to read newsletter - Monte Vista Water District

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2007 Fall Calendar of
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Topic:California Friendly Plants
Saturday, October 6, 2007,
8:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Monte Vista Water District,
10575 Central Avenue
Montclair, CA
Experienced landscape professional
will discuss:
SBenefits of using low water use
plants
SPlant selection tips
SPlanting guidelines
SMaintenance recommendations
SCaring of shrubs, groundcovers,
trees and multi-category plants
Continental breakfast hosted by the
District.
Door prizes
FREE Gardening CD
FREE brochures
Limited to 30 people.
Reservations required.
Call (909) 267-2165 to RSVP
or send in form below
Saturday, October 20, 2007
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Montclair Plaza
Lower Level Main Entrance
Exhibits and information
on water conservation and rebates.
Activities for kids, including a “Water
Show”
FREE raffle for water-saving devices,
including a washing machine. (Must be
present to win!)
FREE giveaways at exhibit booths while
supplies last.
Sponsored by 7 local water agencies
and cities, including Monte Vista Water
District
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Pumpkin Patch Plant Sale
Petting Zoo Open House
Garden Tours
THE MISSION OF
MONTE VISTA WATER DISTRICT:
“To provide the highest quality water service at
the best value for our customers.”
Monte Vista Water District
10575 Central Avenue
P.O. Box 71
Montclair, CA 91763
(909) 624-0035
www.mvwd.org
Business Hours:
Monday through Thursday
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors are held on the second and fourth
Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at
the District. The public is invited to attend. A time for public comment/open
forum is included as a part of each
meeting’s agenda.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Chino Basin Water Conservation District
4594 San Bernardino Street
(between Monte Vista & Ramona Aves.)
Montclair, CA (909) 626-2711
Monte Vista Water District
Board of Directors
Sandra S. Rose, President
Maynard Lenhert, Vice President
Tony Lopez, Director/Auditor
Philip L. Erwin, Director
G. Michael Milhiser, Director
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Gardening Class: California Friendly Plants
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Please reserve ____ seats for:
Name(s):__________________________________________________Phone______________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City__________________________ Zip______________
Mail to: Monte Vista Water District,
10575 Central Avenue, Montclair, CA 91763
Attention: Public Affairs
E-mail (optional)_________________________________
Or FAX to (909) 624-0037 or CALL (909) 267-2165
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Mark N. Kinsey, General Manager
Raymond L. Harton, Manager of Finance
and Administration
Bruce Lance, Legal Counsel
WATERLINE Editor:
Mary Ann Harvey-Melleby
Public Affairs Director
Employee Awards
Ed Campos, senior utility coordinator/
inspector, was named “2006 Monte Vista
Water District Employee of the Year” at
the Annual Employee Awards Dinner
held earlier this year. Campos, a District
employee since 2003, coordinates,
manages and inspects repair and
construction work on the District’s water
distribution system.
Executive Assistant Tracy Tracy and
Management Analyst Chuck Cohn were also recognized for
their respective 10 years of service to the District.
New Board Member Appointed, New Officers Elected
G. Michael Milhiser was appointed to the Monte Vista Water
District Board of Directors in May 2007 following the resignation
of Director Robb Quincey. Milhiser, a resident of Montclair for
29 years, is currently chief administrative officer of the Morongo
Band of Mission Indians. He has previously held positions as city
manager in Montclair, Ontario and Upland.
At its April meeting, the board elected new officers. Sandra
S. Rose, president, and Maynard Lenhert, vice president.
Rose was first elected to the board in 1999, served as vice
president since 2002 and currently represents the District
on the Chino Basin Watermaster board of directors. Lenhert
was also first elected to the board in 1999 and serves as the
District’s representative and chairs the Water Facilities Authority
Treatment Plant board of directors.
Thank You for Conserving Water During the Pipeline
Shutdowns!
The District would like to express its appreciation to all customers
who conserved water during the Rialto pipeline shutdowns in
February and April. The District had outstanding cooperation
from our largest water users, who voluntarily eliminated all
outdoor irrigation for almost a week during each shutdown
event. The District was able to keep the water flowing solely
through use of our local groundwater supplies. Thank you for
assisting us in continuing to meet our service obligations during
these shutdown events!
