Volume 10, Issue 1 -- June 2007
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WATER
MAIN UPGRADE SFWA
is planning a waterline replacement in SHARE
PRICE The System Development Fee, which is included in the price of a water share increased to $1832.00 on August 1, 2006. This brought the current price of a new water share to $10,432.00. UPCOMING
STEPPED RATES The
Board of Trustees is researching stepped rates for water usage as
a means to encourage water conservation. This is in response to the Washington State
Department of Health guidelines. Please look for this to occur in
the months ahead. ********** Samish
Farms installed check valves at the meter on all water services that
were upgraded during our 2002-03 water system improvements. We are
also installing them on all new and future services. The check valve
helps protect the homeowner against backflow. Water heaters are also better
protected if SFWA should have to shut a main down for repairs, or
if water pressure should drop during fire flow demands. The
process of heating water in our water heaters causes
thermal expansion. Since check valves are in
place, thermal expansion will at times increase pressure in
the homeowner's plumbing. If you have concerns
about increased pressure, SFWA recommends you check with a
licensed plumber.
Do you know where your water meter
is located? This is helpful information if you have a leak or are
taking a long trip and wish
to turn your water off. If you
need assistance locating your water meter, contact Sue Ratfield
@ 766-6984. ********** Is your water meter accessible? Brush and landscaping
can grow and cover meter boxes. This makes
it difficult to access them for reading meters or shutting
water off in an emergency. Please check your meter box every
few months with this in mind. THANK
YOU to the many considerate people who do keep
your meter boxes cleared. Bathroom use accounts for 73% of all water used in the
home. Small changes add up to big water savings. Install a shower
flow restrictor and save two to three gallons of water per minute.
Faucet restrictors save water too.
Please check your meter box every few months with this in mind. Thank you to the many considerate people who
do keep their water boxes cleared. BATHROOM
FIXTURES Bathroom use accounts for 73% of all water used
in the home. Small changes
add up to big water savings. Install
a shower flow restrictor and save two to three gallons of water per
minute. Faucet restrictors save water too. HOW
TO USE YOUR WATER METER TO · Locate your meter. It is usually found in a meter box in a small concrete or black plastic vault near the street · Turn off all faucets in and around the home. · Check the meter reading. · Wait 15 minutes. · Read your meter again. If the reading has changed, you have a leak that needs immediate attention. IRRIGATION
SAFETY Irrigation
systems make watering lawns and gardens easier
and save time, BUT, water that may be contaminated by weed killers
and/or fertilizers can be back-siphoned (backflow) into your drinking
water. Irrigation systems not protected by approved backflow prevention
assemblies could endanger the health of a household, neighborhood
or community. All IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ...
new or existing ...
MUST BE EQUIPPED with an approved backflow prevention assembly. Only properly installed,
state-approved backflow prevention assemblies meet the plumbing code
and provide health protection for your family and neighbors. SFWA
can give you a free list of state-approved backflow
prevention assemblies and state certified testers. TWO
TYPES OF BACKFLOW PREVENTION DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY
(DCVA) .....highly versatile .....requires annual testing by certified tester REDUCED PRESSURE BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY
(RPBA) .....usually most expensive .....most complex .....allows for application
of fertilizer or other chemicals
into irrigation system (No other type has this approval). .....requires annual testing by certified tester. AUTOMATIC
SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Many Homeowners install automatic
irrigation systems for the convenience
and peace of mind they get by knowing their lawn is getting
just the right amount of water. They get their timers set and just
know they'll save water and keep the landscape green while they are
away on vacation or out of town. However, bliss can turn to shock when homeowners install irrigation systems to conserve water, only to find out that their water bills have doubled or tripled since they installed their systems. SIGNS YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM
COULD BE LEAKING: · Broken sprinkler heads. If a lawnmower or a vandal damages a sprinkler head, you will lose a great deal of water the next time your system runs. · Weak output. You notice you're not getting coverage from sprinkler head to sprinkler head. Fixing a leak will make your system operate more effectively. |
· Brown spots on the lawn. You may not be getting adequate coverage due to a leak in a sprinkler head or a water line. · Lowest sprinkler head runs after the system turns off. Some low-head drainage is normal after the system has run, but there should not be a continuous stream. You can minimize low-head drainage by installing check valves in your sprinkler heads and lines. · Water meter low-flow indicator has a continual slow spin. If you have ruled out all possible leaks inside your home (such as toilet or faucet leaks), a slow spin may mean a leak in your irrigation system. · Wet or soggy spots in the lawn. There may be an underground break in your irrigation line. Sometimes the leak is large enough to cause the turf to "float" on the surface. If you have ruled out surface water drainage issues, check for leaks. · Meter or valve boxes continually filled with water. If you have ruled out surface water drainage issues, check for leaks. · Summer water bills higher than normal. Make sure you are not over-watering your landscape by running the system too long or too often! If your water bills are considerably higher than usual, you may have a leak. For more information about irrigation systems, visit the Irrigation Association Web site at http://www.irrigation.org/ Watering should be done in the evening or during early morning hours when evaporation is least likely to occur. Unlike sprinklers, drip irrigation may be used during the day with minimal loss due to evaporation. Consider water consumption when selecting plants.
Some plants use more water than others. Consult a good gardening book to determine low water-using
plants for your geographical region.
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