Facilities > Water system

What is this?

Our water comes from our own well, which is located on the hill south of the park across the highway. The road to the well starts near mile marker 277 on the south side of highway 101, just a bit east of the park.

How does it work?

The water from the well is pumped into a holding tank, and then flows to the park via gravity. Once water reaches the lower park, it is distributed to each street, and finally to the standpipe on your lot. The tank holds 750 gallons of water. The pump house contains the well head, pump, generator transfer switch and a chlorination system that is no longer used

The safety of our water is tested monthly by our water manager. This occurs at a local Lab. Annually, we receive a Consumer Confidence Report that includes an in depth testing looking for a broad array of contaminates. This report is distributed to resident's mailboxes.

Tips and requests

Power outages

Because the pump runs on electricity, it's not able to refill the holdinng tank when the power is out, so please conserve water during power outages.

Cold weather

All hydrants should have working heat tape and pipe insulation, regardless if your water is turned on or off for the winter. The hydrants are designed to drain when turned off, but age and sediment often block the drain. If the hydrant freezes and bursts, it could be several days before it can be repaired. This will impact all residents of your street who will not have water while waiting for your hydrant to be repaired.

The heat tape should run from the ground level, up and around the upper pump nozzle. If your home will not be winterized, the water hose from the hydrant to your house should also have heat tape and pipe insulation. The heat tape should be tested annually to ensure it is working. (A working light in the plug does not guarantee the heat tape is working)

An easy way to “test” the heat tape without having to go out in the cold: When the temperature is below 40 degrees, first thing in the morning before running any water including flushing the toilet, place your hand under any faucet and turn on the Cold Water. Initially it will feel slightly cold, then the water should feel noticeably warmer (as the heat tape has warmed the water in the hose) and then the water will get really cold as this is the water coming out of the cold ground. If you don’t feel the water get warm and then cold your heat tape is not working.

Contact any Facilities staff if you need more information on how to apply heat tape to your hydrant and water hose.

Tours

Tours of the pump house are offered every year during the Annual Leaseholders weekend. This is a very interesting tour, which we recommend that you attend at least once to better understand this vital part of our park infrastructure.