The last two winters have been dry in the Mountain Communities. Firefighters are already showing concern about fire hazard, but now the water company serving Lake of the Woods says if residents do not conserve, the Lake of the Woods Mutual Water Company will not be able to maintain service standards.

Reported and photographed by Pam Sturdevant

Lake of the Woods Mutual Water Company employee Rafael Molina, Jr. said he received many positive responses as he went door to door in Lake of the Woods to pass out emergency water conservation notices on Tuesday, April 30. One man told him he was going to tell all his neighbors to conserve, Molina said.

Manager Diane Gustafson called The Mountain Enterprise Tuesday at 4 p.m., asking for assistance in spreading the word that an emergency water shortage is making the measures necessary. She said storage tanks that are usually filled with water 20 feet deep were down to six feet on Tuesday. The company is asking residents with an even number at the end of their address to water only on even-numbered days of the month, and those with odd numbers at the end of their address to water only on odd-numbered days. The notice says the measures are “effective immediately” and that the conservation measures will be “enforced.”

“This conservation step is necessary because the company cannot continue quality service at current consumption rates,” the notice says.

Otilia Herrera was watering her lawn when Molina handed her the notice. She asked, “What is going to be the punishment if we don’t follow the notice?”

Molina did not respond. He moved on to the next house. One woman came out and commented that she was a renter, so it really didn’t apply to her. Then she read the notice and said she would comply with the conservation plan.

Molina said the water company has drilled 200 feet at their well at the Cuddy Hall property, and now needs to dig deeper.

Tom and Sheley Roberts have lived in LOW for 12 years, on Piñon Street. They both said they usually don’t drink the water. Sheley said she noticed it tasted a little funny recently. The couple said they will comply with the notice, but don’t believe there is much the water company can enforce.
The Roberts said they are concerned that the wells may be running dry. They recalled other events with the water company, such as in 2007 when a rodent was found in a storage tank.

Lake of the Woods Mutual Water Company does not have water meters. Residents have been paying a flat rate of about $34 a month for unlimited water.

The Roberts said they “do not really have a problem if the water company installs meters.” They said a neighbor “runs their sprinklers all year—spring, summer, fall and winter.” Sheley Roberts said she had gone to the house to turn off their sprinklers.

Tom Roberts said the water is often left on during the night. He said the runoff was so great that it has ruined his driveway.

As of Tuesday, April 30 a meeting had been scheduled for Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. “behind the water company office,” according to Diane Gustafson. That is located at 7025 Cuddy Valley Road, across the street, north of Mountain View Market.

This is part of the May 3, 2013 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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