The experience of my first few months as a commissioner of the District has left me impressed with the expanse and significance of the actions and decisions that are made by the staff and commissioners. This includes future actions that will have to be made to comply with the requirements of the Growth Management Act (GMA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The mandated requirements of these federal and state laws will require significant capital expenditures by the District that most probably will result in water and sewer rate increases. Additionally expansions of the water and sewer systems within the boundaries of the Lakehaven District will require substantial capital expenditures.

It is my belief that the costs resulting from the expansion of the water and sewer systems should be fairly shared by the new businesses and residential developments. In other words "growth should pay for growth."

As it appears that the population of Western Washington will continue to grow at a rapid rate and the demand for water will increase accordingly, my long range vision to insure an adequate water supply is to provide increased storage capacity (i.e. reservoirs) to store the water resulting from winter rains and snow melt off in the spring for use during the summer months. With our participation in Tacoma’s Second Supply Pipeline Project, we expect to see this storage of winter precipitation occur through the raising of the Howard Hansen Dam on the Green River. This will serve to store winter water, captured in the mountain snowpack, for summer use. Closer to home, we hope to someday store this abundant source of water in the aquifers located within the boundaries of the District. This will also make additional supplies available to meet peak demand in the summer.

I realize that higher costs of water and sewer service may not be popular with some organizations at this time. With water being one of the essentials to sustain human life, we must make plans now to insure an adequate and reasonably priced water supply for the generations to follow.

I intend to continue to keep abreast of the developing actions of the governmental agencies in order that I may be prepared to make intelligent decisions as a commissioner. I welcome your thoughts and questions.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

At the time this newsletter went to print, the 1999 legislative session was winding down. The District, in collaboration with the Washington Association of Water & Sewer Districts, of which Lakehaven is a member, worked hard this session to push for the passage of legislation that would require a city to obtain the consent of a district’s customers, by means of an election, before undertaking proceedings to take over water and sewer service from a special purpose district. These efforts were met with strong opposition from cities, including the City of Federal Way, who wish not to be restrained by the requirement of obtaining the approval of a district’s customers before proceeding to take over water and sewer service. Cities not in the water/sewer business must already obtain the consent of voters within the city to pursue an assumption of service under current law, however, not of the customers of a district residing outside of the city. Unfortunately, a bill providing for the vote, sponsored by Senator Julia Patterson of the 33^rd District, did not pass out of committee and died.

The Board of Commissioners remains committed to the proposition that it is the customers who own the water and sewer system. It is only through the collective approval of the customers that a shift in governance should occur. The Board believes that the question of self-determination is particularly compelling for customers of a district not residing within the city. Lacking residency, these customers cannot vote for the council members who would run the utility, set rates and levy taxes on the service.

The District plans to diligently pursue this issue in Olympia again next year. We would like to thank members of the Legislature and their staff who worked in support of the right of the customers of a district to make this choice. Special thanks go to Senator Patterson and Representative Mark Miloscia, 30^th District (Federal Way), for their leadership and tireless efforts this session to see that all customers of districts have the right to vote on the question of city control of the utility.

We will continue to update legislative issues in future newsletters.

Another wet winter has provided our local aquifers with an ample supply of rainwater. Our groundwater levels in general are above last year’s levels. While the water supply outlook for this summer is very good, we still encourage customers to use prudent water conservation measures this spring and summer.

As fairer weather approaches, you may notice some additional construction moving through Federal Way. By way of a contract between Lakehaven and Tacoma Public Utilities, work on the NE Tacoma/Federal Way Transmission Main Project will be underway this spring. The project will install 5.8 miles of 48" and 60" pipe from Portland Avenue in Tacoma to 1^st Way South in Federal Way. When the project reaches Federal Way, the construction route will follow the Bonneville Power line corridor. This new transmission main will eventually be incorporated into a larger project, know as Tacoma’s Second Supply Project, and will continue through Federal Way eastward through the Auburn valley and out to Howard Hansen Dam near Palmer. In the meantime, Lakehaven will receive an additional source of water to meet future customer needs.

For more information call Melinda at (253)946-5426.

FEATURED EMPLOYEE
Don Heritage with Romania Family
(Top Row Second from Right)

Don Heritage, has been an employee with Lakehaven Utility District for the past 23 years in field maintenance. Don has been involved with an organization called "Children to Love", which brings churches from the United States together with churches from Romania. Together, they sponsor an orphanage in Romania. The idea is to take a team over once a year and provide a year’s supply of vitamins, milk and clothing to approximately 80 children in the orphanage. Don said, "I have been lucky enough to go over three times." This year there were sixteen high school students and five adults ready to go to Romania on March 28^th. Because of the bombing and unrest in that part of the world, it was decided that the entire group could not go; so with seven large bags, Don flew to Romania as the Children to Love representative. The milk and vitamins have improved the health of the children. Because of the volunteer help the facility is cleaner and more sanitary. Don also works one day a week with the "Jam Street" organization in the Federal Way area. This organization plans weekly activities and has an outing once a month for the children. Don says, "The most important thing we have in this world is our children. Let’s work together in taking care and loving them". Lakehaven Utility District is lucky to have dedicated employees like Don Heritage.

YEAR 2000 (Y2K)

District staff has been evaluating the systems that monitor and control our water and wastewater distribution, collection and quality. An exercise was completed on April 13^th at the Lakota Wastewater Treatment Plant to test the plant’s control systems in order to determine whether they are Y2K compliant. The District is pleased to announce that all systems functioned properly and no date specific problems were encountered. A similar exercise will be performed on the water system.

WATERING CALENDAR

The District is implementing a watering schedule calendar for the summer months to conserve our water supply. This calendar is on a voluntary basis. Please use the last two digits of your house number and water .

only on the days with your color, not to exceed 1" weekly. For best absorption, water between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 A.M.

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

Ed Stewart -  Commissioner

Regular Board of Commissioners meetings are held at the Lakehaven Center at 31531 First Ave. S., Federal Way at 6 p.m.