South Mesa Water Company Calls for Audit of Yucaipa Valley Water District

CALIMESA, CA - South Mesa Water Company officials Friday called for an audit of the Yucaipa Valley Water District, on the heels of allegations that the Yucaipa agency installed unmarked copper pipes in Calimesa that are carrying reclaimed water that can be dangerous to drink.

The unmarked pipes are copper despite a state water code requiring recycled-water lines to be a distinctive purple color, according to South Mesa Water Company. The color difference is required to ensure recycled water is kept separate from drinking water, company officials said.

South Mesa Water officials said the unmarked pipes could contaminate the drinking water system and pose a threat to human health and safety if tampered with by residents.

The utility has requested that water regulators, including the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, and the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control board, verify that YVWD's recycled water system in South Mesa's service area meets technical and operational requirements, as well as adheres with the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.

South Mesa Water officials said their initial investigation into the unmarked pipes indicated that the lines were installed by the Yucaipa Valley Water District without providing South Mesa Water notice and that YVWD officials have remained silent on the matter when asked for a direct response, as well as a request for maps and schematics of the water system. Both companies serve separate portions of Calimesa.

"We are eager to work with the Yucaipa Valley Water District to ensure that our drinking water supply remains safe," said South Mesa Water General Manager David Armstrong. "But the lack of a response from YVWD to our request for information makes cross connections a threat to public health and safety."

YVWD General Manager Joseph Zoba told City News Service earlier that some of its pipelines do run through South Mesa Water's service area, but without providing service to any of South Mesa's customers. Zoba said installing pipes through another agency's jurisdiction is not uncommon, provided that the lines do not service the other utility's customers.

Zoba estimated that the pipelines, which he said transport both potable and recycled water, were around seven to 10 years old, and that South Mesa Water officials should have been aware of them, even without direct notice from YVWD.

South Mesa Water officials said it was unclear whether the unmarked pipelines were also installed in Yucaipa, where South Mesa Water also partially provides service.

Anyone who encounters unmarked copper pipes was advised not to handle or tamper with them, and to immediately contact South Mesa Water at (909) 795- 2401.

— By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock