HATCH VALLEY DWID

History of Hatch Valley DWID:

 

In the late 1950's, the businesses along Route 66 were the only residents in the area.  They received their water from a well on the Grounds' Crozier Canyon Ranch which was located just a few miles west of the town of Truxton.  At one time, there were three cafes, three motels, six service stations, and one bar in Truxton.  Now, sadly, there remains only one service station, Truxton Station, and one convenience store/gas station, Gas N Grub.

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In the 1960's, the area was subdivided by the Hatch Development Company into four areas.  Around that time, the State Highway Department re-aligned Route 66 and made the lanes wider.  The present well on Molthan Lane was drilled by the State Highway Department on the property of Hatch Development Company to use for the road construction.  After the road was finished, the well was given to Mr. S.G. Hatch, who was President of the Development Company.  The Development Company then formed the Hatch Valley Water Company to serve the small but growing Truxton community.  The well was 385 feet deep with water at 220 feet below land surface and had a maximum pump capacity of 500 gallons per minute.

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In 1976, the aging widower, Mr. Hatch, wanted to sell the water company.  Several of the business owners and residents got together and discussed the idea of the community buying the water company.  A special meeting was held and the majority of the residents agreed to purchase the company as a non-profit co-operation.

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Raymond Barker, owner of the Frontier Cafe and Motel, was the first certified operator.  He did most of the leg work to get the process in order.  Rural Development, which was USDA Farm Home Administration at the time, financed the purchase.  At that time there were 38 meters in use and the population of Truxton was less than 100.  In 1989, Raymond became seriously ill and resigned his position as operator.  Richard Schneider replaced Raymond as operator and remains in the position today.  The community is growing with 75 meters now in use and has an approximate population of 140.

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In 1994, a CBDG grant was awarded to replace the aged 10,000 gallon storage/pneumatic tank with a 20,000 gallon storage tank and a 5,000 gallon pneumatic tank.  In January, 2007, the Hatch Valley Water Company was transferred to the Hatch Valley Domestic Water Improvement District.