DLQOR report for 4th quarter 2011

November 2011 Coliform Submission/Report Form

Emergency Repairs

Ground movement caused a pipe to pull away from the mainline, creating an emergency repair situation. Repairs were completed as quickly as possible.

October 2011 Coliform Submission/Report Form

Just a note. If I just post the form without comments, it means we passed. If we ever fail a Coliform test, I'll make a note of it. We would need to re-submit anyway, so it should be obvious.

DLQOR - Third Quarterly Report

This was sent by certified mail to TCEQ earlier this week.

Water use calculator

This is interesting to use. It comes through the city of Austin. A nice way to estimate household usage:
Water Calculator

Drought likely to continue

(Reuters) - A devastating Texas drought that has browned city lawns and caused more than $5 billion in damages to the state's farmers and ranchers could continue for another nine years, a state forecaster said on Thursday.

"It is possible that we could be looking at another of these multiyear droughts like we saw in the 1950s, and like the tree rings have shown that the state has experienced over the last several centuries," State Climatologist John Nielson-Gammon told Reuters.

Some 95 percent of the state is listed as being in either "severe" or "exceptional" drought by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Drought Monitor, and Nielson-Gammon said the last 12 months have been the driest one-year period on record in the Lone Star State.

The state's worst recorded drought lasted from 1950 through 1957 and prompted the creation of artificial lakes all across Texas to supply water to a state that at the time had a population of 15 million - a whopping 10 million fewer than today.

The long-term weather patterns, including La Nina currents in the oceans, mirror records from the early 1950s, Nielsen-Gammon said. The current drought, which he said began in earnest in 2005, could wind up being a 15-year stretch if patterns hold, he said.

"We're very lucky that we had 2007 and 2010, which were years of plentiful rain," he said. "2010 was the wettest year in record. Were it not for last year, we would be in much worse shape even than we are today."

Conditions in Texas now are far from good. The drought has dried up many lakes built after the drought of the 1950s, and more than 23,000 separate wildfires fueled by dried brush and trees have destroyed 3.8 million acres and with that 2,800 homes, according to the Texas Forest Service.

Nielson-Gammon said Texas was now 10 to 20 inches of rainfall behind where it should be at the end of September, usually one of the state's wettest months.

Rather than being the exception, severe drought could become the rule in Texas going forward, with wet years being more noteworthy.

"We've had five of the last seven years in drought, and it looks like it is going to be six out of eight," he said.

Public Notice: chemistry

Questions have come up on taste and safety of the new well. Results of required testing from the state of Texas, TCEQ are posted below.

Cloudy water? Water in the distribution system is under pressure. Air sometimes dissolves in the water in the pressurized lines. At the faucet, the air gives water a "cloudy" or "milky" appearance. In fact many faucets have aeration features built in. The quality of the water is not affected by the entrained air. Let the water stand in an open container for a few minutes. The air in the water will disperse to the atmosphere.

The EPA guideline for drinking water sodium is 20 mg/L. This is a very low level, chosen because long term exposure may increase blood pressure in susceptible individuals. Excessive sodium may also produce a salty taste. The World Health Organization has a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 200 mg/L for sodium. TCEQ does not currently have a standard for sodium.

pH is a measure of hydrogen ion activity in a solution. pH 7 is neutral, while pH's below 7 are acidic, and those above 7 are basic. TCEQ's standard for pH in Texas water is pH 7 or greater. EPA's pH guideline is 6.5 - 8.5. pH's below 6.5 are corrosive.

Saving Water

10 EASY WATER CONSERVATION TIPS
1 Water your yard thoroughly, but only as needed usually no more than 1 inch, once a week.

2 Use drip irrigation for plants and gardens, and water early in the morning to minimize evaporation.

3 Collect rainwater for landscape use it is great for the plants, and can save you water and money.

4 Install aerators to cut in half the amount of water used by each faucet.

5 Fix faucet leaks, which can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water a year.

6 Install water-efficient plumbing fixtures to reduce water consumption by 25% to 60% and save energy.

7 Check your toilet by using a leak-detection dye tablet. Leaks can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day.

8 Replace older toilets with water-efficient models and save up to 4,000 gallons of water a year.

9 Wash only full loads of laundry an average household can save more than 3,400 gallons of water each year.

10 Invest in an Energy Star-qualified clothes washer, which typically uses 50% less water and 37% less energy per load.

Public Notice: Interim Well 2 Approval

Good Morning,

Interim approval for well 2 was issued by TCEQ and the transition to the well took place this morning. You will notice differences between the water supplies, but the water is perfectly fine.

Restrictions remain in place. DO NOT think to abuse this source. The system is new and will likely have issues that need to be worked out.

As a reality check, the cost to our tiny well group of 37 connections for just the last 2 months of water from the city the bill is $23,000+ Purchasing water is extremely expensive. These costs will be passed on to each household when the board re-assesses how to cover this. When your neighbor is watering excessively or incorrectly, they are taking money from your pocket.

FYI....the average sprinkler puts down 1 inch of water in 30 minutes and a soaker hose in 4 hours. A "healthy" yard requires only 1 inch of water per week.

Christine O'Hara

President
Southlake Park Service, Inc.

September 2011 Coliform Submission/Report Form

August 2011 Coliform Submission/Report Form

Public Notice: Water Fine Changes

Christine O'Hara, President

Shelly Hattan , P.E., Cert. Operator

Jim Giffin, Chairman

Arthur Mitchell, Director

Southlake Park Service, Inc.

