About Lake Alpine Water Company
Lake Alpine Water Company (LAWC) is a privately owned Class D water utility serving Bear Valley, California in Alpine County.
LAWC is dedicated to being the best Class D water company in California by providing drinking water of the highest quality and knowledgeable and friendly customer service.
LAWC was started in 1964 by Bruce and Roma Orvis during the development of the Bear Valley Community. They forged the new company by building Reba Dam to create Bear Lake and installed all the lines, tanks and connections that serve our community today. Throughout the years, upgrades have been made to continue delivering quality water. In 2005, treatment was upgraded to include a Memcor micro-filtration system and in 2007 meters were installed at every connection.
LAWC serves nearly 300 homes, 178 condominium units, and 18 municipal and business services. All water is obtained from springs and snow melt into Bear Lake.
LAWC is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission and the California State Water Resources Control Board.
LAWC is a member of the local Alpine Chamber of Commerce and the Bear Valley Business Association.
LAWC is a member of the California Water Association and the California Rural Water Association.
LAWC is currently owned by:
- C. Bruce Orvis III
- Paula Orvis
- Charles Toeniskoetter
- Steve Hallgrimson
LAWC is managed by a board of directors. Current directors are:
- Charles Toeniskoetter
- Steve Hallgrimson
- Don Schulz
- Brent Simmons
- Isaac Zamora
Staff of Lake Alpine Water Company
Chief Plant Operator, Steven Schnitter is a certified Level III Treatment and Distribution Operator. He oversees all aspects of treatment and distribution. He comes from Davis, California and is enjoying the Bear Valley winters.
Plant Operator Colton Nevin joined LAWC in August of 2022. He comes from Modesto and has family in Arnold. He is certified as a Level I Distribution and Treatment operator.
General Manager, Kimi Johnson, oversees the administrative details including customer service, financial management, reports to the California Public Utilities Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, the board directors and the Bear Valley community. Kimi is a certified Level II Treatment and Distribution Operator.
Contact Information
The LAWC Office, located in Suite 109 in the Bear Valley Lodge, is open Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm.
Phone: 209-753-2409 Email: info@lakealpinewater.com
For water emergencies, please contact the operators at the plant : 209-753-6241
Mailing info and payment remittance address: PO Box 5013 Bear Valley, CA 95223.