LAKENGREN WATER AUTHORITY

  24 Lakengren Drive, Eaton, OH. 45320   *   (937) 456-4455

The 2008 Consumer Confidence Report has been posted in the Special Notices Section.

Click here to go there now.

THE STATE OF THE

 LAKENGREN WATER AUTHORITY

 MARCH 2009

The Lakengren Water Authority (LWA) is in good shape.

In this tough economy, the LWA Board of Trustees (BOT) has been working to use its money wisely.  In the past two years we have had a reduction in employees through attrition.  Our current staff has taken over the duties of those who left and are doing a good job.  Recently, the LWA BOT and its General Manager took steps to eliminate some overtime hours and reduce costs further.  In this way, the LWA BOT is working to cut costs and stay within our budget.

Our current operating expenses are within our budget.  However, expenses in replacement parts, maintenance, and costs for both treatment plant operations continue to rise.  This has not placed an extreme burden on the LWA financially. 

The LWA’s financial reserves remain the same (approximately $300,000 in CD’s) to cover any foreseeable short-term requirements.

NO RATE INCREASE THIS YEAR

There is no water or wastewater rate increase scheduled for fiscal year 2009.

AVAILABILITY CHARGE

In 1989 when the Lakengren Water Authority was set up to provide water service to the Lakengren community, the availability charge came into existence.  The availability was levied to pay for the bonds for the water lines and to finance LWA operations. Overall, the money that comes to the LWA from the availability charge represents approximately 23% of its total income.

The final payment on those water bonds was made on February 1, 2008. 

The LWA is using approximately one-half of the availability charge to accomplish two special projects: 1) to pay for the office upgrade and 2) installing radio-read water meters. 

In order to complete both of these projects without raising water rates, the LWA BOT has decided to continue with the availability charge. 

NEW OFFICE PROJECT

The new LWA office at 24 Lakengren Drive opened for business on December 22, 2008.  Although there are still a few issues that need to be resolved, the LWA BOT is very satisfied with the new building.

The LPOA office staff also moved in the first week of January 2009 and the LPOA Board of Trustees has been holding its monthly meetings in the Board and Multi-Purpose rooms of the new building.

This new office, with both organizations in house, will solve some issues for our customers.  It is on a single floor with no steps to climb, making it easily accessible to our elderly customers and those who are wheelchair bound. Anyone who buys an existing home or builds a new home will be able to meet with both organizations at the same location to get the necessary information to become a member of the Lakengren community. Also, by building the office outside of the perimeter of Lakengren’s gated area, our vendors, outside customers, and guests can do business with both organizations without entering the community through the front gate.  This location will give even more support to security investments made by the LPOA BOT.

The Board/Multi-Purpose meeting rooms are being used by some LPOA committees and there have been some requests for usage by a few social clubs with charters.

Both boards are looking ahead, planning for years down the road.  This new office will be a community resource that will benefit Lakengren for years to come. If you haven’t seen the new facility, call the LWA office at (937) 456-4455 to arrange a tour. 

To view more detail about the office project including history, a slideshow, site plans, and photos, please visit our page dedicated to the new office project.

WATER METER PROJECT

The water meter radio read project is being phased in, as time and finances permit. By installing radio-read meters, the LWA will save man hours by requiring less reading time per month. The meters can also be read in inclement weather, eliminating the need to estimate water charges in the future. The water meters are the LWA’s financial lifeline and accurate readings of water usage by our customers is essential. Hopefully the project will be complete by 2012.

WASTEWATER AREA

The LWA continues to have some inflow and infiltration concerns in the wastewater area.  The manhole repair project continues every year and is progressing.  Our wastewater operators will continue to search for foundation drains, sump pumps, or rain gutters that are connected to the sewer system. This will be an ongoing project until every home is checked out.

If you believe that your house’s drains or sump pump might be attached to the sewer system, call the LWA office at (937) 456-4455.  The LWA wastewater operators will check it out.  The LWA will also make any changes to eliminate any attachment at no charge to the customer.

The LWA is continuing to inspect the grinder pump system. The LWA wastewater operators will continue to inspect 1/3 of the grinder units each year. Replacing parts and upgrading of individual units will continue on a yearly basis until all are in good working order. LWA wastewater operators will continue to maintain the units on a rotating basis after that is accomplished. Painting of the control panels and pedestals will continue in the spring when the weather breaks.  Replacement of aging grinder pump units will be done as needed. 

WATER AREA

Our distribution system continues to produce excellent water and the Water Treatment Plant is working well.

The old treatment plant is a work area with a loft for storing equipment and replacement parts used in the distribution system. It has been turned into a valuable asset for the water operators as they do in-house maintenance work for the LWA.

ADMINISTRATION

As a political subdivision, the LWA is governed by ORC 6119, abiding by Ohio’s “sunshine law.”  The LWA Board of Trustees meets in open session every Friday morning from 9 AM-noon and Tuesdays as needed. LWA customers are invited to attend. If a customer has an issue with the LWA BOT and would like to meet and discuss that issue, please call the office at (937) 456-4455 between 8 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.  If the morning sessions are not convenient, the BOT would be glad to meet with any customer in the evening.

The LWA has a website; it is www.lakengrenh2o.org.  Announcements and important LWA information is located on the site.  (thanks for visiting)

Customers who have questions or concerns about this report should call the office at (937) 456-4455 or E-mail us at CustomerService@lakengrenh2o.org.

As always the LWA BOT and its employees are working to provide the best possible water and wastewater services for the Lakengren community. 

LWA Board of Trustees

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