Customer newsletter
May-June 2002

• Make every drop count
• Water alert plan
• How much H2O does my lawn need?
• Water conservation tips from the UN Extension Office
• Water conservation saves money
• Ten communities receive $4.5 million in-lieu-of-taxes
• Chloramine update
• Buying a house? Check water service history
• Meter tampering
• M.U.D. gas rates among the lowest
• Speakers Bureau

May every drop count

The District provides safe drinking water to a third of the State of Nebraska from two water treatment plants with a daily pumping capacity of 234 million gallons.

Last summer our pumping capacity was tested when we experienced 29 days without rain and began to have difficulty filling our reservoirs. We asked you to go to alternate day lawn watering and you responded, reducing consumption 15 million gallons a day.

We're asking you again this summer to use water wisely, especially when watering your lawn. Below, you'll find wise water use tips from horticultural experts at the Douglas-Sarpy County Extension Office.

Your wise water use decisions are extremely important until we have a third source of water supply for our growing community. We anticipate receiving a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sometime this Fall, giving us the go-ahead to build a water treatment plant that will meet the water needs of the metro Omaha area well into the next century.

Construction of the facility at 216th & Q Sts. could begin shortly after the permit is issued. If we receive the permit, the $295-million water treatment plant is estimated to be on-line in 2007.

Water alert plan (Revised by M.U.D. Directors May 1, 2002)

We will issue a Level 1 Water Alert via the news media when water consumption reaches 95 percent (about 200 million gallons per day) of supply or system capacity; we begin to have difficulty filling reservoirs; low pressure begins to jeopardize fire fighting or causes complaints.

Level 1 Alert (Voluntary Alternate Day Watering):

• Voluntarily water no more than every other day. If possible, water every third or fourth day. Use discretion as to which days to water and which days to refrain from watering.
• Voluntarily discontinue hosing down driveways, shut off decorative fountains and discontinue filling swimming pools.
• Cities we serve will be asked to voluntarily comply with alternate day watering restrictions, curtail sewer flushing, lake filling, fire fighting drills, street washing and other nonessential uses of water.

Level 2 Alert (Voluntary No Watering Days): We will issue a Level 2 Water Alert via the news media, asking customers to voluntarily not water on specified days of the week, when:

• Consumption reaches 95 percent of supply or system capacity,
• Reservoirs cannot be refilled,
• Low pressure jeopardizes fire fighting or causes numerous complaints.

Level 3 Alert (Mandatory): We will issue a Level 3 Alert via the news media when:

• Consumption meets or exceeds supply or capacity,
• Water in storage is reduced to 50 percent, or
• There are widespread pressure problems.

A Level 3 Alert makes Level 1 and 2 Alerts mandatory. Those who do not comply, risk having their water shut off until the restrictions are lifted ($43 turn-on fee to restore service).

Exceptions may be made for new sod less than three weeks old and other circumstances deemed appropriate by M.U.D.

Level 4 Alert (Water quantity): We will issue a Level 4 Alert if water use exceeds supply and distribution capacity. Non-sanitary use of water must be discontinued. Those who do not comply with the restrictions, risk having their water shut off until the restrictions are lifted ($43 turn-on fee to restore service).

Level 5 Alert (Water quality): We will issue a Level 5 Alert if water quality for human consumption cannot be assured due to contamination or suspected contamination. With direction from Nebraska Health and Human Services, we will notify you via the news media what steps need to be taken for safe consumption of water.

How much H2O does my lawn need?

April-May: Roots of cool season lawns (blue grass, fescue) are deep now. Apply supplemental water in the absence of natural rainfall­about an inch per week. Water deeply and infrequently.

June: Roots of cool season lawns begin to slough off for the summer. Apply supplemental water in the absence of rainfall­about 1.25 inches per week. Water more frequently and more shallow than in spring.

July-August: Roots of cool season lawns are at their shallowest point of the season. Apply supplemental water in the absence of rainfall­about 1.5 inches per week. Water to the depth of the root system (usually about 2 inches deep). Water more frequently and more shallow than in Spring.

September-October: Roots of cool season lawns are deep now. Water deeply and infrequently. Apply supplemental water in the absence of rainfall­about an inch per week.

Give your lawn a haircut, not a scalping. Longer grass blades of 2 1/2 to 3 inches shade each other and reduce evaporation. Return grass clippings to the turf to retain moisture.

Questions? Call the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, Douglas/Sarpy Counties, 444.7804.

