10/24/07 - Forum to be Televised

The Water Board Forum, which was held on October 4, 2007 will air on Time Warner Cable channel 10 on Thursday, October 25, 2007 and November 1, 2007 at 7 pm.  Be sure to hear what the candidates have to say before you vote!

10/07/07 - Fire Prevention Week

The District will be observing the week of October 7-13, 2007 as Fire Prevention Week (Resolution 07-19) during which the Twentynine Palms Fire Department will be making presentations to local schools with programs targeting preschoolers through second grade.

Please visit the National Fire Protection  Association's website for more information on this nationally celebrated event as well as  important fire prevention tips.

Also, the Fire Department's Annual Pancake Breakfast benefiting the Fire Explorers Program will be held on October 20, 2007 at the firehouse on Adobe Road beginning at 6 am. Tickets for the breakfast are $4 for adults, $2 for children and can be purchased beforehand or at the door.

www.firepreventionweek.org

09/26/07 - Chamber of Commerce To Host Water Board Forum

A Governing Board Member Election will be held on November 6, 2007 for two Directors and the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a Twentynine Palms Water Board Forum.  The forum will be held on Thursday October 4, 2007 beginning at 6 pm at the Little Church of the Desert Community Hall, 6079 Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms.

Be sure to come hear where the candidates stand and have your questions answered before you vote.

07/16/07 - Notice of Election

Notice is hereby given that a Governing Board Member Election will be held in the Twentynine Palms Water District in San Bernardino County, on Tuesday, the 6th of November 2007, for the following offices:  Two (2) Directors - Twentynine Palms Water District.

The qualifications required to be a candidate for the above offices are:  A registered voter of the district or trustee area as applicable.

Official Declaration of Candidacy for eligible candidates desiring to file for the above elective offices may be obtained from either the office of the Secretary of the district, 72401 Hatch Rd, Twentynine Palms, or the Registrar of Voters Office, 777 E Rialto Ave, San Bernardino, CA, starting on July 16, 2007, and filed not later that 5:00 p.m. on August 10, 2007 in the aforementioned office.

If by 5:00 pm on August 15, 2007, only one person has been nominated or an insufficient number of persons have been nominated for the above elective offices or no one has been nominated, and if no petition requesting that the election be held has been presented to the officer conducting the election, appointment will be made as prescribed by Section 10515 of the Election Code.

Notice is also given, pursuant to Election Code Section 12107 that the Registrar of Voters Office, 777 E Rialto Ave, San Bernardino, CA, is designated as the Central Counting Place for all the ballots cast at the above mentioned election.

Si usted necesita una copia en español de este aviso, por favor contacte la oficina de Registro de Votantes al (909) 387-2077.

05/31/07 - Notice of  Public Hearing

The Board of Directors of the Twentynine Palms Water District proposes to continue the existing schedule of water availability assessments for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2007.  A hearing will be held on the proposed continuation of assessments at 6:00 p.m. on June 13, 2007 at the District Offices, 72401 Hatch Road, Twentynine Palms, at which time the Board of Directors will hear and consider objections.

The proposed continuation of assessments represents no increase on the existing levels of assessments.

Additional information concerning the assessments or the hearing may be obtained from Annie Alexander (760) 367-7546 during normal business hours.  You may also refer to Resolution 06-07.

01/25/07 - Notice of Adopted Ordinance

Notice is hereby given that on January 24, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the Board of Directors of the Twentynine Palms Water District, 72401 Hatch Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, the Board of Directors adopted Ordinance 86.2 (Adobe PDF) establishing a policy regarding the scheduling of Board meetings to consider applicant requests and appeals and establishing requirements for rescheduled regular meetings.

Ordinance 86.2 provides that in the event the rules and regulations of the District provide an applicant for a permit, connection, service or any other approval an opportunity to make a request or appeal to the Board of Directors, any such request or appeal shall only be considered as part of a regular meeting of the Board of Directors. There will be limited exceptions to this requirement in the case of an emergency or a threat to public heath or safety, as defined in Ordinance 86.2.

Ordinance 86.2 also provides that the Board of Directors may hold a Rescheduled Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors for the specific purpose of replacing a Regular

Meeting that has been canceled, rescheduled or replaced. A Rescheduled Board Meeting shall be noticed and otherwise conducted in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Brown Act.

