Lake Arrowhead LACSD PFAS Contamination | ArrowheadWoods (2024)

A recent October 2023 EPA study has found toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS in the Lake Arrowhead drinking water and Lake Arrowhead itself. Those Lake Arrowhead test results show a total PFAS level of 50 PPT. That level is 12.5 times higher than the EPA's safe level of 4 PPT which the EPA plans to officially adopt later this year. LACSD refuses to acknowledge this excess.

Comparison of Lake Arrowhead total PFAS concentration levels to other areas. (PPT or ng/L)

• Inglewood - 4.3

• Redlands - 4.7

• Torrance - 5.1

• Calimesa - 9.8

• San Bernardino City - 14

• Lake Arrowhead - 50

PFAS are a family of more than 5,000 man-made and mostly unregulated chemicals that have been produced since the mid-1900s. They are mobile, persistent, and bioaccumulative. They are resistant to degradation in the environment and when degradation occurs, it often results in the formation of other PFAS compounds.

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Based on current available peer-reviewed studies on laboratory animals and epidemiological evidence in human populations, the U.S. EPA released the following statement:“These studies indicate that exposure to PFOA and PFOS over certain levels may result in adverse health effects, including developmental effects to fetuses during pregnancy or to breastfed infants (e.g., low birth weight, accelerated puberty, skeletal variations), cancer (e.g., testicular, kidney), liver effects (e.g., tissue damage), immune effects (e.g., antibody production and immunity), thyroid effects and other effects (e.g., cholesterol changes).”

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The mountain community of Lake Arrowhead, California, siting at an elevation of 5000 feet has relied predominantly on tourism with no history of manufacturing or any industrial zones. Recent testing has shown elevated levels of PFAS in the drinking water, roughly 200% above normal levels with a total PFAS level of 50 PPT. In comparison, other areas such as Redlands, San Bernardino City, Riverside, Compton and Inglewood which have all had a historical manufacturing base show lower levels of PFAS contamination than Lake Arrowhead. The question that arises is what is the source of the PFAS contamination within Lake Arrowhead?

Interactive PFAS Contamination Map in the U.S. (May 6, 2024)

Since 2009, LACSD has been under a cease a desist order (CDO) for excessive inflow/infiltration (I/I) related to its sewer infrastructure. Furthermore, 230 Acre Feet of sewage water is converted annually into recycled water which is used for irrigation purposes at the Lake Arrowhead County Club and Grass Valley Park. The working theory is that the elevated levels of PFAS is a direct result of a combination of the existing sewer system AND the recycled water currently being treated at the Grass Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant draining down into the earth and reaching the wells/aquifers and the lake.

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LACSD Press Release (11-17-2023)

VIDEO - LACSD Board of Directors Meeting(11-14-2023)Highlight Links Below.

1. LACSD Board PFAS Contamination Discussion.
2. LACSD Commercial "Rarely do we stop to think about what life would be like without clean water."
3. Water toast.

American Cancer Society

Drinking water:Drinking water is a main source of exposure for people in communities with contaminated water. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people whose regular source of drinking water is found to have higher than normal levels of PFOA or similar chemicals might consider using bottled water or installing activated carbon water filters. If you do not know if your water is contaminated, ask your local health department.

Monitoring Order

On July 9, 2020, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) ordered LACSD to submit PFAS concentration levels at their waste water treatment plant. The rationale was that publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) are potentially significant receivers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and have the potential to discharge these wastes to the environment. Potential discharges include, but are not limited to, wastewater effluent to surface waters and/or percolation basins, biosolids, and reverse osmosis concentrate/retentate from some treatment facilities. 4 quarters of testing at the Grass Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant showed excessive levels of PFAS both in the sewer water entering the plant as well as the treated water exiting the plant.

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If PFAS-bearing wastes were discharged into the wastewater collection system, then it is likely that PFAS were discharged from the POTS in the effluent (including brine) and biosolids. The discharge of effluent may pose a threat to water quality if the effluent was discharged directly to surface waters or allowed to percolate to groundwater. PFAS in effluent discharges entering receiving waters also have the potential to bioaccumulate in aquatic food webs. Land application of biosolids may pose a threat to water quality by constituents percolating to groundwater or through water (such as irrigation water or storm water) carrying constituents to surface waters.

