Newsletters
Big Park Domestic Wastewater Improvement District Newsletter 2017
New Payment Method Is Now Available!!!
Effective July 01, 2017 the District is now offering Bank Drafting!!
For those who wish to participate, the system will automatically draft your bank account each quarter for the fee due. That means no more trying to remember to pay your bill, no more writing a check and NO FEES!!! This service is free to all District Customers!
Enclosed with this newsletter, and on our website www.BigParkSewer.com, you will find the “Big Park DWWID Bank Draft Form”. If you want your 4th Quarter 2017 and future Sewer Payments drafted from your bank account we must receive your fully completed form by October 01, 2017. To allow proper time for data entry and bank draft testing, 3rd Quarter 2017 bills WILL NOT be drafted. If we do not receive your form by the 1st, we will still enter your information when it arrives and your bank draft will begin the following quarter. ACCOUNTS MUST BE CURRENT TO BE ELLIGBLE FOR BANK DRAFT.
Please Note: Due to Security reasons we cannot accept this form via Email. You can fax it to our office, 928/443-9486 or you can mail it to the District office at: BPDWWID, 1965 Commerce Center Circle, Suite A, Prescott, AZ 86301.
Additional Methods of Payment
The District now has the ability to take credit and debit cards over the phone or in our office using the Square program. This method has a convenience fee of 3.5% + 15¢.
Important Notice - Keep Your Sewer Bills Current
The District now has a policy to disconnect the sewer lines of delinquent customers. This service costs thousands of dollars which will be passed to the customer. So please, keep your account current!
Become a Part of Your Community
The District Board of Directors meet monthly to discuss important subjects that effect the District. The meetings take place at 10:00 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, are held at the Sedona Fire Station #3, 125 Slide Rock and are open to the public. To stay updated on what’s happening in the District, including meeting locations, agendas, etc., please visit our website at bigparksewer.com.
Who Ya Gonna Call????
Do you have billing or payment questions? Call IDS, your District Administrators at: 928/443-9484. We’re here to help!!!
Do you have a Sewer Emergency? Call EBS, your District Operator: 928/301-4697.
Helpful Hints
Each property owner is responsible for the line that connects their home to the sewer main. You may wish to consider a routine maintenance program so that your service line remains open and flowing in the right direction!
The Big Park Wastewater System is funded solely by the property owners and users of the system. Keeping maintenance and repairs to a necessary minimum reduces the cost to each user. Non-biodegradable materials should never be put down the drain! If items are not generally associated with toilet flushing, food preparation, laundry facilities or personal hygiene then they should not be put into the sewer system.
To help you keep your sewer system free of debris and damaging chemicals we have compiled a list on our website of some typical household materials that should NOT be put into the wastewater system. Please take a few moments and visit our site at: www.BigParkSewer.com for a full list of items that can cause damage and blockages in the lines. You might be surprised to find that many common items can do damage to the system. For instance, here is just a small sample of items that will damage the system:
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Paints, paint thinners, and drywall mud, kitty litter, pesticides, motor oil, muriatic acid even acidic household cleaners.
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Solid materials should never be placed in a sewer system, such as: dental floss, latex gloves, diapers, rags, thick paper towels, feminine products, dirt, grit, rocks, gravel and sand.
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It is critical to the operation of the treatment plant to maintain a certain temperature level. Draining water heaters or flushing large quantities of hot water can make an impact on the temperature of the wastewater.
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Fats, oils and grease wreak havoc on a wastewater system, sewer mainlines and your service line as well. Cooking grease and oils should be placed in the garbage. Motor oil, anti-freeze, paint, paint thinner and cleaning compounds should be disposed of at a recycling or landfill facility.
Some of the latest studies have shown that prescription drugs that are disposed of in a sewer system are not removed from the discharge. Therefore, disposing of drugs should be into the garbage and not through the drain. Your local pharmacy should accept your prescriptions and properly dispose of them.
When damage to the system occurs, it’s paid for with District’s (meaning “your”) funds. Don’t “flush” your money down the drain, get sewer smart and help reduce District costs by being informed!!!
For more District information see our website at www.bigparksewer.com.
Villager Article – November 2008
Good news from BPDWID
The Big Park Domestic Wastewater Improvement District plant passed its ADEQ compliance inspection earlier this year with flying colors. Our method of effluent disposal, level of certification required for the operator of the system, and physical facilities standards all met ADEQ’s standards. The inspection report states, “This system complies with the State of Arizona’s physical facility requirements of its Reuse Permit, Aquifer Protection Permit, and NPDES Permit.