Approved: January 24, 2007

A copy of Ordinance No. 86.2 is available for review on our website or at the above-mentioned address. Copies of the Ordinance are also available by calling the District Secretary at (760) 367-1792 ext. 308.

01/18/07 - Notice of Proposed Ordinance

On January 24, 2007 at 6:00 p.m., or as soon as thereafter as practicable, at 72401 Hatch Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, the Board of Directors of the Twentynine Palms Water District will consider adoption of proposed Ordinance 86.2.

Proposed Ordinance 86.2 would provide that in the event the rules and regulations of the District provide an applicant for a permit, connection, service or any other approval an opportunity to make a request or appeal to the Board of Directors, any such request or appeal shall only be considered at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors. There would be limited exceptions to this requirement in the case of an emergency or a threat to public health or safety, as defined in proposed Ordinance 86.2.

Upon installation by the District of the Proposed Ordinance 86.2 would also provide that the Board of Directors may hold a Rescheduled Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors for the specific purpose of replacing a Regular Meeting that has been canceled, rescheduled or replaced. A Rescheduled Board Meeting shall be noticed and otherwise conducted in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Brown Act. 

A copy of proposed Ordinance No. 86.2 is available for review on our website or at the above-mentioned address. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are also available by calling the District Secretary at (760) 367-1792 ext. 308.

TPWD Observes Water Awareness Month

04/16/07 - Twentynine Palms

In coordination with the California Water Awareness Campaign, the Twentynine Palms Water District will be observing the month of May 2007 as "Water Awareness Month".

In preparation for this observance, the District worked to promote public awareness about the vital role of water and the importance of its conservation and protection.

Helpful tips were included in each water bill and distributed to approximately 7,700 meter services throughout the previous year and a new brochure (Adobe PDF) was made available at the District's customer service desk highlighting water conservation and protection ideas. This brochure was also made available to the public at the offices of the Twentynine Palms City Hall, City Library and Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, the District offered all 4th and 5th grade educators in Twentynine Palms the opportunity to have a representative provide a presentation to their students about their local water supply and the importance of water conservation and protection. As a result, the District conducted 6 presentations with plans for 3 more before the end of the school year.

Along with this new program, the District also sponsored a poster contest which was open to all 4th and 5th grade students in the area. Winners of the contest were announced at the District Open House held on April 11, 2007.

During this event attendees were able to view submissions from the contest as well as receive free water conservation materials.

The 1st Place winner will receive a $50 US Savings Bond and the 2nd and 3rd Place winners will receive a $25 US Savings Bond, all of which were kindly sponsored by the Morongo Basin Conservation Association. The Honorable Mention winner will also receive a $25 US Savings Bond which was sponsored by the 29 Palms Artists' Guild.

Winners of the contest were all from the Oasis Elementary School and are listed as follows:

1st Place - Bradley, Mr. Wentz's 5th Grade Class

2nd Place - Ezra, Mrs. Pacheco's 5th Grade Class

3rd Place - Kathryn, Mrs. Pacheco's 5th Grade Class

Honorable Mention - Michael, Mr. Wentz's 5th Grade Class

Presentation of the awards will be made at the beginning of the District's Board of Directors meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 25th at 6:00 p.m. at the District offices.

The winning entries can be viewed on the District's website and will be displayed in the office lobby beginning in May.

TPWD Open House

03/28/07 - Twentynine Palms

Water is a precious resource in California, especially in the Morongo Basin.  With the upcoming summer season and in coordination with the California Water Awareness Campaign, the District is working to promote public awareness about water 

conservation.  The District would like to invite the public to attend a special open house at the District offices at 72401 Hatch Road in Twentynine Palms on April 11, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.  During this event attendees will be welcome to view submissions from our first annual children's poster contest, as well as pick up free water conservation materials.
Event Flyer (Adobe PDF)

1943 Mack Fundraising Campaign

01/26/07 - Twentynine Palms

Twentynine Palms firefighters have launched a fundraising campaign to restore the department’s original fire engine. The 1943 Mack Model 45 was purchased used from the Santee Fire Department when the Twentynine Palms Fire Department was formed in 1958. The firefighters plan to celebrate the department’s 50th anniversary by having the engine running in time for 2008 Pioneer Days Parade held in October.

