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NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2001
June 27, 2001 |
5901 Hillside Road
P.O. Box 164
St. Leonard, MD 20685-0164
410-586-8710 Office
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"To provide water
service that is dependable, economical, and meets or exceeds health standards
for all co-operative members”
I. Annual Water
Quality Report
II. Water Usage
& Conservation
III. Water Quality
Improvements
IV. Hydrant Flushing
V. Financial
LOCATION:
5901
Hillside Rd
MAIL:
P.O.
Box 164
PHONE:
(410) 586-8710
WEB PAGE:
www.chesapeake.net/apc/bwc.html
EMAIL:
apc@chesapeake.net
DROP BOX
Outside
Gate
Board of Directors
(As of June 2001)
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Jack Jorgensen -
President
Stephen Davis -
Vice President
Gary Clarke -
Secretary / Treasurer
John Randall - Director
Bill Bozman - Director
Tony Penna - Director
John Wynn - Director
Contract Management
(As of June 2001) |
Dennis DiBello -
Business Manager /
Superintendent
Linda Speciale –
Receptionist
Jackie Jacob -
Bookkeeper
Christi Brockman -
Office Assistant
Kenny Grover –
Operations Tech
Ray Foster -
Maintenance
Tech |
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In Remembrance
of
William E. Rausch
who passed away
August 1, 2001 |
I. Annual Water Quality Report
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Our drinking water
is safe and meets all federal and state requirements for community drinking
water. In 2000, there were no treatment plant, distribution system,
bacteriological, or chemical Maximum Containment Level (MCL) violations. |
Our water quality results are based
on testing done throughout the annual year 2000. Terminology used
in this report is what is generally accepted as a means of measurement
of the degree of contaminates in the water. Contaminates include
natural occurring items in the water such as minerals and foreign matter
which may or may not be acceptable based on the level. The amount
of containments in our drinking water is well below levels set by the Environmental
Protection Agency in all categories.
Some Terms Defined
Action Level (AL)
- The concentration of a contaminant, which, if
exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water system
must follow. |
Non-Detects (ND) - Laboratory
analysis indicates that the constituent is not present. |
Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l)
- One part per million
corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000. |
Parts per billion
(ppb) or Micrograms per liter - One
part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single
penny in $10,000,000. |
Treatment Technique
(TT) - A
treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level
of a contaminant in drinking water. |
Maximum Contaminant
Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) is the
highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.
MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available
treatment technology. |
Maximum Contaminant
Level Goal - The
“Goal”(MCLG) is the level of a contaminant in the drinking water table
(shown below), which there is no known or expected risk to health.
MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. |
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Water Characteristics tested in
2000
Contaminant |
MCLG |
MCL |
Level
Detected |
Violation |
Likely
Source
of Contamination |
Arsenic (ppb) |
n/a
|
50
|
10
|
No
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Erosion of natural
deposits |
Nitrate (ppm) |
n/a
|
50
|
< 1
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No
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Runoff
from fertilizer use,
leaching from septic
tanks,
sewage, Erosion of
natural
deposits |
Nitrite (ppm) |
n/a
|
50
|
< 1
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No
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Microbial
Results |
MCLG
|
MCL
|
Level
Detected
|
Violation
|
Likely
Source
of Contamination |
1. Total
Coliform
Bacteria |
0
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Presence
not to
exceed 5%
of monthly
samples
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0
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No
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Naturally Occurring |
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The Beaches Water Company routinely
monitors for constituents in your drinking water according to Federal and
State laws. The tables above show the results of our monitoring for the
period of January 1st to December 31st, 2000. All drinking water, including
bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least
small amounts of some constituents. It's important to remember that
the presence of these constituents does not necessarily pose a health risk.
Some people may be
more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.
Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy,
persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other
immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly
at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking
water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate
means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological
contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). |
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If you have any questions about the Annual Water Quality Report or
concerning your water service, please contact us at 410-586-8710. |
Usted puede obtener esta informacion en espanol por
llamar por telefono la casa del ayuntamiento de Beaches Water Company a
410-586-8710. |
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Where Does Our Water Come From?
The sources of our
drinking water are from 4 wells in the Nanjemoy and from 4 wells in the
Aquia Aquifers, which lie respectively about 350 and 450 feet below the
earth’s surface in a confined layer. An aquifer is like an underground
river, which is tapped by drilling wells and pumping the water to the surface
for distribution. The 350 feet of earth between the surface water
sources and this underground river helps to purify the water before it
actually reaches the aquifer, making it easier for us to treat before we
pump it into your water distribution system. The BWC wells are located
in confined aquifers in the coastal plain as classified by the MDE source
water assessment plan. The confined layer offers the greatest amount
of protection against surface contamination. The replenishment zones
for our aquifers are located in northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. |
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All drinking water,
including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least
small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants
does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.
More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be
obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. |
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Minimizing Water Usage:
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Water Quality Questions
Milky Water?
Cold water holds
more oxygen than warm water. When water enters your house it warms
up allowing oxygen bubbles to escape that make the water look "milky".
To determine if this is what is happening, run water in a glass.
If the water clears from the bottom to top, then this phenomenon is occurring. |
Chlorine
smell?
