California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, has entered into an agreement to purchase Bass Lake Water Company’s (BLWC) potable water distribution system. The community of Bass Lake is a census-designated place in Madera County, 14 miles south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
BLWC serves approximately 1,000 customer connections in the Bass Lake community, approximately nine miles from Oakhurst, CA. Of the connections approximately 950 are residential and some 50 are metered commercial. However, a seasonal population of about 3,000 customers often occurs; part-time residents come from the Central Valley, Southern California, the Bay Area, and other parts of California.
Bass Lake water customers have previously been served by three ground water wells as well as one surface water treatment plant taking water from the North Fork of Willow Creek. More than 80 percent of the water used in the system comes from this source with the balance from the wells.
“When we agreed to sell we wanted to ensure the operations were handed over to an organization that could provide the same great level of service our customers have come to expect,” said Stephen Welch, president of Bass Lake Water Company. “We are confident that company is California American Water.”
California American Water is also currently in the process of acquiring neighboring Hillview Water Company. Hillview Water serves approximately 1,500 customer connections in the Madera County communities of Oakhurst, Coarsegold, and Raymond.
“We are proud to be Bass Lake’s new water provider,” said California American Water President Rich Svindland. “We will bring a robust conservation program, a 24-hour call center and an assistance program for low-income customers as well as many other benefits.”
California American Water’s parent company, American Water, provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 675,000 people statewide. Additionally, American Water’s drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people are found in 46 states and Ontario, Canada.
