Small Water Systems Like Meadow Valley Matter to Us All
.png?mw=1440&hash=A21913B1E6EF700D68A5C580ED93BB9F)
Most Californians turn on the tap and assume water will flow without issue. Behind that simple act, however, is a network of operators, both large and small, working hard to keep your water clean and reliable. Regulating these companies is the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which oversees the safety and reliability of more than 90 investor-owned water utilities across the state, many of them small systems that serve rural and remote communities.
One of those systems is Meadow Valley Water Works (MVWW), tucked away in Plumas County. Last month, the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program team in the CPUC’s Water Division visited MVWW for a site inspection. What they saw was more than just infrastructure, they saw history, dedication, and the everyday challenges of running a small utility.
The gated entrance leading to the Big Creek diversion dam, a 200-ft walk downhill into California history.
MVWW, which currently serves 14 customers, is one of only two water systems in the state still using “miner’s inch” as a water measurement, a practice dating back to the early 1900s. Miner’s inch is a unit of water flow that was mostly used during the Gold Rush Era. The flow rate is controlled through a system of wooden boards with fixed openings. Water consumption can be estimated using this method. Bob and Mary Ann Dean, the current owner/operator of MVWW, inherited this water system when they took over a few years ago. Like many small water system operators, they are learning on the job while serving the needs of their neighbors.
The original diversion dam off the Big Creek, largely unchanged in design for over a century.
Through the CPUC’s Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program, Bob has gained access to critical resources.
Bob Dean explains how he manually diverts water to irrigation customers using a simple mechanical gate.
Why does this matter to you? Because small systems like MVWW aren’t just pipes and pumps — they serve real people: families, neighbors, even the local school. For more information on small water systems, visit CPUC’s Water Division webpage.
By Taseen Shamim, Public Information Officer
Related Article: Meadow Valley utility serves with history, dedication