Q1: What were the current issues with Sallal that drove the change in Water System Operators?
A1: Sallal’s growth in the greater North Bend area has impacted their service level to Wilderness Rim. Their expected continued growth for the foreseeable future limits the amount of time they could make available to WRA.   Also there were some unfortunate late filings of mandatory Washington State Department of Health reports.

Q2: Are there personality or performance issues?
A2: There were no problematic personality issues.  WRA has the highest respect for Denny Scott as our Water System Operator.  A significant concern of the trustees has been the lack of enthusiasm from Sallal for capital improvements recommended in the last Small Water System Management Program from the engineers at Gray & Osborne done in 2011.

Q3: How will the costs change?
A3: Costs for operations and maintenance should remain the same or go down for water system operations.  Capital improvement costs are covered from the Capital Reserve.  Cost of water options are being researched including the ambitious goal of acquiring water rights for Wilderness Rim.   

Q4: What can we expect for customer service?
A4: Satellite Management was our water system operator for many years and provided more than adequate service for a very long time.  The benefits of having a Certified Operator who has a strong familiarity and history with our system are believed to be of significant value.  

Q5: What are the risks and opportunities?
A5: Opportunity for eyes on the system that know what we have had and can do is beneficial.  Maintaining a close working relationship between WRA management and the Certified Water System Operator should be effective in reducing risks to a minimum.

The Board of Trustees, after careful deliberation, has voted to return to a contract with Satellite Management Inc. for our Water System Operator.  This company was our state certified water system operator for 38 years prior to 2008 when Sallal Water Association, who is also our water purveyor, was awarded the contract. Sallal’s recent significant growth in its service area has brought on a need for WRA to look at other options for our system’s maintenance needs.

Wilderness Rim Association’s Water Utilities Committee Meeting:

December 9, 2015 at 6 PM

The committee will interview candidates for Water System Operator.  If you would like to attend, please contact  office@wildernessrim.org or call 425-888-0087

If you have questions to present during the meeting please email them to water@wildernessrim.org.

There may be some things that you don’t like about the various rules and regulations that apply to living in Wilderness Rim Divisions 1, 2, or 3 and being a member of Wilderness Rim Association (WRA).  Methods are provided to change virtually any of them.  Some, of course, are easier to change than others.

1. The Plat Restrictions (recorded in the Plat Book) may only be changed by consent of all members of WRA, followed by approval of the Metropolitan King County Council.
2. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) may be changed by a petition signed by a majority of all owners of all lots in Wilderness Rim (670 lots = 336 notarized membership signatures and must include all members of lot if property is owned jointly).
3. The Articles of Incorporation may be changed by a vote of two-thirds of the voting membership at any regular or special membership meeting of WRA. Such amendments must be filed with the Secretary of State.
4. The Bylaws may be changed by a vote of two-thirds of the voting membership at any regular or special membership meeting.
5. The Code of King County may be changed by a majority vote of the Metropolitan King County Council and signature by the County Executive.
6. Applicable Washington State Laws may be changed by a majority vote in both houses of the Washington State Legislature and signature by the Governor.