We would like to thank in particular these large water users:
SCity of Montclair
SOntario-Montclair School District
SMontclair High School
SChino Valley School District
SMontclair Hospital
SCal Trans
SCommercial Establishments
COSTCO, Giant RV, Montclair
East Center, Montclair Plaza
SChurches
Calvary Chapel, Christ Lutheran,
Echoes of Faith, Our Lady of Lourdes
SHome Owners Associations
Cimarron Oaks II, Kingsley Grove,
Montclair Towncenter, Towncenter
Estates
SApartment Complexes
Beachcomber-Outrigger, Cambridge
Park, Enclave, Heritage Park,
Somerset, The Pines, Villa Serena
SMobile Home Parks
Hacienda / Augusta, Lamplighter
Chino, Monterey Manor, Northern
Lights, Peachwood Estates, Villa
Montclair
With historic
dry conditions
in California,
now is
the
time to…
Keep
showers to no
more than 10
minutes!
Visit www.bewaterwise.com and use the Water Calculator
to learn how much water you need for your yard.
Look inside for more tips to use water more efficiently.
The water we save today may be the
water we need tomorrow!
Upcoming Free Events!
Garden Class: California Friendly Plants
Saturday, October 6 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon
RSVP necessary
2007 Water Fair at the Montclair Plaza
Saturday, October 20 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Water Conservation, Door Prizes, Kids Activities
Plant Sale, Pumpkin Patch, Open House
Saturday, October 27 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Chino Basin Water Conservation District
Look inside for more information . . . . . .
SHow are we doing?
SCalendar of Events
SDistrict News
INSIDE
A FREE Gardening Class
2007 Water Fair
Water
landscapes in
the early morning
hours only.
Reduce
each irrigation
cycle by 1 to 3
minutes.
Art Poster Cont
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Riteis
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Southern California is currently facing significant water supply challenges. Locally,
last winter was the driest on record and the Sierra Mountain snow pack contains 2/3
less water than normal. In addition, there are uncertainties on the State Water Project
operations due to potential legal and regulatory constraints. The District receives 50
percent of its water supply from the State Water Project. These conditions make
it essential for residents and businesses to increase conservation efforts so that
adequate water supply is available both now and in years to come.
A few simple changes can make a big difference in your water usage!
Tips to Maximize Water Savings Outdoors
Over 60 percent of urban water use is spent on landscape irrigation and other outdoor
purposes.
Landscape Irrigation Tips
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Install a new “smart” controller that puts just the right amount of water on your plants
and lawn. Save 40 gallons per day. (See Rebates next page.)
S
Install new rotator nozzle sprinkler heads. Save 1,200 gallons per year per nozzle. (See
Rebates next page.)
S
Put a 2-4 inch layer of mulch (shredded bark or chips, wood grindings, compost, aged
sawdust or low-growing ground cover) around bushes and shrubs. Keeps soil cool on
hot days and warm on cool days. And it allows better water penetration.
Other Outdoor Tips
S
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Saves 20 gallons
per minute.
S
Don’t leave the hose running while you wash your car. Get a self-closing nozzle for your
hose. Saves 20 gallons per minute.
S
Install covers on pools and spas to reduce evaporation. Saves 30 gallons per day.
S
This fall, consider replacing part of your lawn with low water use plants
Saves 1,000-1,800 gallons per month. Attend our plant class in October!
(See Calendar page 5)
Indoor Water Saving Tips
S
Drip. Drip. Drip… Fix that leaky faucet NOW and save 20 gallons a day!
S
Run only full loads in your dishwasher and save 2-4.5 gallons per load!
S
Wash only full loads in your clothes washing machine and save 15-50 gallons per load!
S
Don’t leave water running while washing/rinsing dishes and save 2.5 gallons per minute!
S
Hear the toilet running? Fix leaky toilets and save 30-50 gallons per day per toilet!
OR
S
Replace with a more efficient toilet and save 2.2-3.8 gallons per flush!
(See Rebates next page.)
S
Install aerators on kitchen and bathroom faucets. Saves 4.7 gallons per day.
S
Getting ready to replace that old washing machine? Purchase a new energy and water
efficient machine and save 20-30 gallons per load and also reduce electricity use! (See
Rebates below.)
Go to www.mvwd.org or www.bewaterwise.com for additional water
conservation information and resources.
SRebates for Water-Saving Devices
Rebate Applications and Information at www.ieua.org/water_smart.html
Toilets $50 Rebate for Ultra Low Flush Toilets 1.6 gallon flush
$150 Rebate for High Efficiency Toilets 1.3 gallon flush or less
Limit of two rebates per household. Purchase a new toilet on
our list of eligible models to replace pre-1992 model with flushing capacity of
more than 1.6 gallons per flush.
