During the last year, both the Lakota and Redondo Wastewater Treatment Pants have undergone major changes in the way disinfection of the waste stream occurs. Up until recently, wastewater treated in the plants was disinfected with chlorine prior to being discharged to Puget Sound. Regulations governing the quality of the effluent discharged from wastewater plants have changed over the past years and the use of chlorine to disinfect the waste stream was no longer an option for the District. To meet the new regulations, the District installed ultraviolet (UV) systems in the plants to disinfect the effluent prior to its discharge to the Sound. The cost of the UV disinfection installation for our wastewater treatment plants was approximately 2.5 million dollars. So far, the new systems are working very well.

I am sure that a number of you have had the opportunity to take a tour of a wastewater treatment plant at one time or another. Having had several opportunities to view both the Lakota and Redondo Wastewater Treatment Plants since joining the Board in 1998, I must confess to a new-found appreciation for the extensive network of operational processes that go into treating wastewater. Despite some pre-conceived reservations I held about the experience of visiting a wastewater treatment plant, undoubtedly tied to the subject matter, I have found wastewater treatment to be a much more interesting process than I would ever have imagined. While I'm not convinced that it will ever replace a trip to Disneyland, or perhaps a night at Safeco Field, in general entertainment appeal, I would nevertheless heartily recommend that each of you consider a visit to one or both of these plants in the future.

One of the more intriguing options available to the Board for consideration is the use of methane gas to fuel motors that drive electrical generators. As we all know, the existing sources of electrical energy are presently in a state of extraordinarily high demand in this country. If we can use the methane produced at the plants to offset our electrical energy demands, we will be helping to do our part to conserve natural resources and to save money for the ratepayers at the same time! Methane gas is a by-product of the anaerobic digestion process. Currently, about 50% of the methane produced at the plants is burned in boilers to heat the digesters and portions of the process buildings. The remaining gas is burned through a waste gas burner. We'll keep you informed as information on the methane project develops.

If you are interested in touring either or both of the plants, you can contact Lee at 253-946-5438.

Thank you for your interest in the District.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The focus of efforts in the legislative arena at the present time is on the "other Washington".

As you may know, the District is in the early stages of planning to develop a project to "reclaim" treated wastewater effluent. Treated wastewater can be used to offset the use of, or otherwise enhance, the supply of water stored in the aquifer. As many areas of the country have found out, the use of treated wastewater can make the traditional sources of water supply go much farther!

The infrastructure necessary to implement wastewater reclamation is very expensive and the District is working to obtain federal funding for a share of the program costs. With the combined efforts of Senators Maria Cantwell, Patty Murray and Representative Adam Smith, the District was successful in introducing a bill this summer in the U.S. Senate to provide federal funds to share in the costs of the water reclamation project. These funds will help keep the costs down for current and future District customers alike.

We are continuing our legislative work in both Washingtons and will keep you informed of our progress!

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The District will be drilling a replacement well for two existing wells located near the King/Pierce County line at about 36th Avenue South and South 384th Street. The two existing wells are about 20 years old and penetrate the Eastern Uplands Aquifer system about 250 feet below the ground. Problems with sand breaking through the screen on one of the wells has prevented us from fully utilizing the water from these wells and raised concerns that we may soon lose production altogether if the formation around the well screen is further degraded. Drilling of a replacement well is planned for July of this year. We are also looking into a water filtration system that will reduce the levels of iron and manganese minerals present in these wells to improve the overall water quality in the area. The replacement well will allow us to produce over 100 million gallons of water each year from this site.

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Since 1994, the District has been preparing to treat our water supply to meet requirements of a federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation called the Lead and Copper Rule. Washington State Department of Health regulates the process of treating our drinking water to meet the requirements of this EPA regulation and has added that Lakehaven Utility District include disinfection to maintain a chlorine residual within the water distribution system at all times. During the mid to late 1990's, water treatment was a featured topic at many Board of Commissioner meetings. The cost of the water treatment program is approximately 1.5 million dollars for installation on our twenty two wells. Before Lakehaven Utility District implemented the new treatment program on June 4, 2001, information about the upcoming treatment was included on our internet web site, mailed to all of our water users in our annual "Water Quality Report", and was added to our customer water bills. In addition, prior to June 4, 2001, all the local area newspapers featured a news article about the water treatment Lakehaven was preparing to implement.

Lakehaven Utility District is currently maintaining a chlorine residual concentration of about 0.3 parts per million throughout our distribution system, which is considered an average concentration for disinfecting drinking water supplies. Many people who are sensitive to chlorine or have an acute sense of taste and smell have detected this as a very objectionable change in their water. During the last few months there has been a noticeable odor to the water in many locations. This has been caused by a chemical reaction with natural organics that have been present in the water mains and private service lines. This reaction is creating what are called "dichloramines" which is the source of the strong chlorine smell. The noticeable taste and odor is only an esthetic problem and is not due to an overdose of chlorine in the system. After the organics creating the dichloramines are destroyed by our chlorinated water, the system will stabilize and the strong taste and odors will diminish. In many areas of our distribution system this has already occurred. Lakehaven Utility District will continue to disinfect our distribution system indefinitely and we will be monitoring our treatment process daily to assure that our water always meets federal and state safe drinking water standards. An easy method that you can use to remove chlorine from your tap water is to fill a clean wide mouth glass container 3/4 full, with the lid on and shake to force air bubbles into the water. Remove the lid and leave the container open on your counter top for at least a couple of hours. Oxygen will drive out the chlorine taste and odor from the water. Afterward, place the lid back on the container and chill the water in your refrigerator. This should provide good tasting water without the chlorine less expensive than bottled water. Remember, the more oxygen you can introduce into the water by shaking the container the better it will work.

Some people may want to remove the chlorine from their drinking water for personal reasons. An inexpensive activated carbon filter unit can be used to easily remove chlorine from drinking water and are available at most hardware stores.

Status Of Local Aquifers

As of August of this year, our largest aquifer known as the Redondo-Milton Channel Aquifer is on a par with last year's water levels despite the low rainfall that our area has received since last fall. We have been able to maintain the water level in this upper aquifer by utilizing more water from our deeper aquifer wells.

While the deeper aquifer wells are declining from higher production rates, they are still higher than they have been in years past and are expected to remain in good condition for the remainder of the year. If below normal precipitation continues to persist, Lakehaven can purchase additional water from Tacoma to ease groundwater production if necessary. Otherwise, as normal rainfall returns, we anticipate substituting more water production from the upper aquifer and allowing the deeper aquifer water levels to recover.

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Your Board of Commissioners

Donald L. P. Miller - President

Tom Jovanovich - Vice President

Dick Mayer - Secretary

Beverly J. Tweddle - 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.