HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-03 Utilities Minutes
Utilities Committee
April 3, 2007
Present: Joan Hernandez, Chair; Jim Haggerton, Joe Duffie
Jim Morrow, Frank Iriarte, Bob Giberson, Mike Cusick, Pat Brodin, Gail Labanara
A. Adoption of the 2005 Water System Plan Update Mike explained that the consultant contract
with EES (which was subsequently purchased by HDR Consultants) began the update in 2004
and was completed in March 2005. The report was sent to the Dept of Health (DOH) and they
delayed approval due to Cascade Water Alliance' Transmission & Supply Plan (TSP). DOH
was concerned about the "defmed block" of water supply even though we were still purchasing
water from the same source, the City of Seattle. Jim H asked if any other Water Districts were
delayed and Pat responded that Skyway Water System threatened to sue DOH in order to get
their update approved. We also had to get King County's approval due to CW A's Transmission
& Supply Plan. Once King County approved, then DOH followed. There were no revisions to
the plan from King County or DOH. With the delay, Pat was concerned that we would go into
operating under a yellow status as opposed to our current green status. Our next update will be
in 2010.
Jim H went over some of the highlights in the update, including annexation plans, private wells
(Tukwila has no public wells), river water used as irrigation at the Foster Golf course, reclaimed
water, and the highest water users (Shasta Beverage). Pat also explained our water loss goal of
10% each year and that it is now mandated. We have tried to assess water loss by leak detection
surveys and auditing fIre lines (fIre lines are not metered). We have had water stolen by
individuals tapping hydrants and have also lost water by our Fire dept flushing hydrants. We
have begun metering some of the larger fIre lines such as Boeing and Fire Station 51. The fIre
dept currently pays a flat standby fee for all City hydrants. Jim M explained that the NPDES
permit will be benefIcial to water loss as we will no longer be able to flush water since it is
chlorinated and would damage the fish. If we had to flush the water mains, we would have to
add Vitamin C to the water to compensate for the chlorination. We also discussed the high water
pressure and Pat explained that it is based on elevation and being able to get the water to flow.
Joan asked about the reservoir and we keep it 50% full and have the tank circulating constantly.
Unanimous approval; fonvard Resolution to next COW.
Other: Information Only
. Joan thanked Frank for the latest recycling pamphlet.
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'~~r CommIttee au Approva
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Minutes by GL, reviewed by PB, 1M
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