Several neighbors attended a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, May 3rd regarding the sewage water treatment plant (SWTP) in the Fallen Leaf-Fern Rock area and the recently enacted, restrictive permitting policy now being enforced by Santa Cruz County. Parcels affected by the shut-down of the SWTP are considering suing Big Basin Water. Local attorney, Anna DeBenedetto, who led the meeting, suggested any suit brought against BBW be focused on the SWTP portion of BBW’s business, since BBW may also be forced into receivership by the state Attorney General for mismanagement of the water delivery portion of its business. This meeting left me with these questions and thoughts:

1) Does anyone know whether a suit brought against BBW will prohibit the sale of BBW to another private company?

2) As a customer of BBW not immediately affected by the Fallen Leaf-Fern Rock sewage issues but having been impacted by the myriad problems with water delivery, I would like to offer support for the sewage suit. If that suit stops the sale of BBW to another private water company, those customers receiving water services will benefit too. Perhaps a funding mechanism could be established to help cover the litigation costs. I’m sure homeowners serviced by BBW outside the Fallen Leaf-Fern Rock area may contribute, understanding the value of supporting a suit against BBW.

3) I would urge our Fallen Leaf-Fern Rock neighbors to widely communicate their goal to other BBW water customers and seek their support. While merging with any water company will raise rates, SLV Water as a public entity can seek and benefit from government funding to rebuild the water delivery infrastructure. The sale of BBW to a private entity will likely place that costly burden on the customer. It is in everyone’s best interest to unite and stop the sale of BBW to a private company.