3340 Southlake Park Rd, Southlake, TX 76092

September 1, 2011

Community Well Owners

of Southlake Park Service, Inc.

Subject: Fines

Water Restrictions

Texas

The restriction implementation for our area continues as we go through the approval process for well #2. These restrictions have been in effect, on a continual basis for months, yet Southlake Park Service continues to have to issue warnings and fines.

Water is a restricted resource, regardless if coming from our wells or Southlake, and that concept simply isn't being accepted by all in our community.

The city of Southlake and Southlake Park Service have worked together for many years. They (City of Southlake) have been invited to patrol our area for water violations with complete power to issue citations. Patrols will consisit of police, city water dept, etc.... In addition, please continue to report violations to the board.

Since July 25, 2011, Southlake has issued 1350 warning and 215 citations. Please be aware that the average fine is running $352.00 per offense, increasing for repeat violators. As an example of what a fine could run: watering on incorrect day, incorrect time, and an open hose. This ticket would be $1056.00.

The guidelines which Southlake Park Service and City of Southlake follows are in line with regional conservation efforts promoted by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Northern Trinity Water Conservation District, the Tarrant Regional Water District, and wholesale water supplier, the City of Ft. Worth. Southlake Park Service and City of Southlake are required by law to conserve water and, by extension, so are our customers.

This is Texas and droughts are common. The new well (well #2) was drilled because the water table in the Paluxy Auquifer has been going down. We want this new well to last just as long, but that is only going to happen if the water is used responsibly.

Sincerely,

O'Hara

Christine O'Hara

Southlake Park Service, Inc.

President

Update on Water Restrictions

Stage 3 water restrictions continue. Well2 is in submission to TCEQ for interim approval.

Drought Contingency Plan Public Notice

At the scheduled well meeting the revised plan was presented. It is now posted here: drought contingency plan for Southlake Park Service, Inc.

July 2011 Coliform Submission/Report Form

Public notice May 2010

(please note that this public notice was from May 2010. We are trying to get caught up and in compliance for all public notices, past and present)

Mandatory Language for Public Notification

MCL Coliform Violation (TCR 22)

The Southlake Park Services/2200159 water system collected (2) water samples during May /2010 that contained coliform bacteria.  This water system is required to submit a minimum of 2 routine water samples each month for bacteriological analysis. 1 routine routine samples were coliform-found and 0 repeat samples were coliform-found for the month and year indicated above.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) sets drinking water standards in Texas and has determined that the presence of total coliform is a possible health concern.  Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present.  Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.

For water systems analyzing at least 40 samples per month, no more than five (5) percent of the monthly samples may be positive for total coliform. For systems analyzing fewer than 40 samples per month, no more than one (1) sample per month may be positive for total coliform.

If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact Joel Getz at 817-793-2121.

A Copy of this notice maybe also found at www.southlakeparkservices.blogspot.com

Refer to 30 TAC 290.122 for additional information on Public Notification.

Annual Community Well Meeting

The annual meeting will be July 31, 7 pm, at the well site, 3340 Southlake Park Rd. Parking will be extremely limited, and bring chairs for your comfort. This information was also mailed out to all residents in the Annual Water Report issued in June 2011.

2011 2Q DLQOR Report

City Water

As of 8:10AM, the well is shut down and we are on city water.

June 2011 Coliform Submission/Report Form

May 2011 Coliform Submission/Report Form

Apologies for it showing up a day late. We had to resubmit the sample because the sample temperature was too high. In any case, we passed.

Fence Going Up

In accordance to state requirements the fence is being extended to encompass the new well head. One neighbor pitched in to help. Thank you Peggy!

36 Hour Test

This morning began the 36 hour test which will entail sending 3 bacterial samples and a comprehensive panel (metals, etc..). In addition, personnel will be on site to monitor well water depth readings every hour.
A squirrel is grabbing a quick sip of water from the well water runoff. She seemed to approve.

Flushing

The new well is now being flushed. The water will be tested several times and once that is cleared well #2 can be hooked into our current system.

Base Meter

Once the city of Southlake signed off on the electric setup, Tri County came in and installed the base meter and did the final connection the power pole. We are one step closer finalizing work on the well.

Sight Glass

The sight glass for the pressure tank has been updated. The tube was procured online easily, but the original connections for it proved much more difficult. It has now been reworked with fittings easily found at Home Depot.

Here is the final setup for the chlorination system. The storage unit came from Home Depot. It fits 2 chlorine barrels perfectly and was the best solution to protect them from the elements, but still have easy access.

Electric Approved

The city of Southlake approved the electric work and issued a permit. Now Tri County Electric can come back and install the base meter.

This is the new chlorine pump which will service the system.

Final Connections

The new well is now plumbed into the system and new panel up.

Well #1 electric was updated.

Concrete pad, electric, meter, and plumbing added to well #2

Container for chlorine barrels. This will be placed once the concrete pad has dried.

Underground Electric

Under rainy conditions the men were out running the machinery to run the electric underground, put in the grounding stake, etc....

Beginnings of control new control board and well #1 underground electric at SW corner...

Electric & Concrete Work

Today preliminary work began for the well slab.


Installing the base meter and trenching to Tri County's power pole.


Power conduit from well #1 at SE corner of well house.

Power Pole

Tri County Electric came out this week and installed the new power pole and transformers to meet the requirements of the new well pump.


Thanks to Arthur M. for the pics.

Down Well Pump

The test pump was pulled today...



The new pump....


Tri County will be installing a new pole and meter base next.
Thanks to Arthur M. for contributing pics.