Currents November/December 2024

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER | 2024

Water and Power Newsletter for Your Vera Neighborhood

The holiday season is a time for dazzling light displays, but you can have all the sparkle without the corresponding energy bills.

Holiday water-saving tips for the season 'Tis the season for festive cheer, quality time with loved ones, and creating memories.

FESTIVE AND FRUGAL

Trendy holiday lighting ideas that save energy Here are some creative and energy-efficient holiday lighting ideas: 1. Laser Light Projectors Move over Clark Griswold, laser-light projectors offer customizable displays with one simple device, casting thousands of colorful lights on your home while using minimal energy.

2. Solar-Powered String Lights: Harness the power of the sun with these handy lights that charge during the day and shine through the night, adding a warm glow to your roof line, trees, or walkway.

3. LED Icicle Lights Create a winter wonderland by using these long-lasting, energy-efficient cuties. Opt for color-changing LEDs for an extra festive touch.

4. Battery-Operated Candles Enjoy the charm of candles without the fire hazard or endless replacements. These flameless LED candles flicker like the real thing. Get creative. Use a cluster of these in windows or place in outdoor lanterns.

As you prepare for your holiday get-togethers, consider ways to conserve water. Run only full loads of laundry and dishes, take shorter showers, and turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. Small steps like these can go a long way in preserving our precious water resources. Here’s to a wonderful, water-wise holiday season!

5. Lighted Garlands Dress up your doorway, mantel, or banister with these energysmart strands, available in various styles from traditional greenery to modern metallic.

Bonus: they're durable enough to use year after year!

Homegrown Utility | Neighborhood Owned | verawaterandpower.com |

888-774-8272

Vera’s Historic Wellhouse #1

Bringing warmth to our neighbors As winter approaches, utility costs soar, burdening many HARDSHIPS WITH ENERGY households. Spokane Valley Partners (509-927-1153) provides ASSISTANCE one-time energy assistance to those grappling with crises, offering a lifeline during trying times.

SUPPORT THOSE FACING

Life's unpredictability can bring unexpected hardships — a sudden illness, job loss, or other challenges. In such moments, we turn to the compassion of our community. Your donations, no matter the amount, help weave a vital safety net for those in need.

Contributing is simple—indicate your gift on your monthly Vera statement. Each donation impacts a neighbor facing difficulties with energy bills. If you find yourself struggling, don't hesitate to seek Spokane Valley Partners' one-time energy assistance program.

Deck the halls for safety

When hanging lights outside, be mindful of power lines

The holidays are a time of joy, cheer, and togetherness — and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by decorating your home?

As you deck the halls this season, Vera Water and Power wants to ensure your family stays safe.

When hanging lights outside, be mindful of power lines — never throw decorations near them. Keep ladders and equipment at least 10 feet away.

Match plugs to outlets, and only use outdoorrated lights and extension cords. Avoid overloading circuits and use plastic hooks instead of staples.

Inside, place trees away from heat sources and water fresh-cut ones daily. Turn off lights before bed and use a timer.

We wish you and your loved ones a merry and safe holiday!

VERA WATER AND POWER'S PRIORITY SYSTEM­

Improvements coming to Vera Crest reservoir Work is now underway to revitalize our 50-year-old, 4-million-gallon reservoir located on Vera Crest Drive. This project will continue through August 2025.

Thanks to a low-rate public works loan from the Washington State Public Works Board, we have been able to responsibly fund this project.

This work enhances the quality and reliability of our community's important water supply. By investing in this essential infrastructure, we can ensure that clean, safe water continues flowing for years to come.

The project will involve repainting both the interior and exterior surfaces to enhance the quality and reliability of our community's water supply. Thanks to a low-rate public works loan from the Washington State Public Works Board, we have been able to responsibly fund this project.

Restoring power to the most people at once Here's how Vera Water and Power does it: When a big storm or disaster causes a large power outage, spring into action to restore service as safely and quickly as possible. We typically follow a "hierarchy" of repairs, starting with the largest and most critical components. Our goal is to restore power the most people at once. To do this we prioritize in this order: • Substations: These facilities step down high-voltage power from transmission lines for distribution to homes and businesses. Restoring substations can bring power back to entire communities.

• Main Distribution Lines: These high-voltage lines carry power from substations to communities. Repairing them restores service to large numbers of customers at once.

• Lateral lines and transformers: These smaller lines and equipment serve specific streets or groups of buildings.

• Individual service lines: These connect individual homes and businesses to the grid.

For regular project progress updates, visit verawaterandpower.com.

CALL 888-774-8272 TO REPORT A POWER OUTAGE

Four ways to prevent frozen pipes Water expands when it freezes and can stress your water pipes, causing them to burst. Here are four ways to help prevent this problem.

1. Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in your garage.

2. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.

3. Let cold water drip from exposed pipes. Even a trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing.

We recommend running a pencil lead size stream of water.

4. Keep your thermostat at the same setting day and night.

PROTECT YOUR WATER METER TO KEEP IT FROM FREEZING. It’s not just your water pipes that can freeze.

Be sure to protect your water meter, too. By taking these steps now, you could avoid trouble later.

Water meter insulation blanket: Cover your water meter with a foam insulation blanket. The blankets— which are easy to install—are FREE AND AVAILABLE AT OUR OFFICE. Water meter vault cover: The vault cover must be in place. If the cover is missing, broken or cracked, please contact us. We sell replacements.

CUSTOMER-DIRECTED UTILITIES

We are a not-for-profit, community-owned utility that provides water and power to the Spokane Valley. We are led by a five-person board of directors who are customers living within the district. These board members meet monthly, and it is open to the public. The meeting times, dates, minutes and agendas are all available on our website, verawaterandpower.com.

As a publicly owned entity, we are dedicated to serving your best interests. Our transparent governance structure and commitment to open communication help ensure we deliver on our mission to provide reliable, affordable water and electricity tailored to the needs of our community.

OFFICE LOCATION 601 N. Evergreen Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99216

OFFICE 509-924-3800

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 630, Spokane Valley, WA 99037

24-HOUR TOLL-FREE 888-774-8272

verawaterandpower. com

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