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Tell me more about
. . .
 What
Are The Changes At Bingham Lake?
Invitation
To Visit Facilities
How can I
identify a District employee in my neighborhood?
Why
has my water pressure been reduced, or come to a complete halt?
Where is my
master water shutoff valve?
Why is the District flushing good water down the drain?
Turf Management
Before, During, and Following Drought in Colorado
Tips
For Saving Water Indoors
Tips For Saving Water Outdoors
How Hard Is My Water?
Rain & Moisture
Sensors
Your Water Meter
Where Does Our Water Get Used?
Tree Root Control
Fats, Oils, & Greases
aren't just artery and waistline killers…..they're
bad for sewers, too!
Why does my water
appear milky or cloudy?
Should I buy a water
softener?
Should I buy a home
filtration unit?
What should I
do if my coffee has an oily appearance?
What causes the hot water
to have an odor?
Why does the taste
of my water change throughout the year?
What causes water to be
discolored?
Is bottled water higher
quality than tap water?
Did
you know the biggest water waster in your house can
be your toilet!?
Bingham
Lake
Zebra mussels are small
barnacle-like mollusks with dark and light colored
stripes. They smother aquatic organisms, such as
crayfish and native clams and out compete for food and
aquatic habitat. Zebra mussels damage equipment by
attaching to boat motors or hard surfaces and clog water
treatment facilities. Zebra and Quagga mussels were
originally detected in Pueblo Reservoir and Lake Granby.
The District’s Board of Directors has adopted a
Resolution prohibiting all activities which might pose a
threat of causing a Zebra and/or Quagga mussel
infestation in Bingham Lake.
Effective September 2, 2008
boating of all types, use of float tubes, and wading in
the lake (with or without waders) is prohibited.
Fishing is still permitted from the shore and from the
dock. The Board will continue to monitor the spread of
the Mussels in the State and will modify these changes
in the management of the Lake events unfold. Thank you
in advance for your cooperation.
Additional information is
available at:
Colorado Division of Wildlife (Mussels)
100th Meridian (Mussels)
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Invitation to Visit Facilities
The District would like to
extend an invitation to visit facilities operated by the
District for Water Treatment, Water Distribution,
Wastewater Collection, Wastewater Treatment and
Reclamation. Interested parties, individuals, schools,
homeowner associations, etc., can contact our office at
(303)841-2797 to set up tour dates or obtain additional
information. District representatives are available to
attend community gatherings for informational
presentations.
 Topics
of tours or presentations can include:
- Current Water
Treatment Methods
- Distribution System
Operations & Maintenance
- Water Conservation
Program
- Wastewater Treatment
& Water Reclamation
- Wastewater
Collection System
- Biosolids Production
& Beneficial Reuse Program
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of Page
How can I identify a District
Employee in my
neighborhood?
 To help you
identify District employees when they are in your
neighborhood or servicing an issue at your home, please
note that our employees will be driving a District truck
(clearly marked with the District logo) and wearing
attire also sporting the District logo.
If you’re ever
in doubt, please call the District office (303)841-2797.
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Why has
my water pressure been reduced, or come to a complete
halt?
In the middle
of the winter season and almost every year, the District
receives calls from homeowners who have lost water
service. The majority of frozen water lines actually
occur inside the house. Water service lines are buried
in the earth nearly 5’ down and rarely does the frost
get that deep. However, if an outside pipe does freeze,
it most often occurs in a sprinkler system that has not
been properly winterized or in the water meter pit. Most
water meters in the District are installed in a meter
pit located outside, near your property line. The ground
temperature at the bottom of the meter pit typically
prevents the meter from freezing. Also, the meter cover
is designed to insulate the meter from the surface
temperature.
Back inside
your home, the slightest chilly draft near plumbing
lines is capable of freezing the water line.
Home-owners are encouraged to check where their water
service line enters the home and follow the piping.
Small gaps in the exterior woodwork just above the top
of the foundation or basement wall are the usual
culprits. These gaps allow cold air from the outside to
enter the room. If the basement is finished, then this
cold air enters the wall. Properly insulating the water
line from the cold air and caulking seams or holes near
the piping greatly improves your chances of having
uninterrupted water service in cold weather.
If you are away on vacation or not occupying your home
during the winter, think about having someone check your
home and running the water occasionally. You might also
consider turning your water off while you are away – see
article below on master shutoff valves.
It’s after the freeze that split or broken pipes
thaw out and extensive damage to your home can occur.
