During the March 2017 billing, several members were alarmed to have received very high water bills. With the help of leakage detection services, customers found their sources of water leaks (usually broken pipes, perhaps resulting from the cold weather) and fixed them. A common question members keep asking is: How does my water use compare to other members’ water use?

On average, members use about 1,100 cubic feet of water every 2 months. A cubic foot is equal to about 7.5 gallons. The 20% of members that use the least amount of water use up to about 500 cubic feet per billing period (two months). The next 20% use about 500 to 750 cubic feet. The middle 20% use about 750 to 1000 cubic feet. The next 20% use about 1000 to 1200 cubic feet. And, the top 20% of water users use about 1200 to 3000 cubic feet per two months. Top water users often include those with broken pipes or leaky toilets. In general, water use is also higher during the summer than during the winter. If you would like to see how your water use this year compares to last year, go to the Association’s payment website at https://wra.secure.munibilling.com. If you haven’t done so already, you will need to set up a user name and password to use the site.

If you think your water use is high, turn off all the water in your house, and then check your water meter (located in a black box near the street and usually between your house and your neighbor’s house) to see if the meter is still showing water use (look to see if the small silver “wheel” is rotating). If so, you probably have a leak. Contact the Office (425-888-0087) and they will give you tips to help you find your leak. If it makes you feel any better, a 2015 article in the Seattle Times noted that the average family of four in Seattle uses about 1,600 cubic feet per two-month period and paid $110 for water for that period.

Wilderness Rim Association (WRA) purchases its water from Sallal Water Association (Sallal). In 2016, WRA paid Sallal about $11,125 per month for water. Sallal recently notified the WRA Board of Trustees (Board) that Sallal was increasing the monthly fee to $13,855 per month, or nearly 25%. Sallal stated that the increase reflects rising costs since the last rate update in 2011, as well as a one-time adjustment for the cost of hiring a new field operator. On January 18, the Board met and passed a motion to increase the Base water rate from $36 to $44.82 beginning at the end of March to cover the cost of the wholesale water rate increase. The Base rate covers water usage from 0 to 200 cubic feet per billing period, which means that all residents will pay the increased fee, regardless of total water use. The fees for water use above this rate will remain the same. For water rates, see “WRA Water Rate and Fee Schedules” at http://wildernessrim.org/legal.

Fellow Neighbors,

UPDATE: (11/14/2016) The water leakage detection project, proposed for November 14-17, has been postponed. The Board of Trustees would like to gather additional data and work with Sallal and our Water System Operator  to better determine the extent of water leakage in the Rim, and the factors contributing to water leakage, before deciding whether to conduct the project as proposed, or modify or terminate the project. We hope to have a decision  in the next few months. Thank you for your patience.

The Department of Health (DOH) requires that small water utilities perform a leak detection exercise annually, and the board submitted the report in September.  Because the estimated leak percentage was high (13%), and because the previous reports listed the value at 0%, the board decided to contract the services of Utility Services Associates to survey our water system for leaks.  This was partly to pre-empt the DOH scrutiny for the disparity in our reports over the last few years and to ascertain the leak potential of the system to ensure we are not wasting water – and our community’s money.

Starting on November 14th, and running for 4 days, a technician from the service company will be conducting the survey with our water system operator.  You may see and hear the truck around our neighborhood as they conduct the survey which involves listening to all pipe appurtenances, including each meter, at various locations around the system.

Thank you in advance for your patience, and if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the board at trustees@wildernessrim.org.

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Many of our members have been asking about the WRA billing that was for the August-September 2016 cycle, due in October.  Due to recent changes in WRA Board membership, the billing was delayed.

The newly elected officers voted to have November 18 as the due date for the August-September billing cycle.  Bills will be sent out by the end of October.  We understand that there is a short period between the billing date and the date payments are due, so members will have 45 days from the date of billing (until about mid-December) to pay their bills before late fees will be assessed.  However, payments by the due date will be greatly appreciated.    Billing will include the $13.33 bi-monthly HOA dues assessment, $8 security patrol assessment, and water usage.  The meters were read and recorded on the weekend of September 17.  Billing will reflect actual usage, not an estimation.  The October-November billing will resume as scheduled and be due on December 26.

The Board apologizes for any inconvenience to members caused by the late billing.

Website updates should happen more regularly going forward, so please be sure to check here often to get the latest updates. Please contact office@wildernessrim.org with any questions and thank you for your patience during this transition.

Neighbors,

Due to safety concerns voiced by WRA Members and the WRA Board of Trustees, the previously announced activities for Halloween have been canceled. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Event Committee in organizing this event and want to thank them for their dedication and creativity.

We hope you’ll all have a safe and fun Halloween!

The Wilderness Rim Board of Trustees
trustees@wildernessrim.org