Public Health, Safety, and Legal Concerns with Regard to Auxiliary Water Supplies

NOTICE: As described below, temporary water supply connections to existing or new landscape or household water systems are prohibited unless they are installed by a licensed contractor with required backflow prevention devices. In addition, pumping water from the lagoons, Lake Tahoe, or Lake Tallac is a direct violation of State and Federal Law.

TKPOA Notification of Auxiliary Water Supply Requirements Title 17 2021-04-13.pdf

Tahoe Keys Water Company (TKWC) personnel have received numerous inquiries regarding pumping lagoon water or purchasing storage tanks and having them filled by outside vendors for irrigation purposes. Unfortunately, any water source stored (i.e., Tanks, Barrels, Tubs) on, or adjacent to the individual properties (i.e., Lagoons, Waterways, Lake Tallac, Lake Tahoe) are considered “Auxiliary Water Supplies” and are subject to strict guidelines (California Code of Regulations- Title 17) to avoid the possibility of cross-contamination with the Community Water System. Furthermore, neither TKPOA nor its members have water rights under the Truckee River Operating Agreement. Taking water from the lagoons, Lake Tahoe, or Lake Tallac without water rights would be a direct violation of State and Federal law.

California Code of Regulations – Title 17

Title 17- Division 1. State Department of Health Services and State Water Resources Control Board, Chapter 5. Sanitation (Environmental), Sub-Chapter 1. Engineering (Sanitary), Group 4. Drinking Water Supply, Article 1. General,

Section: 7583. Definitions,

(a) “Auxiliary Water Supply” is any water supply other than that received from a public water supply.

(e) “Cross-Connection” is an unprotected actual or potential connection between a potable water system used to supply water for drinking purposes and any source or system containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.

Where a cross-connection exists or there is auxiliary water, Title 17 requires a Backflow Preventer be installed between the Community Water System and the User’s service line of all homes adjacent to the water in the Tahoe Keys (lagoons, Lake Tahoe, and Lake Tallac) that do not have Backflow Preventers installed to protect the Community Water System because there is the possibility for cross-connections and contamination.

Section: 7603. Location of backflow preventers.

(b) Double Check Valve Assembly. A double check valve assembly shall be located as close as practical to the user’s connection and shall be installed above grade, if possible, and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance.

If you decide to have a Backflow Prevention device installed, TKWC requires the assembly be installed by a licensed contractor, be installed in compliance with Title 17, Section: 7603, TKPOA Rules and Regulations Water Service, and accepted American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards, and the installation shall be inspected by TKWC personnel prior to the water service being turn back on. All Backflow Prevention devices must be Tested and Certified by a Licensed Backflow Specialist annually and the results recorded in the TKWC Data Base.

Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA)

There is currently no legal right for any homeowner or the TKPOA to pump water from the Tahoe Keys lagoons for landscape irrigation or any other purpose. A process exists under TROA with the SWRCB through which an individual or the TKPOA could apply for water right to appropriate water for such use, and the State of California has adequate allocation under TROA to accommodate such appropriation. However, without filing an application with the SWRCB and being granted an appropriative water right, pumping water from the lagoons would not be allowed.

References

California Code of Regulations Title 17 Division 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter 1, Group 4 7583 – 7605
TROA https://www.troa.net/resources.php

TKPOA Rules and Regulations for Water Service

For any additional questions, please contact General Manager – Kirk Wooldridge, at kwooldridge@tahoekeyspoa.org, or the TKPOA Office at (530) 542-6444 extension 224, can also contact the Tahoe Keys Water Company – Water Company/Water Quality Manager – Daniel Larson, at dlarson@tahoekeyspoa.org or the TKWC Office at (530)542-6451. For additional information and assistance, The TKPOA Administrative Staff is available by phone at 530-542-6444 from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM Monday – Friday or via email at info@tahoekeyspoa.org.