Newsletter
April 2020
Kirkwood, CA

Featured Articles

COVID-19 Related Notices
Water and Wastewater Rate Study
Winter Update

COVID-19 and the District's Response

Safely delivering water, wastewater, propane, and electricity to you is what we do. Starting in March, we activated internal staffing protocols to make sure we are prepared in the event the global novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) starts impacting the Kirkwood community. We are confident that we have the people, plans, and procedures in place to keep utilities flowing to all the homes and businesses that rely on us. We have directed our employees to follow the same guidelines recommended by agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and California Public Health Department. We have also taken the step of limiting non-essential employee travel to help prevent the possibility of spreading the virus. For our coworkers who have daily interactions in people’s homes as a normal part of their work, we have advised them to use disinfecting wipes on any surfaces they may need to touch and to practice safe social distancing. If you have an appointment for service at your home and you become sick, please contact us to reschedule your appointment.  The District office is currently closed to public but you can still reach us by phone at (209) 258-4444 or by email at info@kmpud.com.

Kirkwood Meadows PUD
Water is Safe From Coronavirus

Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District reminds the public that the coronavirus (or COVID-19) has no impact on the quality or supply of your domestic drinking water (tap water). We want to reassure our customers that your tap water remains safe to drink. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in KMPUD drinking water system, removes or inactivates the virus that causes COVID-19. More information from the Center for Disease Control on drinking water, wastewater and COVID-19 can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html

Water & Wastewater Rate Study

As your elected Board of Directors and fellow customers, our role is to establish budgets and guidelines to help lead the utility in the right direction consistent with our mission of providing safe, reliable, environmentally responsible services, and provide those services openly, transparently, efficiently, and cost effectively. The process for determining rates for water and wastewater is defined by California law, including Proposition 218. To comply with this proposition, the District retained Hildebrand Consulting to make sure the District rates are in compliance with the law, are equitably distributed across our customers, and to develop a 5-year financial plan with rates to ensure that we meet financial needs for critical improvements in water and wastewater infrastructure.

Anticipated major projects for the water system over the next five years include:
• An additional well
• Recoating the Dangburg storage tank
• Well 4/5 replacement
• Replacements of various aging valves and pumps
• Addition of pressure reducing stations

Major projects for the wastewater system over the next five years include:
• Addressing leaks and infiltration in the collection system
• Upgrade and/or replacement of many components of the 40-year-old treatment plant
• Repair of the wastewater treatment plant building
• Replacing the electrical and control systems

The District welcomes public participation in the process.  The District's Board has called for a Public Hearing to discuss and receive public comment regarding these possible rate changes for June 13, 2020 at 8:00am.  If you cannot attend this meeting in person it will be fed live over the internet and you can view it by going to the District's website (kmpud.com)

We are mindful of the impacts of rising utility costs. This is not something we take lightly and only do when absolutely necessary.

Winter Update

Although the ski season was cut short, the District is still measuring snowfall and operators are out doing snow removal. As of April 1, 2020, we have measured 277 inches of snow. The graph below compares season-to-date snowfall through March for the last five years.

KMPUD Board of Directors:
Eric Richert - President; Bob Epstein - Vice President;
Standish O’Grady -Treasurer; Peter Dornbrook - Secretary; Bertrand Perroud - Assistant Secretary Website: www.kmpud.com Call: (209) 258-4444 Email: info@kmpud.com
Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer