Denise Rockenstein– Staff reporter
CLEARLAKE ?Golden State Water Company (GSWC) recently installed $300,000 in infrastructure improvements for its Clearlake customer service area and has plans to install an additional $125,000 in improvements by the end of summer.
GSWC reportedly works each year with the local community and customers to invest in the water system, make improvements and ensure a safe, long-term supply of drinking water. Since 2000, GSWC has invested about $3.4 million in improvements to the Clearlake system.
“We are strongly focused on improving aging water infrastructure to minimize water loss, improve water flows and minimize maintenance costs,” Keith Ahart, Superintendent of GSWC”s Clearlake customer service area said.
The company recently completed improvements in the area of Sunset Avenue between Davis and West 40th avenues. The project consisted of 1600 feet of mainline replacement and the installation of three fire hydrants. “We installed three fire hydrants where there were none,” Ahart said. “We looped around to Snook and West 40th where there was an existing fire hydrant, which will assist the fire flows to the Hilltop Professional Center.”
A second project is expected to go to bid next month. It will entail a water mainline replacement (900 feet) in the area of Lakeshore and Monterey drives in Clearlake Park. The project will begin west of the Lakeshore Drive and Monterey intersection east to the intersection of Monterey and San Joaquin Extension.
“This will provide increased water flow,” Ahart said. “In addition, it will reduce the amount of water loss due to leaks as well as the cost to repair those leaks.”
The project in Clearlake Park is expected to be complete by the end of summer.
“This is part of our ongoing effort to improve the reliability of our infrastructure as well as reduce the amount of water loss due to leaks and minimize repair costs,” Ahart said. “We believe our company has an appropriate infrastructure replacement policy as opposed to other water providers who defer investing in water infrastructure improvements.”
Ahart continued, “By doing incremental increases and replacements, Golden State Water Company is able to realize cost savings for the company and the customer, improve reliability of service when water is scarce and ensure that our infrastructure can adequately meet the needs of the community.
With this approach we are able to accomplish our goals and minimize the financial impact on our customers.”
Ahart said that the Clearlake Park project is expected to cost approximately $125,000.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
