Question 1

How often will I receive the bill?

Accepted Answer

GVMWC bills on a quarterly basis, meaning you can expect a bill every three months.

Question 2

What is GVMWC’s current water rate structure?

Accepted Answer

The Green Valley Mutual Water Company rate sheet can be found here.

Question 3

What does the service connection fee and assessment pay for?

Accepted Answer

The service connection fee and the annual assessment keep the entire water system services available for both the home and fire protection, including all necessary maintenance and upgrades.

The monthly service connection fee and water charges pay for the operational expenses of the company. This includes payroll, utilities, annual permitting and licensing fees, utilities, etc. Only homeowners that have a meter installed incur the monthly service connection fee. This fee does not include water usage charges.

The funds collected from the annual assessments fund the maintenance and capital improvements made to the water system each year. These improvements include the replacement of aging water distribution pipelines, water tanks, upgrades to existing wells, and an overall upgrade of the water distribution infrastructure. Every shareholder must pay an annual assessment for every share owned, whether they are connected to the system or not.

Question 4

Why am I billed if I do not live here full-time and/or never use water?

Accepted Answer

We recognize that some property owners only use their homes occasionally. However, the water must be continually maintained to ensure that when the home is occupied and water is being utilized, our system is operational and can provide adequate water supply for users and fire protection.

Question 5

Do I have to pay the tiered rates if I had a leak?

Accepted Answer

All water that has passed through your water meter must be paid according to the current rate structure. Tiered rates were created to capture the actual cost of water. Please contact our office if you would like to discuss a payment plan.

Question 6

What is a Stop & Waste Valve?

Accepted Answer

This is a valve that allows the homeowner to control the supply of water to the property, while also draining water from the pipes. This prevents pipes from freezing and bursting, along with other leaks that could happen throughout the year. It is important to note that if the valve is not fully open or fully closed, it will allow water to continuously flow out of the hole, which could cause substantial water loss. If you would like assistance in locating your stop and waste valve or would like to ensure it is being used properly, please call the office.

Please Note: Never turn off the water at the meter, as you will be charged a fine and responsible for any damage done.

Question 7

How can I keep my lines from bursting in cold weather?

Accepted Answer

To avoid the effects of freezing weather on your pipes and fixtures, consult a professional who can help winterize your property. ALWAYS shut off your cabin’s water at the Stop and drain the pipes before leaving the property.

Question 8

What should I do if I have water quality concerns?

Accepted Answer

Any concerns about water quality should be handled by calling the office at (909) 867-2912 or visiting the office located at 33274 Green Valley Lake Road. Always report any water quality issues so they can be addressed immediately.

GVMWC routinely samples water throughout the distribution system. Samples are then taken to a state-certified lab for analysis. In addition, the water system is flushed periodically through selected fire hydrants, which clears impurities and eliminates stagnant water conditions.

Question 9

What chemicals does our utility district add to the water?

Accepted Answer

The water within our system is treated with chlorine for disinfection purposes, per federal and state requirements. Additional treatment will be added in the near future to reduce the corrosivity of our water.

Question 10

What should I do if I need emergency service?

Accepted Answer

Call 909-867-2912 to report a water emergency. GVMWC has employees on call for emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. After-hours emergency calls are handled by the answering service, which directs calls to the employee on call.

Question 11

When I leave my home for several months, can I request water service be turned off?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GVMWC offers a seasonal service discontinuance at no charge to the Shareholder if the water remains shut off from the months of October to April.

Question 12

Is there a simple way for the owner to check to see if the water line has a leak?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way to check for a leak is to do the following:
Be sure that all the water is off in and around the house.
See if the meter indicator is moving; if it is not moving there is no leak at this time.
If the meter indicator is moving, shut your stop and waste  valve. Do not turn off your water at the meter. Call the office if you need your water turned off for a leak.
Again, check to see if the indicator on the meter is moving.
If the indicator is still moving, there is a leak between the meter and the customer’s stop and waste (shutoff) valve. If the indicator is not moving, then the leak is somewhere on the other side of the shut-off valve. Contact our office if you need your water shutoff due to a leak.

Question 13

My billing is higher than normal. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Please call the office to discuss any billing questions. If your usage seems high, our personnel will check the meter to ensure it was read properly and to see if the meter is moving when a Shareholder believes all water is off. Should this occur, it means there is a leak somewhere on the property.

Question 14

Who is responsible for the repair of water service lines?

Accepted Answer

The water service line from the water meter to the house belongs to the property owners and shall be maintained at their expense. The district maintains the service line from the water main to the meter itself.

GREEN VALLEY MUTUAL WATER CO.

Serving the area of Green Valley Lake, CA

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS