Where: Warner Springs, California
Problem: Drinking water systems that serve disadvantaged communities (DACs) often lack both access to much-needed infrastructure financing and the resources to adequately maintain existing system facilities.
Solution: Through the Rural Disadvantaged Community Project, RCAC provided technical assistance and access to financing to replace damaged and inadequate infrastructure.
Quiet Oaks Mobile Home Park is located near Warner Springs in San Diego County, California. The community consists of approximately 45 residences with a population of around 120 people. Based on the 2009-2013 American Community Survey five-year estimate, the Median Household Income (MHI) of Warner Springs is determined to be $38,021, making it a disadvantaged community.
Quiet Oaks Mobile Home Park’s wells have a history of producing water with nitrate concentrations that exceed the maximum contaminant level (MCL). The San Diego County of Environmental Health documented nitrate MCL violations in compliance orders in June 2011 and June 2017, as well as in various inspection reports. To address these violations, Quiet Oaks partnered with Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to conduct an engineering study and develop final designs to prepare for its construction phase funded by a Proposition 84, Round 4 grant.
Throughout the process, RCAC provided capacity development, training and technical assistance to address the water quality issues affecting the community. The RCAC project management team was also responsible for producing reports, coordinating project amendment requests and submitting project deliverables.
The partnership resulted in a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and the final design documents necessary for Quiet Oaks to address the public health risk. The PER included several alternatives and a summary with recommendations, and the final design documents are now being used in the construction project. After construction, Quiet Oaks Mobile Home Park will be in compliance with state and local health regulations.