And there’s more really green good news: From April 1 to September 30 of this year, BPDWID delivered 19,069,817 gallons of reuse water to the Oak Creek County Club golf course. Additionally, we sent an average of about 70,000 gallons per day down the tributary of Jack’s Canyon Wash per our agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to discharge at least 35,000 gpd to maintain vegetation along the wash.
Wait–there’s more. BPDWID’s board members, administrators, operators, and district engineer are relieved (and very pleased) to report that our new Lift Station #8, which feeds all our customers’ raw sewage to the plant is up and running and a great improvement over the old #8. This was a costly and difficult project, so we were all happy to finally exhale!
Ruth Kane
for the BPDWID Board of Directors
Villager Article – September 2008
Wastewater District Ad Valorem Tax
September is the time when we all begin to anticipate receiving our 2008/2009 property tax bills from Yavapai County. Property owners within the Big Park Wastewater
District boundaries will also receive a notice from the District regarding a modest one time ad valorem tax. that will be included on most Big Park property tax bills.
The BPDWID tax is being levied to offset a budget short-fall created by unanticipated expense relevant to the SR179 road construction project in the Village. Property owners in Highland Estates, CR Ranch, Pine Valley, and parts of Wild Horse Mesa are NOT within BPDWID’s boundaries and will not see this tax on their bill.
The total amount of the tax to be collected is $123,216, which was the cost of replacing old brick manholes on 179 to with-stand the greater amount of traffic and stress inherent in the realignment of the southbound traffic lane. There was also considerable bluestaking of lines above and beyond what both ADOT and BPDWID had estimated.
The tax being levied for residential property owners is $.0711 per $100 of assessed evaluation ($28.44 for a $400,000 home, $35.55 for a $500,000 home, etc.). Commercial property and vacant lots will be taxed this same rate per $100 assessed value. Also, remember that the District belongs to all property owners within its boundaries, and the tax is applicable whether you are on the sewer or not.
The BPDWID Board asks that all District property owners be aware that it is the Board’s intent that this be a ONE TIME ONLY tax–the first levied in more than 30 years of operation. Any questions you have should be directed to our administrators, Jennifer Bartos or Karen Davis of Improvement District Services at 1-800-659-7149. We appreciate your understanding of the unusual situation that created the need for this tax.
Ruth Kane, Chair
BPDWID Board of Directors
Villager Article – August 2008
More news from BPDWID
The Big Park Wastewater Improvement District’s Board continued its public hearing on Rates and Fees on June 30 and held an Ordinance public hearing as well. An increase in the user fee and amended language for a section of the BPDWID ordinance were approved by the Board following each of these hearings.
The result of the June 30 Board decision is a quarterly user fee increase of $7.11 per ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit) for most residential customers ($72.81 to $79.92). Commercial customers will see an increase based on the specific ERUs for their business/ number of units/effluent strengths.
Section 505 (Delinquencies, Liens, and Interest) of the BPDWID ordinance which allows the District to “proceed with collections for user fees delinquent in excess of 180 days” was amended to “user fees delinquent in excess of 90 days.” BPDWID advises customers to keep quarterly billings current to avoid additional charges and to prevent the possibility of a lien being filed on their property.
On July 9, the District held a “Good Grease/Bad Grease” study session on grease traps/interceptors with Village restaurant and food service facilities. The session was well-attended and elicited helpful information, lively discussion, and a better understanding of grease trap/interceptor problems common to Village restaurant operations and troublesome to BPDWID sewer lines and lift stations. A second meeting will be scheduled this fall when another round of quarterly interceptor test results is available.
IMPORTANT NEWS from the BIG PARK DOMESTIC WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
July 15, 2008
1. Like businesses everywhere, the BPDWID has experienced ever-increasing operating costs. While this District has been able for many years to maintain one of the lowest sewer user fees in the Verde Valley (and still holds that distinction), balancing the 2008/2009 operating budget required a rate increase. A rate increase of $7.ll/quarter for one ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit) was approved by the BPDWID Board following a Public Hearing on Rates and Fees on June 30, 2008. The sewer bills for the first quarter of the 2008/2009 fiscal year have been processed. July was billed at the 2007/2008 rate of $24.27/month ($72.81/quarter), while August and September were at the new rate of $26.64 month ($79.92/quarter). Commercial customers will also see the increase, but it will be based on the specific ERUs for their business use/number of units/effluent strengths.
2. An Ordinance Public Hearing was also held on June 30. Action was taken by the Board following the hearing to amend Section 505 (Delinquencies, Liens, and Interest) of the BPDWID ordinance. This section, which allowed the District to proceed with collections for user fees delinquent in excess of 180 days has been amended to “user fees delinquent in excess of 90 days.” To avoid additional charges on your account and the possibility of a lien being filed on your property, please keep your quarterly fees current.
