Bellevue Utilities News
 
Information about your water, drainage, wastewater, and solid waste utility services.
Also available in these languages: Chinese / 中文 | Korean / 한국어 | Russian / Русский | Spanish / Español | Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
July - August 2017  
High Quality Water for Less Than a Penny a Gallon
 
Bellevue's water comes from the Cedar River and Tolt River watersheds in the Cascade Mountains - protected areas that are closed to human activity and development. This means our water has fewer contaminants and is treated with fewer chemicals. The following are ways that Bellevue keeps your water safe:
  • Monitor drinking water quality throughout the city to make sure it meets or exceeds state and federal water quality standards.
  • Manage the Cross Connection Control/Backflow Prevention Program to prevent contaminants from entering the city's water system.
  • Establish procedures used during water main breaks and other event responses to protect drinking water quality.
  • Conduct water main flushing, sampling and results tracking to ensure freshness.
  • Inspect water storage tanks to ensure they have secure and sanitary conditions, as well as oversee storage tank cleaning to remove any accumulated sediments.
  • Assist customers with water quality issues in their homes.
  • Keep abreast of changing state and federal regulations.
  • Maintain strong relationships with Washington State's Department of Health - Office of Drinking Water.
  • Train for water emergencies with other regional water providers.
This means you don't have to turn to expensive bottled water to get great quality, taste, and value. Learn more about your water in this year's Water Quality Report. The report is also
available in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

24-ounces Retail vs. 90 Gallons of Bellevue's Mountain Fresh

For the price of a bottle of water customers can have roughly 90 gallons of mountain fresh water. Calculations based on the following: Bellevue Utilities charges the taxed rate of $3.85 per CCF of water (100 cubic feet or 748 gallons), or .5 cents a gallon. Compared with a 24-ounce bottle of Aquafina water at Albertsons selling at 44.3 cents per unit.
Become a Leak Detective and Save Money

Slow drips of water can add up quickly. A toilet that keeps running after you flush or a sink that drips after it is turned off can waste thousands of gallons of water a year. If an irrigation line breaks, it can be much more. Unfortunately, many leaks go undetected until a high water bill sends an alert that something is wrong. Learn to be a leak detective and avoid water waste.


To determine if you have a leak:
  1. Turn off all water in your house. Locate your meter. It's generally located in the ground near the curb in front of the house.
  2. Open the lid and use a rag to clear away any debris. If the black or red triangle or silver flow indicator is spinning, and all water has been turned off in your house, you probably have a leak.
  3. Another way to check is to turn off all water in your house and record the reading on your meter register. Wait 30 minutes without using any water. Check the meter again. If the numbers have changed, you probably have a leak.
Bellevue's Leak Adjustment Policy

Bellevue Utilities reads your water meter once every two months. If a leak goes undetected during that time, it can add up to thousands of dollars, causing an increase to your water and  sewer charges.

The city's leak adjustment policy allows one adjustment per property owner for the outside buried service line only, with a written request and proof of repair. We do not make adjustments for leaks to optional devices, such as irrigation systems, pools, water features, or boat docks. By taking the leak detection steps above, you can prevent large bills due to leaks.

Learn more at bellevuewa.gov/LeakAdjustments.
Prevent Dangerous Backflow

Do you own an irrigation system, fire sprinkler system, or lake water pumping system? Washington State law requires that backflow assembly devices be installed in these types of plumbing conditions.


What Is Backflow?

It's exactly what it sounds like: the water is flowing in the opposite direction from its normal flow. With the direction of flow reversed, due to a change in water pressure, backflow can allow contaminants such as fertilizers, garden chemicals, insects, and pet waste to enter your drinking water system.

A backflow prevention assembly ensures water flows only one way. If you have any of the above systems, but did not receive a reminder notice from the city about annual testing, please contact our Water Quality Group at 425-452-5208. Your efforts help protect your drinking water quality!

Why Is My Water Bill Higher in Summer?

Most people are surprised at how much water they use for summer  irrigation. Your bill may also go up because Bellevue has a tiered  rate structure designed to encourage conservation - the more water  you use, the more it costs. Please keep this in mind when watering  lawns and gardens. You may want to adopt water-saving practices for  landscaping.

Smart Watering Tips
  • Water infrequently, but deeply.
  • Moisten the entire root area.
  • Mulch planting beds to reduce water evaporation.
  • Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation in plant beds.
  • Match your watering schedule to weather conditions, use timers and add hose shut-off nozzles.
  • Check automatic irrigation systems regularly for problems and install a rain sensor.
Get smart watering tips at bellevuewa.gov/SmartWatering.
Get Started Recycling Food Scraps with a FREE Kitchen Composter

Food waste and food-soiled paper make up about 30 percent of a typical household's waste. Are you dumping your food scraps in the garbage or worse, putting them down the garbage disposal in your sink and increasing your risk of a sewage backup?

Fats, oils and grease from cooking can gather in your home's side sewer. When a sewer backup is caused by a side sewer failure, you may be faced with digging up your yard, removing the adjoining sidewalk, and/or opening up the street, potentially costing tens of thousands of dollars. Repairs are NOT typically covered by homeowners insurance.

Avoid this potential disaster with a FREE kitchen composter! Bellevue single-family residents can start recycling food scraps with a free kitchen food waste container by calling your solid waste provider, Republic Services, at 425-452-4762. Keep the mess down by using compostable bags in your container. Get a free sample from King County by taking the Compost More, Waste Less Pledge.

Apartment and condo residents are eligible for free kitchen food waste containers if their property is signed up for organics service. If your building is, ask your property manager to call Bellevue Utilities' recycling hotline at 425-452-6932 to request containers. If not, ask your
property manager to sign up for organics service and help keep more waste out of the landfill.
Volunteer for Our Stream Team

Bellevue Utilities' Stream Team volunteers gather important  information about Bellevue's streams, lakes and wetlands and help improve the city's fish and wildlife habitat.

How Do I Get Involved?
  1. Contact the Stream Team at streamteam@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-5200 and ask to be on the volunteer contact list.
  2. Provide your email or address to receive announcements about upcoming volunteer events (usually twice per year).
  3. Sign up for training workshops.
  4. Attend training and participate in the programs.
Bellevue Utilities | General: 425-452-6932 | 24 Hour Emergencies: 425-452-7840
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