As the daylight hours continue to lengthen and our yearly interval of rainy weather, which seemed to be longer and more extreme this winter, begins to fade, many of us are starting to turn our thoughts to the variety of outdoor activities available in the Northwest. For many, the warmer, drier weather of spring provides the first chance we have to get outside and work in our yards. In addition to the frequent trips it brings to the local garden and hardware stores, spring is a good time of year to begin to think about water conservation practices at home.

Just from a glance around our neighborhoods, we can see that more automatic sprinkler systems are being installed for home use. Although these systems are not necessarily inexpensive to install, they can help you save money on water bills and be an effective part of a home water conservation program. For those of you using automatic sprinkler systems, however, it is important to make sure that they are working properly before you put them to use.

At this time of year, one of the main concerns for those with underground irrigation systems is that the system was able to survive the winter months in good repair. The best protection from damage to the system caused by the freezing of water in the lines, which is a common source of damage to irrigation systems, is to make sure to thoroughly drain the lines at the end of the watering season. Wet spots that develop in your yard during use or a pressure reduction in any of the sprinkler heads may be a sign of a leak. Even small leaks that develop can cause significant volumes of water to be lost during use, which costs money and greatly lessens the watering efficiency that these systems provide with normal operations. If you discover a leak, repair it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, leaks will not fix themselves and if left unrepaired, will usually worsen over time due to the force of water pressure in the lines. If you believe you may have lost a significant amount of water due to a leak, you may want to contact our Customer Service Manager, at 941-1516, and ask about our leak rebate program.

It is also important to consider your operation of the sprinkler system as an element of your conservation program. If you use a timer to turn the system on and off automatically, make sure it works properly. Remember to keep in mind that it is best to water during the night or morning hours, when evaporation from irrigation is minimized. This is particularly true during the hottest parts of the summer. Also keep in mind that the average lawn needs no more than 1” of water per week to maintain its health and green color. If you are doing any new planting this spring, it may be worthwhile to consider using plants and groundcovers that require little or no watering. Most nurseries can help you select the right drought resistant plants for your garden. We also display these types of plantings at our Conservation Garden, which is located next to the Lakehaven Center at 31530 1st Ave South (the Conservation Garden is currently undergoing renovation and is scheduled to re-open May 1st ).

On the supply side of the equation, we are eagerly awaiting the completion of the Second Supply Pipeline. As you probably know from earlier information about the project, this 33 mile long pipeline will bring water to the District and our partners, Tacoma, Kent and the Covington Water District, from the upper reaches of the Green River. You may have noticed some pipeline construction activities in the area of the BPA right of way over the past months. The current schedule is that the pipe and headworks will be complete by the end of the year. When operational, the Second Supply Pipeline will be a reliable and cost effective source of water to supplement our groundwater sources for many years to come.

Thanks to your efforts, water conservation is making a difference. With the added development of new sources of supply, such as the Second Supply Pipeline, and help from Mother Nature, our water supply future looks bright!

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We will provide a full summary of the session with the next edition!

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CITY/DISTRICT LIAISON COMMITTEE

The District and City of Federal Way continue to pursue a cooperative approach to the District’s responsibility for utility management and the City’s authority over land use planning and other local governmental functions. One of the ways that this collaboration occurs is through the participation by each agency in the City/District Liaison Committee.

The Liaison Committee meets quarterly, alternating meeting sites between City Hall and the District’s Lakehaven Center. The District is currently represented on the committee by Commissioners Bev Tweddle and Tom Jovanovich. The District’s General Manager and General Counsel also attend the meetings. Representatives from the City include Mayor Dean McColgan, Councilmember Jim Ferrell, City Manager David Moseley and other members of City staff. The topics covered during these meetings may include upcoming City and District public works projects, District water supply planning, storm water management and other issues of mutual interest to the District and City. Through these discussions, each agency is able to share information about upcoming projects and coordinate planning and policy development for the benefit of all of the residents of the community.

The activities of the Liaison Committee are in addition to the frequent and regular interaction of District and City staff that occurs throughout the year. We thank the City for their willingness to work together and look forward to the continuation of our cooperative relationship!

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SYSTEMATIC FLUSHING PROGRAM

Lakehaven Utility District is working to clean its entire water main system through a program called Systematic Flushing. This program is part of our on-going effort to deliver the highest quality water possible to our customers. The water main system, like anything else, requires regular maintenance to retain high quality standards for delivery of water to your home or business. Systematic flushing is a program that complements existing water testing and preventive maintenance programs. All are part of our commitment to deliver pure, clean water to our customers.

Systematic flushing forces water to move through the water main and out through fire hydrants at a high velocity that results in the removal of mineral scale and sediments that can collect in the water system. Lakehaven Utility District will notify customers in the flushing areas with a letter and by placing signs in the neighborhood several days in advance of the work. While flushing, LUD crews can also find and repair malfunctioning valves or other water system components before they cause problems. It is possible that the sediments stirred up during flushing will discolor the water. You can easily keep this water out of your home or business by not using water while flushing is underway. This includes not running appliances that use water, such as washing machines and dishwashers. Please use the clothes washer before 7AM or after 7PM if we are flushing mains in your area.

Any discolored water that gets into your home or business water lines is temporary and not harmful. It should clear up quickly. If you experience discolored water or sediment in your water following flushing, remove aerators from your faucets and run the cold water for a few minutes. We also recommend that your first load of laundry after flushing be dark clothes, before you wash light-colored clothing.

During the flushing process, crews will be working at fire hydrants, in street intersections and at the end of cul-de-sacs. They will be opening and operating fire hydrants and blow-offs to create high water flows and velocities in the water system to scour and clean the inside of water mains.

For More Information: If you have questions about the Systematic Flushing Program, please call Angela Peters @253-946-5442 or Stan French @ 253-946-1410. If your water does not clear up a short time after flushing, please call 253-261-1777. All are available during normal business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. At all other times, you can call 253-941-1516.

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DISTRICT REPORTS CLEAN AUDIT

The District is pleased to report a clean audit for fiscal year 2002 from the Office of the State Auditor. The Washington State Auditor's Office annually reviews the District's financial statements and records for accuracy and legal compliance in, among other areas, matters of travel, open public meetings, public contracting and internal policies. Internal controls over cash receipting, payroll and accounts payable are also reviewed.

The audit report is also available on the State Auditor's website at www.sao.wa.gov .

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CREDIT CARD

Effective February 1, 2004 the District is now accepting Visa and Mastercharge credit and debit cards for payment of single family residential water and sewer charges. These payments can be made over the phone as well as at the District's office located at 31627 lst Ave So in Federal Way.

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Your Board of Commissioners

Dick Mayer - President

Ed Stewart - Vice President

Beverly J. Tweddle -  Secretary

Tom Jovanovich - Commissioner

Donald L. P. Miller - Commissioner

Regular Board of Commissioners meetings are held at:
Lakehaven Center
31531 First Ave. S.
Federal Way at 6 p.m.