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In 2020 and 2021, LACSD began monitoring the influent (waste water entering the GVWTTP) and the effluent (treated water exiting the GVWTTP). Elevated level of PFAS were reported for each quarter of testing in the influent water entering the plant, the effluent water exiting the plant as well as monitoring well 7.

Excessive levels of PFAS contaminants were found in the influent water, effluent water and also monitoring well 7 after 1 year of quarterly monitoring.

PAS Higher In Effluent

Citation:

12/16/2020 - Influent/Effluent GVWWTP

3/22/2021 - Influent/Effluent GVWWTP

6/16/2021 - Influent/Effluent GVWWTP

9/1/2021 - Influent/Effluent GVWWTP

6/29/2021 - Monitoring Well 7

SWRCB PFAS Order

PFAS Final Order

PFAS Combined Results

Cease and Desist

The Lahontan Water Board’s Prosecution Team issued a draft Cease and Desist Order on December 31, 2012 to Lake Arrowhead Community Services District. The draft Cease and Desist Order proposes a time schedule for the District to complete a system analysis report of its sewer collection system and prepare a plan to prioritize and implement repair, rehabilitation, and replacement projects to reduce excessive inflow of stormwater into the District’s sewer collection system. The draft Order also specifies interim and final standards to meet specific reductions of stormwater inflow to the sewage collection system by completing implementation of the sewer improvement projects.

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A public hearing regarding the Order was scheduled for the Lahontan Water Board’s March 13-14, 2013 Board meeting in Lake Arrowhead, California. As a result of the hearing a CDO was issued mandating LACSD to clean up its act and address inflow and infiltration issues relating to the sewer infrastructure.

Cease and Desist Order No. R6V-2013-0022 (Adopted March 13, 2013)

Revised Draft Cease and Desist Order (revised 02/20/13)

Draft Cease and Desist Order

Hearing Procedures

Water Board Prosecution Team Evidentiary Submission, dated January 23, 2013

Consideration of the Issuance of a Cease and Desist Order for LACSD

Notice Of Violations:

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July 14, 2021 - Water Board staff received information from the District regarding a category 1 sanitary sewer overflow to Lake Arrowhead. The incident occurred near 482 State Highway 173, Lake Arrowhead. An estimated 2,875 gallons of untreated sewage were released from a manhole and ran down a hillside into Lake Arrowhead.

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November 9, 2022- On November 9, 2022, a 2-inch steel pipe located within a manhole broke and caused a spill of approximately 21,000 gallons of mixed secondary and tertiary treated effluent. The manhole is located approximately ¼-mile north of the Arrowhead Fish and Game Conservation Club. The manhole is part of the outfall pipeline that carries treated effluent from the Lake Arrowhead wastewater treatment plant to the percolation ponds at the Effluent Management Site in Hesperia.

March 15, 2023 - Between March 15-27 and 29-30, District staff conducted a controlled discharge of a total of 10,096,275 gallons of tertiary treated and secondary treated wastewater to an unnamed creek behind the plant that leads to Grass Valley Creek a quarter of a mile to the north. The controlled discharge came as a result of combined snow melt and significant rainfall. The capacity at the two storage ponds in the Willow Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant was exceeded. The storage holding pond and unused clarifiers at the Grass Valley Plant were also exceeded. Under normal operations, treated effluent is either discharged to the holding pond at the Grass Valley Plant for use at the Lake Arrowhead golf course or discharged to the percolation ponds at the Hesperia Effluent Management Site (Hesperia EMS). The Grass Valley Plant connects to the Hesperia EMS via an outfall pipeline with a design capacity of 4 million gallons per day (MGD).

Notice of Violaton

notice of violations

Recycled Water

In 2007 the Lahontan Water Board granted approval for phase I of LACSD's recycled water plan to supply up to 1 million gallons per day of recycled water to the Lake Arrowhead County Club Golf Course and potentially to other unidentified users in the Lake Arrowhead area. Currently, LACSD supplies 230 Acre Feet of recycled water to LACC which averages out to 205,000 gallons per day.

