District News and Updates
REGISTER GUESTS USING FASTPASS TECHNOLOGY
Rancho Murieta Community Services District's Security Department is introducing a new FastPass program for faster guest check-in at the North Gate.
Residents are required under the Rancho Murieta Association (RMA) CC&Rs to pre-register all guests with the gates. long car lines and backups occur in the visitor lanes due to residents not pre-register guests. This is especially crucial for holidays when we have more guests entering the community than usual.
The FastPass system will email or text your guest a FastPass, which is an electronic QR code pass. The Gate Officer will scan the QR code, which will then automatically log in the guest. The FastPass will work for permanent guests also.
To use this new system, residents must have an account on www.gateaccess.net. If you do not have an account, please set one up, it only takes a couple of minutes. Click here for more information on the Gate Access program.
Residents may log into their account and enter the guest’s name or select the guest’s name. There will now be a tab for the resident will click on to elect to send the FastPass. The resident will enter the email address or phone number to send the pass. That is it, simple and fast.
Below are the directions on how to use the FastPass system. FastPass is only valid for 24 hour and can only be used for one (1) entry. If your guest is staying for multiple days, make sure your account is noted with this information. The guest can check in at the visitor window each day if need be.
WATER ISSUE Q&A MEETING -JULY 10, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
Residents and Community Stakeholders are invited to attend and participate in Rancho Murieta Community Services District’s Question & Answer Forum regarding recent water concerns.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
At the Rancho Murieta Community Services District
Administration Building - 15160 Jackson Road, Rancho Murieta
CSD Water QA Meeting - Audio 071019.MP3Audio courtesy of Gail Bullen - River Valley Times
Public Notice Update, Monday, July 1, 2019
Water from Treatment Plant and Storage Tanks Clear
As of Friday June 28, 2019, water leaving the treatment plant and storage tanks has registered below levels that would result in yellowish water. Although annual water system maintenance flushing has been completed, additional flushing will continue on an as-needed basis in areas requiring additional flushing due to the recent water coloration issue. If your water issues persist, please contact the District at (916) 354-3700.
WATER SYSTEM UPDATE - JUNE 28, 2019
The water system pipelines routine maintenance flushing has been completed.
Due to the recent water issues, flushing will continue on an as needed basis. Be sure to contact the District if you have any issues or concerns regarding your water.
UPDATE ON YELLOWISH WATER IN THE SYSTEM (June 19, 2019)
The Water Treatment system is now producing water with no detectable amount of manganese. In-house laboratory equipment and certified laboratory results show that there is no detectable amount of manganese in the water leaving Water Plant #2 since being brought online June 14, 2019. Water Plant #1 is having difficulty removing manganese to within acceptable levels and has been shut off until the manganese settles out in the Chesbro Reservoir.
Certified laboratory results also continue to show that the system water has no bacteriological issues detected and manganese levels below the public reporting limit of 0.5 mg/L.
UPDATE ON YELLOWISH WATER IN THE SYSTEM (June 17, 2019)
Water quality has improved. The District has made modifications to our water treatment process to help filter out the dissolved manganese that is the cause of the yellowish water. Staff worked to flush the water supply system throughout the weekend and today and are getting improved water quality results with little to no yellow water throughout most of the system. Staff is still in the process of flushing dead end areas and some areas with persisting yellow water. Summertime irrigation is also helping to use up the water and flush it out the system as well.
Your patience is greatly appreciated as we resolve this issue.
Future Prevention
The District is looking into online monitoring equipment that may be able to help alert staff to potential issues with the water supply reservoir before they become a problem. We are also reviewing and updating our procedures that are in place to direct staff on how to deal with the issue on manganese in the Chesbro Reservoir which supplies the water treatment plant.
Public Notice - June 14, 2019
Click on the link below to print out the Notice.
