The Water Department provides potable drinking water within an 8 square mile service area in Big Bear City, Ca. Sugarloaf, portions of Whispering Forest and Erwin Lake, are not included in the Districts water service area. The Department services 6013 connections, 24-hours per day, 365 days per year by 8 fulltime employees. Department operations are supported by four reservoirs with a total capacity of 6.25 million gallons, 81 miles of main lines, 418 fire hydrants and 1600 gate valves. The water system also supports fire suppression activities with water flows that range from 500 gallons per minute to in excess of 1500 gallons per minute.