10 Quick Tips to Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

1. Know where the main water shut off valve is.

2. Make sure hoses are disconnected from all bibs/spigots.

3. Insulate all pipes along outside walls.

4. Insulate attic pipes.

5. Get heat into the garage.

6. Cover crawl space and vent openings with cardboard.

7. Leave the faucet running at a drip.

8. Open cabinets under sinks to expose plumbing to warmer air.

9. If you have a yard hydrant, leave it running.

10. Don’t forget about vacant properties, winterize them too

​

Water Quality

Q: Does UHWA add fluoride to the water ?
A: No, Union Hill Water Association does not add fluoride to its water.

Q: Does UHWA add chlorine to the water?
A: No

Q: What is the “hardness” of UHWA water?
A: UHWA has moderately hard water, 68 mg/l.

Q: When the water gets brown or dirty due to a line break or repair, do you test to make sure it’s safe to drink?
A: We routinely test once a month. However, we always perform special testing if a problem occurs to ensure that all water is of the highest quality and safe to drink.

Q: Sometimes it takes forever for the water to clear up. Why is that?
A: A mineral, which is harmless but unattractive, will get stirred up in the line. To clear up the water follow the flushing procedure.

​

Flushing Water Service Line “How To” In 3 Easy Steps

Step 1 – Find a white bucket or cup to easily see water color. Turn on your outdoor faucet (closest to where your water line enters your house; using a hose is fine provided it doesn’t have a nozzle or sprinkler attached) and let the water run for approximately fifteen (15) minutes.

​

Step 2 – After fifteen (15) minutes, place bucket under faucet and look at the water to see if it’s clear. If water appears to still be cloudy or brown, continue to run spigot for another five (5) minutes and then check again using the same procedure. Continue this process at five (5) minute intervals until water runs clear.

​

Step 3 –  To flush your residential system, start at lower or main level of the house. Run the faucet for approximately five (5) minutes and check the color. If clear, move on to the next closest faucet (bathroom or laundry room) and run for two (2) to three (3) minutes until water again runs clear. Flush toilet once or twice to clear line. Continue the same process with each faucet and toilet moving one at a time until you reach the farthest toilet and faucet away from the from the lower or main level.

​

Q: What causes the water to appear milky or cloudy?
A: This is often times caused by air in the line. If this should happen, just give us a call and we’ll send someone out.

​

Bill Payment

Q: Can you do an automatic debit of my account for my water bill?
A: Yes. You will need to fill out the form under “Automatic Payment Plan” and return it to our office.

​

Rebates

Q: Do you offer rebates for the purchase of water efficient washing machine?
A: With proof of purchase, we will issue a one-time $25.00 credit on your water bill.

​

Street Lights

Q: Why does my bill have a street light line item.
A: A small percentage of Association members have an additional item on their monthly billing statement for street lights. Puget Sound Energy bills the Association for street lights located within some residential
neighborhoods. This is then passed along to members who benefit from the street lights. PSE set up each residential development differently. Some are billed through the homeowner’s association, some through UHWA, and some directly by PSE.

​

Meters

Q: Why is my meter being changed?
A: Meters are changed because they have passed their life expectancy. This is an ongoing maintenance program.

​

Usage Calculation

Q: How do I calculate cubic feet of water to gallons?
A: To convert cubic feet to gallons, begin with the understanding that 1 cubic foot of water equals 7.48 gallons of water and there are 748 gallons of water in 100 cubic feet. The Association bills water in increments of 100 cubic feet or 1 unit. Here are the steps to calculate your usage from cubic feet to gallons:

​

1. Take your previous meter read (pmr) (found on your billing postcard, e-bill invoice, or online through the epay website) and subtract it from your current meter read (cmr).
previous read: 2750; current read 2765
(pmr) 2765 – (cmr) 2750 = (usage) 15 units or 1500 cubic feet

​

2. You have two options here to calculate the usage:
     a. Multiply 15 units times 748 gallons = 11,220 gallons
     b. Multiply 15 units times 100 cubic feet = 1500 then multiply again by 7.48 gallons = 11,220 gallons.

​

Additional Questions

Q: My question is not listed here, what do I do now?
A: You may e-mail your questions to office manager at customerservice@uhwa.org or you can call our office during business hours at 425-497-1812.