Under the order, LACSD is the producer and the distributor of the recycled water. LACSD has identified the Lake Arrowhead Country Club Golf Course and the Lake Arrowhead Grass Valley Park Association as potential users. LACSD has recently completed five new ground water production wells (No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for irrigation and drinking water purposed on Lake Arrowhead Country Club property in Grass Valley.

LACSD completed an environmental analysis for the project. The Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in the recycled water will average approximately 300 mg/L. The average TDS concentration of water provided through water supply wells is 168 mg/L. The average TDS concentration in Lake Arrowhead was calculated between 50 and 85 mg/L. The recycled water may percolate to ground water when applied for reuse at the Lake Arrowhead County Club Golf Course or at other sites. Due to the difference in TDS concentration of 132 mg/L between recycled water and ground water, the project has the potential to degrade ground water for TDS, although such degradation is expected to be minor. The TDS concentration in the ground water of the Lake Arrowhead area could potentially increase to 208 mg/L following the use of recycled water.

The recycled water project may also result in percolation of nitrate-nitrogen to ground water in concentrations above the estimated background concentration of 2 mg/L in the receiving water. LACSD is required to ensure that best management practices (BMPs) are implemented to prevent changes in ground water quality that would unreasonably affect the beneficial uses of the receiving water.

SWRCB Recycled Water Order

LACSD LACC Recycled Water Contract Agreement

EPA Report

Grass Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant

LACSD's sewage (effluent) management begins with raw sewage being processed at the Grass Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant. The conventional treatment creates Effluent which is sent to Hesperia for dispersal at their percolation fields. A portion of the effluent is further processed and turned into recycled water for irrigation use at the Lake Arrowhead Country Club. The recycled water season occurs between April through October.

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The biosolid sludge left over after processing (1409 tons annually) is disposed through composting into soil amendment products, which is undertaken at the Hawes compost facility of Nursery Products, LLC near Hinkley, California.

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Although transformation from parent PFAS to intermediate and terminal PFAS products can occur, conventional wastewater treatment generally does not remove or destroy PFAS, resulting in their release through the effluent or biosolids (Houtz et al., 2018, 2016). A meta-analysis concluded perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) did not significantly change between influent and effluent, while perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) tended to be 6 ng/L higher in effluent than influent (Thompson et al., 2022).

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A portion of the treated sewer is further processed partially reducing the PFAS becoming "recycled" ("reclaimed") water. At no time are the total PFAS reduced to a safe level as set by the EPA. Below is the latest LACSD data released on 1/11/2024 which confirms that the recycled water is contaminated with PFAS.

In 2017, The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) entered into a cooperative agreement with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for a Science and Technology Program titled, Evaluation of Approaches to Determine Mixing and Assimilation of Reuse Effluent. The program proposes using two environmentally safe tracers to investigate the pattern and intensity of mixing in Lake Arrowhead, CA for potential use of recycled water for surface water supply augmentation. tracer study results will be used to calibrate a three-dimensional hydrodynamic computer model that will be used to simulate dilution and assimilation of a hypothetical recycled water influent into Lake Arrowhead under different weather conditions.

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(1) Attachment A - Tracer Study Waiver Request.

(2) Attachment B - Memorandum of Understanding.

(3) Attachment C - UNLV Liability Acceptance.

(4) Attachment D - Bureau of Reclamation Categorical Exclusion.

(5) LACSD Waiver Request Responses.

(6) LACSD UNLV Technical Report Extension.

In 1992, a demonstration pilot plant was constructed in Lake Arrowhead to determine the feasibility of reclaiming municipal secondary effluent for indirect potable reuse and stabilizing the lake level during periods of extended drought. A 12 000-L/d pilot plant was constructed and tested for nearly 3 years. The project was undertaken to explore indirect potable reuse to provide for additional drinking water supplies in Lake Arrowhead. Secondary effluent from the Grass Valley plant was used as the influent to the pilot plant. The entire plant was placed on line in June 1994, and intense data collection proceeded through October 1994. Data collection resumed in March 1995 and proceeded until June 1995, during which period special studies including challenge testing, metals removal analysis, and ozone DBP formation analysis were undertaken.

