June 2004

NEW BILLING SYSTEM

Samish Farms began using the newly purchased billing system last January. We are still working the bugs out, but believe it prints a bill that is much easier to read. We have had some bills separate in the postmarking process and will be sending out a yellow bill made of a higher quality paper with the July billing.

You may have noticed that with the new bills, the due date has been earlier than the 2-month grace period previously extended to our customers. We have changed our policies in order to cut down on those few delinquent bills that get so far overdue that water must sometimes be disconnected. Bills will now be due one month from the date of billing. The charge for an overdue bill will be $5.00.

RATE INCREASES

Water rates were raised from $1.96 to $2.10 per 100 c.f. as of January 1, 2004. The price SFWA pays P.U.D. for water has increased by 3% and because of an increase in electricity costs for pumping in our new system, SFWA also raised it another 4%. The System Development Fee, which is included in the price of a water share and passed on to P.U.D., also increased from $1544.00 to $1608.00 on May 1, 2004. This brings the price of a new water share to $10,208.00.

We anticipate lowering the maintenance portion of your bill in the near future.

WHEW!!!

We're finally done with all our mess,

and we owe you many thanks.

You've put up with all the hassles,

of our installing pipes and tanks.

by John Ravnik

RONEY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Over the past few months, the last of the water system improvements have been completed. There is now an eight-inch waterline in north Roney Road that was also bored underground down to Samish Beach Lane. This work was performed by two construction companies; Trenchless Construction of Arlington and Lee Johnson & Sons of Clear Lake. Joining the successes of the initial waterline contractor, Snelson Companies, this most recent work was completed without going over budget. Rural Development, the loan agent for the system improvements, remains amazed that so much work has been accomplished. Special thanks are owed to the Roy Little family and Terry Knutson family for allowing us to extend the new waterline across their properties. This benefits many homes, and we greatly appreciate your kindness and patience.

Throughout this project over the past years, many of you have endured the dirt and delays, and all in all, everyone has been very supportive. This could not have been so successful without you.

THANK YOU JOHN RAVNIK for stretching our Rural Development loan money farther than we ever thought possible and for the directing and coordinating of the construction, and working with RD. We now have an excellent water system that will serve us efficiently for many years to come.

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.

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HOW TO USE YOUR WATER METER TO

CHECK FOR LEAKS

· 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

BACKFLOW PREVENTION ALTERNATIVES

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 EQUIPED 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 assemblies and certified tests.

TWO TYPES OF BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES

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.

TIPS FOR SAVING WATER OUTDOORS

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.

HOW MUCH WATER DOES A TYPICAL FAMILY USE?

Bathroom
Toilet	18 flushes x 5 gallon flush	90 gallons
Sink	6 minutes x 3 gallons/minute	18 gallons
Shower	25 minutes x 5 gallons/minute	125 gallons
Kitchen
Sink	6 minutes x 3 gallons/minute	18 gallons
Dishwasher	1 wash cycle x 37 gal/use	15 gallons
Laundry	1 wash cycle x 37 gal/use	37 gallons
Total use		303 gallons per day

303 divided by 4 (# in family) = 76 gallons per person.

A typical family of 4 uses 255 gallons of water per day.