June 22-July 12, 2021 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Our major on-going leak has finally been identified on Mt. Vista Drive after extensive

  investigation since the beginning of June. Dave Olsen with Water System Services

  helped locate the general area with an amplified geophone on July 8. We hope to

  excavate the water main as soon as utilities are located this week.

• The treatment plant continues to produce excellent water with low turbidity levels.

• Clubhouse water service replacement is complete and Clubhouse will be available for

  member use this week.

• Pump-back pump replaced June 25 by PMG Controls. New pump automatically

  starts/stops based on level in the well, instead of a manual switch

• The small dock retaining ring broke in an overnight windstorm on June 30 and was

  replaced by Chris Immer, who also fabricated another reserve ring. Chris also installed a

  new anchor rope on the end of the small docks on July 3.

Coming up:

• Opening the Clubhouse

• Installation of new finished water turbidimeter

June 2021 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 1,095,400 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution  1,087,450
Flushing 0 Residential meters    403,110
Unaccounted for water 684,340 Percentage of loss        62.9%

May 11-June 21, 2021 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Turbidity levels have stayed below violation levels from May 12, and continue to present.

• New water line installed at Clubhouse, connection to the main is pending. Currently no water service at Clubhouse and a portable toilet has been placed at the Marina until restrooms are available again.

• Docks were launched on May 28.

• At the beginning of June, overnight water flow (indicating water loss) increased to 10 gallons per minute and has gradually increased to 16 gpm (approximately 23,000 gallons per day) at the time of this report. The flow has been isolated to Hales Passage somewhere between Scenic Place and Scenic Avenue. Locating the main break has been a challenge after probing the area and excavating the water line in various locations.

Coming up:

• Locating and repair of the water main break is the priority at this time

• Complete Clubhouse water line replacement

• Replacement of pump-back system pump

• Installation of new finished water turbidimeter

May 2021 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 581,400 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution  573,450
Flushing 3,000 Residential meters    317,060
Unaccounted for water 253,390 Percentage of loss        44.4%

April 12-May 10, 2021 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• UVT meter in operation on April 17

• Turbidity treatment technique violation for April, published April 26.

• Excavate blow-off valve on Scenic Ave near 40037 to repair leak April 17.

Coming up:

• Marina docks to be launched Monday, May 17 conditions permitting

April 2021 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 549,000 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution  541,050
Flushing 3,000 Residential meters    314,980
Unaccounted for water 223,070 Percentage of loss        41.5%

March 23-April 11, 2021 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Kevin attended the WETRC virtual conference on March 23-24.

• Lowered water meter box at 10204 and installed a traffic-rated box and lid.

• Installed stop logs April 1-3 to raise swim lake level.

• Installed risers on Cabana septic tank to improve maintenance access on April 4.

• Replaced toilet at Cabana women’s restroom on April 8.

Coming up:

• Marina docks to be launched Monday, May 17 conditions permitting

March 2021 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 522,500 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution  514,550
Flushing 3,000 Residential meters    229,950
Unaccounted for water 229,950 Percentage of loss        45.0%

February 23-March 22, 2021 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Insurance risk manager toured facilities with Cash, William, and Isaac on February 25. His report is expected by the end of March.

• Review of meter usage for any frozen/stalled meters. No dysfunctional meters identified.

• Maintenance Shop burglary on evening of March 3, with theft of grounds keeping equipment. Security cameras helped identify the vehicle, and a police report was filed.

• Cleanup of Clubhouse basement and blocking of access points for otters. Clean Crawl completed sanitary cleanup and replaced insulation in the basement on March 15.

• Cabana septic tank lid excavated and prepared for riser installation and inspection.

• 5 year water production and usage history provided to Wilson Engineering for System Capacity Analysis.

• Isaac passed the Cross Connection Specialist exam.

Coming up:

• Final survey drawing for Clark Circle is expected any time.

February 2021 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 454,680 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,190
Net to distribution  447,490
Flushing 3,050 Residential meters    262,700
Unaccounted for water 181,740 Percentage of loss        40.9%

January 12-February 22, 2021 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Completed Water Facilities Inventory (WFI) and analysis.

• One of the turbidimeters failed and a new turbidimeter is on order.

• Raw turbidity has decreased allowing the treatment plant to filter at a faster rate with less

  coagulants. No turbidity violation is expected in February.

• Wilson Engineering has initiated the System Capacity Analysis as part of the

  requirements for permitting a new water treatment plant. Staff is collecting a 5-year

  history of usage records for this analysis.

