GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY WATER DISTRICT #2
Newsletter for November/December 2022
We can’t live without water
POST THE EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
THEY ARE AT THE END OF THIS NEWSLETTER
Rates
Let’s get this discussion out of the way at once. Rate setting for 2023 has been a very difficult exercise. The district has had repair situations that have challenged our capabilities and impacted our reserves, costs to the district have risen dramatically, and the community has been slammed by the same economic conditions faced by the district.
An important point to make is that nobody here at the district likes rate increases. For one thing all of the commissioners and most of the staff live within Central Park. Aside from that, there is special concern for those in the community on fixed (low) incomes. Those folks are always on everyone’s minds when examining the budget and rates.
The flip side is that the district is required, by state law, to recover all expenses and maintain the financial viability of the district into the indefinite future. All district staff can do is to make every effort to control costs consistent with providing safe and reliable drinking water.
Inflation is a big question mark this year. Yes, the Consumer Price Index is up. But the items tracked on the CPI are not necessarily the items that most impact water district costs. Actually, the Producer Price Index is a much better indicator of the cost increases faced by the district. While, at this writing, the CPI stands at 8.3%, the PPI is at 8.7%, which is somewhat good news. It had been up 11% over 2021. In the May/June letter we were not yet sure how prices would impact district costs.
Now we have a much clearer picture. Some of the parts we purchase are up as much as 40%. Everything is up to some degree. Overall, our operational expenses (not including capital expenditures and reserves) are up 15%. We can, to some degree, control capital expenditures by deferring projects. We can only do that for limited time. Eventually those projects have to be done. We cannot limit contributions to reserves without endangering our capabilities to provide safe and reliable drinking water in the future.
As you recall, in January we experienced a major water main break, which also took out the Reynvaan Booster Station. The combined cost of repairs will exceed $300,000. A local state of emergency existed at the time, which qualifies the district to apply for FEMA funding, for which we are applying. There is a good possibility that 90% of the district’s costs will be reimbursed by FEMA. Without that funding the repairs will wipe out a large part of the Major Repair Reserve, leaving very little money for any other repairs.
An additional factor in determining district costs is the issue of ongoing financial viability, an issue long neglected by public agencies. Which is why there is so much discussion about “crumbling infrastructure”. In order for the district to provide safe and reliable drinking water indefinitely, reserves must be established to replace capital assets when they reach the end of their useful life. There has been a failure to address this issue industry wide. It is not just an issue for the Central Park Water District. Part of the water rate contributes to building up those reserves. A big problem faced by this district, and almost all other water utilities, is that, despite rate increases over the years, there are no reserves available to replace the most expensive asset, water mains.
In order for the district to have the necessary reserves to replace the water mains over the next 50 years, assuming they last that long (many are already over 60 years old) rates would have to be way more expensive than they are now. The only answer is that the district will have to borrow money to replace water mains when the time comes. There is no easy answer. Kicking that can down the road is not a good answer. But it is the only one we have at the moment. No one in the district can afford rates sufficient to establish reserves necessary to replace water mains in the next 50 years.
For the present, the district puts away sufficient savings for capital assets, apart from the water mains, so the money is available when those assets need replacing. What are those assets? Buildings, pumps, controls, vehicles, etc. This year we are replacing the SCADA (short version, pump controls) computers. Payment for those bills will come out of savings.
Some of those savings allow upgrades to equipment that feature out-of-date technology. An example relates to pressure loss problems on Clemons Road. For years folks on the high point of Clemons Road would experience a few minutes of pressure loss when the well pumps shut down. Imagine, you are in the shower and all of a sudden you lose complete water pressure for several minutes. Very aggravating. With the existing technology there was little the district could do to alleviate that problem. By tapping savings the district was able to replace the old mechanical valves with modern electronic controls. While it didn’t do much for the underlying low pressure problem on Clemons, it did fix the loss of pressure problem. Without the saved up reserves, the district could not have done that.
