Big Park Domestic Wastewater
Improvement District
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Newsletters and User Information
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Villager Article – November 2008
Good news from BPDWID
The Big Park Domestic Wastewater Improvement District plant passed its ADEQ compliance inspection earlier this year with flying colors. Our method of effluent disposal, level of certification required for the operator of the system, and physical facilities standards all met ADEQ’s standards. The inspection report states, “This system complies with the State of Arizona’s physical facility requirements of its Reuse Permit, Aquifer Protection Permit, and NPDES Permit.
And there’s more really green good news: From April 1 to September 30 of this year, BPDWID delivered 19,069,817 gallons of reuse water to the Oak Creek County Club golf course. Additionally, we sent an average of about 70,000 gallons per day down the tributary of Jack’s Canyon Wash per our agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to discharge at least 35,000 gpd to maintain vegetation along the wash.
Wait–there’s more. BPDWID’s board members, administrators, operators, and district engineer are relieved (and very pleased) to report that our new Lift Station #8, which feeds all our customers’ raw sewage to the plant is up and running and a great improvement over the old #8. This was a costly and difficult project, so we were all happy to finally exhale!
Ruth Kane
for the BPDWID Board of Directors
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Villager Article – September 2008
Wastewater District Ad Valorem Tax
September is the time when we all begin to anticipate
receiving our 2008/2009 property tax bills from Yavapai
County. Property owners within the Big Park Wastewater
District boundaries will also receive a notice from the
District regarding a modest one time ad valorem tax.
that will be included on most Big Park property tax bills.
The BPDWID tax is being levied to offset a budget short-
fall created by unanticipated expense relevant to the SR179
road construction project in the Village. Property owners in
Highland Estates, CR Ranch, Pine Valley, and parts of Wild
Horse Mesa are NOT within BPDWID’s boundaries and will
not see this tax on their bill.
The total amount of the tax to be collected is $123,216, which
was the cost of replacing old brick manholes on 179 to with-
stand the greater amount of traffic and stress inherent in the
realignment of the southbound traffic lane. There was also
considerable bluestaking of lines above and beyond what
both ADOT and BPDWID had estimated.
The tax being levied for residential property owners is $.0711
per $100 of assessed evaluation ($28.44 for a $400,000 home,
$35.55 for a $500,000 home, etc.). Commercial property and
vacant lots will be taxed this same rate per $100 assessed value.
Also, remember that the District belongs to all property owners
within its boundaries, and the tax is applicable whether you are
on the sewer or not.
The BPDWID Board asks that all District property owners be
aware that it is the Board’s intent that this be a ONE TIME ONLY
tax–the first levied in more than 30 years of operation. Any
questions you have should be directed to our administrators,
Jennifer Bartos or Karen Davis of Improvement District Services
at 1-800-659-7149. We appreciate your understanding of the
unusual situation that created the need for this tax.
Ruth Kane, Chair
BPDWID Board of Directors
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Villager Article – August 2008
More news from BPDWID
The Big Park Wastewater Improvement District’s Board continued its public hearing on Rates and Fees on June 30 and held an Ordinance public hearing as well. An increase in the user fee and amended language for a section of the BPDWID ordinance were approved by the Board following each of these hearings.
The result of the June 30 Board decision is a quarterly user fee increase of $7.11 per ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit) for most residential customers ($72.81 to $79.92). Commercial customers will see an increase based on the specific ERUs for their business/ number of units/effluent strengths.
Section 505 (Delinquencies, Liens, and Interest) of the BPDWID ordinance which allows the District to “proceed with collections for user fees delinquent in excess of 180 days” was amended to “user fees delinquent in excess of 90 days.” BPDWID advises customers to keep quarterly billings current to avoid additional charges and to prevent the possibility of a lien being filed on their property.
On July 9, the District held a “Good Grease/Bad Grease” study session on grease traps/interceptors with Village restaurant and food service facilities. The session was well-attended and elicited helpful information, lively discussion, and a better understanding of grease trap/interceptor problems common to Village restaurant operations and troublesome to BPDWID sewer lines and lift stations. A second meeting will be scheduled this fall when another round of quarterly interceptor test results is available.
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IMPORTANT NEWS
from the
BIG PARK DOMESTIC WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
July 15, 2008
1. Like businesses everywhere, the BPDWID has experienced ever-increasing operating costs. While this District has been able for many years to maintain one of the lowest sewer user fees in the Verde Valley (and still holds that distinction), balancing the 2008/2009 operating budget required a rate increase. A rate increase of $7.ll/quarter for one ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit) was approved by the BPDWID Board following a Public Hearing on Rates and Fees on June 30, 2008. The sewer bills for the first quarter of the 2008/2009 fiscal year have been processed. July was billed at the 2007/2008 rate of $24.27/month ($72.81/quarter), while August and September were at the new rate of $26.64 month ($79.92/quarter). Commercial customers will also see the increase, but it will be based on the specific ERUs for their business use/number of units/effluent strengths.
2. An Ordinance Public Hearing was also held on June 30. Action was taken by the Board following the hearing to amend Section 505 (Delinquencies, Liens, and Interest) of the BPDWID ordinance. This section, which allowed the District to proceed with collections for user fees delinquent in excess of 180 days has been amended to “user fees delinquent in excess of 90 days.” To avoid additional charges on your account and the possibility of a lien being filed on your property, please keep your quarterly fees current.
