Milestones: Since re-election last fall, I've had another birthday. Getting older is OK if you don't do it alone and can be actively involved in something special. Lakehaven Utility District is special and we have a lot to be thankful for.

On the water side, we have excellent producing wells, even a rechargeable one, plus the intertie with Tacoma, thanks to regional water and interlocal contracts.

Our General Manager, Don Perry, just gave me information on our new public works trust fund loan @ .5%. The District has been fortunate to receive low interest loans from the Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) over the last ten years. This source of funding is a substantial benefit to our customers and recycles part of the money that they have paid to the State for B & O taxes, back to the municipal agencies, that successfully compete for the loans. Over the past few years the PWTF has been looked at as a fund to take money from by some State Government Officials. This year the District was successful through its lobbying effort to defeat taking over forty million dollars from the fund. The District will receive a ten million dollar low interest loan this year for the Second Supply Pipeline. This amount should pay what we owe for our contracted share of the project (pipeline five). We will have many years of available water with careful management.

Our wastewater plants have been upgraded with new ultra violet treatment. Government agencies like EPA, DOE and DOH have a lot to say about our business. Right now we are working with them and the political process to get a 9.6 million dollar grant for part of our water reuse program.

The challenging goal of water recharge and wastewater reuse is one I took on at my first Waterworks National Conference. By carefully guiding our resource management and coordinating with fellow professionals, our District has become outstanding in the field. Many great people have taken a turn on our Board and staff to get us where we are.

We strive to have and pass on a legacy of quality and quantity. What we do now guarantees benefits to our children and grandchildren. It is a pleasure to serve you, our customers. Best Regards, Don Miller

The District encourages its customers to know where the shut-off valve is located to their home and to periodically turn the valve on and off to be sure it is in good working condition.

The older style shut-off valve in most older homes is shut off with the angle rod seen above ground at an L shape and typically located below the outside faucet at the foundation street side of the house. Care should be taken not to use extreme force when trying to operate the older angle rod type. Over the years valves may not turn easily and could be damaged. Customers should make sure the valve is turned back to the full "on" position after locating and turning the valve. If the valve is only partially on it may continue to drain water and leak.

Newer home installations are typically located in the garage area. The valve would be turned clockwise when closed. Care should be taken when turning the valve on, not to use extreme force as damage may occur to the shutoff gate valve.

The water meter has a shut off valve in the box on the street side of the meter. The raised slotted angle valve again would be turned clockwise for closed and again care should be taken not to use extreme force when turning the valve as damage may occur. You will need a T shaped wrench for the shut off valve which may be purchased at most local hardware stores. You can use a crescent wrench and screwdriver as a makeshift T handle wrench. If you have any questions, call 253-946-5426

The 2002 Legislative Session yielded little in the way of new legislation of interest to the District. With a short session and much of the Legislature's attention focused on the much-publicized financial difficulties of the state and its political subdivisions, there was little opportunity to make progress on new items. Consequently, bills introduced by the District this year will have to wait until the 2003 session to receive the level of attention needed to promote their passage.

The lack of a comprehensive water resource bill this session that would address the need for municipal water purveyors to "grow" into a water right was particularly disappointing. This issue will undoubtedly be back on the table next year. One area where success was achieved was the passage of legislation authorizing the District to receive $10 million dollars from the Public Works Trust Fund. The low interest loan from this fund will be used to pay a large portion of the District's share of the Second Supply Pipeline.

We will be developing next year's Legislative Agenda over the coming months. Let us know if you have any ideas for legislation of interest to the District, that you would like us to consider next session.

In 2001, facility upgrades were completed at the Well 10/10A site that included a new pump and motor for Well 10, new water treatment equipment for both wells, electrical upgrades for the site, telemetry monitoring and controls and a new 400-kilowatt diesel powered emergency backup generator. The new emergency generator can provide backup power to either well at this site (which will meet about 30% of the District's average water system demand) and provide St. Francis Hospital with a supply of water in the event of a power failure. In addition, the District is continuing to purchase and install emergency backup generators at other targeted critical water pumping facilities, to assure that our customers will have a supply of water during unpredictable power failure events

The payment drop box has been moved from the Administration Building to the south side of the middle island between the Fire District & the Administration Office. This was changed due to a safety suggestion from an employee. There is a stop sign in front of the south side of the island, however, most customers backing out after leaving a payment at the old payment box, did not stop there and we have had a few near misses from cars leaving on the north side. Hopefully this will make it safer for our customers and District personnel.

top

Approximately 1,600 South King County 4th & 5th grade students converged on Highline Community College on March 26th & 27th, 2002, to learn about water and the environment at the 2002 Water Festival workshop. Students rotated through hands-on and demonstration sessions. The goal of the event was to teach students how our every day activities affect water and the environment. We are delighted that so many teachers are interested enough in environmental issues to have dedicated a class day to bringing their students. These young people are our future and with our help, they will be able to make wise choices and become good stewards.

top