The public process - it's one of America's greatest treasures, and like many of our great treasures, it's one we often take for granted. In this case, I am speaking of the Public Hearing process, which gives us all a chance to have our voices heard before a public body takes action. When is the last time you took advantage of this? Have you ever? Better yet, have you ever foregone attending a Public Hearing because you thought it was "in the bag" only to find out later the decision was derailed by a vocal minority?

This Thursday evening is another such chance before our customers. This Thursday at 7 pm is A Public Hearing to consider your comments on a new rate structure we've proposed. Did you see the letter we sent to you about the new structure? The Public Notices we advertised? The news coverage? What do you think about it? 

Since we announced the proposed rate structure, we have heard from less than 100 customers out of nearly 60,000. That's 0.2% (point two percent).  The majority of these 100 customers who commented were not happy about the rate structure, though some were neutral. While that's pretty good, and all of those comments are seriously being considered, look at this another way:

99.8% of our customers have not commented on the new rate structure yet - at least not to us. What does this mean? 

Perhaps people are too busy to attend or have been too busy to have read about it?
Perhaps people think their comments won't matter?
Perhaps people are okay with the idea?

While we of course hope it's the last reason, we worry it's the first or second. If you are not engaged on this topic because you are not aware, please take a moment to read about it, and let us know. If you don't, you'll never know how you influenced the decision.  

Read about the proposed structure here.

Last Thursday, at our monthly Board meeting, a Board member inquired about our electricity backup systems. He wanted to know whether we had generators and backup fuel and the like. I held my breath. To me, the question was a dangerous one. It's a little like asking me whether my kids had gotten the flu yet. I never answer the question. I try not to even think about it because when I do say, "no - we've been very lucky this winter as a matter of fact," a child invariably starts puking that very minute. Call me superstitious, but I had hoped that at that moment, staff would simply look at the ceiling and whistle. They didn't. Instead, they reassured the Board that we had appropriate numbers of generators and diesel fuel in case of a power outage.

That was Thursday. On Friday at approximately 3 pm, (the day before a three-day holiday weekend because that's the standard day and time when these things happen) I learned that not one but both pumps serving both wells at Beacon Hill had failed. Not due to a power outage, however, but, due to a power surge we believe. The Gods have a sense of ironic humor.

If it were not for the fast work of Kate Hartnett of the Beacon Hill Community Association to get the word out, and the cooperation of all the residents of Beacon Hill to cut their water use waaay back this weekend, we wouldn't have made it through. So this week's blog is a special thanks to Kate and all the Beacon Hill residents for bearing with us while our staff worked throughout the weekend to get two new pumps installed and working again. Beacon Hill, you have our regrets for what must have been an incredible inconvenience. You also have our gratitude for pulling together collectively to cut back. We may not have been able to deliver very much water to you last weekend, but if there was a bright side, we gave you something else: a great excuse to not do dishes or laundry. Thanks again so very much.   

So, alas, the groundhog apparently saw his shadow and dashed back underground for 6 more weeks of winter. Now before you pull the covers up over your head, let’s take stock of what opportunities these next 6 weeks provide, for it’s not all that bad. Here are 6 things to do in the next 6 weeks to make the winter go by faster. When you're done, Spring will be here:

1. That’s 6 more weeks for groundwater recharge to occur – and the snow – though we find it troublesome at times – is an important player in that recharge. So let it fall and replenish the groundwater, feed our roots and make them strong for this summer’s growing season.
2. More time to research irrigation systems, contractors and controllers. Are you planning to have one installed this spring? If you are – there’s more to it than just price. Use our Preferred Irrigation Contractors as a starting point and consider that while “set it and forget it” is great philosophy for rotisserie chicken – it’s absolutely disastrous for irrigation systems.
3. Take a drive through Loudoun and peer into a beautiful slice of American history. Are you aware of the natural and historic beauty and resources within our County boundaries? You’re not a true Loudouner until you have taken your family on the scavenger hunt at Mosby Heritage Area, explored the Civil War graves at Mount Zion Church, milked a cow at the Heritage Farm Museum, or walked among the “safe houses” of Waterford Village.
4. Plan your landscape. How will you manage your yard this year to be gentler on water use, pesticides and other chemicals outdoors? Contact us for a comprehensive Wise Water Landscape guide to show you how to use shade and slope to your advantage, install a rain barrel to collect downspout water for gardens or create a rain garden to slow the seepage of water into your soil, keeping pollutants from running into the storm drain to our sources of drinking water.
5. Go "loco for local" - meaning go crazy for the incredibly bounty of fresh produce, meats and poultry available right here in Loudoun. Whether it's certified organic you want or just the desire to support a local farmer, everything you need is less than 30 minutes away, right here in Loudoun. Check out the directory of local farms provided by the Piedmont Environmental Council.
6. Visit the Loudoun Water Aquiary with your kids. It’s open usually one Saturday per month (February 20 is the next one), it’s free and it’s best for kids aged 9 and up. Find out how the treatment process happens, what you can (or shouldn’t) pour down your drains, how much water was used to make the clothes on your back, and much more! Open during the work week as well.