Big Bend Land Owners Association

Home

Water Project/Phases

History

BBLA Information

FAQ's

Links

Photo Album

Meeting Calendar

The Bulletin Board

Home

The Burn Ban has been lifted and is set at “Moderate”.
--

Monetary transactions are not conducted at Board of Director's Private Homes.
All Payments MUST be mailed to the Monroe PO Box on the statement.
=Never Mail Cash!=
Allow for INCREASED USPS travel time/DELAYS. You are responsible for any late payments.

~ Soda Ash Issues! ~

Soda Ash and Water System Update.
02.18.21

KWIK UPDATE:

As of Friday afternoon (2.19.21) the water system is returning to more normal conditions.

In order to meet Dept. of Health criteria we need to bring the pH level in the water up higher then it is right now, which is about 7.1 to 7.3.

Washington State would like system wide water to measure at about 7.5 to 7.8.

Depending on your pipes and fixtures you may notice a “soft” feeling to the water; this is typical.

Once we know we have the system back to a steady condition we can try to fine tune the balance to keep the water tasting like it “used to”.

Again, please be sure to drop a note to the BBLA email as you notice changes.

It helps us keep track of how the system is operating.


Bacteria sampling on 2.17.2021 tested negative:
The water in the Big Bend system continues to have no bacteria concerns.This is a regular test we do at least once a month to insure the safety of the water for consumption and this month we have done 2 so far.

--
As of the evening of 2.17.21 the water system should be producing water much more like the type of water which was common up through December 2020. We are still not clear why the water conditions changed and we are running more tests on well #1, but this well is not connected to the system at this time.

We do ask everyone to conserve water as much as possible once things return
to normal since this is a smaller pump and a lower producing well.

It will help, if you do notice improvements (or not), to let the Big Bend email know your lot number and what you notice has changed (for better or worse).
Lab tests were run again for Well #1 on 2.17.21 and they usually take around 2 weeks for final results. We will be testing again in the next weeks and may have the water off for a brief period of time while we do so (there will be notifications).

What you could do is create your own baseline by refilling a water bottle, date it and keep it in the refrigerator to compare against later in a few weeks w/ a “Sip” test.

Kim Peterson, WDM
bheron@seanet.com

--
2.16.21

We continue to monitor the well #2 as well as the pH in the system. We are working to raise the pH, but are moving through that process slowly so we do not get unexpected results. We will be submitting a round of testing for well #2 this week for complete analysis and hope to have some more definitive answers about the unexpected changes in the water.

In very basic terms; the water has gone from a relativity neutral level of “hardness” to a very hard water sometime in January 2021. This hardness, when reacting with the soda ash caused the slippery feel some people experienced as well as the “hard, caked on” issues people saw in their dishwashers. This also caused the cloudiness and the foul taste many people describe.

This change is due to a change in the water being pulled into the well.

The change could come from a variety of sources and we will be working to collect enough data so we can have the information reviewed by a geo-hydrologist to help us try to understand what took place and what the best path forward is.

The water system is not exceeding any known limitations and the primary suggestion is to not mix baby formula with the water for the time being due to the high mineral content.

I am speaking with Dept of Health on a regular basis (sometimes 2 or 3 times a day). We are also staying in touch with individuals who understand water chemistry and what possibly could have changed.

This is a very odd occurrence and we want to make sure we move through the next steps carefully and methodically, though we would all like answers yesterday. If you find the water distasteful or if it make you feel unwell the best thing is not to drink the water.

For those individuals not being affected you might share anything you know you do; are there filters you use, what types of pipes are in your house etc..

Please remember, the Big Bend web site is the only location for accurate information.

If you have questions please send an email to the Big Bend link (for record keeping) and we will get back to you with what information we have.

If you need to call please contact the big Bend phone number and be sure to leave your name, and lot number.

