— by Lin McNulty —
Innovative and award-winning was the message at Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA) Annual Meeting on Tuesday, August 16, as General Manager Paul Kamin highlighted key water system projects over the last year.
A resurgence in growth was the first item on the agenda. EWUA gained 74 new members due to property transfers during the previous year, along with 12 new hookups in new developments.
Water Usage / Leak Detection
Water usage remains at top of the list of priorities. The key component in reducing usage is the installation of a new automated reading system, a tool to empower the user. EWUA is the first system in Washington state to deploy cellular monitoring which provides each individual user, as well as the water system, with packets of information on water usage for each hour of the day, for each user. Individual users can program leak notification alerts via email or text message, daily if desired. When no water is being used, the system will reflect zero usage. If there is a leak, it will show up in the reading. It is no longer necessary to wait for an unexpectedly large water bill to know there is a leak.
2015 water use efficiency for EWUA rate when compared to other systems, locally and statewide.
Nationwide, 14% of water useage is due to leaks. There is nothing more successful than leak detection in saving water, and the new monitoring system has a projected savings of up to 5% overall for Eastsound. The initial $240,000 investment could be recouped in two years.
The system was deployed system-wide as of May and since that time has detected leaks at 40% of total usage.
System Upgrades
Water system upgrades were done in Matia View (water main upgrade) and View Haven (tank upgrade to increase fire flow).
Treatment Optimization Program
The Washington Treatment Optimization Program (TOP) is an effort to improve the performance of surface water treatment performance of surface water treatment facilities. TOP focuses on particle removal and disinfection to maximize public health protection from microbial contaminants. The Washington Department of Health has adopted performance goals for all rapid rate surface water treatment plants in the state. EWUA received a Silver Award for 5 – 9 years of continuously optimized performance — every single day.
Prune Alley
Because of changes to soon be underway for the Prune Alley streetscape, EWUA dug up each connection on Prune Alley by hand to identify any potential problems.
What Now
EWUA has email addresses for 80% of its members, and all are asked to consider providing EWUA with an email to receive updates, and to register for ebill.
Rate Structure Review
A series of meetings is being setup, moderated by Fred Klein, to determine how the rate structure might be shared equitably and fairly among all members. More information will be coming on that process.
Election Results
Results of the election for board members were still being tabulated at press time.
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So pleased Ewua is now having annual meetings again! Will be interested in results when votes are tallied
Susan – EWUA has had an annual meeting every year, open to all of its members. I’m not sure what you mean by “again”.
Eastsound Water Board Election Results
At the Aug 16’s Annual Meeting 209 votes were cast. Voter turnout
was approximately 20% and exceeded the 10% quorum requirement.
Joe Cohen, Clyde Duke and Steve Miller were elected to the Board, and
will begin serving 3 year terms starting at the Sept Board meeting.