February
2008
With the new year of 2008 upon us and we look forward to what the year ahead holds, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of the District in 2007.
We started the year by welcoming three new board members; Howard Harris, sub district #1, Rod Peterson, sub district #2, & Mike Elmore, sub district #4. From within the board members officers were elected; Tom Ashmore, President; Howard Harris, Vice President; Gene Tobie, Secretary/Treasurer.
Most notable for 2007 was the Intertie Project. Tenneson Engineering designed and implemented a plan to tie all three of the separate water systems within the District into one public water system. During the planning process, Wasco Count Public Works Department approached the District regarding utilizing the same ditch for placement of storm sewer lines in areas already planned for excavation. With incorporating the plans as one, the District entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Wasco County and enabled both entities a savings in public funds. At this point the intertie project was put out for bid and the contract awarded to Crestline Construction. With the project now complete, I would like to thank all those involved; the Board of Directors for their foresight and continued support of the project, Tenneson Engineering, Crestline Construction, Larry Haug with Stantec, the sub-contractors and all of the District’s staff for their continued involvement.
Another project initiated in December 2007 and scheduled for completion in June 2008 is locating and drilling of a new water well. Two wells, located at the office site, previously used were officially sealed off and abandoned in 2007 to prepare the site to locate and drill a larger well with more capacity for future water demands in our area.
The District did see an increase in rates in 2007. The Board of Directors held public meetings regarding a water rate increase, an increase in connection fees, and an amended delinquent & shut off policy. Receiving no input or comments from the public, these increases were implemented in July. The most controversial of the rate increases with our customers was the delinquent charges and late fees. As the water sales is the District’s main source of revenue and relies on this income for its daily operational expenses, it is imperative the payments are received in a timely manner. One of the main reasons for implementing the policy is to recover the costs associated with mailing past due notices, delivering door notices and ultimately shutting off water services from the customers that create these costs, not the customers that pay their water bills by the due date.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, amended in 1996, necessitates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish criteria to monitor unregulated contaminants and publish a list of contaminants every five years. The second round of monitoring is scheduled during 2007-2011. Chenowith Water PUD was selected as one of the 800 public water systems from across the United States to participate in this round of sampling. Along with this sampling, the District will continue the routine monitoring required by the Oregon Department of Human Services Drinking Water Program which ensures safe drinking water to your home. Samples were completed in early 2007 for the routine lead and copper samples. It is required that the homeowners chosen do the collection for these samples and we appreciate their cooperation. The annual Consumer Confidence (Water Quality) Reports which include the results will be mailed and distributed in June 2008.
With the close of 2007, we look forward to supplying our customers safe and affordable drinking water in 2008 and years to come.
Sherlene
Bowen — District Manager
