Rogers Mesa Domestic Water Company
Quarterly Member Newsletter
September, 2016
The Board voted to offer two new memberships (taps) for installation during 2017. People may apply who are already members in good standing or are owners of existing single-family residences that are within our Rogers Mesa service area. The one-time Membership Fee is $12,000. The deadline to submit an application is November 15, 2016.
Application forms are available from Diane Perry by mail at PO Box 2, Lazear, 81420 or email: diane.perry@tds.net. If more Applications are received than memberships offered, a drawing will be held at the annual Membership meeting on January 9, 2016. The Application must be accompanied by a deposit of ½ the Membership Fee, which will be returned to unsuccessful applicants. Additional terms and conditions are contained in the application form.
Explanation of Discolored Water that Occurs Each Summer. On August 1, Cassandra Shenk (Certified Operator) performed annual routine flushing of the lines which released the natural tannins that build-up inside plastic water lines. This is because our water source is surface water from the Leroux Creek watershed. Leaves and litter accumulate in the water and dissolve, creating something similar to very dilute cold-brewed tea. The treatment system at the Hotchkiss plant does not remove all the tannins (most water systems don’t; activated charcoal or carbon will).
Over the year, these tannins collect and build up because they are chemically attracted to our plastic water mains. The turbulence created by flushing breaks them free and most are discharged with the flush water. If these tannins are allowed to remain long enough they can create an environment where coliform and other bacteria can take hold and develop a resistance to chlorine. We prevent this by annually flushing and also by maintaining a disinfection residual of chlorine.
Other questions about water quality? There’s been a lot of attention lately in other parts of the country about the quality of the water coming out of water taps. From Flint, MI, to communities in the West impacted by fossil fuel extraction, people have begun looking at the water in their glass a little differently. We can be grateful that our water comes from the nearly pristine headwaters of Leroux Creek and, before it enters our distribution system, is processed in the Town of Hotchkiss water treatment plant. We are also fortunate that frequent water quality monitoring, including for lead, is conducted by our staff and reviewed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. We are very conscious that every time you drink a glass of water provided by RMDWC, you are expressing your trust in us to continually strive to provide you the highest quality water of which we are capable. Thank you!
