Dear Editor:

On March 11, I reported to the Boothbay Region Water District board of trustees that due to the abnormal cold this winter, our seasonal customers should not expect seasonal water as early as usual. For instance, in 2012 we established service on April 13 and in 2013, we had all of our customers up and running on April 15. To me, that is superior customer service in that the law states we have to establish service May 1 (as does our insurance carrier).

Engaging a 100-mile seasonal water system with nearly 1,800 service connections takes some time to accomplish. We have to make normal winter repairs, flush, pressure test, disinfect to Maine Department of Health, Center for Disease Control and United States Environmental Protection Agency requirements, flush again, test for the absence of biological contaminants, and then install services. Contrary to a common misconception, providing water to seasonal customers is not as easy as “cracking a valve.” I really wish it was.

In a normal year, we would already be a week-plus into the start-up process, which takes nearly one-month to complete. As of today we have not been able to accomplish anything. Frost has penetrated to four feet in many locations, much of our seasonal water main is under snow (in many places exceeding three feet in depth), and the 10-day NOAA prognosis for sustained average temperatures to be in excess of freezing 32 F (0 C) looks bleak (see map on district website). We need sustained temperatures above freezing in order to move forward.

Normally we tell our customers we guarantee seasonal water by May 1 each year, but usually deliver approximately two weeks early on average. This year, if the current weather pattern persists, the May 1 target may be a challenge to hit. If asked, please inform anyone planning anything requiring seasonal water before May 1 to do so with the full understanding that this year seasonal water may not be available.

We make daily posts on our website, www.bbrwd.org, listing all of the roads in the district and the progress made, please refer to that matrix for up-to-date information once the start-up process begins. When conditions allow us to move forward with seasonal start-up, rest assured it will be an “all hands on deck” situation here.

Jonathan E. Ziegra
Manager
Boothbay Region Water District