Page Title

Trustees

·= Jim Chun

·= Paul Kimball

·= Margaret Wessel

·= Earl Westfall

·= Dave Lang

<= span lang=3Den-US style=3D'font-size:16.0pt;line-height:112%;font-family:"Bodo= ni MT Black"; language:en-US'>Feb/Mar 2012

Staff

·= Mary Ann Stipp

·= Derrick Reed

·= Helen Westphal

·= Donna Baxter

A private non-profit mutual water association

HEIGHTS WATER

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office 206.463.0014 Emergenc= y 206.529.78= 64

Fax 206.463.0019 info@heightswater.org

Mailing address: P.O. Box 820, Vashon, WA = ; 98070

Payment drop off:

Office: 17232 Vashon Highway SW (Parker Plaza)

Pump Station: 13205 Vashon Highway SW (box on garage)

= Trouble paying your bill?

As soo= n as you know that you are unable to make full payment on your water bill b= efore the due date (end of billing month), please call our business office = to discuss a payment schedule. We want to work with you to help you avoid l= ate payment penalties. If you wait until the day your water service is sche= duled to be shutoff, and the penalties have already piled up, it might be t= oo late to work out satisfactory arrangements. Please call now.

= E-billing has begun!

Heights Water is pleased to announce that e-billing has begun.&nb= sp; With this month’s bill the option to receive your bi-monthly wate= r bill via email is a reality. If you would like to sign up for e-bil= ling, please call our office at 463-0014 or send a request to info@heightsw= ater.org. Be sure to include the email address where you’d like= to receive your water bill. You can always return to postal delivery= at any time. If you are signed up for e-billing, you are receiving t= his newsletter via email.

= Conservation Corner …

It’s always a good time to think about water conservation.&= nbsp; On the reverse side of this newsletter, we have included information = from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Please read the remi= nders to help save water and money.

= Cross-connection Control Survey

It’s been five years since Heights Water last sent a cross-= connection control survey to our members. The Washington State Depart= ment of Health and Heights Water’s policies dictate that periodic sur= veys be conducted. You will receive your survey in the coming months.= Please complete the survey checklist and return it to our office as = soon as possible. This will save our staff time from chasing down sur= veys because we are required to have 100% participation in completing the s= urvey.

Cross-connection control goes a long way in the prevention of bac= kflow - water that has gone through your meter from re-entering the water s= ystem during a loss in pressure. If private plumbing systems include = certain features, this backflow could cause contamination of public water.&= nbsp; It is Heights Water’s duty to protect the water, thus we need y= our help in completing the survey.

If you have questions regarding the survey or cross-connection in= general, please contact our office.

Your water meter—it’s not just about money

Your water meter is not just for making sure that Heights Water k= nows how much water you used for billing purposes. Your meter is your= main source for leak detection! Because we only read your meter six = times a year, it is important that you take a look at it periodically to ch= eck for leaks and to make sure that it isn’t covered by weeds o= r daffodils!

If you are certain that all the water devices are shut off, take = a look at the leak detection dial on your meter. If it is moving, you= have a leak. For additional information, please go to the Heights Wa= ter web site, www.heightswater.org, and look at the Conservation tab. = We have included pictures and directions for checking your meter for leaks= .

It is imperative that Heights Water can find your water meterR= 12;again, not just for revenue. In an emergency, we both need to be a= ble to find your meter to shut off water to your premises. When our m= eter reader has to get the machete out to clear the area around your meter,= Heights Water will charge you $25. We hope that is incentive enough = for you to keep your water meter accessible. Please don’t park = cars vehicles over the meter, or we will have to get put that machete to wo= rk! Thank you!

= What to do after water main or service line repairs

A common question we hear after the line was repaired is, “= What can I do about the cloudy water and air in the line?” It&#= 8217;s a simple remedy: run water from an outside hose bib until it runs cl= ear. This will flush out your service line from the meter to your hou= se, thus ensuring that clean water flows into your home or business. =

= Heights Water Board of Trustees

Stop b= y our office or give us a call to discuss your interest in a seat on the He= ights Water Board of Trustees. We are always in search of “a fe= w good men and women” to serve our members. Why not you in 2012= ?

W= ater Conservation – be water smart, not water short

= Washington State Department of Ecology - www.ecy.wa.gov

Water is a valuable resource in Washington. Using our resources wi= sely will help us fill the needs of people, industries, businesses and farm= s, while also keeping fish and other aquatic life alive and well. Across th= e state these water users have diverse needs and goals we must find a way t= o share limited, fluctuating supplies.

Many factors impact water availability. Climate change is resulting in r= educed snow packs and higher temper= atures. Rapid population growth means that more water is used. And economic= expansion contributes to an increase in paved surfaces, which means more <= /span>storm water runoff and allows less water to be absorbed through the = ground.

Water conservation—using water efficiently and avoiding wast= e—is fundamental to ensuring water availability in the future. In ord= er to protect our water supply everyone can practice conservation. In our b= usinesses, schools, and homes, using water more efficiently will lessen the= effects of limited water supply.

We use water every day in our homes for showers, laundry, and keep= ing our lawns and gardens healthy. The largest use of water inside the home= is from inefficient fixtures, mainly the toilet. Outside, nearly 40 percen= t of municipal water is used for watering lawns and gardens.

R= educing water use in and around the home is easy. Just remember to <= /p>

b= e water smart, not water short. Use only what you need.

Indoor

You may have heard all of the tips before. Many of t= hese small actions will help you save money and protect the environment. Tr= y new ways to get on the path of water efficiency without changing your lif= estyle.

Look for water-efficient products with the WaterSense label . These products = are approximately 20 percent more efficient than their standard counterpart= s. When shopping for new fixtures, remodeling, or replacing that leaky toil= et choose a WaterSense product.

Outdoor

Hosing off driveways and running hoses while washing the car may n= ot be the biggest outdoor uses, but they do waste water. Landscape watering= is the largest outdoor water use and up to half of that water is wasted be= fore ever reaching your plants. Many opportunities are available outdoors f= or homeowners to become water smart.

Landscape watering

Some experts estimate that 50 percent of water is lost due to evap= oration and run-off. Partnering irrigation professionals can install, audit= or upgrade your system to save up to 9,000 gallons each year. Technology a= lso is available to ensure that sprinkler systems are on their best behavio= r. Sensor and weather-based technologies allow systems to = water according to weather and shut off in the rain.

Not interested in an irrigation system? Purchase in inexpensive ho= se timer to avoid over-watering. Soaker hoses are also a great option for a= voiding evaporation due to wind. Collecting rain water to use on your= landscape can help you save water outdoors.

Landscape choices

Native and drought tolerant plants can make a beautiful alternativ= e to unused turf areas in your yard. WSU Cooperative Extension has many res= ources to assist home gardeners with landscaping using native = plants.