— from Michael Riordan —
What some people seem to be missing in the current debate over EWUA policies is recognition of the many beneficial impacts this water system has on Eastsound and surrounding areas. We take it for granted that the system will always work fine, but without frequent repairs and timely upgrades, it won’t.
Despite its panoramic views, my property would be nearly worthless without the reliable source of good-quality water EWUA provides. And I’m not about to drill hundreds of feet in hopes of establishing my own supply. Having done this once in California, I don’t ever want to repeat that anxious, arduous, expensive experience. I’d rather pay experienced professionals to provide my water service.
EWUA also ensures that in July and August — when the island population doubles, tourists throng Eastsound, and we are watering our gardens and lawns almost daily — there is an adequate supply to meet these needs. This peak demand comes at a time of little rain and low water supplies.
The guest houses at the focus of the current debate are most likely to be occupied at that time, too, so EWUA has to be able to provide water to them at a time of highest demand. From data Paul Kamin showed me recently, properties with guest houses consume on average over 70 percent more water annually than those without. And that excess usage almost certainly is even greater during the summer months.
Meeting that peak demand means added capital costs for increased water supply, storage and distribution. To me, it seems fair that properties with guest houses be required to pay additional hookup fees because they represent a significant part of this peak-demand problem. That is state Department of Health policy, too, which EWUA has to follow, but it requires only an extra 50 percent hookup fee for a guest house, while most comparable water services in these islands double it.
As Paul has repeatedly stated, EWUA doesn’t sell water, it provides a service. Besides making sure members have reliable water, that service includes installing and maintaining fire hydrants throughout the area, and insuring they have adequate pressure. When View Haven experienced a major house fire earlier this year, one of those hydrants — and the EWUA water storage tank near my house — provided almost 20,000 gallons of water to help control it. People with adjacent properties, mine included, really appreciated that water was readily available in ample supply.
This is not to say that EWUA service could not be improved — especially in the area of member relations. But doing that better will likely add to the quarterly bills that some members are complaining about. From what I can determine from its records, EWUA runs a fairly lean operation serving nearly 1000 members based on a budget of under a million dollars per year and having fewer than 10 equivalent FTEs.
The recent roll-out of the reduced guest-house fee is a good example of the need for improvements. I’d bet that EWUA Board and Director thought they were making a generous offer in hopes of getting many more guest-house owners into compliance, but it sure didn’t come across this way among affected members.
That also points to the need for greater transparency. From my vantage point, the EWUA Board and Director seem to be operating like a closed professional club when a more open, democratic process should occur — at least in their election. Perhaps that has happened because members would rather not be bothered, preferring that a group of capable, knowledgeable folks would just take care of these complicated technical matters on our behalf.
Maybe this debate will serve as a wake-up call that we need to get more involved.
Micheal, we are looking at buying a house on Orcas. A 2 bedroom-2 bath would be 3,000; a 1 bedroom and 1 bedroom guest house would be 6,000 and a single family 4 bedroom with 3.5 baths is also 3,000.
Please explain how this makes sense or is fair. Water should be sold based on use. That’s why most places have meters.
Neil, I think you need to check the EWUA web site for basic hookup fees and get your math correct. Then I’ll respond to you in more detail.
One statement in your letter stands out very strongly and that is “watering our … lawns almost daily”. Lawn watering is a complete waste of water. If you want beautiful manicure green lawns perhaps you should live in an area with endless water supplies. How much of our island resources is wasted in the summer time by people wanting green lawns?
Mr Kane,
I suggest that you call Eastsound Water directly with question about possible service to your property and the costs. We can confirm your property is in our service area, whether your property already has an EWUA members, if an EWUA water main abuts your property, and the cost of service. 360 376 2127.
I agree with Mr. McCorison completely on watering lawns. We don’t but do water a garden about every other day in July and August.
Agree with Jim McCorrison – why are large lawns using Eastsound Water even encouraged in this day and age? It’s impossible to keep them green during summer – and a complete waste of water that may be needed for other uses, like potable drinking water deep-watering your fruit trees weekly to keep them alive during drought. As drought becomes more commonplace in the West, we need to re-think the lawn idea in a climate that consistently has dryland summers for 2-3 months a year. Has EWUA considered offering incentives for people having less to no lawn – and charge much higher rates for lawn watering, or rationing water for only a certain size lawn to try to keep green? As a gardener/landscaper, it hurts my heart to see this kind of water-wasting when there is no real justification for it.