MISSION STATEMENT:

The Lethbridge North County Potable Water Co-op shall endeavor to supply potable water to all residents of the Lethbridge North County, who wish to be supplied, at the most reasonable cost as can be achieved, for the good of all.

March 29, 2021

Dear Valued LNCPWC Member:

The Lethbridge North County Potable Water Co-op Board of Directors is writing to inform you of three important upcoming events as follows:

Thank you for your continued support of the Lethbridge North County Potable Water Co-op.

Sincerely,

LNCPWC Board of Directors

 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

• Thank you to our Co-op members who participated in the 2020 AGM on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Our venue was once again the Diamond City Community Hall and the meeting commenced at 7:00pm. 
• Due to COVID-19, we were unable to offer refreshments and maintained social distancing for entry and seating this year. However, the input from our Co-op members is appreciated and valued. We look forward to your ongoing concerns as we strive to always work in the best interests of our members. 
• The agenda included the elections for five director positions for 2020, the annual reports from the President, Operations and Administration, the review of the 2019 financial audit and a 2020 budget presentation by the Treasurer. We had questions and answers throughout the meeting. 
• We also extend a thank you to our 2019 Auditor, Darren Adamson of Avail LLP., as well as Jeremy Wickson of Lethbridge County for speaking.

We look forward to seeing you next year!  -On behalf of the Board and Staff of LNCPWC 

Newsletter May 2020 - Information Update

• As most of our members are aware, the annual general meeting of the Lethbridge North County Potable Water Co-op has been postponed because of the restrictions on public gatherings due to Covid-19. The meeting will be rescheduled to a later date once these restrictions are lifted. At this time, we are planning to advertise any updates to the meeting schedule in the Sunny South News and we encourage all members to attend, as there will be elections for Board Director positions.

• The Co-op has restructured its internal operations to deliver the highest quality of service to its members. Our former Operations manager is no longer employed by the LNCPWC, and we wish him well in his future endeavors. The Co-op has signed an agreement with Lethbridge County to fill the role of operational activities. These duties include, but are not limited to, water testing, on site supervision of maintenance and construction, working with engineering and reporting regularly to the Board and Alberta Environment.

• To clarify several requests made by members in the past, we want to remind members that the Co-op’s infrastructure does not include the line from the curb-stop to the members cistern. The Co-op owns the emitter and float valve assembly. We are committed to the upkeep and required replacement of these. Please do not adjust or tamper with Co-op property. This can become a very serious issue with Alberta Environment if Co-op protocols are not followed.

• The Co-op’s water line must be treated as any other buried utility line. If there is construction near the line, please submit a locate request to Alberta One Call. Once this call is made, we will be notified and the County will mark the line or give permission to dig if there are no lines affected. This service is free and easily accessible.

• The Administration of the Co-op is running smoothly. For all inquiries regarding billing, hookups, disconnects, and change of ownership in property, please call Janice Larson at 403-394-5902 or email at [email protected]

• The Board will soon be hiring a part-time employee to work alongside Administration, County operations, and our members to ensure continued quality service for our Co-op.

• On the Regulatory side of the LNCPWC, we continue to work with Wilde Bros Engineering to bring our Co-op into Compliance with Alberta Environment. We are making progress, which is encouraging as it has been a slow and, at times, trying experience for the Board. However, we are committed to fulfilling our mandate to get into compliance and continue delivering safe, clean water for all our members.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Andy Vanessen – President, LNCPWC

The LNCPWC would like to inform it’s members that we are currently ON HOLD as a Water Co-op.

The Co-op is unable to “Activate” or “Add On” any additional water units at this time.

We are uncertain as to how long this status will be in affect.

The LNCPWC appreciate your cooperation & understanding as we are working very hard to be ACTIVE again soon.

Please note that there will be no disruption in your already established water services.

Our Co-op Office & Operations Dept is still available to handle your regular service inquiries.  

Newsletter​

November 30, 2019

Attention All LNCPWC Members:

The LNCPWC Board feels that it is time to update our members on the activities and changes the Co-op is undertaking.

First and foremost, Rae Lynne Friesen our Administrator for the past 13 years, has informed us of her intent to resign at year-end, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank her for the many years of service she provided to the LNCPWC. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Secondly, Marcella Klein our Bookkeeper, has informed us of her intention to retire from her current position at the end of the year. Again, a hearty thanks to Marcella for a job well done and best wishes in the future.

