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Water takes its "direction" from gravity, naturally flowing downhill. But, that doesn´t always get it where it needs to be, particularly in LVMWD´s mountainous region where the topography ranges from 470 feet to 2516 feet above sea level. Thus, pumps play a vital role in moving water throughout the delivery system and in the right direction. 
All water supplies for LVMWD come from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) through three connections: two located in Chatsworth and one in Old Town Calabasas. The water maintains a fairly stable pressure and flow when traveling a level course, but requires a "boost" in pressure to get over the hills to homes and businesses throughout LVMWD´s 122 square mile service area. (Even though a customer may be at a low elevation, the water may have to traverse a much higher mountain to get there.) This is achieved through a series of pump stations at critical points throughout the district, used to add pressure and give the water momentum to "run uphill."
LVMWD has 21 potable water pump stations. Most contain multiple pumps, each a massive structure of pipes, valves and indicators; some are as large as a tractor-trailer. It takes immense machinery to create the "push" necessary to move water up such high and steep terrain. Many pumping stations have companion tanks, ranging in capacity from 1/4 million to 8 million gallons. Tanks are sized to provide approximately 5 hours of water for the area they serve. Likely you´ve seen these large fixtures as you travel through the region. Why are tanks located on hilltops? As the elevation of a tank increases, so does the resulting pressure of the water to customers, which makes it possible to deliver water by gravity flow without continual use of the pumps. This saves energy and money. LVMWD schedules the use of pumps so water is usually moved into tanks during off-peak energy periods, for further cost savings.
Pump stations are operated through the district´s computerized SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system. This 24-hour automated system allows operators to instantly see what´s happening at any pump station or tank, anytime and from anywhere. With this information, pumping and flows can be instantly changed to ensure water is where it is needed, when it is needed. 
While water comes into our service area at the eastern end of the district, supplies for emergency use and high-use demand (usually mid to late summer) are stored at the western end. Thus, the system needs to be able to move water in either direction. A unique pumping station along Cornell Road at a mid-point in the service area can pump two ways, from west to east or east to west. All of this behind-the-scenes power and effort helps LVMWD to assure the water "knows where to go" to make it´s way to customers. | |||||||||
