Spring Newsletter

This is our fourth quarterly newsletter for Scenic Properties Water Association! It is our hope to share information as we all work together to protect and maintain access to clean drinking water.

You can also check out our website! You can find files and information about our water association at https://scenicproperties.org

Spring is a great time to be proactive and get your property ready for the dry summer months when fire danger is high. Rather than burning those smoky pine needles, take them to the Lowman Transfer station! They accept brush and vegetation on Thursdays and Sundays from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Stumps and land clearing debris is charged $2 per cubic yard. There is no charge to drop off land debris. You can get more information about the Transfer Station in Lowman by visiting this site - Boise County Solid Waste.

Spring brings out all the critters in the mountains!

Minutes from the Annual Meeting on June 17, 2023.

Bylaws with Updated Exhibits March 9, 2024

Annual Meeting notice and Form to send in a Proxy Vote

Are you interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Scenic Properties Water Association?

There will be two (2) Board positions open this year. Wyatt Foss and Curtis Hedges are both running for re-election to their position. Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting in May. If you are interested in serving, and would like to be considered for an open position, please email the Board Secretary, Kim Miller, at spwaassociation@gmail.com.

Board members serve a 3-year term. Board meetings are held approximately 6 times a year.

The DEQ has implemented a new reporting requirement for all Public Water Systems (PWS) to be completed by October 2024. This requires a detailed description of every service connection within our water association. The survey information is necessary to being compliant with this new requirement. Please complete the information as best as you can.

Lead and Copper Survey

Late Fees for 2024 and moving forward will be:

• Bills will be sent in January and will be due April 1.
• 1st Late Notice sent by April 20 - $25 late fee
• 2nd Notice sent by May 20 - additional $25 late fee
• 3rd Notice sent by June 20 - additional $25 late fee
• 4th (Final) Notice sent July 20 - additional $25 fee, Final notice (between 7 and 21 days) that water will be locked and a lien will be filed on the property on August 1.
• Fee to Reconnect to the system after it has been shut off is $200.

We have an aging system that is now over 50 years old, and our water system is facing several critical issues:

• Each year we have repairs that need to happen as we replace valves and pipes that have broken. The cost to make these repairs has increased every year.
• In addition to regular maintenance and repairs, this summer we are also doing a large repair at the well and tank which will cost about $10,000.
• In April 2003, our tank was last recoated. Based on current professional recommendations, it is time for the tank to be recoated. This critical recommendation and need has to be addressed and accomplished. Having the tank recoated will cost approximately $50,000.
• With our aging system, it is also very important to monitor areas and quickly identify leaks. In order to help isolate where a leak is occurring, we need to install flow meters in three strategic locations. Installing these flow meters will cost about $20,000.
• This Winter and Spring, we are also closely monitoring our water supply. The spring that provides water to our system has had a dramatic reduction in gallons per minute. We need to investigate the cause of this significant change.
• In addition to a decreased flow from the spring, we are also experiencing some pump issues with the well. Our well output has decreased from 30-35 gpm to 7 gpm. We are working with a pump company to determine the cause of our reduced flow from the well.
• Each year our water system complies with all DEQ required testing for public water systems. We have lab tests that are done monthly, yearly, every three years, every six years, and every nine years. In 2029 all of those tests land on the same year. This will cost our water system about $8000-$10,000 in fees for testing.

The new rates in 2025 will be:

Ownership of 1 Lot - $190

Ownership of 2 Lots - $285

Ownership of 3 Lots - $348

Ownership of 4 Lots - $387

Ownership of 5 Lots - $416

Ownership of 6 Lots - $440

Ownership of 7 Lots - $465

The new rate schedule will bring in $27,000 annually. The serious challenges we are facing with our water system will take everyone in our community working together to solve them.

All properties are required to have a double cut-off system to access the community water supply. One cut-off belongs to the property owner, and the 2nd one belongs to Scenic Properties Water Association. When Property Owners request a new connection from the main water line to their property, Scenic Properties Water Association will require a new minimum connection fee of $750.00 per connection.

All existing properties must have the double cut-off system, within 3 feet of the SPWA primary cutoff, installed by October 2028. Property owners must obtain written board approval to install their own double cut-off system, and the system must be inspected and approved by the water operator or board member before it is covered.

If you have questions about the set up on your property, or would like more information about how to contact a local company to have the double cut-off system installed, and associated costs, you can contact board member Kevin Wauhob at 986-210-7920.

At the March Board meeting, the Board voted to change the schedule for exterior watering, when the water supply permits. The new schedule removes the differentiation between full time and part time residents. Scheduled watering days are determined by the first letter of the property owner's last name.

Odd Numbered Days - Last names starting with A to M

Even Numbered Days - Last names starting with N to Z

No exterior watering on Mondays.

