GRAHAM WATER NEWS
2010 Consumer Confidence Report
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is the Company Office located?
The office of the Graham Hill Mutual Water Company, Inc. is located at 9922 249th Street East. The office is open Monday – Thursday from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.
Contacting us
The office telephone number is 253-847-8617. The fax line is 253-846-9862. Emergencies can be reported to the Operations Manager at 253-307-6172.
Information to the member
A Newsletter is included in every monthly bill. It is our intent to inform the member of current issues relating to the water company.
What is a Mutual Water Company?
A Mutual Corporation is a business owned jointly by its members benefiting from the corporation. A Graham Hill Mutual Water Company, Inc. member is defined as the owner of property receiving water service from the watermains of Graham Hill Mutual Water Company, Inc. The membership is issued to the property and the owner represents the membership. Some members have purchased their membership rights to water service, but are not currently receiving water service. These members are “Non-User” members and pay an annual fee to retain as members in good standing.
How big is the Graham Hill Mutual Water Company?
Graham Hill Mutual Water Company, Inc. (GHMWC) has approximately 400 customers serving a population of approximately 1100 people. Our annual Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) is 220 gallons per day in 2009.
How far do you serve?
Approximately:
West: 99th Avenue E
North:238th Street E
East: 110th Avenue E
South:264th Street E
What are the boundaries of your Service Area?
We are approved to serve (in the future) an area roughly bound by:
West:94th Avenue E
North: The railroad tracks through Graham
East: 118th Avenue E
South: 280th Street E
How is the Company governed?
The Graham Hill Mutual Water Company has 7 Directors elected by the membership on a rotating election at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors meets every third Tuesday of each month. Our Annual Meeting of the membership is held in the spring of every year.
What is the cost of membership now?
The membership cost is established by the Board of Directors annually after the annual audit. In 2009 a membership was $ 3,600.00.
What does it cost to connect?
The cost for a 3/4" metered service is $ 1,500.00 for connection to the water main located on the same side of the street as the connection. The Systems Development Charge is $1,862.00. To connect and run under the road is determined on an individual basis.
What is the policy for residential fire service?
Any water service that requires a residential fire sprinkler service will be evaluated and charged on an individual basis.
RELATING TO THE WATER BILL
What are the 2010 rates?
The Base Rate is $38.52 per month, plus:
Metered water used: Cubic Feet Price
0-750 $0.014 per cubic foot
751-1500 $0.069 per cubic foot
1501-2250 $0.082 per cubic foot
2251-3000 $0.108 per cubic foot
3001 + $0.148 per cubic foot
How often are meters read?
Meters are read on a monthly basis, resulting in the customer receiving their water bill on or about the first day of the following month.
What is the bill for?
The bill is for the water you have used in the previous month as measured by the water meter.
How do I read the bill?
At the top is the customer’smailing address
Below that, is the date the meter was read, the account number, and the account current balance due and the late balance due.
Below is the siteaddress where the water is being used.
Below, are the previous and current meter reading in cubic feet, and the amount consumed since the last reading.
Below and to the right is a graphical chart for comparative usage.
When is the bill due?
Payment of the water bill is due and payable by the 10th day of the month.
There is a 10-day grace period before the account becomes delinquent.
Delinquent accounts are billed an additional late fee.
If an account remains delinquent for 90 days without being paid in full, a Termination-of-Service notice is mailed to the user (and member, if different) designating the date service will be terminated. If not paid in full by the date specified in the termination notice, an additional $50 fee is imposed and water service is subject to termination. To reinstate water service, the entire water bill, plus all fees and charges must be paid in full.
What are my options for payment?
- We accept non-cash payments mailed to our Post Office Box 1468, Graham, WA 98338-1468.
- We accept non-cash payments in the drop-box located adjacently east of the gate at our annex at 10315 - 244th Street E
- We accept payments at the office on Monday -Thursdays, 8:30-11:30AM, at 9922 249th Street East.
- We do not accept credit cards.
Am I billed in gallons or cubic feet?
GHMWC uses cubic feet. To get gallons, multiply the cubic feet by 7.48.
Conversely, to convert gallons to cubic feet, divide the gallons by 7.48 to get cubic feet.
Can I pay by credit card?
No, we have no way to accept credit card payments
What is an average bill for a family of four?
An average use for a family of 4 is approximately 850 cubic feet per month. For 850 cubic feet, an average bill would run $55.92 per month based on 2010 information.
WATER QUALITY
Where does the water come from?
We have three wells at three different sites producing a maximum 440 gallons per minute. Each well is approximately 300 feet deep.
Is the water treated?
No, there is no treatment process to the water.
Is chlorine or fluoride added to the water?
There are no additives in the water
Is the water tested?
Yes, we are tested monthly by an independent Water Quality Laboratory. We exceed both Federal and State minimum standards for drinking water quality.
We test:
Monthly for:
Bacteria
Annually
(every year) for:
Nitrates and Nitrites
Tri-annually (every three years) for:
Inorganic Compounds (IOC)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Synthetic Organic Compounds (SOC)
Corrosiveness
Penta-annually (every five years) for:
Radiation Compounds
Who does the tests?
GHMWC contracts with an independent laboratory located in Tacoma that is licensed to perform the required tests.
How can I receive a copy of the results?
The results are printed and delivered to all users annually, usually in May or June, but no later than July 1st pursuant to Federal Laws. Additional copies are available at the office throughout the year.
What is the hardness of the water?
Our average hardness is 91 mg/l. This is moderately hard water. Hardness changes throughout the year.
BACKFLOW AND DOUBLE CHECK VALVES
What is a Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)?
A Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) is a mechanical assembly located behind (property side) of the water meter that allows water to flow toward the customer, but prohibits flow back from the customer into the public water system.
Why must everybody have one?
It is the Water Company’s responsibility to protect its water system from contamination caused by water flowing from the customer back into the purveyors system (WAC 246-290-490(1)(c)). The Graham Hill Mutual Water Company has reviewed the various methods to control this backflow and have decided that the Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) is the most economical assembly available to use for the protection it can provide. Since 1993 all new connections, all new construction, modifications and alterations, and replacements require the installation of a DCVA. Soon, all homes sold will require DCVA’s installed. GHMWC is also working with neighborhoods to comply in a group effort to reduce the cost to the individual member.
Does every member have a DCVA?
No, not yet. However, it is the goal of the GHMWC to reach 100% protection as quickly as possible.
What does a DCVA cost?
Materials cost just over $300. Installation varies depending on the installer and how many assemblies can be installed at a time.
What other costs are involved?
The DCVA is required to be tested by a Backflow Assembly Tester, certified by the Washington State Department of Health. The assembly requires testing after installation or repair, and annually thereafter. The Water Company will notify you when it is time to test. A list of certified testers willing to work in Graham is available from the office. Each test is approximately $50; but shop around.