The year has been a busy and productive one with some new homes and new members added to our system, along with completing several distribution system modifications. We continue to deliver water of the highest quality and provide dependable service. Our manager, Mr. Dennis DiBello and his staff, Kenny Grover and Ray Foster, are to be congratulated.

However, the weather patterns in our area have not been very cooperative with a continuing drought extending through spring and now into early summer. Our groundwater pump withdrawal system is being subjected to near capacity and the State of Maryland is about to impose restrictions in order to protect the overtaxed groundwater aquifers. The unusual amount of lawn watering, particularly with newly established lawns around the new homes, is the primary cause.

Therefore, we are asking for your help by observing a few conditions with respect to lawn watering. First and foremost, water in the evening. It is a well-established fact that watering in the heat of the day results in the loss to evaporation of as much as 50% of the applied water. Second, set up a schedule for moving sprinklers and make sure that you do it. Some sprinklers have been known to run all day or night unattended.

We have had a great year and I want to thank you all for your cooperation in the success of our member owned not- for-profit water company. A special thanks for the volunteer members of you board of directors who have donated many hours of their spare time to make it all possible.

Sincerely,
Jack C. Jorgensen
President

Recently the demand for water has increased due to the decrease in rainfall and the addition of more customers. This demand has caused some strain on our systems. Therefore, please use water wisely.  Some conservation items are listed below.

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. 

Arsenic Informational Statement While your drinking water meets EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible heath effects against the cost of removing arsenic from drinking water.  EPA contin- ues to research the health effect of low levels of arsenic. Arsenic is a mineral known to, at high concentrations, cause cancer in humans, and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.

Security Concerns Due to the September 11 attack, there has been concern about the security of the water system. Many steps have been made to ensure the quality of our service. Some of which are; fencing, lighting and emergency notification booklets in and around all pumping stations. Locks on all gauges and other electronic devices, all wellheads have concrete rings and covers. Any unauthorized entry into the fenced area must be fully reported.

Our water quality results are based on testing done throughout the annual year 2001.  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.
 

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, 2001. 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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Announcing the Beaches Water
Company’s Annual Meeting

Date:  September 8, 2002
Time:  3:00 p.m.
Location:  Long Beach Civic
Center on Calvert Blvd.

The BWC field staff has been incredibly busy with fixing leaks as well as making improvements to the system.  These guys work extremely hard under very harsh and undesirable conditions.  We thank you for all the nice gestures and comments made about their work.  A positive comment goes a long way, a cool drink even further!

We are currently working on a pressure mapping system. Because of the recent expansion of our water system, the pressure within the system has decreased. 

V. Hydrant Flushing

Hydrants are flushed in the Fall/Summer months.  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. This flushing will take place the week of August 19th – 23rd, 2002. We appreciate your patience. 
 

VI. Financial

Beginning with January 2002 billing, Beaches Water Company has defrayed the billing by including advertisements from local businesses on the back of the quarterly statements and as inserts.  The sale of advertising space reduces our expenses of making the invoices.

The following chart is a breakdown of the budget for the fiscal year 2003, 7/1/02 – 6/31/03