In the event
you have no water, please call the District at
(303)841-2797, ext. 0 (after hours dial ext. 299 to
connect to our answering service). A District
Representative will come to your house and check to see
if there is water to the meter. If they determine that
water does flow through the meter, you may need to call
a plumber or search out the problem on your own.
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Where is my Master Shutoff Valve?
If a water pipe inside your
house freezes and begins to leak, would you know what to
do? Would your family? Such nightmares do happen, but
damage can be minimized if you’re prepared. It’s a great
idea to find and share with all members of your
household the location of the master shutoff valve.
The valve is usually located inside your home where your
water line enters from the meter pit.
Why would you want to shut off this valve? If a pipe
breaks inside your house, this valve will turn off all
water entering your home. Think about marking it with a
tag or paint it a bright color for quick reference.
Being prepared and taking quick action could help save
your home and family treasures. If you have difficulty
finding it, please give us a call at (303) 841-2797 and
we will try to assist you.
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Why is the District Flushing Good Water Down the Drain?
 Have you ever seen the
“flushing” signs in your neighborhood and questioned
what that is all about? Ever wondered why we’re sending
gallons and gallons of water down the drain? Or, where
that water is going?
Over the winter, mineral
deposits that occur naturally in the water build up
inside the water main due to lower water usage. Every
spring, the District “clears” the water mains that serve
your home of such build-up by opening fire hydrants. The
surge of water delivered out the hydrant is able to pick
up the deposits and remove them from the water supply.
While this may seem wasteful, our high water quality is
maintained: taste is improved, odor is reduced and color
is clearer. At the same time, fire hydrants are checked
for operation and visibility to ensure that should there
be a fire, they are operational and easy to find.
It takes nearly two months to complete the flushing
cycle throughout the District! The Staff begins flushing
the water in late March; watch for signs in your
neighborhood.
If you have any questions, just give us a call.
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Turf Management Before, During, and Following Drought in
Colorado
This is an excerpt from an
article written by Dr. Tony Koski, Extension Turf
Specialist, Colorado State University Cooperative
Extension.
Precipitation, snow pack,
stream flow, and reservoir levels are significantly
lower than historic averages throughout Colorado and the
Rocky Mountain region. During normal precipitation
years, landscape irrigation comprises 50% or more of
urban water use during the growing season in the Rocky
Mountain region. In anticipation of restrictions in turf
irrigation that may be imposed by water utilities,
communities, and other water-management entities, the
following practices allow you to have a green lawn and
still reduce water consumption:
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Make sure that the
irrigation system is operating properly.
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Replace broken or
missing sprinkler heads.
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Check that the spray
heads are turning properly.
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Adjust heads so that
water is not thrown onto streets and driveways.
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Check nozzles for
plugging.
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Place shallow containers
(tuna or cat food cans, yogurt containers, etc.)
around the yard and measure output so that you know
how long it takes to apply ¼ to ½ inch of water.
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Place containers on
persistent dry spots to determine if poor sprinkler
coverage is the problem.
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Water as infrequently as
possible, without causing undue stress to the lawn.
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Most lawns should be
able to tolerate being irrigated every 3-5 days (or
even longer).
-
Turn your irrigation
controller to the “Manual” position (from
“Automatic”) and learn how to operate it manually.
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Don’t irrigate the lawn
on a set schedule (every 2 or 3 days); lawn water
use can vary greatly from one day to the next.
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Irrigate when footprints
or mower wheel tracks become easily visible on the
turf and large areas of the lawn take on a
bluish-gray color.
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Apply ¾ to 1 inch of
water, slowly enough that runoff and puddling does
not occur; cycling through irrigation stations or
moving your sprinkler around the yard while
irrigating helps water to soak more thoroughly and
evenly into the lawn.
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Don’t water again until
you see abundant signs of water stress (foot
printing, blue/gray coloration) appear in the lawn.
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Hand-watering small or
isolated dry spots can allow you to go another day
without watering the entire lawn.
-
Water between 6PM and
9AM, when it is cooler and there is less wind.
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Avoid heavy or frequent
nitrogen fertilization.
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Lush, fast-growing grass
uses more water.
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Grass that is lush is
more likely to be damaged if watering restrictions
are imposed.
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Set your mowing height
at 2 ½ to 3 inches (or as high as it can be set);
don’t remove more than 3/4 inch of grass at any
single mowing; use a sharp blade to reduce tearing
of the grass leaves.
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Be willing to accept a
less than perfect lawn; tolerate a few brown spots
and edges in the lawn.
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Saving Water Indoors
-
Don't put water down the
drain when there may be another use for it such as
watering a plant or garden.