The restoration is estimated to cost $20,000 to $30,000 because the fire engine is missing its motor and transmission. However firefighters have located a similar engine with the correct motor, transmission and many other valuable parts.

The firefighters need to quickly raise $8,000 dollars to have a chance of acquiring this parts vehicle. No public tax money will be used on the project and firefighters will be working on the restoration during their off-duty time.

If you would like to donate to this project, contact the Twentynine Palms Fire Department at (760) 367-7524. Chaplain Craig Walker is leading the fundraising efforts and Engineer Lee Martin is in charge of the restoration work. Donations to a public agency are tax deductible.

Campaign Flyer (Adobe PDF)

Learn How to Save Water at Open House

04/04/07 - The Desert Trail
By Kurt Schauppner 

TWENTYNINE PALMS — Residents who want to learn how to save water, either by not wasting it or by not polluting it, might want to take in an open house in the board room of the Twentynine Palms Water District.

The open house will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 11 at district offices at 72401 Hatch Road.

In addition to learning how to not waste or pollute water, participants will get the chance to see submissions from the district’s first children’s poster contest.

District Secretary Annie Alexander explained that district officials invited fourth- and fifth-graders from Twentynine Palms-area elementary schools to submit posters created around the idea of being water wise.

“That is the slogan we have given the children,” Alexander said. “We’re hoping for a good response.”

The deadline for entering the contest, she added, is Friday, April 6. Contest specifics can be found on the district’s Web site at www.29palmswater.org.

Students who enter the contest will have a chance to win prizes donated by the Morongo Basin Conservation Association and the Twentynine Palms Artists Guild.

First prize is a $50 savings bond, while second through fourth place will each receive a $25 savings bonds.

Representatives from both groups, along with someone from the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club and district Executive Director Mike Wright will judge the entries that evening.

“I was thinking it would be a good idea to get the public in to see what the students have been doing in the area,” Alexander said.

In addition to showing off the work of young Twentynine Palms artists, district officials will give out water conservation and water protection information to those taking part in the open house.

By water protection, Alexander said, the district means identifying household chemicals and other waste which are not to be dumped on the ground, lest they find their way into the groundwater which eventually becomes our drinking water.

The open house also will provide indoor and outdoor water saving tips, including how to check for leaks and how to identify low-water using native plants which can be used for landscaping.

“It will be mostly handouts,” she said, adding that residents should come armed with questions.

TPWD Shows Off Treatment Plant

08/09/06 - The Desert Trail
By Kelly O'Sullivan

TWENTYNINE PALMS - It rushes from the tap - clear and clean whenever we want it - and that's all most of us care about when it comes to water.  Not Mike Wright.  Twentynine Palms Water District's general manager is responsible for providing water on a daily basis to 17,000 thirsty residents in an 87-square-mile area that includes Twentynine Palms, Indian Cove and Desert Heights.

Wright and his staff also must look to the future to ensure that the water keeps flowing since the district gets its water from a finite source - four underground aquifers.

On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Wright showed off the district's pride and joy - the $4.2 million Fluoride Removal Plant at Utah Trail and Amboy Road.

The plant's mechanical parts were assembled by TPWD personnel under the guidance of its designer, Frederick Rubel of Tucson-based Rubel Engineering.

Had TPWD hired outside contractors for that work, the facility - the only one of its kind, which draws water officials from as far away as Egypt interested in building their own treatment plants - would have cost taxpayers $7 million, Wright said. District officials did hire a contractor to lay the floors, put up the walls and roof the building, he said. The plant went into operation on March 12, 2003.

Through the plant, which can treat up to 3 million gallons of water per day from TPWD's Mesquite Springs aquifer, the district pumps 1 million gallons of water a day, five days a week, into its pipeline system.

Five million gallons a week may not sound like a big deal in a water system that delivers an average of 2.8 million gallons of water a day to customers - 5.08 million gallons a day in the peak summer months - until Wright tells you those 5 million gallons from the Mesquite Springs aquifer have allowed the district to dramatically offset growing demands on two of the district's other three aquifers.