Presently, there are no regulatory standards in California for surface water discharge when the receiving body of water is a
potable source. The Department of Health Services (DOHS) has historically opposed the discharge of treated wastewaters
into such sources. Recognizing this, it was decided to demonstrate that a pilot-scale reclamation plant could produce water
equal to or better than the quality of water in the lake. It was estimated that Lake Papoose with 1 year of detention time and
Lake Arrowhead with 8 years of detention time would give adequate time for natural treatment of the reclaimed water equivalent or better than present groundwater recharge projects.

1992 Waste Water Reclimation Study

PFAS UPDATE – LACSD held its December Board meeting and the issue of PFAS contamination was discussed again. LACSD carried out tests on the finished drinking water at the Cedar Glen and Bernina Water Treatment Plants in February, May and August of 2023 and found PFAS contamination in the drinking water. More troubling was the fact that the levels of the specific contaminant (PFOA) which is considered the most harmful contaminant in the PFAS family of contaminants exceeded the Response Level (RL) set by the State Water Resources Control Board where the water supplier is encouraged to terminate the supply of drinking water when the specific limit is reached. Currently the Cedar Glen Water Treatment Plant is offline and the Bernina Water Treatment Plant has tested positive for PFOA at a level of 9.6 PPT and 8.7 PPT. The state recommends a water supplier take the water source offline OR give full notice to the general public when levels reach 10 PPT after four quarters of testing.

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1. Director Keefe stated that the first time the board discovered the PFAS issue was at the November meeting a month ago.

2. President Wurm stated that from his limited knowledge he didn’t know if a potential danger has been identified to PFAS contamination and LACSD will get the safety information to the public once they find out.

3. LACSD Counsel stated that the EPA will be setting contamination levels to non-detect (0) so LACSD must comply. Not everybody in the country has PFAS in their water source and it is more prevalent in waste water.

4. Director Morris stated that this issue got dropped into LACSD’s lap 3 weeks ago. LACSD also voted to opt out of the 3M/DuPont Class Action Lawsuit to reserve their future right to sue.

5. Mr. Vartanian stated that in 2021 LACSD had knowledge of PFAS in the treated waste water. Part of the treated waste water went to the country club where irrigation occurred, which more likely than not contaminated onsite LACSD wells which feed back to the potable water system at Bernina.

6. Mr. Heyck stated the recycled water is contaminated and that LACSD should not minimize the issue.

7. Director Keefe stated that he can assure you that the PFAS have only been on our radar since last month.

8. A Lake Arrowhead Resident had concerns with LACSD stating they don’t know if there are health concerns related to PFAS but the CDC/NIH has already stated that PFAS causes cancer, liver function, and kidney issues.

9. President Wurm stated that LACSD is taking the matter seriously by putting it on the agenda. The board is composed of attorneys, realtors, law enforcement but no engineers. The levels that have been detected in our drinking water are extremely low. The EPA has not yet established what a safe or unsafe level is.

10. Mrs. Dacks stated she would like to know the origin of the contamination. There is no industry in Lake Arrowhead. Will LACSD conduct an independent, comprehensive investigation to find the source?

11. Director Keefe stated LACSD had no idea PFAS was in the potable drinking water. The board has had 30 days to react to this. The number one priority is the safety of the drinking water and if it means stopping irrigation at LACC then so be it.

12. Matt Brooks (Operations Manager) stated that LACSD will look for the source of the contamination and plans to test Grass Valley Creek, Emerald Creek, and upstream of the country club. This all new and we are trying to see what this all means.

13. Director Keefe stated that it sounds like the contamination is coming from the septic tanks.

14. Scott Rundle stated that recycled water irrigation at the Country Club should be stopped until PFAS test results are available.

15. Ted Heyck stated that the board should educate themselves and go back and see the EPA safe limits for PFAS. The board is confusing safe levels of PFAS vs. enforceable regulations for PFAS.

