•  District main flushing program
•  Important changes to user fees implemented Jan 1, 2005
•  ongoing system improvements
•  new 6% franchise fee for LFP City
•  State Excise tax exemption ends

DISTRICT MAIN FLUSHING

Your water is obtained from several pristine deep well and artesian sources in the District water source area. As with any water light scale and loose floc deposits are often observed on the walls of District pipes when cut open during construction.  These are believed to be iron and manganese oxides from the well water.  The deposits are harmless and are observed in many water utilities.  As with other water purveyors this District has a routine water main flushing program to manage these deposits so that nuisance quantities do not build up in the pipes.

We are sending you this notice before initiating activities so that customers can anticipate and deal with temporary influx of stirred sediments.  Your water should return to normal soon after flushing.  If you are experiencing prolonged discoloration of water please give us a call!


METER READING

This diagram shows a typical meter head.  We encourage everyone to locate their meter and check for leaks at least once a month.  If you have trouble locating your meter or have any questions please call the District office.
 

(A) These are tenths of a cubic foot, or 0.748 gallons.
(B) Sweep hand:  One revolution equals one cubic foot of water, or 7.48 gallons.
(C) These numbers are read from right to left.  The first number to the right is 1 cubic foot, the second number is 10 cubic feet.  The next three are hundred,  thousand, and ten thousand cubic feet.  These three numbers (example 650) stand for the current read printed on your bill.  The prior billing read subtracted from the current give the usage for the billing period, also printed on your bill.  All water is billed per hundred cubic feet.  One hundred cubic feet is equal to 748 gallons.
(D) This triangle (a star on other meters) is called a leak detector. A small flow through the meter will cause this to turn.

LEAKS

It is important to stop leaks, they can become expensive if not caught early, and conservation is always encouraged. To check for leaks, shut off all water within the property, and observe leak detector for movement.  If your meter does not have a leak detector, note the meter reading, allow a period of time for no water usage then re-read the meter.  A shutoff valve installed near or within the house helps to troubleshoot for leaks.

Most leaks occur in the toilet.  Toilet leaks typically result from worn parts or misalignment of some part of the flushing mechanism.  Toilets usually leak at the bottom of the tank around the flapper plug, or at the top of the tank at the overflow tube.  

To test the flapper plug at the bottom of the tank, carefully remove the lid from the toilet tank and mark the water level in the toilet tank with a pencil, or place color dye tablets in the tank.  Shut off the water supply to the toilet.  If the water remains on the mark you made, or color doesn’t appear in the bowl, the flapper plug is not leaking. If the water level drops below the mark you made, or color appears in the bowl, the flapper plug is leaking and should be replaced.  If the water level in the toilet tank is near top of the overflow tube, the water may run continuously directly to the drain.  The float that controls the water level in the tank should be adjusted so that the water level in the tank is at least 1 inch below the top of the tube.

 Another common leak is the service line between the meter and the house.  If you have a galvanized steel or PVC service line it is usually best to replace rather then repair.  Other leaks may be obvious such as dripping faucets.  Most repairs can be done by an experienced “do-it-yourselfer.”  If you are not sure you can handle the job, call a plumber.

 IMPORTANT CHANGES TO USER FEES

Beginning January 1st the District implemented several policies to help cover the extended burden of recovering past due funds.  Our District policy remains lenient compared with other utilities, yet we have implemented some changes to help offset the cost and staffing burden of collecting past due funds. For detailed reference please visit the District WEB page at:  www.lfpwd.org

As of January 1st, the following policies are in place.

•  Payment is due 30 days after we mail your bill
•  A reminder letter is sent to customers 45 days after billing
•  A door tag warning is placed on the customers door 55 days after billing.  If your previous bill was also paid late you will be charged a $25.00 door tagging fee
•  If payment is not made within 1 full business day following door tagging your water will be disconnected and a $30 disconnect and a $30 reconnect fee will assessed and must be paid before reconnection.