Coming up:

• Isaac is scheduled to take the Cross Connection Connection Specialist exam on March

  15, 2021. Dave Olson will begin CCC consultation in March.

January 2021 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 519,900 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution  511,950
Flushing 3,650 Residential meters    263,800
Unaccounted for water 244,500 Percentage of loss        48.1%

December 8-January 11, 2021 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Turbidity violation published December 12 for November and December. Beginning in January, turbidity levels have remained below violation levels and continue to improve. We do not expect a turbidity violation in January.

• New jon boat now being used for sampling Dickenson Lake.

• UVT meter installation to be completed soon.

Coming up:

• Isaac will attend Cross Connection Control exam training on February 3-4, 2021. Dave Olson at Water Systems Services will be proposing a consultant arrangement to help implement this program in 2021.

• Wilson Engineering has identified a membrane filtration treatment plant on Blakely Island and is coordinating a meeting with the operator there to share experience on implementing this type of plant.

December 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 456,280 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution  448,330
Flushing 2,500 Residential meters    264,080
Unaccounted for water 181,750 Percentage of loss        40.8%

November 9-December 7, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Turbidity issues have returned, reaching possible violation level on November 29 and continuing to present.

• We are now recording daily levels and turbidity at 2 foot depth in the reservoir to monitor any correlation with finished turbidity issues. During this period air bubbles in the raw water line from the reservoir stopped on December 5 at a level of 2 feet, 8 inches below overflow. 

• Lab samples are now being processed at Exact Scientific.

• Isaac attended Small Water System Management Program training November 9-10.

• Wifi extender installed at the treatment plant.

Coming up:

• UVT meter has arrived and will be installed as soon as possible.

• Isaac will attend Cross Connection Control exam training on February 3-4, 2021.

November 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 465,130 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution   457,180
Flushing 1,200 Residential meters    280,310
Unaccounted for water 175,670 Percentage of loss        38.5%

October 13-November 8, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Completed Holiday Lake drainage for stop log replacement, completed by Ram Construction on October 19.

• Complete SCADA alarm notification system on October 24.

• Installed weather station and level gauge at Dickenson Lake on October 31.

• Conducted MURS radio test with MYN leads from top of water storage tanks that was not successful in communicating with other locations on Lummi Island.

Coming up:

• Dept. of Ecology 5 -year dam inspection of Holiday Lake and Dickenson Lake may postpone until 2021.

• Isaac to attend Small Water System Management Program training November 9-10.

October 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 483,460 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution   475,510
Flushing 3,000 Residential meters    296,560
Unaccounted for water 175,950 Percentage of loss        37%

September 21-October 12, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Docks removed October 5, with thanks to Chris Immer and Brian Parberry for the large forklift.

• We are conducting vertical profiling (water sampling at various depths) every two weeks in Dickenson Lake in consultation with Bill Taylor.

• Holiday Lake level has been lowered below normal winter level, we will be doing another drainage from the fire dept standpipe the week of October 12.

Coming up:

• Holiday Lake stop-log structure repair tentatively scheduled for the week of October 19.

• Dept. of Ecology 5-year dam inspection of Holiday Lake and Dickenson Lake dams to occur late October, date not yet scheduled.

September 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 501,560 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,960
Net to distribution   493,870
Flushing & chlorine residual sampling 4,000 Residential meters    341,280
Unaccounted for water 148,540 Percentage of loss        30%

August 26-September 20, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Finished water quality continues to be very good with turbidity near the optimum level of  0.1 NTU.

• Repaired a leak at the Marina blow off valve on August 27. This is the main cause of the high loss in July and August.

• Replaced pump #1 and switched to that pump beginning August 31.

• Prepared for reservoir vertical profiling (depth sampling) project with Bill Taylor, including ordering equipment and lab sample containers.

Prepared schedule for the completion of Dept. of Health Sanitary Survey action items.

Coming up:

• Marina docks scheduled to be removed October 5 & 6 depending on conditions.

• Holiday Lake to be drained in early October to prepare for stop-log replacement.

• Dept. of Ecology 5-year dam inspection of Holiday Lake and Dickenson Lake dams to occur late October, date not yet scheduled.

August 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 687,450 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution   679,500
Flushing 3,000 Residential meters    403,800
Marina blow off leak (estimated 3 gpm) 116,400 Unaccounted for water 159,000 Percentage of loss        24%

July 13-August 25, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Isaac attended Dept. of Health webinar for Asset Management

• Dept. of Health Sanitary Survey July 15 & July 21

• Completed Wilson Engineering Task 2 projects including:

  • Improvement of filter-to-waste system, functional July 21

  • Install inlet flow metering

  • Upgrade plant automation monitoring and shutdown controls

• Change main coagulant to ferric sulfate on August 10

• Contract with Bill Taylor for lake management consultation

• Replace six meter registers for failed batteries

We identified a leak at the Marina blowoff valve on August 24. We suspect this is the cause of the high loss in July.

July 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 688,000 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution   680,050
Flushing 2,100 Residential meters    408,190 Unaccounted for water    269,760
Percentage of loss        66%

June 11-July 12, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Published Annual Water Quality Report for 2019 (Consumer Confidence Report)

• Plant shutdown controls and new monitoring system installed

• Complete filter-to-waste upgrade for pump #1 and 2.

• Begin testing new coagulant

In June turbidity levels did not exceed violation levels. In July the treatment plant has exceeded 0.3 NTU more than 5% of the month while we test the performance of a new coagulant. We expect to incur a treatment technique violation in July.

Our Department of Health Sanitary Survey is scheduled for July 15 (video conference) and July 21 (in person visit). This is a periodic inspection of our water system facilities

June 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 484,790 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,690
Net to distribution   477,100
Flushing 4,100 Residential meters    319,940 Unaccounted for water    153,060
Percentage of loss        32%

May 15-June 10, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Completed Dept. of Ecology water treatment discharge permit, including site plan, treatment plant schematic, and related documents.

• Completed Dept. of Health Water Use Efficiency report. Annual leakage in distribution is 35.7% which equates to consistent 3.6 gallons per minute. (May 2020 average leak rate was 3.1 gpm.) LISE has exceeded its long term goal reducing peak summer use by 5%. Water use in June to August decreased by 7.5% since 2014 when considering the increase in population.

• Launched new small docks and dock bridge.

• LISE truck reverse gear failed and required transmission replacement.

Since May 13 we have been filtering water well below turbidity violation level. We will likely incur a violation for the month of May due to turbidity problems in the beginning of the month. Raw water turbidity is slowing increasing and we are in process on the following items to control turbidity issues:

• Filter-to-waste upgrade is in progress.

• Plant shutdown controls to be installed in the last half of June.

• New coagulant option based on lab sampling of our raw water by the coagulant manufacturer.

• Possible algae treatment in reservoirs.

May 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 487,870 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution   479,920
Flushing 2,700 Residential meters    337,270 Unaccounted for water    139,950
Percentage of loss        29%

April 16-May 14, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Streaming current monitor and particle analyzer testing with Wilson Engineering on April 16.

• Issue preliminary turbidity treatment technique for April on April 24.

• Clubhouse, Cabana, and playground closed for COVID-19.

• Measure Holiday Lake depth and calculate volume for possible algae treatment.

• Launched large docks May 11.

In May raw water turbidity has continued to increase. Our finished water turbidity to exceed 0.3 NTU (turbidity units) more than 5% of the time which will likely result in a treatment technique violation from the Dept. of Health for the month of May. The Department of Health and Wilson Engineering has been working with us on jar testing, suggesting coagulant and pH variables.

On May 13, our raw water quality began to improve to 1.0 NTU (from a high of 1.4 NTU two days before). We assume this is a result of reservoir turnover. Since May 13 we have been filtering water at optimum levels, below 0.1 NTU. However, we are aware that we still need a solution if raw water quality changes back again.

April 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 426,190 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,690
Net to distribution   418,500
Flushing 3,000 Residential meters    279,340 Unaccounted for water    136,160
Percentage of loss        32%

March 10-April 15, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Installed water service at 30054 on March 19.

• Our radio unit (DMMR) for our meter reading computer failed. We arranged a loaner from HD Fowler and have a new DMMR on order.

• Replaced distribution meter register at the storage tanks vault, due to battery.

• Replaced 6 residential meter registers due to battery failure.

• Began using new polymer coagulant in treatment plant on the advice of Wilson Engineering.

• Repaired damaged water line near meter at 70027.

• Contracted with Wilson Engineering for treatment plant upgrades.

• Scheduled large dock launch May 11 or 12. Chris Immer to install new pin attachment between the large docks.

In the beginning of April we have seen an increase of raw water turbidity on a similar pattern of last year. Our finished water turbidity to exceed 0.3 NTU (turbidity units) more than 5% of the time, which will likely result in a treatment technique violation from the Dept. of Health.

Since contracting with Wilson Engineering, we have been working quickly through chemistry solutions, including dosage rates and jar testing procedures. We are also arranging for a sample of our reservoir water to be tested for algae which may allow us to treat accordingly.

