Newsletters > January 2010 Archive

October 2010 E-News

Your Water Rates at Work

In 1995 the District developed a 30-year Financial Plan that included a “replacement fund” that allows the District, through water rates and non-operating income, to replace aging infrastructure and, while doing so,  upgrade services to our customers without taxation or the need to borrow funds.

Since 1995, the District has completed more than 10 million dollars in replacement fund projects that benefit our customers with increased reliability, water quality, and upgrades to allow fire protection with fire hydrants in neighborhoods where there were none before.  Planning ahead, we have been able to complete water line replacements in advance of major road construction, to avoid more disruption of neighborhoods. We have been able to take advantage of deeply discounted construction prices during economic slowdowns, while providing work to local contractors. Our long term planning and funding also allows us to complete replacements before the aging water lines, storage tanks, and pumping facilities break down and cause interruptions of service and costly temporary repairs.

1995-2010 Replacement Fund Summary
Water Transmission and Distribution Lines                  $ 7,402,856.00
Storage Tanks and Pumping Facilities                          2,431,907.00
Source Water Infrastructure                                           1,100,235.00
Total Replacement Fund Uses                                    $10,934,998.00

Protect Your Water Quality with Backflow Prevention

Normally, water flows from the District’s distribution into our customer’s property. Backflow is the reverse direction – water flowing from the customer’s property into the distribution system. Significant pressure drops within the distribution system can cause this phenomenon. For example a water main break, a power failure, or firefighters battling a nearby blaze can cause a sudden drop in pressure which could result in backflow. 

Unchecked backflow can contaminate the public water supply. Contamination occurs when a water supply line or outside hose is connected to equipment or containers of chemicals or bacteria laden water. Such connections are called cross connections and they are dangerous if no protective measures are taken. Even a hose immersed in a trough or bucket with detergents could become a source of serious contamination. 

State laws and District policies require backflow devices on both homes and commercial properties. All commercial backflow devices and some higher risk residential applications require annual testing. 

Fortunately, keeping your water safe from common contaminants is simple:

• Never submerge hoses in buckets, pools, tubs or troughs. Keep the end of the hose clear of possible contaminants.
• Don’t use hose-end spray attachments without a backflow prevention device. The chemicals used on your lawn are toxic and can be fatal if ingested.
• Buy and install inexpensive backflow prevention devices for all threaded faucets around your home. They are available at hardware stores and home improvement centers.
• State law and local plumbing codes require a backflow prevention device on all sprinkler systems. Check with your local Building Department for more information.

Water Conservation
As we move through the second year of our 2009 Water Conservation Plan, we are excited by the success of the plan and the efforts of our customers in conserving water.

Highlights:

Slow the Flow water audits: In 2009 the Center for ReSource Conservation completed 41 water audits on residential outdoor irrigation systems, and in 2010 the CRC has completed 81 hours of audits for our customers. Due to the great rainfall this spring and early summer, demand for irrigation audits was lower than expected, but we hope many take advantage of this great free resource to make sure your irrigation system delivers the water you need to the areas you need, while not wasting water. Surprisingly, water audits often find that many areas are under-watered, while water is being lost or over used in other areas.

Rebates for water efficient appliances: In 2009 the District gave $6,400 in rebates for low-flow toilets and high-efficiency clothes washers. We have granted $4,000 in rebates so far this year. Our rebate season ends December 10th, so if you have plans to purchase a qualifying appliance, make sure to get your paperwork in by the 10th.

Water-Efficiency Implementation Grant: The District is working on a grant to be submitted to the Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to implement and expand aspects of our Conservation Plan. Advanced leak detection in distribution systems with aging infrastructure, and expanding indoor water audits to commercial customers are two important aspects of this grant application. 

Plant Select Demonstration Garden: Left Hand Water District’s water-wise public garden at 6800 Nimbus Road has just been chosen by the Plant Select ® program as a demonstration garden. Gardens in this program provide an opportunity for local gardeners to see plants that are chosen specifically for the challenges of our arid High Plains and Intermountain climate.  Plants in this program have exceptional performance under low water conditions, and make a great addition to any water-wise landscape.

We have been featuring Plant Select® plants for many years, and look forward to new plants, new classes, and beautiful gardens here and at our customer’s homes for years to come. Come visit our gardens Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30, please check in at the office.

Keep Fire Hydrants and Meters Clear
In emergencies and for regular maintenance, the District must have access to your meter pit and the District and Fire Departments need quick access to fire hydrants at all times. You can help by keeping landscape materials, bushes and weeds trimmed and away from meter pits and hydrants. If there is an easement with waterlines or other utilities on your property, check before doing any plantings, fencing, or building within the easement. Call 303-530-4200 to get a marked location of District infrastructure in any easements. The District cannot, however, locate your service line beyond the meter pit, only District water lines can be located by our staff.

Fourmile Fire