Cold weather will soon be upon us, and with it, the threat of freezing temperatures.

FACT: Insurance industry sources believe that Texas insurance rates would be cut by about 18% or $130 on the average, if homeowners would protect their pipes, and thus prevent water damage and loss. .

Following are a number of precautions you can take to guard against water loss resulting from the affects of freezing temperatures. (1) Insulate all outside faucets, especially those with a northern exposure. (2) Drain irrigation systems to prevent damage. (3) Insulate all above ground piping that remains in service during the winter, e.g. hydrants for livestock watering. It is also a good idea to protect these from the animals themselves, especially the horses. (4) Place a strip of insulating material inside your meter box positioning it to cover the meter itself. Make sure to replace your lid securely. If your meter box lid is missing, please call the office. (5) When leaving town for the Holidays, please check the extended forecast. If extremely cold temperatures are predicted, have a neighbor check your home occasionally for possible problems. In case of emergency, know where your water shut-off is located and have it accessible. Explain to all responsible household residents the process of shutting water off in case of an emergency and make sure your water utility has the correct contact information to speed up notification of emergencies.

Postmark dates will not be accepted. All payments must be in the possession of BWSC by 8:00 am the following business day after the due date. There is an outside Payment Drop Box for your convenience. We recommend you mail payments at least (7) days in advance of the due date to make sure they get to the office on time. We also have automatic bank drafting and credit card options.

BWSC recently implemented a new rate schedule for its members/customers. Therefore, we would like to address the important issues affecting this new rate and the driving force behind possible future rate increases.

Since its beginnings, BWSC has relied on water wells (groundwater) as its only source of water. However, with the recent availability of treated surface (lake) water via the state sanctioned Upper Trinity Regional Water District, water systems relying on ground water (wells) have been strongly encouraged to reduce their dependence on their wells and to convert in part or completely to the use of surface (lake) water. Recent Senate Bill 1 legislation has now more than ever placed an urgency on regulating and conserving the use of Texas' water resources. Therefore, in the future BWSC will rely solely on the UTRWD to meet its additional water requirements. BWSC will no longer be drilling water wells to meet these needs. However, with today's required treatment regulations, site acquisition costs, design/legal/construction costs and staffing expenses, the cost of surface water comes at a premium compared to similar costs associated with ground (well) water. Consequently, these higher surface water costs drive up water rates. Therefore, in an effort to keep these additional surface water purchases and associated costs to a minimum, BWSC along with other water utilities locally and across the state are encouraging water conservation.

Water conservation is often viewed as an infringement on an individual's right to "use as they please"; however, this is incorrect. Water Conservation is actually the concept of using less water wisely, while still achieving optimum results. Water conservation can be accomplished in a number of ways such as using native or water stingy plants or by simply using mulch to retain moisture around the plants. These are just a few of the ways to conserve water without sacrificing quality of life. However, water rationing which is often confused with water conservation is an enforced restriction on an individual's right to "use as they please". Water rationing is usually the direct result of a failure to practice water conservation.

BWSC is a water utility and in the business of selling water and encourages all of its customers to use as much water as needed; however, we do encourage that water be used wisely. This not only saves money for you, but it also reduces BWSC's need to purchase additional reserves of the more expensive surface water. As a water utility, BWSC must have facilities consisting of pumps, storage tanks, water mains and office/field staff in place to meet all demand levels. Our greatest demand occurs as a direct result of landscape irrigation during the summer months. This use of water as reflected in the following statistics accounts for the dramatic difference between the February - April 1999 usage of 84,744,727 gallons as opposed to July - September 1999 usage of 187,336,757 gallons. These seasonal differences can be expected; however, any reduction in the amount of these seasonal peaks achieved through individual water conservation efforts by our members can reduce the need and expense of additional facilities and quantities of water. Such reductions will assist in keeping rates down. As you may be aware, additional facilities and amounts of water cannot be constructed or purchased on a temporary only basis. Once facilities and contracts for additional water are in place they must be maintained and demand charges must be paid on a permanent basis for the right to receive these extra quantities of water.

For example, the annual cost to reserve and have available 1 million gallons of surface water per day is $180,000. Based on current membership numbers this can equate to an additional $8.50 monthly for each member for this capacity which may only be needed for several days each summer to meet peak demands. Demands that could be realistically controlled through the practice of water conservation. BWSC could then delay the need to reserve additional quantities of water, construction of new facilities, etc. which would help maintain lower cost for water and future rates.

Individual water needs differ; however, preliminary studies by the Texas Commission on Environmental Qualty (TCEQ) indicate limits should be established. They propose that a typical household set as a goal a maximum usage of 50,000 gallons per any month during the summer. This maximum amount of 50,000 gallons does not regard lot size, but it does assume a proportionate landscape to lot size ratio or one that could be maintained within reasonable limits during the heat of a Texas summer. With this information in mind, BWSC's new rates have been designed to address the cost of water, system improvements, and other budgetary requirements for the year 2000. BWSC has also incorporated the element of water conservation while giving adequate consideration to our customers' special needs. Members using amounts of water up to 80,000 gallons per month will find the cost per thousand gallons to be similar to the cost for that same amount of water as in 1999. These new rates are competitive, if not lower, than those charged by neighboring water utilities for the same amount. Whereas, those customers using amounts of water above 80,000 gallons per month, which is considered excessive by TCEQ and water industry standards, will find that the water comes at a cost representative of the precious resource that it is.

For those considering running, or nominating someone for a Board of Directors position, here are some items for consideration as stated in The Water Board Guide by Ellen G. Miller and Elmer Ronnebaum:

A Director is someone with an "ATTITUDE OF SERVICE". Some aspects of board members are:

• Commitment: to mastering complex issues, to putting in long hours.
• Understanding: why you are on the board and what being a public figure means.
• Experience: jobs, working with and listening to people.
• Tolerance: of different points of view and of people who are different from you.
• Responsibility: for making sound financial and legal decisions that affect the direction of the Corporation.

This is an overview of the role of a Director. If you would like additional information, please contact the office.

BWSC organized and hosted the 1st Annual Water Workers Symposium on November 10, 1999. The seminar included guest speakers from the TCEQ, CoServ, Upper Trinity Regional Water District, Town of Flower Mound and Bartonville Water Supply Corporation. Topics focused on customer service, conservation and growth strategies. The format consisted of five 10-minute presentations followed by a round table discussion. Present were members from several utilities throughout the area who are trying to improve the communication between utilities to better serve their customers and increase the value of their services versus the amount charged. An article on the meeting is being authored for publication in a trade magazine.

BWSC is pleased to report to its members that we will enter the new millennium with all scheduled Capital Projects completed throughout our service area. Our emergency diesel-powered generator is also in place and has been tested.

This current round of Capital Projects will allow for system growth up to 2500 members; however, we are currently updating our master plan to address type, time line and placement of future facilities. Please feel free to call the office with any questions.