San Lorenzo Valley water district loses half of its water storage in CZU Lightning Complex Fire

BOULDER CREEK, Calif. (KION) The eight miles of piping that represent about 50% of the San Lorenzo Valley’s water supply is now completely destroyed.

The material the piping is made out of has petroleum byproducts the water district worries could seep into the clean water. The same thing happened during the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise.

“We will shortly be starting a do not drink and do not boil order for all of the Boulder Creek area until we can do the proper amount of sampling to ensure the water’s safe,” San Lorenzo Valley Water District manager Rick Rogers said.

Right now supplying firefighters with water is the focus, while every one in SLV is evacuated.

However, the loss of 4.5 million gallons of water means water conservation is paramount.

“A lot of people were leaving sprinklers on and leaving the area…so we’ve been shutting those off,” Rogers said.

The piping had been in place for about 20 years. The water district is getting an emergency construction contract to get two of the District's tanks damaged by the fire back online.

The water district said its staff is working around the clock to supply firefighters with water and continue operations of undamaged facilities.