THE WATER LINE
September 2000
 Volume 3, Issue 2

Treatment Plant Receives Award

The Pinery Wastewater Treatment Plant has been awarded the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Associations Plant Performance Award for 2000. This award is presented to only one plant in the three state region (Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico) to recognize outstanding efforts in plant operations, maintenance, and public relations because of the concerted efforts of all personnel associated with plant management and operations. The award will be presented and accepted at the RMWEA conference in Vail in September.

Water Use Record Set

This past June - August we set all time highs for water use. This is both due to the growth that we have seen and because of the extremely dry June and July that we experienced. Here are the numbers - June 136 million gallons, 21% higher than our previous high, July 139 million gallons, 4% higher, and August 122 million gallons, 30 % higher. Through August we have pumped 28% more water than the same time last year.

The graph below provides a summary of our annual water use for the past 3 years.

Water Quality

We are all concerned about the safety and quality of our drinking water. In July we mailed to each of our customers our annual water quality report. This report summarizes the sampling that we perform to check our water quality. Recent water quality concerns in Parker have raised everyone's awareness about water quality. We at the Pinery Water and Wastewater District do the following to ensure the quality of the water in our system:

We take samples around the distribution system twice per month (from homeowners water meters). These samples are analyzed for bacteria, coliform, and e-coli. The number of samples that the state requires is based on the population served. Our practice is to take more samples than what is required by the regulations.

And we sample all of our wells on a monthly basis.

In 1998 the District adopted a groundwater protection program which places strict controls on development near our well fields.

The District is also concerned about influences upstream development might have on our alluvial water supply. This is the reason we have explored Intergovernmental Agreements with Castle Rock and Franktown. We have recently signed an IGA with the Town of Castle Rock (see page 4). The District entered into this agreement because it provides long-term protection to our water supply.

Biosolids a Big Hit!

We have had tremendous response to the Biosolids program. Dozens of homeowners inquired and began hauling Biosolids home to apply on their lawns and gardens. Residents filled everything from 5gallon buckets and garbage bags to trailers and pickup trucks. Users have reported a marked reduction in water use and the greenest lawns ever.
Residents have picked up close to 60 cubic yards, while the Pinery Golf Course purchased approximately 120 yards. Our fall batch is ready. Call Kevin or Shannon for availability @ 303-841-2797, Ext.36 or 39.
In order to serve all interested residents, we will begin, however, limiting Pinery residents to 5 free yards. Any amount beyond this or any non-resident will be charged $12.50 per yard. This limitation was based on the Pinery's turfgrass limitations. Five yards should cover most of our homeowners' needs in an established yard, not to mention be hard enough on the back to haul.

Thank You!!!!!
The Biosolids staff would like to thank the residents who participated this spring for their support and their enthusiasm.

Water System Improvements

The District has continued with the improvements to our water system to keep up with growth and demand. As you recall last year we built two new storage tanks, and two new pump stations. These new facilities have allowed us to keep up with the increased water demand this summer. This year we have drilled three new wells and have a fourth that we will drill once we receive final approval from the Fish and Wildlife Service on our plan. One of the new wells was put into service in August, the other two wells will be brought into service over the next few months.

The most visible of these well sites is at the junction of Pinery Parkway and Democrat Road. We built a storage tank at that location last year, and then drilled a well at the site. This summer we have built a building at the site to house the chemical feed systems and electrical equipment for the well. We also have a partner in the construction of this building- the High Prairie Farms Metro District. In addition to housing our equipment, the building will be used by the Metro District to store their lawn mowing and snow removal equipment.

Well Struck by Lightning

On Sunday August 13 our well near the Fire Station on South Pinery Parkway was struck by lightning. The pump in this well was damaged beyond repair, and we replaced it with a new pump in September. While the pump was out of the well we took the opportunity to perform maintenance on the well that included cleaning and removal of some accumulated sand.

Heads up on Service Repairs

Your sewer backs up. There's water in your basement. What do you do?
Do you call a plumber? The District office? Yes to both. The District will always be available to help a homeowner identify a problem either from our side or theirs.

If the problem is from our side, meaning at the tap and into the main pipe, the District will take care of the problem as soon as possible to alleviate further damages. If the problem is in the service, there are a few items homeowners need to remember:

Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion

The District has begun planning for an expansion of our Wastewater Treatment Plant. We have been working on an engineering evaluation of our existing plant and the permits and documentation needed for expansion. We will begin design of the expansion next year with construction occurring in 2002.

We recently began construction of a maintenance building at our wastewater treatment plant site. The building will provide much needed space for us to perform maintenance work and store materials that we need for repair and maintenance. We hope to begin to occupy the building by Thanksgiving.

Penalties for Vandalism to District Properties

Recently, ten 5 gallon buckets of debris ranging from rocks & concrete to logs & sod, were hauled out of a manhole in a remote ravine. These are not items that would even begin to fit through the 8 inch sewer pipe. These items were deliberately dumped in the manhole for one reason or another.

These items could have caused thousands of dollars in damages to homes had it been a main that carried a heavy flow that could not pass through due to the blockage. That home could have been yours or your neighbor's.

The District asks that you be aware of anything going on around any District properties that could cause damage to the District or to homes, especially in the remote locations like ravines and areas with dense vegetation. Please report any activities that look suspicious to the District or to the Douglas County Sheriffs Office immediately.

From the District Rules:
Penalty for Impairment of District Facilities: If improperly treated industrial wastes or prohibited sewage is discharged into the public sewer, the violator will be assessed a penalty for such violation in accordance with these Rules and Regulations. The penalty will not be less than 110% of the District's costs for correcting any damage caused including all overhead, regulatory agency charges and outside services. Depending on the severity, water service may be involuntarily disconnected.

Development Continues

The District has experienced rapid growth over the past few years with the addition of homes in the Timbers, and this year Pinery Glen. Our District continues to the West up to Crowfoot Valley Road. The developer of the property west of the Pinery Glen development plans to begin construction next year. Their plans call for 825 homes and a golf course. The first construction activity will be a bridge across Cherry Creek on Bayou Gulch/Jordan Chambers Road.

The other pending development is the Reata South Property that borders the northern edge of the Pinery. This property is approximately 1700 acres and it stretches from Parker Road to Hidden Village, and from the Pinery to Stroh Road around Butterfield and up to Hilltop Road. The proposed development is for 169 homes, a golf course, a small equestrian center and lodge. The developer has applied for inclusion into our District.

District Completes IGA with Castle Rock

For the past two years the District and the Town of Castle Rock have been intermittently working on an Intergovernmental Agreement for the District to provide wastewater treatment services to the Town. As part of this agreement Castle Rock has agreed to adopt our groundwater protection rules in the portions of the Town that could impact our groundwater supply. In addition, with the District providing these services we have eliminated the potential for septic tanks to be placed in a location that could impact our water quality.

Timbers Donates Trees

The developer of the Timbers has donated trees to the District for the Landscaping of our new facilities along South Pinery Parkway. The trees look wonderful and they have made our new facilities blend into the landscape. Thanks!!

Note: The "Public Education Information" article was moved to the FAQ's Page