Water Company
Andy Johnson, Water Superintendent
Mike Gliem

The Lake Panorama Water Company is privately owned by the Lake Panorama Association. Its responsibility is to supply Lake Panorama members with safe and quality water service. The water department currently employs two employees, Andy Johnson, water superintendent and Mike Gliem, assistant water superintendent. Their job is to maintain the treatment facility and to maintain the water distribution system at Lake Panorama. Some of their duties include: maintain operations at the treatment facility, maintenance in the distribution systems, which includes repairing leaks, installing fire hydrants, installing valves, making service connections for new home owners and many more duties.

To help better inform you, we have put together a small list of frequently asked questions that we hear from customers at Lake Panorama. If you should ever have a question, feel free to ask us about it. Hopefully, these questions and answers will help inform you, and let you know a little bit about what the Lake Panorama Water Company is all about.

Water Company frequently asked question:

Question: Where does our water come from?
Answer: The source of our water is groundwater. Our groundwater is drawn from two different wells located in the Cretaceous (Dakota Sandstone) Aquifer. Formerly the Association was served by a third deep well which has now been abandoned due to well-casing deterioration.

Question: How is our water treated to insure its quality, and that it is safe to drink?
Answer: The water that Lake Panorama Water Company produces comes from two wells that are deep in the ground. The wells have been determined to be not susceptible to contamination due to characteristics of the overlying materials in the Aquifers. The water starts its process in a good way. We then have the water pass through our treatment plant. First the water is aerated. This is to aid in the removal of unpleasant odors and to help in the removal of iron and manganese. A new system has been installed to remove the higher levels of iron and manganese that are present since the deeper Jordan well has been abandoned. The water then passes through four filters that remove the iron and manganese from the water. In the spring of 2008 the filters will be refurbished with new filter media to improve water quality. It is important to remove these two elements because they cause staining on plumbing fixtures and undesirable color to the water. The water then is chlorinated which is to disinfect the water. Disinfection is the most important thing because it insures that the water is free from bacteria and other water borne diseases. The water then goes to our standpipe and is ready for consumption.

Question: Who is responsible when it comes to water leaks?
Answer: Once a leak is reported, a water company employee will come out and investigate the situation. If water is coming up in the roadway, this would clearly indicate that it is something that the Water Company will repair. If the leak appears to be by a curb stop, which is the customer’s water connection to our main, the Water Company will turn the valve off to the customer’s line. When we do this, the shutoff key is placed on top of a valve and we will hear the sound of running water travel up the key. Then we shut off the water. From there it’s simple, if the sound stops, it has to be on the customer’s side and they must make the repairs. If the sound continues, it is on our side because the water is still leaking. That is how we determine who is responsible when it comes to leak repairs. Note: The customer’s responsibility begins at the curb stop! If a leak is determined to be on their side, it is the customer’s responsibility to make repairs. Should it be leaking on the side before the valve, the Water Company assumes responsibility.

Question: What is my responsibility when it comes to the water meter?
Answer: The customer’s responsibility is to initially have a plumber install a water meter, which the Lake Panorama Water Company will provide for a fee. From there, the customer must make sure that the meter doesn’t get damaged due to neglect. Frequent examples of neglect include: frozen meters in the winter or damaged meters due to remodeling, etc. The customer is responsible for the cost of a new meter if the meter is damaged due to neglect. If the meter should fail or stop registering water the Water Company will replace it and absorb the costs. We also change out meters when they are very old or have registered over 1,000,000 gallons and absorb the costs. Note: Starting in 2003, the Board of Directors approved the Water Company to begin the elimination of meter pits. In this situation, should you have a meter pit, when the old meter stops working it will be the customer’s responsibility to have a new meter installed in the home. The water company will provide the meter, but you will have to have it plumbed into your home. If you should have a yard hydrant, and have upgraded your meter pit, we will install and maintain a meter on the hydrant at no cost. In order to prevent staining or changes in water color, it is recommended that in-line cartridge filters be installed by your plumber.

Question: What do I do if I notice water coming out of the ground or poor water quality?
Answer: Please contact the LPA office Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 4:30 pm. The office phone number is 641-755-2301. If it is after office hours or weekends, call LPA Security at 641-757-3101. The Security Department will contact an employee to come out and investigate the problem. Feel free to call anytime, whether it is about quality issues or other water issues. All you questions and comments are important to us.

Lake Panorama Water Company projects for 2008

• A. Replacement of the filter media in all four pressure filters. This and follow-up main flushing will reduce the iron/ manganese buildup in the system due to the abandonment of the Jordan deep well. This should be completed this spring. Occasional incidents of sediment or colored water may occur until the water mains have been thoroughly flushed during the 2008 season.

The Lake Panorama Water Company is a very valuable resource to our community. We strive to insure the best quality water and service possible. If you ever have any questions please call us and let us know what you think, good or bad. It lets us know what we are doing right and what can be done better for our community here at Lake Panorama.