3. For the first time in its 30+ year history, BPDWID will charge property owners within its boundaries an ad valorem tax. The total amount of the tax ($123,216) is expense incurred by the District for manhole rebuilding and bluestaking during the SR179 construction. This expense will be shared by all property owners within the District boundaries, whether their property is connected to the sewer or not. Note: Highland Estates, Pine Valley, CR Ranch and parts of Wild Horse Mesa are outside the District boundaries. BPDWID intends this to be a ONE TIME tax. The rate is approximately $.0711 per $100 of assessed value ($28.44 for a $400,000 residence) and it will appear on the property tax bill you receive this coming fall. Additional information about the tax will be provided in the September issue of the Villager, our community’s monthly newspaper that is delivered free of charge to every home mail box and post office box in the Village.
4. When ADOT begins work on the Enhancement Project in the fall, residences and businesses with sewer lateral lines running from their building to a BPDWID connection on 179 should be aware that marking (bluestaking) your line’s location prior to ADOT’s landscaping work is very important and is strictly a property owner responsibility. This is a “better safe than sorry” heads up for all of you along our State road in the Village, so watch for ADOT’s announcement of when this work will begin.
THANK YOU!
Big Park Domestic Wastewater Improvement District
Board of Directors
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Helpful Hints for Use of the Wastewater System
Did you know that as property owners and users of the wastewater system that you are responsible for the maintenance of your service line? This is the line that connects your home to the sewer main. You may wish to consider a routine maintenance program so that your service line remains open and flowing in the right direction! Additionally, property owners are responsible for the location of their service lines which includes utility staking when necessary.
The Big Park Wastewater System is funded solely by the property owners and users of the system. Keeping maintenance and repairs to a necessary minimum reduces the cost to each user.
When non-biodegradable materials are put down the drain they do not just disappear! Eventually they end up lodged in the sewer mainlines, a liftstation or at the wastewater treatment plant. The system must then incur expenses to dislodge and/or dispose of these materials properly. If items are not generally associated with toilet flushing, food preparation, laundry facilities or personal hygiene then they belong in the garbage or disposed of at a recycling facility - not in the sewer system. If your property utilizes an on-site grinder or pump system extra care should be observed for use and maintenance.
We ask that you help us serve you better (and at less expense) by keeping your sewer system free of debris and damaging chemicals. We have compiled a list of some typical household materials that should NOT be discharged into the wastewater system:
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No storm sewer, swimming pool or Jacuzzi backwash or drains, downspouts, arrangements which will permit surface run-off to enter the sanitary wastewater system, or volumes of water greater than 4,500 gallons that is discharged continuously.
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No substances or materials that could create a fire or explosion hazard including, but not limited to paints, varnishes, solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel, motor oil, or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid, or gas.
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No materials that cause corrosive damage or hazard to structures, equipment, or personnel of the wastewater facilities such as acids, muratic acid, paint thinners, or acidic household cleaners.
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No items that cause obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the operation of wastewater facilities due to accumulation of solid or viscous materials – heavy or thick liquids, joint compounds, paint, drywall mud, construction cleanup, kitty litter or adhesives. (Kitty litter is also very corrosive)
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Solid materials should never be placed in a sewer system, such as: food waste that has not been properly shredded, dental floss, exam gloves, diapers, rags, towels, thick paper towels, feminine products, fabric and fibrous materials, dirt, grit, rocks, kitty litter, gravel and sand. Additionally melon seeds accumulate rapidly and can clog the system because they do not get chopped up in the garbage disposal.
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No liquids that contain heat in amounts which will accelerate the biodegradation of wastes and thereby the formation of hydrogen sulfide in the sewer system or inhibit biological activity in the wastewater treatment facilities. Draining water heaters or flushing large quantities of hot water can make an impact on the temperature of the wastewater. It is critical to the operation of the treatment plant to maintain a certain temperature level.
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Fats, oils and grease reek havoc on a wastewater system, sewer mainlines and your service line as well. Cooking grease and oils should be placed in the garbage. Motor oil, anti-freeze, paint, paint thinner and cleaning compounds should be disposed of at a recycling or landfill facility. It is unlawful to dispose of motor oil and anti-freeze in a sewer system or by pouring it on the ground.
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Materials that contain regulated metals such as photo developing material, silver, lead, mercury, selenium, barium, and arsenic should never be discharged into a wastewater system. It is unlawful to discharge regulated metals.
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Some of the latest studies have shown that prescription drugs that are disposed of in a sewer system may not always be removed from the discharge. Therefore, disposing of drugs should be into the garbage or to a recycling center and not through the drain.
For more information: The District Ordinance is available on-line or contact the District office (928) 443-9484 or in Arizona Toll-Free (800) 659-7149 or email ids@cableone.net
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District Office
Big Park Domestic Wastewater Improvement District
c/o Improvement District Services, Inc.
117 E. Gurley Street, Suite 206
Prescott, AZ 86301
(928) 443-9484 or toll-free within Arizona (800) 659-7149
jbartos@improvementdistrictservices.com
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