As many of you know, our President, Jack Jorgensen, passed away last winter.  I still marvel at his serendipitous move to Long Beach at the exact time that several dedicated community members began the arduous task of purchasing and renovating a bankrupt water system and turning it into the model company it is today.  Jack's dedication, his unselfish willingness to serve the community he loved and of course his 55 years of experience in water system operation will never again be matched.  Rest assured that we will continue to operate this company in the same spirit that has guided him and the Board for the last twenty years.  The business name change from Beaches Water Company, Inc. to Beaches Water Co-operative was his idea and is an indication of how strongly Jack felt about accurately describing the member-owned operation that he helped to found and guided so skillfully for so long.

We will continue to miss Jack and his counsel as long as Beaches Water Co-operative exists.

Please plan to attend the Co-operative annual meeting in September.

Sincerely,

Gary Clarke,  President

Jack C. Jorgensen, 79, passed away on January 9, 2004 from cancer. He had a 60-year career in public service, including over 30 years with the U.S. Department of Interior, retiring in 1979 as the Assistant Director for Technology Transfer in the Office of Water Research and Technology. He was one of the founders of the National Water Supply Improvement Association.  As President of the Board of Directors of the Beaches Water Company, Jack provided the leadership for many of the system’s improvements. He was a 40-year resident of the Washington DC area, most recently of St. Leonard Maryland.  Rededication of the Jorgensen Pump Station is scheduled for July 11, 2004 at 5:00 pm.  A brief reception will follow. Announcing the Beaches Water Co-operative’s Annual Meeting Date:  September 12, 2004                     Time: 3:00 pm  Location:  Long Beach Civic Center on Calvert Blvd

II. Water Allocation

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) permits water allocation to each and every user of water from the underground aquifers.  BWC’s permits have expired.  Our water system, developed in the 1930’s, predates MDE’s permitting of water allocation.  When water allocation was put in place, our allocation was based on the number of existing homes in the community and not the number of homes that would be built as is done with new subdivisions today.  Back then the number used to calculate our allocation may have been a little less than 400 homes.  We now are close to 800 homes and near the end of our potential build out.  Community water allocation is calculated on a per household basis.  We have been negotiating with MDE to determine exactly what needs to be done to increase our allocation.  We have contended that we are not a new user and our original allocation was incorrectly calculated based on the number of existing homes and not on our build out.  This then should allow an administrative paper work change.  MDE does not have any aquifer performance data for our area and therefore would like us to do engineering and hydro geological tests to demonstrate aquifer draw down and replenishment.  Unfortunately, this can be at the costs of over $10,000.00 to prove that the aquifers can meet our daily needs, in which they already do.  No matter the outcome of this situation, in the coming months, we will be hosting public hearings to discuss renewing our water allocation permits.  We have been extremely conservative in our water management and that has allowed the number of homes to double under the existing allocation.  In these public hearings, we will present our needs and request the allocation that should have been originally established for us.  We look forward to your support in this matter.

III. Multiple Services

The Bylaws of the Co-operative charge the Board of Directors with maintaining the financial health of the Co-operative.  Being a member-owned not-for-profit business means that each member pays his or her fair share for the availability of a safe and secure water supply now and in the future.  The understanding under the Rules is that each connection serves one household, and multiple households on one tap are considered to be the same as additional hookups.  Past practice has always been that the term “household” refers to any portion of a dwelling, which could function alone, meaning that it has a separate bathroom and kitchen facilities.  This would clearly mean any attached or detached building, which is so equipped, or even a basement or other apartment so equipped within the dwelling.  This is simple and clear in the case of the rental of an apartment, garage, or other portion of a dwelling.  However, it must also include "mother-in-law apartments" equipped and used in that way whether they are charged for or not.  If your property falls within this description and is actively used in this way, please be aware that you are responsible for paying for the water use of multiple households both because it is necessary under the rules but also because it is only fair to our other members, your neighbors.   If this describes your property, please contact the Co-operative and we will adjust your bill accordingly.  If you were unaware of this requirement and notify the Co-operative, you will be billed only on a future basis, not for past usage. 

IV. Security Concerns

Due to the increased concern about the security of water systems, many measures are in place to ensure the safety of our drinking water. These measures include fencing, lighting, wellheads concrete enclosures, and emergency alert procedures. Any unauthorized entry into the fenced area must be fully reported.  Please ensure your children do not enter the fenced in areas of the water company.  If you see unusual behavior at the pumping stations or hydrants, please give us a call.

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/Centers for Disease Control (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).

Concerned customers have asked if the increase in the County’s Water fees will affect BWC’s customers.  The County’s water rates do not affect our customers and our rates will stay at their current levels for the upcoming fiscal year.

The following chart is a breakdown of the budget for the fiscal year 2005, 7/1/04 – 6/30/05.