Author Archives: CBWA Webmaster

Do You Have A Water Leak?

Water leaks can be costly and we at Clarks Branch Water work hard to bring good, safe, clean water to your home at a cost-effective charge. Have you checked your meter lately, or experienced a higher water bill than normal? A simple test is to check for a leak is to turn off all water usage in your house and around your property. Remove the meter cover at the water meter and watch the numbers. If they are moving with no water on, you could have a leak.

If we notice a significant increase in your water usage, we will send out a flyer with this same information. Water leaks on the member’s side of the meter are the responsibility of the homeowner. Your leak will waste water and money until it is fixed.

Below we’ve listed some repair recommendations. These are only recommended vendors that we have used, or known to be available in our area. We do not advertise or allow only these vendors. They are simply a list of suggestions for help. Should you suspect or learn your residence has a water leak somewhere within your service line and need help in locating and repairing the leak, you might try one of the following contacts for repair assistance:

  • Darren Light (541) 430-6097
  • Ty Scott (541) 698-6331
  • Steve Giles (541) 863-1491
  • Pat Rokus (541) 229-2595
  • Micah’s Excavation (541) 679-5433

If you notice a leak on the CBWA side of your meter or around the neighborhood, please contact us promptly. Thanks for your efforts at saving water and money with Clarks Branch Water!

Keep Your Meter Clear of Overgrowth

Reminder to all members,

You are responsible for keeping the area around your meters clean, clear of debris, and overgrown shrubs, weeds, or grass. If we experience difficulty accessing your water meter your account can be charged a $50 cleaning fee. This fee can continue to incur if we are required clear overgrowth for access to your meter.

Keep an eye out for the annual ballot for board members with your June invoice as it is near that time of year. We have a great team of dedicated board members serving our community.
We hope this message finds you all well.

Happy Spring,
Clarks Branch Water Association Board Members

Newsletter – April 2020

Optimum Environmental Corporation has taken over the day-to-day operation and water testing compliance for the Clarks Branch Water Association water plant and distribution system as of April 6th, 2020. The CBWA Board unanimously approved a three-year contract with OEC. OEC is a local water treatment company with approximately fourteen plants as part of their responsibilities. It is a very capable company which came highly recommended.

The CBWA Board had to act quickly to find a viable, long-term solution for operating our system. The current Coronavirus pandemic was not the only contributing factor, but it certainly is the most pressing factor casting influence over almost every other consideration. The Board felt it had no other comfortable option amid some very difficult circumstances.

CBWA will face significantly higher monthly operating costs with OEC. The association has a surplus of funds currently which was being considered for other projects, such as expansion of its water storage capabilities. But having quality and consistent day-to-day water now takes precedence. If in the future a less expensive means to run our system is found, it certainly will be investigated. The CBWA will monitor costs, but there are presently no plans for an increase in monthly basic rates except for the already approved increase to $70/mo. in November, 2020.

The CBWA Board would like to humbly thank Lou Dykstra for seven years of exceptional service in operating the water plant, making great water, and engineering several improvement projects within the system. Lou’s yeoman service saved the association thousands and thousands of dollars as work was done internally rather than by expensive engineers and contractors. Lou cannot be thanked enough! Similar accolades go out to Brian Kelly who was the association direct regulatory contact (DRC). Brian provided his license to keep CBWA in line with the myriad of Oregon State water testing regulations, and also helped in many emergency instances.

The board also realizes some members may be adversely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout. Please contact Executive Manager Mandi Hall in writing (clarksbranchwater@gmail.com) or at the postal address on this mailing if you wish the CBWA Board to consider your particular circumstance. It will be reviewed on an individual basis by the board. Please bear in mind the board cannot forgive charges accrued, but it may be able to extend due dates or work out payment plans until the account can be brought current when the economy returns toward normalcy. Please stay safe!

Fiber Internet Coming to Clarks Branch Area

Hello CBWA Members,

My name is Glen Simpson. I am the CBWA board secretary and I manage this website. Many of you know the problems of getting high speed and reliable internet to our homes in this area. Douglas Fast Net (DFN) has announced that they are expanding coverage in and around Round Prairie, Dole Road, Clarks Branch and Wagontire Drive. Some of you may have been contacted already and have signed up. If you haven’t, visit DFN.net for more information, or call 541-673-4242 to sign up. Clarks Branch Water Assocation is in no way affiliated with DFN or this expansion, but as a neighbor I wanted to help spread the word about a local internet option. I have DFN 100Mbs service at my office in Roseburg and it has been great for over 8 years. Our whole family is excited for streaming videos that don’t buffer, fast internet browsing, new wifi gadgets and a lower mobile phone data bill.

DFN installations are estimated to be done around May 2020. DFN offers four fiber internet plans starting at $49.99/mo for 50Mbs speeds going up to 1Gig. Installation is $75 for standard installations and line extension fee may apply in some circumstances. Wireless router purchase or rentals are additional. All of the details are listed at https://dfn.net/fiber-in-the-home

You can view their coverage map below:

DFN will be expanding in other areas of the county and locations with the highest demands will take priority. Call DFN at 541-673-4242 to get on the list.

Happy New Year!