This is my first Commissioner Corner since being appointed to the Lakehaven Board of Commissioners in July. First of all I would like to thank the other Commissioners for the faith that they have placed in me, and to let you, the rate-payers and owners, know how I intend to conduct myself to justify this faith.

The past five months have been busy for me. While I was very familiar with the District and its work, I am always discovering new areas and going into greater detail. I have discovered that Lakehaven has a very dedicated and talented staff. I have been very pleased in their professionalism, dedication, and skill levels. I have found that Lakehaven is well respected in the water and sewer community for technical competence and operating skill. Lakehaven has received several operational awards attesting to these skills.

We have recently completed a comprehensive water plan, which details the Lakehaven system today, details upcoming projects for the next six years, and provides for a safe, secure and plentiful supply for the next 25 years. The plan is available for public views and comments while it is being reviewed by regulating agencies, municipalities in our service area, and other interested parties. Your comments are encouraged.

We also have some areas for improvement. As a customer of the water and sewer utility, I have always been gratified that the District has maintained low rates. Even with low rates, we recognize that it may be possible to improve the overall system of both rates and the fees and charges the District collects from customers. Towards this goal, the Board is planning to conduct a comprehensive review of our water and sewer rates, as well as our capital facility charges, in the spring. Part of the ability we have to provide low rates is our singular focus on water and sewer service. We strive to tailor rates so that water rates only pay the costs of operation and maintenance of the necessary water system and sewer rates only apply to sewer system costs. We also try to have each rate class within the utilities pay for only the costs imposed by that rate class. Another benefit to your pocketbook is that you do not pay utility taxes on the water and sewer service the District provides.

We have some opportunities to improve our equipment and operations to better serve our customers and to do so at less cost. We will be extending the outfall of the Redondo Treatment Plant to improve the marine ecology in our area. We are seeking ways to reduce the naturally occurring metals in our water to improve quality and taste. We are always trying to provide the best service for the lowest reasonable cost.

For my part, I intend to keep you informed about the District and to listen to your needs and concerns.

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It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to a long-time District employee, Pat Mackie. For 16 years, Pat was the District Mechanic. His skill and expertise were instrumental in keeping the District’s large fleet of vehicles in excellent condition. He could always be found under a truck or adjusting an engine. Pat passed away on 11/07/06 from cancer.

Pat will always be remembered as compassionate and considerate. He had a big heart and would often help others at a moment's notice. He loved the outdoors and was most comfortable sitting around a campfire with his family and friends.

Pat will be deeply missed by his District family.

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WELL 33 PROJECT UPDATE

In 1987 Lakehaven Utility District’s exploratory well drilling discovered a saturated sandy aquifer deep below the Federal Way area and named this layer the “Federal Way Deep Aquifer”. To date the District has two water production wells in this aquifer and in 2005; the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) issued Lakehaven Utility District a permit to drill and test a new well in a different area above the Federal Way Deep Aquifer.

The test well (Well 33T) was drilled in 2006 near Lakehaven Center to a depth of 1,093 feet which successfully penetrated the Federal Way Deep Aquifer at this location. Following the drilling, tests were performed to determine the production potential of the aquifer; however the hydogeological data indicated that this site does not have the production capacity to support a large production well. The test well however can be completed as a small production and monitoring well capable of producing about 300 gallons per minute from the Federal Way Deep Aquifer.

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DISTRICT ENGINEER TO RETIRE

After 19 years with Lakehaven Utility District Utility District, Bert Ross will be retiring in February of 2007.

Bert holds (proudly!) a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in civil engineering. After working for the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Cities of Aberdeen and Salem (Oregon) after graduation, Bert returned to the Puget Sound area to work in the engineering consulting business in Federal Way. He was hired in 1982 by King County Water District No. 56, located in the Redondo and Woodmont areas, and served as its General Manager until Water District No. 56 merged with Federal Way Water and Sewer (FWWS) in November of 1987.

Being a professional engineer with experience in both the public and private side of the utility engineering business, Bert fit right in with the newly formed Engineering Department at the District. Bert is currently the Manager of the Engineering Department and oversees the work of other engineers, technicians and support personnel. He has successfully managed many projects during his time with the District, including; comprehensive plans for both the water and sewer systems, water and sewer main and trunk line construction, emergency management planning and the development of infrastructure standards for water and sewer extensions.

Bert has plans to spend some time traveling with his wife after his retirement and is looking forward to “whatever comes my way after that”. Bert has made many friends here at the District and he will surely be missed. Please join us in extending our best wishes to Bert and his family on his retirement!

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RATES

The Board voted in December to continue existing water and sewer rates until a further study of the rates could be completed by the District’s rate consultant in the first half of 2007. The focus of the study will be on cost of service allocations between customer classes and rate alternatives between base and commodity charges. Rates may be adjusted during the year after the Board has completed its review.

The District will also examine its Capital Facility Charges for connections to the water and sewer systems. Capital Facilities Charges represent shares of the cost of facilities of general benefit to all customers. A good example of a facility of general benefit to the water system is one of the many storage tanks you see throughout the District. On the sewer side, the Redondo and Lakota wastewater treatment plants are included as facilities of general benefit. The charge includes existing improvements as well as the cost of certain facilities that the District plans to construct in the future. The cost of the entire group of improvements is divided into Equivalent Residential Units (“ERU”) and allocated to customers according to the demand they place on the respective systems. All single-family residential customers are assigned one ERU of demand. We will keep you informed on the rate and CFC studies as the year progresses.

TIPS TO SAVE & CONSERVE WATER

Regular Board of Commissioners meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.
These meetings are held at the Lakehaven Center at:

Lakehaven Center
31531 First Ave. S.
Federal Way at 6 p.m.