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Lower Valley Water Users is a domestic water system which was organized in October 1966 with a total of 300 customers.  We purchased our water from The City of Farmington through an 8” water main.  We have grown at a fairly steady rate and in 1990 we built our own l MGD (Million Gallon per Day) treatment facility. Which has expanded to a 2.5 MGD treatment facility with 30 million Gallons of raw water storage and 2 million gallons of treated water storage?

We serve a population of 8,503 with approximately 58 miles of water line and 2750 accounts of which 201 are commercial accounts. Our service area covers everything west of the city of Farmington city limits to Hogback on the north side of the San Juan River.

The water system is governed by an elected board of 7 members.

We have a general manager and 6 other employees.

Our annual budget is l million dollars.

Our service area is approximately 28 square miles

We receive approximately 64% of our water from the Animas La Plata Project through the Farmers Mutual Ditch.

Office Phone

505-598-5585

 

LINK TO NEW MEXICO EID SPILL INFORMATION (www.NMEDRiverWaterSafety.org)

To sign up to pay your bill online, please contact the office.

Violation Notice

 

In order to protect our water from unknown contamination and maintain the water quality we have, we require the use of a backflow prevented on device at the meter that does not allow water that has flowed past the water meter into a building to flow back out into the main water lines. This is called a closed system. In conjunction with the backflow prevention device a thermal expansion tank is required. The thermal expansion tank is a simple and efficient method to ensure that your system is safe.

A New Mexico licensed plumber should be able to take care of your thermal expansion needs, This will enable worry- free installation of your device, according to code. You can also choose to do-it- yourself. The tank is available for purchase at many of the local plumbing and hardware stores.

 

Frequently Asked

Questions:

Q: What is Thermal Expansion?

A: Thermal expansion refers to the characteristic of water to expand when it is heated. Unlike air, which can be compressed, water grows in volume, and must be accommodated.

Q: Why is Thermal Expansion occurring?

A: In a water heater, thermal expansion can create more pressure than the system can handle. When unchecked, this pressure can result in expensive leaks, as well as damage to the water heater, pipes, or other fixtures.

Q: When is a Thermal expansion device necessary?

A: Thermal expansion is necessary when any of the following occurs:

A recent water meter replacement

A water heater replacement

The construction of a new home

When a backflow preventer is installed on the water meter or a pressure reducing valve is installed on the service line.

Q: How do I resolve this Thermal Expansion problem?

A: Thermal expansion can be solved by installing an expansion tank to your system adjacent to your water heater. This tank will accept overflow from your water heater, alleviating the pressure building up in the heating tank. expansion tanks are inexpensive and the most conservation- friendly solution.

Q: I have a Temperature and Pressure Relief (T&P) valve installed, isn't that enough?

A: No. A T&P valve is not a thermal expansion device, because the constant dripping of water hom the valve can result in a mineral deposit that can create a blockage, causing the T&P valve to become ineffective. Plumbing standards and codes require that thermal expansion be properly addressed.

Q: Are there any building codes with requirements for resolving thermal expansion problems?

A: Yes. Section 505 of the 2006 Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the State of New Mexico.

Q: Is the tank required on all types of water heaters?

A: Any type of water heater that has a tank and stores the hot water is required to have an expansion tank. “On Demand” water heating units would not require a thermal expansion tank.

Q: What causes the spots on my dishes?

A: Spots are caused by hard water, or minerals that remain after the water has evaporated. Spots can be eliminated through use of a dishwasher rinse agent. phosphate has been removed form all soaps which helped clean your dishes and remove hard water spots.

IF THE ABOVE STEP DOES NOT WORK USE 2 OZ OF CITRIC ACID IN THE SOAP DESPENSER OF YOUR DISH WASHER.  YOU MAY ALSO TURN A SMALL GLASS UPRIGHT IN THE TO RACK OF YOUR DISH WASHER AND PUT 2 OZ OF DRY CITRIC ACID IN IT.

Q: Should I buy a water softener?

A: The hardness of water varies with the water’s source. The choice to buy a softener is an aesthetic one, since hard water is not harmful to health. However, water softeners typically increase the sodium content of the water, a factor that should be considered by people on low-sodium diets.

 

Q: Should I buy a home filtration unit?

A: According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, home treatment units are rarely necessary for health reasons. Most often, water treatment units are used to remove substances that affect the aesthetic qualities of the water. If you do choose to install a home treatment unit, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, because improperly maintained units can actually cause water quality problems.

 

Q: What should I do if my coffee has an oily appearance?

A: Clean your coffee maker with vinegar and water as directed by the manufacturer.

 

Q: What causes odor in the hot water?

A: The most common cause of odor in hot water is the water heater. If your cold water smells fine, check your water heater to ensure that the temperature setting is correct. Water heaters also need to be maintained (see manufacturer’s instructions). Please contact us if the odor persists or if it is present in both the hot and cold water.

 

Q: What causes some water to be discolored?

A: Color in water is usually caused by naturally occurring organic matter, minerals, or mineral build-up in the pipes. We flush our water system regularly to clean mineral build-up and other sediment from the pipes. If you receive discolored water, you should let your faucets run until the water is clear. Such substances typically do not pose a health hazard; however, we ask that you please report any instances of discolored water so that we may investigate.

 

Q: Is bottled water higher quality than tap water?

A: Tap water providers and bottled water providers must meet the same water quality standards. In fact, tap water providers are required to conduct more frequent water quality testing and reporting than bottled water providers. Some consumers prefer the taste of bottled water, and some choose bottled water because they have special health needs. But tap water is a much better deal at costs of 1,000 times less than bottled water.

 

Q: Why do our employees open fire hydrants?

A: We conduct regular water system flushing to remove any mineral build-up and sediment from the pipes and also to ensure that water circulates adequately throughout the system. Fire hydrants may also be opened to conduct fire-flow capability tests.

 

Q: Why does water need to be disinfected?

A: Disinfectants are required because they prevent the spread of germs that cause diseases. Years ago, before disinfectants were used for drinking water, diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery were common. Drinking water disinfection has vastly improved the quality and safety of drinking water.

 

Q: Why does my water have a chlorine taste (or smell)?

A: We disinfect your water to ensure that it is free of harmful bacteria. To reduce any chlorine taste or smell, try refrigerating your water before drinking.

 

Q: Why is there dirt or sand in my water?

A: Dirt or sand can occur naturally in groundwater or as a result of a water line repair. We try to reduce the instances of dirt or sand in the water through regular flushing, which improves water quality by increasing the circulation of water in the pipes and removing most of the sediment from the water.

 

Q: Why does the taste of my water change throughout the year?

A: Water sources change at certain times of the year due to the availability of supplies. Surface water, or water that comes from sources like rivers and lakes, tends to taste slightly different than water pumped from underground aquifers.