The flip side of this discussion is that everyone in the community is facing the same kinds of pressures as the district. That issue is very much on everyone’s minds as we have worked on the budget.
There is every reason that the district should implement at least a 15% increase ($16/two months) from a strictly operational point of view. However, the district is committed to vigorous belt tightening wherever possible. Despite inflationary pressures, the district is limiting the rate increase to 10% ($11/two months). The base rate for 2023 will be $120 for two months for residential services. The usage rate (water used over the allocated 1,200 cubic feet) will remain at $2.75/100 cubic feet.
Multi-family and commercial connections can expect a similar increase.
It is possible that the district may need to re-visit the rates during the year given the uncertainties around the economy. In the event that the FEMA funding does not come through, rates will very definitely have to be re-evaluated.
Web Site
There is important information on the web site. Check it often. There is always new content. https://www.centralparkwater.net.
There is general information about the water district, plus quite a bit of detail. The monthly Manager's Reports are posted, along with the meeting agendas and minutes, financial statements are posted, and this newsletter (along with historical newsletters) can be found on the site as well.
You can pay your bill from the web site using Xpress Bill Pay. There is a "Pay My Bill" button. There are several very useful features in Xpress Bill Pay. Even if you are sending the district checks, it costs nothing to sign up for an account. You can receive water bills by email (no cost) and keep track of your account.
The district also has a Facebook page. Updates are posted as time allows. The general manager will, from time to time, post discussions on the issues of the day or general water industry philosophy and happenings. Facebook content is repeated on the web site for those who don't do social media. The page does allow comment. For specific questions or issues it is best to email the general manager at reg@centralparkwater.net. That email is checked mulitple times a day and all emails are answered.
During emergencies, the district makes every effort to post developments on the Facebook page. Posting is a task secondary to managing the emergency situation.
Power Outages
When power outages occur, it impacts the District’s ability to pump water from the wells up to the reservoirs. It is important to minimize water use during power outages.
About Leaks
The property owner is responsible for the condition of the plumbing on their side of the meter. The district offers one hour of free leak detection subject to operational considerations. This is a courtesy and does not relieve the property owner of the liability for all water passing through the meter.
The district cannot make repairs on the customer side of the meter. Working on private property requires licensing and bonding that the district does not have.
Payments
Water bills are payable by:
Check (in-office, mail, night drop)
Cash (in-office, mail, night drop.)
Credit/Debit Card over the phone (Office Hours only)
Credit/Debit Card through Xpress Bill Pay (Access through the web site)
eCheck through your bank (Your bank may charge a fee)
Xpress Bill Pay eCheck (lower transaction fee than credit/debit card)
Autopay through Xpress Bill Pay (Subject to fees charged by Xpress Bill Pay)
There is a transaction fee for Credit/Debit Card and eCheck payments charged by Xpress Bill Pay. There are fees paid every time you use a credit or debit card. Retailers frequently calculate that fee into their pricing, so you never see it, though you pay it whether you use a card or not. Others do not. For instance, the difference in pricing for cash or credit at the local gas station. The fees are collected directly by Xpress Bill Pay. None of the fees go to the water district.
If you send your payment through the mail or use the night drop, be sure to include the bill stub so we know to whose account to credit the payment. If paying cash through the night drop be sure and place your payment and the bill stub in the provided envelope. Or any other envelope. Payments made into the night drop go into a secure, locked box.
As a point of information, all of your personal information is held by Xpress Bill Pay. They have gone through all the work, permitting and security provisions to keep your information safe. They have a long and excellent record. The only information held by the district is:
Service address
Mailing address,
Property owner’s name
Tenant’s name, if applicable
Owner’s Telephone Number
Tenant’s Telephone Number, if applicable
Owner’s Email Address
Tenant’s Email Address, if applicable
Basic account information.
The district does not hold your Social Security Number, credit card information, or bank information. The district does not have the security capabilities to keep that information safe, so we don’t collect it.
