Get your ballot ready Two seats on the Centennial Water Board of Directors will be up for election on May 3. The two seats have a three-year term limit. Registered voters who live in or own property within district boundaries may vote in the election. The Centennial Water boundary includes all properties located in the Highlands Ranch Metro District and Mirabelle Metropolitan District. Visit centennialwater.org/vote to view a map of the district boundary. If you are interested in running for a seat on the Centennial Water board, submit a self-nomination and acceptance form. Download the form at centennialwater.org/vote. The May 3 election will be a polling place election. If you would like a ballot by mail, download and complete an Application for Absentee Ballot at centennialwater.org/vote. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is the close of business on the Tuesday preceding the election (April 26, 2022).
2
Director seats up for election
Type of election:
Polling place
&
mail-in Absentee Voting
election information: centennialwater.org/vote
2022 budget Since Centennial Water’s formation 40 years ago, the district has always planned ahead when investing in the system that supplies clean, safe drinking water and reliable wastewater services every day. The proposed 2022 budget and rates continue this mission. The 2022 rates went into effect Jan. 1. The impact of the increase on a typical single family customer’s annual bill is estimated to be $52 or 5.1%. Water and wastewater rates for Centennial Water customers continue to be among the lowest in the Denver Metro area. A comparison of rates is available online at centennialwater.org. The 2022 operating budget is up 2.5% from 2021. The increase is a reflection of the need to maintain infrastructure and meet changing regulatory requirements. New items in the budget include funding for the 2022 election, a 10-year capital plan and drought rates. This is the first time drought rates have been included in the budget, and it will be a routine part of the budget process moving forward. For more information about the budget, visit centennialwater.org or contact Centennial Water at 303-791-0430.
What is money collected from water rates used for? Rates recover the cost of operations and maintenance including cost for staff, treatment chemicals, utilities, ongoing repair and maintenance of facilities, water acquisition and debt service. Rates are reviewed during the budget process each year. New rates generally go into effect the first billing period beginning after Jan. 1.
Winter watering This past fall was extremely warm and dry. In typical years, minimal outside watering is necessary during the fall and winter due to increased precipitation. However, Centennial Water provides a small outdoor water budget to supplement precipitation when conditions are dry. In addition to an indoor water budget, residential customers receive 1,000 gallons of water per billing cycle for outdoor use. This wintertime water budget is intended to keep trees, shrubs and other vegetation (non-grass) healthy during dry spells.
Centennial Water recommends customers hand water trees and shrubs during extended dry periods over the winter.
centennialwater.org
Extended dry periods can also lead to concerns about grass. Winter is the natural time of year for grass to go into dormancy. Dormancy is your lawn’s way of going to sleep. When grass goes dormant, it shuts down and turns brown in order to conserve water and nutrients. As spring approaches, the grass will naturally green/wake-up and resume growth. Centennial Water recommends customers hand water if necessary during warm, dry periods. This ensures you know exactly where water is going and approximately how much you have applied. This will help you stay within your allotted water budget. Metro District’s Parks and Parkways Manager Dirk Ambrose recommends watering when temperatures are above 40 degrees and when the ground is not frozen. “Trees are best watered with a root feeder or other direct watering device; 10 gallons of water per month should be applied for each inch of tree diameter with newer trees receiving that amount weekly,” Ambrose said. For more information, email info@centennialwater.org.
Free online bill pay Centennial Water & Sanitation District offers free online bill pay to customers. There is never an added charge to pay your water bill. If you are attempting to pay your water bill and are charged a fee to process payment, stop right away. You are not in the right place. Customers can pay their water bill through the online bill pay link from our website or by visiting the direct link to centennialwater.org/waterbill.
Learn More Sign-up for Centennial Water’s eNewsletter. Text 22828 to CWSD to sign-up. Drought Resource Center – centennialwater.org/drought
Follow us on social media: Facebook – facebook.com/centennialwaterandsanitationdistrict LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/centennial-water-sanitation-district Twitter - twitter.com/CentennialWater
info@centennialwater.org 303-791-0430 centennialwater.org