After an Immediate Fix was Refused for the Cross-Contamination and Backflow Issues During the Farallone Elementary Modernization, MWSD had to Shut the Water Off after SMCo Health and State Water Board Discussions

VIDEO. From the Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) Director’s meeting on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 at 7:30pm, as a hybrid meeting.

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Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) Statement on Preventative Water Service Shut-Off at Farallone View Elementary School Due to Systemwide Public Health Concerns Caused by Modernization Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2023
Contact: Clemens Heldmaier
(650) 728-3545

Montara, CA — On October 25, 2023, Montara Water & Sanitary District (MWSD) was made aware of significant plumbing and sewer connection concerns occurring at Farallone View Elementary School as part of the Modernization Project currently under construction. As a member of this community, we welcome the modernization of our local school, however, we have observed grave onsite plumbing conditions which violate our water and sanitary system ordinances.

Without immediate action, both the children and staff of Farallone View, and our entire community are at risk of exposure to untreated drinking water due to cross connected pipes at the school site. To address this public health hazard, following multiple attempts to proactively resolve this concern with Cabrillo Unified School District, MWSD made the difficult decision to shut-off water service to the Farallone View campus on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023.

Cross connections can occur when drinking water pipes are connected to non-drinking water pipes or sources. These cross connections can allow untreated, non-potable water to enter our drinking water system. MWSD’s water system is the sole source of drinking water for consumption and domestic use (cooking, dishwashing, handwashing, etc.) for 6,000 customers in Montara, Moss Beach and Pillar Ridge. We cannot allow a cross connection condition to exist as it can permit untreated or contaminated water into our community’s water system, while also exposing the children and staff at Farallone View to this untreated water.

MWSD has been in direct communication with school leadership onsite at Farallone View and with Cabrillo Unified School District in an attempt to address our concerns. Despite our best efforts to identify solutions and offer assistance, no action has been taken to resolve the poor plumbing conditions. Given the possibility of contamination entering the water system from this site, MWSD, after notification to the State Division of Drinking Water (our regulator), proactively shut-off water service to the school site. Water will remain off until site conditions are addressed and achieve compliance with MWSD ordinances.

The plans and specifications for the $23.4 million Farallone View Modernization Project have never been reviewed by MWSD. MWSD has publicly approved and available ordinances to enforce State law and protect our critical public systems, along with plan review and permit application processes available to ensure new development, construction and renovation projects do not endanger the public systems that serve our community. All properties undergoing construction are required to submit their project for review to MWSD prior to construction. These are standard plumbing requirements common to all drinking water systems.

MWSD is standing by to support Farallone View Elementary School and the Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) in addressing these public health concerns. Immediate action is required to install backflow prevention devices to protect our community water system, along with provision of bottled drinking water and handwashing stations for school users while plumbing concerns are addressed. With these measures in hand, MWSD can re-establish water service to Farallone View Elementary, and students can return to the facility. We look forward to working with CUSD to resolve these issues quickly.

Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) Preventative Water Service Shut-Off at Farallone View Elementary School Due to Systemwide Public Health Concerns Caused by CUSD Modernization Project

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

More on the Farallone School Modernization Plans

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Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) Meetings ~ 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 7:30pm

Watch remotely. Comments and questions by email.

Agendas and Zoom Live Meeting Links

If you experience technical difficulties or have technical questions prior to or during the meeting, please contact MWSD’s IT support at (650) 728-7843.

Meeting Videos

Meeting Schedule:

Regular meetings are 7:30pm on the first and third Thursday of each month. They used to held at the District office at 8888 Cabrillo Hwy, next to Pt Montara Lighthouse and Hostel.

To receive agendas by email, send a request to [email protected]

In addition to email, we post agendas before each board meeting:

• On the District website here
• Montara post office
• Moss Beach post office
• the bulletin board in front of the MWSD office

Who is on the Board of Directors?

The Board of Directors manages the affairs of the District. Through their bi-monthly meetings they set policy, enact appropriate resolutions or ordinances, approve all payments to vendors, review and approve the budget, set Sewer Service Charge rates, establish connection charges, hire staff, approve contracts and other necessary actions needed to carry out the business of the District.

There are five Board members, all of whom are elected at large, and must reside in the Montara or Moss Beach area. The current Board is as follows:

All Board members may be reached by sending an email to [email protected].

Or writing the District office at: Montara Water and Sanitary District, P.O. Box 370131, Montara, CA 94037. Telephone: (650)728-3545; FAX (650)728-8556.

General Manager

Clemens Heldmaier (650)728-3545 email

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