Water levels in the district's Fortynine Palms Canyon aquifer were dropping at a rate of 6 to 10 feet a year and levels in its Eastern aquifer were falling 4 to 6 feet a year, Wright said. Today, they're dropping at a rate of 1 to 2 feet a year.

The Indian Cove aquifer continues to fall at a rate of 4 feet a year because the district doesn't pump water from the Mesquite Springs aquifer that far west in the system, Wright said. A reservoir project now under way is expected to lessen the demand on the Indian Cove aquifer by 50 percent by the end of 2007.

Taking out the fluoride Water in the Mesquite Springs aquifer has a naturally high fluoride content, so the district must remove the fluoride from that water before delivering it to customers.

The state currently allows most water districts a maximum of 2.0 milligrams of fluoride per liter but because of the high fluoride that naturally occurs in the water here, TPWD was granted a variance allowing 3.0 milligrams per liter.

Water from the Mesquite Springs aquifer comes out of the ground with between 5 and 7 milligrams of fluoride for liter and leaves the plant at less than 2.0 milligrams per liter.

When the plant is operating, 2,100 gallons of water a minute flow into the facility, pumped from a well just south of the building.

“Every drop of (that) water goes into the (pipeline) system,” Wright said.

The water level under the facility is at 58 feet below ground. The well is 1,050 feet deep and the water is pumped from 440 feet, Wright said.

Not all of the water pumped into the facility requires treatment, he noted.

Computers monitor the flow and water that doesn't require treatment - about 23 percent of that 2,100 gallons per minute - is diverted into a bypass pipe that runs into a 250,000-gallon reservoir just east of the building. From there it goes into the pipeline system, on its way to customers.

Treating the water from the Mesquite Springs aquifer is a four-step process. In a nutshell, the water flows through a series of pipes and into one of six huge blue treatment vessels. The water's pH level is decreased to 5.5, which allows for the removal of the fluoride. Once the fluoride's removed, the water's pH is readjusted to 8, then the treated water goes into the reservoir and into the pipeline system.

Once a week, TPWD takes one of its six treatment vessels offline to remove the fluoride built up in that vessel, a process called regeneration.

During regeneration, the waste stream from the treatment vessel is directed to a wastewater reservoir on the west side of the plant. Water-saturated fluoride from the reservoir is pumped into an accordion-like machine called a J-press, which squeezes the water from the fluoride.

That water is used to irrigate 50,000 saltbush plants planted by hand around the treatment facility. Wright said the plants absorb all of the wastewater so none seeps back into the water table.

The dried fluoride, which is classified as non-hazardous waste, is discarded in the county landfill.

The whole eight-hour process of treating the water, and regenerating treatment vessels, is conducted at night to maximize energy efficiency, Wright said.

Completely computerized, it requires only one employee to be on site to monitor the operation.

EPA Grants $1.8 Million to TPWD

08/04/05 - The Desert Trail

TWENTYNINE PALMS - The Twentynine Palms Water District will soon begin benefiting from almost $1.8 million in grants from the Environmental Protection Agency.

That money will be combined with $2.3 million in local matching funds to pay for $4 million in improvements to the water district's infrastructure.

Improvements will include construction of a million-gallon water storage reservoir and support booster pump station south of Sullivan Road and a two-million gallon water storage reservoir south of Samarkand Drive. 

They will also include booster pump stations adjacent to Twentynine Palms Highway and Two Mile Road and about 43,000 linear feet of 12-inch diameter pipeline along existing road and pipeline right of way.

"These water infrastructure improvements will provide for storage and distribution of drinking water, thereby ensuring adequate water supplies within the Twentynine Palms service area," said Alexis Strauss, director of the Water Division in the EPA's Pacific Southwest Regional Office in San Francisco.

Twentynine Palms Water District General Manager Mike Wright said Monday morning that the district began applying for the grants in 2001, when Tina Johnson was still in charge.

"Tina Johnson began the process. I just happen to be the lucky guy at the end of it," he said.

The process was due to come to fruition with the awarding of the grants on Tuesday.

"Jerry Lewis had a lot to do with getting us this," Wright said of the area's longtime congressman.