March 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 417,975 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution   410,025
Flushing 3,300 Residential meters    250,670 Unaccounted for water    156,055
Percentage of loss        38%

February 18-March 9, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Completed draft schematic and as-built plans for Treatment Plant for engineering.

• Carl Garrison informed us that he is transitioning away from Coffman Engineering and setting up his own company. This may delay our progress with treatment plant upgrades. We have reached out to Wilson Engineering for an estimate and possible alternative.

• Kevin attended Evergreen Rural Water of Washington (ERWOW) conference in Yakima February 25-27.

• Pickup truck repairs & maintenance including throttle body replacement and brake shoes/parking brake.

• Coordinate with Chris Immer to install large dock connection pins and ramp to small docks.

February 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 367,030 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,440
Net to distribution   359,590
Flushing 3,000 Residential meters    208,910 Unaccounted for water    147,680
Percentage of loss        41%

January 1-February 17, 2020 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Notice of turbidity violations (August to November) and resolution published on January 8. December 2019 turbidity measurements did not incur a violation.

• Jepson Engineering completed a survey of the water treatment facilities, settling pond, and surrounding area on January 8-10.

• Dept. of Ecology Dam Safety annual inspection submitted, and the 5-year inspection by DOE engineers scheduled for April 2020. Emergency Action Plan and Operations & Maintenance Manual is in development.

• Dept. of Health Water Facility Inventory submitted with 221 total service connections, LISE has 250 permitted connections and three pending connection requests.

• Formal Compliance Agreement has been established between DOH and LISE on February 14 to address turbidity violations with deadline of July 1, 2020 to submit a schedule to address water treatment improvements and timeline.

• DOH Sanitary Survey scheduled for late July 2020.

January 2020 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 425,320 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,950
Net to distribution   417,370
Flushing 3,100 Residential meters    252,060 Unaccounted for water    162,210
Percentage of loss        39%

November 12-December 31, 2019 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Swim lake spillway project has been designed and we are coordinating with RAM Construction to begin installation of a new water level control structure to replace the wooden stop log setup. Project may start in January contingent on weather and lake level.

• Turbidity issues:

  • December turbidity levels remained below 0.3 NTU, meaning we will not receive a violation for that month. However, we will receive a violation for November that will require another public notice.

  • We visited an East Sound water treatment plant on Orcas Island on November 15 as part of our DOH plan to control turbidity. Based on this visit and subsequent jar testing we decided to test ferric chloride as our primary coagulant instead of alum.

  • We calibrated our SCADA system and set alarm points that will alert operators if turbidity reaches certain levels.

  • Coffman Engineering has completed a report “Water System Treatment, Pumphouse, and Discharge Improvements”.

• Settling Pond Permit: Coffman Engineering is also assisting us with our Dept. of Ecology permit for our settling pond. Bids are out to conduct a survey of the water treatment facilities area to use as a site plan as required by the permit.

• Fixed leak near meter at 70027 on December 9.

• Replaced 30 meter registers for battery failure.

November 2019 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 421,500 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,690
Net to distribution   413,810
Residential meters    235,640 Unaccounted for water    178,170
Percentage of loss        43.1%.

December 2019 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 395,560 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,946
Net to distribution   387,704
Residential meters    230,070 Unaccounted for water    157,634
Percentage of loss        40.7%

October 15-November 11, 2019 Operations Report

Kevin Southworth, Operations Manager

During this period:

• Replaced Clubhouse Wi-Fi router.

• Winterized marina, clubhouse, and cabana.

• Swept community roads.

• Replaced 13 meter registers for battery failure.

• Isaac passed his Water Treatment Plant Operator and Water Distribution Manager Level 2 exams November 6.

• Published Dept. of Health notice of violation for turbidity on October 18 with a mailing to all water customers and article on LISE website.

• Resolution of turbidity issues are ongoing. We have contracted with Coffman Engineering to evaluate the treatment plant and are currently exploring recommendations from DOH and/or consultants:

  • Coagulant feed pumps were wired to the reservoir pump

  • Jar test ferric chloride as a possible replacement coagulant to alum.

  • Jar test alum and polymer dosages

  • Test filter flow at slower rate

  • Extend filter runs and backwash less frequently

Water loss has increased substantially in October. Our leak detection has not yet determined the location.

October 2019 Water Usage (in gallons)

From storage tanks 432,850 Chlorine monitoring feed (0.178 gpm) 7,946
Net to distribution   424,904
Residential meters    243,920 Unaccounted for water    225,934
Percentage of loss        42.6%