Year in Review 2018: Birch Bay Water and Sewer District

By Sandi McMillan, finance director

In 2018, Birch Bay Water and Sewer District (BBWSD) celebrated 50 years of service. The occasion was observed on June 2 at the Beach Fest and Feast at Birch Bay State Park. BBWSD also offered tours of the wastewater treatment plant. This summer, the district launched an online StoryMap chronicling its past, present and future on its website.

This year, the district completed major capital improvement projects including the installation of a fine-bubble diffuser for sewage aeration and a coarse-bubble diffuser in the sewage digester basin in the wastewater treatment facility. The district continues to meet or exceed department of health water quality requirements. The district continues to implement a voluntary watering schedule during the summer to promote conservancy.

The district has been operated in recent years by 13 dedicated staff. This year, the district had two longstanding employees retire. The district had a succession plan to promote an internal employee to fill one position. The other position was externally advertised and the district received 76 applications with one of them being hired.

The district is constantly working with respect to its triple bottom line performance indicators: environmental, customer service and fiscal responsibilities. The district provides proper wastewater treatment, while containing costs. Expanded bill delivery and payment options support customer service. This year BBWSD received another clean audit from the state auditor’s office for 2016-2017. Looking ahead, the district is excited by the automated meter reading project. The new meters to be installed will conserve water and contain costs through faster reporting of water loss from leaks.