Frequently Asked Questions
What date does the water season start/stop?
There are no specific start/stop dates for the yearly irrigation season but rather, it is determined by the weather. The season begins when the spring rains have ended and the majority of our customers will benefit from irrigation water. The season continues until sometime in the fall when the fall rains begin. Because these start/stop dates are so arbitrary, we are unable to prorate irrigation bills. Currently, the District provides a courtesy known as “stock water” during the winter to give our users a chance to fill up stock tanks to water their animals, gardens, etc. Stock water is provided on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, unless it is raining.
What is a “miners inch”?
It is a rate of flow determined by an orifice plate inside your service box. A 1-miners inch plate will allow 11-1/4 gallons per minute through your service box. 2-miners inches equals 22-1/2 gallons per minute and so on.
What is a “service/administrative charge”?
It is the administrative fee that each parcel pays per year. It covers the cost of our yearly & monthly billings including envelopes, postage & other office needs. If you receive water for more than one adjacent parcel, you are only required to pay one service charge per year.
My water was off due to a break or repair. Do I get a refund for the day (s) I did not receive water?
No. As explained above, because of the arbitrary start/stop days of the irrigation season we are unable to prorate and therefore, cannot give refunds. Additionally, you are paying for water at a miners inch rate which is a rate of flow not a total volume of water.
How do I get a BVID pipeline in my area?
See the publication “Request for a New Pressure Pipeline” in our Forms & Publications section or contact the District office for more information.
I think my neighbor is stealing (or misusing) water, what should I do?
Call the Operations Office (530-742-6044) and give us the address where you believe the offense is taking place. We will research the matter and take action to correct misuse, if any.
Why is there a lock on my service box? Did I do something wrong?
As we audit our individual pipelines, we have made it standard procedure to put a lock on all of the service boxes in a project. All new services are also fitted with a locking device. Not only does it discourage tampering, it helps us locate (& eliminate) problems when our customers experience a loss in pressure. Since adopting this policy, we have been able to increase the efficiency of many of our pipelines.
I need to do some digging around my property. How can I be sure not to hit a BVID line?
Call USA North at 1-800-227-2600 at no cost to you and at least 48 hours prior to digging. They will take your information and notify not only BVID but other possible utilities (PG&E, telephone co., etc.). If there is a BVID structure in the area that you specify, we will come to your property and mark our structure in blue paint. PLEASE NOTE: If you DO NOT call USA North and you damage a BVID structure while digging, you will be held financially responsible for the repair of the structure.
I just had a service box installed. What size connection is it?
Our outlets are 1 1/4” female pvc.
