Success at last!

Pipeline 5, also known as the Second Supply, will provide water for the District from the Howard Hansen Dam. It is scheduled for an initial introduction of water into the District’s system in October of 2005. With our well fields and the second supply water, we will have a sustainable source based on current estimates to provide for future growth for approximately 50 more years. I inherited the lead on this project as a new Water Commissioner in 1984. Congratulations go to all of the District’s staff and elected officials, as well as the City of Tacoma Water Department, for a successful completion to this project. Extra water will also help provide for neighboring utilities that may need some additional supply.

We are finally eliminating excess manganese (harmless black specs) in our water system. To date, we have installed new filters on four well sites with three more coming over the next 24 months. These filters were designed to help us filter out manganese from our well water and to meet government standards. I have noticed that our water is clearer and tastes better as a result of these filters.

Using water wisely has proven to be very effective. Our water conservation efforts are successful and well received. By installing water tolerant plants, xeriscaping your yards, and fixing leaks, you have helped to maximize the use of water and minimize any waste. Thank you for your efforts.

It is my pleasure to announce that the Board of Commissioners, in coordination with District staff, has been very successful in obtaining Public Works Trust Fund loans for many of our projects. The loans provide a total of $20 million at a ½% interest rate for projects dating from 2000 through 2006. They include the Second Supply (for water), water filters and emergency generators at the well sites, ultraviolet disinfection for the Redondo and Lakota Wastewater Treatment Plants, the extension of the outfall at the Redondo Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a biosolids dryer (sludge dryer) at the Lakota Wastewater Treatment Plant. The biosolids dryer may be of interest to you because it will produce a soil amendment which will be available for future sale to the public.

In this day of high technology and many new rules to be followed, we constantly face an updating and adjustment to our water and sewer systems to provide a first-class water and sewer operation. The quality and quantity of water provided and wastewater treated go beyond any minimums required by government oversight. We are constantly seeking new knowledge and methods to accomplish these goals.

It is an honor to serve you on Lakehaven Utility District’s Board of Commissioners and your calls are always welcome.

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SECOND SUPPLY PROJECT STATUS

For a project envisioned over 30 years ago, there is light at the end of the pipe. The pipeline that will bring Green River water to Lakehaven is in its final stages of completion. With the passage of summer, the City of Tacoma is expected to have the water treatment facilities and pipeline portion of the Second Supply Project completed. This joint project between Tacoma, Kent, Covington and Lakehaven will be capable of providing winter water from the Green River to Lakehaven customers in October and allow the District to recover water levels in the local groundwater aquifers by reducing groundwater withdrawals. While we prepare to receive this cool mountain water, customers will likely notice perceptible differences in the characteristics of their water when the District changes from groundwater to surface water. These perceptible differences will likely include possible color, taste and odor changes, and typical of surface water supplies, a higher chlorine concentration. In addition, the water will contain fluoride as this is a standard practice for Tacoma’s water system. While this water source has served the City of Tacoma since 1913, it is different than our groundwater supply and Lakehaven staff will sample and monitor this new local source on a daily basis to assure that our customers continue to receive the highest quality water.

The final phase of the Second Supply Project includes fish and environmental enhancements to allow additional water to be stored behind Howard Hanson Dam on the Green River. The Howard Hanson Dam additional storage capacity will allow the project partners to store winter water behind the dam and have it available for summer demands in 2008 or possibly as early as 2006, depending on state and federal resource agency approvals. This additional storage capacity from the project will also help to mitigate the impacts of future drought events.

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OUTSTANDING TREATMENT PLANTS AWARD

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CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

RED/WHITE/BLUE FESTIVAL

On July 4, 2005, the District sponsored a water conservation booth at the Red/White/Blue Festival held in Celebration Park. Staff answered questions about conserving water and handed out items for the children to use, such as the kite pictured to the left and coloring books which featured conservation themes. This booth is always very popular at community events. Pictured here is District staff talking to a young ”water saver” holding one of the Lakehaven kites. As part of its water resource management strategy, the District encourages conservation and education. The water conservation booth at community events is a very popular way to communicate the conservation message to District ratepayers, both young and old.

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KIDS CORNER

Put the letters in the right order:

All living things need _____ (tawer) to live.

When water evaporates, it travels into the air and becomes part of a _____ (dlocu).

Less than 1% of the water on earth is _____ (sefrh) water.

We _____ (ikrdn) water in the liquid form.

Check for leaks and save hundreds of _____ (glloans) or water a day.

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Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful. Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.

UPCOMING EVENTS