Public Notice on Yellowish Water in the System
Cause
In the process of filling our potable water reservoirs, pumping cold snow melt water from the Cosumnes river into lake Chesbro, which supplies the drinking water plant, has caused it to “turn-over” stirring up sediment containing the minerals iron and manganese. The dissolved portion of this water containing these minerals was not being filtered out through our membrane treatment process, and when chlorine is added after filtration, it oxidizes the dissolved minerals in a slow reaction and causes them to precipitate (go from a dissolved form to a solid form) and appear in the water after our detection equipment. This has been corrected in the treatment plant by the addition of a pre-oxidant so it will be filtered out in the treatment process.
Is it Safe to Drink?
Yes. Our testing results showed that there was 0.086 mg/L of manganese in the Rio Oso tank feeding Units 3 & 4 and 0.071 mg/L of manganese in the VanVleck tank feeding the rest of the community, with no iron being detected. Manganese is considered a Secondary standard contaminant, meaning it is primarily an aesthetic concern. These levels are above the secondary standard level required by the State at 0.05 mg/L and we are working diligently to bring the levels down by producing better water and flushing the water distribution system to purge it of the lower quality water.
Sources of iron and manganese in drinking water
Iron and manganese are the 4th and 13th most common metallic elements found in the Earth’s crust, respectively. Water percolating through soil and rock can dissolve minerals containing iron and manganese and hold them in solution in varying amounts. Iron pipe & valve corrosion may be a source of iron in drinking water.
When water containing iron and manganese is exposed to air, or any oxidant such as chlorine, these elements are oxidized and precipitate out of solution. Upon oxidation, colored forms of iron and manganese become visible in water. In the case of iron, white, then yellow and finally red-brown solid particles form that settle out of the water. Iron oxide particles may not settle out and can impart the water with a red tint. Oxidized forms of manganese usually remain dissolved in water, giving it a black or yellowish tint. These abrupt changes in the chemical forms of iron and manganese are responsible for the staining properties of waters containing these elements. Iron will cause reddish-brown staining of laundry, porcelain, dishes, utensils and even glassware. Manganese causes a brownish-black stain. Soaps and detergents do not remove these stains and use of chlorine bleach may set the stains. Clothing or fixture stains may sometimes be washed away using white vinegar.
Deposits of iron and manganese can build up in pipelines, pressure tanks, water heaters and water softeners. This may reduce the available quantity and pressure of the water supply and therefore periodic flushing of water pipelines and hot water heaters is recommended.
Iron and manganese can affect the flavor and color of food and water, which affects both taste and appearance. Most commercially available filter systems such as Brita or Pur Filters, cartridge filters in refrigerators, and tap mounted units, will remove iron and manganese.
Removal in treatment
The District operates an aeration system in the Chesbro reservoir in an effort to oxidize iron and manganese out of solution, changing it from a dissolved form of the mineral to a solid, so it may be filtered out in its treatment process. However, this is only partially affective as it occurs by the water plant pipeline intake and not the entire reservoir. Additionally, if needed, the District feeds drinking water approved oxidant Potassium Permanganate (NSF 60) at a low dose into its water plant intake to oxidize Iron &/or Manganese into a solid form for them to be filtered out.
Why wasn’t this detected before it became a problem?
The water treatment equipment that continually measures the clarity of the water has shown, and continues to show, very clear, clean water being produced. The issue is that the dissolved form of the mineral has not been visible until it has reacted with the chlorine that is added to the water for disinfection purposes. The oxidation reaction of chlorine with manganese is reported by the American Water Works Association handbook for Iron & Manganese removal as being between 2-3 hours. This is why it has only showed up in our water distribution system and brought to our attention via consumer complaints. Also, staff was in the process of routinely flushing the distribution system and early complaints were thought to be the result of the stirring up iron from opening and closing valves. We are working to change our monitoring systems to be able to deal with it proactively in the future.
Potential health effects of iron and manganese in drinking water
Iron and manganese in drinking water are not considered health hazards by the EPA. In addition, iron and manganese are needed in low doses for human health. Grains, beans, nuts and teas in particular are rich in manganese. It is an essential trace mineral for the body to function, however excess manganese exposure has potential health implications. See website links below.