Clothes Washing Machines $100 Rebate Purchase a new
machine on our list of rebate-eligible models. Machines must have a
Water Factor of 6.0 or less.
“Smart” Irrigation Controllers Up to $240 Rebate
Purchase a weather-based irrigation controller for
12 stations. These controllers automatically adjust
watering times according to climate conditions and
shuts down the system when rain occurs.
Rotating Nozzles for Pop-up Sprinker Heads
$4 per nozzle (Minimum of 6; no maximum)
Replace your spray heads with the very latest high-efficiency irrigation
technology. Approximately 20 percent water savings.
at Work!
Commercial, Industrial, Institutional Customers
Rebates for commercial washing machines, toilets, urinals, restaurant equipment,
medical equipment, irrigation equipment, cooling towers, and more!
Access this website for more information www.ieua.org/water_smart.html
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As part of its commitment to
provide high quality water
services that meet the needs
V e ry s atis fie d
S o me w hat s atis fie d
of its varied customers,
74
25
Pro vide accurate billing s tate me nts [9 4 %]
Monte Vista Water District
Ens ure ade quate w ate r s upply no w and in the future [9 4 %]
72
26
elected to conduct a formal
71
27
Pro vide go o d cus to me r s e rvice [9 3 %]
Pro te ct w ate r s upply fro m co ntaminatio n, po llutants [9 1 %]
71
25
customer opinion survey in
73
23
Pro vide re liable w ate r s e rvice [9 9 %]
2006.
C o mmunicate abo ut re pairs , s e rvice dis ruptio ns , e tc. [8 9 %]
69
27
The purpose of the study
68
28
Pro vide co nve nie nt ho urs o f o pe ratio n [9 1 %]
was to provide the District
Ke e p w ate r s ys te m in go o d co nditio n [9 5 %]
68
28
with an understanding of
Educate cus to me rs abo ut w ays to co ns e rve w ate r [9 2 %]
63
32
customers’
awareness,
Offe r go o d value fo r the co s t o f w ate r s e rvice s [9 3 %]
56
36
opinions,
expectations,
Pro vide w ate r that is s afe to drink [9 4 %]
63
26
satisfaction and concerns
Pro vide w ate r that is fre e o f co lo r and o do r [9 7 %]
62
27
regarding District services.
Pro vide s ufficie nt w ate r pre s s ure [9 7 %]
60
28
To assist in this effort, Pro vide re bate pro grams fo r w ate r-e fficie nt appliance s [7 6 %]
50
37
the District employed the
Pro vide w ate r that tas te s go o d [9 4 %]
58
26
research firm of True North
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
% R e s po nde nts w ho Pro vide d Opinio n
Research, Inc. to design the
research plan and conduct
the study.
The goals of the study were to:
S Identify customers’ awareness and perceptions of the District
S Measure overall customer satisfaction
S Profile customer contact with the District and perceptions of staff
S Determine the effectiveness of the District’s communications efforts
A total of 420 randomly selected residential customers participated in the telephone survey.
S a tis f a ction W ith S er v ices
2
100
Key Questions and Findings
Are customers aware of Monte Vista Water District, and how do they perceive the agency?
S 95 percent could name the District as their water provider.
S 90 percent gave the District high marks for being trustworthy, competent, fiscally responsible
and responsive to customers’ needs
How well is the District performing in meeting the needs of its residential customers?
S 92 percent of survey respondents were satisfied with the District’s overall performance
S 90 percent approval ratings in 11 of 15 evaluated service categories (see above graphic)
S 84 percent stated they were satisfied with the District’s communication efforts
Where should the District focus its efforts in the future?
S Maintain the high quality of services provided
S Improve taste, color and odor of drinking water
S Provide adequate water pressure
S Expand rebate programs
S Provide on-line account viewing/paying services
In its final report to the District, True North Research said, “To the extent that the survey results can
be viewed as a report card on the District’s performance, the District received straight A’s for all but a
few service areas, which received B’s.”
“Our employees are the reason our customers are satisfied,” said Mark Kinsey, Monte Vista’s General
Manager, in response to the report. “We will continue to focus on performing at the highest level
possible and we will continue to implement those programs our customers told us were important to
them.”
Thank you to the customers who participated in the telephone survey and for your confidence in
our agency. In the next issue of Waterline, we will discuss the District’s ongoing efforts to ensure
adequate water supply now and in the future.