Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020) was certainly one of the most unprecedented and unusual years in the District’s history. We are very pleased to report that the District maintained its very high level of performance despite the current COVID emergency, the severe rainstorm events in November and April, and the many other challenges we faced throughout the year. Like many organizations, the District had to adjust to a whole new way of doing business. Our Board of Directors began conducting its public meetings via video and teleconference, all the while meeting the state’s open meeting law requirements. Our staff successfully adjusted to working remotely from home and to an alternate work schedule designed to keep our employees and customers safe. Throughout this period, the District was able to safely transport and treat wastewater from our customers’ homes and businesses.
In addition to the COVID emergency, the District faced intense storms on Thanksgiving Day and in April. Heavy storms present serious challenges to wastewater agencies, in that stormwater finds its way into the sewer system and can overwhelm it causing sewer spills. During the April 10th storm event, the District recorded its highest peak flows ever. The District operations team’s response was excellent, as we were able to keep all of the
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wastewater flowing in the pipes. In fact, the District was one of only a few area agencies that did not record a spill that day! Although we had these challenges, the District had several FY 2020 highlights. They included being recognized for both the Wastewater Collection System of the Year Award and for the Community Engagement Award by the California Water Environment Association—San Diego Section. In addition, the District was recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for its excellent financial reporting and by the California Municipal Treasurers Association for its excellent investment policies.
The District also postponed a scheduled rate increase this spring due to the severe economic impact of the COVID pandemic. Despite this and due to excellent financial planning, the District’s finances remain sound and our wastewater service rate remains the lowest in San Diego County. We are pleased to report that even with the challenges this past year, the District was able to maintain a very high level of service to our customers and continue to provide this service in a very economical manner.
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Leucadia Wastewater District Remembers Longtime Board Member David Kulchin |
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our long-standing Board member and community volunteer David Kulchin. Dedicated to public service, Director Kulchin dutifully served on the Leucadia Wastewater District Board of Directors from 1996 to 2020. During his twenty-four years of service, he was a dedicated active member of several committees and served as Board President and Vice President for multiple terms. His contributions to the District and community were abundant and impactful to so many.
Under Director Kulchin’s leadership, the District achieved numerous accomplishments. These included, construction upgrades to the Gafner Water Recycling Facility and the new District Headquarters building, and several updates to the District’s Financial Plan and Asset Management Plan. Director Kulchin’s visionary leadership has helped the District maintain one of the lowest sewer rates in San Diego County while providing an extremely high level of service to the District’s customers and maintaining its outstanding record of environmental protection.
Director Kulchin was actively involved in his community, serving on the Board of the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA Encinitas, Hospice of the North Coast, the Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas Community Advisory Board, and past President of the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary, and the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Clubs. Director Kulchin will be missed by his fellow Board members, staff members, and the community he faithfully served. He will be remembered for his many contributions to the District’s success and his love of the community.
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With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, our everyday lives are certainly different. One important, often overlooked, result of the stay-at-home order is that your home’s plumbing system is seeing a lot more use. A backup with a sewer “overflow” couldn’t happen at a worse time. If it isn’t the three- P’s, pee, poo, and paper (toilet paper only), it should never be flushed down your toilets. We are aware of an abundance of products that might be labeled as “flushable”; but, as you continue to brave these cautious times, caring for your plumbing is a small but important health and safety consideration. Simply put, “No wipes down the pipes.” Please see our website for a list of other nonflushable items, http://bit.ly/What2Flush
In addition to the “flushable” wipes, the District has recently seen pool plaster in the sewer pipes. This substance will harden and potentially clog your sewer lateral or the sewer main causing a backup into your home or a sewer spill. If you are installing a swimming pool or re-plastering it, make sure your contractor doesn’t dispose of the excess pool plaster down your sewer line. The District staff are available to answer any questions you may have.
The District also offers financial assistance should your home’s lateral connection to our system require actual “repair or replacement”. See the District’s website for more information, http://bit.ly/latgrant
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Now Accepting Teacher Grant Applications!
The District is now accepting Teacher Grant applications for the 2020/2021 school year! Help us get the word out to teachers who can benefit from this program. Submit your Teacher Grant application by the deadline Friday, November 20, 2020. The District anticipates awarding up to three grants of up to $2,000 each. This will be the District’s 12th year helping local teachers by awarding grant funds to support their environmental projects. For a list of the eligible schools that are in our service district, an application, and instructions, check out our Teacher Grant website page at bit.ly/lwdteachergrant. In addition to hands on projects, the District will accept virtual projects this year due to the current COVID-19 protocols.
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Join a Virtual Tour-Coming Soon
While we miss hosting you at our headquarters in La Costa, we love showing you how our team keeps our sewer operations running 24 hours a day through our videos. Our videos explain how our pump stations work right below our streets, how we recycle water to be reused to irrigate a local golf course, and highlight the team that makes it happen. Keep an eye on our videos channel for existing award-winning films and our upcoming Virtual Tour series.
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District Awards & Achievements
We are honored to receive ongoing commendations and distinctions for the work the District does to protect our coastline and run an efficient operation.
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Have you seen one of your photos on our Facebook page? Maybe you were featured on the cover of our newsletter? We love seeing our community through your eyes so please continue to submit your favorite pictures from Encinitas, Leucadia, and South Carlsbad by |
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tagging a photo on Facebook with #LWDPhoto or send an email to info@lwwd.org. We will give recognition to any photo we use in any of our postings or newsletters.
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Semi-annual Newsletter | Fall 2020
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