FIRE ALERT – DO NOT RUN SPRINKLERS
Posted: August 14, 2021To all shareholders of Gorgoza Mutual Water company: DO NOT TURN ON YOUR SPRINKLERS! You will drain the system and leave nothing for fire protection if it is necessary either by Pinebrook or Summit Park. Gogoza has the ability to provide fire flow to their area if needed, but if users drain the tanks there will be no water to provide. Fire crews and air support have been dispatched and are actively fighting the fire.
MANDATORY WATER RESTRICTIONS
Posted: July 8, 2021Following guidance from the State of Utah and Summit County, Gorgoza Mutual Water Company is implementing mandatory watering restrictions effective immediately. Gorgoza’s water resources remain adequate to meet demand, however, in response to Utah’s extreme drought conditions and to prepare for a possible long-term drought cycle, restrictions have become necessary as follows:
While no more than three days per week is mandatory, Gorgoza strongly urges all shareholders, especially those at higher elevations and on north-facing slopes or heavily shaded lots, to voluntarily commit to watering only two days per week as follows:
The Ecker Hill Middle School and Homeowner Associations will be contacted directly and placed on watering schedules more specific to their needs and location. In addition, spring water deliveries to Mount Olympus Water have been reduced by 50%. (Please note, spring water revenue has funded several infrastructure projects over the years, and Pinebrook uses the same amount of water in one summer day as is delivered to Mount Olympus Water in about four months.)
All watering must be on the day specified, whether in the early morning or late evening, but not during daylight hours. Noncompliance with the mandatory watering schedules, excessive usage, or unrepaired leaks may result in the assessment of monetary penalties.
If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for a free WaterSmart account on Gorgoza’s website or visit www.gorgozawater.watersmart.com to actively monitor your water usage and be alerted of potential water leaks. It is a valuable tool to help monitor and control your water usage.
Thank you very much for your cooperation and understanding.
Drought Report and Notice of Rate Change
Posted: February 3, 2021The Gorgoza Mutual Water Company has worked hard over the years to develop what we consider the finest privately owned water company in Summit County, consistently providing high quality water at low rates. We have multiple wells and storage facilities, all of which were located and developed to provide the best possible hedge against the variable precipitation patterns in this, the second-driest state in the nation. We monitor the depths of water in each of our wells, the amount of water in our storage tanks, and the performance of our several pressure zones on a real-time basis so that we can manage our valuable resources in an efficient and economical manner.
While the Company is fundamentally sound, the current drought is extreme and presents challenges that are unprecedented in our 45-year history. We have been able to meet your needs without interruption, but our system has been stressed. We have been able to maintain our water deliveries over the years without the need for rationing (with only one exception) and hope to be able to do so going forward even during these dry times. The Company continues to make upgrades in anticipation of future challenges, and we want to tell you about our plans. They include encouraging conservation through individual monitoring and rate structure incentives, as well as further investment to develop new capacity.
The first upgrade you will see is the conversion of our metering program from once-monthly readings to one where data will be able in real time. With the Company’s investment in this system, each home will be able to monitor and adjust water use as the month goes on, if desired. We expect that this enhancement will result in increased conservation. It should also allow earlier leak detection and promote more efficient use of your sprinkling systems. We are excited about these new capabilities and will furnish additional information as they become operational.
An additional project will be to increase our source capacity by drilling a new well. Our experience in this dry year demonstrates the value of enhancing our water sources. We have been fortunate to have partnered for more than a decade with the owners of the Woodward resort. They have allowed the Company to drill and equip two wells on their property. These wells provide water from Woodward’s separate water rights during the winter months (at Woodward’s expense) and are used exclusively by the Company to supply our system during the summer months. This beneficial relationship yields hundreds of gallons per minute in additional water from a very favorable aquifer that we would not otherwise be able to access. We are happy to announce our agreement for the drilling of a third well on the Woodward property this year. As with the existing wells, the full capacity of the new well will be available to the Company during the summer months.
The Company has been able to maintain the same base assessment rate of $55.00 per month per Class A share for a remarkable 13 years, absorbing increased operating costs, inflationary pressures and, particularly increase electrical costs. In the meantime, capital projects such as replacement of old water lines and well maintenance have largely been funded from the sale of a small percentage of the Company’s spring water. While those revenues will continue to be dedicated to capital projects, the metering system upgrade and the new well will require additional capital expenditures which the Company plans to fund with cash, not by increasing debt.
The Company’s Board of Directors has carefully monitored those plans and expenses and has determined that a rate increase is now necessary. Several rate scenarios were evaluated, and the Board ultimately determined to adopt a rate schedule that would encourage additional conservation measures with minimal financial impact on most water users. Beginning January 1 of this year, the Company’s base water assessment will increase to $60.00 per month for the use of up to 8,000 gallons of water. Monthly water usage above that amount will be charged at increasingly steep rates to encourage conservation and more equitably allocate our costs of operation. If you have your account set up on auto-pay basis, please remember to change the base payment amount.
We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.
Meeting to Review 2020 Water Conservation Plan
Posted: December 3, 2020The board of directors will hold a virtual public meeting on December 15th at 7pm to review and adopt the 2020 Water Conservation Plan. Link to the meeting on 12/15/20 https://zoom.us/j/92082901602?pwd=UGxQcWh2bm5XY0F4Zy8va21MTGEwQT09 Meeting ID is 920 8290 1602, passcode 637230.
