Commissioner's
Corner
Bev Tweddle
I hope all had an enjoyable 2007!
With the holiday decorations put away, it
is once again time to look at the year ahead. During the upcoming year, the
Board and staff will continue to plan and implement capital improvements
projects that will ensure that the existing water and sewer systems remain
in good running order and that adequate capacity will be available in the
systems to meet the future needs of our customers. We have many new projects
on our capital improvement program in 2008 and many others from prior years
that will continue in the planning and construction phases. As with any
business with an expanding customer base, running a water and sewer utility
requires a “forward looking” management approach. With the ever evolving
regulatory landscape, there is even less room to stop and catch your breath
between the planning and construction of projects.
One of the themes we have identified for
emphasis in 2008 is customer service. In December, the District signed an
agreement with the City of Federal Way that will provide for a member of our
Development Services staff to be located within the permitting area at City
Hall. The District representative located at City Hall will work with the
planning staff at the City to foster better coordination of residential and
commercial development projects within the City of Federal Way. Our thanks
go to the Chamber of Commerce and the City for their support and
encouragement as we discussed this cooperative arrangement. We also
appreciate the City’s efforts to be an accommodating host at City Hall as we
have worked through the planning considerations necessary to integrate our
staff member within the City’s facility. Although it will take some time to
maximize the efficiency of this joint enterprise, we look forward to the
benefits that will be enjoyed by our common development customers for years
to come.
We are also implementing a new customer
billing system in 2008. The new software will make our billing system more
efficient and allow us better access to information to provide timely and
accurate responses to customer questions. The new system will allow us to
provide better information to you on your bi-monthly bills (including
providing a graph that will compare your current and past water
consumption). We know that many of you would like to pay your bills over the
internet and we hope to have the ability with the new system to accept
on-line credit card payments shortly.
In addition to being accessible to our
ratepayers, good customer service demands that we listen to your concerns.
If you have any questions about your bill, comments on our rates, concerns
with your water quality or wish to be heard on any other matter, please let
us know. You are welcome to contact Board members. Our contact information
is on the website, at
www.lakehaven.org.
If you would prefer to speak with staff, I suggest you contact Jean
Gardiner, our Customer Services Supervisor, at 253-946-5422. If she is
unable to assist you, she can direct you to the person that can better meet
your needs. We believe that you are the owners of this utility and it is
your satisfaction with the way we provide water and sewer service that
determines whether we are successful stewards of this business. Thank you
for your interest in the District.
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DISTRICT RECEIVES CLEAN AUDIT
The District received a
clean report for the recently completed audit of year 2006. The audit,
performed annually by the Washington State Auditor’s Office, examines the
District’s financial statements and its compliance with legal regulations
and internal policies. The current report continues the District’s record of
having no audit findings over the past ten year audit period.
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INFLOW & INFILTRATION (I &I)
Infiltration and Inflow (I
& I) are continuing problems in many sewer systems, including our own.
Infiltration is defined as groundwater that enters the sewer system, usually
through leaky joints and cracks that have developed over time in sewer
laterals from homes and businesses, the sewer mains, and manholes. Typically
during the rainy season groundwater levels raise high enough to submerge
these defects allowing groundwater to flow in to the sewer system. Inflow is
defined as surface water that enters the sewer system, typically through
illicitly connected storm drains, basement drains, rain gutters, and yard
drains. Industry studies suggest that 75% to 90% of I & I typically enters
the sewer system from private sewer laterals (side sewers) that serve each
property. So what is the problem with this water entering the sewer system?
I & I during a storm event
can cause the flows in the pipes, pump stations, and treatment plants to
increase by 100% to 500%, which can overwhelm these systems causing backups,
spills, and substandard treatment of the wastewater. Spills and treatment
plant permit violations may result in property damage, fines, and more
importantly contamination of the environment. To maintain adequate
collection and treatment capacity utilities have two choices:
-
Build larger pipes and
treatment facilities to transport and treat the additional I & I flows,
or
-
Repair or replace
damaged pipes and remove illicit connections to significantly reduce I &
I flows
The costs associated with
I & I reduction can be substantial. While the District continues to correct
deficiencies in our own system as they are discovered, we are also in the
process of creating a comprehensive Infiltration and Inflow reduction
program to manage this problem as our system continues to age.
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FATS, OILS, AND GREASE (FOG)
|
As mentioned in a
previous newsletter, fats, oils, and grease (often referred to as
FOG) are universal problem substances in wastewater. FOG floats on
water and clings to surface areas, eventually ending up in the sewer
system. Lakehaven sewer line maintenance crews get trouble calls
throughout the year due to line blockages caused by FOG.
FOG is the number one
cause of sewer back-ups in homes and food service establishments. It
is always best to put FOG in the garbage instead of the drain,
however liquid FOG is not accepted by solid waste (garbage)
management companies and agencies. Residents may dispose of
FOG in their garbage can by mixing large amounts of liquid FOG with
an absorbent material, such as cat litter or sawdust, so it doesn’t
leak while it’s being transported for disposal.
In-sink garbage
disposals should only be used for certain types of food waste and
liquids from food preparation. If you’re going to use a garbage
disposal, take the time to learn more about how to
conserve water (http://www.lakehaven.org/savewater.htm).
If you have any specific
questions or comments regarding the management and disposal of FOG,
please contact Lakehaven’s Pretreatment Coordinator, Brian Asbury,
via e-mail at BAsbury@Lakehaven.org or telephone at 253-946-5407. |
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NEW BILLING SYSTEM
The District is in the process
of implementing a new billing system. The implementation should be complete
in the next few months. The new system will provide added features such as
making payments through our website or having your bi-monthly charges
automatically charged to your credit card. There will be some changes made
to our billing schedule for sewer only customers so instead of receiving
your bill at the first of the month you’ll be receiving it at the end of the
month. If you would like more information please contact our Customer
Services Department at 253-946-5422.
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KIDS CORNER - How much water…
Do you know how much water it takes to brush your teeth? The
answer is 2 to 5 gallons. That’s a lot of water! Indoors, most of the water
a family uses is in the bathroom. Saving water is important and the easiest
way to save water is to shut off the faucet while you brush your teeth. You
can also save water by taking shorter showers and not using the toilet to
flush trash. Remember, it is important that we all work to save water.
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TIPS TO SAVE/CONSERVE WATER
- In the kitchen, make sure you wash only full
loads in the dishwasher. It takes 8-15 gallons of water to run the
dishwasher. Save water and save money on your water bill.
- Winterize outdoor spigots to prevent pipes
from leaking or bursting.
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WATER
CONSERVATION ACTIVITY
Call the main office at 253-946-5446 to schedule water conservation
education classes in your elementary school free of charge.
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Your Board of
Commissioners
Ron Nowicki - President
Chuck Gibson - Vice President
Ed Stewart - Secretary
Beverly J. Tweddle - Commissioner
Don Miller - Commissioner
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. |
