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THE ISLAND WATER ASSOCIATION, INC. August 25, 2004
Dear IWA Member,
As I am sure you are aware, Hurricane Charley dealt our islands a major blow on Friday, August 13th, which seems a fitting date for such a disaster to occur (Friday the 13th). IWA employees planned to ride the storm out in our facilities in order to maintain the operability of our water system. However, at the last moment, very early Friday morning, we decided that would not be a wise course of action, and we all fled across the causeway just a few hours before landfall. We were among the very last to leave.
We returned with a small group of key employees with a police escort early Sunday, August 15th, as soon as the roads were marginally passable to our plant/office site. We found our office and treatment plant in very good shape, considering the 140+/- miles per hour winds they had seen. By noon that day, we had water pressure to the piping system just outside our plant. By dark the same day, our treatment plant was operating and we had water pressure in our distribution system for a couple of miles east and west of the plant, along Sanibel-Captiva Road.
Over the next 6 days, by the evening of Saturday, August 21st, we methodically restored water service to both islands, although it had to be boiled before it could be consumed. Since many of our water meters and valves were buried under huge piles of vegetation and other debris, chainsaw and heavy equipment crews assisted us in this effort, along with two contractor piping repair crews and employees from Bonita Springs Utilities. We had to shut off around 300 Members’ water service, due to leaks in their piping after our meter. Those 300 members are slowly calling us and having plumbers repair their piping.
On Tuesday afternoon, August 24th, we received bacteriological clearance for about 90% of our system and the boil water notice was rescinded for Members in the cleared areas. On Wednesday afternoon, August 25th, we received bacteriological clearance for the remainder of the system and everyone on both islands could once again drink our water.
One major problem still remains, and is the primary purpose of this communication. Approximately 75% of all landscape irrigation systems on both islands have major damage. When electric power is restored to those damaged systems, excessive amounts of water are poured onto the ground, not only wasting water, but lowering our system pressure to the point where fire protection is jeopardized, which is obviously a serious public safety issue. In some, but not all cases, we have turned irrigation systems off at the Member’s control box to avoid this problem, and have left a notice explaining what we have done. PLEASE check your irrigation system, or have your landscaper do so. If it is damaged, turn it off and leave it off until all leaks, broken heads, etc. can be repaired. Not only will you help to ensure adequate fire protection for you and your neighbors, but you will also save yourself a very large water bill.
When you return to the island, if you find you do not have water service, it is quite possible that you were one of the 300 people we turned off due to leaks in your piping. Just give us a call at 239-472-1502, and we will briefly turn your water back on so that your plumber can diagnose and repair your problem as quickly as possible.
It has been a long 2 weeks, and many IWA employees have worked very long hours to restore your water service. We will continue to be at your service during the long restoration phase of this natural disaster. Sincerely,
Roger Blind, General Manager |
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