If you are struggling to pay your water bill, for whatever reason, the district offers a payment plan for past due accounts. It is best to contact the district early. Don’t be too proud to ask for help. Everybody experiences occasional tough times.
Emergency Notification
Be sure and sign up with the County for emergency notifications.
“Google” Grays Harbor County
Once on the web site click on “Departments”
Click on “Emergency Management”
On the links on the left, in green, click on “Emergency Alerts”
Fill in the blanks
THIS IS IMPORTANT. If you don’t have web access, ask a friend to help getting registered. If your contact information is not available to the County you may miss important emergency information not only from the County, but from the water district as well.
An example is the recent water main break between Holbrook and Schrader Lanes. There were simply too many people out of water or with reduced pressure to notify individually. The district utilized the County’s emergency notification system to get information to the community. That system uses a recorded phone message, a text message, and an email to each person for whom they have contact information.
Information on water system emergencies is posted on the web site in the “Notifications” section.
During emergency situations our plan is to have someone on the phones to answer questions as best as we can. We also try and post ongoing updates on Facebook and the web site. That kind of communication is important, but our ability to pass on information is secondary to addressing the problem.
Conditions of Service
There are conditions attached to the provision of water service. If you don’t have a copy, please request one. We can mail it or email it to you. You can pick up a copy at the office and they are posted on the web site.
Special Needs
It is absolutely vital that you inform the District if you have special needs. If you suffer from an immune deficiency or other problem where a lack of water could be life-threatening, we need to know.
Current Projects
These are the projects that currently have our attention:
Utility Repair Indefinite Delivery Contract. Awarded to Brumfield Construction.
Holbrook/Schrader Lane Main Break. Underway by the time you read this. FEMA funding possible.
Lower Reynvaan Extension: Deferred as a result of the Holbrook/Schrader Lane main break.
North Bank Access Road Paving: Deferred as a result of the Holbrook/Schrader Lane main break.
Clemons Reservoirs Access Road Paving: Deferred as a result of the Holbrook/Schrader Lane main break.
Clemons Road Connection to Gavett Lane Pressure Zone: Deferred due to a lack of funding.
Fairway Terrace Main Replacement: Deferred due to a lack of funding.
Reynvaan Booster Station Pumphouse Replacement: In process. FEMA funding possible.
North Bank Reservoir Roof Recoating: Should be completed by the time you read this.
Tours
The District is offering a very limited number of system tours. We can only accommodate two people at a time and tours are limited to one per week. A full tour takes about two hours. If you are interested call the office for scheduling. Tour availability is subject to operational and weather considerations. You must be physically able to get into and out of a pickup truck.
Emergencies
There are water district staff available to address water emergency situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have an emergency, or even think you might have an emergency, do not be bashful about using the emergency contact numbers.
POST THE NUMBERS LISTED BELOW
Water district staff technicians are not in a position to answer billing or other account related questions. Office phones are answered between Noon and 4:00PM Monday through Friday. If you have an urgent need CALL THE EMERGENCY NUMBERS. If in doubt, call. Really, we don’t mind.
If you have questions about billing or other administrative matters, call the office during office hours or email the district clerk at dali@centralparkwater.net or the general manager at reg@centralparkwater.net
Thank You
Thank you for wading through all this information. If you have questions, or there are issues that we have not addressed in this newsletter, please feel free to call the office (360-532-1828) during posted hours, or email the General Manager (reg@centralparkwater.net). You are also always welcome at commissioners' meetings held at 7:00PM on the second Wednesday of each month in the District office. You can learn a lot at commissioners' meetings. The District office is located on East Cross Road just off of Hill Road.
Feel free to call or email if you have questions or concerns. We love to talk with you.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
360-580-2172
360-589-6007
360-591-1649
DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL.
Grays Harbor County Water District #2 is an equal opportunity provider and employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, or religion.