Groundwater

About 30 percent of California's total annual water supply comes from groundwater in normal years, and up to 60 percent in drought years. Local communities' usage may be different; many areas rely exclusively on groundwater while others use only surface water supplies. Contrary to popular opinion, groundwater does not exist in underground lakes. Groundwater fills pores (spaces) between sand, gravel, silt and clay in water-bearing formations known as aquifers.

Underground Springs

Concentrated springs occur along hillsides in mountain and piedmont areas at points where groundwater emerges naturally from openings in rock. These are the easiest springs to develop and protect from contamination. Proper development for concentrated springs consists of intercepting water underground in its natural flowpath before it reaches the land surface.

Spring Box Collection System

One common way to collect water from a spring is by using a spring box collection system. In this method, a water-tight basin is placed in the ground which collects the spring water. This captured water can then be distributed to houses or buildings through pipes and valves.

Meter Replacement Project

Overview
Susanville’s Water Department is implementing a new, radio-read, water metering system throughout its service area.

The new radio-read, water metering system will bring efficiency to meter reading and billing operation and eliminate estimated bills due to property inaccessibility or during winter storms. 

Driving by homes and businesses to get meter readings will be more convenient for our customers, who no longer need to allow meter readers onto their private property, and less labor intensive for the utility, providing cost savings.

How Does it Work?
The new water metering system incorporates an off-the-shelf, battery-operated radio transmitter onto the water meter. 

The water meter, with its integrated radio, transmits a relatively weak radio frequency signal, producing radio frequency waves many times lower than many other everyday items found in homes, such as cell phones, baby monitors, and wireless routers. 

When it is time to get your water meter reading, we drive by the property with a special receiver. Data consisting of your unique meter number and the digits of your meter reading are transmitted to our receiver. We use those meter readings in our billing software to generate your water bill.

If we cannot get that data, an error code transmits. No personal information is transmitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Facts

• All 3,800 water meters in the areas served by Susanville Water Department will be replaced between 2010 and 2014.
• New water meters ensure everyone who uses SWD is paying for actual water used, no more, no less.
• Meter replacement is required of all SWD customers.
• There is no upfront cost for the meter replacement. You will not be asked for payment.
• The more modern and reliable meters have an integrated radio transmission device and allow SWD to obtain meter readings using drive-by reading technology.
• New meter radio reads will be less disruptive for customers with less chance of estimated readings due to access limitations or weather.
• Meter readers will no longer need to enter private property every month to read a meter.
• New meters will be more efficient to read and allow easier access for staff and less staff time resulting in savings to customers over time.

Ways to Identify a City Employee.

2012 Consumer Confidence Report.

Susanville's Urban Water Management Plan.

Setting Fees and Policies for the Water Utility of the City of Susanville.