Water Shutoff
Posted: July 14, 2020GMWC Complete Water Shut Off sm
Posted: July 14, 2020
From Gorgoza Mutual Water Company:
Water will be shut off Wed, July 15th between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. due to water line replacement work being done on Buckboard Drive and Stagecoach Drive. Gorgoza will be connecting the new water line along Buckboard Drive and the new lateral lines to the system. There may be limited water capacity available to the affected homeowners during this time if outdoor irrigation systems are turned off and indoor use is reduced.
Waterline replacement is a necessary and vital component of maintaining the integrity of the water system. Gorgoza apologizes for any inconvenience this project may cause and thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact their office at 435-649-7948.
Homes affected:
1. Pinebrook Road southbound starting at the intersection of Pinebrook Road & Big Spruce Way
2. Buckboard Drive northwest from Pinebrook Road
3. All homes on Buckboard Circle
4. Stagecoach Drive northbound from Pinebrook Road too approximately halfway between Pinebrook Road and Ecker Hill Drive
5. All homes on Hitching Post Drive
6. The upper half of Pack Saddle Circle
7. All homes in the Sunridge Subdivision
(see the map with highlighted areas) GMWC Complete Water Shut Off sm
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 435-649-7948.
Waterline Replacement Buckboard and Stagecoach Drives Summer 2020.
Posted: June 1, 2020Gorgoza Mutual Water Company will be replacing water lines again this summer as part of our ongoing capital improvement plan. The project is scheduled to start on or about June 15th, with the first phase along Buckboard Drive from the intersection with Pineridge Drive to the intersection with Hitching Post Drive. The second phase will follow and continue the waterline replacement project started in 2019 from approximately the mid-point of Stagecoach Drive south to the intersection of Stagecoach and Buckboard Drives. The project will include replacing the water mains and laterals to each home and last through at least September 2020. For the safety of the crews and efficiency of the project, PLEASE AVOID TRAVEL THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION ZONES AND USE ALTERNATE ROUTES! Gorgoza will work diligently to complete the work as quickly as possible. Homeowners will be notified in advance when water interruptions are necessary. Your cooperation and understanding will be greatly appreciated!
Gorgoza Office Building Closed Until Further Notice
Posted: March 16, 2020In accordance with State recommendations, Gorgoza Mutual Water Company is restricting access to their office building in response to the COVID-19 virus. Be assured that operations are continuing as normal and every precaution is being taken to safeguard your water system and Gorgoza’s staff. NO PINEBROOK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEETINGS MAY BE HELD AT GORGOZA’S OFFICE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Please contact your individual Associations regarding alternative meeting locations.
Please make note of the following:
1. To report a water emergency, please call (435) 645-2527 immediately.
2. Payments may be deposited in our Drop Box located just to the east of our parking lot.
3. Questions may be directed to:
a. Email gmwc@gorgozawater.com
b. Phone (435) 649-7948 and follow the menu prompts.
Our primary concern is the safety of your water, which includes the safety of our staff. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Your Water Supply
Posted: March 9, 2020The quality of your water is our number one priority. Our staff are actively monitoring the situation and will continue to safeguard your water system as they have done for over four decades. Gorgoza’s water is sourced from deep ground wells and an artisan spring, then delivered to you through a closed sanitary distribution system that meets or exceeds all state and federal quality standards. To further reiterate the point, please refer to the following statement issued by the Utah Department of Environment Quality on March 6th:
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) wants residents to know that their public water supply is safe. In the case of quarantine or outbreak related to the coronavirus, public drinking water systems are designed to continuously deliver safe drinking water to your tap. “Drinking water treatment and disinfection has effectively protected Utah’s population for many decades. These protections will safeguard residents against drinking-water-borne viral infections—including coronavirus,” says Marie Owens, Director of DEQ’s Division of Drinking Water. “There is no need for residents to stock up on surplus bottled water in preparation for a potential outbreak of coronavirus.”
About DEQ
Established in 1991, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) mission is to safeguard and improve Utah’s air, land and water through balanced regulation. DEQ implements state and federal environmental laws and works with individuals, community groups and businesses to protect the quality of Utah’s air, land and water. For more information, visit www.deq.utah.gov, follow DEQ on Facebook (utahdeq) and Twitter (UtahDEQ).
WATER LINE BREAK
Posted: January 17, 2020NOTICE: A water main break occurred this morning, January 17th on Buckboard Drive. Gorgoza crews are in transit but snow conditions are causing a delay. Once on site crews will be working to determine the location of utility lines, location of the leak, cause and extent of the leak. Unfortunately, as of 8:30 am Gorgoza does not have an estimate of when water service to the affected homeowners will be restored. Gorgoza will be working diligently to repair the line and restore water service as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Water Outage
Posted: September 19, 2019NOTICE: A water main break occurred at approximately 2:30 pm today, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19th, on STAGECOACH DRIVE near the intersection with BUCKBOARD DRIVE. Gorgoza crews are on scene and currently working to determine the location of utility lines, the location, cause and extent of the leak. Unfortunately, Gorgoza does not have an estimate of when water service to the affected homeowners will be restored. Gorgoza is working diligently to repair the line and restore water service as soon as possible.
Thanks for your understanding.