NEWS RELEASE CALAVERAS COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES City of Angels - Union Public Utility District - Calaveras County Water District RELEASED BY: Clayton H. Hawkins, Director/Chief Officer CONTACT: Debbie Ponte Mayor, City of Angels (209)736-0888   RELEASE DATE:  September 13, 2001 TIME: 1600 EMERGENCY WATER PROJECTS UPDATES      Emergency short term, intermediate, and long term projects to increase the water supply to the communities of Murphys, Vallecito, Douglas Flat, Carson Hill, Six Mile Village, and Angels Camp are progressing. As technical problems arise, projects may be altered accordingly.      The "Forest Meadows Hydrant Project" has begun rerouting water from Forest Meadows water hydrants in the Calaveras County Water District's (CCWD) Ebbetts Pass distribution system to the canal water distribution system. Water has reached the Cademorti Reservoir in Murphys which is part of the Union Public Utility District (UPUD). California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) crews will be cutting dozer lines and brush to clear a path in order to lay a large hose which is necessary to move the water downhill. This project will provide supplemental water to the communities of Murphys, Vallecito, Douglas Flat, Carson Hill, Six Mile Village, and Angels Camp.      The Calaveras County Office of Emergency Services (OES) in conjunction with CDF is utilizing water tanker trucks to shuttle water to fill Ross Reservoir. This is increasing water levels in Ross Reservoir, which provides additional drinking water to the affected communities.     Another project is the "Schmauder - Tryon Mine" in Angels Camp. This site will potentially pump water from an underground water source through an abandoned mine shaft. Water district officials are working with the State Department of Health Services and the State Regional Water Quality Control Board in order to ensure the safety of the drinking water. Water quality tests have begun and results should be known by the end of next week. Once the water has been determined safe for drinking, there will be additional water available.      Another short term project is the "Calaveras Cement Slurry Line" project which will redirect Calaveras Public Utility District (CPUD) water from San Andreas to Ross Reservoir. Engineering and construction plans are in progress.      Complications with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) have caused time constraints with the project commonly referred to as the "Adit 4 Tunnel Tap." This project would have involved drilling down approximately 360 ft. to tap into an existing underground water conveyance system and water source. An alternative project entitled "The Overland Pipe Project" is currently being engineered which involves laying an overland pipe system rather than drilling and extracting water from an underground water source. Meanwhile, CDF crews have been assisting water officials by repairing fire damaged sections of the water flume. City of Angels officials are also exploring the possibility of drilling other wells to provide additional water.      The State Department of Water Resources (SDWR) continues to work with County OES and water district personnel to plan for the permanent reconstruction of the flume. The timeframe for the reconstruction of the flume is unknown but anticipated to be long term.      Commercial, industrial and agricultural users may access potable water if they have at least a 1000 gallon or greater tanker truck. CCWD has two locations, one in the Ebbetts Pass area, and one in the Copperopolis area. Interested commercial, industrial and agricultural users should call CCWD at 754-3543 for more information.       Water conservation is extremely important. Residents are reminded that extreme conservation measures remain in effect indefinitely. Residents who have concerns about water should contact their individual water districts for more information. The public is invited to attend a community meeting to discuss the status of the Darby Fire and water related issues next Wednesday, September 19, 2001 at 7:00 P.M. at the Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp. Representatives from the City of Angels, Union Public Utility District, Utica Power Authority, the Calaveras County Water District, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and County OES, among others, will be available to answer questions. Multiple regulatory and operational entities continue to coordinate efforts and expedite repairs. The State Office of Emergency (State OES), the State Department of Water Resources (DWR), the State Department of Health Services (DHS), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), and local agencies including the City of Angels, Union Public Utility District (UPUD), the Calaveras County Water District (CCWD), the Utica Power Authority (UPA), the Northern CA Power Agency (NCPA), the Calaveras Public Utility District (CPUD), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the Calaveras County Office of Emergency Services have been developing emergency solutions and longer range plans since discovery of the flume's destruction.      The public is reminded that as options are explored more in depth, plans may change and additional projects may emerge. The multi-agency emergency recovery efforts are committed to providing safe water to residents in Murphys, Vallecito, Douglas Flat, Carson Hill, Six Mile Village and Angels Camp. For more information contact:      Union Public Utility District: 209-728-3651      City of Angels: 209-736-2181      Calaveras County Water District: 209-754-3543 Serving the communities of Murphys, Douglas Flat, Carson Hill, Six Mile Village, Frogtown, and the City of Angels to Calaveras County Government Services