Town Water Systems

BISHOP

The City of Bishop water system operates off of two production wells, managed and owned by the City.

BIG PINE

The Big Pine Community Services District began to take over operations and maintenance from the LADWP owned water distribution system in 1982, and Big Pine CSD acquired full ownership under terms of the lease/purchase option and the Inyo-LA Long Term Water Agreement (LTWA). Per the LTWA, LAWDP provides 500 acre-feet per year free of charge to BPCSD.

LONE PINE, INDEPENDENCE & LAWS

The Lone Pine, Independence, and Laws water systems were previously under the ownership and management of LADWP. In the Long Term Water Agreement (LTWA), terms for the transfer of the water systems from LADWP to Inyo County were described. In 1999, Inyo County assumed partial responsibility, with complete ownership occurring in 2005. Initially, Inyo County contracted out the operation and maintenance of these systems until 2019, when the county took over operations and maintenance. LADWP continues to own and operate the groundwater production wells that supply the three systems, at quantities described in the LTWA. If water supply is required beyond these amounts, Inyo County must pay LADWP for the additional water.

• INDEPENDENCE

  The town of Independence was originally served by the Independence Water Company, until LADWP purchased the company in 1974. The 450 acre-feet per year that is freely supplied by LADWP comes from two production wells, Well 357 and Well 384, in the Independence-Oak wellfield. Well 357 is the main supply, while Well 384 provides water for irrigation use April through October and a backup source for domestic use. The water system supplied 343 metered connections. The system has consumed less than the 450 acre-feet per year allotment since 2013, with annual water consumption decreasing since 2000.

• LONE PINE

  Lone Pine Water Company served the town until LADWP purchased the company in 1967. LADWP supplies 550 acre-feet per year via two production wells. Well 346 provides the main supply with Well 344 serving as the backup supply. There are 521 metered service connections in the system. Since 2015, the system consumption has been below the 550 acre-feet per year allotment, but previous to 2015 consumption was frequently above 550 acre-feet per year.

• LAWS

  Laws Water Company served the town before being purchased by LADWP in 1967. LADWP supplies 50 acre-feet per year via two productions wells. Well 354 serves as the primary supply while Well 413 serves as a backup source for irrigation and fire flows. Consumption in the Laws system is consistently below the allocated 50 acre-feet per year, with an average of 28 acre-feet per year from 1990 to 2017.