DONALA WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT

(719) 488-3603            JANUARY 2012


BUDGET MEETING

At the January 26th (1:30 p.m.) board meeting the Board will vote to approve the final budget for 2012 using end of year numbers for the beginning balance.  The process is open to all customer/taxpayers.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The next election for members of the Board of Directors is coming up in May 2012.  The District is seeking persons interested in serving on the Board of Directors.  There will be three positions available for a term of four (4) years.  Interested citizens should contact Jackie Sipes, Designated Election Officer at 488-3603.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING SCHEDULE 2012

The Donala Board of Directors announces the schedule of meetings for 2012.  Regular meetings will normally be held at the District office at 15850 Holbein Drive at 1:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.  The January meeting will be on the 26th.  The public is invited to attend.

RATE COMPARISON

As announced last month, water rates for 2012 increased in some areas.  The chart on the back shows you how Donala compares to our neighboring water/wastewater entities.

FREEZE ALERT !!!

When the Siberian Express comes rolling through, it is always a good idea to leave a drip from a faucet overnight.  Frozen pipes can cause many problems.  Pick a faucet in your house that’s upstairs on the north side of the house.  If that’s not convenient, make it one that is as far away from your water meter as possible (to move the whole system).  This is especially important if you take a trip – leave a drip.  And never turn off your heat completely. 

In case your pipes do freeze, all you can do is hope they didn’t burst.  If so – call a plumber.  If not, try to locate the frozen area and use a hair dryer to thaw the pipes.

THE GOOD NEWS

With 2012 residential water rates increasing, every drop you save counts.  The new rates are tiered with cost increasing every 10,000 gallons, so the more you use, the more you will pay per gallon.  However, you can keep your outdoor water bills down by incorporating xeriscape and water conservation maintenance techniques into your landscape.  Xeriscape conversion studies funded by the Bureau of Reclamation and several Front Range water providers’ report that

xeriscapes in Colorado reduced water by an average of 30% compared to the water required to maintain a traditional bluegrass landscape.  So, if you want to keep your water bill down, consider sustainable, low water alternatives to water hungry traditional landscapes including paved paths and patios, mulched shrub and tree borders, native grasses and reduced water use on existing turf. Stay tuned for more information in our special xeriscape newsletter that will be mailed to customers early this spring.