EPA’s website regarding Iron and Manganese standards
State’s website regarding Manganese
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/Manganese.html
NOTICE OF MAIN LINE FLUSHING - UPDATED JUNE 24, 2019
The water system pipelines are being flushed June 6 – 27, 2019.
Standard preventative maintenance practices require that a system’s domestic water valves be operated and pipes thoroughly flushed periodically to ensure that potable water of acceptable quality is being delivered. Flushing removes scale and other corrosion related debris from potable water distribution lines as well as bringing in fresh water with more chlorine residual into areas of low water demand. This helps to improve the aesthetic quality of the water and maintain chlorine disinfection residuals.
In the process of cycling water valves open and closed, the water being flushed through the pipelines may become discolored by particles of sediment from within the pipelines, typically iron, which we are attempting to remove. Occasionally, some of the sediment may enter a customer’s service pipe; however, this water is still safe for consumption and is only aesthetically unpalatable. If this occurs, run your cold water taps until the water clears. Do not wash white clothing until your water clears up and do not use bleach as it may set iron into clothing.
Every effort will be made to prevent sediment or discolored water from entering your water service lines. These efforts will include flushing at night, as well as during the early hours of the morning.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. If you have any questions or experience any problems, please call the District Office at 354-3700.
The final result of this maintenance work will be a better water product for district customers.
About Iron and Manganese in Drinking Water
PET MICRO-CHIP SCANNER
The District has been exploring options to make the Pet Micro-Chip scanner reader more accessible to residents. The scanner has been available at the South Gate if a resident brought the animal to the South Gate. We have realized that for various reasons a resident may not be able to bring an animal to the South Gate to use the scanner.
Effective April 29, 2019, residents can bring the animal to the South Gate to use the scanner or the resident can elect to check out the scanner, take it with them and return the scanner back to the South Gate when they are done using it. We believe this will make the scanner more accessible to the community. The resident can go to the South Gate and request to check it out. The resident will have to sign an agreement form and will have to return the scanner as soon as they are done with it, no later than 60 minutes after they leave the South Gate. This will ensure the scanner is returned and available for others to use.
District staff will not deliver to or pick up the scanner from a resident; this is the honor system at work. Residents will have more access to the scanner, but they need to be responsible for it and return it when done. We only have one scanner so cooperation from the residents will help ensure availability for its use.
PLANNING AHEAD FOR DISASTERS
Launched in February 2003, Ready is a National public service campaign designed to educate and empower people to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.
The goal of the campaign is to promote preparedness through public involvement.
For more information regarding planning ahead for disasters, click on the link below.
UPDATE YOUR GUEST LIST
Great news! After much interest from the residents, the District has finally been able to put into place a means for residents to access and manage their own visitor lists without having to call the gates. One can now manage/register their visitors from anywhere they can connect to the internet. This will make it easier, more cost effective, and less time consuming for both Security Gate Officers and residents.
Another exciting feature of this new system upgrade is that it can also be accessed via any Smartphone or WI-FI device. This makes it very convenient for those who are out of town or on the job.
Residents can also assist the District in keeping their rates down, by personally updating their information online. Please review your email address, emergency contacts, telephone numbers, pet information and vehicle list etc… All of this can be accomplished in just a few minutes using the new gateaccess.net feature, and will save the District, and you, a substantial amount of money, as the system has not been updated in many years. Unfortunately, you will not be able to change your vehicle information online, so we ask that you review your vehicle list and let the District know of any vehicles no longer in your possession.
System security and privacy are paramount concerns so only those with valid PIN access will be able to use the new system.
Go directly to www.gateaccess.net in your web browser. This is our vendor’s direct access page.
Community Access Code is RMCA.
User Name: Your Phone Number (10 digits, no spaces, slashes, or hyphens)
Password: Your Pin Number. (the same one you now use to call guests in to gate)