1-23-24 BOD Meeting

PFAS UPDATE – At its January 23rd Board meeting, LACSD stated that its top priority is cleaning up the drinking water. They have hired two firms that are looking at the problems to come up with a solution. LACSD has two water processing plants (Bernina and Cedar Glen.) The Cedar Glen plant has been shut down and is not expected to be brought back online anytime soon.

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The source of the contamination still eludes LACSD - LACSD has still been searching and the source of the contamination is still undiscovered. LACSD does not want to bias itself and it'll take a good year of testing to come up with an idea. They also discuss capital improvements in the past year and as well as the 6.0 million dollar corporate parking yard. $1.05 million of the cost came from the Water Capital Improvement Plan Fund and $1.95 million of the cost came from the Wastewater Capital Improvement Fund. These funds are traditionally reserved for water/sewer infrastructure improvements. LACSD also warned residents against elicit laundry activity in the creeks and or the Lake and to keep a lookout for the laundry bandits.

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As for the recycled PFAS water irrigating the Golf Course - One homeowner at the beginning of the meeting asked if they plan on irrigating when the season starts in April but that question went unanswered. No one knows if irrigation will commence this year. LACSD doesn't believe the contaminated recycled water poses a threat to surrounding homes, Grass Valley Lake or Lake Arrowhead.

As for the Lake and the fish - LACSD is staying away from the Lake and the fish and doesn't plan on touching it with a 10 foot fishing pole. They are focused, rightly so, on the drinking water and how to make that clean as soon as possible. The PFAS sewer source mystery continues.

1. Matt Brooks (Operations Manager) discussed PFAS sampling in Lake Arrowhead and the surrounding areas.

2. General Manager Cerri stated that the short chain PFAS don’t stay in the body or have the same toxicity as long chain PFAS.

3. President Wurm stated that based on the data provided that there are many different sources of PFAS and he doesn’t believe LACSD will ever be able to eliminate a specific source.

4. General Manager Cerri stated that the recycled water is very unlikely to be a source of PFAS that's in the Lake.
5. Marilyn Dishell asked about LACSD testing the fish for PFAS and LACSD stated they are not responsible for testing the fish.

6. Scott Rindenow asked if the water is safe to drink and if the fish are safe to eat. General Manager Cerri stated that EPA has a health advisory level of 70 PPT and no one has come out and made a statement of what level is safe.

7. General Manager Cerri stated that the EPA expects 80% of the PFAS exposure to a person comes from the environment and 20% from the drinking water. President Wurm further stated that LACSD doesn’t control or test the fish and it’s beyond their capabilities.

8. Mr. Vartanian clarified that the number one way in which exposure to PFAS occurs is through drinking contaminated water. He also asked about the distance of sewer pipe LACSD claims it has replaced in the past 10 years (14,510 LF) and that the figure does not match the distances that LACSD reported in its previous annual pipe repair reports. President Wurm stated the Lohantan is happy with LACSD’s repair work.

9. A homeowner questioned the recycled water usage at the Golf Course and the length of time the contaminated irrigation has been occurring.
10. A homeowner questioned the testing of the sewage lines for leaks. President Wurm stated LACSD has reduced the leaks, Lohantan is very happy with LACSD and there are many sources of PFAS Contamination.

11. General Manager Cerri stated that even though water was getting into the sewer system, it is very unlikely that sewer is getting out.
12. A homeowner asked if President Wurm was on the LACSD Board when an attempt was made to take over AWAC and if he thought that was wise given all the other problems that LACSD was facing and President Wurm responded by refusing to answer the question.

PFAS UPDATE – At the March 27th LACSD-ALA Interface Committee Meeting, the topic of PFAS contamination in Lake Arrowhead was discussed. Possible sources of the contamination were covered including boat shrink wrap, sun screen lotion, boat wax, previous ALA dredging work that had occured and the weed herbicide used for weed control. The LACSD board was reminded that Lake Arrowhead is 48,000 acre feet of water and it would take a tremendous amount of sun screen lotion to contaminate all of the lake to the concentrations of PFAS contamination which currently exist. They were encouraged to focus on the sewer as a possible point source of contamination.

