(360) 599-1801 Phone
(360) 599-9158 Fax
532 Sprague Valley Drive
Maple Falls, WA 98266
FOR EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS VIA EMAIL, PLEASE EMAIL THE OFFICE AT ADMIN@WCWD13.COM AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR ACCOUNT
HAPPENING NOW! INCOME SURVEY
Whatcom County Water District 13's Wastewater Treatment Plant needs some critical improvements, as required by the Department of Ecology, to meet the current demand for our wastewater services. We are conducting an income survey by mail. Your participation in the income survey is the key to funding eligibility for the most cost-effective way to make the necessary upgrades.
If you receive an income survey from Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), PLEASE respond ASAP!
For more information, please read below and check out our FAQ page.
To the ratepayers of Whatcom County Water District 13:
By now all eligible customers and landowners should have received the income surveys that were mailed on January 12, 2024, by the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC). We encourage everyone to participate and to return the survey as directed on the survey forms.
As of today, only 13 additional surveys are needed to meet the required response rate for the community before RCAC can complete their MHI report and submit it to the funding agency for validation. As stated in prior correspondence, the survey will be used to determine eligibility for various funding opportunities for wastewater system upgrades.
The information you provide will only be used by RCAC and will be kept confidential. No State, County, City, District, or community members will have access to any individual’s personal information. A high response rate is necessary for the survey to be considered valid; therefore, it is especially important that surveys are completed and returned.
If you would like to participate and have not received a form, please contact:
Samuel Rodriguez, Small Utility Consultant I, RCAC
srodriguez@rcac.org / (360) 393-0610
The goal is to make these upgrades and repairs at the lowest cost possible to YOU, the ratepayers.
The developers of Red Mountain and Balfour Village have been paying into the system with every new house that is built through a connection fee for water and wastewater. Their contributions go towards necessary upgrades and repairs and help us to keep the rates as low as possible in the future for everyone. Additionally, future customers will also keep help our rates lower by sharing the costs of maintaining our facilities.
The District is a non-profit government agency that sets rates to maintain and operate a safe and functioning water distribution system and wastewater treatment plant. Our goal is to get the needed repairs and upgrades done at the lowest cost possible to you, the rate payers.
Here are some key facts about the income survey:
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RCAC will never share your information. It is completely confidential.
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The District, the Department of Ecology, or any other government agency will NOT have access to the surveys or raw data collected.
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Although the survey is optional, a minimum response rate must be met to validate the survey. If that response rate isn’t met, then the median household income cannot be defined, and it may limit the funding the community is eligible to receive.
If you have any questions, please contact the office at (360) 599-1801 or send an email to admin@wcwd13.com.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Get ready for Winter Weather!
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Wrap exposed pipes with insulating material and eliminate sources of cold air near waterlines and pipes.
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Keep the heat in your home at a minimum of 55 degrees.
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During cold weather, allow a small trickle of water to run overnight from household faucets to keep pipes from freezing. The cost of the water is minimal compared to the cost of repairing the damaged from bursting pipes.
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For plumbing on exterior walls, keep cabinet doors open
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When temperatures dip below freezing, make sure to winterize your outdoor spigots and disconnect your hoses! Freezing can cause spigots and pipes to leak or burst, which wastes water and your money!
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See this YouTube video for more information: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRmoJQer6oc
IF YOUR PIPES DO FREEZE:
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Know the location of your main water shutoff valve. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off immediately!
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Do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. To thaw pipes, apply heat from a hair dryer, heat lamp, or space heater.
Whatcom Water Alliance Rebates & Water Conservation
Water conservation is about using water efficiently and not wastefully. Reducing your water use is inexpensive, quick, easy to accomplish, and benefits everyone. With greater and greater competing water uses, conservation just makes sense. Simple things you can do include:
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adjusting sprinklers so that you water only where it is needed
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getting leaks fixed
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installing low-flow faucet and shower heads
Rebates for irrigation timers, efficient toilets, and washing machines can be found with many more water saving tips at www.whatcomwateralliance.org
When we use water more efficiently and work to avoid waste, we do our part to help ensure that we have adequate water today and into the future!
'Tis the Season for Expensive Clogged Sewer Lines due to Fats, Oils, and Grease ("FOG")... and Flushable Wipes Too!
Roasted meat juice, salad dressing, butter or frying oil residue, leftover dips and more... these can cause expensive sewer line back-ups—both in your home and on the street.
ALWAYS pour excess Fats Oils and Grease ("FOG") into an empty soup can or paper cup, freeze until solid, and dispose in the garbage. Then wipe down dishes, pots and pans with paper towels to remove the remaining FOG before washing.
Yes, dish soap emulsifies grease, but it does NOT break it down in your pipes, no matter how much hot water you run.
And the problem gets even worse if you flush disposable wipes down your toilet... compounded by freezing winter weather!
SUBSCRIBE FOR ALERTS - COMING SOON!
We will soon be offering the option of receiving news by email. Our intent is to send a minimal number of messages per year, primarily for things like emergency alerts, impacts to service due to a construction project, or helpful tips like those shown above. If you choose to subscribe, we will only use your email address for the above-stated purposes, we will not share your email address with any other entities, and you will always have the option to unsubscribe at any time.