Lakehaven Utility District

Commissioner's Corner
Dick Mayer

Commissioner Dick Mayer I take great pleasure in having the opportunity to announce to our customers, on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, that on March 24th, Governor Gary Locke signed ESSHB 2867 into law

This bill, which the District introduced to the State Legislature during the 2000 legislative session, provides the legal framework to allow water purveyors to inject and store, for later use, surplus water in the underground aquifer systems. Storage and recovery of surplus water within the aquifer will be authorized under the existing reservoir permit system. Reservoir permits, which have long existed under our state water code, are the regulatory mechanisms under which we store and use water in the many water tanks throughout the District. Under the new law, water stored in an aquifer under a reservoir permit may be withdrawn for use, just as it is from the water tanks, without the need to obtain a new primary water right.

While applicable to water purveyors with access to groundwater sources of supply throughout the state, this new law is particularly important for this District as we endeavor to develop long term water supply planning. We are fortunate in this area to have an aquifer system that is ideally suited to the storage of surplus water. As we hope you are aware, the District has been studying a program to artificially store water in the aquifers underlying the District for many years. The program, known as OASIS ("Optimizing Aquifer Storage for Increased Supply") has gained the attention of many in the water supply industry for its ability to address the inherent conflict which exists between the time when water is most available (the winter months), and the time when it is most in demand (the summer months). With an emerging source of available surplus water from the Second Supply Pipeline Project to store, the only major piece of the storage and recovery puzzle missing was a law to reliably authorize withdrawal of the stored water.

As we must all recognize, water supply is finite. Aggravating the fact that population increases escalate demand on the water system, development erodes the natural recharge capabilities of the land surfaces and correspondingly reduces the available supply. Due to the ability of our aquifers to store billions of gallons of water, the OASIS program has come to be viewed as a valuable resource in the battle to meet the ever increasing demands on water supply on a regional basis. With the passage of the bill, a functioning OASIS program, which is now much closer to reality, will allow us to maximize the benefits of the Second Supply Pipeline for our customers and neighbors alike.

We are extremely grateful to our local legislative representatives for their support of the bill, which passed both houses unanimously. Representatives Mark Miloscia, one of the bill's sponsors, and Maryann Mitchell, were very instrumental in developing the tremendous support this legislation received in the House of Representatives. Senator Tracey Eide's hard work and leadership generated overwhelming acceptance of the new law in the Senate, both at the committee level and on the Senate floor, and was crucial to the bill's overall success. Their collective efforts are to be applauded and, again, we thank each for their valuable assistance. This legislation will benefit the residents of this community, as it will for many others within this state, for generations to come. The District would also like to thank Representative Kelli Linville, 42nd District, the bill's prime sponsor, and Mark Triplett, the District's Lobbyist, for their dedication and effort to help put this law on the books.

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Water Treatment Project

Historically, Lakehaven Utility District has not been required to treat the drinking water that we provide to our customers. However, because of changes in the source of our drinking water and federal drinking water regulations established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the District must prepare to meet various drinking water standards that will require water treatment.

Currently, the District provides a small number of customers with chlorinated drinking water that we purchase wholesale from the City of Tacoma. Tacoma obtains their water from the Green River Watershed and treats it with chlorine to meet standards established by the EPA "Surface Water Treatment Rule."

To meet current and future demands for water, it will soon become necessary for the District to purchase additional water from Tacoma and blend this water with water pumped from our own wells. The blending of "surface water" purchased from Tacoma and "groundwater" pumped from District wells will require the introduction of chlorine as a drinking water disinfectant to meet the EPA drinking water regulations.

For many years, Lakehaven customers receiving groundwater pumped from our wells sometimes had dirty water and stains that are caused by iron and manganese minerals in the water. Unfortunately, adding chlorine as a disinfectant will increase the possibility of this problem. To help alleviate this potential concern a harmless liquid phosphate compound will be added to the water to help prevent the dirty water and staining from occurring.

This first phase of our treatment project is planned to begin in June or July of this year and will begin in the southeast area of the District. Customers working or living in this area will be notified before treatment begins so that they are aware that the water will be treated. Towards the end of this year or early next year, the District will begin the final treatment phase of the project whereby chlorination treatment of the entire distribution system will begin. Customers will receive notification prior to beginning the final all-encompassing treatment of our distribution system.

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Safety Suggestion Awards

The staff at Lakehaven Utility District continually emphasizes safety and loss control in their daily work routine. As a means to promote safety awareness, staff developed a Safety Incentive Awards Program to recognize those employees who exemplify safe work habits, attitude, and behavior at the District. District management wishes to thank this year's award winners for their commitment to making the District a safe place to work. Contest winners were chosen from the various Departments. Pictured on front from left to right are Lynn Keltner, Rick Lortz, Mike Ming, Dave Hamrick, Gary Cook, John Jensen, Dan McDonnell and Debbie Manglallan. Not pictured are Dianne Wallan and Timolin Abrom.

ADMINISTRATION:
1ST Place: Dianne Wallan
2nd Place: Debi Manglallan

WATER OPS:
1ST Place: John Jensen
2nd Place: Rick Lortz

SEWER OPS:
1ST Place: Mike Ming
2nd Place: Lynn Keltner

FIELD OPS:
1ST Place: Dan McDonnell
2nd Place: Dave Hamrick

SAFETY SUGGESTIONS:
1ST Place: Gary Cook
2nd Place: Timolin Abrom

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Conservation Activities

The District will participate in the events listed below.

City of Federal Way's
Red White & Blue Festival
Tuesday July 4th, 4:00 – 10:15 p.m.
Fireworks following
Location: Celebration Park – 1095 S 324th St.

Family Fest – A Celebration of Diversity
Saturday, August 26th & Sunday August 27th
Steel Lake Park
312th & 24th Ave S., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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

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Watering Calendar

The District has implemented 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.

00-15

16-32

33-99

May

June

July

August

Your Board of Commissioners

Beverly J. Tweddle - President

Donald L. P. Miller - Vice President

Tom Jovanovich - Secretary

Dick Mayer - Commissioner

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.

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