3. For the first time in its 30+ year history, BPDWID will charge property owners within its boundaries an ad valorem tax. The total amount of the tax ($123,216) is expense incurred by the District for manhole rebuilding and bluestaking during the SR179 construction. This expense will be shared by all property owners within the District boundaries, whether their property is connected to the sewer or not. Note: Highland Estates, Pine Valley, CR Ranch and parts of Wild Horse Mesa are outside the District boundaries. BPDWID intends this to be a ONE TIME tax. The rate is approximately $.0711 per $100 of assessed value ($28.44 for a $400,000 residence) and it will appear on the property tax bill you receive this coming fall. Additional information about the tax will be provided in the September issue of the Villager, our community’s monthly newspaper that is delivered free of charge to every home mail box and post office box in the Village.
4. When ADOT begins work on the Enhancement Project in the fall, residences and businesses with sewer lateral lines running from their building to a BPDWID connection on 179 should be aware that marking (bluestaking) your line’s location prior to ADOT’s landscaping work is very important and is strictly a property owner responsibility. This is a “better safe than sorry” heads up for all of you along our State road in the Village, so watch for ADOT’s announcement of when this work will begin.
THANK YOU!
Big Park Domestic Wastewater Improvement District
Board of Directors
Helpful Hints for Use of the Wastewater System
Did you know that as property owners and users of the wastewater system that you are responsible for the maintenance of your service line? This is the line that connects your home to the sewer main. You may wish to consider a routine maintenance program so that your service line remains open and flowing in the right direction! Additionally, property owners are responsible for the location of their service lines which includes utility staking when necessary.
The Big Park Wastewater System is funded solely by the property owners and users of the system. Keeping maintenance and repairs to a necessary minimum reduces the cost to each user.
When non-biodegradable materials are put down the drain they do not just disappear! Eventually they end up lodged in the sewer mainlines, a liftstation or at the wastewater treatment plant. The system must then incur expenses to dislodge and/or dispose of these materials properly. If items are not generally associated with toilet flushing, food preparation, laundry facilities or personal hygiene then they belong in the garbage or disposed of at a recycling facility - not in the sewer system. If your property utilizes an on-site grinder or pump system extra care should be observed for use and maintenance.
We ask that you help us serve you better (and at less expense) by keeping your sewer system free of debris and damaging chemicals. We have compiled a list of some typical household materials that should NOT be discharged into the wastewater system:
No storm sewer, swimming pool or Jacuzzi backwash or drains, downspouts, arrangements which will permit surface run-off to enter the sanitary wastewater system, or volumes of water greater than 4,500 gallons that is discharged continuously.
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No substances or materials that could create a fire or explosion hazard including, but not limited to paints, varnishes, solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel, motor oil, or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid, or gas.
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No materials that cause corrosive damage or hazard to structures, equipment, or personnel of the wastewater facilities such as acids, muratic acid, paint thinners, or acidic household cleaners.
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No items that cause obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the operation of wastewater facilities due to accumulation of solid or viscous materials – heavy or thick liquids, joint compounds, paint, drywall mud, construction cleanup, kitty litter or adhesives. (Kitty litter is also very corrosive)
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Solid materials should never be placed in a sewer system, such as: food waste that has not been properly shredded, dental floss, exam gloves, diapers, rags, towels, thick paper towels, feminine products, fabric and fibrous materials, dirt, grit, rocks, kitty litter, gravel and sand. Additionally melon seeds accumulate rapidly and can clog the system because they do not get chopped up in the garbage disposal.
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No liquids that contain heat in amounts which will accelerate the biodegradation of wastes and thereby the formation of hydrogen sulfide in the sewer system or inhibit biological activity in the wastewater treatment facilities. Draining water heaters or flushing large quantities of hot water can make an impact on the temperature of the wastewater. It is critical to the operation of the treatment plant to maintain a certain temperature level.
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Fats, oils and grease reek havoc on a wastewater system, sewer mainlines and your service line as well. Cooking grease and oils should be placed in the garbage. Motor oil, anti-freeze, paint, paint thinner and cleaning compounds should be disposed of at a recycling or landfill facility. It is unlawful to dispose of motor oil and anti-freeze in a sewer system or by pouring it on the ground.
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Materials that contain regulated metals such as photo developing material, silver, lead, mercury, selenium, barium, and arsenic should never be discharged into a wastewater system. It is unlawful to discharge regulated metals.
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Some of the latest studies have shown that prescription drugs that are disposed of in a sewer system may not always be removed from the discharge. Therefore, disposing of drugs should be into the garbage or to a recycling center and not through the drain.
For more information: The District Ordinance is available on-line or contact the District office (928) 443-9484 or in Arizona Toll-Free (800) 659-7149 or email jbartos@idsadmin.com