Budget

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The table below shows the typical annual budget for the last couple years. Note: 2021 is adjusted to just reflect the expected and necessary expenses. Approximately 50% of the budget goes towards our most uncontrollable expense, water breaks. Each year your Board struggles to set a budget around these breaks.  Water breaks and related repairs over the last five years have been as little as $5,000 to over $50,000.  The goal of the Water Board, going forward, is to notify residents of each water break bill.  As that amount approaches the budget or exceeds the budget, there is a possibly an assessment will be required to pay for the breaks that exceed the budget.  The goal is to try an be as transparent as possible. 

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Water Payments is approximately what we collet each year.

Insurance covers the building, surrounding area and equipment inside against an act of God. 

Utilities is electricity 90% and about 10% for gas.

Required expenses is comprised of some fixed costs we see annually.  $6000 is for State required testing and overseeing of the water operation.  This line also includes cutting the grass @ $1500, $700 for generator maintenance, and $500 for stamps and office supplies.  The remaining balance is used for general maintenance and small repairs.

Other than electricity and insurance, these costs have remained fairly constant the last few years. 

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Current YTD expenses on Water Breaks:  $15,000, 75% of $20,000 budget spent.

02/26/2022               $8500

03/13/2022               $6500

This page will be updated as bills come in from our contractor. (~ week after the break)

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Water Quality Report - EGLE

The Environment, Great Lakes and Environment office of the state requires us to make available a current water report annually to all residents connected to our community water system. This report is compiled from data by an independent testing company and provided to us before July of each year.

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Click here for the latest reports.

Click here for the Water Board By Laws - Updated!!!

Click here for information on the Franklin Knolls proposal for city water.

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Water FAQs

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Water Flushing​​​​

Our water system is flushed about two times a year, usually on a Saturday in late April and again in November. The exact date will be announced by a message on this web site or email to all residents. Look for a sign at each entrance announcing the flushing. During a system flushing, all water is turned off for a few hours and we strongly advise that you refrain from using your water during this time. Turning off your water
softener or setting it to the BYPASS mode will help prevent it from clogging when the water is turned back on. To minimize
brown water at your tap and preventing clogging water softeners, wait until we have fully restored the water pressure
for the entire subdivision, then you should turn an outside faucet on for 5 minutes. This drains all the rusty water to the outside first thereby reducing the discoloration inside the home. When you get an email announcing the water is back on and the signs are gone, we are finished.

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How do I pay a water bill or Association Dues?

Association dues notices are sent out once a year during the month of January by mail and paid annually. Please refer to that letter for the current price, or visit the "Payments" page from the menu at the top. Water bills are due annually or quarterly to all homes connected to our Well system. Your due date is listed on the bill and depends on the choice you made (Annual vs Quarterly).   For current pricing refer to the bills or visits the "Payments" page from the menu above.

Remember: There are two dropboxes, one for Association business and the other for Water business. Please remember to put your correspondence and checks into the proper one.

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Water Repairs in Progress SIGNS or Water Break Alert!

When you see signs near your home, we have an issue with the water system that needs your attention. The RED sign indicates that we have a water break near you and you should not use your water until the repair is completed. We notify residents by email, if you provide it, or take the signs down when finished. A BLACK sign indicates that some type of repair is being done near you, possibly affecting your water. The water may be turned off during the repairs or discolored until the repairs are completed. Special note: You may not see the repair signs if the repair service company starts the repair quickly.

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The Automatic Transfer Switch and Generator

On June 1, 2009, we installed a new automatic power transfer switch in the water pump house. It is designed to automatically switch power to our generator when power at the pump house goes out after 3 seconds. When power is restored, the switch will switch back to Edison power. The power transfer occurs within 15 seconds of the power outage. Any water pressure change to residents is not even noticable during the power transfer. A new 60 kw generator was installed December 2012 to replace the broken 45 year old generator. Both generator and transfer switch are working as they should.

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Pressure Reducer Installed

In January of 2016, we installed a Pressure Reducer in the pump house to limit water pressure from our pumps to a safer level. Because our pipes are aging, the high pressure of water throughout the sub can cause the pipes to fail costing us high prices for repairs. The Pressure Reducer allows us to set and maintain a higher limit to a safe level which reduce pressure failures.

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Water Hardness   

The hardness of our water is about 26. Set your water softener to this level. Although this level is considered "hard", it is easily controlled by a water softener and does not effect the color or taste of the water.

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Landscaping after a water break   

If your lot was affected by a water break repair, the Water Commission is only responsible for replacing the grass only. We do not replace shrubs, trees or other objects placed there before the break. It will be your responsibility to fertilize and water the area around the break.

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More to come....