Big Lagoon CSD

Water Meter Project Update, September 2022

Dear neighbors,

This past March, the Board of Directors approved installing new water meters equipped
with radio technology. Additionally, dual shutoff valves (one for CSD + one for owner)
will be installed in new larger meter boxes

Purpose: The majority of our water meters and shutoff valves have been in use for 40+
years and have exceeded the industry recommended lifetime by nearly double. The
new meters with radio technology will improve meter accuracy, reliability, ease of data
reading/reporting, and maintenance of equipment. This project will also provide our
water district and homeowners with easy-to-use shutoff valves in the event of
equipment failure, plumbing project, or water leak.

Material Purchase: The majority of materials are being purchased directly by our CSD
which helps reduce the project cost. Nearly all of the new equipment has been
delivered and is securely stored. Unfortunately, due to nationwide material supply
shortages, the new meters will not arrive until the end of September and shutoff valves
not until mid to late November.

Start date: The target date for this project to begin is mid to late September and will be
completed in 3 phases. Phase I will be the elementary school and the 3 adjacent
houses. Phase II will be the houses along Oceanview. Phase III will be the houses along
Roundhouse Creek. Again, due to material supply shortages, each phase will be
completed in several steps in order to continue progress. Our intention is to have all
installations completed by the end of the year assuming we don’t encounter
extraordinary repairs or other circumstances. Please understand that dates will be
somewhat fluid due to factors beyond our control.

Site preparation: In an effort to help save contractor labor expense, each worksite
needs preparation prior to the plumbing contractor starting their work. A small group
of volunteers (2-3) will be assembled to help prepare the immediate area around each
water meter so as to remove obstacles such as ornamental rocks, garden sculpture,
plants etc. Additionally, we will be carefully digging around each box to loosen dirt so
the old boxes can be easily removed by the contractor.

Scope of work: In order to install the new equipment, the plumbing contractor will
need to shut off water supply to the individual house being worked on for a period of
several hours. As noted above about supply issues, new plumbing components such as
shut off valves and fittings will be installed prior to the new meters and radio
transmitters. When new meters are installed, a final reading of the old meter will be
recorded prior to installing the new one. The old concrete boxes will be removed and
replaced with either a new larger polyresin or concrete box. We will also install a rodent
barrier in the bottom of the box to help prevent moles and gophers filling it with dirt.
Post installation site cleanup: The old boxes and meters will be left onsite for a period
of days. Once a week, a community volunteer crew will pick up and haul away the old
materials to the wellsite. Sometime later, these materials will be recycled. The concrete
boxes are heavy and need 2 people to lift them. A couple of resident pickup trucks will
be available for this task and shouldn’t require more than about 1 hour each week.

Home owner notification: Prior to work beginning for each phase, a public notice will
be posted on the BLCSD website and an email sent, stating the start date for each
phase. Additionally, a flyer will be distributed in the mailboxes of the houses for each
phase, approximately 48-72 hours in advance of work.
Homeowner assistance: This is a large investment and big job for our community. The
overall success of this project will benefit with the cooperation and understanding of all
involved. Every effort will be made to minimize long periods of disruption to household
water usage. That said, each resident should be prepared to have several gallons of
water available for drinking and personal use during an anticipated 4–6-hour period. In
the event that a major plumbing problem develops, the water shutoff period could be
significantly longer.

Questions: Please contact members of the project workgroup or other water board
members regarding this project. Thank you for your cooperation, understanding,
patience, and assistance.

Project Workgroup: Gus, Val, Chuck
Other Board members: Bill, Dick, Louise