The San Lorenzo Valley Water District is in the process of replacing three undersized and leaking redwood tanks in Lompico, as well as replacing 3.3 miles of pipeline that were deemed inefficient, ineffective (due to age and size) and undersized for fire flow in Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek.
The Lompico Tanks Project involves three tanks that provide the main water storage and service for Lompico and nearby areas, referred to as Madrone, Lewis and Kaski tank sites.
The Madrone tank site was completed in November and is now in use. The Lewis tank site has completed construction and is completing water quality sampling before being brought online for use. While the Kaski site is in the process of having its original tanks removed and will begin site grading soon.
The Pipeline Replacement Project will increase the capacity for fire flow and improve water quality in the areas of Boulder Creek (Big Basin Highway – 236, Sequoia Avenue and Hillside Drive) and Ben Lomond (California Drive and Quail Hollow Road).
The pipelines in Hillside Drive and Reynolds Drive have been constructed. The final steps of installing service laterals, fire hydrants and air relief valves has begun and should be completed later this month.
The pipelines in California Drive have completed the trenching and potholing of existing services. Construction and installation of the mainline pipeline is in progress and estimated to be completed in January 2021.
While the pipeline in Quail Hollow Road required additional environmental permitting. The draft Initial-Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration will open for public review this month with construction slated for Spring 2021.
For information, visit slvwd.com.
In other local news:
Valley meal and food programs available for December
Various churches and organizations are providing free or low-cost meals to residents in the Valley throughout December.
Those locations are as follows:
- Valley Churches United: Tues-Thurs 9-11:45am. First and third Fridays 9-11am are for seniors only. Everyone else between 10:45am-12:45pm. USDA Distribution Dec. 21, 10:45am-12:45pm. For SLV, Scotts Valley and Bonny Doon residents. Ben Lomond, corner of Highway 9 across from Ben Lomond Market. Call: 336-8258. Closed Dec. 22-Jan. 4.
- Felton Presbyterian Church: Tuesdays at noon. Location: 6090 Highway 9, across from Rite-Aid. Call: 335-6900. To-go lunch.
- St. Philip’s Episcopal Church: Tuesdays, Dec. 22 and 29, 5-6:30pm. Location 5271 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley. Call: 438-4360. Food Distribution (replacing Dec. 24 and 31).
- San Agustin Catholic Church: Wednesdays, noon-2pm. Location: 257 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley (next to the fire station). Call: 438-3633. Food distribution. Dec. 23 distribution moved to Dec. 22 noon-2pm.
- Operation Feed the People, Boulder Creek Community Church: Wednesdays, 5-6pm. Location: 13090 Highway 9. Call: 415-680-4281. Frozen to-go meals, groceries, essential living supplies.
- St. John’s Catholic Church: Thursdays, 11am-1pm. Location: down from Rite-Aid, Highway 9 and Russell, Felton. Call: 335-4657. To-go lunch. Open Dec. 24 and 31.
- Mountain Community Resources (a Community Bridges program): Thursdays, 10:30am-noon. Location: 6134 Highway 9, across from Rite Aid, Felton. Call: 335-6600. Food distribution. Closed Dec. 24, open Dec. 31.
- GateWay Bible Church: Fridays, 5-5:30pm. Location: 5000 Granite Creek Rd., Scotts Valley. Call: 438-0646. Food distribution. Call for holiday schedule.
- SS Peter & Paul Orthodox Church: Sundays, Dec. 6 and 20, 2-4pm. Location: 9980 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, north of town. Call: 336-2228. To-go lunch and groceries.
- Meals on Wheels (a Community Bridges program): $2.50 requested donation per meal. For age 60+ (limited exceptions). Call: 464-3180. Dining centers closed; all clients eligible for meal delivery.
- Great Plates Delivered: Up to three prepared meals per day for qualified seniors. Call 454-4406. Through Dec. 8 unless extended longer by the State.
- Grey Bears Brown Bag Program: weekly bag of produce to be picked up in Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton or Scotts Valley. Delivery available for homebound seniors. $30 annual membership fee, for age 55+. Visit: greybears.org. Call: 479-1055.
Except as noted, all programs are free of charge—Schedules are subject to change.
Free holiday decorations for CZU survivors
The Felton Bible Church will hold a holiday decoration drive for CZU Lightning Complex survivors on Dec. 5.
Those looking to donate decorations can do so from 9-11am. Survivors can then select from the donated decorations between 11am and 3pm.
