Infrastructure Development
One of the biggest ongoing challenges facing the San Lorenzo Valley Water District is that of maintaining the necessary infrastructure (main pipelines, storage tanks, treatment plants, etc.) to enable reliable and efficient water delivery for SVLWD customers. Infrastructure development projects are distinct from the ongoing operations challenges (such as quality assurance and potential service disruptions) that the District contends with on a daily basis. Infrastructure projects are comparatively expensive one-time undertakings frequently requiring the services of outside engineering firms but planned and overseen by the District’s Engineering Team and by the Board’s Engineering and Environment Committee.
For many years, the District failed to invest sufficiently in infrastructure maintenance and replacement, and the deferred costs accumulated accordingly. The challenge of dealing with this was further compounded by the extensive damage associated with the CZU Fire in August 2020. It is now vitally important that our entire community understands and appreciates the magnitude of the financial and engineering challenges that lie ahead.
Challenges to SLVWD Water System Master Plan (January, 2022)