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Tom2020-10-27 14:59:362020-10-30 14:46:51NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL SURPLUS PROPERTY
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Tom2020-10-27 14:59:362020-10-30 14:46:51NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL SURPLUS PROPERTY
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Tom2020-05-01 12:48:042020-05-01 13:05:47NOTE TO DISTRICT CUSTOMERS May 1, 2020
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Tom2019-12-06 15:36:342019-12-06 16:00:112020 Proposed Rate Increase
Backflow Prevention Video
Zone 9 South Improvements
Purpose
Whitworth Water District wishes to inform our customers about the Zone 9 South Improvements project which will be constructed between Summer 2020 and Spring 2021. We will keep you informed of the project status and anticipated impacts of this project so you are able to effectively plan ahead.
Project Need
Through a recent system analysis, it was noted that additional water storage was necessary to meet the projected 20-year growth within the District’s Zone 9 Service Area. Additionally, looping and hydraulic improvements were recommended along Lowe Rd and Howe Rd. These two improvements were incorporated into one project known as the Zone 9 South Improvements project.
Project Description
The project consists of the construction of a new 1.5 million gallon welded steel reservoir with site grading and overflow basin, approximately 1,700 feet of 18” ductile iron waterline, 4,200 feet of 12” PVC waterline, and 800 feet of 8” PVC waterline installed within District property and existing rights of way along Day Mt. Spokane, E. Lowe Rd., and N. Howe Rd.
Project Description
Property located at 7215 E Day Mt Spokane was purchased by the district in early 2020 as a site for the 1.5 million gallon reservoir. This site was selected based on the proximity to the existing Zone 9A reservoir. The similar elevation of the new reservoir allows for the two reservoirs to operate in tandem, providing approximately 2.5 million gallons of useable water during peak demands.
In June of 2020, the project was publicly bid and later awarded to LaRiviere Inc, based out of Athol, Idaho. LaRiviere plans to begin mobilization and the installation of site controls the week of August 10th. Site grading and waterline installation is expected to continue through the fall of 2020. Traffic slowdowns and/or temporary road closures along E. Day Mt. Spokane Rd, E. Lowe Rd., and N. Howe Rd are likely during the waterline installation.
Tank assembly and tank coating will progress through the spring of 2021. It is anticipated that the project will be substantially completed by June of 2021. We will continue to keep you updated during the construction progression.
A Note from the Chairperson
This past year has been a big challenge for all of us. The pandemic has challenged our families and work environment unlike anything we have experienced before.
Research, planning and hard work have brought us to a point of substantial change and progress towards a return to normal.
Whitworth Water faced these same challenges. The Districts administrative and operations departments adopted pandemic precautions, revised schedules and procedures to keep their families safe while always keeping your families safe with dependable sources of high quality ground water.
Another challenge for Whitworth Water is the unprecedented growth in our area. We have researched and planned for this and are now seeing progress towards infrastructure upgrades that will provide additional capacity to deliver clean, high quality water for existing customers as well as those families moving into our area. Congratulations to all of us for making it through these challenges.
Thank you,
Steve Irwin
Chairperson
Manager’s Report
What a great time for Whitworth Water District! This year certainly threw us some curveballs including a pandemic, increased costs for materials, and supply and demand issues. But the past year can also be looked back upon as a year with plenty of successes. We have completed numerous District projects, managed to maintain water service during inclement weather events, all while keeping water rates among the lowest in Eastern Washington. This coming year looks to be just as busy.
Interested in keeping track of what we are up to? Curious about our water quality, shutoff notifications, District projects, and other news? Have a question, observation, or comment? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and or Twitter or reach us via email at billing@whitworthwater.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you,
Tim Murrell
General Manager
A Note from the District Superintendent
Hello again, It’s 2021 and peak season is just around the corner. With the particularly dry spring, it looks to be an interesting irrigation and fire season. Please help us stay ahead of the demand by conserving water when possible. This greatly reduces the need to build additional infrastructure and helps keep our water rates low.
We are happy that last year’s projects have been very successful, below budget and on schedule. These projects have greatly increased system reliability and redundancy. Well 3D has been active since August and has produced over 600 million gallons (MG) of fresh drinking water to the northern systems, and allows the other wells to get a break. The new reservoir on Day Mt Spokane will be put into service in a few weeks, at a total cost of $4 million. This project added 1.5 MG of storage to the existing 1.0 MG, and will serve the Northern Mead, Southern Colbert and Greenbluff areas. This reservoir provides additional development capacity to the area as well as increased redundancy for emergencies and maintenance. Total storage volume throughout the District will now be 16.5 MG.
New projects for this year include a drilling another new well and the next phase of the transmission main projects. The well will be located south of Whitworth University and provide additional capacity and redundancy in the southern zones. This project will also include emergency power generation to help ensure water service remains reliable during our many harsh weather events. The well project will be coupled with new transmission main in a few years’ crossing east-west through the southern zones.
In the fall of this year, the District plans to bid the continuation of the transmission main from 2019 up through Dartford, Commelinis, Wandermere, Hatch and Midway. This project, known as the System 3-8 Intertie, will include over 3 miles of 24” main. The 3-8 intertie project will provide additional transmission to the northern systems, reduce transmission pressures, increase the efficiency of our existing wells, and make room for wells in the future.
Private development was pretty strong in 2020, but it appears things are slowing down a bit material with costs rising and supply chain issues. If you have a project you’d like to discuss please give me a call, we love projects!
