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PRESS RELEASE. From the Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) on November 4th, 2023.
Montara, CA — Yesterday, Montara Water & Sanitary District (MWSD) restored water service to Farallone View Elementary School. Cabrillo Unified School District’s contractor has installed a back flow device that addresses MWSD’s initial concerns. Further work is needed to maintain the school’s drinking water connection and MWSD staff are committed to support this work with additional flushing of the connection while additional work is scheduled.
Though site conditions are not ideal, we appreciate the community’s focus on this critical public health issue and are pleased to confirm protection is now in place for our community.
Prior to this correction, our entire community water system was at risk of exposure to untreated drinking water due to cross connected pipes at the school site. MWSD has tested and certified the newly installed device, confirming they meet State and MWSD water code. We thank San Mateo County Health and Cabrillo Unified School District for working towards resolution of this issue and continuing their focus on safe conditions throughout the modernization work.
On Thursday, November 2, MWSD made the difficult decision to shut-off water service to the Farallone View campus given the grave plumbing conditions and cross connection concerns.
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. As a critical public water provider, we cannot allow a cross connection condition to exist as it can permit untreated or contaminated water into our community’s water system. Immediate action was required to install backflow prevention to protect our community water system.
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 will continue to assist Farallone View Elementary School and the Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) in addressing additional water and sewer code requirements as the $23.4 million Farallone View Modernization Project progresses.
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Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) works every day to deliver water, garbage, and sewer services for the residents of Montara and Moss Beach. Over 6,000 residents rely on our services for their homes and businesses.
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
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
More on the Farallone School Modernization Plans
More on Montara Water and Sanitary District on Coastside Buzz
Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) Meetings ~ 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 7:30pm
From left: Peter Dekker, Kathrine Slater-Carter, Chair Scott Boyd, Bill Softkey and Cid Young.
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:
| DIRECTOR | TERM |
|---|---|
| Scott Boyd — President | Term 2020-2024 |
| Peter Dekker — Treasurer | Term 2020-2026 |
| Kathryn Slater-Carter — Secretary | Term 2020-2024 |
| Bill Softky — Director | Term 2022-2026 |
| Carlysle Ann (Cid) Young— Director | Term 2023-2024 |
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
MSWD General Manager Clemens Heldmaier showing a creek filtration system.
Author: Coastside Buzz
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