The Board has combined the positions of Administrator and Bookkeeper into one position.

The LNCPWC has hired Janice Larson to fill this position. Janice comes to us highly qualified, with many years of experience in the banking sector, and business management in the private sector. She is very familiar with our accounting system, and eager to learn the specifics of the LNCPWC. We would like to welcome Janice to our team. She plans to start for the Co-op on Dec 1, 2019.

The LNCPWC has also moved its office. We have leased office space from Alberta Prime Beef in Picture Butte. Included in this lease is access to a corporate boardroom for our monthly meetings, storage space for the LNCPWC files, and office space for our Administrator/Bookkeeper.

This facility is located 1 mile south of the Lethbridge County Shop in Picture Butte.

The new contact information for all matters regarding administration is as follows…

We hope that this newsletter will enable a smooth and easy transition to our updated office activities.

Thank you on behalf of the LNCPWC Board of Directors

Andy Vanessen

LNCPWC President

The Cold Weather Challenge

I have noticed that service calls are starting to come in after this bitter cold snap. It’s time to check your cistern and see how things faired over the winter.

Is the float system still working?

If not better call before the overflow happens.

As things start to melt, is any surface water getting in?

Better clear away a path so the water from melting snow and ice goes by and doesn’t get inside, possibly making you and your family ill.

This is a good time to remind everyone that cisterns need protection, it’s your job as a customer to ensure that ice doesn’t build up in the cistern, freezing and cracking the brass components which will create major problems. 

Insulating your cistern is a very good option. Building a wooden cover around the lid of your cistern will help shield it from the wind. Wind especially a chinook will super cool your cistern and freeze things quickly. Consider the lid cover and get some hay bales to throw over the entire cistern surface when snow is light. If there’s lots of snow, use it as insulation. The hay will make good compost for your garden in the spring.

Just a few tips to keep the water running.

Remember service calls are free when the LNCPWC equipment is at fault.

Farewell Frans

2022 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

As of April 11, 2022

PRESIDENT

Andy Van Essen 403-317-0681

VICE PRESIDENT

Murray Kester 403-634-0324

SECRETARY

Arnie Bergen-Henengouwen  403-308-9140

TREASURER

Dirk Van Der Kooij 403~308~9428

2019 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

HELD: Wed, April 3, 2019, 7PM

WHERE: Diamond City Community Hall

We would like to thank all those members who attended this year's Annual General Meeting. Once again, only a few members came out to hear what the Board of Directors had to present. The Board updated the membership on the current status of the Co-op. as well as presented information & budget details showing the Co-op had another great year, with TAMPERING being a big concern.

The LNCPWC want to thank Frans VandeStroet, long time Board Member/Director of the LNCPWC, for his long time dedication & commitment to the Co-op. Frans has been key & influential in the planning & implementing of our policies, and the Co-op Board appreciates all his time & effort over the years. Thank You Frans

Alberta Health Services Information

In the event that contaminates enter your cistern & potable water supply...please review the cistern cleaning details provided by Alberta Health Services. 

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/Advisories/ne-pha-cistern-disinfection.pdf

TAMPERING POLICY

AGM 2018

The Lethbridge North County Potable Water Co-op would like to thank all those who attended. Many interesting details & developments were shared with a small group of attending members. We have completed construction of all phases, with only a handful of connections left to service, before we are completely operational. We are adding new members & units by request only. The Co-op is in great shape & will continue to work hard, providing quality water service to all their members in the North County of Lethbridge. If interested, there are still water units available for purchase.

FAREWELL TO LARRY PETERSON & JACK FEENSTRA

We regretfully had to say a final farewell to Mr. Larry Peterson (Former President, Vice-President & Director for 15 years). 15 years seemed to be a good milestone & opportunity to step away from the Co-op. Starting up the Co-op back in 2003 (with other individuals interested in acquiring potable water delivery to their properties in the North County of Lethbridge), Larry had a vision that became a reality for many in 2010. The first pipeline service was installed as far away as Turin, AB, and even a few services to members in the MD of Taber. Unfortunately, Larry & his wife Sandi, were one of the last members to acquire water in their area, but Larry's dream came to fruition for him in 2015, and it was well worth the wait. The Co-op is so very grateful for his hours of dedication & commitment to this project, as it is now one of the largest Water Co-ops in the province today. His knowledge & desire to accomplish great things for the good of the membership, along side the Co-op team, has brought us to where we are today. 

