The Butano Canyon Mutual Water Company (BCMWC) is a non profit 501(c)12 corporation formed to provide healthy drinking water to the Butano Canyon community.
Sourced from Butano Creek, the water system serves over 80 households in the Canyon. As the water distribution system runs under the Canyon roads the Water Company also maintains the roads. The water distribution system supplies a network of fire hydrants, which is one of the reasons the community survived the CZU Lightning Complex fire with minimal damage.
To protect the water source, purification plant, and distribution system BCMWC also maintains the gate at the end of Canyon Road.
Canyon Road is maintained by the County of San Mateo.
There are annual Member fees for water use. The fees vary depending on the use of the property - lots with habitable structures pay more. It's pretty simple.
There are gate security fees, which are for the 'clickers' and/or proximity cards.
Beyond those fees the Membership may vote to levee 'Special Assessments' - for example the Community created a Special Assessment for the purchase of fire hoses & storage to supplement the hydrants.
The Butano Canyon Mutual Water Company is NOT an Home Owners Association. There is no HOA in Butano Canyon.
If you have a problem with your neighbors and it's not about water, don't bring it to the water company.