LAKE COUNTY >> Lake County Special Districts recently submitted a funding application to the state’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the replacement of the four wooden storage tanks in the Soda Water System.
If approved, the state would provide the county with $600,000 towards the $800,000 project. The county plans to replace the nearly 50-year-old redwood tanks with more durable steel containers. The remaining 25 percent will be covered by the county.
According to Compliance Coordinator Jan Coppinger, the wooden tanks need to be replaced because are in remote areas that are susceptible to a wildfire. Even if just one of the tanks were to be destroyed, the Soda Bay area would be without drinking water or local fire suppression capabilities.
“It’s a long lengthy process to restore a tank,” Coppinger said. “We can’t restore water quickly if one or all tanks burn down.”
She is unsure of the application’s success but since they were invited to apply, she remains optimistic.
“We’ll just keep our fingers crossed and hope for good results.”
The compliance coordinator will take Administrator Mark Dellinger’s position when he retires in July.