-
Repair dripping faucets
by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at
the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to
waste 2,700 gallons per year.
-
Check your toilet tank
for leaks by adding dye tablets to the tank. If
toilet is leaking, color will appear within 30
minutes in the bowl. Flush as soon as the test is
done, since the dye may stain the porcelain.
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Take shorter showers.
Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow
version.
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Use the minimum amount
of water needed for a bath by closing the drain
first and filling the tub only 1/3 full. Stopper the
tub before turning on the water. Adding hot water
later can warm the initial burst of cold water.
-
Don't let water run
while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth
first while waiting for the water to get hot, then
wash or shave after filling the basin.
-
Operate automatic
dishwashers and washing machines only when they are
fully loaded and properly set the water level to the
size of load you are washing.
-
Store drinking water in
the refrigerator rather then letting the tap run
every time you want a cool glass of water.
-
Consider installing an
instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you
don't have to let the water run while it heats up.
-
Insulate your water
pipes. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid
wasting water while it heats up.
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Saving Water Outdoors
-
Don't overwater your
lawn. As a general rule, lawns only need watering
every 3 to 4 days in the summer and every 7 to 8
days in the late fall.
-
Water lawns during the
early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed
is the lowest.
-
Don't water your
driveway, sidewalk or street. Position your
sprinklers so that your water lands on the lawn or
shrubs.
-
Regularly check
sprinkler system and timing devices to be sure they
are operating properly.
-
Skip a watering cycle if
it has rained. Add rain and moisture sensors to your
automated sprinkler system.
-
Raise the lawn mower
blade to at least three inches. A higher lawn cut
encourages grass roots to grow deeper.
-
Avoid over-fertilizing
your lawn. The application of fertilizers increases
the need for water.
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Mulch to retain moisture
in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds
that compete with plants for water.
-
Plant native and/or
drought tolerant grasses, groundcovers, shrubs and
trees. Once established, they do not need to be
watered as frequently.
-
Do not hose down your
driveway or sidewalks. Use a broom to clean leaves
and other debris from these areas.
-
Use hose washers between
spigots and water hoses to eliminate leaks.
PLEASE HELP US CONSERVE
WATER by doing just one thing each day that will save
water. Don't worry if the savings is minimal, every DROP
counts!
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How “Hard” is my water? What is Hardness?
 Hardness in drinking water
is caused primarily by the presence of two minerals;
calcium and magnesium. “Soft” water on the other hand
has very little amounts of these minerals. A good way to
think about it is that making a lather or soapsuds is
“hard” with hard water and making a good lather with
soft water is easy.
The average hardness of the
water supplied by the Pinery Water & Wastewater District
is 210ppm (mg/L). This is considered moderately hard
and is to be expected, given the geographic location of
the Pinery area. Hardness will not harm you and your
District currently does not treat for hardness.
Should you consider a home
water treatment system? This is a personal decision.
These systems are not needed to make the water “safe”.
In fact, if not properly maintained, the systems
actually may cause water quality problems. However,
some people do not like hard water. So if you decide to
install a treatment system, think about where to install
it inside your house. These systems can be installed on
you faucet(s), under your sink, just on your hot water
heater or at the point of entry into the house. A water
softener can help eliminate hard water spots on your
dishes and glasses. Most softeners are regenerated with
salt. After the salt is used, it goes down the drain
and into the environment. To prevent unnecessary
regenerations, set your softener to regenerate after a
selected amount of water has passed through it, rather
then using a timer. This prevents wasting salt and water
by regenerating too soon, producing a cost savings to
you.
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Rain &
Moisture Sensors
Rain and moisture sensors
are a great water conservation tool for those with large
lawns or landscaped areas. Moisture sensors are
installed in the ground and measure the moisture
received. When the desired amount of moisture in the
soil has been reached the sensor shuts off the sprinkler
system until moisture is again needed. The most commonly
used moisture sensor is the Mini-Click II. Rain sensors,
on the other hand, are mounted on the side of a house or
building in a place exposed to direct rainfall. These
sensors conserve water by suspending irrigation during
and after a rainfall. The Rain Switch by TORO is the
sensor most widely used by professionals. Sensors can be
purchased at most large hardware stores. The moisture
sensor retails for about $45.00 and the rain sensor for
about $35.00. If you choose to have a professional
install your sensor, expect to pay around $85.00 for
installation.
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Your Water Meter
 The water meter for your
home is usually located in a meter pit, at the front of
your home near the property line. The water meter pit is
a cylindrical vault buried in the ground with a cover
and a lid that houses the water meter. The meter lid is
approximately one foot in diameter and indicates "Water"
on the cover. Once a month, a District Operator reads
the water meter so your usage can be billed.