Water conservation tips

1. Measure the amount of water applied to your lawn in a 15-minute period using collection devices such as a tuna or coffee can. Adjust the run time on your sprinkler system to deliver the required amount. Contact a lawn care professional if you need help.
2. When watering on a slope, use "delayed starts." Run your sprinkler until you notice runoff, then stop. Wait three hours, then resume. Aerate every year or so to increase infiltration.
3. Water in the early morning, 4 to 10 a.m., to allow grass blades to dry, making them less susceptible to foliar diseases. Watering is more efficient in the morning due to less evaporation and wind speed. Don't water if it's windy or rain is in the forecast.
4. Observe your sprinkler system once a month. Look for heads that don't turn, heads that spray the street or sidewalk, bent or damaged heads, clogged or worn nozzles or orifices, turf growth around heads that impede water delivery, compaction and run-off.
5. Adjust heads as landscape plants grow larger and begin to block the spray pattern. New installations of benches, decks, etc., also can decrease irrigation efficiency.
6. During hot weather, run your sprinklers 5 to 10 minutes per zone to cool the turf and reduce stress. This is called syringing, and it reduces the symptoms of summer patch disease.
7. Create water zones by putting plants with similar water needs together. Ornamental plants can be grouped into low, moderate and high water users. Each zone of plants can be irrigated according to its needs.
8. Focus on growing drought-tolerant plants. Once established, a number of beautiful plants, native and non-native, can survive with less than an inch of water a week.
9. Keep weeds out of flower and vegetable gardens. Weeds steal water away from other plants.
10. Adjust sprinklers to aim water directly at plants rather than sidewalks, paths, driveways, or fences. Use sprinklers that emit large droplets, again to reduce losses due to evaporation.
11. On automatic sprinkler systems, install a moisture sensor-a probe placed in the ground that determines when the soil needs water and turns on the sprinkler.
12. Install drip-irrigation systems and soaker hoses in flower and vegetable gardens, around trees and shrubs, and containers.
13. Mulch to slow evaporation of moisture from the soil and keep the soil cool. Mulches should be applied no deeper than 3-4 inches. Excessively deep mulches will stimulate root growth in the mulch layer. These roots are more likely to experience winter and drought injury than those growing in soil. Stay with organic mulches, which slowly break down and add organic matter to the soil.
14. Capture and recycle rainwater by placing barrels or buckets beneath your downspouts. Use it to water your lawn and landscape plants.
15. Check hose connections for leaks, and repair them quickly. When you use a hose, attach a hose nozzle that can be shut off when not in use. A single hose left on uses nearly 300 gallons of water an hour.
16. In hot, dry weather, use a broom instead of water to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways.
17. Know your soil's water needs. Clay soils require slow watering. They dry out slowly and need infrequent watering. Sandy soils dry out quickly and require more frequent watering.
18. Improve the soil to hold more water and oxygen by adding organic matter. Mix grass clippings and leaves into flower beds, vegetable gardens or newly-worked soil. Start a compost pile to recycle yard waste back to the garden.
19. Reduce fertilization unless you're applying enough water to keep plants growing vigorously. Heavy fertilizer applications make lawns require more water or the high salts may burn plants.

Wise water use saves money

Besides protecting a precious natural resource, water conservation saves you money by reducing your water bill.

The minimal water use customer, who uses 62,000 gallons of water per year, pays $101.48. The average residential customer, who uses 110,000 gallons of water per year, pays $162.09 or $13.50 a month. If you use 225,000 gallons of water, the cost will be $343.79. (Note ccf = 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons of water)

Even at these rates, our customer-owners continue to enjoy among the lowest water rates in the Midwest as shown below.

One penny buys 10 gallons of M.U.D. tap water.

*M.U.D. water meters measure use in ccfs and these are shown as billing units on the statement. One ccf = 100 cubic feet of water or 748 gallons.

Ten communities receive $4.5 million in-lieu-of-taxes

Annual payments by M.U.D. in-lieu-of-taxes boosted the treasuries of 10 metro area communities by a total of $4,566,394.

In-lieu-of-tax payments are based on 2 percent of gross revenues derived from the sale of natural gas and water in communities served by M.U.D. Payments were made as follows:

The District also pays motor vehicle license fees, wheel and gasoline taxes, permit fees and all other excise and general sales taxes.

Chloramine update

Beginning in Fall 2002, chloramines will be added in the water treatment process to reduce disinfection by-products. We will notify you via the news media the date of the actual change.

The change will provide better-tasting water and better position us to meet future drinking water standards.

Chloramines do not dissipate through boiling or exposure to the air in open containers as rapidly as chlorine. Therefore, fish tank, aquarium and pond owners will need to use appropriate filtration equipment or water treatment products to neutralize chloramines. These products are available at pet supply stores.

Buying a house? Check water service history

If you're buying a house, check with the seller or Realtor about the existing water service or private line. When was it installed? Have there been any repairs? When the service is very old and made of a material that can corrode, the service line may be deteriorated.

If the water service line leaks, you are responsible for repairs.

Meter tampering

Natural gas and water services are safe and reliable, however illegal tampering with pipes and meters can be hazardous and costly.

Tampering can lead to fires, explosions or water damage-endangering people and property.

If you know or suspect anyone of tampering with lines or meters, call 554.6666. You don't have to give your name. All information is confidential. Your tip could prevent injury or save a life.

M.U.D. gas rates among the lowest

According to the 2001 Gas Facts, published by the American Gas Association, M.U.D.'s residential gas sales averaged 57 cents per therm in 2000. This is 25 percent lower than the national average of 76 cents per therm.

Rates include service charges.

Speakers bureau

The M.U.D. Employee Speakers Bureau offers entertaining and informative programs on natural gas and water for groups of 12 or more.

All programs are presented at no charge. Call 504.7119. Please make reservations at least two weeks in advance.

2002 news

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