February 2024

PSWD recently purchased four new automated water-mixers, to be installed in our tanks by staff over the coming weeks. These mixers will not only help to improve water quality but will also protect our systems from freezing damage. We considered several different options, and these mixers were the least expensive and easiest to maintain. Even so, significant capital investments such as this require that rates be increased, which is the case for 2024. Our dollars simply don’t go as far as they used to–just like yours–but we remain committed to good stewardship of our invaluable water resources. EJ

The next Water Board meeting is Wednesday, February 28th at 7:00 pm. To be included on the next agenda or to receive a Zoom invite, please call, 303-823-5345, or email pswdadmin@att.net

January 2024

In December we received notice from the health department that we barely exceeded allowable levels of disinfection byproducts. Because of this, we are required by the CDPHE to send our customers a letter. These contaminants are the byproducts of the disinfection process and occur occasionally in every water system with larger storage tank capacities. Our potable water supply comes from the Little Thompson River. Historically, pre 2013 flood, the river stopped flowing every year in about July. The district installed more storage tanks to provide the community with an adequate potable water supply during these times of drought. Before the added tank storage and the building of the raw water reservoir, the district had to haul in water when the river stopped flowing. This was a very costly, time consuming, and inconvenient process. Thankfully, we no longer must haul water, however, we face challenges with long term stored treated water. We are in the process of correcting the cause of these byproducts.

Our next meeting is January 24th at 7:00 pm. To be included on the next agenda or to receive a Zoom invite, please call, 303-823-5345, or email pswdadmin@att.net

December 2023

Because of the holiday, the December Board meeting has been changed to Thursday,  December 14th at 7:00 pm via Zoom. There will be a special public hearing before the regularly scheduled meeting and will cover the PNA review for the Water Main Infrastructure Replacement Project. To be included on the next agenda or to receive a Zoom invite, please call, 303-823-5345, or email pswdadmin@att.net

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Also, if you live upstream from the treatment plant, please use caution when burning slash next to the river. Any runoff will take the ashes into the river and directly into our water filtration system. The fine particles of ash clog our filters which are very costly to replace.

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Do you know where your whole house shut-off valve is located? Many residents don’t even know they have one. If it is not in an easily accessible location, have a plumber relocate it. Whole-house shut-off valves are used to turn off the water to your house during an emergency or to turn off the water to your home while you are away for more than a few days. Locate yours (somewhere inside your home) make sure it doesn’t leak and is easily accessible.

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Important Water Conservation Tips

BY JOAN PASKEWITZ

One hundred percent of Colorado is now under drought conditions. The sole source of untreated water for the Water District is the Little Thompson River watershed. The river ceases to run by late July most years, and this year is no exception. The reservoir and tanks are available during dry spells, but there is no guarantee of raw water availability. Before the reservoir was put into service in 2010, some years water needed to be hauled in by truck at considerable expense.

Residents must be especially concerned with leaks during this time, and truly at all times. A running toilet or leaking faucet can consume thousands of gallons very quickly. Fix leaks promptly or call the Water District for assistance in locating a leak. A water main leak may appear as a wet spot or puddle, or water running in a ditch; report such promptly. 

While the State of Colorado Augmentation Plan for Pinewood Springs stipulates a strict 6,000 gallons per month per residence, the average usage in our community is 2400 gallons per month per household.

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Bill and Pay is a service provided by Pinewood Springs Water District. You can use this tool to view your past bills and any payments that you have made or to pay your water bill using Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards in addition to debit cards displaying the Visa or MasterCard brand. There is a small fee of $3.00 per hundred charged by the credit card processing company. New users please register at www.ub-pay.com to access this service. You will need this code: PWSWD540 and your water-account number. That number can be found in three places on your bill. If you have any trouble registering for Bill & Pay, please contact Gabi for assistance at: 303-823-5345 or pswdadmin@att.net.

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July 5, 2022

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Pinewood Springs Water District

 Failure to Test Backflow Prevention Devices

Our water system recently violated a drinking water requirement. Although this situation is not an emergency, as our customers you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation. 

The state drinking water program requires that all public drinking water systems test a percentage of the backflow prevention devices annually. We received a violation because our water system did not test the required percentage.

NOTE: This advisory is NOT related to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that the “Virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water.” For additional information on COVID-19 and drinking water, you can refer to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website: https://covid19.colorado.gov

What does this mean? What should I do?

• You may want to use an alternative drinking water supply (e.g. bottled). If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

• Uncontrolled cross-connections can lead to a back pressure or siphonage event that may allow contaminants or disease-causing organisms to enter the drinking water, which can cause diarrhea, nausea, cramps, and associated headaches.

• If you have an infant, severely compromised immune system, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your doctor about drinking this water. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by bacteria and other disease-causing organisms are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

What is being done?

• Test and certify backflow prevention devices. Submit annual BPCCC Program Report. 

We anticipate resolving the problem by May 1, 2023 (notices sent in May and December 2022). For more information, please contact Gabi Benson at PSWDadmin@att.net or 303-823-5345, or 183 Cree Ct. Lyons CO. 80540.

*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

This notice is being sent to you by: Pinewood Springs Water District – co0135610; Date distributed: July 5, 2022