Intertie water project completed in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County leaders and representatives from the San Lorenzo Valley Water District and Scotts Valley Water District came together Tuesday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the completion of a water-sharing project linking two Santa Cruz County water agencies.

The Regional Emergency Intertie allows San Lorenzo Valley Water District and Scotts Valley Water District to share water resources in emergencies such as natural disasters and water main breaks.

“This literally is a win-win situation,” said Bruce McPherson, Fifth District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County.

At a groundbreaking ceremony in Scotts Valley on Tuesday the new equipment was shown off. It looks complex, but the idea is simple.

“It can pump water into the San Lorenzo Valley or the San Lorenzo Valley can pump into Scotts Valley,” said Rick Rogers with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District.

The system is brand new and sends the water instantaneously between the two districts.

“If an agency ever finds itself short of water in an emergency situation it can activate the intertie and transfer water from the other agency,” said Brian Lee with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District.

The system is very important because if there is a natural disaster, like a fire, both residents and emergency crews will need water, according to Lee.

“If there was a fire in a certain area of either district and there was not enough water in that area to help fight the fire we could activate the intertie and bring more water in from the neighboring district,” said Lee.

The project cost was split between a grant from the state and the districts. The grand total came in at $10 million. A hefty price tag, but Lee said having a reliable and clean water source in times of emergencies is vital.

“We are paid to provide water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year and when people turn on their tap they expect to have water and if they don’t we are going to hear about it,” added Lee.

It’s a project that county leaders said serves as an example for other districts.

“We work together and make a better service in emergency situations for everyone,” said McPherson.