When exterior watering is not allowed or all water access is off, property owners will be notified through email and/or written communication, and "Water Off" signs will be posted at subdivision entrances.

Given our current state of a lack of water resources - No exterior watering is allowed at this time.

In January our average use of water was 18,844 gallons per day.

In February our average use of water was 12,422 gallons per day.

So far, in March, our average use of water is 13,749 gallons per day.

We are actively monitoring flow rates from the spring and the well, as well as system demand - it helps us identify leaks. One leak was been identified and fixed, and our Water Operator and Board members are currently looking for any evidence of additional leaks. An exterior hydrant was recently left fully open on a property, causing a large loss of water. If you notice any unusually wet ground please notify a board member.

We are also actively monitoring the lack of water coming from our spring and well. More information will be provided at the Annual meeting about the importance of this issue. Until further notice - there is a ban on all outside watering.

ARTICLE VII Section 1.c and 1.d tasks the Board to “set rules deemed essential or convenient for the conduct of business and affairs of the corporation. They may prescribe adequate penalties for breach of these rules.”

Article IX Section 7 outlines that the Board of Directors are “authorized to require each member to enter into water users’ agreements which shall embody the principles set forth in the foregoing provisions of these Bylaws.”

In accordance with the Scenic Properties Water Association Bylaws, the SPWA Board has developed a list of 10 Water User Agreements.

AGREEMENT 1: Each property is assigned one (1) membership. Each membership is assigned one (1) vote. A member may assign his voting right to a non-member or 2nd party, upon written notice to the Board of Directors for a period not to exceed five (5) years. This assignment will apply to every event requiring a vote of the members.

AGREEMENT 2: Scenic Properties Water Association will maintain a line from the main distribution pipeline to individual property line. It is the Owner’s responsibility to maintain the water line from the property line to the place of use on the property.

AGREEMENT 3: It is the Owner’s responsibility to monitor private water lines for maintenance and leaks. When a leak is found on an individual property that affects the community water supply, a Board member will shut off the water supply at the property line until repairs are made. Owners can be billed for time spent locating the leak if proper precautions were not taken. Precautions include: turning water off at the source line during times of absence and winter months, removing backflow preventers during winter months, removing hoses from outside faucets during winter months, fixing dripping and leaking faucets, and notifying proper authorities before digging.

AGREEMENT 4: Owners may not make any repairs, establish a connection, or in any way change or alter the main distribution line. This includes the Scenic Properties connection cut-off located on individual properties. Anyone who alters, changes, or tampers with the main distribution line or connections that are the property of Scenic Properties Water Association will be charged a fee of $250 plus cost of repairs.

AGREEMENT 5: All properties must have the double cut-off system, within 3 feet of the SPWA primary cutoff, installed by October 2028. In Spring of 2029 if double cutoffs are not installed, property owners will be charged a fee. Property owners must obtain written board approval to install their own double cut-off system, and the system must be inspected and approved by the water operator or board member before it is covered.

AGREEMENT 6: Owner will follow all Water Conservation Guidelines by limiting or refraining from outdoor watering, and requesting permission before utilizing any hot tubs, sprinkler systems, pools, or boiler systems.

AGREEMENT 7: Owner will install vacuum breakers on all hydrants to prevent cross-contamination of our community water supply.

AGREEMENT 8: When attempting to locate or stop a leak, Board members have an easement to access areas of private property where distribution lines or service lines may be located. This protocol will be followed prior to accessing private property: When possible, an attempt will be made to contact homeowner via phone number and/or email on record with Scenic Properties explaining the purpose of entering. The date/time of entering and leaving the private property will be recorded, along with the purpose for entering, and sent to the Board Secretary as record.

AGREEMENT 9: Any changes to ownership, mailing address, phone or email contact should be communicated to the Board Secretary in a timely manner. Unless otherwise noted through opt-outs, property ownership in Scenic Properties Subdivision denotes membership in Scenic Properties Water Association, which sets forth the guidelines and rules to be followed by all members in the written Bylaws.

AGREEMENT 10: Individual Property Owners are a part of a community. The Association is non-profit, and the Board is a volunteer representation of the community. We work together in peaceful and positive ways to solve problems to maintain a supply of clean drinking water for the community.

As soon as you notice a leak or unusually wet area, contact a board member. They can help you determine if the leak is on your property and your responsibility, or if it is part of our community system. Please contact a board member before beginning any repairs. You can email them at spwaassociation@gmail.com.

The SPWA Board will be meeting in April and May. If you have any questions or concerns, please email spwaassociation@gmail.com. During the April meeting, the Board will set the timeline and details for work to be done on the well and source line from the well to the tank. They will also set the agenda and information for the Annual Meeting.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook! You can connect with other neighbors in Scenic Properties, and see updates on projects we are working on.

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