We also say farewell to Mr. Jack Feenstra. Jack also served for many years on the Board & even continued to serve after he sold his property within the Co-op & was no longer a member. Thank you Jack for many years of service, your time, & voice on the Board. Your commitment to this project is greatly appreciated. 

PRESSURE MONITORING & CHLORINE SENSORS

PRESSURE & CHLORINE MONITORING

Customers in the LNCPWC should be aware that the LNCPWC has installed pressure and chlorine sensing monitors in the co-op distribution system. The monitors are telling us many interesting things with respect to the daily use and flow of water.

Chlorine readings indicate that there is an appropriate amount of chlorine in the water to protect against any of the bad things we do not want to see in the water supply. That’s good news and allows us to speak confidently that we are supplying high quality water.

The pressure component of the monitors, show some interesting results that are present by design. One good example is in the Monarch Phases along the west side of #3 Highway. This area experiences a reduction of pressure from 60psi down to about 40psi daily. This has to do with the supply line that includes service to the hamlet of Monarch.

The other interesting component is the ability to see the flushing processes in place when the County personnel collect chlorine and bacteriological samples daily for reporting to Alberta Environment under our contract with Lethbridge County. The pressure drop and duration are very evident, and I am able to compare their report to the data from the monitors in those areas, and see the one to one correlation of date and time. This brings me to yet another component of system pressure monitoring, which is tampering, and the bypassing of our emitter systems...

We can see what is happening day or night, 24/7. We know when water theft is occurring.

Most recently, this has been occurring in an area east of the town of Picture Butte.

All members have signed agreements with the Co-op and are fully aware that tampering with the emitter is forbidden. An advance call, text or email must be placed to 403~380~6918 or [email protected]. Permission is required before you touch the emitter - no exceptions. Tampering causes very serious impacts to the distribution system. It can result in extreme loss of pressures to any end of line members and should a pressure reading fall to the point of zero pressure, the situation must be reported to Alberta Environment who may issue a boil water directive.

Members caught will be charged a $500 Tampering Fee, plus operations costs, and additional water charges as determined by the LNCPWC Board. A second offence will result in permanently disconnecting your membership and source of water.

Why would anyone tamper, when service calls are FREE if our equipment is at fault?

Below are two graphic examples from our monitors: 

TWO MEMBERS BYPASSING EMITTER

We had a wonderful AGM meeting on March 30, 2017 at the Diamond City Hall. Our membership must be satisfied with the works of the Board of Directors & staff, as we had a small attendance again this year. 

FAREWELL TO DR. BILL HAMMAN

The Lethbridge North County Potable Water Co-op would like to thank all those who attended. We regretfully had to say a final farewell to Dr. Bill Hamman, who has decided, after over 13 years, to step away from the Co-op as Director. Bill was recently the Treasurer of the Co-op & in years past he was also President & Vice-president. He was a valuable asset to the Co-op, and we are grateful for all that Bill did over the years. His knowledge & desire to accomplish great things for the good of the membership, have brought us to where we are today. We have completed construction of all phases, with only a handful of connections left to service, before we are completely operational & adding new members & units by request. The Co-op is in great shape & will continue to work hard, providing quality water service to all their members in the North County of Lethbridge. 

MONARCH PHASE 3 Extension Is Underway!

UPDATE - MARCH 2017

It is official...The LNCPWC just finished it's major construction on the last & final phase (Monarch Phase 3). We have worked diligently over the years to service all our members (in stages),and we thank you all for your patience as we facilitated the pipeline project over the past 8 years of construction). Our "Pipe Dream" is an official REALITY in all areas!!!

NOVEMBER 2016 - Monarch Phase 3 (our final leg of major construction) has begun.

The members that are located on the west side of Highway 3 near Coalhurst will be grateful & eager for their long awaited potable water service. Our "Pipe Dream" has become a reality!! Special thanks to the long time service of our volunteer Board members, the expertise of our Operator Martin Nordstrom & the construction team from Syn-Core Drilling.

Current LNCPWC President Arnie Bergen-Henengouwen, Past President & current Board Member, Larry Peterson, and Past President & current Treasurer, Bill Hamman are all smiles as they pose with Operator Martin Nordstrom & the Team from Syn-Core Drilling.