Commissioner's
Corner
Ed
Stewart
 I
want to take this opportunity to wish all of our customers the best for
2006. Having just completed an exciting and eventful 2005, during which
I was privileged to serve as President of the Board of Commissioners for
the first time, we look forward to building on progress that was made in
the development and operation of the water and sewer utility systems
last year.
The most noteworthy item in 2005 was,
undoubtedly, the delivery of water from the completed Second Supply
Pipeline. When the water began flowing into our distribution system in
November, it marked the successful culmination of efforts to bring a
sustainable supply of water from a source outside of the groundwater
system to our customers. The District’s commitment to the project began
more than twenty years ago. Although the project was not inexpensive
(our share alone will be over forty three million dollars), the water
will end up being a bargain as the sources of additional supply in this
region become more and more limited. When all of the system improvements
are fully operational, the additional supply from this source will
sustain demand well into the current century.
I was fortunate to attend the dedication
of this project held at the City of Tacoma’s Utility Headquarters in
November. The presentation brought into clear focus the amount of effort
that went into the planning of this project. The fact that the
application for the water right, which gives the City the authority to
withdraw the water that goes into the pipeline, was submitted in 1933 is
testimony itself to the perseverance of City of Tacoma officials. In
addition to the incredible task of designing a water diversion and
transmission facility of this complexity and magnitude, a tremendous
amount of effort and money went into the planning and development of
environmental enhancements to the river system and other mitigation
measures undertaken in cooperation with regulatory agencies and tribal
interests alike.
The District is extremely indebted to
the staff and elected officials of the City of Tacoma for their capable
stewardship of this project. The other partners in the project, the
Covington Water District and the City of Kent, also deserve credit for
the success of this enormous public works project. Of course, our own
staff and the commissioners that have served on the Board over the last
twenty years deserve recognition as well. This was a team effort and the
success of the project should be a source of pride for all of us that
share this water for many years to come.
The Lakota Sludge Dryer Project was one
of the larger sewer system projects underway at the District in 2005.
The project is proceeding and we look forward to the installation of the
dryer at the Lakota Treatment Plant in 2006. The dried bio-solids that
will be produced by the sludge dryer will make a safe and effective
compost product for your lawn and gardens. We will have more information
on the compost and its availability as the project draws nearer to
completion.
The Board and staff at the District look
forward to continuing to find ways to better serve our customers in
2006. We appreciate your input and invite you to attend our board
meetings. For more information on the District, log on to our website at
www.lakehaven.org.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
as your commissioner!
top
WATER RATE INCREASE
Noting the rising cost of doing
business and the lack of any increase in water rates since 1999, the Board
of Commissioners approved a 3% increase in water rates. Sewer rates will
remain the same in 2006.
For new water system
connections, meter installation charges will rise slightly in 2006, however
the Capital Facility Charge for a residential equivalent of water service
will be reduced. The sewer system Capital Facility Charge will increase by a
small amount. The Capital Facility Charges reflect pro rata shares of
existing and future water and sewer system facilities.
top
WINTERIZE YOUR WATER
PIPES
 Prepare
your plumbing (outside and inside) for freezing weather. Know what to do if
your pipes freeze or break. The picture shown here is of an outside faucet
insulator that can be purchased at any hardware store. It can be used to
help keep your outside pipes from freezing and possibly breaking.
OUTSIDE PLUMBING:
-
Caulk around pipes where they
enter the house: Cut wood or Styrofoam
blocks to fit vent openings.
-
Protect outside pipes and faucets:
In some homes, the outside faucet has a separate shut-off in the
basement. If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, shut it off.
Then go outside and turn on all the faucets to drain water in the lines.
Leave the outside faucets on while you go back and check your outside
shut-off valve for a small brass plug or cap on the valve. Turn this
plug far enough that water drains from the valve. Then, tighten the plug
back and turn off all the outside faucets.
-
Wrap outside faucets or hose bibs:
Do this if you don’t have a separate valve to turn off outside faucets.
(Also, remember to disconnect garden hoses.) Use newspaper or rags
covered with plastic, fiberglass or molded foam insulating covers to
wrap the faucet.
WHAT TO DO WHEN PIPES BREAK
-
Shut off your water and the water
heater: If you are unable to find the
shut-off valve, or have water leaking in the house from a broken pipe
and cannot shut off the meter, we can help. Call our 24-hour emergency
number 253-941-1516 for assistance.
-
Repair of a broken pipe on the
customer side of the meter is the customer’s responsibility. To repair
the broken pipe, you may want to call a plumber.
top
GREASE IN SEWER LINES
One of the major causes of blocked drain
pipes inside and outside the home is grease build-up. Grease from products
such as cooking oil, hamburger and bacon drippings when dumped down the
drain accumulates over a period of time, solidifies in the pipe and can
eventually block the side sewer out of your home. This can be avoided and is
an unnecessary expense to you, the homeowner, when precautions can be taken.
This is important because a side sewer connects the home to the sewer main
line. A grease plug in the side sewer between the home and the sewer main
line is the homeowner’s responsibility.
In order to avoid a sewer back-up in your
home, grease should never be dumped in a toilet or down a drain. Pots and
pans should be wiped clean prior to washing in a sink or dishwasher. Grease
can be stored in a container and disposed of properly. One method of
disposal is to put grease in a can, freeze it, and then throw it out with
your normal garbage.
top
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Thanks to the generosity of Lakehaven’s ratepayers and
employees, the Multi-Service Center received $8,279.36 in 2005 to assist the
less fortunate in our community. Over 87 families received help in paying
their water and sewer bills.
District employees donated items and held a silent auction
to raise money while ratepayers paid a little extra on their bills to help
with this worthy cause. The money donations included anything from a few
cents to several dollars. It all added up to help those in need.
In addition, District Ratepayers and employees filled
several barrels with food for the Food Bank at the Multi-Service Center.
top
KIDS CORNER
When the weather is below freezing, do not play on a frozen lake. The
water may appear to be frozen near the shore, but may not be solid enough in
the middle of the lake to support your weight.
Sledding and ice skating are fun winter activities, but
please make sure you do so safely.
top
TIPS TO SAVE & CONSERVE WATER
-
Fix leaky faucets and toilets promptly. If the
toilet flapper valve leaks, it’s an easy problem to fix.
-
Run full loads in the washing machine and the
dishwasher.
-
Replace older toilets with new ultra
low-efficient models which use only 1.5 gallons per flush.
-
Keep a bottle of drinking water in your
refrigerator.
top
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 2006 Water Conservation Calendar is available.
Food Bank Barrel available in Main Office for
donations during the holidays.
top
Your Board of
Commissioners
Beverly J. Tweddle - President
Don Miller -
Vice President
Tom Jovanovich -
Secretary
Dick Mayer - Commissioner
Ed Stewart -
Commissioner
Regular Board of Commissioners meetings are held at:
Lakehaven Center
31531 First Ave. S.
Federal Way at 6 p.m. |