Kim Peterson, WDM
bheron@seanet.com

~ The Board of Directors Report ~

Be Careful/Be Responsible

We all love the beautiful area of Big Bend where we live. The predicted summer weather conditions make it essential that we all become good stewards of our land, homes and community by:

• Observing Big Bend’s fireworks ban and outdoor burning rules

• Using water wisely and practicing water conservation at all times

• Picking up litter, leaves, branches around our homes to reduce fire potential

• Using caution, especially with children, in swimming and playing in the river

Wellhead Protection Committee w/Cadman

Big Bend and Cadman continue their cooperation through the Wellhead Protection Committee. Cadman’s annual water quality monitoring reports have shown no change in the quality/quantity of the groundwater used at their gravel operation. Big Bend also has probes in our wells to monitor similar water quality parameters.

Gravel operations are expected to increase significantly at the Gold Bar site in years ahead due to the closure of several older sites. Careful monitoring of the groundwater will be very important to ensure the integrity of Big Bend’s wells is retained. Cadman’s 2018 Monitoring Report is posted on our web site.

Water System

Work on Big Bend’s water system continues on many fronts. The probe used to collect water samples has been reprogrammed to improve collection of data. The pump was recently replaced that runs the soda ash feeder to our water system. The older pump was 10 years old and not repairable. Soda ash is needed to reduce the pH of Big Bend’s water to reduce the potential for reaction to solder used on older water pipes and faucets.

Big Bend is also investigating options to have a contract with an on-call contractor who would be available for water system emergencies and repairs to our distributions lines. Work continues implementing the projects in the Water System 5-year Plan approved last year. And thanks to Board Member, Scott Hoskin, for stepping in this spring to manage our system when both Dick King and Kim Peterson were out of town.

Annual Homeowners Meeting

The annual homeowners meeting traditionally, are held on a Saturday in July. Due to Covid-19 all public meetings are on hiatus.

The Board always appreciates your ideas and comments.
Feel free to leave us a message on the Big Bend messaging center line at 360-793-7852 or better yet, send us an email at: bigbendtalk@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Your Board of Directors

Big Bend Landowners Association

~ Current Events ~

Water line and meter maintenance and installation requirements

Posted on Dec 28th, 2020

All work performed on the waterlines of Big Bend (road side of the meter) or the meter itself must be conducted in compliance with the current Uniform Plumbing Code. If you have proposed work for the meter or from the main to the meter contact Big Bend Landowners Association. 360 793 7852

Homeowners may conduct their own work on the meter side of the service connection as long as they do not alter the connection at the meter itself.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF HERE For further information.

--

9/30/18
This message from our water manager is so huge it gets it own link and window!!
You can read it and/or download the PDF here!

--

In the last 2 weeks we have had very unexpected shut downs of the well.

This was something we experienced in 2008 during the summer and have not had an issue with since that time.

Worst case would be the demand is exceeding the recovery of the well, best case we have some electrical issue that we can address and solve.

I have contacted the well pump company and we are looking at possible solutions.

Meanwhile, as a general conservation issue we want to remind everyone to use water wisely.

Best to water at dusk as the sun sets to allow water to sink in and not evaporate. Sunny day watering can damage plants as well.

Don’t over water gardens and yards because you forget the hose is on. A timer is a great addition to your watering plan.

Don’t let water sprinklers water hard surface (roads, walkways, driveways etc…)

While washing your car in the driveway is convenient using a car wash uses far less drinking water (remember we have to treat every ounce of water that goes into the system) and it is better for the environment to wash your car in a controlled area.

And Pools! If you are going to have a backyard pool please consider filling it on a cold or wet day, fill it late in the evening or early in the morning.

If you see someone else filling a pool, wait till they are done.

We will be looking for the solution and get information out as soon as we have any more.

Thanks

Kim Peterson WDM

Barking Dogs!

Posted on Jun 1st, 2017

Excitement, Fear, or Boredom? Common dog barking issues.