• Please use water wisely. You know many ways already and the garden experts in our papers have wonderful ideas. My fuchsia and geranium baskets drip into flowerbeds below. Both areas thrive and water is conserved.

• In an effort to provide the most efficient and cost effective service, the District is asking property owners to cooperate in keeping their yards free of obstructions which impede access to the meters by our meter readers. The District will notify property owners, via a doorhanger, where access has been obstructed by landscaping or other barriers and ask that the problem be corrected by the time of the next meter reading. If you have any questions, please call 253-946-5443.

• Our Emergency Preparedness Guide is in place on our website www.lakehaven.org. Please check it out and be personally prepared. A little extra water, food and medical supplies give a great deal of peace of mind. Be a good scout.

• New legislation is in process in SB# 5447. It gives us all the right to vote on our service provider for sewer and water. A recent visit and testimony by your Lakehaven team was well received in Olympia. We are diligent and hope the bill passes. It seems to us that our voting right should be automatic.

• With the news full of terrorism and worry in the air I cling to faith, real values, family and friends who care. As your neighbor and long-time Commissioner, thanks for your trust and the opportunity to serve you.

In 2002, the District constructed a brand new pump house facility for Well 16, which is located on the southeast side of our distribution system. The original facility was constructed in 1970. Due to age of the facility and the integrity of the structural, electrical and mechanical systems, the facility was identified as a site that needed improvements (as recommended by the District's Comprehensive Water System Plan). In 1999, Kennedy/Jenks Consultants of Federal Way was approved by the Board of Commissioners to design new electrical and structural upgrades for this well site. Gary Harper Construction of Redmond was awarded the construction bid. Work began in March of 2002 with completion of the new facility in June. In addition to the new building, the project included a new pump and motor for the well, upgraded power and electrical panels for the pump, an emergency generator system, a new telemetry system for monitoring and control, new chemical treatment equipment and a water quality monitoring system.

The District continues to work during the 2003 Legislative Session on the passage of legislation of interest to the operation of the water and sewer utility. Bills on public works contracting, engineering consultant selection, connection charges for future facilities installed by private developer and a measure to require voter approval of the assumption of the service jurisdiction of a large district located within the boundaries of multiple cities, are active. Many thanks to Representatives Miloscia and Priest, and Senator Eide, for their assistance with the legislative program this session.

Because of the pace of legislative activity and the lag of time between the preparation of the Newsletter and its distribution to all customers over the two month billing cycle, it is, unfortunately, impossible to provide more current information during the session. The Legislative Committee will continue to work hard and a more complete report on the session will be provided with the next Newsletter!

In an effort to control water consumption at the Village Green Retirement Campus, the management and residents of the complex recently developed an eight step water conservation program. The program involves the following activities:

1. In March, a committee of residents was formed representing all of the building types at Village Green. The committee met weekly up to July, and periodically thereafter.
2. A systems analysis and inventory of areas where water usage could improve was completed.

3. Following the survey, Village Green implemented a repair program to address the existence of faulty and inefficient hardware and to correct all leaks. In the months of May and June they completed over 50 repairs (20 toilets, 10 aerators, 20 shower heads).

4. Water-saving devices, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads, were installed.

5. Management implemented a staff-training program and revised all policies and procedures relating to water conservation.

6. A resident education program, stressing good water usage practices, was implemented.

7. Water consumption was monitored on a daily basis. The initial plan of action was adopted into the Village Green Water Conservation Guide.

8. Water consumption data was analyzed to determine usage levels on an on-going basis. Water consumption inside the buildings has been stabilized.

These efforts represent the full involvement of the Village Green community. The average resident at Village Green, and many of their families, are now highly sensitive to the wise use of our water resources. While it required several months to understand the scope of the problem and to bring corrective action, significant reductions in water consumption were reached. As a result of these conservation efforts, water consumption dropped in September 2002 to a point, which is lower than the average consumption in 2001, while occupancy has actually gone up. This drop in consumption is attributed to a number of factors; including the correction of leaks, improvement of practices in high water use areas (e.g., kitchen), replacement and upgrading of hardware and implementation of an extensive water conservation awareness program by residents and staff.

The District salutes the Village Green residents and management for these water conservation accomplishments. Our community should be proud of these efforts and we hope this program can serve as a model for others in the future!

In early 2003, the water level in our largest aquifer, known as the Redondo-Milton Channel Aquifer, declined about two feet from the previous year. The reason for the decline is primarily due to the below normal rainfall patterns in 2002. With a continuation of lower than normal winter and spring rainfall patterns expected, we project that this aquifer will remain two to three feet below last year’s levels when we approach the summer months. In response, the District will increase water production from its other deeper aquifer sources. The Mirror Lake Aquifer and the Federal Way Deep Aquifer are currently about two to three feet above last year’s levels. Lakehaven will also place more reliance on three small pocket aquifers that are part of the Eastern Upland Aquifers system located east of Interstate 5. One of these wells, Well 16, is currently producing water, while two other wells, Wells 9 and 22B, will go on-line this spring. Wells 9 and 22B had not been used extensively in past years because the water from these wells has a higher than normal iron and manganese content which can cause yellow and brown staining in home fixtures. These wells have now been retrofitted with iron and manganese removal systems that will allow Lakehaven to utilize them more extensively this year.

Plastic Egg Bunny

• Plastic Easter egg

• 2 medium or large white pompoms

• 1 small pink pompom

• 2 sheets of fun foam or construction paper (white or pink)

• Pipe cleaners for whiskers (optional)

• Hot glue

• Scissors

• 2 googly eyes (the bigger the better)

Cut two large white bunny ears that will go with your plastic egg. Cut two smaller pink ears that will fit inside the white ears. Glue the smaller pink piece inside the larger white piece, with the bottoms lined up. Repeat for other ear. Glue the ears to the top of the small end of the egg spacing them about ½” to 1” apart.

Glue the two white pompoms on the front of the egg just above where the egg opens up (these will be the chubby cheeks). Glue the pompoms together on the egg, then glue the pink pompom on the center, on top of the white pompoms, smashing it a little in between and up against the plastic egg.

Glue on the eyes; they look better if they are a bit oversized. Put candy inside your bunny for a special treat.