HERITAGE HIGHLANDS HOME POTABLE WATER SYSTEMS

GENERAL INFORMATION

It has been three years since the known general information on our home water systems has been distributed to the community residents. The following information contains no new issues but is being addressed for those new residents as well as a reminder to all other residents. All of this information was taken from maps provided by Tucson Water and the HOA cannot guarantee the accuracy but we do believe the information to be reasonable accurate.

Our potable water is provided by Tucson Water to the water meter and you own the plumbing from the meter on throughout your property. There are 2 distinct areas of distribution in our community with "Upper" or most northerly areas served with a "Pump" system and the "Lower" areas being served by a "Gravity" system, both of which water is provided out of the large water tank across Dove Mt. Blvd. from our North Gate.

The water pressure for the Upper areas would have very low pressure without the pump system.  Presently the pressure at the North Gate is at a maximum of 92 pounds per square inch (psi) and increases as the elevation lowers. With each lower foot of elevation, the psi increases 0.4335 psi, so with a drop of 50 feet the maximum pressure at a house would increase to 114psi. For example the pressure at the lower end of Heritage Canyon is 130 psi.  The Gravity areas starts at various areas as noted below. For a general reference the water pressure at the intersection of Heritage Club Blvd. and Heritage Gateway Ave. is 51 psi. The Clubhouse pressure is about the same. Again, the pressure will increase as the elevation drops.  A 140 ft. decrease in elevation from this intersection to the lowest area of the community will result in a main line pressure of 112 psi at the lowest end of Eagle Mesa.

Normally, your house is protected by a Pressure Reduction Valve (PRV) that was installed in the inlet water pipe just before the pipe enters the house. The PRV is normally set to reduce the pressure into your house to 45 or 50 psi. These valves can fail over time so as a precaution you should check the pressure into your house from time to time. Your irrigation or Drip System may or may not be protected by the house side PRV, depending on the position in the inlet pipe, and may or may not have its own PRV protection. You could experience a failure in your Drip System if it is not protected by a PRV.

The pipe from your water meter to your house side PRV will be under the same higher pressure as at the main line and water meter. If your house is located in a higher pressure area, the installation of a PRV at your water meter would protect the pipe between the meter and your house. Although this main line pipe has a higher pressure rating than the pipes within your house, failures have occurred.

The "Pump" system includes:

1. All houses on Heritage Canyon Dr. from the North Gate to Heritage Club Blvd. and of course includes all houses in the connecting streets to Heritage Canyon Drive.

2. All houses from the North Gate down Heritage Gateway Ave. to and including house numbers 13477 and 13482.

3. All houses on Sunset Mesa from Arid Canyon down to and including house numbers 13414 and 13421.

4. All houses on Winding Desert from Arid Canyon to and including house numbers 5434 and 5435.

5. All houses on Buckhorn Cholla starting from the north end and then south to and including house number 13671 plus all houses on W. Christmas Cholla and W. Calico Cactus.

6. This Pump" system includes all other streets in the northern areas including Tortolita Flats, Navajo Mesa, Coyote Gulch, Arid Canyon, Desert Poppy, Wild Hazel, Jointfir, Nightstar Ct., Gold Cholla, Spoonplant, and all those connecting short streets and cul-desacs.

The "Gravity" system includes all houses south of the above named house numbers and streets.  This information is provided as a guide for all Heritage Highlands residents to assist them in the maintenance of their water system in order to prevent or minimize potential leaks and possible damage to their property.