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 12, 2001 TIME: 1300 UPDATE EMERGENCY WATER PROJECTS      Engineering and preliminary construction has begun on several emergency projects to redirect existing water supplies that were cut off as a result of the water flume being destroyed in the Darby Fire. As expected, emergency solutions continue to be identified and plans altered as necessary to increase the amount of water available to the communities of Murphys, Vallecito, Douglas Flat, Carson Hill, Six Mile Village, and Angels Camp.      Yesterday, one short term project, known as the "Central Calaveras Mine Project" was determined not feasible but a second mine site, known as the "Schmauder -Tryon Mine," was identified as a potential water source. This new project site will potentially pump water from an underground water source through an abandoned mine shaft. Water samples have been taken to test water quality to ensure safe drinking water. Test results will be known in 10 days.      A second project underway is the "Calaveras Cement Slurry Line" project which will redirect Calaveras Public Utility District (CPUD) water from San Andreas to Ross Reservoir. This project will increase the available water supply in Angels Camp. Water quality testing has also begun on this project.      A third project entitled "The Forest Meadows Hydrant Project" will reroute Calaveras County Water District water from the Ebbetts Pass distribution system to the canal water distribution system. The water will be drawn from Forest Meadows hydrants to provide additional water to Murphys, Vallecito, Douglas Flat, Carson Hill, Six Mile Village, and Angels Camp. Construction operations are in progress.      The engineering and operational feasibility of implementing the "Adit 4 Tunnel Tap" which involves drilling down approximately 360 ft. to tap into an existing underground water conveyance system and water source continues. The principal water district officials continue to evaluate options pertaining to this project.      The State Department of Water Resources (SDWR) has assigned staff to work with local water district personnel to evaluate 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. Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) has two locations, one in the Ebbetts Pass area, and one in the Valley Springs 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 their water should contact their individual water districts for more information.      The water distribution system is complex. Multiple regulatory and operational entities are coordinating efforts to expedite recovery plans and flume 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), 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 US Forest Service, and the Calaveras County Office of Emergency Services have been developing emergency solutions and longer range plans since discovery of the flume's destruction.      As more data is collected and water tests results known, other options may be explored. Residents are advised that the short, intermediate and long-term emergency options that are being considered are exploratory in nature and may be subject to change as engineering plans and construction issues are studied and implemented. The multi-agency emergency response and 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