 The meter reader and
maintenance personnel need to have ready access to the
meter cover and the water meter inside in the event
there is a need to shut off the meter. No sod or
landscaping material is allowed to cover the meter cover
lid. We also request that no shrubbery, rock gardens or
trees be planted within 10 feet of the meter so that the
Operators can easily access the water meter and
maintenance staff will not have to disturb the
landscaping if there is a leak at the meter pit. If you
have existing shrubs or trees near the meter pit,
consider relocating them before they mature. The
District is not responsible for replacing them in the
event there is a leak at the meter.
The District maintains the
waterline from the street to the meter pit, while the
homeowner is responsible from the meter pit to the
house. All homeowners should be aware of the location of
their water meter and the master shut off valve within
the house in case there is a leak.
Steps in technology have
even addressed water meters. The District is in the
process of installing radio read meters, eliminating the
need to physically touch the meter each month. The
transition to radio read meters is anticipated to be
completed by the fourth quarter of 2012. This change
will allow for more accurate readings and will reduce
the time it takes to read the meters each month.
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Where
Does Our Water Get Used?
 The American Water Works
Association Research Foundation recently completed a
study of where water gets used. They did a detailed
analysis of 1,188 homes in 12 different cities. The
results of this study appear to match the experience of
our District. Here is what they found:
Inside water use:
Toilets 26.7%
Clothes Washers 21.7%
Showers 16.8%
Faucets 15.7%
Leaks 13.7%
Other 2.3%
Baths 1.7%
Dishwashers 1.4%
Outside Water use:
Homes with in-ground
sprinkler systems use 35% more water than homes without
a sprinkler system.
Homes with an automatic
timer on their sprinkler system use 47% more water.
Homes with a garden use 30%
more water outdoors than homes without a garden.
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Root Control
Tree roots are rapidly
becoming a problem encountered by many residents in the
Pinery’s older subdivisions. The trees we all love
become our worst nightmare in a sewer line with any
minor imperfections. Current technology gives us several
solutions for this condition. Option one is to call a
plumber every one to two years and have the roots cut
out. But, this will soon destroy your sewer lines.
Option two is dig up your sewer service and repair the
problem. This can be very costly, destroy landscaping
and harm mature trees. Option three is a product called
RootX. This product kills roots in the sewer line
and prevents their re-growth for up to one year. You can
purchase similar products from your plumber, but DO NOT
PURCHASE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN COPPER SULFATE. The EPA
has approved RootX for use in all fifty states.
RootX will not harm your trees, only the roots
that intrude into your sewer. RootX can be
purchased at the District office. Please call the office
at (303) 841-2797 for additional information.
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Fats, Oils, & Greases aren't just artery and waistline
killers…..they're bad for sewers, too!
(Water
Environment Federation)
Sewer overflows and backups
can cause health hazards, damage home interiors, and
threaten the environment. An increasingly common cause
of overflows is sewer pipes blocked by grease. Grease
gets into the sewer from household drains as well as
from poorly maintained grease traps in restaurants and
other businesses.
Where does the grease come
from?
Most of us know
grease as the byproduct of cooking. Grease is found in
such things as:
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- Meat fats
- Lard
- Cooking oil
- Shortening
- Butter and margarine
- Food scraps
- Baking goods
- Sauces
- Dairy products
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Too often, grease is washed
into the plumbing system, usually through the kitchen
sink. Grease sticks to the insides of sewer pipes (both
on your property and in the streets). Over time, the
grease can build up and block the entire pipe. Home
garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing
system. These units only shred solid material into
smaller pieces and do not prevent grease from going down
the drain. Commercial additives, including detergents,
which claim to dissolve grease, may actually pass grease
down the line and cause problems in other areas.
The results can be:
- Raw sewage overflowing
in your home or your neighbor's home, an expensive
and unpleasant cleanup that often must be paid for
by you, the homeowner;
- Raw sewage overflowing
into parks, yards, and streets;
- Potential contact with
disease-causing organisms; and
- An increase in operation
and maintenance costs for local sewer departments,
which causes higher sewer bills for customers
What we can do to help?
The easiest way
to solve the grease problem and help prevent overflows
of raw sewage is to keep this material out of the sewer
system in the first place.
There are several ways to
do this:
- Never pour grease down
sink drains or into toilets.
- Scrape grease and food
scraps from trays, plates, pots, pans, utensils, and
grills and cooking surfaces into a can or the trash
for disposal (or recycling where available).