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Further discussions took place regarding the main sewer lines surrounding the lake and pre-repair inspection video footage that may show the condition of the sewer pipes prior to the repair work being carried out. Other homeowners discussed the possibility of getting filters from LACSD as well as the effect on property values and real estate transaction notices now that PFAS has been discovered.

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LACSD also reported that the additional filtration needed to capture the PFAS contamination from the drinking water will be installed at the Cedar Glen Water Treatment Plant by 2025 and at the main Bernina Water Treatment Plant by 2026.

1. Mrs. Sherri Sawaya, a concerned homeowner, asked if LACSD could provide filtration systems for the homes.
2. Garin Vartanian asked that LACSD provide pre repair inspection video footage of the sewer pipes surrounding the lake.
3. Mr. Ted Heyck questioned the amount of sewer pipe that has been repaired and replaced since the 2013 State cease and desist order.
4. Mr. Terry O'Brien commented on the effects of the PFAS contamination on real estate values and disclosure requirements.

5.Mrs. Carole Anderson-Houlihan asked about the quality of the water coming out of the tap and what LACSD is doing to address that.

LACSD April Meeting

PFAS UPDATE – At the April 23rd LACSD Regular Board Meeting, the topic of PFAS contamination in Lake Arrowhead was discussed. LACSD gave an update on the progress of plans to construct infrastructure that would remove PFAS from the drinking water. LACSD also stated that they would continue to deliver PFAS contaminated recycled water to the Country Club. The LACSD budget also noted a 10 million dollar appropriation for "Recycled Water Process Upgrade" which is served to the County Club. When asked who it went to there was stunned silence. When asked if it was the Country Club since they are THE ONLY Recipient of recycled water there was more silence and denials.

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1. Mr. Mike Blackwood discussed the LACSD Cease and Desist Order.

2. Mr. Matt Brooks discussed the LACSD operations report.

3. Mr. Behn Naraghi asked a question about the recycled water being used.

4. Mr. Matt Brooks discussed the PFAS contamination and gave updates.

5. Mr. Sam Hawkins of Dudek gave an action plan presentation on PFAS remediation.

6. Mr. Ted Heyck questioned the time it would take to complete the PFAS upgrades.

7. Mrs. Marilyn Dishell asked if the delivery of recycled water is an active act or passive act.

8. Mr. Garin Vartanian asked if it is wise to continue irrigating with recycled water.

9. Mr. Ted Heyck asked a question about the progress of the sewer pipe repairs.

10. Director Keefe asked a member of the public how much PFAS bottled water has in it.

11. LACSD Attorney Mr. Joseph Byrne stated that LACSD’s PFAS containing recycled water is meeting state requirements.

12. Mr. Ted Heyck asked a question about $10 million reserved for recycled water upgrades serving the Country Club.

13. Mr. Garin Vartanian asked about the General Manager receiving a retroactive salary increase in March of 2023.

14. Mr. Ted Heyck asked a question about the possibility of cleaning the PFAS from the Lake.

LACSD-May-BOD

PFAS UPDATE – On May 28th, 2024 at 5:30 pm, the LACSD Board of Directors held its monthly Board meeting. Chaired by President Wurm, LACSD through its General Manager announced the continuation of its decision to spend roughly 89 million dollars over the next five years for capital improvement projects. When asked where LACSD would get the extra money, General Manager Cerri, through her various sub-managers, stated that she did not know where it would come from, however the commitment had been made.

President Wurm declared that the California Constitution would not allow LACSD to raise rates to cover any of LACSD’s deficits without public hearings. General Manager Cerri opined that she expected the economy to improve to take care of the costs and that maybe the Federal Government might help pay for it. The Board was then reminded that the Federal Government was offering to give tons of money to make use of the sewer water discharged including converting the lake into a recycled storage depot as part of LACSD’s designation 10 years ago by LAFCO as the "focal government organization" in Lake Arrowhead. Director Morris finally suggested that LACSD should take the federal money to study the possibility of sending the waste water for Indirect Potable Reuse to fill up Silverwood Lake.

