Lake Wenatchee Water District
Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
Sep 15, 2023
Location: Fire Station #91
21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy
Commissioners Present: Fred Guimond, John Colvard, Erin Colwell (quorum established)
Staff Present: Bruce Harris – Clerk
Guests Present: Barbara Harris, Chelan County Commissioner Shon Smith, Jeff Burgess, Jim Paris, Kristi Weihs, Jill Joplin
Commissioner Guimond called the meeting to order at 9:35 am.
Commissioner Colwell moved to accept the minutes for Aug 10, 2023, as written. Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.
Public comments:
Jeff Burgess voiced his concerns that his personal well on Brown Road was being adversely impacted by the LWWD homestead pumphouse wells located approximately 200 and 400 feet from his well. Several times through the summer of 2023 his well would run dry, especially over holidays and weekends.
The commissioners were aware of Mr. Burgess’ concerns and had taken several measures during this period to help increase the availability of aquifer water.
Kristi Weihs was concerned about the water quality as well. It was explained that the excessive consumption/pumping of the water, especially on weekends, resulted in a much lower contact time of the chlorine in the system. This creates a more dramatic sulfur smell even though the water is safe to drink.
The Commissioners agreed to continue exploring alternatives and to expand the search to acquire a proven existing local well and search out funding opportunities to drill for a new water source if necessary. In addition, efforts will be made to continue leak detection and enforcement.
Administrative
Clerk Report
Water Availability Requests (WAR) and Certificates (WAC):
No new water availability requests have been received since the last commissioner’s meeting.
The new meter connection for parcel 271614700030 was installed in the Mt. Park section of the system. This connection was requested in 2022 and is not a part of the main Homestead well infrastructure.
Also parcel 271718340575 was connected based on a request from June 2021. It is currently a vacant lot.
Water Shortage and Leak Status:
Because of the dry conditions experienced over the summer of 2023, extra meter runs were made to isolate excessive use or unidentified leaks. These additional meter reads were done on July 30th and Sept 07 because of pumping issues at the Homestead pumphouse and critically low aquifer levels.
SACDA software pumping cycle modifications requested by the commissioners were also installed by RH2 Engineering to specifically focus reservoir filling operations to between hours of 10 pm and 5 am. This would allow the aquifer more opportunities to refresh during the daytime hours. According to Mr. Burgess, the SCADA control system changes did not appear to correct his situation.
Excessive use reports were also generated on these special meter runs which identified several customers who either had new leaks or were overconsuming under dry conditions. They were contacted by the clerk.
The commissioners agreed that the additional reports from the meter runs confirmed the concentration of use was, once again, focused over weekends where rental activity increases the population and resulting water use. The commissioners felt there needed to be more frequent oversight of the water use/leak situation.
Commissioner Colwell motioned to, effective immediately, continue reading the meters during the winter months, resulting in a bi-monthly cycle year-round until further notice; Commissioner Colvard seconded, motion passed. Clerk Harris will contact the bookkeeper regarding this change.
Even though it was agreed that additional long-term planning is needed regarding additional capacity and/or water sources (new well), the commissioners felt a near term solution was required as soon as possible for handling immediate shortages and strains on the aquifer.
Commissioner Colwell motioned to approve the clerk or water system operator to coordinate with RH2 Engineering to provide a map of the existing private wells in the impacted area and the possible aquifer influence the well would have on the wells in the local vicinity; Commissioner Colvard seconded; motion passed.
Commissioner Colvard motioned to have the clerk provide an email notice to the LWWD customers summarizing the current situation and the alternatives that the commissioners are reviewing to remedy the situation, both short and long term; Commissioner Guimond seconded, motion passed.
In addition to the most up to date map of existing private wells within the district service area, Commissioner Colvard would continue to identify possible funding solutions for either the purchase of a private well or drilling of a new well.
LWWD Snow clearing for 2023/2024 season:
Requests for email bids were sent out to prospective snow removal contractors on the small works roster for the 2023/2024 season. The commissioners will award the winning bid at the Oct 12, 2023, meeting.
O&M and Payroll Warrants
Monthly financial reports: As of August 31, 2023, Treasurer’s balance sheet shows $52,234.82 in the general operating fund and $ 99,671.98 in the reserve fund. Imprest balance is $981.66.
Customer aging status as of Sep 1, 2023 was:
60 days – 5 customers @ 60 days ($ 1253.93)
90 days – 0 customers @ 90 days ($ 0.00)
Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve the O&M warrant for $6,807.87, Commissioner Colwell seconded, motion passed.
Commissioner Colvard motioned to approve payroll warrant for $1,671.00, Commissioner Colwell seconded, motion passed.
Operations
Generator update: Yakima Generator completed their installation of the final components to the Kohler backup generator and performed the start-up procedure with system operator Cruickshank and clerk Harris present. The output of the generator, using a ‘full pump house load demand’ was measured at using only 54% of its total generating capacity. The repairs were successful, and the generator was then registered by the vendor (Kohler representative) for its five-year warranty. The clerk is now working with Chelan County Natural Resources Department to close the interlocal cooperation agreement (FM-5182-19-R) opened in 2020 to share FEMA grant funding with four other water districts or associations.
Meeting adjourned at 11:25 am.
Next meeting – Thursday, Oct 12, 2023 9:30 – 11:30 am