Matt Wright, PE
District Superintendent
Whitworth Water District – Source Redundancy Projects
Whitworth Water District derives its water supply from two separate and distinct ground water formations known as aquifers. Customers in the southern part of the District are served from the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie aquifer (or SVRP) while those customers in the North are served by the Little Spokane River aquifer (or LSR).
Both the SVRP and LSR aquifers provide extremely high-quality water, yet the LSR aquifer is experiencing greater supply constraints due to its lower overall capacity coupled with an increase in domestic and municipal well develop-ment.
In an effort to strengthen long-term water supply redundancy to our customers in the northern part of the District, Whit-worth Water has embarked on a 10-year capital improve-ment plan that will address supply, conveyance, and storage. Water supply enhancements will be accomplished through the construction of two new SVRP production wells, while conveyance is addressed through a nearly five-mile long 24-inch transmission line. Storage will be addressed through two above ground storage reservoirs.
These improvements will provide a significant benefit to District customers through increased capacity and improved system reliability.
Project Funding Assistance – In the spring of 2020, District staff applied for a $1.15 million dollar grant through the Washington Department of Ecology. These funds would help to offset project costs and reduce necessary District contributions.
Look for updates on this and other project related news on our website at www.whitworthwater.com
Important Links
American Water Works Association – “The Authoritative Resource for Safe Drinking Water”
Environmental Protection Agency – Safe Drinking Water – “Protecting human health, safeguarding the natural environment”
Spokane Aquifer Joint Board – “Dedicated to protecting the aquifer through our Wellhead Protection Program and through citizens education and awareness.”
Spokane Regional Solid Waste System – Provides information for disposal, recycling, composting programs, transfer station locations and business assistance.
Spokane County Conservation District – “Preserve and enhance the water resources in Spokane County watershed for the benefit of present and future generations.”
Spokane Smartscape – A landscape approach to conserving water and protecting the environment
DrinkTap.org – An AWWA site for consumers, there’s even a section just for kids!
California Urban Water Conservation Council – “Take the Home Tour to investigate your water saving opportunities in each area of your home.”
EPA Water Sense – “Water Sense makes water conservation easy.” Kids and Teachers will enjoy the fun section just for them!
County Office – An internet database of county government offices in the United States
Avista – Contact information for Avista Utilities
Inland Power – Contact information for Inland Power and Light Company
Spokane County Building Planning – Spokane County Building and Planning
Conservation
Tips on Conserving Water
1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn’t need water. Set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. Saves 750 to 1,500 gallons a month.
2. Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. Saves 20 gallons a day for every leak stopped.
3. Don’t run the hose while washing your car. Use a bucket of water and a quick hose rinse at the end. Saves 150 gallons each time. For a two-car family that’s up to 1,200 gallons per month.
4. Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. Saves 500 to 800 gallons a month.
5. Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Saves 300 to 800 gallons a month.
6. Shorten your showers. Even a one or two-minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons a month.
7. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Save 150 gallons each time. At once a week, that’s more than 600 gallons a month.
8. Don’t use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Saves 400 to 600 gallons a month.
9. Capture tap water. While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the water with a water can to use later on house plants or your garden. Saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.
10. Don’t water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that water lands on your lawn or garden where it belongs—and only there. Saves 500 gallons a month.
More Indoor Conservation Ideas to Consider…
- Put a plastic bottle weighted with pebbles and filled with water in your toilet tank. Displacing water in this manner allows you to use less water with each flush. Saves up to 300 gallons a month. For even greater savings, replace your water-guzzling five-to-seven-gallon-a-flush toilet with a three-and-a-half gallon, low flush or one-and-a-half-gallon, ultra-low-flush model.
- Take baths instead of showers. A partially filled tub uses less water than all but the shortest showers. Saves 15 to 20 gallons each time.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Saves three gallons each day.
- Turn off the water while shaving. Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of water to rinse your razor. Saves three gallons each day.
- If you wash dishes by hand don’t leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you only have one sink, use a spray device or short blast instead of letting the water run. Saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.
- When washing dishes by hand, use the least amount of detergent possible. This minimizes rinse water needed. Saves 150 gallons a month.
- Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This beats the wasteful habit of running tap water to cool it for drinking. Saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.
- Don’t defrost frozen foods with running water. Either plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave. Saves 50 to 150 gallons a month.
- Don’t let the faucet run while you clean vegetables. Rinse them in a filled sink or pan. Saves 150 to 250 gallons a month.
- Use the garbage disposal less and the garbage can more. Saves 50 to 150 gallons a month.
More Outdoor Conservation Ideas…
- Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel slows down evaporation. Saves 750 to 1,500 gallons a month.
- If you have a pool, use a pool cover to cut down on evaporation. It will also keep your pool cleaner and reduce the need to add chemicals. Saves 1,000 gallons a month.
- Water during the cool parts of the day. Early morning is better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus. Saves 300 gallons a month.
- Don’t water the lawn on windy days. There’s too much evaporation. Can waste up to 300 gallons each time.
- Cut down watering on cool and overcast days and don’t water in the rain. Adjust or deactivate automatic sprinklers. Can save up to 300 gallons each time.
- Set mower blades one notch higher. Longer grass means less evaporation. Saves 500 to 1,500 gallons each month.
- If you have an evaporator air conditioner, direct the water drain line to a flower bed, tree base or lawn.
- If municipal ordinances don’t prohibit it, drive your car onto a lawn to wash it. Rinse water can help water the grass.
- Tell your children not to play with the garden hose. Saves 10 gallons a minute.
- If you are working around the yard, clean up with waterless hand cleaner rather than washing under a steady stream of water. Saves 7 to 10 gallons each time.