When asked by Mr, Heyck if the District planned to use any of that nonexistent money to remove PFAS from the lake Mr. Wurm emphatically responded - “No!”

Mr. Heyck and other ratepayers requested that the Board respectfully designate money to help ratepayers pay for home filter systems to remove PFAS from their home drinking water systems - that it would cost at most $100 per home. The Board members universally responded that the ratepayers might cheat the District if it tried to do so and the matter was put over for reconsideration for yet another month.

Towards the end of the meeting, LACSD Director, Mr. Boydston admonished President Wurm for repeatedly addressing ratepayers by their first names while the ratepayers addressed the Board by their surnames: that it failed to give ratepayers due respect. President Wurm did not respond.

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1. Mr. Heyck discussed LACSD's runaway spending which would ultimately result in its insolvency - LACSD is acting like a "drunk on a bottle."

2. Mr. Vartanian discussed the unbridled LACSD spending and if the board could curtail the rate increases which are outpacing inflation.

3. Mr. Guillen of Dudek discussed two PFAS filtration systems that would be installed at the Bernina Water Treatment Plant and the Cedar Glen Water Treatment Plant.

4. After the Dudek presentation, Mr. Heyck asked if LACSD would be removing PFAS from the lake to which Mr. Wurm answered "No."

5. After the LACSD Finance Manager discussed the $89 million in capital improvements planned for the next 5 years, Mr. Heyck asked once again about the 10 million cost estimate for the "recycled water upgrade" which LACC makes use of as the sole user. The response given was that the community would have to wait another year to find out the details.

6. Mr. Vartanian questioned the $89 million LACSD has planned for capital improvements in the next 5 years and how they expect to pay for it. Mr. O'Brien stated it's a road map where the District is headed but will absolutely require some other type of funding.

7. The topic of giving $30-$100 rebates to ratepayers for under sink PFAS filters was once again discussed at length by the LACSD board but no consensus was reached.

8. Mr. Heyck encouraged the board to do the right thing and give under sink filters to the ratepayers as a gesture of good will.

9. Mr. Vartanian also encouraged the board to give filter rebates to the ratepayers. With a $22 million annual budget, the expense would be very minuscule.

10. Mrs. Anderson-Houlihan asked the board if they had filters installed on their homes and why the filter rebates would unduly burden the LACSD customer service staff in processing the rebates.

LACSD-June-Meeting-2024

LACSD-July-Meeting

On July 23rd, the LACSD Board of Directors held its monthly Board meeting. Chaired by President Wurm, LACSD through its General Manager announced numerous updates including PFAS, new infrastructure, land purchases and benefit increases for the managers, supervisors and confidential employees unit.

Catherine Cerri, the General Manager for LACSD, gave an update for the new corporate parking yard being built by MacKay Park. The project which had a price tag of 4.0 million dollars back in 2021 has ballooned to 6.5 million dollars with no completion date in sight. Board Member, Bruce Reynolds questioned why the costs had exceeded the original price tag as well as why the building was not being utilized to which the General Manager blamed "inflation" as the root cause. The current cost of the parking yard averages out to $812.50 dollars for each of the roughly 8,000+ LACSD ratepayers.

Matt Brooks, the Operations Manager for LACSD, gave PFAS updates including current testing results and the timeline of events which led up to the water contamination Notification Letter being mailed to the ratepayers.

Below are links to videos clips of the items we believe are of importance as well as the full meeting video. Since LACSD stopped posting videos of their meetings, we have provided the video links below as a courtesy to the Arrowhead Woods Property Owners.

1. Mr. Hatt asked a question about LACSD possibly purchasing the purported water rights directly from AWAC, Inc. now that SB-1405 has terminated LACSD’s ability to take over AWAC, Inc.

2. Mr. Schultz, the lone remaining board member of AWAC, Inc., who was appointed by Mr. Richard Scott, the previous President of AWAC, Inc., after resigning in writing and then returning read a “prepared written statement” drafted in the 3rd person commending LACSD for their diligent work of focusing on the PFAS problem.