- Do not put grease down
garbage disposals. Put baskets/strainers in sink
drains to catch food scraps and other solids, and
empty the drain baskets/strainers into the trash for
disposal.
- Speak with your friends
and neighbors about the problem of grease in the
sewer system and how to keep it out. Call your local
sewer system authority if you have any questions.
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Why
does my water appear milky or cloudy?
A temporary milky or cloudy
appearance is usually caused by air bubbles in the
water, which poses no risk to your health. If the water
is allowed to sit, the air will dissipate and the water
will clear. If the cloudiness does not disappear,
please flush your plumbing at the highest spot in the
house for five minutes. If the issue persists, please
contact the District so that we may investigate.
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What causes spots/film on
my dishes/glasses?
Spots or film on your
dishes are typically caused by:
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Spots may be reduced
through use of a dishwasher rinse agent. If the film is
removable (versus permanently etched into the glass),
check out the attached story for additional
suggestions:
http://www.9news.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=157771.
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Should I buy a water softener?
The hardness of water
varies with the District’s water sources. The choice to
buy a softener is really a personal one since hard water
is not harmful to your health. It is important to know
that water softeners typically increase the sodium
content of the water, a factor that should be considered
by people on a low-sodium diet.
If you choose to install a
softener, the District’s average “hardness” is 210 ppm
(mg/L) or 11.5 grains per gallon. This information will
be helpful in setting up your softener.
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Should I buy a home filtration unit?
According to the United
States Environmental Protection Agency, home treatment
units are rarely necessary for health reasons. Most
often, water treatment units are used to remove
substances that affect the aesthetic qualities of the
water. If you do choose to install a home treatment
unit, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s
maintenance instructions because improperly maintained
units can actually cause water quality problems.
Additional information is available at
http://www.nsf.org/consumer/drinking_water/dw_treatment.asp.
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What
should I do if my coffee has an oily appearance?
We recommend cleaning your
coffee maker with vinegar and water, or as directed by
the manufacturer.
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What
causes the hot water to have an odor?
 The most common culprit of
odor in hot water is the water heater. If your cold
water smells fine, check your water heater to ensure
that the temperature setting is correct. Water heaters
need to be maintained and flushed on a regular
basis (see manufacturer’s instructions).
Please contact
the District if an odor is present in both the
hot and cold water.
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Why
does the taste of my water change throughout the year?
Water sources change at
certain times of the year due to the availability of our
supplies (deep wells versus alluvial sources). Surface
water, or water that comes from sources like Cherry
Creek, tend to taste slightly different than water
pumped from the deep underground aquifers.
If your water tastes
“stale”, it’s likely because it’s been sitting in your
service line for a period of time (or perhaps your ice
cubes have become stale). Run your faucet for about
five minutes to flush out your house pipes. If this
does not resolve your issue, please contact the District
for assistance.
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What
causes water to be discolored?
Color in water is usually
caused by naturally occurring organic matter, minerals
or mineral build-up in the pipes. The District flushes
our system regularly to clean mineral build-up and other
sediment from the pipes. However, if you receive
discolored water, let your faucets run until the water
is clear. Such substances typically do not pose a
health hazard; however, we ask that you please report
any instances of discolored water so that we may
investigate.
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Is
bottled water higher quality than tap water?
 Tap water and bottled water
providers must meet the same water quality standards.
Surprisingly, tap water providers are required to
conduct more frequent water quality testing and
reporting than bottled water providers. Some consumers
prefer the taste of bottled water, and some choose
bottled water because they have special health needs.
But, tap water is a much better deal at costs of 1,000
times less than bottled water… and some bottled waters
actually originate from a municipal supply!
Still want
more information?
http://www.rd.com/health/rethink-what-you-drink
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Did you know the biggest water waster in your house can
be your toilet!?
 Whether
you have a constant or intermittent leak, OR you have an
old style toilet that uses multiple gallons with each
flush, you might just want to check this out!
Sometimes all you need to
do is replace the leaky flapper, but sometimes it might
be a good idea to replace your old toilet with a more
water efficient model.
Douglas County Water
Resources Authority presents the following two-minute
videos to assist with replacing or repairing your
toilet. They take the mystery out of exactly how to do
it!
Save water, save money.
It's easy!
Here’s the link
to the “toilet replacement”
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QawfQldnkUY
And, a link to replacing the flapper in your toilet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diJ3xuZJTXk
For more information on
WaterSense labeled toilets:
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/products/toilets.html
Douglas
County Water Resource Authority - Serious Conservation,
Serious
Results
http://www.DCWater.org
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