Water is disinfected
to ensure it is safe to drink. Chlorine treatment is the most
common and effective disinfectant. At times the treated water may
have a chlorine smell. This is the free chlorine residual that we must
maintain to ensure the water at your tap is safe to drink.
Letting the water stand for a few minutes dissipates the smell.
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II. Water Usage & Conservation
According to a recent State announcement
our rain fall so far this year is below normal. The State is implementing
a State facility 10% reduction in water use and water audits throughout
all agencies. Homeowners are also encouraged to conserve water.
Some conservation items are listed to the left.
Community water allocation is calculated
on a per household basis. If we fail to use our water wisely, the
Maryland Department of the Environment can impose mandatory water usage
restrictions.
III.
Water Quality Improvements
The BWC field staff has been very
busy with fixing leaks as well as making improvements to the system.
These guys work very hard under harsh, undesirable conditions. We
thank you for all the nice gestures and comments made about their work.
A positive comment goes a long way.
New 2 inch main - We added
over 1000 feet of 2-inch pipe to create a loop on the backside of the older
part of Long Beach. This was a major improvement to water flow and
improved the water quality as well in this area.
New 6 inch main - We
connected our waterfront pumping station, Gerard, via a 6-inch main back
to the primary 6-inch loop distribution system. We now have all pumping
stations tied in with 6-inch mains. Also in this area we now have
increased fire hydrant service. By having our internal staff install
close to 1000 feet of 6-inch water pipe, the BWC has saved thousands of
dollars. It may take longer but it is worth the savings.
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(As of June 2001)
Quarterly Service
$70.00
New Service
$3,000.00
Pool (annual)
$70.00
Shut-off
$70.00 ($40.00
Customer’s Request)
Reconnect
$40.00
Extended Shut-off
$280.00
Return Check
$2500
Late Penalty
One time 10% applied
15 days after
quarter
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The Beaches Water Company is
a not-for-profit community
owned water system. We now
have over 800 member
households in the communities
of Long Beach, Calvert Beach,
Cherry Lane Farm, Kings
Creek II, & Calvert Beach
Estates II
Quarterly Billing |
January 1 |
April 1 |
July 1 |
October 1 |
A 10% finance charge is
assessed 15 days after
the quarter for unpaid bills |
Announcing the Beaches Water
Company’s Annual Meeting
Date: September 9, 2001
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Long Beach
Civic
Center on Calvert Blvd
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Check
with your insurance company for reduced rates for having nearby hydrants.
Some members have reported as much as $30.00 per year reduction in insurance
rates.
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BWC worked closely with the County to install new water mains before
major road paving on Long Beach Drive.
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IV. Hydrant Flushing
Hydrants are flushed in the Spring and the Fall. During the flushing
you may notice cloudy air-entrained, brown water, which can be cleared
by running your water for a few minutes. Start with the highest faucet
in the house and then every other faucet working from the highest point
in the house to the lowest floor. This is a temporary situation,
which should clear in 24 hours. You may also want to run your washer
without clothes to ensure the discolored water does not stain any fabrics.
This situation may also occur if we are making repairs or additions to
the system. We make every effort to bleed outside faucets in the
areas affected. We appreciate your patience.
V. Financial
This year's budget has been dramatically changed
in that for the first time we have not accounted for new hookups as part
of our operating revenue. The new hookup fees are intended for capital
improvements and repairs to the system thus, should not be used to offset
the budget. The number of new hookups has decreased in recent years
and has been unpredictable. The Board of Directors recognizes that
we are nearing build out in the community and hookup fees will become non-existent
in the future. Operating revenues must be supported solely
by water rents. After much deliberation, the Board decided to raise
rates from the current $65.00 to $70.00 per Quarter for the fiscal year
2002 billing.
BWC
FY 2002 BUDGET |
INCOME |
Water service |
200,760
|
Shut off/Reconnect fees |
520
|
Pool water service |
1,820
|
Total Income |
$ 203,100
|
BWC
FY 2002 BUDGET |
EXPENSES |
Auditing |
3,500
|
Bad Debt |
200
|
Bank Service Charges |
100
|
Depreciation Expense |
17,690
|
Professional Memberships |
500
|
Engineering |
500
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Insurance |
7,500
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Mortgage interest - GMAC |
14,340
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Mortgage interest -MDE |
5,120
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Credit Line - Calvert Bank |
500
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Legal |
350
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Licenses and Permits |
200
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Office - Other |
3,600
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Operating Supplies |
3,500
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Repairs & Maintenance |
7,500
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Routine Service |
115,500
|
Utilities |
20,000
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Water Testing |
2,500
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Total Expense |
$ 203,100
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Beaches Water Company being a
community owned system works closely with its members to assist with problems
on the service line from the road to the house. The responsibility
of the water company ends at the curb valve. In those cases where
the leak exists on the member’s property, BWC can advise various courses
of action that can be more economical than just calling the first available
plumber at premium fees. A lot of times we are able to relieve the
immediate emergency by providing alternative service via a neighbor’s hose
bib connection. In behalf of those whose receive this kind of support,
we thank the neighbors who provided this consideration. |
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Please submit all questions and comments to
beacheswater5901@gmail.com
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