Riverside County Property Rights Petition: An Interactive Case File

Case Overview

This case file details the petition of Mr. Gregory Reed, a property owner in Sage, California, against the County of Riverside. For over a decade, Mr. Reed has contested the erroneous attachment of water permits to his property (APN 571-040-002), the operation of an unpermitted and unsafe water system by the Weber Valley Heights Water Association (WVHWA), and the existence of illegal electrical infrastructure. The petition alleges a pattern of bureaucratic failure, potential fraud, and a disregard for public safety and property rights by county departments.

Petitioner's Statement:

"For over a decade, I have fought to uncover the truth and protect my rights as a lawful property owner. The misuse of county permits, uninspected utilities, and misrepresentation of ownership has not only endangered me on my property but undermined the very trust residents like I place in their local government officials like you. I respectfully ask this Board to stand for transparency and justice."

Core Allegations

The petition outlines several distinct but interconnected areas of alleged wrongdoing and negligence. This section breaks down the primary claims made by Mr. Reed against the Department of Environmental Health (DEH), Code Enforcement, and the Weber Valley Heights Water Association (WVHWA). Explore each category to understand the specifics of the dispute.

📄 Permit Fraud & Mismanagement

Water Well Permit #16245 and State Small Water System Permit #1790 are falsely attached to APN 571-040-002.
Permit #16245 was originally issued for a different parcel (APN 571-030-037).
A 2015 submission by law firm Best, Best & Krieger allegedly contained an altered version of Permit #16245.
A DEH official allegedly confirmed no permit exists for the well, yet claimed it was exempt, contradicting county ordinance.

💧 Water Code & Safety Violations

The well on APN 571-040-002 produces 9 gallons per minute (GPM) but illegally serves 6 connections.
CA Water Code requires a minimum of 3 GPM per connection, limiting this well to only 3 connections.
WVHWA operates as an "unincorporated association," which is prohibited for water systems established after Nov 1991 (this well became operational in 1992).
DEH allegedly allowed an unpermitted system expansion and has incomplete/inaccurate inspection records.

⚡ Illegal Electrical Infrastructure

An unpermitted, uninspected 240v electrical line runs underground from APN 571-040-004 to the well on Mr. Reed's property.
This connection originates from a canceled 1970 electrical permit (#186958) intended for a single-family well.
An illegal electrical panel and meter exist on APN 571-040-004.
Code Enforcement was allegedly made aware of the illegal energy source but failed to act.

Water Supply vs. Legal Requirement

The California Water Code requires a minimum sustained flow of 3 gallons per minute (GPM) for each service connection on a state small water system. The well in question produces 9 GPM, legally supporting only 3 connections, yet it currently serves 6.

Timeline of Events

This timeline details the key events as presented in the petition, from the original land subdivision to the ongoing disputes. Click on each year to expand and view the specific events and their significance to the case.

Key Parcels & Players

Understanding the physical layout of the involved properties is crucial. The diagram below illustrates the key parcels (APNs), the location of the wells, and the path of the alleged illegal electrical connection. Hover over each parcel for more details.

APN ...004 44240 Benton Rd 💧 ⚡️

APN ...002 44100 Ginger Cir. 💧

APN ...037 44135 Perryman Ln

Illegal 240v Line

Hover over a parcel to see details.

Requested Actions & Relief

Based on the extensive list of grievances, the petitioner has requested specific actions from the County of Riverside Board of Supervisors to rectify the situation, enforce existing laws, and restore his property rights. The key requests are summarized below.

1. Permit & Property Rights Correction

Immediately disassociate Permits #16245 and #1790 from APN 571-040-002 and provide written clarification on the status of the illegally drilled well.

2. Fraud & Compliance Investigation

Conduct a full investigation into the alleged fraud, including the alteration of Permit #16245. Investigate WVHWA for operating without a DBA, selling water for profit, and violating the Water Code. Void all permits held by WVHWA.

3. Removal of Illegal Infrastructure

Demand the immediate removal of the illegal electrical connection between parcels and the unpermitted electrical panel and meter on APN 571-040-004.

4. Third-Party & Legal Review

Request County Counsel to evaluate the easements and initiate a third-party investigation into the water system's compliance, expansions, and potential water syphoning.