||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT |||
Eastsound Water Users Association: Building Efficiencies in Operations
Every water system consists of source water, equipment, and people. Each system is unique in its operations and management.
A year and a half ago, Dan Burke assumed the general managership at Eastsound Water Users Association (Eastsound) on Orcas Island in San Juan County. Coming from San Francisco with experience in internet startups, Dan envisioned using technology to address operational and managerial challenges. Following last year’s chlorine supply issues, Dan used statistical analysis to evaluate chlorine use and realized it was time for a change. Dan convinced the board of directors to invest in an onsite chlorine generator. The system now generates low-cost chlorine for its disinfection needs, which cushions them from supply chain issues. When Eastsound pays off the equipment, future costs due to ferry delays or off-island purchases are minimized.
Eastsound’s successful system of advanced analytics metering allows customers to monitor their own water use online in real time. Dan built upon the automated control system to manage night operations and chlorine dosing. This reduced operators’ daytime workload, providing time for operational improvements. With these added efficiencies, Eastsound now has operation and maintenance agreements with two other small surface water systems on the island.
Historically, job postings at Eastsound brought few candidates. The Island’s high cost of living and remote setting discouraged candidates from the mainland. The previous manager and lead operator developed a one-month, twenty-hour original training program. Thirteen local candidates, many with no prior water experience, were introduced to the basics of water treatment and operation. Out of this program they identified several individuals who are now operators on the island. Continuing this success, Dan secured from the board increases to wage and health care benefits, provided retirement planning, and completely remodeled the office space. Eastsound increased the culture of open dialogue and knowledge-sharing transforming it into a collaborative model. Currently, multiple candidates vie for open positions.
To meet the Water Use Efficiency (WUE) 2017 metering deadline, Eastsound installed meters throughout the distribution system and on all customer service connections to track and detect where the system was losing water. In 2021, using this metering information, operators reduced distribution system leakage from 8.5 percent to 2.7 percent. This helped them meet mandatory WUE requirements and reduced costs. Fewer leaks mean fewer emergencies when water supplies are scarce, especially during summer months when it rains less, and user demands are highest.
Embracing change is heady stuff; congratulations to Dan Burke and Eastsound for their continued success in providing safe and reliable drinking water.
Congratulations to Dan Burke and all of the employees at Eastsound Water!
Dan and his team have brought many improvements and a high level of professionalism to the Eastsound Water Users Association. This article from a Washington State Department of Health Newsletter speaks about just a few of those improvements. Dan is working hard to make Eastsound Water a great place to work for our employees who want challenging, well paying jobs that offer great career opportunities building and maintaining a high quality water system for the benefit of all of our members.
Thanks to Dan and his team for all that you do.
Jim Nelson
Board Member
Dan’s can do and will do Sprit has elevated the field of professionalism across the spectrum of what a (Good Job Is) this model is Sustainable because it brings very sound working standards that have growth built in. To retain good employees, the need of challenge with reward is paramount . The reward is their personal growth. When you have strong solid management, they lead by working from behind, always lifting their piers up with a mentoring model. This style promotes stability across the spectrum. It builds redundancy from within which reduces the risk of burnout..
The EWUA’s moral is at a high point which draws similar energy. The Board has a clear strong vision, to maintain excellence of providing good quality drinking water at the best value to its constituents.. Dan’s team strives daily to deliver that, with that smile of Job well Done!
That’s the byproduct of good Governance, good Management and great appreciation of a hard working staff to achieve..
I’ve used the wonderful Eye on Water system to find three leaks in the past few years and get them repaired before too much water was lost. It can detect leaks of less than a gallon per hour, which I find amazing. It can even tell when I flush the toilet in the middle of the night!
And we should extend heartfelt thanks to Dan’s predecessor as EWUA General Manager, Paul Kamin, who got this system installed.
Congrats to Dan and the whole EWUA Crew!
Your pride, professionalism, and creative problem solving are great assets to our community. I have really enjoyed being a part of your team-oriented culture as a board member this past year and am happy to see you get recognition. Keep on being awesome!
Our water is in good hands :-)
It is encouraging to observe the progress at EWUA. Paul Kamin was successful in reducing our overall system “WATER LOSSES”. Much credit there.
Dan Burke as GM has accelerated that progress in many ways.. EWUA is building a team of water user specialists to ensure that Eastsound (and other water systems) have the resources and capability to provide safe water.
Well done !!!