The new millennium was off to an exciting start even before it began. Just as it was for many industries reliant on electrical power, the end of 1999 brought with it worries about what might happen to our operations if the region's electrical power system was to fail. With the large amounts of electricity it takes to operate the many pumps that move the water and sewage through the pipes, we spent a good deal of time and effort readying our emergency generators for the Year 2000. We also had a large number of operations and other staff available during the afternoon and evening of December 31st to respond to any difficulties that may have arisen. Fortunately, the problems did not materialize and the transition to the new millennium went smoothly.

The most important water supply project in the history of the District, the Northeast Tacoma Transmission Main, was completed this year. This new water supply line, which will ultimately become part of the regional Second Supply Pipeline system, will bring two million gallons of water a day year round to the District, plus up to an additional five million gallons per day during the winter months. This supply of drinking water will be available until the Second Supply Pipeline is completed and capable of delivering even larger amounts of water to the District.

We also began to implement treatment of the water supply system this year to comply with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Largely due to the need to blend Tacoma's chlorinated surface water supply with our non-chlorinated ground water supply, it has become necessary to disinfect the groundwater supply with chlorine. Adding chlorine to the system can increase the presence of non-dissolved iron and manganese in the water system. To avoid problems with discoloration of the water, which can cause the staining of clothing in the wash, it is necessary to add a small amount of a phosphate compound to the water. Additionally, we are implementing treatment of the water supply to reduce corrosion in household plumbing systems. Through all of these treatment measures, our aim is to continue to provide you with a safe and reliable source of water.

For those of you who regularly follow this newsletter, you will recall that we were able to introduce, and gain passage of, a new law this year that will allow water purveyors in this state to store and recover water in underground aquifers. We are very excited about the new law and the potential it helps to create for the storage of large quantities of water in the vast aquifers that lie below our service area. It is our belief that by recharging the aquifer levels during the winter months, when water is abundant, we will be able to pump more from the wells during the summer months when demand is higher and supplies are otherwise less available. At present, we have an application submitted to the Department of Ecology to approve the storage of water in the aquifers lying below ground within the District. While it will likely be some time before final approval can be obtained, we will be continuing to have discussions about storing water in the aquifers (which we have long referred to as the OASIS project). I would encourage each of you to follow this important program closely.

Changes in the regulatory environment are not limited to the water business. New regulations have been adopted which will require elimination of the chlorine residual in the treated effluent that flows into Puget Sound from our two wastewater treatment plants. To meet this change, we have undertaken the installation of UV (Ultra-Violet) disinfection systems this year at the Redondo and Lakota Wastewater Treatment Plants. The UV system works through contact of the waste stream with ultra-violet light. The advantage is that the systems disinfect the wastewater without the addition of chlorine, which would be carried into the Puget Sound with the effluent.

The year also saw significant improvements made to our web-site (www.lakehaven.org). in addition to enhancements to make the site more "user-friendly", we have added our Board agenda and meeting minutes to the web page. We hope this allows you the opportunity to access more and better information about the District. As the Board representative to the web-site project, I would appreciate hearing your thoughts about the web-site and what we might do to improve it further.

Best wishes for the Holiday Season

We are continuing to map out our legislative agenda for the 2001 legislative session. This involves discussing both new laws and amendments to existing law that we believe will improve the business of running a public water and sewer utility. Because activities are fast-paced during the relatively short legislative sessions, an important part of this review is to develop a priority among the targeted legislative items. We will keep you informed as the session progresses.

During the next year Lakehaven Utility District will begin corrosion control treatment of our water supply to reduce leaching of copper ions from metal plumbing in your home. We will also begin disinfecting our water to safeguard against the potential of bacteriological contaminants. In addition, we will be adding a sequestering agent to the water supply to prevent the formation of stains and mineral deposits caused by the oxidation of naturally occurring iron and manganese minerals that are common in our groundwater. Future treatment operations will be used for both wholesale water purchased from Tacoma and groundwater from Lakehaven wells.

All of these treatment operations are being implemented to meet new regulations of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and to improve the overall quality of your drinking water.

Disasters happen anytime and anywhere. When disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond. In the Federal Way area, an earthquake or windstorm could cut off basic services such as gas, water, electricity and telephones for days. Following a disaster, local officials including your water/sewer crews will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. Would your family be prepared to cope with the emergency until help arrives?

Before the Disaster:

• Plan to be self-sufficient for 72 hours.
• Assemble a First Aid Kit including basic items such as bandages, sterile pads, antiseptic, and aspirin.
• Store water in plastic containers with screw-on caps, such as soft drink bottles. Plan on two gallons of water per person per day.
• Assemble a non-perishable food supply, especially high energy items such as peanut butter, granola bars and trail mix.
• Strap your water heater to the wall and make sure it is fitted with a flexible gas supply line to reduce the danger of a fire or explosion.
• During a Disaster:
• If you are home, stay calm and don't use the telephone unless necessary because the phone lines will be jammed.
• In an earthquake, stay where you are and take cover under a sturdy structure, such as a table or desk.
• Turn away from glass and move away from heavy objects.

Your utility workers will know of the damage to their lines and will reach your home as soon as possible. Again, plan to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

The District's Post Office box for all electronic payments has been changed to PO Box 4249, in Federal Way, WA 98063. Please advise your bank of this new address so that we can expedite crediting the payment to your account.

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Now that winter is nearly upon us we need to be prepared for frozen pipes or even worse, burst pipes. It is important that you know the location of the main shutoff valve to your home.

Most hardware stores have products specifically designed to insulate pipes, including heat tape. It is also helpful to wrap some insulation around your water meter, cutting a hole in the insulation so that the register of the meter is exposed. If your pipes should freeze, thaw them by wrapping hot wet rags around them and slowly adding hot water. You can also use a hairdryer on the low setting making sure not to aim at one spot too long. NEVER use a blowtorch on frozen pipes.

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Lakehaven Utility District's Customer Assistance Program is helping those customers in our community who find themselves unable to pay their water/sewer bills. Funding for this program comes from voluntary contributions from our employees, commissioners and from customers wishing to help their neighbors in need. The Multi-Service Center in Federal Way has been administering this program since it began and carefully screens fund recipients to determine eligibility and need.

If you would like to contribute, please indicate your desired contribution in the appropriate space on your water/sewer payment stub and include your donation with your payment. Your contribution may be tax deductible, if you itemize deductions. Your donations are appreciated and can make a big difference in someone's life.