in our gaining control of our own water system from the privately held, poorly maintained, profit oriented companies who controlled the District since the 1940s.
In 2001, the community overwhelmingly (80.6%) voted for general obligation bonds in the principal amount of $19,000,000 for the "purpose of financing the acquisition and improvements of a domestic water supply, treatment, storage, distribution and fire protection system serving the entire area of the Montara Sanitary District". The following year, Jim was appointed to the MWSD and then ran for election (2 year term seat) in 2003 where he finished with twice the number of votes of his nearest competitor.
Jim's long record of public service on MWSD can be summed up as one of providing the people of Montara and Moss Beach with reliable, high-quality water, wastewater, and trash disposal services at an equitable price, ensuring the fiscal and environmental vitality of the district for future generations and sensitively managing the natural resources entrusted to his care. In short, Jim's experience and leadership reflects our community.
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