The awards ceremony for the 2007 Water Conservation Poster Contest was held during the first Board meeting in June. As part of the effort to develop public awareness of water conservation, each year the District invites local elementary students to create artwork depicting the theme of water conservation. This year, over 600 students submitted posters to promote water conservation. The artwork submitted by these talented students is exceptional and having to select only thirteen winners was a difficult task.

The ceremony to recognize the winning posters was well attended by the students, parents, teachers, principals, and school district and city officials. The winning posters will be featured in the District’s 2008 Water Conservation Calendar. Our thanks to Linda Kochmar, who oversees the poster contest each year, Lori DeVore, JoAnn Piquette and Patti Miller, who judged the artwork, and the businesses that donated prizes. Of course, congratulation is well deserved by all of the students who participated in the poster contest this year.

Water conservation is an important goal at the District year round. Despite the abundance of rainfall in this area, water is not an infinite resource. As the demand to serve new customers grows, existing supplies are stretched farther and farther. The sources of new water to meet competing demands for water are becoming increasingly limited as the current sources are being stressed. In many parts of this region, it is simply not possible to drill new wells or create new diversions from surface water systems to meet demand.

Under state law, public water systems are obligated to achieve measurable progress towards water savings through conservation. The District’s water comprehensive plan identifies an objective of reducing per capita water demand by 10% during the current decade through conservation measures. While we are pleased to have a good supply of water to meet demand for the foreseeable future, we must recognize that a time will come when we need new supply. Water conservation can push that date out significantly and save you the large investment in infrastructure necessary to deliver additional supplies. The old adage in the water business is that water saved may well be the cheapest form of new supply. This has never been more true.

Water conservation (which saves you money on your water and sewer bill) begins at home. Installing low flow toilets and shower heads can make a big difference in the amount of water you consume. Repairing a leaking toilet or other plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, is a good way to save water as well. Avoiding wasteful practices in watering your lawns and gardens can also be a big help. If you are interested in learning more about drought-tolerant landscaping, take a tour of the District’s Water Conservation Garden located next to the Lakehaven Center (31531 1st Ave South).

While it is difficult to measure and isolate the causes for the reduction in water use over short periods of time, water conservation appears to be working. We know you are doing your part to be “Water Wise” this summer. Keep up the good work!

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WATER RECLAMATION

While the use of reclaimed water within Lakehaven is not expected for some time, Lakehaven continues to explore potential opportunities for its use. Lakehaven recently completed a long term feasibility study to incorporate this potential resource into its long term water and wastewater comprehensive plans. The District is also participating with other agencies around the state to help ensure that it is a viable resource in the future. Lakehaven Utility District’s Board President, Commissioner Don Miller, and other State and local leaders, joined King County Executive Ron Sims in signing a formal declaration of support for the continued development and use of reclaimed water in communities throughout Washington. The signing took place during a day-long conference, “Reclaimed Water: Tapping the New Resource”, at the Seattle Airport Hilton on June 12.  Washington Department of Ecology Director Jay Manning and Assistant Secretary of Environmental Health Gregg Grunenfelder from the state Department of Health also signed the declaration, along with representatives from LOTT Alliance, Lakehaven Utility District and Spokane County. Reclaimed water is wastewater that's treated to such a high level it can be used safely and effectively for non-drinking purposes such as landscape and agricultural irrigation, heating and cooling, and industrial processing. King County has been safely producing and using reclaimed water at its two regional wastewater treatment plants since 1997.

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WATER CONSERVATION CALENDAR POSTER CONTEST WINNERS

Lakehaven Utility District, in partnership with elementary schools in the Federal Way area and participants from the local business community, sponsored its 11th annual Water Conservation Poster Contest. The purpose of the contest is to help children understand the importance of water conservation. The children’s artwork is featured each year in the District’s water conservation calendar. On June 14, 2007, the District’s Board of Commissioners was pleased to announce the contest winners for the 2008 Water Conservation Calendar and their schools as follows: Anna B., Spring Valley Montessori; Aidan G., Silver Lake; Rose Michelle M., Mirror Lake; Jasmine P., Brigadoon; Kayla S., Lake Grove; Jasmine S., Adelaide; Christi P., Sherwood Forest; Seini V., Nautilus; Jaden Z., Valhalla; Tiffany C., Valhalla; Priscilla C., Lake Grove; Ivy K., Meredith Hill; Vanessa G., Nautilus (1st Place Winner). A very special thank you to the businesses who contributed exceptional prizes to the winners: Wild Waves Theme Park, Weyerhaeuser, Shirtz to Go, The Commons at Federal Way, Wal Mart & the Federal Way School District, Shaun Alexander of the Seattle Seahawks, Applebee’s, Costco, Print Solutions, and South King Fire and Rescue.

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Finding and repairing a leak in your water line is not an easy job, but it can be done by the property owner. That is exactly what the homeowners at Twin Cedars Mobile Home Park decided to do when Customer Service notified their Homeowner’s Association (HOA) that their water use was above normal. Pictured here are residents replacing the pipe. Following completion of the repair, the HOA was granted a leak adjustment.

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KIDS CORNER

The following poem was written by one of this year’s poster contest winners, Jaden Z, of Valhalla Elementary School: Water to me is an endless stream. Flowing freely as a dream. So today, stop and think. Because without water you would stink. Will you help with water conservation? Because it doesn’t take much dedication. Just turn off the water now and then. It doesn’t matter who, what, or when. Think about this for the rest of the week. And remember to fix anything with a leak.

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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.