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3. Mr. Rindenow asked a question concerning LACSD purchasing more land. He asked what the reason was for the new purchase and was told it’s a closed agenda item and no answer was given.

4. Mr. Vartanian commented about LACSD stating half truths, telling the public in their notification letter that the drinking water had tested below the 10.0 PPT for PFOA notification level when they knew that the drinking water had tested at 9.775 PPT and why they would omit that material fact of importance to the public.

5. LACSD reported four sewer spills that had occurred in the previous quarter. A question was asked about how LACSD calculates the amount of sewer that is actually released and if the figures are accurate.

6. Mr. Vartanian asked who specifically made the decision at LACSD to not inform the public that the actual level of PFOA contamination in the drinking water was 9.775 PPT – The Notification Letter merely stated the drinking water was below 10.0 PPT which would give the public a false sense of security believing the water is safe to drink. Catherine Cerri, the General Manager of LACSD stated that Matt Brooks, the Operations Manager of LACSD had drafted the letter and gotten approval from the water board.

7. LACSD Board Member Mr. Bruce Reynolds questioned the current 6.5 million dollar price tag for the unfinished LACSD parking yard and why it was over budget and not being used. Back in 2021, the LACSD board had stated that they were comfortable spending 4.0 to 4.2 million dollars for the project.

LACSD-Aug-Meeting

On August 27th, the LACSD Board of Directors held its monthly Board meeting. Chaired by President Wurm, LACSD through its General Manager announced numerous updates including the District's financial position, water usage information and PFAS updates.

John O'Brien, the Finance Manager for LACSD, gave an update discussing revenue and consumption decreases for the District which have been reported on numerous occasions in previous meetings. Preliminary operating revenue was 7% or 1.2 million below budget of what was expected primarily due to reduced consumption. Also, the District's preliminary operating expenses were 9% or 1.2 million higher as compared to the prior year.

Matt Brooks, the Operations Manager for LACSD, gave water production updates. Lake draw was down, well water production was down and more CLAWA water is being purchased to blend to try to lower the PFAS levels. Additional PFAS results were taken. LACSD has taken a second sampling to confirm Batelle's recent report showing PFOA levels in Emerald Bay at 19.9 PPT.

Below are links to videos clips of the items we believe are of importance as well as the full meeting video. Since LACSD stopped posting videos of their meetings, we have provided the video links below as a courtesy to the Arrowhead Woods Property Owners.

1. In a riveting 5 minute display of mental acuity and oratory skill never before seen in Lake Arrowhead, Mr. Michael Schultz professed in the plural, "their" deep devotion for LACSD and applauded the outstanding work that LACSD does day in and day out. His presentation was so impressive that a recommendation was made by an audience member for the LACSD Board to consider adding Mr. Schultz as the new PR manager to the substantial stable of managers within LACSD.

2. Mr. Scott Rindenow reminded LACSD and the previous speaker that based on a recent estimate from a local newspaper, 83% of Arrowhead Woods is now composed of part time residents. LACSD has a practice of charging a mandatory monthly minimum water and sewer charge of $111.68 even if no water is used. As a result, it would be reasonable to conclude that the part timers are in essence subsidizing the water usage of the full timers and that Mr. Schultz should be more thankful.

3. Mr. Ted Heyck made a comment, addressing Mr. John Wurm, the President of LACSD, concerning previous statements made by an individual disparaging him personally.

4. Mr. Garin Vartanian questioned LACSD's decreased revenues and drop in demand and asked why LACSD is continuing to expand converting sewage into recycled water when there's no demand for it in Lake Arrowhead.

5. Mr. Scott Rundle asked about the increased recycled water usage at the golf course. LACSD had stated that Lake Arrowhead had a very wet winter and if that was the case, why has recycled water usage by the golf course shot up?

6. Mr. Garin Vartanian asked about the recent sewage spill by the Burnt Mill Beach Club. Testing sampled for fecal strep were taken at the spill site, upstream, downstream and at the docks. The results showed higher fecal strep level upstream of the spill and the question was asked why the levels are higher upstream.