San Lorenzo Valley Water District reminds Residents that Preparation is the First line of Défense

San Lorenzo Valley Water District reminds Residents that Preparation is the First line of Défense of Wildfires The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) is not only the agency that supplies your water, but we are also committed to safeguarding our community against the threat of wildfire.

Boulder Creek, CA, July 02, 2021 — The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) is not only the agency that supplies your water, but we are also committed to safeguarding our community against the threat of wildfire. SLVWD is engaged in work to strengthen fire resiliency and ensure facilities and infrastructure are secure in case of a wildfire emergency. These activities range from fuel reduction on 1,000 of acres, adding neighborhood fire hydrants, increasing backup generator systems in case of power outages and working with local and state agencies to pool resources.

Another way SLVWD wants to assist its community, is by encouraging preparedness.

During a wildfire, responding firefighters must evaluate where to prioritize their efforts to best protect a community. The decisions homeowners make now could very well determine whether or not their home and property make it through a wildfire unscathed.

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District reminds its customers the importance of preparing themselves and their property. It is your first line of defense for when the threat of wildfire looms.

Here are some steps to take now: • Proper signage: To help firefighters find your home, addresses must be clearly visible from the street • Access: Is vegetation cleared back from the roads into your neighborhood? Can a car and a fire truck pass each other on your road? Are overhanging branches limbed up at least 20 feet? Is there a place for a large fire truck to turn around?

• Home Zone: Clean out the gutters, sweep off your roof. Screen your attic vents. Consider removing wooden shutters and lattice. Relocate anything stacked up against your home such as brooms, plastic garbage cans, straw welcome mats, and wood piles.

• Five-Foot Safety Zone: Look for things that can catch fire that are within 5 feet of your home or outbuildings. This can include shrubs, overhanging branches, patio furniture, propane-fired BBQs, dog houses, wooden privacy screens, wooden lattices, decks, gates, etc.

• Thirty-Foot Safety Zone: Is there a large enough zone around your house to make it safe for firefighters to defend it? Wildland fires can reach temperatures of almost 1,500 degrees. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire, and it protects your home from catching fire.

• Hundred-Foot Safety Zone: Look at the final 70-feet surrounding your structures. Remove all dead plants, keep grasses and weeds low and have wide spacing between living plants, keeping them limbed up 10 feet from the ground.

• Chipping Services: Chipping programs are currently offered by the following organizations and are funded through grants and private donations. Bonny Doon Fire Safe Council (Bonny Doon Area); South Skyline Fire Safe Council (Upper Summit Area — Covers North Santa Cruz County); Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County (serves high-fire risk areas in Santa Cruz County not covered by other FSCs).

It is also important to remember that during fire emergencies, outdoor water usage is restricted to ensure water is readily available for fire agencies. Customers should not run sprinklers (especially on roof tops), leave water running, or run outdoor hoses.

Personal emergency water storage is also highly recommended as recovery of the water system after fire damage may take several days. SLVWD recommends that each home’s emergency supply include at least two gallons per person per day for seven days minimum — more if pets are involved.

SLVWD suggests following these basic storage rules: • Follow container manufacturer instructions for storage and maintenance of your emergency water supply.

• Use only BPA-free plastic. Single-use bottles are not designed for long-term storage and can leach plastic over time.

• Store in a cool, dark place or a temperature-controlled environment; inside your home is best.

• Replace emergency water every six months.

About the District The San Lorenzo Valley Water District was established in 1941 as an independent special district. The District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected at-large from within the District’s service area. A special district is a local government agency formed by voters to perform a needed service, such as water or sewer. The District’s boundaries comprise approximately 60 square miles and 190 miles of pipeline. The District currently provides service to approximately 7,900 residential, commercial, and institutional connections. The District relies on both surface water and groundwater resources, including nine currently active stream diversions, one groundwater spring, and eight active groundwater wells. The District owns, operates, and maintains two water systems from separate water sources. These sources are derived solely from rainfall within the San Lorenzo River watershed. The District owns, operates, and maintains a wastewater system in Boulder Creek’s Bear Creek Estates, which serves approximately 56 homes.

Website: slvwd.com Phone: (831) 338-2153 Fax: (831) 338-7986 Emergency Numbers: After-hour emergencies: (831) 338-2153 Address: San Lorenzo Valley Water District 13060 Hwy 9 Boulder Creek, CA 95006 Contact: Marci Bracco Cain The Buzz PR LLC Salinas, CA (831) 747-7455

https://www.slvwd.com/