Complexity of South Shore water issue growing
By Kathryn Reed
While a definite solution has not been decided upon, most of the talk at last week’s South Tahoe Public Utility District meeting centered on having an intertie be the solution to the water issue for the T.J. Maxx building.
That building at the Y is owned by the Garfinkles and is serviced by Lukins Brothers Water. But the water pressure is not sufficient to put out a fire so STPUD’s help is needed.
A temporary solution was found last fall, but a permanent one is still being negotiated.
For decades there has been a link between two the water companies so water can flow back and forth as needed. But that valve must be manually turned. This has been done less than a half dozen times in the last 30 years, according to Lukins.
Water pressure issues have yet to be resolved at the T.J. Maxx building in South Lake Tahoe. Photo/LTN file
What is being proposed is an automatic valve or pressure trip device. This would allow water to flow into Lukins’ 8-inch pipe if the pressure got to a predesignated point.
Danny and Jennifer Lukins, the father-daughter duo who run the company, said they are waiting to hear from the state Public Utilities Commission as to the cost of the connection fee that could be passed on to ratepayers. STPUD would require a fee of about $150,000.
Before South Tahoe PUD says yes to the pressure valve, they want confirmation from the city fire chief about what is required. When the store opened it was Lake Valley’s chief who signed off on the paperwork.
While it’s state regulations that dictate fire flow, fire chiefs and marshals interpret things differently. South Tahoe PUD therefore likes things in writing because its jurisdiction involves more than one fire agency.
Another issue brought up at the April 18 meeting was whether the Gardner Mountain tank could keep enough pressure to service STPUD customers in the event Lukins needs water.
Another piece of the puzzle is now that the Chateau project near state line is likely to go forward, at least in small phases starting this summer, water is an issue there. STPUD had an agreement with Lakeside Water Company, but that needs to be reworked. The water intended for that area from STPUD has been flowing down Highway 50 and used near the Y.
The other thing STPUD needs to figure out is what type of contract to come up with because nothing like what Lukins is asking for — just emergency supply water services — exists.
More talking is planned, with no date for a resolution.
Another factor in all of this is that the Garfinkles have people interested in leasing the building next to T.J. Maxx, but no contracts can be signed because the building doesn’t have an adequate supply of water to fight a fire.
Simple common sense tells anyone with their own private business that they are responsible for the up keep,maintenance of their own company.
With all the profits made from years of use someone in that company should set a side cash to up grade the decaying system.
The laws should been enforced to make them stay updated because of safety issues,that’s their responsible.
Hangups, You’re right. The property owner is responsible for their property. That property must be up to code before a lease is signed.
I wouldn’t rent out my cabin with insufficent water supply or any other problem that would make it unsafe, uninhabitable or a place I wouldn’t live in myself.
It must be clean and up to all codes for the new tenants. That is the responsibility of the landlord to make things right! That’s what comes with being a property owner. Garfinkle family, do what’s right. Take Care of your property. OLS
So is that current water company!
When you can’t fight a fire from low water pressure your hose worthless.
I do recall quite few years ago before the Kingsbury water system WAS REWORKED WITH NEWER PIPES, TANKS, they were weak at the top the grade and also one those huge mega homes caught fire ,poor water pressure did them in with a private bridge built that wasn’t wide enough for fire truck to cross,there’s lot hinge site in our city.
From what the article is saying it is a much bigger problem than just Lukins, they will need more water down at the other end of town. Why is there more water needed now. Was there not stores at the Y before. The owners of the Y property did put in hundreds of Thousands of dollars recently. I doubt they have the 150k more needed for a new fix.
Now, all of a sudden, it matters whether individuals can afford to own commercial property or not? If you can’t afford to meet code, I guess you can’t afford the property. All of us wish we didn’t have to meet regulations, but why the sudden concern for a particular set of business owners?
Remember a few years ago this debate was ongoing about lukins water. I have dealt with this in other areas of california. The Lukins are a potable water company regulated by the state. They are not responsible per say for fire protection. Every move and dollar spent in a private utility is regulated by the state. In the area I worked previously a private water company went though these similar issues regarding fire protection. The state basically said it was not prudent to the rate paying customers for the upgrade needed for fire protection. There was nothing our department could do because the state has the final say. This is a much larger issue than just Lukins not spending money. They have many hoops to jump through. and honestly why should the rest of the customers pay for one customers need.
I recall how proud of themselves our city fathers were at being able to ‘cut through red tape’ in order to bring Tahoe South those high paying tjmaxx jobs. I can’t help but wonder if this was some of that red tape they were cooing over when discussing their coup. hmmm…